The Match Boy by Pelaam

Title: The Match Boy

Series:  A Once Upon a Future Story

Author: Pelaam

Genre: Fantasy/Holiday

Length: Novella (60 pages)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (December 21, 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: A familiar tale, with a twist. Vern is a penniless match boy, rescued by Oren, an inventor, Can Vern win Oren’s heart with a specially crafted gift?

A familiar tale with a twist. Vern’s life as a poor match boy is hard and cruel. Starving and freezing, he loses consciousness, and when he awakens, thinks he must have died and gone to heaven.

Instead he finds he’s been rescued by Oren, a doctor and inventor, who lives with his sister and brother-in-law.

Each man is attracted to the other, but each fear to speak of the attraction, thinking it would be misinterpreted–especially when a friend of Oren’s seeks to keep the couple apart.

But Vern has a plan. He crafts a gift for Oren, intended to reveal his heart in a way he’s unable to put into words.

Will the match boy’s gift win the heart of the inventor?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/the-match-boy-ebook-p-60446.html

Review: I love these old classics done over. I always loved the little match girl and it made me cry.  Now The Match boy is on my favourite list.

This story at the beginning follows the original with the match boy on the corner cold, hungry and alone. The first few paragraphs had me tearing up and my sisters laughing at me. The writing was emotional, heartfelt and poignant. When the man in the carriage showed up and the story took on the new take I was elated. The story still kept its roots, sounded old-fashioned and charming yet the clockwork horse and automaton gave it a steampunk feel without going overboard and losing the origin of the story. I also loved the MM twist on the old tale, tough it is very heartfelt and sensual.

I adored both Oren and Vern. All the supporting characters were also charming and I loved the twists and turns that take place. I loved the sensuality of the sex when it finally took place. I didn’t want to put this down once I started to see where the story went. I will say I was very very happy at the ending.

If you like old classic tales with a new twist, a little steampunk, fairy-tale endings, loving sensuous mansex and a wonderful holiday story this is definitely one for you!