The Holiday Hoax

By: Skylar M. Cates

Narrated by: K.C. Kelly

I'm Evan Goodman, budding actor, future star, college freshman. Oh, and let's not forget - recently dumped. If only my family wasn't expecting to meet my new boyfriend over the holiday break. Enter JD Laurens - a sweet and quiet science major who mostly keeps to himself.

When he gathers the courage to come out, poor JD gets abandoned by his only family right in front of me, and now he has nowhere to go for Christmas. But I have a proposition for him: pretend to be my boyfriend for the holidays, so I can take him home. It's a win-win. What could go wrong?

©2014 Skylar M. Cates (P)2016 Skylar M. Cates

Disconnect

I had two main issues. First and most significant, the narrator is miscast for an 18 year old college student. Second, it the book jumps from one scene to the next scene somewhat abruptly.

Short & Sweet Holiday Read

A sweet new adult romance told from a fresh, young perspective. In a case of opposites attract, Evan and JD are perfect for one another - a fact only discovered through a bit of a hoax on the parents. The support Evan is able to give JD is precious and demonstrates his authenticity as a good young man.

This was such a sweet, tender listen for the holiday season.

4.5 stars for narration...2 stars for story

Any additional comments?

4.5 stars for K.C. Kelly's narration...2 stars for the story.

Let me start by saying I absolutely adore the whole fake boyfriend trope! I love it. Usually.

Evan Goodman has been recently dumped by his not-quite boyfriend. Unfortunately he's bragged a lot to his family about him and they are all expecting to meet the new boyfriend over the holiday break.

While quietly freaking out in a coffee shop about going home dateless, Evan witnesses the coming out and rejection of JD Laurens by his only family.

Evan sort of knows JD. JD's a quiet science major who lives in Evan's dorm and after JD is abandoned right in front of him Evan cooks up a scheme to bring JD home with him for the holidays killing two birds with one stone...he gives JD a family and home for the holidays and Evan has a boyfriend to show off to his family.

And if that had been the story, I would be giving this 4, maybe even 4.5 stars. BUT. But it isn't. Instead Evan makes JD lie and say he's the sort-of boyfriend who just dumped Evan. That's where it lost me. That whole storyline did absolutely nothing for me. Turns out I hate a story where the fake relationship is based on one of the characters lying about who he is and, wow, that whole bit went on way too long. How could you ask a guy who had just lost his family and home because he wouldn't lie about who he is - turn around and quite literally LIE ABOUT WHO HE IS?!

So bottom line: This had loads of potential, the narration by KC Kelly is terrific and fans of the fake boyfriend lying about being someone else entirely trope should adore this.

It just didn't work for me personally.

The best hoax ever!!!

A cute little Christmas/Hanukkah story by Skylar M. Cates.

This is the first book I've listened to narrated by K.C. Kelly. He made the characters seem older than 18 but that was okay by me. I cringe a little bit reading stories about such young characters. As an older reader it's hard sometimes to connect with such young MCs.

This was a little bit of a play on the fake boyfriend trope. You'll have to read or listen to find out what I'm talking about. Both of these characters are young at 18 years old and both are in their first year of college.

Fake boyfriends, hurt/comfort, off page bullying, first times, low heat

Made me Cry

The last two m/m books I've read brought me to tears and that doesn't happen often. In this book the characters were so likable and sweet I couldn't help but get emotional after one was treated so badly by his brother and the other brought him into his own family.