Andrew Walker has memories of what Christmas is supposed to be like. Having lived so many years without a family to share the holidays with, he’s determined to rebuild traditions with his fiancé, Val. However, Val’s ideal Christmas doesn’t align with Andrew’s. Not only do the men come from two different worlds, but they live thousands of miles apart. During a disastrous trip to Toronto to visit … to visit Val for the holidays, Andrew meets Xavier, a caring and thoughtful man who only wants to help Andrew out of a bad situation and get him where he’s supposed to be for Christmas.
Xavier grew up in a loving home filled with a holiday spirit that reminds Andrew of his childhood. Reflecting on life and love, Andrew realizes how mismatched he and Val truly are and wonders if this is the life he’s destined to live.
Perhaps being alone is better than settling for someone who doesn’t make him happy.
Except, no one should be alone at Christmas, so when Xavier finds out Andrew’s plan to travel home alone after ending his relationship with Val, he has a different agenda.
Maybe it’s time Andrew gets a taste of the Christmas he knows in his heart.
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This Christmas love story hit me right in the feels! I stayed up late last night devouring this book because it was sooooo good!! The author painted the best scenes for my mind so that I felt like I was enjoying these wonderful Christmas traditions right along with the heroes. I loved watching their love bud and then bloom. So sweet and romantic! I highly recommend this love story! Five Hot Cocoa at Nana’s Stars!
Gahhhh!
*swoon*
Loved it!
James is still a fairly new-to-me author, which is about to change. Earlier this year during our first encounter she knocked me down flat and then lifted me up into the stars. Love Me Whole is a powerful and unforgettable story so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this shorter, sweeter holiday book. Well, I will plan on expecting greatness with anything attached to her name from here on out. I LOVED this Christmas story. Like, grabbed my kindle and twirled around the room with hearts in my eyes after I finished it. What? You don’t do that when a book makes you…so happy? Huh. Okay, so maybe it’s just me then. Anywho, this was everything I yearn for with my holiday tales and more. I didn’t want it to end but I was so happy with the ending I didn’t want to change a single thing. Let me curb my babbling and get to it…
What’s to like: This is one of those types of books that I tend to steer clear of…the current “in a relationship” status when the meet-cute occurs. If you’re like me and don’t care for cheating (at all) rest assured, you’re safe here. This one worked for me in all the ways it usually doesn’t. Let me tell you why! When Andrew encounters his Mr. Right he is already committed to Mr. Wrong. Flying across the country to see his long-distance boyfriend for the holidays turns into one disaster after another. Andrew is determined to make the best of it despite the storm of obstacles thrown into his path. Being a California boy, he’s unprepared for a northern winter storm. When he’s dropped in the middle of a winter wonderland he’s enchanted and exhilarated but again, vastly underprepared. Then a stranger appears with an answer for every problem. However, the biggest quandary is losing his heart to the snowstorm savior. *sigh* It’s unexpected and abrupt and oh so right. And as a wise person once said, when it’s right, you find a way.
What’s to love: Both of the men stole my heart! I was instantly smitten with Andrew and his Jeep driving rescuer, Xavier. Andrew might date a prestigious elite but he’s a simple man with simple wishes. He desperately wants to taste a piece of his childhood memories and continue precious traditions, maybe even start new ones. But all too quickly he discovers Val doesn’t have the same dreams. To add salt to the cookies it looks like their future paths are not in sync either. This trip was all for naught. Or was it? Was he meant to trudge all that way to accept he was in love with the idea of Val and not Val himself? Maybe it was only to merge paths with someone and get a glimpse of everything he always desired? Perhaps both? But Xavier’s on the other side of the country…and for a man who’s done years of long-distance, Andrew knows it would be different this time. They should just take this moment in time and enjoy each other. I mean, fresh trees, a Nana homemade Christmas dinner, and cheap wine…what’s not to love about that?? But what happens when this startling connection locks tighter than either imagined? *happy wiggle* I really really think you should find out!
Beware of: Paths change, paths merge and paths turn true. From fleeting to faraway there are challenges aplenty…but I never questioned the power of their love. And a Christmas visit that will warm your soul and lift your heart.
This book is for: If you’re searching for a stunning story with all the Christmas fixings, I would highly recommend that you pick up this delightful pair.
Pure Christmas bliss! I liked that the angst is super low in this one. Yes, Andrew has to deal with a breakup but he does it with class and dignity. The way that Xavier took in every little thing that Andrew longed for in such a short time and made all of his Christmas wishes come true just melted me. Every detail, every moment, became the foundation for a better, happier, healthier relationship for Andrew. Xavier’s interactions with his Nana just highlighted even further what a wonderful man he truly was. They prove their commitment as they work through a way to bring their lives together. Their airport meetup made me cheer.
The Christmas I Know is not typical of Nicky James’s writing. Mrs. James is known for her high-angst writing. Usually while reading her books, it’s advised to have a box of tissue handy and maybe a glass or two of wine.
This book however, is a cute, fluffy, angst-free holiday story. But in true Nicky James’s style, it is well written with lovable characters.
Andrew knows how Christmas should be celebrated, but unfortunately his fiancee Val has other ideas. While visiting Val for Christmas, Andrew realises how unhappy he is in his relationship. Andrew’s accidental meeting with Xavier is a godsend. An invitation to spend Christmas with Xavier and his grandmother, opens Andrew’s eyes to what love should really look and feel like.
The Christmas I Know is the perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit.
If you’re looking for a book to curl up with this season, you will not regret reading this one!!!
Nicky James you are killing me here. I loved every word except the end.
The characters were charming and real and down to earth. I loved that the theme was a family Christmas with old traditions. I loved that they waited for their HEA and never had it spoiled.
I have read quite a few not great books lately and within the first page I felt relief at finally being able to read and enjoy the writing and the plot line and the characters. Everything flowed beautifully.
This was an awesome, inspiring story that had me all emotional throughout and was totally worth every minute!
Nicky James wrote fluff.
The fluffiest fluff to have ever fluffed. Colour me shocked.
This was a departure from her usial writing style but it was still really good. A feel good christmas story.
Andrew is on a mission to get to his fiancé Christmas party. But it seems like everything is against him. His trip turns into one from hell with everything going wrong. Then he meets Xavier, and being a good samaritan, helps out Andrew.
I loved this story, the build up during their road trip. The fiancé is not pleased. Speaking of said fiancé, Val, never have I ever met/read about such a pretentious, vain @**wipe. I wanted to slap him multiple times. Talk about only thinking about themselves.
Anyway, Andrew and Xavier, there was a connection between them from the start, a friendship that moved to something more.
Even tho isn’t angst filled and a tear jerker like most of NJ’s books, it was still a great book.