Title: That Turtle Story
Series: Warmest Wishes: 2018 Advent Calendar
Author: C.S. Poe
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: 41 Pages
Category: Contemporary, Holiday Romance
At a Glance: That Turtle Story is delivered in the fun style I’ve come to expect from this author, replete with witty banter, quirky characters (Nor’s co-worker, Gus, was also hilarious), and some cute, swoony moments between the MCs.
Reviewed By: Jules
Blurb: Nor O’Brien spends his days in sunny Key West caring for and rehabilitating sea turtles. He doesn’t need anything else in life, expect maybe a significant other to cuddle with after a long day. But recent heartbreak has left Nor salty, and he’s not in the mood for anything, Christmas included.
Then Eugene Montgomery walks into Turtle R&R, claiming to have found a clutch of eggs in distress. Nor is smitten with the tourist at first sight, and at the suggestion of his screwball colleagues, indulges in some no-strings-attached fun. Nor and Eugene are quick to get along, happily enjoy each other’s company, and take in the island’s unique holiday pleasures together.
But Nor would never leave his turtles, not for any man. So when his rebound fling turns into strong romantic feelings for Eugene, it’ll take a Christmas miracle to keep the two together forever in Key West.
Review: Last year, C.S. Poe’s New Game, Start was my absolute favorite of the Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar stories. Because of that, Poe’s offering for this year’s Advent collection was one of my most anticipated Christmas reads. It wasn’t only because of loving last year’s story, however… Another huge reason for my excitement was the title: That Turtle Story. Sea turtles are my favorite creatures in the world. I have a large collection of turtle things—including about eight sea turtle Christmas ornaments. So, when I saw a Christmas story about turtles?? Sign me up.
Nor is completely dedicated to his work at Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation in Key West. But, despite loving what he does, he’s not very happy this holiday season. A recent breakup has made him more than a little grumpy, and he’s feeling unenthused for the Christmas festivities he usually enjoys. He gets a tiny sparkle back in his eyes, though, when a hunky beachgoer, who Nor assumes is a tourist, walks in and tells Nor and his co-worker that he thinks he’s found a turtle nest that’s in trouble. Nor follows Eugene to the spot he’s covered with his beach chair, and sure enough, there is a loggerhead clutch there. Some of the eggs had sadly been damaged, but they are able to move the majority of the clutch, over ninety eggs in all, to the safety of Turtle R & R.
I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Nor and Eugene. Even though it’s a short story, Poe gives us enough insight into the characters to become invested in the romance. The turtle stuff was also awesome. I loved Nor’s passion for the rescue and conservation work he did, and I loved that it was important for him to share that with Eugene. The story is delivered in the fun style I’ve come to expect from this author, replete with witty banter, quirky characters (Nor’s co-worker, Gus, was also hilarious), and some cute, swoony moments between the MCs. I didn’t fall head over heels for this one quite like I did with New Game, Start last year, but it was a lot of fun nonetheless!
You can buy That Turtle Story here:
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