Opposites might attract. But does that include age?Christmas comes early for Aiden Malone in the form of a seductive, blue-eyed stranger down on his knees. But a shocking revelation about his new “friend” has him running for the hills and cursing his stupidity before the night is out. Tom’s not prepared to give up that easily. He may be rich where Aiden’s poor. Innocent in a way that Aiden isn’t. … way that Aiden isn’t. And on the wrong side of twenty. But he’s old enough to know what he wants. And that’s Aiden. He just needs to persuade the older man to look past his hang-ups about age and wealth.
Lust and prejudice pull Aiden in opposite directions, severely testing his willpower. As Tom’s layers begin to peel away, Aiden discovers the younger man’s life of privilege may not be all it seems. If Aiden gives in, they could have the sweetest Christmas that either of them has ever tasted.
But Tom’s about to shatter their joy with a surprise announcement. Decisions need to be made on both sides. It’s down to Aiden, though, to stay strong and decide whose happiness is more important. His? Or Tom’s? Because they can’t have it both ways.
It’s possible their relationship won’t even last as long as it takes for the snow to melt.
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This was a tremendously well-written story, with a lot of feelings, at times quite heartbreaking but oh my, I loved it so hard.
It started with a quickie in a stall and that ended as a disillusion. Tom was way too gorgeous and way too young! Above this, Tom comes from money. Bummer, because he was all Aiden could wish for.
After being pushed away, Tom doesn’t stop approaching Aiden and Aiden had so much trouble resisting him. How can you resist a gorgeous persistent guy who loves and gives himself freely?
With an age gap of thirteen years, you should think you know who is the mature one? Yeah? Wrong! Tom has a disarming view of what they could have.
He is awfully vulnerable, every time he speaks and reveals parts of his life, my heart shattered. That beautiful sweet, creative boy, I wanted to squeeze him. And there was Aiden, a sweet stubborn, unconditionally loving guy, he loved so much, he put himself as second in life.
Without giving the story away I can tell you there are some unexpected events with so many feelings, I cried my eyes out. My heart broke in pieces but thank goodness it mended, I had thick goosebumps. I read some parts again and again and still had the same bodily reaction. For me, it was an overwhelming story. Beautifully developed, well balanced, ditto with the characters they were well developed with great consistency. I loved that everything outside the two of them was just a grey noise. It was about Tom and Aiden without suffocating feelings. Together they were fireworks!
Christmas Riches isn’t one of those sweet-as-pie holiday romances reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, but I absolutely loved it. This May-December romance captured the magic of the season and unexpected love along with a fair amount of angst, which frankly caught me off guard at times. Happily, the ending made the moments that left me heart sore worthwhile. Not only were the characters, story, and romance lovely, but there was also a fair bit of playful dialogue and moments that had grinning ear-to ear. In short, Christmas Riches hit on all the right notes for me.
I really liked the characters in Christmas Riches and that the age difference between Aiden and Tom was addressed a few times over without it seeming to be just a quick blip in the side notes. The romance between Aiden and Tom does spark and move along rather quickly at first, but it didn’t feel underdeveloped and the ending proved this couple had staying power. The characters, their histories, and the path to their happy ending were different than what I’d anticipated, and it made the love and sweet moments pack more of a punch and the story all the more memorable. If you like a bit more angst and substance with your holiday romance but still want all of the season’s magic, I’d definitely recommend adding Christmas Riches to your to-read list.
4 ½ Stars
I’ve gone back and forth on the rating for this one. I give a star; I take away ½. I add a ½ and take away a whole. Torn. That’s what I’ve been.
I am not a big fan of young MCs. 18 is very young for me. Very. I don’t feel like they have lived enough to know what love, making love, and loving forever is about. Lust and crushes are fine for hookups, but I read for the HEA. So, I wondered all through this book; Is he mature enough for the long haul? It wasn’t answered to my brain’s satisfaction. It was, however, answered to my hearts’.
These characters. :::sigh::: Aiden is such a sweetheart. He is reliable, steady, selfless, and responsible. He is looking for forever, but won’t say no to a “for now” if it’s offered in the right way.
Aiden has the same issue with age as I do, and he struggles with doing the right thing for them both. But he falls in love and, for a short while, it is wonderful.
I wish I could have seen Tom’s point of view. I did get a sense of him through the dialogue and narrative, but I needed more. I needed to be sure that he was in this for always. At times I believed he was, but at other times, no. It was plain to see that he needs someone to love him, that could see past the surface beauty to the person underneath. He found that in Aiden.
I fell in love with these characters, but the author cut the heart out of my chest before they got their HEA.
I cried and cried for these two. But especially for Aiden. The ending was, for me, bittersweet after all they had suffered. I am glad they found their way back to each other, and I hope to see more of them to see that the HEA was real and lasting.
I had all the feels with this one, and I look forward to more by this author.
Christmas Riches was more emotional than I expected for a Christmas story, but in true HL Day style, she made her MCs work for their HEA.
Everything isn’t always as it seems, and that certainly was the case with our younger MC Tom. On the outside, he seems to have it all. Youth, looks and money, But as they say, money can’t buy happiness.
Aiden’s resistance to Tom was a bit frustrating for me. Tom was too young, Tom was too rich. He refused Tom at every turn.. until he couldn’t.
I loved that HL had me on the edge of my seat with this book. My only complaint would be that I wish that this was a duel POV and we got a bit more insight into Tom’s view.
If your’e looking for a Christmas read with a bit of angst, then Christmas Riches then this book is a must read