What a cuuute little novella!!!

I loved Felix so much and while I haven't read the other books in this interconnected series, nothing was missing for me.

I love holiday/Christmas reads so much and this one had me in my Christmas feels!

GIMME ONE BED ANYDAY!! (all the tropes were top notch!)

I will absolutely be reading more of this sweet series!

The final “Bittersweets Club” novella is all about Felix, but it also ties the series’ subplots together in a nice little bow. Ru and Nick are finally getting married, after Covid forced them to delay. Owen and Toma and Silas and Dino are of course going together, but Felix is going solo. He’s had a rough year but is also still feeling the sting of how his impulsive April Fool’s gag affected Owen, even though everything turned out okay. The story alternates between the present holiday, (where Felix and another wedding guest, Ru’s ex Kevin, end up stuck in a cabin that only has one bed, thanks to a massive blizzard), and the past year (with Ru getting to know a new patient, retiree Danya, who has a thing or two to say about Felix’s lack of a social or romantic life). In the “present holiday” chapters, Burgoine moves from one classic trope (the “blind date misunderstanding”) to another (forced proximity/one bed) so smoothly you almost don’t realize it’s happening … and manages to tweak both in very satisfactory ways. The flashback chapters focus on Felix’s growing friendship with sickly but still effervescent Danya, and they are an amazing look at how intergenerational friendships in the gay community should (but all too often don’t) work. Burgoine often comments on how hard it is for younger queer folk to learn our community’s history, because so many of those who should be our elders were taken away from us by the AIDS epidemic. But here, he reminds us that some of that history is still living, still vital – if only younger folks are willing to pay attention, learn, and develop actual connection with our elders. Danya’s illness (NOT AIDS, I feel like I must stress) is a major part of the flashback chapters but please don’t think this means the book is depressing. It is not. It’s as sweet and cute and romantic as the other books in the series – but it also doesn’t shy away from the reality that often joy and sorrow walk beside each other.

This was a gorgeous and captivating romance. The love story was beautiful, the premise was enchanting and the characters were so loveable.

This was one of those books I couldn’t stop thinking about when I wasn’t reading. Was desperate to get back to it! A lot about this one really spoke to me. It’s rare I love a contemporary book like this so much, but definitely a hit for me!

I needed a bunch of Kleenex to get through this book. So many feels. Very glad Felix got his redemption!

eARC received for review from Net Galley

4/5 ⭐️

Was I attracted to this book because of the Stray Kids song Christmas Evel? Yes... Yes I was.

The first thing I will say is that I have not read any of the other books in the Little Village series which left me a little confused and made the story a little harder for me to get into because I personally-stubbornly-have a very hard time not starting stand-alone series from the beginning. Once I got over my stubborness and let myself get into the novella, I was blow away at the cleverness of Nathan Burgoine. I love how incredibly connected Felix and Kevin's lives were before they even realized it and going through the realization process with the two main characters was such a fun, cute, and inclredible experience.

The only nitpicking I have to do here is about the third person point of view and the talk of COVID because I quite enjoyed the rest of it. I will always prefer 1st person POV over 3rd but it still didn't take away from the story any. My only other irritaion, the inclusion of the Coronavirus pandemic, is that I like using reading as a way to escape so I will never want to read about COVID and any time it is included I feel it makes the story feel too upsetting.

Thank you Nathan Burgoine, Bold Strokes Books, and Net Galley for the free eARC.

My first book from this author, and I will be checking their other releases. I found the story to be enjoyable, and the characters were utterly lovable. It was a short book, but it packed a punch. The character building and general story progression through the plot was rich throughout the novel. I liked that the dialogue was authentic and believable to the characters and their individual personalities and tones.

ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books via Net Galley, and I have given my honest and voluntary review.

This one is lovely.

It’s absolutely a Christmas novella, and absolutely the holiday matters, but it’s not preachy in a “your lord and savior” and “hell and damnation”, but in a, “cherish the moments with the people in your life, for they are fleeting” way, and oh, it’s lovely. (Yes, I’m aware that I said that already.)

This novella is the latest release in the The Village stories, but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. The story is told entirely from Felix’s perspective, and it follows two timelines, one in the present December, starting with a wedding, and the other starting just over a year before that.

I’m having some trouble articulating my thoughts about this story, other than, “It’s so good!”

There’s a real sense of community, even though we spend most of the time just with Felix and one other person. In part through the way the story is told–those alternating timelines–and in part through conversations, texts and other interactions, we get to know this community just as we get to know him.

Felix is honestly, sincerely kind; the kind of person who gives of himself mostly because it’s the right thing to do. He could be just too Pollyanna to stand, but the way he’s written, he’s not; Felix is just a good person, with flaws and foibles and insecurities. And he’s very likable.

Mr Burgoine does not shy away from the realities of being queer in the world today, but rather than making pain the story, there’s just this sweet undercurrent of defiant, hopeful joy. Yes, not every individual story will end happily, and yes, some people will struggle harder, but there’s joy, and it’s worth being here to witness it, if nothing else.

There’s a lot about this novella that hit me right in the feels. From the general state of the world (censorship and puritanism, fighting to preserve queer history, fighting to find joy despite bigotry and prejudice), to the personal (falling into a rut and feeling like the one who’s always in the periphery of one’s own community, never really belonging).

Christmas is the center of the story in the sense that everyone celebrates it, and as an important family tradition for the characters, rather than as a religious holiday, and as such, it works very well for me. As does the author’s writing. There’s a gentleness towards the characters that just grabbed me by the heart. (If there’s a weakness in the world Mr Burgoine has built in this story, is that there is no mention of other holiday traditions.)

There is no explicit sex on the page, there’s a definite HEA, and I’m now getting the other novellas in the series, because I’ve found another author whose voice and writing resonate with me.

“Felix Navidad” get 8.50 out of 10

Suuuuuper cute! I definitely think novellas are the way to go with holiday reads. This one was well-written, with characters I could really route for. It gave all the Christmas feels without getting too cliche and it's definitely made me want to pick up the rest of the series.

I really enjoyed this short story for all that it was: the characters were wonderfully fleshed out with so little space to do it, which I commend the author for, and I found the length suited the story really well. I was definitely a fan of the story, the switches from past to present, and the characters as individuals. Thank you for the ARC!

Short, sweet and full of love.

We have the slightly jaded Felix who is happy that all his friends have found love but feels like the 5th wheel. He is well written and a I loved his story arc. He is a passionate nurse and you can really see the love he has for his patients. Keith is funny and I love how we learn more about him as the story progresses.

The mixture of past and present worked well and didn't feel jarring like it can in some books. Its emotional, and at time heart wrenching but also a beautiful celebration of queer love.

Is this book predictable, yes. Is this book everything I want in a Christmas romance - also yes.

This is a short, sweet, lovely story. It's told in alternating present day happenings with flashbacks to past events. It's interesting to see how things unfold, and even better upon re-reading, when you can see the breadcrumbs being dropped along the way!

I have to remind myself that this is a short novella, so we don't get to see the in depth character and relationship development that we would if this was a full novel. I would really like to have seen what happened as Felix and Kevin moved from crush to in love, but I guess that just means the author did a good job of making me like them!

Danya was the best, and I wish I knew him so he could give me a nickname. His friendship with Felix was lovely to witness. And I loved the focus on him as a queer elder with wisdom and knowledge to impart. The author's note in the beginning was lovely and elaborates on this aspect.

I received the NetGalley approval the day before my pre-order arrived from Bold Stroke Books! This is my unbiased review.

Such a charming and cozy short read for the winter season. Atmospheric just in the right way.

I loved how the story turned out. Although I would have liked to have more page time with the live interest, Kevin…

I really appreciate the attention, care and respect present thought out the novella regarding gender identities and pronouns of side characters.

The Pride March app, developed by one of Felix’s friends, sounds awesome, I’d totally give it a try myself.

I’m intrigued about the little village series. I’ll have to look into that.

I did have a slight problem with the interesting construction of the story. The timeline jumps back and forth between Christmas of present time and a few months of the previous year. Having read the book throughout several different sittings, it was a bit challenging to keep track of the timeline. This isn’t that big of a deal, it probably won’t even register with all readers.

What really gave me a hard time getting into the story, was actually Felix’s patient, Danya. More specificity, how much emphasis he’d put on Felix’s single status. I know he meant well, and the story shows Felix’s longing to have a close relationship. It might be the Aro in me talking, but personally it makes me itch when others push so hard in this matter. It felt like most of the time with Danya (which was quite a significant portion of the book), was centered around this. But ultimately, everything turned out for the better, and don’t we all live a happy ending?

Tw: This is set in a universe where Covid-19 has happened (postponing a couple’s wedding), which might be triggered for some readers. Also, there’s talk about the late parents of the characters, and a close friend and ex-patient passing away.

Super cute. Everything I'd expect from a holiday romance!
Exactly what I was looking for, when I picked it up!

This is a charming story. Usually the past/present alternating structure annoys me, but not here. No, all the characters were interesting and entertaining, and the way the threads came together at the end was lovely. I'm impressed. It's a fairly quiet story, but satisfying.

This was the perfect read to finish the Christmas season!

It was my first read from this author and I immediately ran to find some of their other novellas - I needed more of the bittersweets club!

A quick read that still tells a whole story, no details are truly spared in this accidental meet cute winter wedding romance!

Danya was my favourite character for sure, and of course, that slice of Mutton.

A cute gay holiday novella that follows Felix as he attends his best friend’s wedding right before Christmas before leaving for Hawaii for vacation. Felix is known in his friend circle for all his impulsive decisions and even though he is trying to not make any, having a hot guy at the other singles table at the wedding reception isn’t going to be easy.

Felix Navidad has dual timelines and we get to know more about Felix and his decision to become a nurse practitioner and also why is he off to Hawaii on Christmas. It still feels a little overwhelming to read books that take place in the post-pandemic world but this one was so cute. The characters were amazing and it makes you a little emotional in between but nothing that makes you cut down your holiday cheers.

It’s safe to say even though Felix and Kevin were cute, Danya steals the show. Without getting much into the story that can have spoilers since this one is a novella, I’d say if you are still looking for a Christmas read to help you get over your Christmas hangover, I’ll highly recommend this. Felix Navidad in the true novella spirit will only leave you craving more of Felix with Kavin and also his group of friends.

This was a short story that jumped right into the setting and relationship. I find that I enjoy stories where two characters get together, in this one they already are together. I also was a little bit put off with how COVID existed in this story universe, also it was treated like an inconvenience, which to me is a bit insensitive.

Fun and quick Christmas LGBT novella. I liked the characters and their relationship but I wish it was longer as I didn’t feel invested in their relationship enough.

This was such a great addition to the little village series and another one I can see myself rereading each holiday season. I am a little bit behind in this series so I hadn't actually read village fool which is the one where Felix is introduced as a character but that honestly didn't affect it very much at all. I really loved seeing Kevin come back into the scene and him getting his little happy ever after.

My one real qualm is that I feel like they went from oh shit we're stuck in a snowstorm in a cabin to it's the epilogue and we've been dating for a year way too fast. I wanted just an extra chapter where they started to figure their shit out and their friends learned about their relationship and they tested all of their long distance. And I realized we get kind of a recap in that last chapter but I want to just itsy bit more.

That being said, the storyline with Danya absolutely stole the show. He was my favorite part of this book and even though I knew what was going to happen I still cried. I just really love and appreciate books that have queer elders in them and that have the respect for queer elders. Brings me a lot of joy.

MC with RLS.