Title: Santa-San, A Japanese Christmas in Hawaii
Series: N/A
Author: A.J. Llewellyn
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday
Length: Novella (18K)
Publisher: Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure (December 15th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Koh Timura returns home to Honolulu for the holidays. It’s the first time he’s celebrated Christmas since his mother’s death years earlier. But unemployment and dealing with his stubborn dad and his extremely young stepmother doesn’t make Kohn feel especially merry and bright. His Japanese-born father is a traditionalist who likes to celebrate with the old country ways of doing things—fried chicken on the table and Santa-San bringing gifts to all.
But Koh soon learns that everybody deals with pain and loss in different ways. As he adjusts to being back in the islands, he encounters Adam Takagawa, the guy he loved all through high school. Will their passion flare again? Can some things broken really be fixed? Is sad and lonely Koh due a Christmas miracle after all?
Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/SantaSan.html
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: Yes, you can go home again.
It’s good to know that big things, the important things don’t change when Koh returns to his island home. His favorite restaurant, the beauty of the island, and the beauty of his high school crush. The two reunite and explore forbidden nature preserves and their reignited feelings together. Is there a reason for Koh to stay? Will he be able to mend the wound between him and his father and mother in law? After a tough time of it back in California, will Santa-san reward Koh for his patience and good behavior with a boyfriend for Christmas?
I found this to be a sweet and enjoyable read, with lots of interesting details about Hawaiian and Japanese culture as it pertains to the holidays.