Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Other than working the front desk of a gay bathhouse in Denver, Brian McKay is a bit of a recluse. At the best of times, his social life consists of work, role-playing games at a local toy shop, and making YouTube videos with his Teddy Bear hamsters. The arrival of the holidays—with the annoying music, Christmas shopping, and all the reminders of how he disappointed his father—just reinforces his reclusive nature.

When James Olsen, a gorgeous daddy bear who frequents the bathhouse, notices him, Brian is at a loss. He’s not proud of his own bear status or his struggle with weight. The idea that James has interest in him beyond an easy hookup is more than Brian can fathom. But with a little bit of holiday magic, James might help Brian learn to accept Christmas again—and himself.

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2016.

Book Review

What a wonderfully warm, sweet story! And it isn’t just the teddy bear hamsters who stole my heart, although they did grab me from the moment I spied them on the cover. They’re active participants in Brian’s life and star in several of his YouTube videos. How cute is that? Unfortunately, for Brian, it means most men consider him an eccentric geek, if not worse, and he ends up being very lonely. And when he runs into James and the gorgeous stranger shows an interest – Brian is too shocked to believe it’s real.

Brian doesn’t have much ambition for a fulfilling career, he works the front desk of a bathhouse and his earnings pay the bills. His real focus is role-playing, collecting vampire action figures, and making creative YouTube videos for a very respectable number of followers. He has been battling his weight for years, and has absolutely no self-confidence where personal relationships are concerned.

James comes into Brian’s life as a total surprise. He is nice, seems interested in Brian, and is a gorgeous bear of a man. Brian has no idea how to deal with James – he is Brian’s ideal man, but Brian cannot imagine he could be interested in a late-fortyish man who has only ever disappointed his father and never managed more than hookups?
 
I was very grateful that James was as curious and persistent about getting to know Brian as he turned out to be. I agree with James that Brian is a very interesting man, maybe not easy to get to know, but quirky and intelligent enough to make a relationship with him very worthwhile. The way their romance is written is very cute, and with more than one reminder that it’s far more important what someone is like than what his looks have to offer.

If you prefer stories with a touch of Christmas magic coming to the rescue of a lonely man who has a lot to give, if you want to see two somewhat older men find happiness, and if you’re looking for a read that might make you think, will most likely entertain you and is full of sweetness and heat, then you will probably like this novella as much as I do. I think it’s magical in the best sense and made me smile more than once.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 65 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	29-November-2020
Price	$0.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Bears-Brandon-Witt-ebook/dp/B08PCCK85B