One kiss under the mistletoe destroyed a friendship. Will another Christmas kiss remake it into something better? Eli hasn’t been home since he left at eighteen with a heart aching from his best friend’s rejection and his father’s intolerance. But when his father reaches out, Eli figures it’s time to make peace with his family. He doesn’t expect to come face-to-face with Turner too — or to learn … or to learn that the straight friend he’d foolishly loved is actually bisexual — but once the shock wears off, he knows exactly what he wants for Christmas.
Turner’s life isn’t everything he’d once planned, but he’s happy to be the shoulder his loved ones lean on. They keep him busy, which is just as well since none of his dates have really clicked. He hasn’t been able to connect with anyone the way he did with his former best friend. When Eli shows up for the holidays after years away, Turner doesn’t know what hit him. But he knows one thing: This time, he wants to give Eli a reason to stay.
All I Want Is You is a friends to lovers, second-chance romance with an HEA.
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Eight years of regret wiped out perfectly
A parent regrets what they said, a best friend regrets being a coward. Years spent not quite unhappily, but definitely not fulfilled. It’s only when circumstances change and Eli has no choice but to return home can the damage be undone? People change, Eli is surprised, and in only a few days he starts to wonder. The HEA comes eventually, and two families let out a sigh of relief.
Eli has his reason for never looking back but when he does there is a lot of misunderstanding to sort through. Turner has to correct some mistakes. There is also family stuff to deal with. But once they start to communicate solutions can be found.
This book ticks several boxes for me. When I read a Christmas story, I far prefer a standalone to revisiting previous characters. While this is a novella, it is certainly not short so there is plenty of time for character development. And…it is a second chance romance where the MCs come back together after a gap of 8 years.
I must confess that I(slightly) preferred Eli to Turner. Eli has such a wicked sense of humour despite life not being particularly kind at times. I liked how he tried hard with his father despite his father’s often lukewarm acceptance of him. Turner is more care worn by circumstances and there is no easy solution to some of his problems. I found the writing to be realistic and not at all sugar coated despite being a holiday novella.
This is the type of books that trapp you because the sweet emotional story. After many tears and sighs and laughs (and some hot scenes) Eli and Turner found the way to each other. Wonderful reading well suited for these Holidays.
A great read!!!!!
Eli never felt at home in his hometown; coming out to everyone in high school caused a rift with his dad and stealing a kiss under the mistletoe from his best friend, Turner, resulted in another rejection. After cutting ties and 8 years away, Eli is back for a visit home at Christmas… and Turner is there, looking better than ever and wanting Eli back in his life again. And that just might be all that Eli ever wanted…
This story was extremely satisfying, and it took no effort whatsoever on my part to be drawn in and care about these characters. Humor, heartstrings and heat, this one has them all. DJ Jamison is one of my favorite new-to-me writers!
This book tells the story of childhood friends, Eli and Turner. Growing up in a conservative town, and the son of the high school coach has not made being gay easy for Eli. His comfort is his best friend, Turner, who is tough and athletic, and always defending him from any bullying. Eli has been in love with Turner for as long as he can remember, so he gathers all his courage and kisses Turner under the mistletoe, only to be rebuffed by Turner, dashing any hope he ever held for a romantic relationship with his best friend. Heartbroken by Turner’s rejection and his father’s painful refusal to accept him as a gay man, Eli leaves town and makes a life away from them. But fate has other plans for them. It is a second chance at romance. There are many aspects to the book i really enjoyed. The tone of the story is definitely on par with the season, the descriptions are crisp and the emotions really stick to you, whether it’s the crushing feeling of Eli’s disappointment, or the jealousy he feels around Turner, or Eli’s anger at his father’s narrow mindedness. I also liked that Turner’s attraction for women is never played down or seen as a negative, his bisexuality is simply a part of who he is. Both men have to come to terms with how life has changed for them and how they see each other with respect to their past mistakes. I specifically appreciate that the characters are always taking risks with their emotions, which leads to them communicating with each other more honestly. The book has just the right amount of angst and emotional development, with lots of hot sexual tension, and a lovely happy ending to keep you warm for the holidays.
This is a terrific second chance romance for former best friends Eli and Turner. When Eli comes back to town, neither man will ever be the same. They both have unresolved feelings, and it is so much fun to see them try to work things out. There are some tough moments as Eli works on his relationship with his father, and Turner tries to take care of his mother and everyone else, the majority of this book is smiles and laughter. I’ll read this one again!
When Eli came out to his parents, it didn’t go well. His other was supportive but his father, the coach, didn’t take it well. His best friend, Turner, protected him but after one kiss, their friendship fell apart.
Eli left after high school and didn’t look back. 8 years, a long time, things changed, people changed, will it be enough for Eli to move back. Turner is determined to finally go after what he has always wanted and who he always wanted, can he convince Eli to come home for good, he doesn’t have long to do it.
This is a fabulous story, so much hurt and emotion, reminiscing and learning new truths about the past. It is a true love story from a young age, good times and rough times, it’s part of their story, and a great story it is!
Amazing! I couldn’t put it down.
This book drew me in from the start. Thinking back to those eight years that Eli and Turner could have had, I was glad that all was not lost. What makes them even more relatable is the fact that as I went through a whole slew of emotions, I realized that in their non-accepting world, they’d been fighting back, each in their own way to get to their happily ever after. Eli’s mom as the wow factor is brilliant. She’s the cherry on top of the cake. A definite thumbs up and a must read. 5 stars.
**ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
So in love with all the Christmas novels this year ( as always) but Eli and Turner, bless them are adorbs together. Another winning story by the author! 2nd chance at Christmas, mistletoe – all your wishes may come true!
All I Want Is You by DJ Jamison
Five Phenomenal Stars!!
Ohhhh bring on the holidays!! I love holiday stories and this one is absolutely phenomenal.
Eli and Turner were best friends for many years. But one fateful Christmas Eli made a choice to seek out his feelings and it ended up not going the way he had planned.
After being gone for almost a decade Eli is back in Juniper. He doesn’t feel like things have changed but his eyes aren’t open all the way…..yet.
Turner is surprised to see Eli back and in his home. He had become part of Eli’s family while Eli was in California. But as soon as Turner see’s Eli his feelings come to surface and he needs to tell Eli the truth.
We follow best friends who become more. Feelings are still there but have magnified since the break in their friendship. And since one has confirmed that he is a bisexual man.
This is a story of never giving up hope. A story of never changing yourself even though people make it hard to not. A story of following your heart no matter what happens. And a story of finding your forever love.
Highly recommended.
*I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
A good fun read with a second chance between friends. Some family drama and two main characters who will make a home in your heart.
Just before Christmas, I was lucky enough to be gifted a free audiobook copy of All I Want Is You by DJ Jamison. She was kind enough to offer free copies of her book to select people so they could listen and review. I’m always up for discovering new to me authors, so I was more than excited to have the opportunity to experience this quick Christmas story during the holiday season.
Before I get into the meat and potatoes of the review I’d like to talk about the narrator, Wyatt Baker. I’m actually pretty picky when it comes to narrators. If the reader doesn’t breathe life into the characters or story, I honestly can’t stay interested. That being said, I’m happy to say Wyatt Baker did just that. From the start to finish I was drawn into the audiobook and that wasn’t just because the author did a fantastic job at writing the book. He brought the energy of the characters to the book right from the start. I felt all of the emotions which really appreciate as a listener.
Now, on to my thoughts about this story! I won’t give too much away because I think, as long as you like m/m romance mixed with a dash of holiday spirit, everyone should give this book a read/listen. So, don’t expect too many spoilers if that’s what you’re looking for.
This lovely holiday read tells the story of Eli and Turner, two guys that grew up together as best friends in Juniper, Oregon. It includes many plot points that tug on the emotional heartstrings: unrequited love, familial homophobic degradation, mending rifts in relationships, eye-opening revelations, exploring past feelings, sizzling sexy times between the sheets, Christmas festivities, and a sweet doggy best friend.
I honestly enjoyed listening to this book from start to finish. One thing that I did feel was lacking was the reconciliation between Eli and his father. I felt that Eli suffered mentally and emotional as a kid due to his father’s homophobia. Yes, his old man wanted to mend their relationship after eight years, but it felt like it all fell into place too easily. Emotional wounds are hard to overcome, so I felt like forgiveness was given a little too quickly. Another thing that I was slightly bothered by was how angry Turner got with Eli when Turner’s doggy had to go to the vet. Blaming Eli for what happened seemed childish to me and I struggled to connected with Turner after that.
All in all, this was a good book! It started off well, had a solid plot, and ended with a sweet epilogue that gave me the warm and fuzzies. I would definitely recommend this book/audiobook for those looking for an enjoyable holiday read they can finish in an afternoon.
This was a good Holiday story. I loved the characters and the second chance romance between them. I also loved Scout the Border Collie.
I listened to the audio and the narration was ok. It was just that though a basic reading with no real voice changes or emotion.
I do recommend the book though fro a fun Christmas story.
All I Want Is You is a contemporary m/m holiday romance by DJ Jamison. It is a sweet second chance, friends to lovers story that made me smile and laugh. Eli and Turner are fun characters and I loved them together.
Story – 5
Performance – 4
Overall – 5
I read this book when it was released in November 2018 and I loved it so much. The audiobook narrated by Wyatt Baker is the first one I’ve listened to by him. I think his narration was pretty good and I wouldn’t mind listening to more by him. But I have to confess that while listening to the story, I didn’t feel the same connection between Eli and Turner as I did when I read it so I’m kind of glad that I read this one first.
Below is a copy of my original review for the book.
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Two of my favorite romance tropes in one story!
I’ve been a huge fan of DJ Jamison’s writing ever since I read Catching Jaime (my first and still favorite book of hers) over 2 years ago. All I Want is You is a wonderful Christmas story that combines two of my favorite romance tropes: second chance and friends-to-lovers and I loved it.
Eli and Turner were best friends until Eli kissed Turner when they were still kids. Turner’s reaction told Eli that what he dreamed for would never happen or would it? Turner is now out as bi-sexual and really regrets his reaction when Eli kissed him. At the time he was still coming to terms with his sexuality and he didn’t handle it well when Eli kissed him. Now that Eli has come back home for the first time since he left years ago, Turner wants a do-over.
Wow, this book had me from the start – actually right from when I read the blurb. Because I have loved DJ’s other books, I was confident that this one would live up to the blurb and boy did it! It hit me right in the feels almost from the first page of the Prologue.
I felt so bad for Eli and how he’d been treated as a teen after he came out. He’d been harassed and ridiculed not only by kids at school but also by his own father. It was for these reasons that he left home after high school and never returned until now. Fortunately, his father has mellowed a bit and their tense relationship gradually gets better.
I can’t say enough good things about this story; it made me laugh and it made me cry – both sad and happy tears – my favorite kind of book. For me to say this book stands up against DJ’s book, Catching Jaime, is one of the highest complements I can give it, but not only that, it stands up against other Christmas stories that I’ve read this year including ones by other well-known and favorite authors.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
This was by far my favorite Christmas story this season! This is my first book by this author and I am anxious to catch up with the rest of her work. The story combines my two favorite tropes which is second chance, and friends to lovers. Eli and Taylor had been friends since childhood. In high school, a kiss has unintended consequences. My heart hurt for Eli because his father who was the athletics coach, did not respond well when he came out and neither did the school or town. When he leaves after high school graduation, he doesn’t plan to return. But eight years later, fate draws him back to home where Turner still lives. The road to friendship and then love is not completely easy. But I loved the way the author laid the story out. Will his father accept him now? Will Eli fight for the love he needs and deserves? I really loved the journey to those answers. This will be a story I return to every year to get the spirit of Christmas to come alive in me.
I absolutely loved the synopsis. There was so much promise for forgiveness, changing perspectives, finding home, love, and acceptance. What we got was some steam, some sweetness, and a lot of awkward drama from multiple sources. Turner loved having everyone rely on him but when it came to asking for what he really wanted, opening his heart and laying it bare, he couldn’t get it together. I couldn’t find myself loving him. I kind of just tolerated him and kept hoping he would say the better things, not prolong the awkwardness, be completely honest, and be open with his decisions. Eli wasn’t much better for me either. I do feel like he was justified in his attitude and defensiveness though, and was on his side more often than not. His stubbornness wasn’t an endearing quality and neither was his refusal to see possibilities in front of him instead of pining for something he knows doesn’t exist anywhere else. The ending was nice and the epilogue almost made up for all the unlikable stuff that came before because it was completely awesome. That alone made reading the story worth it.