Only at Christmas

By: Jae El Foster

Narrated by: Michael Graham

Following the death of his partner, an advertising executive transfers from his home in New York City to unfamiliar territory in Nashville to begin anew. As Christmas approaches, Darin finds his loneliness and depression growing stronger and sets out to a nearby bar for a drink. There, he meets a man who makes his heart skip a beat - a handsome, young attorney named Ryan who sparks a romantic interest in Darin and reawakens his heart.

Through the exploration of Nashville's underground gay sex scene, the truth about cowboy bars, and a debate on whether Nashville pizza is as good as New York pizza, Darin begins to heal just in time for the holidays. But, is this Christmas romance with the buff, feisty attorney too good to be true, or will this affair prove to be a match made in heaven that could happen only at Christmas?

©2018 Jae El Foster (P)2019 Jae El Foster

Quick, Sexy, and Sweet

For a novella, I feel like Jae El Foster fit the perfect amount of character, plot, and situation into this story for it to entertain and make one 'get the feels.' Yes, it was a fast story, and yes, I would have enjoyed getting to know these characters more also, but that's what novels are for. This is not a full-length feature, but if we're lucky, maybe we'll get a sequel.

This was a hot little number. The story, in a nutshell, is about a guy from New York who is trying to move on after losing his lover. He takes a new job in Nashville, where he meets a sexy young attorney that makes his heart and mind both seem to spin.

I had expected more sex. There is sex - be warned if you don't like sex - but it's good sex. I have to question the terminology on some of the phrasing used during the more intimate scenes. It feels to me, when Darin and Ryan are intimate, the descriptive terminology is toned down and a little more tame than what was used in the scene at the river. It almost feels like Jae El was looking to avoid using the standard words from more 'adult language.'

The plot is fun, the side-characters are rich and interesting, and the ending is a twist that I never saw coming. I'll admit that I wasn't really in the mood for Christmas when I got this one, but I sure as heck am now!

As for the narration, Michael Graham's voice is soothing, which I really enjoyed, considering there are sections of this story that are heartfelt or sad. He delivers his words with poetic dictation that shows comfort in speaking to others. He did a good job with different voices, although at times, his accents weren't quite consistent. I almost would have preferred to have heard the book without character accents, but I'm sure that's part of the creative process. I would love to hear Michael again on more titles.

Again, the story only runs a couple of hours - the length of a good movie - but it's long enough to romance you, warm you, sadden you, and even chill you. It will give you all the Christmas 'feels.'

Decent story with a nice little twist

Michael Graham has a mellow voice which was perfect for the sad and gentleness of this story. I liked the slight accent for Ryan, but it wasn’t consistent. I would listen to more by this narrator.

The relationship between Darin and Ryan moved super fast making it hard to feel a genuine connection, but it was obvious the two found each other attractive. I didn’t feel like Darin was over his late partner so it made it a little awkward for me at times when listening. He kept thinking of his late partner, even during intimate moments.

Overall, I did like the story and it had a nice little twist at the end that I didn’t expect. I knew something was up but not what had happened. Both Darin and Ryan are likable.

I was given an audiobook review copy at my request and have voluntarily left my review without bias or persuasion.

Such a sweet Christmas story!

Oh, listening to this book made me teary. It's about a guy who has trouble moving on after the loss of his beloved partner. He leaves New York, takes a job in Nashville, and tries to restart his life. He has a fun best friend who ends up having a neat side-story of her own, and once he becomes brave enough to go to a bar, he ends up meeting a handsome attorney.

This is a fast-paced story and the characters have a couple of bumps in the road along their way. The bumps add to the heart and excitement and lead up to an unbelievable, extraordinary ending. The ending... oh, wow. The ending was magical!

'Only at Christmas' was a little more 'adult' than I usually read. While Jae El has been known to sometimes be a little more graphic in his scenes of adult-persuasions, the erotic moments in this story were mellowed and more passionate than lustful versus some of his other works. There is a scene by the river that I don't know if I can get out of my head, but it's delivery was handled well by the obviously skilled Michael Graham, who lent his voice to this production.

I am an LGBTQ ally and I am a lover of Romance and Christmas, so this book fell in line with several topics I enjoy. The combined power of Jae El Foster's soulful work and Michael Graham's tender and soothing voice is magical. It's perfect to cuddle up on the sofa with a warm blanket and a glass of wine and listen to while gazing into the fireplace. I'd love to hear Michael narrate Jae El's words anytime.

Hot with a twist

4 Blue Roses
3.5 Blue Flames

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Narrator Michael Graham gave a slower than usual performance. I overcame this irritation by listening at speed 1.5 faster. Thereafter, I enjoyed the short story very much as each of the author's subtle revelations about the unique plot was revealed. It will completely engage listeners and make you wish it was a little longer.

The HEA was totally unpredictable.
I do recommend this audiobook for when you want to listen to a sexy fast one.
Sometimes those are most enjoyable and memorable!

Happy Listening

Great storyline but needs more development

I really enjoyed the concept of this story, but there were parts that just felt strange and incongruous to me, like the weird nightclub scene, and side characters aren't developed much at all. The relationship between Darin and Ryan happens very quickly and I just didn't feel the emotional connection between them. They are sweet characters, and perhaps just needed more development. I wanted to know more about them, especially Ryan. I really felt the story could have been more,

The narrator was very good. I liked his tone of voice and pacing.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Cute and steamy story

Darin is still in mourning over his lost lover when he moves to Nashville to manage musicians. Still new to the city, he heads to a gay bar and meets Ryan, who is new to him, yet somehow familiar. They hit it off, but when Ryan sees an old photograph of Darin and his dead lover, he leaves with no explanation. A back and forth continues in their relationship, but a new surprise about Ryan is shocking.

This was a cute story with two very likable characters and steamy sex scenes.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

A touching Christmas surprise!

Only At Christmas is a sweet and touching Christmas tale by Jae El Foster. Daren is mourning his murdered lover at Christmastime. After meeting Ryan, Daren feels a connection... But there is a twist and in incredible one!! I won't spoil it! It's a must hear!