Review: Very sweet... and very unrealistic.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 22, 2011
First off, let me say that I didn't get the title of this book. What did you hear him exclaim? Who are you? And who is him? Does that have anything to do with the story? (My confusion didn't affect my rating, of course. I'm just curious.)Steve Adams has always loved Christmas and dressing up as Santa to spread the merriment around, but he isn't in the mood to celebrate the holidays this year. He can't fill out his Santa suit anymore, thanks to the new lifestyle he's been forced to embrace after the scare he had almost a year ago, when he had to have an angioplasty and doctors put a stent in his heart. Ordered to clean up his act, he quit smoking, dropped a lot of weight, and started exercising regularly and eat healthy. He's on his way to Vegas, to spend the holidays and avoid the Christmas festivities he'd have to join if he stayed at home, when he meets a somewhat distraught younger (and attractive) man and his 5-year-old niece.Chandler Tracey and his niece Poppy, whose guardianship he inherited after his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car accident only a month ago, are on their way to spend Christmas at his parents' when car trouble leaves them stranded on the road. Being a nice guy and all, Steve offers them a ride and the trio is soon back on the road. As Steve and Chandler spend time together and talk about their recent life-changing experiences, the sexual attraction between them grows and they begin to wonder if there's more to it. Well, duh! :)I thought this was a very sweet Christmasy story, but it was also very unrealistic and I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it without frowning over Chandler's and Steve's foolishly trusting behavior. Chandler was neurotic about Poppy's safety, which was okay considering he was as insecure as only new parents can be, so how come he didn't think twice before accepting Steve's ride offer? Steve was a complete strange and you just don't climb into a strange's car like that, especially when there's a safe alternative available. Steve's safety wasn't in any danger when he offered Chandler and Poppy a ride, but I thought he pushed his luck when he invited them to stay at his house. On his defense, he knew Chandler better by then, but still.All in all, this was an okay read, with some quirky but likable characters and a good amount of holiday cheer. There wasn't much conflict in the story, but that was fine because I wasn't expecting it. The HEA felt a bit forced at first, but a nice epilogue cemented it and made it okay. After all, all's well that ends well.