Rec'd m/m reads: 'Eight Days,' 'From Out in the Cold'

Did you get some e-book gift cards for Christmas? If you're not sure what to buy and you're interested in m/m romance, you might give these a try.

Sock It to Me, Santa by Madison Parker

If I can use a food analogy, novellas could be considered appetizers. Once in a while you find a novella that is very filling, as this one is. Madison has the talent to pack so much feeling into a short story. Ryan is a deep-in-the-closet high school student. Jamie is a very-out-and-proud classmate. He knits, and girls flock around him. Ryan picks Jamie's name for the Secret Santa gift exchange (there are three), and the teacher insists that the gifts be handmade. Even with a mom who runs knitting classes, Ryan is not very good at arts and crafts, and his first attempt at making a sock monkey is just hilarious. By the third gift exchange my heart was aching. I loved the wordless interactions between the two, and their "innocent" chemistry was pretty powerful. Jamie refuses to hide, and I cringed when Ryan rebuffed him in public. I might have thought that Ryan was unlikable, but his internal struggle is so well-written that I wanted to hug him and tell him it'd be all right. Madison writes Ryan in a way that you can only feel sympathy for him. I adored Jamie -- he was a big ray of sunshine for me. Madison includes some subtle messages, and this story has humor and heart. I wanted to savor it slowly, but it was too good.

Eight Days by Cardeno C.

I'm a huge fan of Cardeno's work, and I enjoyed this special book. The different stages of the story take place over the eight days of Hanukkah, but in different years. Maccabe Fried and Josh Segal are very different but have been friends for years. Their parents are close enough friends that the families eat together a few times a month. Mac is a jock and wants to play pro baseball. Josh is an adorable nerd who dreams of being with Mac. When Mac makes it to the big leagues, they have a hidden, long-distance relationship. Though all the years apart are enough angst for a novella, I would have liked more delving into Mac spending his pro career in the closet, but it wasn't crucial to the story. Mac is truly oblivious to the effect these long separations and hiding in the closet have on Josh until Josh stops showing up for their yearly Hanukkah family dinner. I was frustrated with Mac, but I couldn't hate him. He is lost without Josh and seemed helpless to mend the rift between them. I loved that every year Mac buys Josh a snow globe whether he sees him or not. The time finally comes when Mac decides he can't live without Josh any longer and his proclamation of that at the annual Hanukkah family dinner was cheer-worthy.

Love Brokers: Mister Romance by L.C. Chase

I've loved both previous books I've read by L.C. Chase, so I knew I would enjoy this one, too. Jacob Cruz, known as "Mr. Matchmaker," runs a successful matchmaking company called His Perfect Match. Brant Hudson has his own romance-consulting business. They are both very good at what they do, except when it comes to choosing a perfect mate for themselves. They've heard of each other and when they meet at a New Year's Eve party, the chemistry is palpable. Brant falls for Jacob right away and ends the casual relationship he is in. Jacob is in a more serious relationship and while he feels the pull between him and Brant, his conscience won't allow him to act on his feelings just yet. Brant feels that hanging out as friends is better than nothing. They get along so well, with plenty of humor and simpatico between them. There are plenty of comedic mishaps and bad timing during their friendly encounters. The day comes when Brant can't hide his feelings any longer and Jacob needs to step away for some distance. The time apart turns into years, but they never forget their bond. Fate finally synchronizes their lives and this time it works for them. While there isn't a whole lot of sex, L.C. is talented at writing sexual tension, and the conclusion is well worth waiting for.

From Out In the Cold by L.A. Witt

Neil Dalton and Jeremy Kelley are both suffering from PTSD, Neil from the untimely death of his partner and Jeremy from his stints in Afghanistan. Since L.A. is the master of angst, this isn't enough. Neil and Jeremy have been friends forever and have already tried the sex thing. The first time they were too young and the second time they were too drunk. When Jeremy's family rejects him upon his return from the Middle East (a vengeful ex outed him), he can think of only one place he's assured of a welcome, even though he's not sure Neil is still in the same place. After years apart, neither one wants to risk their friendship, especially at a time when they are so psychologically and emotionally challenged. Neil and Jeremy travel to Neil's parents' place for Christmas. During this road trip and subsequent stay with family, with figurative bumps along the way, Neil and Jeremy find peace with themselves and each other. L.A. can create sexual tension as well as she does angst.

Mary Grzesik is a book lover and beta reader.