One Last Wish (Home for the Holidays) by Alex J. Adams



Part of Home for the Holidays, One Last Wish is an opposites attract story about a man trying to fulfill his grandfather's wish list.

From the blurb:

Blair

Heading home for the holidays was the last thing I wanted to do. I had plans. Plans that didn’t involve visiting the back of beyond.

But a call from mum two weeks before the holidays put paid to said plans. Grandpa was sick and wanted to see me. He’d been a big part of my life growing up and I wouldn’t deny him that. He’s got a list too. Not a bucket list, he didn’t like that name.

He had a wish list and wanted my help.

What I didn’t expect, though, was the annoyingly cheerful Angus with his kilt, tattoos, and piercings. He was totally not my type

Angus

William Campbell was my best friend, even at the ripe old age of eighty-seven. We’d talk, play chess and talk some more. He’d boast about his high-flying grandson, Blair and I’d listen and nod. In the twelve months, I’d looked after William, I’d never seen him. He’d visited, just not when I was around, and to be honest, I was pleased about that. He was arrogant and selfish and didn’t seem to care one jot about his grandpa.

Now he’s here and I’m trying to hate him. Hate his perfect smile, and his warm brown eyes but he’s pushing all my buttons, and not in a bad way, and when William asks me to help Blair fulfill his wish list, who am I to say no?

One Last Wish is an MM Christmas standalone featuring a grumpy architect and a carefree carer. They come together over an old man's wish list, trying to bring a little light to his life, at the same time finding that opposites really do attract.


Laora's Review:

This slightly sad but also tender and upbeat holiday read gave me so much feelings. Having lost a special person in the early hours of Christmas day, I felt all the happy and sad emotions that are part and parcel of that and the time of year coming back.

I loved how Alex was able to make this story uplifting and sweet whilst also telling a story of saying goodbye to an important person in your life. Blair, architect and grandson and Angus, carer of William, the granddad are the main characters. I liked how the story is hung up on last wishes William likes to have fulfilled. And whilst fulfilling those Blair and Agnus find they might be the one for the other, I was glad to see how far along the society, especially in the UK, has come.

 The sweetest moment in this book for me was the coffeehouse scene. 

Rating: 5 Stars


Sheena's Review:

This is Alex J Adams' first Christmas story, and this is no Hallmark tale. It's part of the Home for the Holidays series. This wouldn't be an Alex story if there wasn't an undercurrent of darkness in the story. Although, I'm not sure darkness is the right word for this story, it's more a sense of inevitability that you feel from the start. She doesn't shy away from it, and I love that. I also love that it's set in Scotland, too many authors who set books in Scotland try to write in a 'Scottish accent' and it never works. Alex has the balance just right of the odd word here and there. It's so well done.

For the most part, I liked the main characters too, Blair, William and Angus. I liked the relationship between Blair and his grandad, sad as it was. If I'm honest though, I didn't really feel the chemistry between Blair and Angus. It all happened so quickly and I'd have liked a little more interaction between them, but that's just me. There was plenty of heat there too, and they were well suited. I did like them ticking things off the list. That was a bit different.

So while it's a sad (ish) story, there is a nice Christmas theme and and a good HEA. Alex keeps honing her craft and each story shows that.

Rating: 4.5 Stars



Tatted_book_freak's Review:

Such a sweet Christmas story, and the dedication of these characters towards William was heartwarming. The blissful emotions portrayed by pure beauty, wonderfully captured by the characters words and the readers minds. Alex writes realism, causing tears of happiness to flow. 

“𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕟𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟. 𝕁𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖.”

Angus and Blair were made for each other, a missing piece of their puzzles. The care Angus so willingly gave, knowing just what Blair needed, spoke of their intense connection. And, their chemistry was fiercely euphoric, setting the pages on fire with their passionate love. Not including Angus’ hair, tattoos, and piercings 😩

𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕞𝕪 𝕙𝕠𝕞𝕖. 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕕.

An emotional story of love, loss, regrets, and grief, but handled in an appropriate manner. Alex knows just how to pull at her reader’s heartstrings with care, while also including some humor and excitement. One Last Wish left me feeling complete and at peace with tears of contentment.

Rating: 5 Stars


Heather's Review:

How do you write a review with tears in your eyes?  We know that not every Christmas is a happy one for all, especially when you have a loved one who is fading away before your eyes, yet Alex J. Adams takes on telling the story of William's final Christmas by bringing together two men who mean so much to him - his grandson, Blair, and his carer, Angus...  and they help him complete his bucket list in a beautiful and emotional story...

This book will make you laugh, cry, smile and struggle, it's a warm hug and a raging bonfire - the study in contrasts is profound and beautiful, as is the love story...

If you only read one Christmas story this year, I recommend adding One Last Wish to your list, but make sure you have tissues handy...

Rating: 5 Stars

One Last Wish is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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