I don’t do Christmas magic. Or kids. Or second chances.I do facts and figures, logic and reason, dividends and bank accounts and holidays spent alone.That’s what I keep telling myself when I wake up in a shabby bed, in an unfamiliar life, next to a man I haven’t seen for twelve years—with a daughter I never had.I’m clearly losing my mind. I didn’t stay in Abingdon. I didn’t stay with Van Narron, … didn’t stay in Abingdon. I didn’t stay with Van Narron, the love of my life. We gave up on that dream a long time ago.
But Van’s lips on mine, the warm touch of his fingertips, the Christmas carols and the decked out tree, and holiday cards lining the dusty mantle… and this sweet little girl calling me ‘Dad’…
This life feels far more real than anything I know.
I’m dreaming. Things like this don’t happen. And they sure as hell don’t last.
Home for Christmas is a 41,000 word novella featuring two side characters from the Bridge to Abingdon series. You don’t need to read any of the series to enjoy this holiday story! Warning: steamy reunions, legit holiday magic, and schmaltzy feelings feature strongly in this novella.
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OMG!! This one was I don’t even have words to put in here. It was fabulous, fantastic, marvelous all the things I have not expected from this author. I have read her Bridge to Abingdon series but I’m going that Van and Troy story has capture me more than the others. I don’t know maybe it’s because it has a bit of magic in this season of giving or it could be that it has so much feelings of what you have lost and what you could have gain if you have stayed. and that it’s not to late to have what you love and what you want most in your life. It was just wonderful for this holidays times.
This was an absolutely fantastic story of the road not traveled by two young people faced with life changing consequences. Troy and Van began as friends and evolved into more at a time when they were ostracized and bullied because of their attraction to each other. Troy never saw Van after high school graduation and never kept in contact with him in any form. Both went on to live their life fulfilling their deepest wishes but both are lonely and unhappy. Troy is taken on a journey he can’t explain (reminiscent of a life not lived) that has him living a life he’s not familiar with. It has him wishing it was true and gives him a different perspective on how he treats people and how his behavior was selfish. Van has always been the one that got away but Troy has one chance to make it right. Will Van give him another chance or leave him standing alone like he did? Left me with a smile on my face and heart.Beautiful story told with humor and warmth.
This was a beautiful what might have been story. …although it left me feeling a little sad because of that same reason. This was a really emotional read for me, and I loved every word of it, and it has me yearning for more of Troy and Van.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Troy left town to follow the football leaving Van behind. He played football and now he’s a sports agent. He got everything he wanted, why is he so alone and lonely. A very sparkly ghost of Christmas past takes him on a trip to see what he has missed. Not what he was expecting. He sees what his life would have been with Van and how different his family would be. Sometimes, the path not taken was the one we should have taken. If you are lucky, you get a smack on the side of the head to see what’s in front of you.
This is another very enjoyable book focusing on two men from the biased past.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
Quick, great Christmas story. Great addition to Abingdon series.
Troy and Van were more than a friends, but life was not that perfect and Troy run….He left for college, Van left for Hollywood…..12 years past and Troy has to think about his life again, will going back home give him the closure he needs.
Loved this story.
Oh my… all the feels. This book is EVERYTHING one can want in a christmas book: the feelings, the magic, the adorable characters! Although it is a novella it has great (!!!) character development. It is a second chance love, childhood sweet heart story and struck all my chords! It is written soooo well and soooo easy to read – I loved it so so much! A absolut MUST this, next and the following christmases!
I’m a huge Tatum West fan and I’ve read all of her Bridge to Abingdon series which is where this one also takes place. Just as I’ve grown to expect from this author, she’s written a lovely story reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life that checks off all the boxes for me: wonderfully complex and flawed main characters, a cast of new characters who drive the story as well as familiar characters from other novels in this series who make brief appearances. That being said, this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone. This story has humor and sadness and lots of heat. Both Troy and Van have achieved success in the most visible and obvious ways but both are lonely and beginning to realize that something very important is missing in their busy, public lives. The reader gets to watch Troy take a journey towards the one he was always meant to make a life with. And – he takes that journey in a most interesting way! I really liked it and highly recommend.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Troy and Van best friends growing up-
Are about to get a hard-hitting kick in the pants of Christmas Cheer when they finally reunite in their home town after 12 long years.
Times and minds have changed, so is it conceivable these two could have a ” Wonderful Life” after all these years?
A smooth transitioning, smexy, emotionally layered novella that not only gives you a Holiday feel but excited to read more about the famous men of Abingdon!
I am a sucker for Christmas movies such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” one of my all-time favorites, but I now have a new Christmas story that trumps all others, and it’s THIS ONE!! If they ever made this into a movie, I would watch it all the time! This is a marvelous glimpse into Troy and Van’s lives and what is, what could have been and what can be, once you get your head out of your … um, your priorities straight. Their story is what dreams are made of; that no matter where you’re headed, it’s not too late to steer your life toward your hopes and dreams. It’s an inspiring Christmas story that will touch your heart, make you smile and bring a tear or two to your eyes. And, still the best is yet to come!!
This sweet Christmas M/M read was so wonderfully written with characters that were so well created which made this book a very enjoyable and entertaining read!
This book is awesome! With some incredible changes,it’s the written rendition of Nicholas Cage’s movie . That is,the gay version of it, with Troy and Van as protagonists and with Tatum West’s amazing way of writing characters ans feelings.
If you ask me,Troy is one lucky son of a gun. He gave up Van at 18,went and achieved his dream of playing professional football,and now he’s successful and rich. At this point,he somehow wakes up in an alternative version of his life,if he had made different choices at 18. A version in which he’s married to Van,with a beautiful daughter, surrounded by loving family. Oh,he’s poor in money yet so rich in love and happiness. Then,it’s back to real life,with a clear idea of what’s important and which should be his priorities. The best thing is that Van still loves him,and Troy has the opportunity to make his dreams come true, to achieve absolute happiness with the husband, the daughter,the family…and the money.
Yeah! Allow me to be say that he kinda got his cake and ate it,too. Lucky, lucky Troy!
So. may not have an original plot,but as I’ve already said,Tatum West is amazing at writing characters and feelings. I felt each of Troy’s emotions as if they were my own and I was engrossed by every step of his journey. It’s been most entertaining to watch him going from cocky and self-assured to doubting and afraid of loosing the most precious thing in his life,and then grateful for all the wonderful things he’s been granted.
The book is sweet, funny,exciting and a must read.
Steamy, M/M redo of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Beautifully told and written story of what might have been. Ms. West is so clever to figure a way to incorporate Lucius for Clarence…read this book and you’ll see.
Troy and Van are torn after HS graduation. Troy is going to Indiana University to play football while Van is going to try to make it as a model or film actor in LA. They have loved one another since they were 15 years old. This is the proverbial fork in the road that sets them on different paths in life.
Now we shift 12 years later and Troy Jones is so driven to make it that he overlooks so many small things, like being happy. He is a 30yo professional athletic rep signing some of the biggest names in sports to his firm. He’s well-respected and gay. His love life is never successful. One day in a skybox at a football game he meets Lucius who somehow knows a lot about him. How? Who is this bejeweled and obviously gay young man to speak to Troy like this? He shares with Lucius that he rarely goes home to Virginia but Troy doesn’t say b/c it’s so depressing to see what life for his mother and sister has become.
Van who has indeed become a successful actor has come home for Christmas too but what happens to Troy when he goes to sleep on his private jet only to wake up naked in a bed, in a room, with a little girl munchkin calling him Daddy! Ta-da! Troy is introduced to the life he might have had if he had made different decisions.
Truly fabulous, poignant, funny and steamy love story. In his alternate universe things are so very different. Ms. West did a great job of allowing the reader to feel part of the action. Told by Troy who goes from so confident in himself to wary to regretful to eventually happy. If you like deeply moving M/M romance, I recommend this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book. It is a must read. I give it 7 Stars! PS We get to see some of her other characters from the Abingdon series in this book and the promise of more about Troy and Van in a future novel. Can’t wait…
This is a modern day version of the classic move It’s a Wonderful Life with Troy being shown what he’s missing in life.It’s told in Troy’s POV and is brought to life with perfectly painted scenes with all the emotions coming through the pages. The author brings a strong cast of characters in this sweet holiday romance , moves it quickly and smoothly and I enjoyed reading their story. I’m looking forward to reading more with this couple. I would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.