Reviewed by Morgan
Title: Hearth and Home
Author: E.T. Malinowski
Series: Sleigh Ride – 2015 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Thistle/Bayberry
Genre: MM Fantasy
Length: 56 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 30, 2015
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Thistle is a sweet elf with a kind heart. He tries his best to help all the other elves in Santa’s workshop. Unfortunately, Thistle tends to leave disaster in his wake despite his good intentions. He dreams of finding an elf who will love him in spite of his clumsiness, an elf he can make a home for. But what elf wants to live in constant peril? Thistle figures he should just stick with his anonymous treat baskets, especially where Bayberry, Santa’s production manager, is concerned.
Bayberry is a bit of a serious elf. A little distant from most of the North Pole crew, Bayberry is lonely. When another Thistle Incident occurs, pushing the production department behind schedule only a few weeks before Christmas, Bayberry gets a “suggestion” from The Big Guy to ask Thistle for help. What could an accident-prone elf do to assist him? But to Bayberry’s surprise, he might gain more than help with his monthly reports.
Review: This is a “Yule” story – Santa and Elves and really very cute!
Thistle is this klutzy elf who can’t do anything right, but he catches the eye of Bayberry – a kind of stoic and perfect “worker bee” type elf. When Bayberry needs help, he turns to Thistle and their attraction sparks.
Eventually they realize they’re perfect for one another and happiness ensues!
**
As I was reading this, I walked the line between loving and feeling uncomfortable with the blatant sexuality mixed in with the elfin cuteness. On the one hand, it felt a bit weird to see the cute little elf pine for the other elf then talk about beating off – but I think it actually worked!
I loved that there was this surprising bit of hot smexiness mixed in with the ridiculously cute elfiness. I’m sure some might not like it for just that reason, but it totally worked for me.
I thought the two elves were super cute together, and I loved the very HEA that we got and how cute Santa and the Mrs. were with their matchmaking and the bit of smexy times was a nice little cherry on top!
So… I highly recommend this to people with an open mind – because it is a bit strange – but it’s well written and who says elves can’t be sexy?!
Overall Impression: I loved it
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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