Group Review: What Happens at Christmas by Jay Northcote

When two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?

Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.

Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.

In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas... right?




Did you feel that? I felt it. That, my dear unicorns, is sexual tension. To. The. Max. If you love tension, best friends to lovers and fake boyfriends, all covered in Christmas jizz, then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.

Justin was single and was pressured to go to the work Christmas party where he would have to see his ex. Not just his ex, but also the new guy he's with. Ew. Not so much fun for a Christmas party. 

Lucky for him, his BFF Sean was in town and came up with the brilliant idea to be his date for the evening to make the ex jealous. Well, it worked like a charm. In more ways than one.

Both Justin and Sean had crushes on each other since they were young. There was never a right time to reveal their true feelings, so they kept on being besties, while secretly pining for each other. A night pretending to be boyfriends was too much for them to handle. I have to say, it was too much for me, too! That dancefloor scene? Unf. Too. Much. Tension. It was delicious. *smacks lips* It was too much, so they gave in and it was glorious. Until they were predictably stupid about it all the next morning. 

What happens at Christmas stays at Christmas, right? Heh.

They did try the friend act after they had The Sex, which I still loved (even if they weren't doing it) because they were so great together. Their friendship felt real and I was completely charmed by them. 

What Happens at Christmas is highly recommended for some sexy and fun holiday reading. 





This book is going on my read and read again pile. Friends to lovers, pretend boyfriends and snowy Christmas stories are my three favourite things combined. AND THEY'RE ALL IN THIS BOOK.

Honestly, this book is just everything I adore about Christmas stories. It made me feel warm and fuzzy. The friendship these two had was so beautiful, their love for each other was glaringly obvious to everyone except them. That step from friends into something more is always a tricky one to take, the risk of losing something so precious versus the possibility of making it even more... intense? Wonderful?

A strong friendship ion any book is one of my weaknesses. Trust and understanding. That sense of knowing someone as well as you know yourself. Wanting to protect another person from hurt and pain. Yep, this is what makes my heart beat faster.When that moves forward to something even more intense I melt. It's not even about sex - first kisses and I love yous are the bits that make me weak kneed. Of course, I'm not averse to reading about those first forays across the boundary into sexual relationship (!!!!!), but it kinda means nothing - or at least something different, it doesn't mean as much to me as a  reader - if the feels aren't in place first. It's just sex.

This book was about friendship first. This book was about the slow burn and sexual tension - even though it took place over the Christmas period (i.e. a period of time). This book was about love.

Happy sigh.

Jay Northcote has skills people! This may be favourite story of hers yet and, really, that's saying something. 



A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

For more information on Goodreads
Purchase on Amazon 

No comments:

Post a Comment