The Healing Power of Eggnog by Jamie Fessenden

HealingPowerofEggnog[The]LGTitleThe Healing Power of Eggnog

Series:  Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming

AuthorJamie Fessenden

Genre:   Holiday Novella

LengthNovella (89 pages)

PublisherDreamspinner Press (December 1st, 2013)

Heat LevelModerate

Heart Rating♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Will Sutherland hasn’t been home to see his parents in four years—not since they reacted badly when he came out. This Christmas, he’s finally worked up the courage to go home, where he’s surprised to find they’ve taken in a boarder. Ryan Bennett is just a couple years younger than Will, cute, sweet…, and openly gay.

As Will deals with his jealousy of the man who’s been receiving the love and acceptance he was denied, Ryan finds himself falling for Will’s brooding good looks. But Ryan also suspects the Sutherlands may be using him as a pawn in their long-standing conflict with their son. Will this Christmas finally tear the family apart, or is there a chance they can put their hurt and anger behind them?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming.”

Product Link:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4508

Advent: Heartwarming: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4512

Reviewer:   Portia

ReviewEven before this delicious morsel dropped into my inbox, I wanted it. The cover artwork is just so festive and inviting. And you know me…a total cover whore.

As for the story itself, it is everything I look for in a holiday read. Sweet, sweet and sweeter. Not to say that there isn’t a bit of angst, there is, but, it just enough to make the sweet sweeter.

Will and Ryan are an interesting pair. For that matter, the whole family is interesting. Will’s parents realized that they could have handled Will’s coming out better, but don’t have the words to say I’m sorry. Ryan isn’t so much a substitute for Will, in their eyes, but more of a second chance.

I love that fact that instead of the family falling apart, they all grew a little bit over the holidays. Opening up and finding a peace that eludes so many, during this time of year.

As for the ending, I am a sucker for beginnings. And if Jamie Fessenden were a nice man, he’d slip me the recipe to that magical eggnog. J