“Family is everything. Family comes first. It’s not what I expected it to be, but nothing ever is.” ― Madonna
Title: Holiday Hootenanny
Author: Ari McKay
Publisher: Torquere Press
Pages/Word Count: 80
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Blurb: Clint Barker wants to take his relationship with boyfriend Joshua Cash to the next level, and that means meeting Josh’s family at Christmas. Clint is sure he can deal with anything, even though Josh has expressed reservations that his big, loud hillbilly family might be too overwhelming for an introvert like Clint to handle.
Josh loves his family, but the only other time he brought a boyfriend home to meet them, the guy didn’t last through dinner. Clint means everything to him, and though he knows his family means well, Josh is worried their nosiness and sheer overwhelming presence will drive Clint away.
Between having to fix an illegal still, getting treed by a wild hog, and barely avoiding a bar fight between rednecks and bikers, the holiday doesn’t get off to an auspicious start. Then at the traditional Christmas Eve Hootenanny, Josh and Clint argue, and Clint later turns up missing. Will this spell the end of their relationship, or will a newborn in a stable work a little Christmas miracle for them both?
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Review: Now this was a real cute family Christmas get together.
As it starts out, Josh and Clint have been in a relationship for awhile, and Clint thinks it’s time to meet Josh’s family. While Josh has reservations that Clint (an only child) can handle this crowd of people, Clint is so confident that he bets Josh he’ll still be speaking to him after the visit.
Clint has no idea what he’s in for…
Coming from a large family myself, I kind of felt at home with these folks, but even this huge family outdoes mine in sheer volume! What was cute was Josh and Clint trying to find a moment for themselves. It seems privacy doesn’t happen around this family much unless reconnaissance is involved. Although there are designated adult areas for a possible stolen moment, it’s hard to be in a loving relationship when someone is pounding on the door to get your attention. And finding yourself “treed” with your love one because of a wild boar (adding to the fact, that Clint has a fear of heights) does tend to put a strain on their love life.
I had to chuckle over one of the family meals, when Josh warned Clint not to eat “the chicken”. You’ve got to be careful with those potluck dinners.
All in all, I’m giving this one a 4.5 Stars. I just fell in love with how this one ended. It’s definitely an Aaaaah moment.
You can buy Holiday Hootenanny here:
