I'm slowly coming back to category romances so why not start with this Christmas romance about a gay dad and his reclusive neighbor?

Well, The Lights on Knockbridge Lane is adorable as shit, y'all. Adorable. As. Shit. Take one lonely dad with his gregarious, curious-about-everything eight year-old daughter Gus and mix in a reclusive neighbor plus a meet-cute where the kid breaks into the recluse's house because HE HAS A TARANTULA (and other non-standard pets including a couple of racoons) and set it at Christmas.... Absolutely the cutest. And VERY steamy, more so than expected. Both Adam and Wes have history that make them a bit (ok, more than a bit, in Wes's case) hesitant to open up to a new relationship. Adam's ex basically dumped him - and Gus - because he didn't want to be a dad and Wes has PTSD from the paparazzi (among others) when he was a teen actor. But when Gus's Christmas wish is to have a house with The Most Lights on It Ever and Adam, who is not handy at all, needs help, Wes slowly begins to open up (and Gus kind of forces the issue by being fascinated with Wes's work with biochemical-luminescence and clean energy...and his tarantula). Such a sweet and funny and steamy holiday book.

Slight complaint that this is the third book in a series but the first two (Better Than People and Best Laid Plans - sorry, I haven't read that one, yet) came in trade paperback but this third one is part of the Harlequin Special Editions series and comes in mass market. *side eye*

I have been reading Special Editions for years - lots and lots of years. I am so happy to see that diversity has come to this brand.

I love holiday romances. (I have said this before and will probably say this again.) This is the first time I am saying it when it stars spiders, snakes, and other animals that would have Adam squealing and jumping onto a chair. (laugh) Don’t worry Gus, Adam’s daughter, will save him. (chuckle)

I love The Lights on Knockbridge Lane. Roan Parrish brings humor, science, family, and romance to this sweet holiday tale. Adam is the perfect foil to Wes. They are two nerds who belong together (smile). Then there is Gus who is beyond amazing.

Parrish also brings back characters from the “Garnet Run” series and we get to see how everyone is doing. There are some spelling and grammatical errors, but this doesn’t interfere with the reading of the story.

When I finished this story, I immediately wanted to start reading it again. Parrish gives you that warm holiday feeling that you just don’t want to let go of.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Fresh Fiction posted an exclusive interview with Roan Parrish about the release of this book on September 24: https://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=11500

Roan will also be a guest on the Fresh Fiction podcast in early December. https://freshfiction.podbean.com/

This was my first book from Roan Parrish. I look for characters that have depth and are believable. I definitely got that and more from this author.

Wes and Adam have real issues. Both long for meaningful relationships - not ones which are fake or conditional.

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane is a wonderful story. You will find a few touching themes. Being loved, forms of love, what hinders a person into not letting go and falling completely.

I received an ARC of this ebook via the publisher, author and NetGalley.

Such a great book - Gus, the eight year old is amazing. Icing on the cake. Star on top of the Christmas tree.

This review is also posted on Goodreads and Amazon US

Really enjoyed this M/M romance. The setting is great, and the characters are real and authentic. The audio is great too!

If you pick up one cosy, feelgood holiday romance this year, make it this one! Especially if you've enjoyed the rest of the Garnet Run series, because it's amazing to be back in this town.

This is the holiday romance I've been looking forward to the most this year, so it's fitting that it should be the first I read as well. This sets the bar for the other books I'm hoping to read very high, so I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being a holiday favourite this year.

If you're familiar with the Garnet Run series, this book is a little more lighthearted, to stay in the Christmas spirit, but it still does have two characters dealing with their own issues in order to be together. What I especially loved about this book was the central role Gus, Adam's daughter, had in the book. She was a well-rounded character, and she absolutely stole the show. I love that she stole Wes' heart even before Adam did, because that just makes the book that much more wholesome.

What I've loved about all the Roan Parrish books I've read so far, and also particularly about this one, is seeing two characters having to step outside of their comfort zones to be able to be together, and them genuinely struggling with that, because no, love actually does not conquer all, and it doesn't cure things like trauma and anxiety. It's nice to see such a balance between a character stepping outside of their comfort zone, but also them struggling with that and not overcoming their struggles by the end of the book, but just promising to do their best.

When it comes to the project the book was titled after, I have to say I had to suspend my disbelief a lot for that. After a hard year, Adam and his daughter have moved back to Garnet Run, and he asks her what she would love this Christmas. She says she wants the most Christmas lights of anywhere ever, so Adam gets right on that, decorating the house. And honestly, every time he or Gus turned on the lights, I expected them to put the entire neighbourhood out of power! This didn't affect my enjoyment of the book though, and I absolutely loved this one! I'm hoping we'll be getting River's (Adam's sibling's) book next!

What a fantastic way to start the holiday season! I reviewed this book for my podcast, Boobies & Noobies (episode coming in December) for my annual holiday special, The 12 Days of Boobsmas. I hadn't read the previous two books in the series, but you can bet that I absolutely will after reading this one.

The two MC's are so easy to love - a divorced father and the introverted neighbor - plus, I usually find children unlikeable or a bit too precocious in romance novels, but Gus was very easy to love! What I especially appreciated was the relationship between father and daughter. Adam very openly and honestly communicates with his daughter, answers her questions, and encourages her to explore her idiosyncrasies. It's so refreshing!

The "holiday-ness" of the book is less than what some people might enjoy during the holidays, but that's okay by me. I think the author has done a wonderful job of capturing the loneliness that some people experience during the holiday season, which is a great reminder of what this season is all about: spreading love and giving back. As far as I'm concerned, this is a must-read for the 2021 holiday season.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

This was a really sweet, family centered Christmas story. The couple is an M/M couple. There is an 8 year old girl in the mix who plays a huge part in them getting together. If you want just a sweet, cozy, gay Christmas romance, this is a solid choice!

I went into this one a bit hesitant--this series so far has been perfectly fine but some of my least-favorite works by this author. The heavy-focus on a young child is also not my thing, and while I enjoy a good holiday story, releasing it months before the holidays was a very odd choice. In the end I enjoyed it more than I expected, but I didn't fall in love with it the way I have with almost every other book of Roan's outside of this series.

I don't enjoy kids as a major factor in a romance plot, and while I didn't mind Gus (the 8-year-old) as a character, there was SO much focus, far more than I wanted or needed. I feel like you've got to really enjoy kid-centered plots to have not found it overkill. The relationship itself was sweet, and I appreciated that we had a MC with agoraphobic tendencies and more unusual interests, and another that's openly sensitive--both characterizations that are more outside the norm. The heat-factor was pretty low, which made sense for the story itself, but again, just not my personal preference. Something about the plot never quite fully gelled for me, and the ending includes a big, sappy public display of affection which felt both out of character and made me personally break out in hives--again, another thing that is just not my bag. Overall this book was perfectly fine, and I even mostly enjoyed it but it felt a little light and less substantive than what I've come to expect from this author. It was very heavily hinted that there will be at least one more book in this series, which I'm tentatively interested in, but mostly I am waiting for Parrish to move on to a new series with the hope that it'll resonate with me more than this one has so far.

Also, a minor quibble more to do with the publisher than the book itself, but it's annoying enough when there is an excerpt of a random book by another author at the end of a book I just read, but when that excerpt is fully 10% of the total book volume, that's too much.

Is October too early to bake some sugar cookies, make some hot cocoa, and throw on a Hallmark Christmas movie? Because that’s exactly what this book made me want to do!

‘The Lights on Knocksbridge Lane’ introduces readers to young father Adam and his daughter Gus, as they start a new life in Adam’s old hometown. Moving on from a failed relationship and with a tight budget, Adam is determined to make Gus’ Christmas magical.

One of their new neighbours is reclusive Wes. He likes his solitary and orderly life, his experiments, and his unconventional pets. But Gus barges right in with her curiosity, dragging her apprehensive dad with her.

This is a very kid-centric book. Gus, who loves science and animals of the scaly or eight-legged kind, sets out to make Wes her friend, bringing Adam and Wes together as a result. So be ready for a precocious child with lots of questions!

The early interactions between Adam and Wes were funny. Wes being grumpy and standoffish, and Adam apologetic and slightly (very) scared by Wes’ strange animals.

But despite that, the spark is there. Adam can’t help crushing on the brooding man, and Wes is drawn to Adam’s light.

Or lights, in this case, as Wes gets roped in with Adam’s plan to illuminate their new house in strings of Christmas lights for Gus.

I thoroughly enjoyed every sweet moment between Gus, Adam, and Wes. Maybe it was a bit overly Hallmark-y, but I was digging it!

Especially seeing Adam and Wes slowly giving in to the tension between them. This isn’t a particularly steamy read, but the connection between the two men is palpable.

And much more importantly, the two find someone else to lean on, and learn to let their guards down. It’s a quiet, sweet, and adorable love.

The other shoe does drop eventually, but they make it to the other side just fine, a happy family of three (+ Wes’ strange pets).

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit (even before Halloween!), definitely give ‘The Lights on Knockbridge Lane’ a read!

I loved this book. It was a quick wonderful read. I Would love to see more like this. It was sweet and I loved that it was not your typical same ole same ole book. Love Love Love Highly Recommend Well Written too.

Charming - If I had to pick one word to describe The Lights on Knockbridge Lane, it would be charming because the whole thing, from the setting to the characters to the storyline, it's all so delightfully charming. Adam is a sweetheart who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and Gus is totally precocious and adorable. Then there's Wes, who is one of my favorite types of character. He's a bit grumpy and stays to himself, or at least he tries to. But there's much more to him than meets the eye and I loved his journey from closing himself off to putting himself out there. This is the third Garnet Run book, but it can be read as a standalone. Of course, these aren't the only lovable characters in Garnet Run, and some past favorites do make an appearance, which is fun to catch up if you have read the first two books.
As far as this book goes, it's a story about family, friendship, learning to trust, and a story of love. The reason behind the lights and what is accomplished is completely heartwarming, and this one is great for getting into the Christmas spirit.

Audio Review:
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Overall – 5

A sweet holiday story.

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane is a very sweet Christmas story and it really touched my heart. It’s book three of the Garnet Run series but it stands on its own with no problem. Characters from the first two books appear as side characters in this story but you don’t need to read their books before reading this one.

Because I’d read and reviewed the previous two books in this series, I was really excited to read this one. I was so happy when I was offered a review copy from the author. I was also really happy when the publisher offered an advance copy of the audiobook, performed by the fantastic Michael Dean.

The story is largely driven by Adam Mill’s daughter, Gus (August). She is a very precocious and inquisitive eight-year-old. After they move to Knockbridge Lane, everyone tells Adam their theory about his neighbor Westly Mobray. Apparently, Wes only comes out at night which causes all kinds of speculation and rumors. Gus has no problem with confronting Wes and asking lots of questions. She is fascinated by the creatures that he has in his house.

This is a delightful, slow-burn romance. There is a lot to Wes’s backstory and the reason he keeps himself hidden away. Through the magic of a little girl’s wish Adam and Wes make a connection and a romance begins.

It’s been many years since I’ve read a Harlequin Special Edition story but I had to read this one. Not only because it was a continuation of a series where I’d read the first two books, but also because, according to the author in a Twitter post, it’s the “first ever gay romance novel in a series line.”

I loved everything about this story and Michael Dean did his usual wonderful job performing the audiobook.

A review copy of the ebook was provided by the author, and a review copy of the audiobook was provided by Harlequin Audio, but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

If you are looking for a good book that is a sweet, quick Christmas read this book is for you.
I read The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish in one sitting and I admit I did love this book so much.

It isn't very often that I say this when it comes to Harlequin Special Edition books but this book is one I know I will be reading again in the future.

I do recommend this one to all Harlequin fans.

I give this one 5 out of 5 stars.

My first dip into the world of Roan Parrish and this was the perfect book for it. Steamy, Sweet, and an all around Feel Good Read that is sure to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Gus stole the show every time she was on the page, this adorable eight year old will have you laughing out loud more than you would believe. The frank way she speaks was just perfect. Adam has been raising Gus since she was an infant and he definitely more of a dad than an Uncle to her, their bond was so strong it was touching. Adam would do anything his little girl wants and if she want the most lights ever on their house for Christmas, well that's what she'll have.

Wes is a recluse, he doesn't go outside much at all he prefers to stay indoors and work on his project which could change things radically for those in under funded areas. He enjoys the company of his pets and that's about it, until Adam and Gus move in next door.

I really enjoyed the way things played out with Adam and Wes, and the relationship between Wes and Gus was great! She had him wrapped around her little finger in no time at all.

If you are looking for an MM Romance that will get you into the holiday spirit I highly recommend this book to you. And if you enjoy Audiobooks, Michael Dean did a great job with the narration and really brought this story to life.

Happy Reading!!!

No one and I mean no one in romance writes children accurately. Or maybe they do and this child is just a monster. I'm all for independence, but just because someone is young does not give them carte blanche to be intrusive and rude. I struggled with this book.

I adore books that include smart, witty kids with a vibrant personality and Adam’s daughter Gus definitely fit that description. As a matter of fact, if not for Gus, Adam and Wes may never have met – at least not as soon as they did. Even so, it took a while for the father and daughter to bring Wes out of “hiding.” He was perfectly content to stay within his darkened walls away from the outside world and its prying eyes. Gus was a force to be reckoned with though and she was intrigued with their new neighbor and all the cool creatures and gadgets he surrounded himself with. She was much braver than her father, but he didn’t have to be brave to be intrigued with the man he was growing to like more than he expected.

Adam and Gus had both been hurt and that meant that Adam had to be careful with both of their hearts. Wes had secrets and wasn’t easy to offer trust either, but there was something about both Adam and Gus that made him want to try.

As you might have guessed, there was so much more to The Lights on Knockbridge Lane than the sweet Holiday romance that it seemed on the surface. It was a great addition to the Garnet Run series and although I loved catching up with characters from Better Than People and Best Laid Plans, it could definitely be read as a stand alone.

This went down pretty easy but was overall very thin and overly wholesome, which is just what I have come to expect with her work in this series. I really miss the emotional depth of her older work.

Short and sweet, this fits nicely with the first two books in the series. While being a cozy holiday read it's still emotional, dealing with family as well as romantic relationships. Adam and his daughter August "Gus" move back to Adam's home town after an emotionally fraught breakup, and while they learn to be happy in their new life over the holidays, it's not long until Gus ropes in their reclusive, odd, and brilliant neighbor Wes to help. While Adam and Wes hit it off immediately it's going to take a lot of work before either one of them is ready to trust enough to risk their hearts. This book involves cats, cookies, and Christmas lights, (as well as some much less conventionally cuddly animals in Wes' menagerie, like the tarantula Bettie.)

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane is a cute, fluffy (well, mostly) Christmas-themed story that is the very first male/male romance to appear in one of Harlequin’s main category lines. It’s the third in Roan Parrish’s Garnet Run series, and although characters from the earlier books do appear, they’re cameos and it’s not essential to have read those titles in order to enjoy this one.

Recently divorced Adam Mills moved back to Garnet Run with his eight-year-old daughter, Gus, after his husband decided he didn’t want to be a dad any more. Life as a single father has meant big changes for Adam; from a career as a photographer he’s gone to working in the local hardware store (owned by Best Laid Plans‘ Charlie Matheson) in order to provide for Gus and he’s determined to do whatever it takes to provide stability and make her happy. She’s adjusting to life without her “Papa” quite well, and is a bright, inquisitive child… albeit sometimes too inquisitive for her own good.

In the four months since he returned to Garnet Run, Adam has only seen his reclusive neighbour Westley Mobray out after sunset. Everyone who lives on Knockbridge Lane has an opinion about him; he’s variously a vampire, a witch, a devil-worshipper, a mesmerist, a gorgon or just a plain old freak, and even though he lives just opposite, Adam has never spoken to him, never waved hello or otherwise interacted. Which is why he’s surprised to see the man standing on his doorstep with Gus at his side – and even moreso when Mobray – Wes – tells Adam that Gus broke into his house through the basement window.

Embarrassed, Adam apologises, Wes leaves and Gus proceeds to explain that Wes has the best basement with four lizards and a huge hairy spider which he showed her and put right in her face! Adam is horrified (he’s terrified of spiders) while Gus’ face is lit with joy and enthusiasm as she tells Adam how interesting it all was – but Adam is stuck on the ‘shoved a tarantula in his daughter’s face’ thing and marches across the street to confront Wes, shoving aside his realisation that his reclusive neighbour is rather attractive.

After this less than promising beginning, the two men – and Gus – start spending time together regularly and get to know each other. Adam and Wes have strong chemistry and the attraction between them sparks early on, but Adam is understandably cautious about bringing someone else into his and Gus’ lives who might not stick around, and Wes struggles with an anxiety disorder that stems back to his teenaged years and has caused him to eschew social interaction. There’s a real sense of how hard it is for him to push himself beyond his comfort zone, but he does it for Adam and Gus and it’s lovely to see his growing ease with them.

The story takes place in the run up to Christmas, which is where the “Lights” come in. Adam asks an upset Gus what one thing would make this the most fun Christmas for her – and she says she wants “our house to have the most Christmas lights of any house in the world.”

No biggie, then.

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane does exactly what it’s supposed to do, provide lots of warm fuzzies and a good helping of holiday cheer. That’s not to say it’s superficial, because it isn’t. The characters are satisfyingly complex and are struggling to deal with emotional baggage, which, for Adam, is trying to process the breakdown of his marriage and his feelings of guilt over what may have led to it as well as his guilt over the way the divorce has affected Gus, while Wes seems to be hiding from his issues rather than attempting to deal with them in any sustainable way. Both men have to learn to face their fears and overcome them if they’re to move forward with their lives and with each other – but of course, there are a few hiccups along the way.

Adam and Wes are both likeable, memorable characters. Adam is sweet and optimistic and I liked that he’s so openly emotional; he feels things deeply and is often moved to tears by his emotions, which is something he’s struggled with over the years, especially when he was bullied and belittled for it when he was younger. Wes is more outwardly stoic, but that hides a very dry sense of humour and an innate kindness; he’s harder to read and shows his affection for Adam in unusual ways, such as reorganising his pantry alphabetically. Gus is a cute mix of eight-year-old confidence and insecurity, but there’s no getting away from the fact that she’s a plot-moppet – albeit a well-written and loveable one – who often comes across as older than her years, and needs some firmer boundaries set by her dad!

I couldn’t quite work out how a guy who kept a tarantula as a pet and let it roam around the house (*shudder*!!) and a guy who was terrified of them were ever going to be able to share a home. I’m with Adam on that one; spiders freak me out, so No Spiders would an absolute house rule! And I’m not sure I bought into all the science; Wes is working to create a viable sustainable alternative to electric light – an admirable ambition – but I couldn’t help but wonder how feasible it all was.

Those quibbles aside however, The Lights on Knockbridge Lane is a charming, low-angst Christmas-themed read about love, family and fresh-starts. It’s definitely one to curl up with – with a cup of cocoa – on a cold winter’s evening.

Grade - B- / 3/5 stars.