Cosmin Tessler is a psychologist, professor and radio host. His weekly evening program, Sleeping Alone, has been on for a decade and at the opening of the story, he finds out that his program is being canceled during the radio station’s Holiday party. And this is after the final show for the year has aired. He’s, needless to say, quite upset. The bartender at the party looks familiar to him, but definitely out of place. But when he goes to get a bracing drink after the shocking news, he discovers that indeed he does know the bartender, Eric. It turns out Eric grew up across the street from Cosmin’s family and although he is 10 years younger than Cosmin, Eric definitely remembers him. Unfortunately Cosmin is in his own head and it’s not a happy place at that point since he’d just lost his father the month before and now his radio program, so he’s not exactly friendly to Eric.

Eric has been an actor, but his work has pretty much dried up and so he’s making ends meet with the bartending gig while sharing a flat with a former school friend in Waterloo. Said friend bails on him as a ride home after his bartending gig and he finds himself without transportation home. His fallback safety net is his ex-wife, Trina. Luckily Trina and her new husband, Michael, are in town and let him crash with them for the night. Eric is dealing with a lot and he seems to be self-sabotaging as well when it comes to work. But he’s grateful to Trina and Michael for their help.

A bit a loose ends and realizing he’s going to miss the deadline for an audiobook he’s supposed to submit. Sighing, he ends up in a Starbucks and as luck would have it, runs into a former high school friend. Said friend is not recognized at first, but he has transitioned. Eric confirms that he’s not so surprised and that he himself is bisexual. They chat and Dillon offers to help Eric with his audition issues and that ends up working out pretty well. In the meantime, he’s gotten a message from his parents about Christmas, so instead of returning to Waterloo, he goes to Whitby to his parents home to wait for them. It’s during this visit, that he meets up with Cosmin again.

Cosmin has convinced his boss to let him do one last show. It’s going to be the culmination of the bucket list show he’s wanted to do – six hours of air time about his sister and loss. But he needs things from his father’s house and he hasn’t been able to locate them anywhere else. So while he’s there searching, an ice storm begins. Eric, unaware that Cosmin’s father has passed away, comes over the check on the older neighbor and discovers Cosmin. And from there, a series of events take place that lead to some deep discussions, many revelations – from both men – and the beginnings of something that neither may really be ready for.

The stories that Cosmin and Eric share are deeply personal. They discuss their past relationships and their family dynamics. Cosmin discovers so many things that he did not know – about himself and his parents and in particular his father. His family tragedy caused a breakdown that never healed and in the aftermath of his father’s death, he learns so many things that he’s devastated to find that so many of his assumptions had been wrong. Eric, who had a crush on Cosmin from his teenage years, really wants to help and he confesses pretty early on his attraction to Cosmin. Eric does his best to support Cosmin and help him work through his newfound information. Eric also get some surprising information during this incredibly intense and intimate time. But is there enough there for them to build something beyond this holiday repreive?

This book definitely won’t be to everyone’s taste. It’s far from a lighthearted holiday romance and therefore, requires more investment from the reader. I was, however, invested early on this story and enjoyed the unfurling of this unexpected romance/connection between Cosmin and Eric. There are so many wonderful moments in this story. I’m also giving extra points for the discussions around My Beautiful Laundrette. Maybe I felt this story so personally because I’ve had the distinct honor of cleaning out the house of a dear relative and I felt like I discovered a whole new person from the one I had know for the 43 years that our lives overlapped. One of the most beautiful/tragic aspects of the story is how much Cosmin and his father really didn’t know about each other. They failed to connect in life and when Cosmin discovers this whole other life and whole other father from the one he knew, he feels it deeply – the missed opportunity and the sad and isolating way things panned out after their family broke. The tragedy of loss compounded by the tragedy of the breakdown of communication was really heartbreaking. On the other hand, Eric is able to see things a bit more clearly from the outside and when things finally start to look up for him, he comes to the realization that maybe he might have something to offer Cosmin after all. I found this story to be incredibly touching and moving. And year, there are a lot of tragic circumstances that Cosmin in particular has to overcome, it’s realistically portrayed and I think gives the book all that much more credibility that everything is not neat and tidy and clean. Real life rarely works that way 🙂 Highly recommended.

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. I received a review copy from NetGalley over a year ago and it kind of slipped through the cracks of my TBR list.

While this story was set at Christmastime, I personally don’t consider it a Christmas story. It has a bit of a melancholy feel to it so I actually think some people might not like reading it during a time of year that can be hard for some to get through. In any case, I thought it was quite a good story.

It’s an age-gap, forced proximity story with a bit of a second chance feel. The story moved at a good pace and I liked that the characters felt a bit more “real” to me than some books I’ve read. They were pretty much two ordinary guys, one down on his luck and the other a bit at loose ends. They’ve both had their share of relationship trouble but a winter storm brings them together and a bond develops between them.

There are some pretty complicated things happening for each of the MC and I thought the author did a good job of telling this story.

I almost forgot to mention that Eric is an audiobook performer and since I’m a huge audiobook fan, I enjoyed that aspect of the book.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

This book was sweet and a good down on your luck romance. Thank you for letting me read and review this book. This book will be featured in a podcast recommendation episode.

Cosmin and Eric are, on the surface, an odd couple. Cosmin is a serious, some would say pretentious, 44-year-old author, psychology professor and radio host. We meet him just as he learns that his long-running show is being cancelled. That same night, he meets Eric who he fails to recognize as his childhood neighbor. Eric, who is 10 years younger, is still in the process of growing up. He’s a failed actor with no real direction who is working bartender gigs and narrating audiobooks. His marriage to his college sweetheart ended in divorce, in part because of his bisexuality, but he remains friends with his ex. When an ice storm hits while both of them are visiting their childhood homes, they become reacquainted and have a holiday fling that promises to be so much more as they share their stories, revealing their deepest insecurities and painful pasts. Through it all, though, they begin to realize that their differences are just what the other needs. Will Cosmin be able to make peace with his father’s recent passing and the truth behind their estranged relationship, and will Eric, with a bit of luck and sage advice from Cosmin, finally forgive himself for his mistakes and take steps to secure his future?


Based on the cover and publisher’s summary, I expected a light-hearted gay romance centered around Christmas. Instead, this is both a cerebral read filled with heavy themes like death, grief, job loss, anorexia, adoption, and break-ups, with frequent references to Shakespeare, and ultimately a story about hope, healing, luck and love.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Carina Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this MM romance.

Such a great book with a solid storyline and great characters.

I eagerly look forward to reading more from this author.

A definite recommend!

Cosmin Tessler and Eric Campbell are both at a crossroads in their lives. They grew up as neighbors, though Cosmin was in high school when Eric was in middle school. Their paths cross right before Christmas, and they end up in their childhood homes when a huge winter storm comes through. The two of them end up bunking together, trying to find information about Cosmin’s late sister in his dad’s affects. Of course, the two grow closer and a relationship blooms. I gave this one three stars. It’s not a bad read, but I just didn’t really connect to the characters or story as much as I would have liked. Things seemed to move a bit too quick, and it just didn’t always feel realistic.

Cosmin Tessler was a Romanian orphan adopted by a Canadian couple in the 1980s. His parents were lovely people, but his mother and younger adoptive sister were killed in a car wreck when he was in college. His father, who had been sometimes difficult to speak to. generally closed down and closed off, leaving Cosmin very much alone in the world. Cosmin thought it was because he came out as gay, and he stayed away as a result. For nearly two decades he and his father were estranged, and he’s now mourning the loss of his childhood relationship as his father has recently passed away. Cosmin’s an intellectual, with a doctorate in literature, and also hosts a radio show in Toronto called “Sleep Alone”. It’s two weeks before the end of the year and he’s just learned–at the station Christmas party–that his show has been losing market share and it’s not being renewed. While nursing his sorrows at the bar Cosmin notes the younger, attractive bartender, but passes on with the mission to make one final show happen–and do it as an homage to his and his sister’s humble adoptive roots.

Eric Campbell is an attractive bisexual man in his thirties. He can’t believe his luck at seeing his high school-age crush, Cosmin, at a gig bartending job in the city. He’d been floundering, living with a pal in the suburbs outside of Toronto, hoping to get voice acting jobs for audiobooks to make ends meet. He’d been an actor, but hasn’t been employed regularly in a long time. He makes some serendipitous connections in the coming days, including getting to his parents’ home just hours before an enormous ice storm covers the Toronto area, shutting down electricity and travel for several days leading up to Christmas. Eric notices that “Old Man Tessler’s” place is covered in ice, and ventures out to ask his elderly neighbor if he needs assistance, not knowing that his neighbor had died several weeks ago and the light he sees is Cosmin looking through his father’s effects, searching for answers about his, and his sister’s, adoptions.

These two men are the only people trapped in the cul de sac, and with the electric and heating issues that are being challenged by the storm, Eric elects to stay at Cosmin’s–and help him search out his history. The closeness and the inability to get anywhere else allows these two to comfort one another, and work together to achieve Cosmin’s goals, while connecting in a way they had never before. Eric does indeed reveal his crush, and they build an intimacy that is not just built on sexual need. Cosmin examines his life, and his father’s actions, through a new lens revealed in the collections of journals his father left behind. It’s a beautiful awakening, and prompts Cosmin to reach farther out for connection than he ever has before. Eric is there, willing to take his hand, and their few idyllic days seem to be a foundation for the future.

Once the ice melts, however, will these two find that their nights of passion were fleeting, or the beginning of something quite bigger.

This is a quiet love story with a lyrical and winding prose that very much caters to Cosmin’s intellectual personality. I enjoyed it, though the pace was slow, to my preferences. I adored both Eric and Cosmin, who are unique and complicated characters. The family dynamics are interesting as these men deal with the sea change in attitudes toward sexuality with even just less than a decade of years between them. Also, Cosmin’s assumptions about his father are a huge counterpoint to the reality he encounters reading his father’s personal journals. They create a new narrative through which he must see and judge himself, as well, learning of his true history for the first time and wishing he could have gone back and mended fences so many years ago. In his late 40’s, Cosmin is unwilling to let time pass him by, now that he’s connected with Eric. Their reunion is so sweet–and the rom-com flavor of it brought a lightness the book really needed. It’s a good one if you have patience to really dig deep into the lives and psyche of characters who need more than just the surface view.

I loved this heartwarming romance so much! The perfect read for a snowy day under a warm blanket! I will definitely be recommending this one to my friends and patrons.

I somehow ended up reading a few more holiday romances than I usually do. They tend to be a bit too similar to each other and while I'm all for holiday cheer, it can get to be too sugary sweet. So, color me completely surprised by Holidays in Blue. It is a holiday romance as the title suggests, but this story could have taken place during any part of the year. Yes, the snowstorm is what forces the proximity, but again, anything that forced the two together would've worked. What impressed me most was the depth of this one. It's about so much more than just another holiday romance. I won't go into it all to avoid spoilers, but I will say that Eve Morton has penned a story that gets you right in the feels. The characters are wonderfully flawed and I was surprised at the growth even in a relatively quick read. This one is most definitely not just another holiday romance, and it may be my first read by this author, but it won't be my last.

What a sweet holiday romance. I'm so glad more queer holiday romances are being publishes. Shows that we deserve Hallmark happy endings, too!

This is supposed to be a Christmas romance. On Goodreads, the synopsis starts with the line: “A Forced Proximity Christmas Romance”. Holidays in Blue is one of the most depressing holiday books I have ever read. A serial killer on Christmas (in a book) is more fun than Cosmin. I just hate his attitude, selfishness, and all-around attitude about life. Neither character should be in a relationship as neither of them are ready for one which is something Eric says all the time. He’s right. I love holiday romances, but this is not one that is making any list.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

For a Christmas story, this deals with more sadness that I have come to expect. Both Cosmin and Eric have tough situations, and we hear a lot about these troubles as they spend time talking and catching up.

Their memories might be hard to bear, but through their shared grief, comes a connection to go with their attraction, which makes the intimate moments so much more real and strong.

I completely engaged with this couple as they are stranded by a winter storm, right up until the overly happy epilogue and abrupt ending. That sort of pulled me out a bit, to be honest.

But I will search out more books by this author, as I loved both these main characters. Thanks to Netgalley and Carina Press for advanced copy that came out on December 7.

If 2020 is the year that keeps on taking, it’s ending with a beautiful gift, one of which is a brilliant new-to-me author. Eve Morton’s “Holidays in Blue’ is literary and elegant.” It explores how past relationships can create barriers to current love. This layered and nuanced romance was deeply contemplative, shaking cobwebs from my mind, as I smiled and wept.

At the station Christmas party, forty-four-year-old Cosmin, a successful radio talk-show host, professor and author, learns his show has been cancelled. He arranges one last hurrah – a six-hour slot on New Year’s Eve day. As the older of two orphans, whose sister and mom died several years back, he plans to honor his beloved sibling, and perhaps learn why their death also killed his relationship with his father, more recently deceased, by rummaging through his childhood home.

Bartending the party is thirty-four-year-old Eric, who once had a crush on Cosmin when they were neighbors as youths, and Cosmin was the object of his bisexual desires. Eric is also at a crossroads, with a failed marriage to a now-remarried wife whose successes remind Eric of his failures as an actor. In his view of himself, he “was the slutty type, the party type…No permanent job. No benefits.” When by chance, Eric and Cosmin are stuck in a snowstorm in their old neighborhood together, it’s an opportunity to revisit their past. But can they create a new path for the future, maybe even together?

“Holidays in Blue” is written in the third person and readers see these men at a distance, the same distance Cosmin views himself. “Cosmin never wanted to witness his pain, probably because his father had refused to do it years ago.” One way he protects himself is to intellectualize, constantly comparing his situation with Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Fortunately, Eric has been the voice for many audio books and knows how to bridge Cosmin’s moat. “‘When you talk about things you say a lot with the type of adjectives you use. But, with you, it’s not always matching up…like when people talked about being tired versus being sleepy,’” Eric tells him.

I’m blown away by this perception, as well as by the way Ms. Morton expresses incredibly complex ideas. “When you act as if you’re afraid of being hurt, all you end up doing is hurting the people who do care.” Or how about this? “By thinking he wasn’t good enough to communicate with you, he made you feel as if you weren’t worth communicating with.” Ouch, ouch, and ouch. We’ve all distanced others with these maneuvers.

With exquisite phrasing Eve Morton creates the perfect storm, blackouts and ice, which both symbolize these men’s demons and form a cocoon for both to put them to rest. And ultimately, these men find their way out of their psychological mazes. “What was the point in any of this love if it was not expressed?” True, so true. And in Ms. Morton’s love of her characters, her scenery, and through the dialog and images, she diligently chooses to convey Eric and Cosmin’s journey. I felt her care and love seep into me in “Holidays in Blue.”

This was very different. I appreciated the complexity and the change of pace, but the writing tripped over itself quite a bit and there were several lifelong challenges overcome in a pretty short period of time. They were interesting and thought-provoking and I enjoyed some of the conversations around them, but it was too many things tied up too neatly, too quickly in the end.

I really liked the way the MCs differing personalities complemented each other, so I bought into the romance in theory, but for a good chunk of the book I couldn't *feel* it. Which made sense for Cosmin, but not so much Eric, whose focus was often more on the idea of the Cosmin of his past crush than the present reality (even though they weren't that different).

If the themes appeal -- a general examination of past mistakes and how to move forward, with Cosmin's exploration relating to his now-deceased family, particularly a disconnect with his father -- and you appreciate an attempt at a higher degree of difficulty in a solid romance novel, go for it. If sticking the landing is all the matters ... it's not my favorite.

I was really interested by the premisse of this book, but when I started reading, I quickly realized the writing style wasn't working for me. I don't like to DNF purely based on writing style though, so I decided to give it another chance before deciding. Only to have a trans character be introduced in a very insensitive way (with deadnaming and misgendering). This was reason for me to stop reading.

Holidays in Blue is not your typical holiday story but that’s what makes it so wonderful. Eric and Cosmin go on a wonderful and interesting journey together. While sad and melancholy at times, it’s also hopeful and happy at others. A sweet holiday read.

Holidays in Blue is not your usual unusual holiday romance. The slow pacing kind of worked due to the range of themes covered in this fairly heavy romance. With likable, if not complex, characters, the story develops in an interesting way, though admittedly, it didn't keep me fully engaged. There were a few stops and starts with this book. However, I am pleased I reached the end as I was invested in the characters and their journeys.

The plot is not romance-heavy, which threw me a little, fully expecting this to be a romance-driven story. However, the narrative emotional and evocative and filled to the brim with themes that were explored both thoroughly and well. A lovely read.

This is a holiday story with a difference. It’s certainly not a light-hearted romance with near-perfect men meeting and falling in love. There’s so much more to the story and the characters, and it was only near the end did I appreciate the background and build-up of their relationship.

Although promoted as a forced proximity romance, our main characters, Cosmin and Eric, who were childhood neighbours, spend a relatively short time alone and together. There’s a wider aspect that makes up this story, including the backstory of where these flawed characters are in their lives and why. Each has heartbreaking, complicated, and in some respects, quite desolate backgrounds, and this makes them unique in a holiday romance. Much of the story is establishing this and following the emotional journey they make - both alone and together.

It took me a while to appreciate the importance of their respective personalities, their relationships with others and the struggles they have had. In fact, it wasn’t until around 70% in that I started to really enjoy the story and saw the relevance of the previous chapters. The romance up until then had played almost a secondary role in the unfolding of the story. There’s so much else that contributes to these guys’ personalities. So yes, I would recommend it, but be prepared for an emotional read.

I had a hard time connecting with the characters in this book which made reading it difficult at times.

I was expecting a light hearted, (comedy?) Christmas story with two male characters. The first few pages one character lost a job, was having difficulties with panic attacks, had lost a father.

I did not like the character Cosmin. I found him rude. Eric was alright.

Heavy at times, but the writing was not awful and it’s made me curious about the authors other work.

Holidays in Blue looks be to a nice romance, But this Eve Morton book is a DNF for me, as the writing is too slow to keep me intrigued. I might be able to read it another time. If so, I will update. But for now, it just isn't something holding my interest.