Will fake boyfriends become the real deal this holiday?It’s the most wonderful time of the year—except ex-Marine Logan is jobless and getting evicted. Worse, he’s a new single dad with a stepson who hates him. A kid needs stability—not to mention presents under the tree—and Logan’s desperate.Then he meets lonely Seth and makes a deal.Can Logan temporarily pretend to be live-in boyfriends to … temporarily pretend to be live-in boyfriends to increase Seth’s chances at a promotion? If it provides a roof over their heads for the holidays, hell yeah. Logan considers himself straight—he doesn’t count occasional hookups with guys—but he can fake it. Besides, with his shy little smile, Seth is surprisingly sexy.
Make that damn sexy.
Shocked that Seth has only been with one man, Logan can’t resist sweetening their deal to teach him the joys of casual sex. No strings attached. No feelings. No kissing.
No falling for each other.
Easy, right?
The Christmas Deal is a steamy holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring fake boyfriends, bisexual awakening, a clueless single dad with an angry preteen, and of course a happy ending.
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Keira Andrews is one of those authors who just never disappoints me. In The Christmas Deal she takes a trendy trope — the fake relationship — and makes it so authentically original that you never question the plausibility of the situation. Keira’s talent in marrying the story premise with moving, sympathetic characters is impressive. I envy her ability to tug the heartstrings while giving the characters real challenges to work through and a super steamy connection that has you rooting for their HEA. This book has all the holiday feels, as well. I highly recommend The Christmas Deal, along with just about every other Keira Andrews title, as well.
Loved this! It has everything I want in a Christmas story 🙂
4.5 stars Logan is a single father, stepfather more accurately. Logan and his stepson Connor can’t seem to get along. Connor has a lot of anger towards Logan and blames him for his mothers’ death.
Logan doesn’t know how to handle this angry boy and they bite each other constantly.
Logan feels a loser in life, been told more than once he is a loser. No job and now he’s gonna lose their home.
Seth needs a fake boyfriend because… a boss who prefers family life, he needs promotion and he lied about having a boyfriend.
Fate brings Seth, Logan, and Connor together.
My heart reached out for Conner. He had to live with the horror of losing his mom, got stuck with a man who isn’t his dad, and even a dad at all. Did I like Logan? Not at first sight, but I could feel there was more underneath. He didn’t show his feelings. Not to Connor or himself.
Bit by bit we get to know him better and it was hurtful, life gave him painful scars.
Seth sweet kind neat Seth, a man who was traumatized by his homophobic family. I loved him dearly.
Shattered hearts, complicated lives. Two men and a thirteen-year-old boy.
A heartfelt story, it felt so real.
Captivatingly written, as background a winter Christmas picture, realistic environments, flawed and vulnerable characters, who just want some happiness. Thank goodness all three found it with each other.
Have read this one – it’s so good and not at ALL what I expected – Christmassy, cute, sexy, sad, and funny. Loved it and recommended from Keira Andrews
We all know 2020 has been a year of absolute crap but I have really gotten to explore more with my reading. I read my first historical romance, a fairy book I liked, my first MM novel and now my first Christmas/holiday book. The Christmas Deal was the perfect book for my first holiday book because it was everything I expected and so much more!!
After an accident that almost took his life, left him without a job and a tragic accident that left him a widower Logan is feeling more hopeless than ever. Not to mention a 13-year-old stepson he has no idea how to raise and an ever-looming eviction notice Logan is out of hope. When one day a moment of fate happens, and Logan finally has some hope, but can he be someone’s fake fiancé much less a man’s??
Seth is one of those all-around good guys, but he has a had a tough go at life. He moved across the country with his boyfriend to start a new life but then his boyfriend dumps him only after a few months into their new life. Now with the approaching holiday and the potential for a promotion Seth has no idea why he would be considered when the promotions usually got the people with families. One thing leads to the next and he now has fake fiancé and not one but two new house guests. Can Seth just be friends with Logan even knowing that Logan is only here as a last resort.
Falling in love is never easy in the most normal circumstances but can two people who have been through more than most come together and create the family they both want? This story left me with all the feels for Christmas, love and second chances. Logan and Seth were both complete opposites, but they fit so beautifully well together that you can’t help but adore their love story. Conner was the perfect addition to this Christmas tale and his story somehow broke my heart more than Seth or Logan’s because he is just a 13 year old boy dealing with his grief while the only steady person in his life is falling in love.
I honestly can’t imagine a more perfect Christmas story and I know I keep droning on and on, but I can’t help it. This story will stay with me for many years and will have to be a go to every holiday season. There really is nothing quite like that special Christmas miracle.
I can always count on Keira Andrews for an enjoyable story and The Christmas Deal is no exception. Single Dad, Fake Relationships, & Opposites Attract are some of my favorite tropes, and I’ve definitely been in the mood for some holiday-themed books, so this was a good fit. It’s also a complete stand alone.
Logan, 37, is grumpy, recovering from an injury, out of a job, and about to be homeless. To top it off he’s the only parent to his deceased wife’s son, Conner. Being a step-parent doesn’t come naturally. Seth, 38, is workmates & friends with Logan’s sister Jenna. When a work situation forces Seth into inventing a family – Jenna loans him Logan & Conner. The caper begins!
While it is successful in contrasting Seth’s “buttoned-up” persona and is consistent with Logan’s character, the plethora of cuss words did feel like a bit much at times given that this is a holiday-themed book. Overall the story is at turns sweet, sad, and funny; Logan coming to terms with his true feelings for Seth, Seth worried about falling in love with a straight man, and Conner struggling to find his place in what has been an unstable world. These come together nicely and ultimately this is an enjoyable Christmas listen.
The initial ending is an HFN as Logan & Seth recognize that going even though they’re going from pretend to real – it is a burgeoning relationship. Andrews provides a lovely 5-years-later epilogue that solidifies the HEA.
Narration:
John Solo does a good job here. All the characters have distinct and consistent voices. Solo, as always, does a terrific job evoking emotions and he really brings this story to life.
3.5 stars rounded up.
So here’s the thing. I’m extremely, and I mean extremely picky when it comes to GFY/bisexual awakening stories and so on. I don’t know what it is that’s putting me on the edge, sometimes it can be a phrasing, sometimes it can be an action… you get it. The main reason I’m reading M/M is to get away from everything being so damn straight all the time and actually read about characters I on some level can connect to when it comes to the love story arc. And well, this one made me clam up straight away with Logan saying that he hooked up with guys but he wasn’t gay. It’s not that I don’t think bisexuality is a thing or that you can realize late in life that you are into more than just the gender society tells you to be into. Neither am I against people being in denial about their sexuality. (I always feel like I have to make that clear while writing a review like this). It’s just not what I want in my romances and it can upset me a great deal if it’s not done “right”. After that, I was sure I was going to dislike this book. And I did dislike this book for quite a while. Thank god, I kept on reading though because when all is said and done and Logan is slowly accepting himself this is lovely book.
This was a great addition to the fake boyfriends trope (which is one of my favorite tropes). Sweet and fluffy and exactly right for the season. Connor, Logan’s step son was a great secondary character. My heart broke for him and I loved seeing him slowly starting to heal. Kids in romances can be tricky but this was done all the way right.
Found Family for the Holidays (an audio review)
I’m on a tear through fake boyfriend romances these days. When they’re done well, they’re a joy to read and I have to say, this was done well. Because I believed Logan was desperate enough to enter into the arrangement. He’s beyond down-on-his-luck. He has no job – or even prospects. He’s in the process of being evicted, and his truck broke down. He was unceremoniously fired from his previous job for something that wasn’t his fault and he lost his friends due to that and his health suffered because of what happened. He has his sister and his new stepson. He never planned to be a father but Connor landed in his lap and aside from the kid’s surly nature, he’s kind of growing on Logan. But Logan can barely survive for himself, let alone meet the needs of a grieving preteen who’s outgrowing his clothes.
Enter Seth. The set-up for his need for a fake boyfriend was…. interesting. But Seth wants the promotion and with a new family-oriented boss who is LGBTQ friendly, it’s all about portraying that he’s a family man. Logan and Connor turn up at the perfect time. And maybe Seth won’t be so lonely, living in that big house with only himself as company. Oh, and there’s the little bonus of sex without strings. Logan is straight, writing off those few whatevers as just scratching an itch. You know, when women aren’t handy. But when he discovers Seth’s only ever been with one man – and that man was a jerk – he’s determined to teach the devout religious man that it’s okay to have sex just for pleasure.
Seth’s family have rejected him and he’s done okay on his own, but between the colleagues at work and now Logan’s overtures, he’s able to see all that he’s been missing out on. So he invites Logan and Connor to stay. So he can portray himself as a family man, he tells himself. So he won’t be alone is the subconscious reason.
But things aren’t smooth sailing, especially with a surly preteen who is missing his mom desperately during this first Christmas without her. The conflict culminates in a near-disaster and it’s a moment of reckoning for everyone.
I loved this book. Just perfect for this time of year. I’m not a big Christmas fan so any book that puts me in the holiday spirit is a good one. I’ll also take a moment to mention John Solo. I think he does a great job of narrating Keira Andrews books and this book is proof of that. I look forward to more books written by Ms. Andrews and narrated by Mr. Solo.
I love how these two can each meet the need the other has. I also love the way that love between them develops. All the funny incidents add a level of fun to the story. There are also some dramatic moments as well. It was great to see how Seth could help Logan see a better way to deal with Conner (his stepson) as well. The wrap of the story was great and I’m so glad it was included.
The Christmas Deal is a stand alone M/M holiday romance by Keira Andrews. This was my very first book by Keira and I loved it. This genre is fast becoming an obsession with me. I had been seeing this one in my news feeds and I couldn’t pass it up.
Logan Derwood is having a very bad year. After a serious accident, he lost his job. Now he’s being evicted from his apartment. He also has become a single step father to a very angry teen age boy. A boy who isn’t going to get any Christmas or even have a roof over his head if things don’t change. Logan considers himself straight. He has had occasional hook ups with men but they were sex only, to let off steam. Emotions or romance are for women only.
Seth Marston has always known he was gay. When he came out to his parents, they completely cut him out of his life. A little over a year ago he moved to Albany and bought a fixer upper house. But his long term boyfriend left him soon after. It’s been over a year but he still hasn’t gotten past it. He was the only man he has ever been with. He doesn’t believe in casual sex. The company Seth works for has been bought out by another company, and his new boss is very family oriented. He is the prime candidate for a promotion, a job he’s already been doing without the title or raise. But will he get passed over because he’s single?
Logan’s sister has the perfect solution to both her brother and her friend Seth’s problems. Logan and his step son, Connor, can move in with Seth through the holidays and pretend they are engaged. That way Logan has a place to live and Seth has the family he needs for the promotion.
Seth is instantly attracted to Logan. But as far as he knows, Logan is straight. Seth helps Logan with ways to deal with Connor. And Logan helps Seth to work on the unfinished remodel projects in his home. Logan also offers to help Seth with his hang ups with casual sex. They can hook up, no emotions, no kissing. Just help each other out. But Logan is in for a surprise when his heart starts to get involved. Because Seth is stirring up some feelings that he never saw coming.
This was such a sweet, and hot story. Logan was such a dirty talker. I loved it. And Seth was surprised that he did too! It broke my heart at how down on himself Logan was with everything going on in his life. And Seth’s loneliness also broke my heart. These two were perfect for each other. I loved that Logan was always willing to listen to advice, either from his sister, from Seth’s new boss, and from Seth.
This was a perfect compliment to my holiday reading list this year and you can be sure that I will be checking out more of this author’s books.
Loved, loved, loved this book! I’m always looking to expand my horizons and read more novels featuring LGBTQ characters. I can’t remember how discovered this book (maybe a BookBub deal?), but however I did, I’m so very glad. This is the first book I’ve read by Keira Andrews but it certainly won’t be the last.
Seth and Logan are such wonderful, well developed characters and I rooted for both of them. Seeing Logan struggle with defining his sexuality was so well done that I actually felt every emotion he was experiencing. Seth’s struggles with his family and their prejudices are also so heart-wrenching and I just wanted to hug him while I was reading. The steam is HOT and the ending is so satisfying. Your Kindle needs this book now! Happy reading!
This sweet holiday romance featuring Seth and Logan was a surprisingly quick read that I couldn’t put down. I really love the whole fake relationship troupe and this one was very thought out. Highly recommended holiday read!
I loved this story about a man and a boy who has had life take a swing at them. Then they meet a man who also have his wounds, can they make Christmas magic for each other…..
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Lots of good dialogues
Great chemistry between Logan and Seth that progresses in a slow but steady pace.
Emotional and intense story with lot of feelings.
5 hot stars recommended for all mm romance lovers.
Logan’s desperate. He needs a job, a place to stay, and some patience as he deals with his new custody of his teenaged stepson. Then he meets kinda nerdy, but sweet and gorgeous Seth, and they make a deal that should net them both something. Only they never expected the feelings to catch. After all, Logan’s in denial and Seth knows this is just fake. But the heart (and body) want what it wants. And what they want is each other. It’s the holiday season, and we all know miracles and magic happen during this time of year…so who knows what could happen!
The Christmas Deal is a wonderful tale filled with awesome characters. I loved Logan and Seth, both individually and as a couple. The secondary characters felt like real people we all know, even sullen Connor, who was as real an obnoxious teenager as I’ve read lately, to Logan’s sister and Seth’s friend, and the boss, everyone was just real and engaging in each of their own ways.
I love the fake relationship trope, and the author did it so well here. Add in the obvious chemistry between the two leads, Logan’s slow realization of his true feelings and desires, wow, it’s the perfect holiday read. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author now.
Awesome take on a fake relationship story with some GFY thrown in for good measure! I loved the whole plot and the characters, even if I wanted to smack Logan upside the head more than once… right after shaking some sense into Seth. The emotions the book woke in me are the best proof of how awesome the story is!
A sexy, sweet story with lots of dirty talk.
The Christmas Deal is such a great story; I loved it. There’s a fake relationship trope and an out-for-you trope.
Logan is a widower who has always considered himself as straight. He enjoyed getting off with guys while in the service but that was just to scratch an itch. When his wife died, he got custody of his stepson, Connor, because the father wasn’t around. He has no idea how to deal with a belligerent teenager.
Seth is sweet, gay and inexperienced, having had only one serious relationship. He works with Logan’s sister, Jenna. He’s been doing the work of a higher position but has never been formally promoted or paid for the extra work he does. The company that Seth and Jenna work for is bought out and the new CEO, Angela, is super family oriented and likes to promote people who are settled into a stable relationship.
Since Seth is single, he figures he won’t have a chance at the promotion he deserves. On a whim, Jenna takes a picture of Logan and his stepson from her desk and puts it on Seth’s. When Angela asks who it is, Jenna blurts out that it’s Seth’s fiancé and their son. Angela is delighted and invites herself to dinner at Seth’s house.
This book really touched me. Logan is jobless and will soon be homeless. He was unfairly accused of wrong doing at his last job and now no one wants to hire him. He and Seth make a deal: Logan will be the committed finance that Seth needs to get a promotion and Seth will provide him with a place for Logan and his stepson to live.
Logan and Seth really need each other but it takes a little while for them to realize it. Logan helps Seth with his kitchen renovation and Seth teaches Logan how to relate better to his stepson. As Logan and Seth become closer Logan finally admits that he’s not quite so straight after all.
The Christmas Deal is a complex story and deals not with just the MCs budding relationship but also their relationship with Logan’s stepson and his behavioral issues. The epilogue was perfect! It gives us a glimpse of Logan, Seth and Connor a few years down the road, which made me love the story even more.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
If you’re looking a great fake-boyfriends kinda book then this is definitely a story for you.
Seth and Logan couldn’t be more different. True they both had a hard life but together they were each others cure for all the bad that has happened to them.
I can’t continue this review without mentioning Connor. That boy had a huge part in helping them realize what was really important in life.
This story was beautifully written and it showcased awakening for one man to understand he’s so much more than he thought he was. Brilliant 4.5* from me.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
I really enjoyed this book. I’ll admit, I didn’t love Logan at first but his character grew on me quickly. Seth is such a sweetheart who just wants true lasting love. Seth and Logan are opposites that just fit somehow, not to mention their immediate physical attraction. I’m a huge fan of the fake boyfriend trope, add in a holiday setting with sweet and steamy romance and you’ve got the perfect holiday book!
Logan is about to be evicted and needs a home,asap. Seth needs a fake fiance,if not he won’t get the promotion he deserves. So they agree to fake a relationship through the holidays. Match made in heaven, right?
And let me tell you,I’ve had so much fun watching them realize that they’re a better match than what they had initially expected. Because at first, of course they blame what they feel on sexual frustration. And,sadly,they also have a lot of emotional hangups to overcome before they allow themselves to trust their connection, to believe that they could build something real together.
Seth and Logan negotiated but what they found with each other is family and home. Their story is fun,sweet and filled with so much warmth and joy. Absolutely a must read.
What an amazing read!! I couldn’t put it down. Kiera Andrews has quickly become a favorite in the male male romance genre for me and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The faking dating trope hooked me from the beginning. The characters were wonderfully written, flawed in the best ways, and genuine.