Review: Simple Gifts
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 28, 2011
Jason Ferris is a very private person, so when his best friend, Sunny drags him to her parent's house for a Christmas party, he feels very uncomfortable. But that is just the beginning. When he gets to the party, he finds out Sunny's brother Lt. Robb Sharpe is home from overseas. Jason had a major crush on Robb in high school, where they even started a physical relationship before things fell apart and Robb left for the Army. Jason immediately feels awkward and shy and the only thing he can think about is escaping the party and getting back to the bar he owns.Robb is home, but not happy. His time in the army changed him. He is thin, his voice is messed up from smoke and he has seen some very bad things.When Jason does find an escape route, he trips in the front yard full of Christmas decorations, and hits his head really hard. And guess who is there to take him to the hospital?I always enjoy LB Gregg's books, and this one has such a sweet overtone to it, which surprised me because it doesn't start out that way. Jason grew up in the foster care system, so he doesn't understand what being in a family really means. When Robb's mom gives him a stocking at the party, the emotion that overtakes him is foreign to him. No one, except for Sunny ever reaches out their love to Jason. Robb on the other hand is home and is a changed man. Gaunt is the word Jason plays over and over in his head when he looks at him.In true LB Gregg fashion, there is much sarcasm in this book that makes me smile and smile. But, what surprises me is what transpires towards the middle of the book. And this is a very short novella, but it really felt like a full story. I don't want to give too much away, but Jason is obsessed with origami. It is his passion, his private world. But Robb understands him, and starts doing this really sweet, symbolic thing for Jason that will just steal your heart.A really cute, uplifting romantic story that is well done in such a short novella.