A Kiss Before Christmas: A Snowy London Love Story

Rory & Jack, Book 1

By: Ali Ryecart

Narrated by: Dan Calley

Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Christmas is looming and Jack De Lacy needs a solution to one hell of a fix.

Dumped by his boyfriend in favor of his best friend, Jack's been busy bragging about a hot new man in his life.

A hot new man who doesn't exist.

With an important function to attend where he'll come face-to-face with his ex, Jack knows he'll be a laughing stock when his boasts are exposed as nothing more than wishful thinking. He's desperate but time, like his options, is running out.

Rory Kincaid is scared he won't last another night sleeping rough on London's frozen, snowbound streets. With all the homeless shelters full, Rory seeks refuge in the first empty doorway he stumbles across.

Finding Rory shivering in the sub-zero temperatures, Jack can no more send him away than kick a puppy out into the cold. A shower, shave and hot drink later, the grubby street kid is transformed into a beautiful young man.

As the attraction between them grows, so does a plan that will get Jack out of the mess he's in and give Rory a warm, safe home for Christmas. Sweet and adorable, Rory will make a great fake boyfriend for the festive season - the problem is, neither Jack nor Rory is sure where make-believe ends and truth begins.

Warning: this novella contains a camp Christmas tree, a drag queen Christmas fairy called Doris, way too many jugs of eggnog, a closet posh boy, and the sweetest Kiss Before Christmas ever.

©2018 A E Ryecart (P)2020 A E Ryecart

heart warming

A splendidly good narration. Believable characters and development. A charming slow burn love story!

Super Sweet

If you are a softy like me you will enjoy
this heartwarming holiday insta love story narrated wonderfully by Dan Calley.

Sweet and whimsical Christmas story

First off, I find myself enjoying this gay story, despite the lack of any sexual content, it's nice to have a love story that is completely chaste from time to time. The love between Jack and Rory is real and charming.
Second, the story plot is used far more often in Christmas themed stories, going back to Dickens' Christmas Carol, but I do enjoy a story where a down trodden person is lifted up by someone, who feels the Christmas spirit and is themselves improved by their actions. Jack's act of kindness not only saved Rory's life, but he now has a real chance at love.
Finally, the narration was very good, I enjoy the British accent and the voice acting handled Jack and Rory's voices very well with unique takes.

Cute

This was a sweet/cute Christmas romance story. I really enjoyed it however it lacked heat. Just a little steam but no heat. Had that had been there I would’ve given it 5 stars. I love Dan Calley. Good narrator

A cute fluffy romance!!

This was a vute fluffy, adorable romance.

I finished this pretty quickly in a single sitting.

It was sweet, steamy and heartfelt.

The narration was enjoyable as well.

Definitely recommend

perfect treat of a book

I read this book when it first came out and loved it then. The characters are wonderfully realized with flaws and misunderstandings/miscommunications that feel real instead of obvious plot devices to move the story along. Listening to the audio version was like rediscovering the book all over again, Dan does a fantastic job. I'm so glad so got to revisit this gem of a story in another form.

Utterly beautiful and well told

I adore this story of Jack and Rory. The magic of Christmas is all over it, even to Jack starting out as a proverbial Grinch. Dan Calley’s narration is spot on – gentle Rory, brusque Jack, sleazy Basil, and awful Sam are brought to life. I love his rough voice, it fits right in with Ryecart’s penchant for young men in dire circumstances – yet posh Jack is totally believable as well. Dan is flexible but not overdramatic, and lets the words speak for themselves. It also was easy to understand for this Yank. This is the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to and it’s got me wanting more – on to An Easter Promise!

Super cute!

This was a very cute book, short and sweet, I looking forward the next one in the series.

Love is the best Christmas gift!

A lovely and sweet Christmas story.

Jack finds an unexpected gift on his doorstep...a homeless young man, Rory. Unable to send the young man off into the snowy night, he offers him a cuppa which becomes shelter for the night and then more...a "boyfriend" for the holidays.

What starts out as a way for Jack to avoid the embrassement of having faked a new boyfriend to his parents and to show his ex he has moved on, Jack asks Rory to be his boyfriend for the holidays. A win-win for them both that ends up becoming much more then either expected.
Lots of warm and sweet feels with just a bit of misunderstanding and worries by Jack and Rory that make for a wonderful Christmas tale.

A E Ryecart brings the warmth and cheer of Christmas in London to life along with the need to eat mince pies in front of a rainbow boa wrapped Christmas tree and a campy queen of a tree topper.

Dan Calley's outstanding voice is the icing on the Christmas cake- Rich and so delious.

Sweet and hopeful

Jack and Rory have both been let down hard by their former boyfriends and other people in their lives. With Christmas around the corner they both find themselves dejected, and Rory is quite litterally on the down and out. Then, by chance, they meet and everything changes.

I loved how warm this story is, no matter how cold the weather in the book is (and it really is) the growing feelings between Jack and Rory are like a beautiful flower growing in the snow, unexpected and therefore ever more magical.

This is a story full of feelings, hope, and love. You don’t have to listen to it during the holiday season, but be prepared to get a craving for Christmas food no matter what time of year you listen to it.

Dan Calley’s voice is charming and clear and brings both Jack and Rory to life in a distinct way.