It’s already 5 days after Christmas, so I am finishing out my Christmas reading for 2024 with short reviews. This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
I’ll Be Home… by Tate James & Heather Long
Narrated by Michelle Sparks and Lucas Webley
I was in the mood for a dark and dirty Christmas listen, so I picked up I’ll Be Home… by Tate James and Heather Long. While I don’t read a lot of dark romance—or reverse harem—I was intrigued by the promise of a dark RH Christmas romcom. I can see how it tried to be all of those things, but it didn’t quite hit the mark in any category.
There were plenty of Christmassy names and puns, but the story was darker (expected) and more depressing (not expected) than I anticipated. It tackled heavy themes involving a foster home selling children into trafficking and abuse. The FMC, Rayne Dear, grew up in this orphanage alongside three boys—Alfie, Frost, and Nick. After they aged out, she was the first to be abused. Now, years later, Rayne is back in town as a journalist, determined to expose the orphanage’s crimes. Along the way, she reconnects with the three men, who are all still in love with her.
Despite the setup, the RH dynamic felt underdeveloped. If I’m remembering right, there was only one scene with all three guys, and the romance took a backseat to the darker plot. The SA storyline and mystery really took over, leaving the Christmas vibes and spice in the background.
The story was a bit all over the place—lots of plot holes, magical coincidences, and tonal shifts. It felt like a dark romance that had Christmas sprinkled in after the fact, and the mix didn’t fully work. That said, it still kept me interested. The dark elements delivered, and there were some oddly funny moments that lightened the mood just enough to keep me reading.
3.75 Stars, 4 Flames, 4.5 Narration
Purchase I’ll Be Home…by Tate James & Heather Long
Kindle | Paperback | Audible
Not Another Christmas RomCom by A.J. Pine
Narrated by Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton
This Audible exclusive was free in the Audible Plus program, so I had high hopes—especially with Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton narrating. The narration was fantastic, but the story didn’t quite live up to it.
The setup had so much potential. Molly and Liam meet on a flight to Michigan, heading home for Christmas. Molly gets drunk, spills a bunch of secrets, and then realizes—surprise!—Liam is her sister’s brother-in-law. Now, they’re stuck spending the holidays together. Sounds cute, right?
Unfortunately, I hated the family.
They gaslighted Molly for being concerned about her sister’s overbearing, controlling husband. They hid massive secrets, and Molly came off as clueless for not figuring out the big one.
I usually love when a narrator breaks the fourth wall, but it didn’t work here. Instead of feeling clever or charming, it got annoying the more it happened.
The duet-narrated epilogue was hands-down the best part. I honestly wish the entire book had been duet because the chemistry and delivery were so much better.
2.5 Stars, 1 Heat, 4.5 Narration
Purchase Not Another Christmas Romcom by AJ Pine
| Audible |
Can I Tell You Something by Holly June Smith
Duet narration by Adam Gold and Evelyn Rose
Hannah is excited to spend the holidays at her family’s chalet. She’s looking forward to relaxing and catching up on her favorite guilty pleasure—listening to the sexy audio erotica star she’s completely obsessed with.
But then her brother shows up with his roommate, and she recognizes the guy’s voice immediately—he’s the voice behind her every fantasy.
This book was a unique and very spicy listen. The audiobook format is a must because the narration is literally part of the plot. Adam Gold absolutely delivers as the MMC, and his performance lives up to the sexy narration the story promised.
4 Stars, 4 Heat, 5 Narration
Purchase Can I Tell You Something by Holly June Smith
Kindle | Paperback | Audible
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