4.75/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this spectacular e-arc!

What a great way to spend the month of December. Loved the book which i didn't expect. I haven't seen a single Hallmark Christmas movie but it very much gave the same vibes. I mean, it's very much a gay short Hallmark movie in itself. The cover's a bit misleading but im not gonna shit on a small publishing budget. Am not gonna rate this "fully" 5 stars as i thought that the selection of topics handled could've been tackled in better ways, perhaps lengthening the book a bit. At the end, i may eventually buy this book and make it a tradition to re-read it every december.

A very adorable romance!

I enjoyed the romance buildup between Dominic and Max. They were just *muah* perfection together. Max had his issues with wanting to achieve goals with his job, and at the same time he was battling the feelings he was developing for Dominic. Staying in Edgewood was not part of his future plans, but if Dominic is part of Edgewood, maybe being there wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

I definitely think His Holiday Crush was cute and had all the festive feels to it. If you're looking for a sweet and steamy romance, this is totally one to pick up from Cari Z.

Thank you Entangled for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is exactly the holiday read I needed during what is a strange and sometimes very difficult holiday season.

This book truly has every ingredient needed for a heartwarming holiday m/m romance: one man (Max) who only thinks about work and has to be forced to take a vacation back to his hometown for Christmas, his best friend (Hal) with two adorable children who are all struggling after Hal's wife left them, the small town cop (Dominic, aka Nicky) who is Hal's brother and who also happens to have had a crush on Max since they were in high school. Cue Max crashing his car in a snowstorm, which leads to being rescued by Nicky and having to stay in his hometown far longer than expected.

Every character is fantastic, and I was rooting so hard for all of them. Dominic and Max are such a cute couple who bring out the best in each other and help each other grow. Max's relationship with Hal and his daughters, Hal and Nicky's brotherly bond, and Nicky as uncle to Hal's two daughters, are the sweetest. Even when there are some difficulties in the characters' lives (an intense argument, Max having to decide between a big city job and love in a small town, Nicky's PTSD, the wife and mother who left, Max's alcoholic father), these all lead to loving moments and important plot development.

If you need a lift this season, this is definitely a great book to lose yourself in.

I give it a 5 star. It's really sweet, much more than just a romance, it's all about family and special bonds that they are forming among the people.

I really liked little Steph. Both girls actually.
Max and Dominic very really cute, they had great chemistry and I hope Hal will get his happy end too!

While at first glance this is another “big city guy reluctantly returns to his small hometown and falls in love with a townie at Christmas” story, the quality of the writing makes it stand out from the pack.

It’s the way the details are handled that elevates this holiday romance over others. For example, sometimes the reasons why the city guy avoids going home or the small-town guy can’t possibly relocate seem somewhat insignificant. That’s not the case here. Max has an excellent reason never to go back to the town he left as a teenager—his father killed a girl while driving drunk, which created such a cloud over his family that he feels unwelcome. When Max goes there anyway and falls in love with Dominic, his best friend’s brother, Dominic’s PTSD from his military service creates a need for a quiet environment that is an equally compelling reason for him not to consider moving to the city to be with Max. The author gives them some real issues to overcome on the way to their HEA.

The secondary characters were also a plus. The townspeople have enough quirks to make them interesting, and Max’s boss, who at first seems like the stock hard-driving, career-first type, ultimately turned out to be more than I expected. But it’s Max’s friend Hal who really caught my attention. He is the catalyst for Max to return home, and Hal’s troubled relationship with his ex-wife plays a pivotal role in the plot. He also is very supportive of both Max and Dominic as a couple. Hal got enough page time that I wouldn’t mind seeing him show up again in his own story, because the guy could use a happy ending for himself.

I do wish they hadn't fallen for each other quite so quickly (I don't love instalove), but other than that, this Christmas romance pretty much ticked all the boxes for me. Recommended!

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a sweet family Christmas romance with a little bit of angst and personal growth. The story is basic. Successful city boy Max takes an enforced break in his hometown and takes time to evaluate his life – while enjoying the company of a sexy deputy.

This book manages to hit a whole stream of my romance weaknesses. I love the self-discovery Max experiences as he visits his hometown for the first time in far too long. I love a good small town deputy and I have a soft spot for single dads, home restorations, and cute dogs. Hell, I didn’t even mind the small children in this book. Add some snow and the only thing that keeps this story from turning into saccharine schmaltz is the well-crafted characters and their complicated histories.

I always enjoy Cari Z’s writing style and I tend to love the author’s characters. Max and Nicky are fabulous leading men, and this is a satisfying Christmas read.


Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Max Robertson hasn't been back to Edgewood, his hometown, in years. His father made a name for himself (not in a good way) and left Max the center of unwanted attention. He's living in New York City working his butt off to become partner. When his best friend Hal's young daughter calls and begs him to come for Christmas, Max can't say no. Hal's wife walked away from Hal and their daughters, and left Hal to raise his daughters alone. Max feels the guilt of not being there when they needed him the most, so he promises he'll be there for Christmas.

Dominic has always had a crush on his brother's best friend, Max, but he never expected to have to save him when Max slides off the road into a snowbank. Max doesn't recognize Dominic at first and feels an attraction to the hot police officer that saved him from freezing.

I enjoyed build up in this one. The relationship between Max and Dominic is easy and relatable. Hal was a great secondary character. Max is able to bring calm to Dominic's chaotic mind and Dominic is able to slow Max down, they really are what the other needs. His Holiday Crush is the perfect, quick, holiday read!

His Holiday Crush is a sweet little holiday romance. The world is still crazy and this girl definitely needs as much sweet as she can get.

Max Robertson is a workaholic. He is getting so close to making partner as his big-time fancy-schmancy law firm in New York City. When his best friend calls, he finds he just doesn't have it in him to refuse the offer to come back home for a visit. Now, Max has diligently and resolutely avoided his hometown since he left 10 years ago. After his father's BIG scandal he just couldn't take the fallout and guilt that his father's actions caused. As his BFF, Hal, is coming off of some serious hard times he can't help the pull of going home to help him out and see Hal's daughters.

The last thing Dominic or “Nicky” expected when he was stuck working the late shift was to be called out to help a stranded driver who just so happens to be his childhood crush. Even more unexpected is the undeniable interest he also spots in Max's eye. With the unforeseen complications from Max's accident leaving him stuck in town for longer than expected and the building relationship between the two, can they turn a holiday fling into a Christmas story for the ages?

Nicky and Max were so sweet together. I could have used a bit more chemistry push/pull slow burn but in the end, I still got my sigh, happy-feels ending. I always love a little my best friend's brother lurve trope. Hal and his girls were super cute. I wish so much for him to have a happily ever after too.

Overall, His Holiday Crush made for all my happy sweet romance wantings. I totally need more by Cari Z.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Max and Dominic's story had me squeeing with holiday (romance) joy! Theirs was lighthearted fare with a dusting of angst that made me want to hug both men. Then there were the supporting characters, particularly Hal and his daughters, Marnie and Steph, and goodness, they made me want to bring them in for a group hug. I loved that this was a feel-good story, one that made my heart thump happily in my chest. Yes, it's fiction, but I also choose to believe that this is a reflection of the lives of couples like Max and Dominic in different pockets of the world. His Holiday Crush was a story about finding love and redefining what family and home truly are, and I, for one, absolutely adored it. Five stars.

This was a super cute classic holiday romance with a little bit of spice. My biggest criticism would be that there could have been more depth to the romance. It was mostly flirting and sex. There were so few scenes of them getting to know each other that it made it hard to believe they were in love even by the end of the book.

The characters were complex (some more than others) so I had no problem connecting to them and it was still a cute romance. Overall the book was nice to get lost in.

This is a sweet m/m romance that brings a sharp NYC lawyer back to his hometown. He hasn’t been back in a decade, due to some family drama. When he comes back for the holidays he ends up in a snowbank. Little did he know he would be rescued by his best friends little brother. Although he isn’t so little anymore.

Max and Dominic seemed to always have an attraction but after being snowed in together realize they have a lot in common.

I loved that they were both very supportive of each other. While there were some hiccups along the way I liked how their story progressed. Not a lot of angst but more figuring out what they wanted out of life, and each other.

Overall, a sweet small town, holiday read with some best friends brother romance, with some steam thrown in for good measure.

This may be the perfect holiday gay romance for 2020.
- Small town
- Brother's best friend trope
- A sexy cop recovering from PTSD
- An ambitious lawyer who loves his job but has no personal life
- Supportive best friends
- Quirky townspeople (but not over-the-top)
- Two adorable little girls
- And of course, a puppy

It's a little steamy, a little sweet, with all the feels and a low-angst plot. What more could you ask for?

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.

I’m a sucker for a good holiday read and His Holiday Crush definitely filled the bill.

This could almost be labeled a “friends to lovers” romance, if Max had recognized Nicky when he came to Max’s rescue. Dominic had no problem recognizing Max though. It’s hard to forget your first real crush. Max may not have thought of Nicky as anything but his best friend’s little brother, but his attraction to Dominic was hard to ignore.

This story was about romance, but it was also about family. Hal was the closest thing to a brother that Max had growing up and they kept that connection even after Max moved away. Max wasn’t happy about coming back to the town full of memories that he’d rather not stir up, but he’d do anything for Hal and his girls. A romance wasn’t part of the plan, especially with Hal’s younger brother, but it definitely made his stay a little easier.

There was more than a little heartbreak and a lot of misunderstanding. There was a also a lot of love and sweetness. The supporting characters, from the oldest to the youngest (and even the furriest) helped make this holiday read even more special.

First off, the reason this book is 3 stars is because there is such a juxtaposition between what I first thought we were getting and what some of the book actually was.

I thought we were getting a gay Hallmark movie-esque Christmas book. And while some of that is true" Max, a lawyer, comes back to the small town where he grew up and starts a romance with Dominic, an ex-soldier turned cop and the little brother of Max's best friend.

I really did enjoy that plotline and, while cheesy at times, it was exactly what I wanted.

However, there are sex scenes in this book that are very intense. And I mean that it is bordering on Dom/Sub and they even talk about kink. That is not what I expected with this book. It didn't feel like there was any lead up to it and I wish there was more development of the characters so it wasn't so out of the blue.

Also, there are kids in this story. They are Hal's, Max's best friend. They act too young for the ages that the author gave them. I don't know if the author doesn't have kids, but I was thrown a bit by it.

I did a vlog reacting and reviewing this book. Linked:
https://youtu.be/0FoUvuZfYco

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A really sweet M/M Christmas novella! I love that it was mostly light and fluffy and filled with holiday cheer, but the heavier themes in the book were handled with care. One of my favorite parts of the book was the description of how physically affectionate Hal, a white, hetero, cisgendered male, was with his friends. It was refreshing. There were many types of masculinity in this story book, which was great to see!
This book was short, but packed in plenty of sweet moments, and a lot of sexiness. I will definitely look for other books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars for this LGBT Christmas romance!

Max left home a decade ago and vowed never to go back. Now he is a lawyer in New York, about to make partner. His best friend calls him and invites him over for Christmas. Max goes back and forth, and finally decides to stay over for one night. One the way he wrecks and is rescued by a very nice looking police man. Sparks fly when Max realizes who just saved him.

The chemistry between Max and Dominic (Nicky) was on fire! From the moment they met you could feel the heat! I loved the way their relationship unfolded. Also, who doesn't love an awkward meeting!
The side characters were great and heartwarming. I loved how the whole town wanted to welcome Max, no matter what happened a decade ago.

Rep: LGBT, M/M relationship
TW: parent abandonment, drunk driving, car crash, PTSD, depression

There are some heavy topics, but the book handles them in such a great way! It still felt like a light, heartwarming Christmas read!

His Holiday Crush is a wonderful, heartfelt Christmas romance. Cari Z perfectly combines best friend's brother and small town romance in this little gem.

This one is the of those holiday romances that perfectly follows the Hallmark romance recipe. And it's awesome.

Max is the workaholic from the city who returns home for a quick holiday trip. Cue the snowstorm, a car into a snowbank, and his best friend's brother being the cop who helps him. It's all perfectly Hallmark, and I love it.

When Max returns home, he doesn't even recognize Nicky when he meets him. It's been ten years and Nicky has grown up from a 15 year old to the attractive cop Dominic.

With some nice forced proximity, as the men care for Hal's girls, the two men get close and it's all so damn sweet.

Of course there's some messy stuff underneath. Everyone carries some baggage, as there's PTSD, family issues, and a slew of anger and hurt for Hal's family. Max's work goals, as well as the reasons he left town and never wanted to return are also a big issue.

Max has always been a career driven guy, but with a short time snowed in back home, his goals start to shift. Suddenly Max finds himself craving the small town life he could have with Dominic, Hal and the girls.

One week. One short week that changes everything. I love it.

And the girls. Oh, the girls. They are the sweetest things ever. I absolutely melted when they run outside to greet Max. And then Stephanie finding herself again. Melt my effin heart.

Max and Dominic have a natural attraction, a whirlwind relationship, and the strength to change one another forever.

His Christmas Crush is a wonderful, feel good, Christmas romance. And yes, the ending made me cry! Good god, if you enjoy Hallmark movies, this Cari Z gem is a must read!

4.5 stars — I seem to be on a bit of a roll! This very much felt like a souped up Hallmark Christmas movie…by which I mean it might have had similarities to loose Hallmark plotlines, but the story was deeper and there was less cheese. And since I’m personally not as interested in the schmaltz, I really loved this.

Max was the big city lawyer that has to come back to his hometown, but I really felt why he was wary of his hometown and being back there. Can I say that I loved that it wasn’t because he was gay? Talk about refreshing. He really had a lot to get over in his past, and while I think he only started to tackle some of that by the end of the book, I did love seeing him confront his fears and find them mostly unfounded.

Dominic was a freaking sweetheart who was working on his own issues. And I think that’s one of the things that I loved about this story — he was already getting help for his PTSD, meeting Max wasn’t the catalyst for that. Max just brought more into his life.

And the two of them together? They made me smile, they made me melt, and they even frustrated me at times — but luckily that didn’t last too long. The steam was…just wow. Definitely a lot of chemistry with one another.

I think one of the surprise hits for me in this book was Marnie and Steph. They were just so freaking adorable and precocious, and believable as children. I loved the way they had 3 great men trying their best for them. I loved that they were part of what reminded Max that there was more in life.

I also really loved the friendship Max had with Hal. Even though we didn’t see a *lot* of it, what we did see just made my heart happy. They were so solid and caring, you could genuinely feel their love for one another. I also really loved that Hal was another non-toxic male — a cuddly contractor!

All in all this gave me everything I always want in a Hallmark movie without all the things I don’t want. Total Christmas hit.

I absolutely loved this book. The was perfectly sweet and steamy at the same time.

The attraction between them was so pure and sweet, it gave me butterflies and a smile like I was a teenager who just saw my crush.

The steamy parts were very very sexy which I loved as well! What a fantastic holiday read!

I really enjoyed this Christmas romance, though there are definitely some plot holes. The characters are interesting, and I particularly enjoyed the story from Dominic’s point of view.

This is essentially a MM take on the big city lawyer returns to his small town for Christmas holiday trope. Max comes to visit his best friend Hal and his two adorable daughters. Then because of snow and other events, he ends up staying much longer than he intended and falling in love.

The kids are a great part of this book, though there is a plot thread about them that never gets an ending, which was a bit frustrating. We get some fun Christmas moments, like a visit to Santa and a Christmas pageant that happens off the page.

I think the author did a great job with the chemistry between Max and Dominic, but I think she needed to spend a bit more time on Max’s issues with work, as his relationship with his job varies a lot in the novel. It’s still a fun read, but be ready for a Hallmark Christmas movie amount of suspension of disbelief.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

3.75 stars

This was beyond cute! I needed some sweet romance/second chance romance story today and this book gave me that and more!
Yes, there were some things that could have been done better like the plot with Hal but overall i absolutely loved the story, the family dynamics and most of all our main guys... they were just precious.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review