Thursday, November 19, 2015

What Happens at Christmas by Jay Northcote


Author Name: Jay Northcote

Book Name: What Happens At Christmas

Release Date: November 19, 2015


Blurb:
When two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?
Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.

Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.

In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas... right?


Pages or Words: 37,000 words (approximate)



Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt:
Justin’s phone chimed with a text, interrupting Sean’s train of thought.
Justin picked up his phone to read the message. “Ugh.” He put the phone back down without typing a reply and ran his hands through his hair.
“What’s up?”
Justin sighed. “It’s our work Christmas party next weekend. I’ve already got a ticket, and nearly everyone in the office goes, but it’s for partners as well. One of my co-workers, Jess, is bugging me to come, but I can’t face it. I bet Andy’s going to bring his new boyfriend. I know he’s a shit and I shouldn’t let him get to me, but the thought of him parading around with my replacement, and me being there on my own, isn’t very appealing.”
“Is it too late to find someone to take?”
“No, they don’t need final numbers till Monday.”
“Well, then. Take someone else and flirt like crazy in front of him. Show him you can do better and that you’ve already moved on.”
“But I’m not ready to date. It’s only been two weeks, and I’m still at the feeling-sorry-for-myself stage.”
“I’ll go with you,” Sean offered. “I could be your date. We could pretend we’ve got together and are a couple now.”
“Yeah?” Justin looked thoughtful. “Are you sure?”
Duh. It would hardly be much of a sacrifice to flirt with Justin all night. It would actually be a relief not to have to hide the way he felt for a change.
“Sure,” Sean replied. “I think I can manage to fake that I’m arse-over-tit infatuated with you. As long as it’s only for a few hours.”
“Gee, thanks.” Justin rolled his eyes. “You really know how to make an already-wounded ego feel better. But if you’re up for it, we should totally do it. Andy was always jealous of you before you went away. He saw you as competition because we lived together and were so close. I’d love to see his face when I walk in with you on my arm. I think he’ll hate it even if he’s moved on.”
“Okay.” Sean rubbed his hands together, excited at the prospect of getting to piss off Andy. “Let’s do it! Text your friend Jess back and tell her you’re in—with a hot date.”


Buy the book:


Meet the author:
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.

She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.


Where to find the author:

Publisher: Jaybird Press
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh




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ALPHA BOOK CLUB REVIEW

“‘Yep.’  Justin tangled his fingers in Sean’s hair and kissed him some more.  Then he pushed Sean’s head south.  ‘Now get down there and show me how good you are at apologizing.’”

5 juicy stars!!  Holy H@ll that book was hot!!  I love a good holiday book and hit all the right spots!!  And let’s not to forget this book drips with sexiness!!!

Justin as just broke up with his douchebag boyfriend and doesn’t want to go to his company’s Christmas party by himself.  So he asks his best friend Sean if he’ll go and pretend to be his boyfriend.  P.S. Justin has had a crush on Sean since they were kids, but what Justin doesn’t realize is that Sean feels the same way about him as well.  So before the party they “pretend” to be a couple so it will look real.  But what they never expected was to fall for each other along the way!!

This book had so many good feels to it!!  I loved, loved, loved this book!!  It has so much heart and the characters we absolutely adorable together!  It was refreshing really!!  I loved it!

**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.  Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**


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What Happens at Christmas

by Jay Northcote
Synopsis
Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.


Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.


In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas... right?
Review
5 Gibbons
Why gibbons? Read the book. It will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. This book was sweet and loving.  The story of Justin and Sean has me singing a song from the 80’s
“I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship, has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show” REO Speedwagon I Can’t Stop This Feeling.
they have been best friends since forever. Justin has been openly gay since he was a teen. Sean only came out recently, shocking everyone including Justin. Justin has had a crush on Sean almost as long as they have been friends, but hid it not wanting to ruin their friendship, Funny thing Sean has been fighting the same crush.
A holiday party for Justin’s work has the two best friends pretending to be boyfriends to get back at Justin’s former boyfriend. Pretending has them doing more than pretend. Now they have to figure out if this can be more than friendship.
This is a wonderful holiday story about two gay men, If this offends you. Don’t read this book, If you love true love, this is the book for you.

ARC Provided by the author. Honest review done by Mollien for Alpha Book Club without influence from publisher or author.

and




Title: What Happens at Christmas
Author: Jay Northcote
Genre: m/m Friends to lovers
Pages: 113 pages
Release Date: November 19, 2015
Publisher: Jaybird Press, LLC
Stars: 4
Heat: 4


Blurb:
When two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?

Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.

Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.

In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas... right?





Review:
<b>Get ready for a little #xmasmonkeybusiness with Jay Northcote's sweet Holiday Book</b>

"What Happens at Christmas" is a cute friends to lovers book by author Jay Northcote.  It was an endearing read that, while slightly predictable had enough unique content to keep the reader engaged.  When he suddenly finds himself single right before the big company Holiday party, Justin agrees to his best-friend Sean's idea that they can be "pretend boyfriends" at the party in order to get Justin's ex-boyfriend riled up and make him realize what he lost.  

Sean has just returned home after holiday abroad and is staying with his best-friend Justin.  He is coming to terms with newly being out and dealing with new feelings towards his best friend that he thinks are unrequited.  

After these two start pretending their relationship changes drastically to one of best-friend to friends with benefits to .. Something more? As these two realize they have both been feeling the same for each other .. They have to make a choice, take a leap into a relationship or stay best-friends.

Overall, a light-hearted quick read perfect for an easy Holiday reading session. 4 Stars.

*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.  Reviewed by J.Loves2Read from Alpha Book Club and Gay Book Reviews.

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