FaytheWorks Publishing, $0.99
Contemporary Romance, 2012
Renée Allen McCoy is an author new to me, and I do like the overall feel-good vibe of The Christmas Beau. Unfortunately, the romance is kind of meh to me, mostly because I’ve come across it many times before.
Charity Régine Maxwell is back in Lewinston Springs for Christmas, mostly because her mother ordered her to and also because she is a Mommy’s girl at heart. As everyone gets ready to have the biggest ever group hug on Christmas, she meets her ex-boyfriend Milton Grayson again. Once a playboy that broke her heart, he is now a decorated military officer who seems to have changed – he seems like a more stable, compassionate man now. Hmm, maybe more assholes should get a bullet or two pumped into them, if that is what it takes to whip them into ideal hubby material. At any rate, can Charity trust him and take a leap of faith?
Oh, speaking of faith, this is an inspirational romance with strong Christian overtones. No, don’t run – I have to commend the author here, as she imbues the story with elements of faith in a gentle, non-preachy manner. In fact, the story feels like a fun gathering of warm and loving folks who also happen to have a strong faith in God. I never once felt preached at or condescended upon while reading this one. In fact, I’m reminded of that time in my late teens when I allowed myself to be dragged to church by this guy – hey, he was hot, alright, so don’t judge me, plus I wanted him to keep helping me with my Physics homework – only to find myself really enjoying the company of the people there. Oh, and I met a hotter guy there, but that’s neither here nor there. So, anyway.
I like the secondary characters, and I love how everyone interact with one another. The whole thing feels like an idealized version of that holiday reunion with friends and family members – with the unpleasant ones that always makes one want to stab the turkey extra hard packed in a bus that had gotten lost somewhere in Venezuela – and I had fun reading this story because of this.
However, the romance is actually the least interesting aspect of the story to me. A big part of this is that the main characters have a thing that has been done many times before, and these two never really experience a conflict in their second time around. There are no deep emotional moments to make me believe that this time, this is it. Just two pleasant people being cheered on to shag – sorry, Jesus – I mean, hold hands chastely by all their family members, all of whom keep telling Charity that yes, yes, yes, Milton has changed so gurl, that Charity has better start propagating with Milton, after they are married of course. After a while, I feel suffocated on behalf of the poor heroine.
Do I like The Christmas Beau? Yes, as it’s a Christmas-sy, Hallmark-sy story that works in a low-ball corny but heartwarming way. I just wish I like it as much for being a romantic tale.
