Folks, if you’re looking for a classic Hallmark Christmas movie in book form with queer characters, then this might be the one for you!

The setup is perfect – single dad Adam leaves behind neglectful and disinterested ex-husband and moves with precocious daughter back to his small Wyoming home town. Despite the town not being perfect and Adam not necessarily having a lot of great memories from growing up here, he does have some support with his non-binary youngest sibling River and also a job at the local hardware store. His 8-year old daughter Gus is not that happy – her Papa has deserted her and Daddy and she’s had to leave her home and all her friends. What would make her happiest for Christmas is to have the most lights ever on their house 🙂

Westley Mobray has lived on Knockbridge Lane for four years. He keeps to himself – mostly sleeping during the day and working at night. He’s alternately been described as a vampire/werewolf/witch as he mostly goes out after dark and keeps his windows papered over. He’s definitely a recluse.

Shortly after moving in, Gus decides to go exploring and she cannot resist Wes’s house. She is enamored of Wes’s unusual collection of pets and the experiments that he is doing. When she is returned to her father, Adam is mortified. There is also the little issue of the kinds of pets that Wes keeps and Adam is not comfortable with Gus interacting with them 😉

Gus refuses to give up on getting to see more of Wes’s house and collections and science. Wes has never had a relationship with a child before and this is nothing like he ever imagined. But he really is intrigued by how Adam cares for Gus and tries to support her and give her what she needs. We slowly learn this is nothing like his upbringing. The more time Wes spends with Gus and Adam the more he opens himself up to them and shares his past.

When Adam’s instagram post brings him (and Gus) the lights they need for their Christmas project, it also brings some unwanted publicity and attention. Wes is not ready to face his past and Adam and Gus may have their hearts broken again.

Well I just loved this. Everything about it was so sweet and lovely. Adam and Gus were an adorable little family. Wes brings something totally different to their lives. I really was so happy to watch both men grow into their relationship. Gus is an awesome kid too and I loved her whole delightful personality. It was really nice to revisit Rye and Charlie and River. I hope that there will be more stories in this world – perhaps Bram the Christmas tree guy will find his HEA. Maybe River will find someone. This whole town is literally like right out of a movie and I adored how Adam handled the nosy neighbors and what he was trying to teach Gus. Talk about parenting done right. Adam rejected bad parenting – and so does Wes. Just a really lovely and happy Christmas story that I think everyone will love. Well done and highly recommended!

A sweet Christmas story, packed full of sweet romance, warm family moments and hope...everything you could possibly want for Christmas. Grab the hot cocoa and a blanket and curl up with this beautiful story. It has all the feels of the season, and romance. The chemistry between Adam and Wes is fantastic, from the little spark the first time they meet, to their developing relationship. Add Gus, Bettie, and River, and you have the perfect story. Beautifully written, the world building is first class, and the story full of emotions. This is another Roan Parrish book that is so engrossing that you can’t put it down. I highly recommend any book with this author’s name on it. Loved it.

This was reviewed in detail in Big Gay Fiction Podcast episode 348, where we discussed this title as part of Big Gay Fiction Book Club

this book was a great mis of sweet and sexy while giving me all those holiday feels!!! I love that the author created space for these characters. The story was heart-warming and easy to read. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to get int he spirit!

This author can absolutely do sweet. Still more telling than showing, but with the tenderness and lightness of the story I found I didn't mind all that much. The MC's were nice and the ending showed a very Hallmark type of story so if that's your kind of holiday read, then dive in.

So. Many. Tears. I don't mind an emotional MC, but when the tears get in the way of the storytelling or the character growth I have qualms. Overall both MC's fit together and they worked out their issues with very few major roadblocks so it truly was a nice story that fit with the season and the type of story the publisher is known for.

I have read and loved most of Roan Parrish's books and this new addition to the Garnet Run series is no exception. I've been following this series since Better Than People and it just keeps getting better. I love the single dad/weird neighbor pairing and the romance was so sweet! I especially loved the relationship between Wes and Adam's daughter, based on a mutual love of science and discovery. And, of course, I can't pass up a Christmas-themed book! Overall a great read!

This was a sweet Christmas romance. Not the most believable characters or set up, but putting that aside the characters were enjoyable to spend time with. The kid character reads like a child and also isn't annoying, which is major props to the author as I mostly hate kid characters. Will this be a yearly re-read? Probably not but I did also listen to the audiobook and that was equally enjoyable to consume.

A wonderful addition to the Garnet Run series and a fabulous festive feast! Special note for the fact that this is the first queer romance in a series line for Harlequin, for someone who has been reading Harlequin Romance books since I was 11 this was HUGE. Kudos to Harlequin and Kudos to Roan Parrish.

A classic Harlequin holiday romance with a M/M twist. Adam wants his daughter to have a magical Christmas in their new house by putting up so, so many Christmas lights. When his daughter makes a connection with their reclusive neighbor Wes, Adam feels an immediate interest. Wes must come out of his self-imposed isolation if he wants a chance at a real relationship. Such a cute story and I really liked the relationship between Wes and the daughter. I'm really looking forward to more like this from Harlequin.

Totally a must read for the holiday season if you are looking for a Hallmark Christmas movie experience in book form. A newly single dad is trying his best to give his precocious child the best Christmas he can while his standoffish neighbor plays a surprisingly important role. you definitely have to suspend reality for what is likely to happen, but it didn’t detract from the story one bit. I really enjoyed this one! 4.5 stars

Thank you to Net Galley for the e-arc in exchange for the honest review!

I went on an absolute BINGE of Roan Parrish's back-catalog this summer, blown away first by the depth and breadth of their Middle of Somewhere series and its stand-alone adjacent book Small Change (which I JUST learned is part of a duo!), then the Garnet Run books. I requested this title without even realizing it fell in the Garnet Run universe, but enjoyed revisiting Charlie, Jack, Simon, and Rye and their rural setting with the story of Adam and Wes.

This is sweet holiday fare, a little lighter than some of Parrish's other books. I appreciated Adam's dedication to being a parent, even though it wasn't initially his choice. I LOVED the niche science stuff Wes was engaged in (bioluminescence applications!!), and watching him thaw to 6-year-old budding STEM enthusiast Gus.. I wasn't aggressively in to the relaysh (a tad insta-lovey for my tastes maybe, though not to an off-putting degree) and kid characters are tough to write, so I might nitpick that a bit. But overall, this was a good seasonal read.

I liked Adam and Wes' story--it was sweet, a bit emotional with a nice holiday vibe. Although the story center more on familial ties, I did get a feel for the romance but not as much as I would have liked. I liked Adam and could relate to his struggles both with being a single dad and his reluctance in opening himself up to the idea of a new relationship. I especially enjoyed getting to know Wes and seeing his growth throughout the story. Although this story wasn't angsty, there was a wide range of emotions to contend with from all parties involved.

All in all, a good holiday read but maybe not as fantastic as I've come to expect from this author.

This was such a cute romance between a single father, and his weird (in a good way), hot and recluse neighbor. I loved Adam and Gus so much, and Wes was definitely a great fit for both of them.

I enjoyed the warmth of the story the most, and the diverse characters made me feel that this was very realistic. Definite recommendation from me.

This is the first year that I’ve actually put time aside to read some holiday romances. And it has been so much fun! My favorite of all the ones I’ve read so far has been The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish. It was easily a 5 star read for me!

Y'all! Teen Me who devoured Harlequin romances under the covers is fangirling not so quietly about the fact that we have a Harlequin queer romance book! A QUEER HARLEQUIN ROMANCE! And I freaking loved it so much! The romance! The found and real family moments! Old faves making an appearance! Sunshine vs Grump! The science! Even the tarantula! I adored it all!

This book is a single dad romance where most of the plot revolves around Adam making this the best Christmas possible for his daughter! Y'all! The Christmas light extravaganza had me quickly falling in love with both Adam and Gus! Especially Gus! She 's such a curious and tenacious little thing! She doesn't let anything including locks keep her from satisfying her curiosity. Some aspects of her remind me so much of myself at that age except I would never have picked up the snakes.

The romance in this book was adorable! I loved how neighborhood recluse and grump Wes quickly succumbs to sunshine duo, Adam and Gus. Wes and Gus's science discussion were my favorites and watching them and Adam work towards becoming a family was adorable! Although, I will say that there was a part in this book where I think more groveling was needed but it was so enjoyable overall that that part didn’t bother me like it would have in other books.

This book is a perfect read for the holiday season! I read this during spooky season and it instantly made me want to decorate for Christmas even though it was October. Roan Parrish really hit it out of the park again with this one! I hope we get more books in this series! I totally keeping my fingers crossed because I need a River book! I would also love to see Wes's friend get a book! I can't wait to see what Parrish writes next!

ARC provided by the Publisher via Netgalley.

If you thought tarantulas and breaking and enterings for Christmas were exclusively in Home Alone, allow me to introduce you to The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish. Single parent Adam Mills is hoping to give his daughter a truly magical Christmas to make up for their move to Garnet Run. When Gus asks for their house to have the most lights EVER, Adam sets to work and manages to enlist the help of Wes Mobray, a grumpy reclusive neighbor and owner of a veritable menagerie of pets.

Adam is such a wonderful hero—trying to be the best parent he can be for Gus, while also grappling with his own feelings about how things ended with his ex. Meanwhile Wes is a perfect grump, who has been isolated and hiding for so long, but finds himself realizing how much better his life could be if he let people in. The chemistry between them was wonderful, and I particularly loved Wes' connection with Gus, as they're both passionate about science and all manner of animals that give poor Adam the heebie jeebies. If you’re in the mood for a romance with Christmas fun, snow melting steam, and a strong focus on family—this is for you!

This is book three in the Garnet Run series, but can easily be read as a standalone if you're in the mood for some fun holiday cheer. In fact it's the first book I've read in the series, and only my second from Parrish! I'll be changing that soon though, as I'm definitely adding the rest of this series to my TBR.

This book was an absolute joy from start to finish, and the equivalent of curling up with a cup of hot chocolate and a soft blanket after a long day. It was a cozy read while still maintaining a good balance of sweet holiday romance with serious, realistic family dynamics.

Although it’s technically part of an existing series, I read it as a stand-alone and wasn’t confused or felt like I was missing any context (from my understanding, some side characters were in previous books but those stories aren’t necessary to know in order to appreciate their characters in this one). The Lights on Knockbridge Lane is a queer, Christmas romance that follows single dad Adam and his charismatic daughter Gus as they adjust to their new home in a new area, which happens to be next door to a very handsome but peculiar recluse, Wes. Whose house, by the way, is filled with snakes and lizards and spiders and basically a menagerie of pets that aren’t cats or dogs. He’s a scientist who’s passionate about biodiversity, which appeals to the aspiring scientist in Gus.

If you’re looking for a book with high levels of steam and more of a focus on romance than family, this wouldn’t be the first book I’d recommend. The relationship that’s developed between Adam and Wes is so sweet and pure, and part of that is because of Wes’ role in Adam’s life when it comes to his daughter. But as previously mentioned, the author does a good job of balancing the more serious and familial aspects of the book with the central romance, which still does have it’s steamier moments.

This was a Hallmark Christmas movie of a book, with all the expected over the top aspects you’d assume. The two main characters were both enjoyable to read, and the story itself, was lighthearted. This was a really enjoyable Christmas romance, with a story on par with other Christmas romances - definitely an enjoyable read.

This was fine. I did a read along with the audio and the narrator wasnt great. I did like how the spider fear wasnt something being pushed onto the daughter. It was fun and cute the santa sub plot at school was weird to focus on rather than the daughter being bullied for not having a mom but otherwise this was a delight

If you're looking for a great holiday Christmas book this season, read this book. We follow Adam, a newly single father to his 8 year old daughter, Gus. They move back to his home town after his divorce and to try and make Gus happy for Christmas they decide to put as many lights on the house as possible. Gus is very science oriented and loves critters. She breaks into the neighbor house across the streets to see his lizards. This is how Adam meets Wes, the reclusive odd science neighbor that everyone in town says is either a wizard, vampire, or werewolf (and no this is not a supernatural book). Wes and Adam spark up a friend ship that becomes more.

While it is not said on page I believe it is implied that Wes is on the autistic spectrum. He doesn't like unwanted touch or being looked at. His interested are science and has totally immersed himself in that world. We get both Wes and Adam's perspectives as the relationship develops and its very sweet (with a few spicier scenes).

I would highly recommend this book, I couldn't put it down and read it in under 24 hours.

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this for what it was: a balanced, cozy contemporary Christmas romance. I've been DNFing a lot of romance this year for all kinds of reasons, so it was delightful to find one I was eager to read. This is the first gay romance Harlequin has ever published, so I was interested to see how it turned out.

Nothing groundbreaking; a simple romance with very familiar structure and story beats. But I loved Wes's weirdness, especially at the beginning of the book, and Adam's "He's so weird... and so hot" musing endeared me as well. Some folks won't enjoy 8-year-old Gus, Adam's daughter, as the driving force for their relationship, but I thought she was a wonderful way to advance both protagonists' plot and really developed the ideas of family that the book explored. I'm going through some stuff!!!! so the fact that I cried three times is probably more of a me thing, but it's what bumped this book up to 4 stars in the end: It's just a simple, warm, well written and well paced contemporary about Christmas and cultivating the family you've been looking for, featuring a balanced relationship between nuanced characters that were easy to love.

I absolutely cannot throw stones about editing, and I was reading an ARC copy (thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley), but common typos aside, at one point the narration refers to Adam as Wes and at another point to Wes as Adam. This is not against the author but rather against Harlequin editors—I was surprised this wasn't caught! Hopefully this is fixed in the final version!

Overall an enjoyable read and a solid gay contemporary romance. I'd pick up this author and/or more in this Harlequin line in the future.