“Miracles are what happens when you get out of the way of yourself.” ― Brad Szollose
I absolutely loved this story! In fact, I did something I rarely do with a book: I read it twice!
Nick St. George is on a mission to drive to San Francisco in time for Christmas. Along the way he runs into a rather nasty ice storm. After spending the night in a frightful motel room, he takes his chance on the road rather than spend another night in motel hell. As the weather worsens, he stops at a rest stop and finds himself an elf! Well, not a real one, but another traveler wearing an elf’s hat who is stranded by the weather.
Kit was on his way home to be with his family when his Jeep broke down, and he ends up asking Nick for a ride. After all, it’s on the same route to San Fran, only two hours away if one were to drive under normal conditions, and Nick very reluctantly agrees to give the kid a lift. While Nick is driving, the two strike up a conversation about Kit’s family, school, and his latest job at a department store, working as an elf.
Thirty-two years old and a rather successful art gallery owner, Nick has a problem with anyone who is openly gay, believing it’s nobody’s business and that you don’t have to advertise your sexual preferences. He was such a killjoy about anyone acting gay that he’d driven his previous boyfriend away with his attitude. While driving with Nick, Kit catches a bit of it, which is when Kit nicknames him Grumble Monkey.
Oh, Kit was a real sweet heart, loved his Pollyanna attitude and outlook on life. And dang it, that kid had a way with words. He even managed to do something that hadn’t been done for quite some time. He managed to get Nick to laugh!
Oh, Mr. Grumble Monkey met his match.
The one thing I truly love about this Christmas story was…at one point, you read about a real tragedy that is in its planning stage, and this is what touched me the most: miracles can still happen.
Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf is a 5 Star read and is highly recommend for anyone in the Christmas mood, or who’s in desperate need to have a smile put on their face.
You can buy Grumble Monkey and the Department Store Elf here:
