Title: The Christmas He Can’t Forget
Series: Gay Doctors at City Hospital
Author: L. R. Clermont
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (81 pages)
Publisher: L.R. Clermont (December 2nd, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo
Blurb: On Christmas Eve, nearly ten years ago, Jacob, a third year med student had his heart completely broken by Luke.
All this time on, after a string of failed relationships and a career that hasn’t exactly soared Jacob has worked hard on himself and is now ready to return to the ER where, as a junior doctor, he struggled. Shy and sensitive, Jacob had trouble asserting himself in such a demanding role but he’s determined to show his peers how much that has all changed. He just never expected Luke to be on the interview panel and, given that Luke’s supposedly straight, Jacob assumes that he hasn’t got the job.
It is Luke who rings him to tell him he has, and it is Luke who is entirely capable of again breaking Jacob’s heart, yet it is Jacob who stays strong.
Ten years on, he likes himself now and isn’t about to be used again. With Christmas, fast approaching things are particularly tense between them and there are some heated exchanges. Luke tells Jacob he has issues with Jacob dating and flirting with fellow colleagues. Luke has issues, period, Jacob tells him. Maybe it’s time for Luke to sort out his own life. Preferably in time for Christmas…
Review: What would the m/m genre be without broken, misunderstood, hiding in closets and men full of fear? Well this story brings all these together. Jacob is the broken one, unable to move past the love of his life who broke his heart ten years ago, despite being in a relationship with the perfect man. Luke is the afraid, hiding in the closet, refusing to admit his feelings, misunderstood man. Both these men try to unsuccessfully to navigate their feelings while working with each other. And when Jacob takes a stand it, all comes to a head.
Jacob vows to move on and Luke must make a decision if he’s to be happy and be with Jacob despite what his past and his life tell him he should do. When Luke does take action, it has disastrous results and he must turn to Jacob and his family for help. Jacob, knowing that he’ll never really be over Luke, steps in to help the one man he will always love. The true miracle of Christmas is when the improbable happens or when you get your heart’s desire. This is the culmination of this story. What started ten years before and ended amidst fear and misunderstanding now comes full circle when both men are better prepared to handle their relationship and any subsequent fallout. A story about true love, that rings very warm and very true. Great little read.