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The Christmas Collection
!! Dive in to the heartwarming world of MM holiday romances with Garrett Leigh's THREE bestselling novels, complete with EXCLUSIVE bonus content for all THREE books !!
Angels In The City
Jonah & Sacha. A fake relationship with a stranger, an office romance filled with doughnuts and white knights, and an addictive arrangement that fast evolves into a deeper connection neither man can give up. Don't miss the exclusive bonus epilogue featuring Alexei from the Rebel Kings MC series!
Christmas Mountain
Rami & Fen. The single dad probation officer caring for his dead brother’s baby. The wounded gentle giant with the biggest softest heart. Get ready for a heartwarming holiday story you'll cherish forever, along with an exclusive bonus epilogue featuring Embry from the Rebel Kings MC series!
Hometown Christmas
Yani and Gavin's friendship takes a festive turn as they venture from friends to lovers this Christmas. Fleeing a painful breakup in London, Yani finds himself drawn to brooding Army VET Gavin Ritchie. They're not looking for love. This is a no strings arrangement. But love finds them all the same. Dig into this sweet and steamy holiday romance, plus enjoy an exclusive bonus epilogue featuring Nat, Marc, & Jamie from the Between Ghosts universe.
"Must read books for any MM romance fan. Don't miss out on the love, laughter, and holiday magic Garrett Leigh has gifted us with these wonderful boys."
Angels In The City
Jonah & Sacha. A fake relationship with a stranger, an office romance filled with doughnuts and white knights, and an addictive arrangement that fast evolves into a deeper connection neither man can give up. Don't miss the exclusive bonus epilogue featuring Alexei from the Rebel Kings MC series!
Christmas Mountain
Rami & Fen. The single dad probation officer caring for his dead brother’s baby. The wounded gentle giant with the biggest softest heart. Get ready for a heartwarming holiday story you'll cherish forever, along with an exclusive bonus epilogue featuring Embry from the Rebel Kings MC series!
Hometown Christmas
Yani and Gavin's friendship takes a festive turn as they venture from friends to lovers this Christmas. Fleeing a painful breakup in London, Yani finds himself drawn to brooding Army VET Gavin Ritchie. They're not looking for love. This is a no strings arrangement. But love finds them all the same. Dig into this sweet and steamy holiday romance, plus enjoy an exclusive bonus epilogue featuring Nat, Marc, & Jamie from the Between Ghosts universe.
"Must read books for any MM romance fan. Don't miss out on the love, laughter, and holiday magic Garrett Leigh has gifted us with these wonderful boys."
683 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2023
About the author
Garrett Leigh
96 books2,275 followersShe/Her
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
November 20, 2023
Angels in the City: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
After being stuck in an elevator together and not yet wanting to part ways, Sacha accompanies Jonah to his family’s gala as his fake boyfriend, and after the pair spend the night banging it out.
Neither of big on relationships, especially Sacha, but the pull between them is magnetic and they decide to become FWB. Feelings ensue, with Sacha still dragging his feet A TON, but the book ends with a HFN for Jonah and Sacha.
Hometown Christmas: ⭐️⭐️
I'm not even gonna lie, I dnf this one early on lol but 2 stars for what I did read
Christmas Mountain: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rami and Fen are coworkers at a prison, who have been flirting nonstop for months. Unfortunately life gets in the way with Rami's brother dying and leaving him to raise his baby nephew, and Fen being so seriously injured that he leaves his job at the prison.
Eighteen months late the pair accidentally reconnect when Rami's car breaks down in front of Fen's family's Christmas tree farm, and the pair get snowed in together thanks to a blizzard.
Their story was cute, but the pacing was just a bit too slow for me.
After being stuck in an elevator together and not yet wanting to part ways, Sacha accompanies Jonah to his family’s gala as his fake boyfriend, and after the pair spend the night banging it out.
Neither of big on relationships, especially Sacha, but the pull between them is magnetic and they decide to become FWB. Feelings ensue, with Sacha still dragging his feet A TON, but the book ends with a HFN for Jonah and Sacha.
Hometown Christmas: ⭐️⭐️
I'm not even gonna lie, I dnf this one early on lol but 2 stars for what I did read
Christmas Mountain: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rami and Fen are coworkers at a prison, who have been flirting nonstop for months. Unfortunately life gets in the way with Rami's brother dying and leaving him to raise his baby nephew, and Fen being so seriously injured that he leaves his job at the prison.
Eighteen months late the pair accidentally reconnect when Rami's car breaks down in front of Fen's family's Christmas tree farm, and the pair get snowed in together thanks to a blizzard.
Their story was cute, but the pacing was just a bit too slow for me.
November 26, 2023
I had read the first two books in this collection before, but was happy to revisit them and check out the third for the first time.
The author does a good job of making these stories that are often linked to other series and characters feel like standalones, I wasn't lost wondering who everyone was.
Angels in the City has a dash of fake dating but is also about that person that works at your office (or across the corridor) that you can't stop looking for and thinking about. But here, it's mutual, and very cute to watch them circle closer and closer.
Hometown Christmas might be my favorite of the three, with two men dealing with some challenges (PTSD and OCD), but find themselves drawn to each other even before they end up in the same orbit. I liked the charitable aspect of them working together at the homeless shelter; it was a lovely story overall.
Christmas Mountain was also great, with two MCs who had almost connected a year and a half ago getting a second chance to try and connect again. Very swoony and a little more tense than the other two, but I also love seeing a support network come together and strengthen around a couple. This one had a lot of kids, but they didn't overwhelm the story and seemed age appropriate when they were on page. This one also had me wanting to go back and finish the Darkest Skies series, bc of the cameo we get.
I will say the extra epilogues featuring characters from other books and series were not that interesting for me, personally. I've read several of Leigh's books, but haven't exhausted the backlist by any means, so some of those were a bit lost on me, but I'm sure they provided a lot of joy to those who know all the characters.
Overall, this was a lovely way to kick off my holiday reading for the year!
I was kindly provided an advanced copy from Gay Romance Reviews.
The author does a good job of making these stories that are often linked to other series and characters feel like standalones, I wasn't lost wondering who everyone was.
Angels in the City has a dash of fake dating but is also about that person that works at your office (or across the corridor) that you can't stop looking for and thinking about. But here, it's mutual, and very cute to watch them circle closer and closer.
Hometown Christmas might be my favorite of the three, with two men dealing with some challenges (PTSD and OCD), but find themselves drawn to each other even before they end up in the same orbit. I liked the charitable aspect of them working together at the homeless shelter; it was a lovely story overall.
Christmas Mountain was also great, with two MCs who had almost connected a year and a half ago getting a second chance to try and connect again. Very swoony and a little more tense than the other two, but I also love seeing a support network come together and strengthen around a couple. This one had a lot of kids, but they didn't overwhelm the story and seemed age appropriate when they were on page. This one also had me wanting to go back and finish the Darkest Skies series, bc of the cameo we get.
I will say the extra epilogues featuring characters from other books and series were not that interesting for me, personally. I've read several of Leigh's books, but haven't exhausted the backlist by any means, so some of those were a bit lost on me, but I'm sure they provided a lot of joy to those who know all the characters.
Overall, this was a lovely way to kick off my holiday reading for the year!
I was kindly provided an advanced copy from Gay Romance Reviews.
December 1, 2023
A good combination of three books. There are a lot of characters from other series which I haven't managed to read but that wasn't a problem.
Angels in the City - a very organic way of doing a fake boyfriend and the attraction between the MCs was palpable. I really enjoyed this combination of workaholics and the last chapter included an enjoyable scene with Alexei who I have "read" before (audiobook).
Hometown Christmas - I had read this story before but it is good to reread. I particularly appreciated the portrayal of the mental health struggles.
Christmas Mountain - two MCs battling with life changing events suddenly have the option of a second chance. The build up of a supportive family was lovely. I would have liked it better with more hurt/comfort but that is probably a me thing as it's a favourite.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review
Angels in the City - a very organic way of doing a fake boyfriend and the attraction between the MCs was palpable. I really enjoyed this combination of workaholics and the last chapter included an enjoyable scene with Alexei who I have "read" before (audiobook).
Hometown Christmas - I had read this story before but it is good to reread. I particularly appreciated the portrayal of the mental health struggles.
Christmas Mountain - two MCs battling with life changing events suddenly have the option of a second chance. The build up of a supportive family was lovely. I would have liked it better with more hurt/comfort but that is probably a me thing as it's a favourite.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review
November 24, 2023
The Christmas Collection is three standalone M/M holiday romances by Garrett Leigh in one lovely book. Each story includes an exclusive bonus epilogue featuring some of our favourite characters in the world she’s created. All three stories boast a guaranteed happily ever after.
Angels In The Cityis Sacha and Jonah’s story. It’s a Christmas themed fake relationship/friends-to-lovers, forced proximity office romance. It’s told from a third person, dual point of view. You can also expect some chronic pain representation. Fans of the Rebel Kings MC series will love getting to know Alexei Ivanov’s cousin, Sacha and getting a cameo from Alexei in the bonus epilogue.
Hometown Christmasis Yani and Gavin’s story. It’s a Christmas themed friends-to-lovers story featuring two men that aren’t sure how to love again. It’s told from a third person, dual point of view. You can also expect some mental health and military representation. Fans of Between Ghosts will enjoy a cameo in the bonus epilogue from Nat, Marc, and Jamie.
Christmas Mountainis Rami and Fen’s story. It’s a Christmas themed long lost friends-to-lovers, single parent romance with some elements of hurt/comfort. It’s told from a first person, dual point of view. You can also expect some mental health representation. Once again, fans of the Rebel Kings MC series will enjoy seeing Embry in the bonus epilogue.
Three of Garrett Leigh’s Christmas themed M/M romance stories in one book? With bonus epilogues and cameos from some of our favourite characters? Say less! This book is a great read if you’re a fan of Garrett Leigh and looking to kick off the holiday season. There is some elements of hurt/comfort, especially in Christmas Mountain; however, I consider these stories relatively lighter compared to some of her other work (I’m looking at you Rebel Kings). I have previously read Angels In The City, but I was more than happy to read it again. There’s no doubt in my mind that Sacha and Alexei are related, and the bonus epilogue featuring Alexei’s first meeting with Jonah was everything I could’ve hoped for and more. It was a pleasure to meet Yani and Gavin and see them fall in love (finally, there were a few times when they needed their heads clunked together). I haven’t had the opportunity to read Between Ghosts yet, but I’m really excited for the elusive Nat’s full story one of these days. Christmas Mountain, as I previously mentioned, was a bit angstier - the missed connected that Rami and Fen had was difficult to read. Them finding their way together, despite the obstacles in their way, lead to a well-deserved happily ever after. And it was amazing to see our good Father Embry with his little family in the epilogue.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Angels In The Cityis Sacha and Jonah’s story. It’s a Christmas themed fake relationship/friends-to-lovers, forced proximity office romance. It’s told from a third person, dual point of view. You can also expect some chronic pain representation. Fans of the Rebel Kings MC series will love getting to know Alexei Ivanov’s cousin, Sacha and getting a cameo from Alexei in the bonus epilogue.
Hometown Christmasis Yani and Gavin’s story. It’s a Christmas themed friends-to-lovers story featuring two men that aren’t sure how to love again. It’s told from a third person, dual point of view. You can also expect some mental health and military representation. Fans of Between Ghosts will enjoy a cameo in the bonus epilogue from Nat, Marc, and Jamie.
Christmas Mountainis Rami and Fen’s story. It’s a Christmas themed long lost friends-to-lovers, single parent romance with some elements of hurt/comfort. It’s told from a first person, dual point of view. You can also expect some mental health representation. Once again, fans of the Rebel Kings MC series will enjoy seeing Embry in the bonus epilogue.
Three of Garrett Leigh’s Christmas themed M/M romance stories in one book? With bonus epilogues and cameos from some of our favourite characters? Say less! This book is a great read if you’re a fan of Garrett Leigh and looking to kick off the holiday season. There is some elements of hurt/comfort, especially in Christmas Mountain; however, I consider these stories relatively lighter compared to some of her other work (I’m looking at you Rebel Kings). I have previously read Angels In The City, but I was more than happy to read it again. There’s no doubt in my mind that Sacha and Alexei are related, and the bonus epilogue featuring Alexei’s first meeting with Jonah was everything I could’ve hoped for and more. It was a pleasure to meet Yani and Gavin and see them fall in love (finally, there were a few times when they needed their heads clunked together). I haven’t had the opportunity to read Between Ghosts yet, but I’m really excited for the elusive Nat’s full story one of these days. Christmas Mountain, as I previously mentioned, was a bit angstier - the missed connected that Rami and Fen had was difficult to read. Them finding their way together, despite the obstacles in their way, lead to a well-deserved happily ever after. And it was amazing to see our good Father Embry with his little family in the epilogue.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 26, 2023
5 stars
Angels In The City
Strangers to lovers with a bit of fake dating.
I loved Jonah and Sacha connection, their sexual chemistry, how they were drawn to each other, how they started doing things differently from their usual one night hookups. The author describes perfectly how their feelings evolved and Sacha's reticences were understandable.
The one thing tha prevented me from giving five stars were the dialogues: too many talks in circle, too many things unsaid. I needed more romance and love declaration.
Hometown Christmas
Another beautiful story by Garrett Leigh, another beautiful couple.
Yani and Gavin have their own issues and yet they fit perfectly into each other.
I loved the pace of this story, especially of their sexual intimacy; I loved how Gavin waited for Yani to be ready and how Yani needed for their first time to be meaningful; I loved how Gavin felt safe with Yani.
A simple story, full of love.
Christmas Mountain
I love the setting of Garrett Leigh novels: they're all intimate, romantic and heartwarming. This story makes no exceptions. It's a second chance for Rami and Fen, but in a completely different frame.
The MCs haven't seen each other for over a year and a lot happened in their lives that makes their reconnection not at all easy. But intense feelings will tie them together until they'll become a wonderful family (Charlie is adorable).
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
For the most part of the book they're not able to communicate with each other, they don't let the other truly know their feelings and thoughts.
And I wouldn't have minded a little more of Embry at the end.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review..
Angels In The City
Strangers to lovers with a bit of fake dating.
I loved Jonah and Sacha connection, their sexual chemistry, how they were drawn to each other, how they started doing things differently from their usual one night hookups. The author describes perfectly how their feelings evolved and Sacha's reticences were understandable.
The one thing tha prevented me from giving five stars were the dialogues: too many talks in circle, too many things unsaid. I needed more romance and love declaration.
Hometown Christmas
Another beautiful story by Garrett Leigh, another beautiful couple.
Yani and Gavin have their own issues and yet they fit perfectly into each other.
I loved the pace of this story, especially of their sexual intimacy; I loved how Gavin waited for Yani to be ready and how Yani needed for their first time to be meaningful; I loved how Gavin felt safe with Yani.
A simple story, full of love.
Christmas Mountain
I love the setting of Garrett Leigh novels: they're all intimate, romantic and heartwarming. This story makes no exceptions. It's a second chance for Rami and Fen, but in a completely different frame.
The MCs haven't seen each other for over a year and a lot happened in their lives that makes their reconnection not at all easy. But intense feelings will tie them together until they'll become a wonderful family (Charlie is adorable).
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
For the most part of the book they're not able to communicate with each other, they don't let the other truly know their feelings and thoughts.
And I wouldn't have minded a little more of Embry at the end.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review..
December 23, 2023
I had read all these stories already but needed this for the extra epilogue in the second story with Alexei <3 I love how all these series exist in the same universe
November 29, 2023
I loved this collection of Garrett Leigh's Christmas themed books.
All three were a re-read for me and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the characters and their place in the Garrett Leigh universe. And as for the bonus content ... 💕💕💕. The book is worth buying just for these.
Hometown Christmas:
For me this book was like the final piece in the puzzle of Garrett Leigh's army characters, first introduced in 'Between Ghosts'. It's somewhat of a slow burn, following the growing friendship and love between Gavin (army veteran) and Yani (cook/chef).
I instantly fell in love with Yani's direct nature and somewhat innocent but probing questions of Gavin that inadvertently helped build the strong connection and love between the two.
I am a complete sucker for a hurt/comfort trope and it's done really well here, covering things such as OCD and mental health issues.
Loved the appearance by Jamie from Soul to Keep in the main book and bonus scene, and Yani's BFF, Bex is a delight.
The bonus scene focusses on Yani getting to know Gavin's army friend, Nat from Between Ghosts.
However, what was truly the bonus for me was the little nugget in relation to the love interest for a character we have been patiently waiting for a book (Skylar). See if you can stitch that one together people 😁.
Angels in the City:
Where do I start with the characters in this book. They are two of my fave Garrett Leigh MCs.
Gorgeous, sweet but forthright Jonah. Sacha, the acerbic Russian that speaks in riddles (similar to his cousin that we love from the Rebel Kings series).
Loved the back and forth between these two characters and their pingpong conversations that draw them closer and closer each time. I could listen to their chitter chatter all day.
I was left with the warm and fuzzies with things like Sacha's "whole naming" of Jonah, his endearment - luchik and Jonah's use of Sacha's last name, Ivanov 💙.
The inner monologues were done so well in this book. Giving us a great insight into how each character was feeling about their fledgling relationship.
The spice level in this book was hot, hot, hot 🔥 🔥 🔥 and added to the developing relationship between the characters.
I adored Sacha's interaction with Jonah's mum and everyone needs a BFF like Jonah's, Lily.
The bonus scene with Sacha's cousin, Alexei from the Rebel Kings world didn't disappoint. I can never get too much of Alexei.
Christmas Mountain:
This was the story of Rami and Fen finding, or somewhat stumbling over each other after being separated by traumatic events.
Fen and Rami first met while both working in a Manchester prison, with their attraction never kicking off due to Fen being assaulted at work and Rami becoming a full time parent to his young nephew, Charlie.
The characters live in Garrett Leigh's Darkest Skies series and it's sort of a second chance romance with a bit of angst, single parent and hurt/comfort thrown in.
Fen is a super sweet, gentle giant of a character that you can't help but fall in love with and Rami definitely needs to go to the school of learning to communicate.
The description of the mountain with all its natural beauty made me want to put on a warm jumper every time I opened the book.
I enjoyed the coming together at the end and the bonus scene with Embry from the Rebel Kings series was a real surprise.
All three were a re-read for me and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the characters and their place in the Garrett Leigh universe. And as for the bonus content ... 💕💕💕. The book is worth buying just for these.
Hometown Christmas:
For me this book was like the final piece in the puzzle of Garrett Leigh's army characters, first introduced in 'Between Ghosts'. It's somewhat of a slow burn, following the growing friendship and love between Gavin (army veteran) and Yani (cook/chef).
I instantly fell in love with Yani's direct nature and somewhat innocent but probing questions of Gavin that inadvertently helped build the strong connection and love between the two.
I am a complete sucker for a hurt/comfort trope and it's done really well here, covering things such as OCD and mental health issues.
Loved the appearance by Jamie from Soul to Keep in the main book and bonus scene, and Yani's BFF, Bex is a delight.
The bonus scene focusses on Yani getting to know Gavin's army friend, Nat from Between Ghosts.
However, what was truly the bonus for me was the little nugget in relation to the love interest for a character we have been patiently waiting for a book (Skylar). See if you can stitch that one together people 😁.
Angels in the City:
Where do I start with the characters in this book. They are two of my fave Garrett Leigh MCs.
Gorgeous, sweet but forthright Jonah. Sacha, the acerbic Russian that speaks in riddles (similar to his cousin that we love from the Rebel Kings series).
Loved the back and forth between these two characters and their pingpong conversations that draw them closer and closer each time. I could listen to their chitter chatter all day.
I was left with the warm and fuzzies with things like Sacha's "whole naming" of Jonah, his endearment - luchik and Jonah's use of Sacha's last name, Ivanov 💙.
The inner monologues were done so well in this book. Giving us a great insight into how each character was feeling about their fledgling relationship.
The spice level in this book was hot, hot, hot 🔥 🔥 🔥 and added to the developing relationship between the characters.
I adored Sacha's interaction with Jonah's mum and everyone needs a BFF like Jonah's, Lily.
The bonus scene with Sacha's cousin, Alexei from the Rebel Kings world didn't disappoint. I can never get too much of Alexei.
Christmas Mountain:
This was the story of Rami and Fen finding, or somewhat stumbling over each other after being separated by traumatic events.
Fen and Rami first met while both working in a Manchester prison, with their attraction never kicking off due to Fen being assaulted at work and Rami becoming a full time parent to his young nephew, Charlie.
The characters live in Garrett Leigh's Darkest Skies series and it's sort of a second chance romance with a bit of angst, single parent and hurt/comfort thrown in.
Fen is a super sweet, gentle giant of a character that you can't help but fall in love with and Rami definitely needs to go to the school of learning to communicate.
The description of the mountain with all its natural beauty made me want to put on a warm jumper every time I opened the book.
I enjoyed the coming together at the end and the bonus scene with Embry from the Rebel Kings series was a real surprise.
November 30, 2023
I read all three of these books when they were released (reviews below), but I jumped at the chance for an arc to read the bonus content with each one in this collection.
Angels in the City’s Sasha is cousin to Alexei of the Rebel Kings. Alexei's appearance in that bonus chapter is worth the whole book, in my opinion. There’s a surprise Rebel King visitor in Christmas Mountain, and an old friend from Beyond Ghosts drops in to visit Yani and Gavin in Hometown Christmas.
I adored all of it and will recommend to anyone looking for good holiday books, whether they’ve read any of Garrett’s work or not.
Angels in the City
Maybe it's because it's a holiday novel, but this book doesn't have quite the same grittiness that most Garrett Leigh novels do, at least not the ones I've read.
Both characters are what we in the US would call white collar. It's insta-desire and the two men circle each other like tom cats readying for a fight. The tension ratchets up as their relationship grows, and while there's a bit of angst before the denouement, it's not the rip-out-your-heart kind.
Garrett captured the rhythm of Sacha's Russian-accented speech so well I could hear it in my head as I read.
The pacing is excellent, in my opinion, and the supporting characters are interesting but don't take over. There's never any doubt that Jonah and Sacha are the stars of the show. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wish I could go to England at Christmastime! Highly recommend it.
Hometown Christmas
I am so in love with Garrett Leigh's writing
I loved the chemistry between these two men, and the story was just right for the length of the book. Sexy, with characters who aren't perfect but who are working on themselves. It can definitely be read as a standalone, as I have not read the books these characters come from, and I didn't feel lost at all.
Now I have to go back and pick up the books I missed.
Edited - Feb. 2023.
I finally went back and read Between Ghosts and Soul to Keep. I fell in love with Wedge, so this reread was so sweet, and meant more to me than it did the first time. Mentions of Nat and Connor and Marc and Jamie warmed my heart. I wouldn't change having read it when I did, I just wish I'd read more of Garrett's other books earlier. I'm going to systematically work my way through the rest of her backlist.
Christmas Mountain:
Though this book isn't as dark, it does involve addiction and off-page violence that shaped the lives of the two MCs, who fate seems to have brought together.
Garrett Leigh always does an amazing job with character development, but in this book she really outdoes herself. It is a fairly slow burn romance, but there's plenty of sexual tension, and once the heat gets going, it's a blast furnace.
I loved this story of healing, of realizing that people change, priorities change, and that changing your life to reflect those priorities isn't quitting or running away, it's realigning.
You don't have to have read the Darkest Skies books to enjoy Christmas Mountain, but it does add to the experience. (Also, those books are SO GOOD you should read them anyway.). This world is one I hope Garrett visits again, and I know I'll reread the Darkest Skies series as well as this book because I'll need to visit them all again.
Angels in the City’s Sasha is cousin to Alexei of the Rebel Kings. Alexei's appearance in that bonus chapter is worth the whole book, in my opinion. There’s a surprise Rebel King visitor in Christmas Mountain, and an old friend from Beyond Ghosts drops in to visit Yani and Gavin in Hometown Christmas.
I adored all of it and will recommend to anyone looking for good holiday books, whether they’ve read any of Garrett’s work or not.
Angels in the City
Maybe it's because it's a holiday novel, but this book doesn't have quite the same grittiness that most Garrett Leigh novels do, at least not the ones I've read.
Both characters are what we in the US would call white collar. It's insta-desire and the two men circle each other like tom cats readying for a fight. The tension ratchets up as their relationship grows, and while there's a bit of angst before the denouement, it's not the rip-out-your-heart kind.
Garrett captured the rhythm of Sacha's Russian-accented speech so well I could hear it in my head as I read.
The pacing is excellent, in my opinion, and the supporting characters are interesting but don't take over. There's never any doubt that Jonah and Sacha are the stars of the show. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wish I could go to England at Christmastime! Highly recommend it.
Hometown Christmas
I am so in love with Garrett Leigh's writing
I loved the chemistry between these two men, and the story was just right for the length of the book. Sexy, with characters who aren't perfect but who are working on themselves. It can definitely be read as a standalone, as I have not read the books these characters come from, and I didn't feel lost at all.
Now I have to go back and pick up the books I missed.
Edited - Feb. 2023.
I finally went back and read Between Ghosts and Soul to Keep. I fell in love with Wedge, so this reread was so sweet, and meant more to me than it did the first time. Mentions of Nat and Connor and Marc and Jamie warmed my heart. I wouldn't change having read it when I did, I just wish I'd read more of Garrett's other books earlier. I'm going to systematically work my way through the rest of her backlist.
Christmas Mountain:
Though this book isn't as dark, it does involve addiction and off-page violence that shaped the lives of the two MCs, who fate seems to have brought together.
Garrett Leigh always does an amazing job with character development, but in this book she really outdoes herself. It is a fairly slow burn romance, but there's plenty of sexual tension, and once the heat gets going, it's a blast furnace.
I loved this story of healing, of realizing that people change, priorities change, and that changing your life to reflect those priorities isn't quitting or running away, it's realigning.
You don't have to have read the Darkest Skies books to enjoy Christmas Mountain, but it does add to the experience. (Also, those books are SO GOOD you should read them anyway.). This world is one I hope Garrett visits again, and I know I'll reread the Darkest Skies series as well as this book because I'll need to visit them all again.
November 24, 2023
The Christmas Collection by Garrett Leigh consists of three of his stories that happen at Christmas.
Angels in the City starts as an office romance between Sacha who works for a tech company that is located next to the advertising company owned and run by Jonah. They meet in the elevator which has a problem and Sacha ends up accompanying Jonah to his rich family’s Christmas party and things progress from there. Sacha is from Russia, is very smart but also mysterious, and always says exactly what he means which sometimes confuses Jonah. They find themselves attracted to each other and often have some steamy love scenes, but both have had relationship problems in their pasts with firm beliefs that won’t let them move forward. Then something happens at work and they start to let these beliefs go. This is a very angst filled story until they are able to work things out to get to their HEA. 4 stars
Hometown Christmas finds Yani working at his Greek food stall in Leeds. When he goes to a coffee shop he finds Gavin and there is an instant attraction to each other but they go their separate ways. Until he goes to cook at the homeless shelter where his best friend volunteers and finds that Gavin is one of the managers. They circle around each other but Yani has OCD and Gavin has PTSD from his military service and both feel that they can’t handle a relationship. However, things keep growing between them and lead to some hot love scenes. In the end they have to decide if they can overcome what they believe to be true about themselves and make changes which can lead to finding love with each other. This is another angst filled, gritty story where two deserving men find their HEA. 4 stars
Christmas Mountain is the story of two men who worked in the same place but then lost track of each other until fate brought them back together. Rami and Fen worked at a prison in Manchester and had a spark of attraction that they were just going to act on when circumstances pulled them apart. Rami got custody of his nephew, Charlie, when his brother died and Fen left because of something that happened to him on the job. Rami was at his wits end when he took Charlie to his sister’s on Christmas Mountain. But a snowstorm stranded him, right at Fen’s doorstep because he had retreated from the city and was managing his family’s tree farm there. This almost unbelievable event caused them to reconnect and the attraction grew even stronger over time, leading to some tender love scenes. But Rami didn’t think he could stay because of his job in the city and this caused a lot of angst between them, even though Fen was always hopeful Rami would change his mind. Then something happened to Fen that made Rami see the wonderful life he could have on the mountain with him and Charlie that led to them declaring their love and starting their new beginning together. Of all the stories this one was my favorite as it wasn’t as gritty as they others and there were children involved that made the story more enjoyable. 5 stars
Angels in the City starts as an office romance between Sacha who works for a tech company that is located next to the advertising company owned and run by Jonah. They meet in the elevator which has a problem and Sacha ends up accompanying Jonah to his rich family’s Christmas party and things progress from there. Sacha is from Russia, is very smart but also mysterious, and always says exactly what he means which sometimes confuses Jonah. They find themselves attracted to each other and often have some steamy love scenes, but both have had relationship problems in their pasts with firm beliefs that won’t let them move forward. Then something happens at work and they start to let these beliefs go. This is a very angst filled story until they are able to work things out to get to their HEA. 4 stars
Hometown Christmas finds Yani working at his Greek food stall in Leeds. When he goes to a coffee shop he finds Gavin and there is an instant attraction to each other but they go their separate ways. Until he goes to cook at the homeless shelter where his best friend volunteers and finds that Gavin is one of the managers. They circle around each other but Yani has OCD and Gavin has PTSD from his military service and both feel that they can’t handle a relationship. However, things keep growing between them and lead to some hot love scenes. In the end they have to decide if they can overcome what they believe to be true about themselves and make changes which can lead to finding love with each other. This is another angst filled, gritty story where two deserving men find their HEA. 4 stars
Christmas Mountain is the story of two men who worked in the same place but then lost track of each other until fate brought them back together. Rami and Fen worked at a prison in Manchester and had a spark of attraction that they were just going to act on when circumstances pulled them apart. Rami got custody of his nephew, Charlie, when his brother died and Fen left because of something that happened to him on the job. Rami was at his wits end when he took Charlie to his sister’s on Christmas Mountain. But a snowstorm stranded him, right at Fen’s doorstep because he had retreated from the city and was managing his family’s tree farm there. This almost unbelievable event caused them to reconnect and the attraction grew even stronger over time, leading to some tender love scenes. But Rami didn’t think he could stay because of his job in the city and this caused a lot of angst between them, even though Fen was always hopeful Rami would change his mind. Then something happened to Fen that made Rami see the wonderful life he could have on the mountain with him and Charlie that led to them declaring their love and starting their new beginning together. Of all the stories this one was my favorite as it wasn’t as gritty as they others and there were children involved that made the story more enjoyable. 5 stars
November 28, 2023
The Christmas Collection by Garrett Leigh.
Angels In The City, Rating; 3.5/5
Review; Sacha's and Jonah's story was quite confusing to me to be quite honest. Sacha and Jonah started off as a hookup than became friends with benefits.. sort of? It was more benefits than friendship. Sacha's character was one that I couldn't relate to, nor one I could connect with. He was very brash, quite rude at times, and seemed like he was stringing Jonah along. There wasn't much of a buildup of a relationship between these two men, once Sacha realized his feelings for Jonah then it started to feel like they might get somewhere but it was still devoid of romance to me. I liked when they exchanged gifts, and how caring Jonah was of Sacha no matter what. I also liked how Sacha and Jonah would take turns supplying the offices with coffee and food, I thought that was a nice touch. I loved the last chapter in this story, I thought it was very fitting for the story, and I enjoyed 'meeting' Alexei.
If you want a story full of steam, than this is the book for you.
Hometown Christmas; Rating; 4/5
Gavin and Yani's story was so heartwarming and showcased several different types of mental health that people struggle with. I loved the diversity and the representation, I think it's important to highlight that some people, (more than you might think) actually has mental health issues that they struggle with daily, And how to cope with the symptoms they cause. I thought the story was written quite well, I loved all the cooking scenes and the vivid details of all the food Yani made and created.
I enjoyed reading about how both these men took their time to get to know one another, they both got each other out of their shells. And to put down the walls around both of their hearts.
Overall a very special romance story, with crazy winds, delicious descriptions of foods, sneaky military men, a blooming love, and a slight hint of Christmas.
Christmas Mountain by Garrett Leigh, Rating; 5/5
Oh, my heart! This book provided such a heartfelt feeling and had terrific characters that added so much to this story. The story itself was written beautifully, I really appreciated how Garrett took their time and wrote about the MC's slowly opening up. They slowly became more open with each other and was able to build a stronger connection because of it. Aside from the story itself being well written, the side characters were fabulous!! Each and every one added such a cute found family feeling, along with humor, playfulness, love, and comfort.
The relationship Fen has with Safia and Paddy's kids is so special, and the bond he formed with Charlie is so heartwarming. Addie and Mae's characters were hilarious! Especially Mae's, that little girl is a firecracker.
I appreciated how Fen and Rami took their time together, they didn't rush into anything. They took it slow, and that gave time to develop not only stronger feelings for each other but to also envoke a stronger connection. Overall a very good story!!
Angels In The City, Rating; 3.5/5
Review; Sacha's and Jonah's story was quite confusing to me to be quite honest. Sacha and Jonah started off as a hookup than became friends with benefits.. sort of? It was more benefits than friendship. Sacha's character was one that I couldn't relate to, nor one I could connect with. He was very brash, quite rude at times, and seemed like he was stringing Jonah along. There wasn't much of a buildup of a relationship between these two men, once Sacha realized his feelings for Jonah then it started to feel like they might get somewhere but it was still devoid of romance to me. I liked when they exchanged gifts, and how caring Jonah was of Sacha no matter what. I also liked how Sacha and Jonah would take turns supplying the offices with coffee and food, I thought that was a nice touch. I loved the last chapter in this story, I thought it was very fitting for the story, and I enjoyed 'meeting' Alexei.
If you want a story full of steam, than this is the book for you.
Hometown Christmas; Rating; 4/5
Gavin and Yani's story was so heartwarming and showcased several different types of mental health that people struggle with. I loved the diversity and the representation, I think it's important to highlight that some people, (more than you might think) actually has mental health issues that they struggle with daily, And how to cope with the symptoms they cause. I thought the story was written quite well, I loved all the cooking scenes and the vivid details of all the food Yani made and created.
I enjoyed reading about how both these men took their time to get to know one another, they both got each other out of their shells. And to put down the walls around both of their hearts.
Overall a very special romance story, with crazy winds, delicious descriptions of foods, sneaky military men, a blooming love, and a slight hint of Christmas.
Christmas Mountain by Garrett Leigh, Rating; 5/5
Oh, my heart! This book provided such a heartfelt feeling and had terrific characters that added so much to this story. The story itself was written beautifully, I really appreciated how Garrett took their time and wrote about the MC's slowly opening up. They slowly became more open with each other and was able to build a stronger connection because of it. Aside from the story itself being well written, the side characters were fabulous!! Each and every one added such a cute found family feeling, along with humor, playfulness, love, and comfort.
The relationship Fen has with Safia and Paddy's kids is so special, and the bond he formed with Charlie is so heartwarming. Addie and Mae's characters were hilarious! Especially Mae's, that little girl is a firecracker.
I appreciated how Fen and Rami took their time together, they didn't rush into anything. They took it slow, and that gave time to develop not only stronger feelings for each other but to also envoke a stronger connection. Overall a very good story!!
November 26, 2023
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The Christmas Collection by @garrettleigh contains three of her holiday romances each including a bonus epilogue featuring cameos of some of our favourite characters. So, you get three stories in one and not released elsewhere material. Merry Christmas to us!
Angels in the City
The bonus epilogue in Angels in the City features Alexei and let me say, I love that guy and this made me a little mushy for him. Well, as mushy as Alexei would ever allow.
Jonah and Sacha are complex and beautiful. They work on the same floor but meet by chance in a stuck elevator. Turned fake date to appease Johah’s mother, and because there will be canapes!
They are both driven and successful, but while Jonah is outgoing, thoughtful and social, our Russian, Sacha is more closed off, sparse for words, and brutally honest about matters of work. They just work. Jonah brings softness while Sacha brings a strength that makes me melt.
They just work, perfectly (at least once they start sharing their feelings). I adore them.
Also, did I mention Alexei makes an appearance?!
Christmas Mountain
This release has a bonus epilogue featuring Embry one of our beloved Rebel MC’s. His cameo was quick but it was really quite lovely and perfect for this story.
As for Rami & Fen…I would say their story was the swooniest and warmest of them all. These two men whose worlds had imploded and ended them before they could even get started.
Their second chance comes with a surprise reunion, stuck in a snowstorm on Christmas Mountain. Their chemistry is just as strong but their lives are vastly different now. But it’s also clear that things need to change, and what better than with a man you could never quite forget?
It’s such a lovely story, full of love and joy, even when things seem bleak there’s so much beauty between them. This is a perfect book to curl with in front of the fire.
Hometown Christmas
This one has and epilogues featuring guys from her Between Ghosts universe, which I haven’t read yet (I know, I know) but I’m already endeared to them, and have a sudden and urgent need to read their stories.
I had previously read Hometown Christmas, but I was more than happy to give it a re-read. Yani and Gavin draw you right in. Between Yani’s bite and Gavin’s quiet presence, I found them completely endearing.
This has plenty of Garrett’s trademark grit but set against the softness of Christmas. It also touches on houselessness, OCD and PTSD in a realistic but tender way. It gave me all the feels I want from a holiday story.
The Christmas Collection by @garrettleigh contains three of her holiday romances each including a bonus epilogue featuring cameos of some of our favourite characters. So, you get three stories in one and not released elsewhere material. Merry Christmas to us!
Angels in the City
The bonus epilogue in Angels in the City features Alexei and let me say, I love that guy and this made me a little mushy for him. Well, as mushy as Alexei would ever allow.
Jonah and Sacha are complex and beautiful. They work on the same floor but meet by chance in a stuck elevator. Turned fake date to appease Johah’s mother, and because there will be canapes!
They are both driven and successful, but while Jonah is outgoing, thoughtful and social, our Russian, Sacha is more closed off, sparse for words, and brutally honest about matters of work. They just work. Jonah brings softness while Sacha brings a strength that makes me melt.
They just work, perfectly (at least once they start sharing their feelings). I adore them.
Also, did I mention Alexei makes an appearance?!
Christmas Mountain
This release has a bonus epilogue featuring Embry one of our beloved Rebel MC’s. His cameo was quick but it was really quite lovely and perfect for this story.
As for Rami & Fen…I would say their story was the swooniest and warmest of them all. These two men whose worlds had imploded and ended them before they could even get started.
Their second chance comes with a surprise reunion, stuck in a snowstorm on Christmas Mountain. Their chemistry is just as strong but their lives are vastly different now. But it’s also clear that things need to change, and what better than with a man you could never quite forget?
It’s such a lovely story, full of love and joy, even when things seem bleak there’s so much beauty between them. This is a perfect book to curl with in front of the fire.
Hometown Christmas
This one has and epilogues featuring guys from her Between Ghosts universe, which I haven’t read yet (I know, I know) but I’m already endeared to them, and have a sudden and urgent need to read their stories.
I had previously read Hometown Christmas, but I was more than happy to give it a re-read. Yani and Gavin draw you right in. Between Yani’s bite and Gavin’s quiet presence, I found them completely endearing.
This has plenty of Garrett’s trademark grit but set against the softness of Christmas. It also touches on houselessness, OCD and PTSD in a realistic but tender way. It gave me all the feels I want from a holiday story.
November 27, 2023
I find festive reads to bit hit or miss, yet I am a big (and growing bigger) fan of Garrett Leigh. Due to this, I was happy to devour The Christmas Collection to enjoy more of the author’s work. Plus, the promise of bonus scenes containing characters from the Rebel Kings series ensured I was extra eager to dive in.
Angels in the City was a four-star rating. It was a sweet read that grabbed me from the start. I fell in love with the characters immediately, and I found their story impossible to put down. It was sweet, but it was not all fluff. Although it was lighter than what I am accustomed to experiencing with the author, it certainly had plenty packed into the pages to keep me invested. A part of me did feel like things were a little too easy in the end, but it was not enough to take away my enjoyment of the story. The bonus scene with Alexei from the Rebel Kings series was fun, although I did not feel it added anything – it was just a nice bonus for fans of the author’s work.
Hometown Christmas was a three-star rating. For me, Hometown Christmas was one of the stories that was not quite as strong as the author’s usual work. Hometown Christmas was a quick and easy read. I powered through it in no time, enjoyed the story, but I spent most of the book wishing there had been a little bit more. It was a sweet tale, yes, yet it did not quite have the depth I had hoped for. Due to this, I finished the book and found myself happy to dive into another, without the usual lingering emotions I experience when reading Garrett Leigh books. The bonus scene, which contained Nat, has certainly left me interested in another of the author’s other work. I cannot say it added too much to this story, but it was enjoyable and has increased my curiosity about the Between Ghosts universe.
Christmas Mountain was a four-star rating. From the very first page, Christmas Mountain sucked me into the story. I fell deeply for the characters, was immediately invested in their world, and I could not get enough of their story. It was the perfect amount of sweet to ensure I was hit with the emotions throughout, making it impossible to put the story down until I’d seen how everything came together. Although I did find things a little too easy in the end, it was not enough to lessen my enjoyment of the story. The bonus scene with Embry was sweet, yet it felt more like a way to convince people to read the Rebel Kings series than something that added to Christmas Mountain or what I already know (and love) about Embry.
All in all, an enjoyable collection from Garrett Leigh. It is certainly worth the read for anyone looking for some festive reads – or for those looking to tick some more Garrett Leigh books off their to-read list.
Angels in the City was a four-star rating. It was a sweet read that grabbed me from the start. I fell in love with the characters immediately, and I found their story impossible to put down. It was sweet, but it was not all fluff. Although it was lighter than what I am accustomed to experiencing with the author, it certainly had plenty packed into the pages to keep me invested. A part of me did feel like things were a little too easy in the end, but it was not enough to take away my enjoyment of the story. The bonus scene with Alexei from the Rebel Kings series was fun, although I did not feel it added anything – it was just a nice bonus for fans of the author’s work.
Hometown Christmas was a three-star rating. For me, Hometown Christmas was one of the stories that was not quite as strong as the author’s usual work. Hometown Christmas was a quick and easy read. I powered through it in no time, enjoyed the story, but I spent most of the book wishing there had been a little bit more. It was a sweet tale, yes, yet it did not quite have the depth I had hoped for. Due to this, I finished the book and found myself happy to dive into another, without the usual lingering emotions I experience when reading Garrett Leigh books. The bonus scene, which contained Nat, has certainly left me interested in another of the author’s other work. I cannot say it added too much to this story, but it was enjoyable and has increased my curiosity about the Between Ghosts universe.
Christmas Mountain was a four-star rating. From the very first page, Christmas Mountain sucked me into the story. I fell deeply for the characters, was immediately invested in their world, and I could not get enough of their story. It was the perfect amount of sweet to ensure I was hit with the emotions throughout, making it impossible to put the story down until I’d seen how everything came together. Although I did find things a little too easy in the end, it was not enough to lessen my enjoyment of the story. The bonus scene with Embry was sweet, yet it felt more like a way to convince people to read the Rebel Kings series than something that added to Christmas Mountain or what I already know (and love) about Embry.
All in all, an enjoyable collection from Garrett Leigh. It is certainly worth the read for anyone looking for some festive reads – or for those looking to tick some more Garrett Leigh books off their to-read list.
December 17, 2023
warm-hearted holiday collection
Rating: 4🌈
Garrett Leigh offers up three Christmas stories in this collection, all of which have ties to her other series which are linked or shared within the novellas. They are, in the order they are used within this collection:
Angels In The City
Hometown Christmas
Christmas Mountain
Some I liked more than the others but all were warmhearted, holiday romances that I enjoyed.
Angels In The City: This was a great way to start the collection. Sacha Antonov, a “fixer” brought in to help a company on the same floor as the one run by Jonah, they have a meet cute moment in a stuck elevator just before Jonah’s expected appearance at his parents biggest holiday party/event they throw for everyone of note.
A impulsive invitation, and equally surprising acceptance later , and there’s a jump start to a relationship between two people of widely different backgrounds but shares interests and growing attraction.
I really liked the characters and storylines, even without the ties to the cousin Alexei from Rebel Kings MC series which I don’t think I have read.
Hometown Christmas. Rami and Fen. One a chef struggling with his Greek food cart in the market and the other a ex military soldier with PTSD running a shelter and trying to find his way out of his own trauma. Well done , but it’s hard to go into the depths of such heavy issues in such a small length of page space. The shelter isn’t a real place on paper, we don’t have a feel for the work there or the people that need it . That element, as important as it is, just isn’t well defined. The couple is lovely though.
Christmas Mountain. This is the longest of the three stories and the one I wavered over the most.
While I eventually ended up liking Yani , I did a lot of head smacking over how , he was written initially. I get the overwhelming stress but the shear idiocy of the beginning of the story was something that made it hard to get any connection to him. His constant need to flee a situation before having any discussion, or conversation with others, again, this aspect of his personality was a huge factor in almost disliking him. I couldn’t understand the author’s need towards his character and path.
But eventually, halfway or more, things got better. But that first half was hard going for this reader.
It might not be for others. They might find themselves relating to him. I did like the ending. Thought the drama and explanation for how Gavin Ritchie was his own hero a little underwhelming. I got little sense of what really happened.
Overall, a lovely warmhearted holiday collection. A definite recommendation.
Lovely cover.
Rating: 4🌈
Garrett Leigh offers up three Christmas stories in this collection, all of which have ties to her other series which are linked or shared within the novellas. They are, in the order they are used within this collection:
Angels In The City
Hometown Christmas
Christmas Mountain
Some I liked more than the others but all were warmhearted, holiday romances that I enjoyed.
Angels In The City: This was a great way to start the collection. Sacha Antonov, a “fixer” brought in to help a company on the same floor as the one run by Jonah, they have a meet cute moment in a stuck elevator just before Jonah’s expected appearance at his parents biggest holiday party/event they throw for everyone of note.
A impulsive invitation, and equally surprising acceptance later , and there’s a jump start to a relationship between two people of widely different backgrounds but shares interests and growing attraction.
I really liked the characters and storylines, even without the ties to the cousin Alexei from Rebel Kings MC series which I don’t think I have read.
Hometown Christmas. Rami and Fen. One a chef struggling with his Greek food cart in the market and the other a ex military soldier with PTSD running a shelter and trying to find his way out of his own trauma. Well done , but it’s hard to go into the depths of such heavy issues in such a small length of page space. The shelter isn’t a real place on paper, we don’t have a feel for the work there or the people that need it . That element, as important as it is, just isn’t well defined. The couple is lovely though.
Christmas Mountain. This is the longest of the three stories and the one I wavered over the most.
While I eventually ended up liking Yani , I did a lot of head smacking over how , he was written initially. I get the overwhelming stress but the shear idiocy of the beginning of the story was something that made it hard to get any connection to him. His constant need to flee a situation before having any discussion, or conversation with others, again, this aspect of his personality was a huge factor in almost disliking him. I couldn’t understand the author’s need towards his character and path.
But eventually, halfway or more, things got better. But that first half was hard going for this reader.
It might not be for others. They might find themselves relating to him. I did like the ending. Thought the drama and explanation for how Gavin Ritchie was his own hero a little underwhelming. I got little sense of what really happened.
Overall, a lovely warmhearted holiday collection. A definite recommendation.
Lovely cover.
November 10, 2023
Angels in the City: I'll See You In the Elevator!
Have you ever been in a fake relationship that has the chance of becoming more? When parents are always after you to keep your eyes and heart open to the possibility? To being knocked off your feet by a handsome man who seems so alone at times?
Take your chance on a broken elevator and look what can happen. Maybe you'll be the lucky one!
Jonah and Sacha learn to open up and speak to each other. The share their real thoughts, histories and desires...and it turns into something deep and meaningful...just in time for the holidays.
Christmas Mountain: Christmas is the Time for Family, Love and New Beginnings.
Family is all around. Love is tightening it's hold on you. You just have some really tough decisions to make.
Can you give up a job you love? Can you learn to be a dad to a little boy? Will your heart survive on a remote mountain?
But when it comes down to it, a lonely existence isn't much worth fighting for. Not when a man you've been attracted to for years is suddenly within reach. Now you just have to open up to the possibilities.
You are going to love these men as they navigate the mountain, the family with so much love and acceptance to give, and the beauty of nature surrounding them. I don't think they ever stood a chance!
Hometown Christmas: If These Men Can Help Others...So Can We!
The characters in this story make you believe in the power of the human spirit. And the power of our need for closeness and love. They have suffered pain in the past but are strong enough to take the chance on love again. Not only that, but they devote much of their lives helping others in need.
They have friends and family that serve as models of 'what could be' as well as sounding boards. The holiday season is indeed a special time of year!
Garrett writes books that encapsulates the feelings of the holidays...the ones you wished listed all year long. I'd previously read all of these stories...but a return visit, via reminder through a GRR ARC, was just the perfect way to start the season. Enjoy these. They are all distinctly different from each other!
Have you ever been in a fake relationship that has the chance of becoming more? When parents are always after you to keep your eyes and heart open to the possibility? To being knocked off your feet by a handsome man who seems so alone at times?
Take your chance on a broken elevator and look what can happen. Maybe you'll be the lucky one!
Jonah and Sacha learn to open up and speak to each other. The share their real thoughts, histories and desires...and it turns into something deep and meaningful...just in time for the holidays.
Christmas Mountain: Christmas is the Time for Family, Love and New Beginnings.
Family is all around. Love is tightening it's hold on you. You just have some really tough decisions to make.
Can you give up a job you love? Can you learn to be a dad to a little boy? Will your heart survive on a remote mountain?
But when it comes down to it, a lonely existence isn't much worth fighting for. Not when a man you've been attracted to for years is suddenly within reach. Now you just have to open up to the possibilities.
You are going to love these men as they navigate the mountain, the family with so much love and acceptance to give, and the beauty of nature surrounding them. I don't think they ever stood a chance!
Hometown Christmas: If These Men Can Help Others...So Can We!
The characters in this story make you believe in the power of the human spirit. And the power of our need for closeness and love. They have suffered pain in the past but are strong enough to take the chance on love again. Not only that, but they devote much of their lives helping others in need.
They have friends and family that serve as models of 'what could be' as well as sounding boards. The holiday season is indeed a special time of year!
Garrett writes books that encapsulates the feelings of the holidays...the ones you wished listed all year long. I'd previously read all of these stories...but a return visit, via reminder through a GRR ARC, was just the perfect way to start the season. Enjoy these. They are all distinctly different from each other!
December 2, 2023
4 stars
I'm not going to lie - I love Garrett Leigh books, she sucks me into the story every time and I enjoy how there are character cross overs from the other books. It always makes me want to go and read the other books to meet them again.
Angels in the City
I loved Jonah here. Sasha with his lack of communication was harder to get to know, but he still found his way to leave a mark. It seems to be a character trait both he and Alexi share. He made it hard for Jonah as he didn't open up very well and gave mixed signals. I liked that Jonah walked away for a bit. Although it hurt he needed to make sure it was right for him. Jonah was a lot more sunshine and it was nice to see him get his HEA
Christmas Mountain
Rami and Fen were a favourite. I connected quickly with Rami. He's reactions were so that I was able to understand. He couldn't just move because his sister wanted him to. He had a life and job in Manchester, and I would have reacted the same, no matter how much living on the mountain sounded like the best thing ever.
Fen was lovely. He gave Rami the room to make his decision but also at the same time communicated what he needed and stood by that. He had his own demons and he quietly dealt with them.
The family community on the mountain was fabulous. The kids were kids and they lived a life I'd love to lead.
Very entertaining story.
Hometown Christmas
This one I have read before
I loved both Gavin and Yani. Their road to togetherness was well done. Both had their own set of issues and they weren’t swept under the carpet or ignored, they were open about them with each other.
I enjoyed how Yani was an unwilling volunteer at the beginning but then got sucked in and donated a lot more time than agreed to at the start. I thought his OCD was done well
I enjoyed Gavin’s military background was discussed vaguely and didn’t become the focal point, we got enough to move the story forward, which worked for me. His friends are great and I now want to go and read their books.
Arc provided by GRR
I'm not going to lie - I love Garrett Leigh books, she sucks me into the story every time and I enjoy how there are character cross overs from the other books. It always makes me want to go and read the other books to meet them again.
Angels in the City
I loved Jonah here. Sasha with his lack of communication was harder to get to know, but he still found his way to leave a mark. It seems to be a character trait both he and Alexi share. He made it hard for Jonah as he didn't open up very well and gave mixed signals. I liked that Jonah walked away for a bit. Although it hurt he needed to make sure it was right for him. Jonah was a lot more sunshine and it was nice to see him get his HEA
Christmas Mountain
Rami and Fen were a favourite. I connected quickly with Rami. He's reactions were so that I was able to understand. He couldn't just move because his sister wanted him to. He had a life and job in Manchester, and I would have reacted the same, no matter how much living on the mountain sounded like the best thing ever.
Fen was lovely. He gave Rami the room to make his decision but also at the same time communicated what he needed and stood by that. He had his own demons and he quietly dealt with them.
The family community on the mountain was fabulous. The kids were kids and they lived a life I'd love to lead.
Very entertaining story.
Hometown Christmas
This one I have read before
I loved both Gavin and Yani. Their road to togetherness was well done. Both had their own set of issues and they weren’t swept under the carpet or ignored, they were open about them with each other.
I enjoyed how Yani was an unwilling volunteer at the beginning but then got sucked in and donated a lot more time than agreed to at the start. I thought his OCD was done well
I enjoyed Gavin’s military background was discussed vaguely and didn’t become the focal point, we got enough to move the story forward, which worked for me. His friends are great and I now want to go and read their books.
Arc provided by GRR
December 1, 2023
Garrett never misses! A sweet and steamy collection of Christmas books that’s perfect for those cold winter nights. I’ve been saying forever that she’s a word wizard, and her magic is on full display. She writes dialogue that perfectly illustrates who her characters are and how they feel. It’s always show, not tell. Fraught tension and deep emotions, I was captivated by all of these men. These are slower-paced, they’re stories you want to linger over. I loved them all!
Angels in the City:
I adored Jonah and Sacha and the connection they shared. Meet-cute office romance plus fake dating? Say less. Their chemistry was off the charts, and there’s something about these hot Russian men! Sacha is a cousin of Alexei (from Rebel Kings)I loved seeing the portrayal of both similarities and differences between them. The cameo in the epilogue was amazing, it was so cool to see Alexei from the perspective of someone outside of the MC. The spice was blazing hot in this one, my favorite of the collection!
Hometown Christmas:
Yani and Gavin’s story was such a beautiful tale of finding your person. While there was some insta-lust when they first catch sight of one another, they spent time building a connection and learning one another’s hearts. It’s a slow, cozy tale with some fire tension and amazing side characters. I will definitely be reading Garrett’s backlist - I can’t wait to see more of these military boys!
Christmas Mountain:
This one will pull on the heartstrings! Coworkers/friends to almost lovers to second chance. Strong hurt/comfort elements here, and Garrett is the queen of that trope. This one is a slow burn on the spice, but every character is fully realized and interesting so I was never bored. Another strong cast of supporting characters - I even liked all the kids! - and I’m pretty sure Dante’s story is going to be my next Garrett book.
I received an advanced reader copy from Gay Romance Reviews, and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
Angels in the City:
I adored Jonah and Sacha and the connection they shared. Meet-cute office romance plus fake dating? Say less. Their chemistry was off the charts, and there’s something about these hot Russian men! Sacha is a cousin of Alexei (from Rebel Kings)I loved seeing the portrayal of both similarities and differences between them. The cameo in the epilogue was amazing, it was so cool to see Alexei from the perspective of someone outside of the MC. The spice was blazing hot in this one, my favorite of the collection!
Hometown Christmas:
Yani and Gavin’s story was such a beautiful tale of finding your person. While there was some insta-lust when they first catch sight of one another, they spent time building a connection and learning one another’s hearts. It’s a slow, cozy tale with some fire tension and amazing side characters. I will definitely be reading Garrett’s backlist - I can’t wait to see more of these military boys!
Christmas Mountain:
This one will pull on the heartstrings! Coworkers/friends to almost lovers to second chance. Strong hurt/comfort elements here, and Garrett is the queen of that trope. This one is a slow burn on the spice, but every character is fully realized and interesting so I was never bored. Another strong cast of supporting characters - I even liked all the kids! - and I’m pretty sure Dante’s story is going to be my next Garrett book.
I received an advanced reader copy from Gay Romance Reviews, and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
December 20, 2023
Angels in the City - 5 stars
Glorious. Two men, who don't do relationships, get stuck in a lift. One follows the other out and never stops. What starts as fake boyfriends and a quick fuck becomes so much more but not without denial and fighting it on both sides. This is my second read through of this story, third if you include the audio. Still love it. This version of the book includes an additional chapter that introduces Sasha’s cousin (from another series). It’s titled chapter 21, but I feel it would have been better titled epilogue or even bonus content, because it doesn’t really move the main story along. Yes we find out what has happened to them some unspecified months/years down the line but it feels like it is there more to introduce a new character. Highly recommended.
Hometown Christmas - 5 stars
I loved this story. It's got a lovely Christmas vibe but it's not overly sweet. Set partially in a homeless shelter over Christmas it doesn't shy away from the reality of that situation, nor does it hide from the mental stresses of the MCs. But it didn't have the angst that can often be found in this author's books. I love the way this author writes their MCs. Both guys have depth, and a past that makes them interesting. I loved Gavin especially.
Warning: Don't read when hungry. I craved gyros and ginger cake while reading. This book left me with a rumbling tummy and a huge smile.
This version of the book includes an additional chapter that is a 'year later' epilogue with a lovely addition to the relationship. Highly recommended.
Christmas Mountain - 5 stars
This is the only story in the collection I haven't read before. Gorgeous feel good story with bite. I adored Fen. Rami was harder to love, with his hard protective shell, but getting through that was worth the work and they made a lovely couple. The setting is like the characters, beautiful but harsh and capable of bringing a man to his knees. This book references a character from one of the author's other books. Plus there's an additional chapter (although I was a tad confused where it fit in the timeline - is it before the 'Christmas one year later' end to chapter 18, or after) which introduces a character from the author's newest series.
All these stories are interconnected in some way and if I had the brain power I'd make a timeline/relationshipmind map. Maybe the author has one on the patreon or a better reader than me has made one.
I adore Garrett's Christmas stories. They're as sweet as her stories ever get but still with that edge that let's you know you're reading at Garrett Leigh book.
Glorious. Two men, who don't do relationships, get stuck in a lift. One follows the other out and never stops. What starts as fake boyfriends and a quick fuck becomes so much more but not without denial and fighting it on both sides. This is my second read through of this story, third if you include the audio. Still love it. This version of the book includes an additional chapter that introduces Sasha’s cousin (from another series). It’s titled chapter 21, but I feel it would have been better titled epilogue or even bonus content, because it doesn’t really move the main story along. Yes we find out what has happened to them some unspecified months/years down the line but it feels like it is there more to introduce a new character. Highly recommended.
Hometown Christmas - 5 stars
I loved this story. It's got a lovely Christmas vibe but it's not overly sweet. Set partially in a homeless shelter over Christmas it doesn't shy away from the reality of that situation, nor does it hide from the mental stresses of the MCs. But it didn't have the angst that can often be found in this author's books. I love the way this author writes their MCs. Both guys have depth, and a past that makes them interesting. I loved Gavin especially.
Warning: Don't read when hungry. I craved gyros and ginger cake while reading. This book left me with a rumbling tummy and a huge smile.
This version of the book includes an additional chapter that is a 'year later' epilogue with a lovely addition to the relationship. Highly recommended.
Christmas Mountain - 5 stars
This is the only story in the collection I haven't read before. Gorgeous feel good story with bite. I adored Fen. Rami was harder to love, with his hard protective shell, but getting through that was worth the work and they made a lovely couple. The setting is like the characters, beautiful but harsh and capable of bringing a man to his knees. This book references a character from one of the author's other books. Plus there's an additional chapter (although I was a tad confused where it fit in the timeline - is it before the 'Christmas one year later' end to chapter 18, or after) which introduces a character from the author's newest series.
All these stories are interconnected in some way and if I had the brain power I'd make a timeline/relationshipmind map. Maybe the author has one on the patreon or a better reader than me has made one.
I adore Garrett's Christmas stories. They're as sweet as her stories ever get but still with that edge that let's you know you're reading at Garrett Leigh book.
November 21, 2023
I loved this collection - it has three very different holiday stories but the author's magic in writing complex characters and wonderfully real love stories shines through each one.
Angels in the City
Sacha was by far the most brooding, mysterious MMC I've read in a while. For quite a long time I thought he was going to be a secret assassin or spy or something, but turns out he's just that brooding. I really loved how Sacha immediately supported Jonah and agreed to be a fake boyfriend for the evening and being so perceptive to Jonah's feelings. But of course, since he's so brooding he almost misses his chance of a HEA with Jonah because he can't accept his feelings for Jonah. I loved that Jonah stood up for himself, knew is worth and refused to be stringed (strung?) along. Well done Jonah!
Hometown Christmas
This was my favourite story from the collection - I fell in love with Yani and Gavin. I loved how this book was not an overly sweet holiday romance, but rather a romance between two men, both with mental health diagnoses that they are actively working on and managing, living in a big city and trying to build the life they need and deserve. I love stories where people don't heal because they are suddenly in a relationship, but heal because they've been working on themselves for a long time and this new love interest supports and understands them in this journey. Loved the side characters as well and the way that Gavin's army experience is written.
Christmas Mountain
This book contains the trifecta of a good holiday story - brooding, big MMCs; single dads and I-like-him-does-he-like-me-back - that I love! Throw in snowy vibes, humour, dark notes and a family that is welcoming and supportive and you've got me hooked!
Angels in the City
Sacha was by far the most brooding, mysterious MMC I've read in a while. For quite a long time I thought he was going to be a secret assassin or spy or something, but turns out he's just that brooding. I really loved how Sacha immediately supported Jonah and agreed to be a fake boyfriend for the evening and being so perceptive to Jonah's feelings. But of course, since he's so brooding he almost misses his chance of a HEA with Jonah because he can't accept his feelings for Jonah. I loved that Jonah stood up for himself, knew is worth and refused to be stringed (strung?) along. Well done Jonah!
Hometown Christmas
This was my favourite story from the collection - I fell in love with Yani and Gavin. I loved how this book was not an overly sweet holiday romance, but rather a romance between two men, both with mental health diagnoses that they are actively working on and managing, living in a big city and trying to build the life they need and deserve. I love stories where people don't heal because they are suddenly in a relationship, but heal because they've been working on themselves for a long time and this new love interest supports and understands them in this journey. Loved the side characters as well and the way that Gavin's army experience is written.
Christmas Mountain
This book contains the trifecta of a good holiday story - brooding, big MMCs; single dads and I-like-him-does-he-like-me-back - that I love! Throw in snowy vibes, humour, dark notes and a family that is welcoming and supportive and you've got me hooked!
December 4, 2023
(I received a copy of this collection to review)
Trigger Warnings in this collection includes:
mentions of sexual assault, a fight resulting in an injury, homelessness, military injury, PTSD, OCD, discussions of questionable emotional/mental (abuse) in a relationship, death of a loved one, mentions of drug overdose and child abandonment, situations involving the prison system, descriptions of attempted murder in detail, PTSD, mentions of self harm and suicidal thoughts, dangerous incident that could result in death
So far, I have loved every single thing I’ve read by this author. I almost always play favorites with characters, but that’s not something I can do with their characters! It’s always a “love them both so much equally” scenario! (And that’s not a complaint!) Reading this collection was my first “not adorable” Christmas reads of the season, and they did not disappoint! Although, these characters were all adorable in their own ways! Making me swoon left and right like it was their job. They may all belong on Santa’s naughty list because of the things they do behind closed (and open) doors, but they definitely made my nice list! Also, I laughed for about 75% of each book. I loved the banter and jokes among characters!
FOR MY FULL REVIEWS:
This is my review for Angels in the City
This is my review for Hometown Christmas
This is my review for Mountain Christmas
Trigger Warnings in this collection includes:
mentions of sexual assault, a fight resulting in an injury, homelessness, military injury, PTSD, OCD, discussions of questionable emotional/mental (abuse) in a relationship, death of a loved one, mentions of drug overdose and child abandonment, situations involving the prison system, descriptions of attempted murder in detail, PTSD, mentions of self harm and suicidal thoughts, dangerous incident that could result in death
So far, I have loved every single thing I’ve read by this author. I almost always play favorites with characters, but that’s not something I can do with their characters! It’s always a “love them both so much equally” scenario! (And that’s not a complaint!) Reading this collection was my first “not adorable” Christmas reads of the season, and they did not disappoint! Although, these characters were all adorable in their own ways! Making me swoon left and right like it was their job. They may all belong on Santa’s naughty list because of the things they do behind closed (and open) doors, but they definitely made my nice list! Also, I laughed for about 75% of each book. I loved the banter and jokes among characters!
FOR MY FULL REVIEWS:
This is my review for Angels in the City
This is my review for Hometown Christmas
This is my review for Mountain Christmas
December 6, 2023
The Christmas Collection by Garrett Leigh is three new MM romances, each distinct, and each delightful.
Angels in the City
The first book, Angels in the City, features Jonah and Sacha, who meet accidentally at a holiday gala and discover they work in the same building in office suites across the hall from each other. Their meet-cute doesn't lead directly to romance, but the two men find their way. Of the three books, this is the only one that felt a bit incomplete, like we need a longer epilogue or even a supplementary novella. I'm crossing my fingers. 4.5 out of 5
Hometown Christmas
Book two, Hometown Christmas, is a yummy, delightful story, complete with sensitive treatment of OCD and PTSD. Yani and Gavin share a stare in a coffee shop, but it's a mutual friend who causes them to connect through a shelter for unhoused adults. I loved this book. 5 out of 5
Christmas Mountain
To round out the collection, Christmas Mountain is the story of Rami and Fen, and it's a good one. This book starts with a chapter in the past, and then jumps forward to the present, complete with sudden events, the details of which take time to unfold in the story. Winter storms, second chances, and true love all come about in their own time. You'll be glad to read to the end. 5 out of 5
In summary, this is a great weekend read of holiday romances, each different, and all wonderful. I received an advanced copy. This is my own opinion.
Angels in the City
The first book, Angels in the City, features Jonah and Sacha, who meet accidentally at a holiday gala and discover they work in the same building in office suites across the hall from each other. Their meet-cute doesn't lead directly to romance, but the two men find their way. Of the three books, this is the only one that felt a bit incomplete, like we need a longer epilogue or even a supplementary novella. I'm crossing my fingers. 4.5 out of 5
Hometown Christmas
Book two, Hometown Christmas, is a yummy, delightful story, complete with sensitive treatment of OCD and PTSD. Yani and Gavin share a stare in a coffee shop, but it's a mutual friend who causes them to connect through a shelter for unhoused adults. I loved this book. 5 out of 5
Christmas Mountain
To round out the collection, Christmas Mountain is the story of Rami and Fen, and it's a good one. This book starts with a chapter in the past, and then jumps forward to the present, complete with sudden events, the details of which take time to unfold in the story. Winter storms, second chances, and true love all come about in their own time. You'll be glad to read to the end. 5 out of 5
In summary, this is a great weekend read of holiday romances, each different, and all wonderful. I received an advanced copy. This is my own opinion.
December 1, 2023
This is hands down the best Christmas Collection from a single author that I ever read. Not to mention it's a deal! You are getting three full length novels for a price of one.
I decided there's no need to review the books separately, because it would lead to spoilers. Everything you need to know is in the blurbs.
All of the stories are relatively low angst but they delve deep in one's insecurities, emotions, feelings and past traumatic events.
Although the MC's are coming from different backgrounds there's one common denominator - they don't think love is in the charts for them, each for different reasons, but love finds them anyway in most unexpected circumstances.
Garrett Leigh once again avoided the trap of sugary sweetness - she always does - that's one of the reasons she's one of my favorite authors. Oh, there's sweetness that will touch your heart deeply. It's in a small, seemingly insignificant moments and actions, that build a real relationship. There's attraction and a lot of heat between MC'c but those moments are the ones that matter.
Let me put it this way: There's tons of heartwarming well written Christmas stories we tend to forget a month after we read them. And then there are stories that stick with us. There's at least one in this collection that's on my reread list
I decided there's no need to review the books separately, because it would lead to spoilers. Everything you need to know is in the blurbs.
All of the stories are relatively low angst but they delve deep in one's insecurities, emotions, feelings and past traumatic events.
Although the MC's are coming from different backgrounds there's one common denominator - they don't think love is in the charts for them, each for different reasons, but love finds them anyway in most unexpected circumstances.
Garrett Leigh once again avoided the trap of sugary sweetness - she always does - that's one of the reasons she's one of my favorite authors. Oh, there's sweetness that will touch your heart deeply. It's in a small, seemingly insignificant moments and actions, that build a real relationship. There's attraction and a lot of heat between MC'c but those moments are the ones that matter.
Let me put it this way: There's tons of heartwarming well written Christmas stories we tend to forget a month after we read them. And then there are stories that stick with us. There's at least one in this collection that's on my reread list
November 27, 2023
The first novel is about Sacha and Jonah. Sacha is Alexei’s cousin from the Rebel Kings series. I didn’t read the Rebel Kings before that and you don’t need to have read them. Alexei only appears briefly in the last chapter.
Sacha and Jonah meet while being stuck in the elevator at their workplace. After that interesting encounter, Sacha takes the role of fake boyfriend for the evening as Jonah has to attend his parents’ party. They hit it off sexually pretty fast. I loved how their time at work was also personal time for them at the same time. Really liked the MCs, really liked this story.
The second story is about Yani, a chef and Gavin, a veteran helping run a homeless shelter. I struggled a bit with this story. I can’t even say why, maybe because having one of the MCs be a chef just never appeals to me. It’s still sweet though.
I loved the third story. Fen and Rami met while on the job. Rami is a probation officer and Fen works at the prison. Just when they try to start dating things happen that lead to them not seeing each other for months without being able to contact each other. I really really liked this story. I also immediately started to read the books of the characters that had a cameo here.
Sacha and Jonah meet while being stuck in the elevator at their workplace. After that interesting encounter, Sacha takes the role of fake boyfriend for the evening as Jonah has to attend his parents’ party. They hit it off sexually pretty fast. I loved how their time at work was also personal time for them at the same time. Really liked the MCs, really liked this story.
The second story is about Yani, a chef and Gavin, a veteran helping run a homeless shelter. I struggled a bit with this story. I can’t even say why, maybe because having one of the MCs be a chef just never appeals to me. It’s still sweet though.
I loved the third story. Fen and Rami met while on the job. Rami is a probation officer and Fen works at the prison. Just when they try to start dating things happen that lead to them not seeing each other for months without being able to contact each other. I really really liked this story. I also immediately started to read the books of the characters that had a cameo here.
December 17, 2023
I hadn’t read any of these stories before, so the extra material was a lovely bonus. I loved all the stories, and characters, and would read them at any time of year. I love when series crossover, and enjoyed seeing other familiar characters from different perspectives. I didn’t want to put any of them down, and have added this collection to my paperback wish list.
I loved how each story, although set around Christmas, was different.
In Angels in the City, Sacha and Jonah are opposites but fit well. I liked how their chance encounter soon becomes much more, and their relationship very real. I liked their work colleagues too, and how Sacha interacting with Jonah’s family.
I love Rami and Fen in Christmas Mountain, and how they connect again. The setting was wonderful, and I loved Rami’s family. I thought this story has all the feels, and it left me with a warm feeling, and sad to leave them.
Homegrown Christmas had me wanting to know more about Gavin’s past with his army friends, so will need to read that series now, although I did follow Yani and Gavin’s story no problem. I loved their sweet romance, Yani’s friend, Bex, and the market and shelter settings.
All three stories highly recommended.
I loved how each story, although set around Christmas, was different.
In Angels in the City, Sacha and Jonah are opposites but fit well. I liked how their chance encounter soon becomes much more, and their relationship very real. I liked their work colleagues too, and how Sacha interacting with Jonah’s family.
I love Rami and Fen in Christmas Mountain, and how they connect again. The setting was wonderful, and I loved Rami’s family. I thought this story has all the feels, and it left me with a warm feeling, and sad to leave them.
Homegrown Christmas had me wanting to know more about Gavin’s past with his army friends, so will need to read that series now, although I did follow Yani and Gavin’s story no problem. I loved their sweet romance, Yani’s friend, Bex, and the market and shelter settings.
All three stories highly recommended.
November 28, 2023
A fantastic holiday collection
Angels in the City: Holy crap, Sacha's communication skills were dismal AF. He kept leaving poor Jonah twisting in the wind trying to suss out how he really felt, I enjoyed seeing them finally get on the same page and build their relationship and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them.
Christmas Mountain: Fen and Rami's slow-burn romance was wonderful. I loved watching these two friends reconnect and get to the place they were always meant to be, together. So much love and sweetness, a really fantastic read.
Hometown Christmas: Gavin - "I don’t need fixing, any more than you do, but loving you makes me feel whole.”
Yani and Gavin were amazing characters and I loved how their relationship leaned heavy towards the emotional, not that there weren't sexy times but their connection wasn't all about the physical. They both had their issues but they both owned it and pushed forward, not allowing their fears to continue making decisions for them. Another great addition to my Garrett Leigh library.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*
Angels in the City: Holy crap, Sacha's communication skills were dismal AF. He kept leaving poor Jonah twisting in the wind trying to suss out how he really felt, I enjoyed seeing them finally get on the same page and build their relationship and I wouldn't mind seeing more of them.
Christmas Mountain: Fen and Rami's slow-burn romance was wonderful. I loved watching these two friends reconnect and get to the place they were always meant to be, together. So much love and sweetness, a really fantastic read.
Hometown Christmas: Gavin - "I don’t need fixing, any more than you do, but loving you makes me feel whole.”
Yani and Gavin were amazing characters and I loved how their relationship leaned heavy towards the emotional, not that there weren't sexy times but their connection wasn't all about the physical. They both had their issues but they both owned it and pushed forward, not allowing their fears to continue making decisions for them. Another great addition to my Garrett Leigh library.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*
November 29, 2023
4 ⭐️'ˢ
“The Christmas Collections” By Garrett Leigh
📕 Edition: eBook
🎄✨ A delightful holiday treat, bundling three MM romances into one festive package. 📚🌈
The trio of stories offers a range of emotions, and while all are enjoyable, "Christmas Mountain" stole the show for me. Rami and Fen's tale of love, family, and second chances warmed my heart, making it a perfect yuletide read. 🏞️❤️
"Angels In The City" brings Jonah and Sacha into a fake relationship that evolves beautifully. The office romance, sprinkled with doughnuts and white knights, creates a sweet atmosphere, though it didn't give me the full Christmas vibe I craved. 🍩🌃
"Hometown Christmas" weaves a tale of friendship evolving into love between Yani and Gavin. Fleeing heartbreak in London, their no-strings arrangement takes an unexpected turn. While not my favorite, it adds a touch of sweetness and steaminess to the holiday mix. 🔥🎁
Garrett Leigh's writing is a gift in itself, and the exclusive bonus content for each book adds a cherry on top. 🎁📖
Out 12/1!
Thank you @Gay.romace.reviews for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“The Christmas Collections” By Garrett Leigh
📕 Edition: eBook
🎄✨ A delightful holiday treat, bundling three MM romances into one festive package. 📚🌈
The trio of stories offers a range of emotions, and while all are enjoyable, "Christmas Mountain" stole the show for me. Rami and Fen's tale of love, family, and second chances warmed my heart, making it a perfect yuletide read. 🏞️❤️
"Angels In The City" brings Jonah and Sacha into a fake relationship that evolves beautifully. The office romance, sprinkled with doughnuts and white knights, creates a sweet atmosphere, though it didn't give me the full Christmas vibe I craved. 🍩🌃
"Hometown Christmas" weaves a tale of friendship evolving into love between Yani and Gavin. Fleeing heartbreak in London, their no-strings arrangement takes an unexpected turn. While not my favorite, it adds a touch of sweetness and steaminess to the holiday mix. 🔥🎁
Garrett Leigh's writing is a gift in itself, and the exclusive bonus content for each book adds a cherry on top. 🎁📖
Out 12/1!
Thank you @Gay.romace.reviews for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 1, 2023
Exceptional Christmas books from one of my favourite authors
Garrett Leigh never fails to deliver. She writes characters that are hurt, alone, lonely, unloved, even when they're surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. Angst and yearning, wanting to belong, needing to be loved but never expecting to get their own happy ever after. these are the wounded souls that grace her pages and step right into our hearts.
Her outsiders do eventually find the one(s) they're destined to be with but Garrett never makes it easy for them, giving us time to experience every hurt, every scar, every heartbreak with them. And what better time to shred our hearts than at Christmas, when every emotion is heightened by the season?
These three books are a fine festive collection that will leave you happy at the end because they're happy at the end, no matter how hard their journey to get there was.
The icing on the Christmas cake here is the bonus content, especially as Alexei is one of my favourite of Garrett's characters. A collection to truly savour this Christmas and, quite possibly, many others too.
Garrett Leigh never fails to deliver. She writes characters that are hurt, alone, lonely, unloved, even when they're surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. Angst and yearning, wanting to belong, needing to be loved but never expecting to get their own happy ever after. these are the wounded souls that grace her pages and step right into our hearts.
Her outsiders do eventually find the one(s) they're destined to be with but Garrett never makes it easy for them, giving us time to experience every hurt, every scar, every heartbreak with them. And what better time to shred our hearts than at Christmas, when every emotion is heightened by the season?
These three books are a fine festive collection that will leave you happy at the end because they're happy at the end, no matter how hard their journey to get there was.
The icing on the Christmas cake here is the bonus content, especially as Alexei is one of my favourite of Garrett's characters. A collection to truly savour this Christmas and, quite possibly, many others too.
November 9, 2023
I actually read each of these as individual books over the holidays last year, so I was excited to get a forever copy bundle! My absolute favorite here is Christmas Mountain. Fen is just a lovable lumberjack like guy! Rami is a sweet but tough guy trying to juggle his life, job and his nephew Charlie that he is now guardian for. Rami is a thinker and wants to right by everyone. Fen is a natural caretaker as well. Both men want a family of their own and they want it with each other whether they are ready to admit it or not! This one was an emotional and kind of deep read. Angels in the City was a fluffier story. We get an office romance between rich and confident Jonah and Sacha who is a loner and quite insecure. Loved seeing Jonah just run with his protective instincts and bring Sacha out of his shell and show him real love and care. Hometown Christmas was a nice slow-paced romance between a bit of a grumpy ex-military Gavin and young Yani who comes into town. I believe there is a romantic Christmas story or three for everyone here.
November 19, 2023
Angels in the city
5 stars
I look forward to Garrett Leigh's Christmas stories because you know their will be sweet, passionate characters with just the right amount of angst to keep you intrigued . And yet again, it does not disappoint with this addition. We have opposites attract office romances where two men who share a building finally meet and everything changes from that moment on. Loved both characters and so happy to see that they worked for their happiness and didn't waste their shot .
Hometown Christmas
5 stars
Garret Leigh has the art of bringing mental health issues to life. She doesn't sugarcoat mental issues she has people see how they affect couples and how it works out if both people put in the effort. another beautiful story that will be read many times over. highly recommended.
Christmas mountain
5 stars
Great light-hearted Christmas read. It's a great way to try this author if I'm not sure you can handle her more angst filled books. Loved jt and had to read again for this Christmas season.
5 stars
I look forward to Garrett Leigh's Christmas stories because you know their will be sweet, passionate characters with just the right amount of angst to keep you intrigued . And yet again, it does not disappoint with this addition. We have opposites attract office romances where two men who share a building finally meet and everything changes from that moment on. Loved both characters and so happy to see that they worked for their happiness and didn't waste their shot .
Hometown Christmas
5 stars
Garret Leigh has the art of bringing mental health issues to life. She doesn't sugarcoat mental issues she has people see how they affect couples and how it works out if both people put in the effort. another beautiful story that will be read many times over. highly recommended.
Christmas mountain
5 stars
Great light-hearted Christmas read. It's a great way to try this author if I'm not sure you can handle her more angst filled books. Loved jt and had to read again for this Christmas season.
December 1, 2023
I’m a big fan of this author, so although I’d already read these stories it was no hardship to re-read them, and the bonus content made it really worthwhile.
Angels In The City - for me, was the hottest of the three books. Jonah and Sasha’s instant attraction, fake boyfriends story was filled with banter and steam that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Hometown Christmas - was an intriguing story, and I loved Yani and Gavin, who were perfect for each other. I also have to thank Yani for making meals so interesting that I looked up a couple of the recipes.
Christmas Mountain - this was the sweetest of the stories. A lovely story about Rami and Fen, who had lost touch with each other until fate and a snowstorm brought them back together.
All three stories had terrific main and great secondary characters, were a little gritty, a touch angsty and had heat, all of which combined to make them a great collection that I highly recommend.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Angels In The City - for me, was the hottest of the three books. Jonah and Sasha’s instant attraction, fake boyfriends story was filled with banter and steam that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Hometown Christmas - was an intriguing story, and I loved Yani and Gavin, who were perfect for each other. I also have to thank Yani for making meals so interesting that I looked up a couple of the recipes.
Christmas Mountain - this was the sweetest of the stories. A lovely story about Rami and Fen, who had lost touch with each other until fate and a snowstorm brought them back together.
All three stories had terrific main and great secondary characters, were a little gritty, a touch angsty and had heat, all of which combined to make them a great collection that I highly recommend.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
December 1, 2023
What a treat! Three holiday novels in one. Where do I even begin? Ok, let me try:
I'll start with Christmas Mountain because that contains all the elements that make me happy: a bit of hard life and drama with a lot of love from the family in the background. I love that! I think Rami & Fen are my favourite of the three couples.
A very close second is Hometown Christmas because you can watch the love between Yani & Gavin bloom throughout their interactions. It's just heartwarming. (And of course the cameos from the Between Ghosts universe are much appreciated as well.)
For some reason, I had a bit of a hard time with Jonah & Sacha this time around. I loved their book in the past but it seems a little less sparkly, more serious than the other two. Still, absolutely worth a read.
Still can't get enough of Garrett Leigh's Christmas stories? Check out: Christmas on Firefly Hill!
I'll start with Christmas Mountain because that contains all the elements that make me happy: a bit of hard life and drama with a lot of love from the family in the background. I love that! I think Rami & Fen are my favourite of the three couples.
A very close second is Hometown Christmas because you can watch the love between Yani & Gavin bloom throughout their interactions. It's just heartwarming. (And of course the cameos from the Between Ghosts universe are much appreciated as well.)
For some reason, I had a bit of a hard time with Jonah & Sacha this time around. I loved their book in the past but it seems a little less sparkly, more serious than the other two. Still, absolutely worth a read.
Still can't get enough of Garrett Leigh's Christmas stories? Check out: Christmas on Firefly Hill!
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