A short, enjoyable M/M Holiday romance that was easy to read and digest. While I had a hard time warming up to Eddie and his serious commitment issues, I loved Gray from the get-go - though some more background info on him earlier on would have helped developing more of a connection with him. I didn't really feel the romantic chemistry between the two of them, but I enjoyed their banter and their friendship.

All in all, this wasn't my favorite book ever, but I've read far worse.

3.5 stars — This book has recently been rereleased as an Indie read, but I read an old NetGalley ARC copy from Riptide Publishing…I doubt there were any major changes, but figured I’d mention which version I was specifically reviewing.

I find Ms. Cousins writes very differently from most authors I read. I don’t know how to describe the stylistic difference, but it’s definitely unique. I haven’t decided if I like it or not, but I guess I don’t mind it. I will say that in this one she presents us with a very flawed character in Eddie, who wasn’t always likable for me. He had a really rough upbringing, and so he sees the world in a very different way, and it’s often all about assuming bad intentions from everyone, and manipulating them first. It’s not that I don’t get how he ended up that way, but it’s not always comfortable to read from that perspective, you know? And we definitely had more time in Eddie’s head than in Gray’s. I actually thought some of his musings about his childhood to be really enlightening — things like growing up reading really old sci-fi or watching old VHS tapes b/c that’s what people were willing to give away. And while his character wasn’t my favourite, I did appreciate that he showed growth, and really seemed to be letting himself become vulnerable and feel.

I actually would have liked to learn a bit more about Gray, figure out better what made him tick. We definitely got glimpses, but I feel like there were more layers to him that we just didn’t get to peel back. His past with Brady didn’t completely explain his hermit tendancies, so was he just introverted? It wasn’t super clear. I liked what I did get to know about Gray, and I appreciated that he owned up to his own mistakes as well.

As for the two of them together? I enjoyed some of the more companionable parts, like them reading together, and forming that kind of friendship. I didn’t really feel that much chemistry between them…like under different circumstances, would they have even noticed one another? I don’t know. So the romance had its ups and downs.

I thought some of the side goodies were pretty intriguing, and I kind of liked how they weaved together — like Gray’s friend Christine, and her connection to Mrs. Wasserman. I also appreciated that we learned a bit more about who caused the accident, but I will admit I was a bit surprised Eddie never visited Lily Rose.

I also appreciated the descriptions of Eddie’s life traveling to Ren Faire’s, and how that worked for him. And I loved the bits of details we got about his work with glass…though I can’t help but wonder how he learned the trade in the first place.

So all in all it was an enjoyable Christmas read, but definitely a different one.

This book delivers a sweet romance while also showing some real problems and issues. Everything doesn't instantly go perfectly. The guys have to work it out. They're flaued which makes them more enduring. All the holiday settings give that warm Christmas feel. It definitely got me looking forward to the coming season. I recommend Glass Tidings to readers who like a romance with characters who work through their baggage to reach their happily ever after.

This was a cute little Christmas story that made me smile.
Christmas was hard this year but these little stories really helped.

Heartbreakingly lovely and fragile, like the delicateness of a handmade glass Christmas bulb, might be the best possible description of the protagonists of Glass Tidings. Gray and Eddie are two lost souls, both burdened by their pasts, uncertain how to move forward, and both resistant to building relationships - romantic or platonic - for fear of being rejected again. Thrown together on Thanksgiving night by a small-town tragedy, each will have to face his own demons and overcome his own baggage to give them a chance at happily ever after.

If you're looking for a fluffy holiday read, this probably isn't the best choice. Angst and hurt abound, and the struggle to find happiness in the broken pieces of two lives causes Gray and Eddie to lash out instead of seeking to build a bridge. But, if you're looking for a contemporary romance with nuanced characters and a slow build toward resolution, then Glass Tidings might be for you. Cousins uses language well, giving Gray and Eddie distinctive voices that reflect their lives and stories, and there are some wonderful moments of humor and sweetness mixed in with the sadness. Cousins also demonstrates a great love of classic scifi that made me laugh (and note down some new to me titles). Carefully paced, well-plotted, and emotionally real, Glass Tidings was my introduction to Amy Jo Cousins, but it probably won't be my last venture into her work.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
A glass artist who travels between Renaissance Fairs and a reclusive small town shop owner are an unlikely couple. Eddie has always been alone and Grayson has always been surrounded by a warm community. But when chance – or fate – puts Eddie in Grayson’s guest room for a night, something sparks between them.

I loved both of these men. There is so much in each of these characters that I still wanted to know more about both of them at the end. I loved their shared love of reading. I loved Grayson’s need to make Eddie comfortable and to encourage his talents. His kindness is wonderful. Eddie’s fear of intimacy rings true and his extroverted sales persona is a perfect contrast to his quiet, introverted habits at home. Eddie is skittish where Grayson is settled, but both men are lonely and they have more in common than they expect. The result is a very sweet romance.

For me, this story lost a star with a slightly rushed ending that I struggled to fully understand. But there are moments of magic in this book, and the understated romance was a pleasure to read.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really lovely story – and whilst it centres on Christmas, it is a feel good story that you can enjoy any time of the year.

We get to meet Eddie, who is a glass artist who drifts from fair to fair through the year – never placing his trust in anyone, based on his experience as a youngster and since. He gets stuck in a town due to witnessing an accident, because even if he is reluctant to be in the sights of the police, he is a good man.

Gray is asked to put Eddie up by an old friend, as the police may need him in the future, and he clearly is not a man of means. These two men's gaydars are spot on, but neither gets just how damaged and why the other is – which leads to some very moving and beautifully written scenes. The creating of the glass decorations, the shop scenes, and how everything unfolds had me totally engrossed in the story.

I really enjoyed this very original take on the course of true love not running smoothly, but definitely being worth it in the end!

“Soul-warming read

“. . .I am fucking miserable without you. You broke me.”

There were words that had to be said in answer to that. “You made me whole.”

Glass Tidings is a beautiful novella that centers around the holidays, but could be read whenever. Amy Jo Cousins writes beautifully and the vivid imagery she uses brings the story to life. Gray and Eddie are two lonely, “broken” souls who find themselves thrust together. The arrangement leads to a deep bond that grows into love. The romance is a bit of a slow burn, which I love, and the burgeoning chemistry is palpable. The main characters are both well-developed. Their mannerisms and dialogue reflect their personalities, and they really come through to the reader. This book is packed with emotion- angst, love, uncertainty, happiness, and forgiveness. I really enjoyed the story arcs- how some arcs intersected, and allowed growth for the characters both independently and as a couple. The climaxes made sense and kept the pacing of the story uniform. I appreciated that the conflicts and resolutions felt natural and reflected what I had come to expect from the characters. I wasn’t left wanting for anything more after the ending, the story was resolved without being overwritten. Glass Tidings will certainly be a repeat holiday read for me and I highly recommend it to fans of this author and anyone looking for a holiday story that tugs the heartstrings.”