When fate gives you a second chance for love during the holidays, you put your past aside and play CHRISTMAS FOR KEEPS.

Ready for a holiday romance that not only gives you holiday cheer but real life emotions? This is the story for you.

From the blurb:

I was supposed to be on a winter vacation with my best friend in the delightfully snowy town of Stowe, Vermont.

I was supposed to be sipping hot chocolate, staying up late, and sharing secrets.

I was supposed to be making a fool of myself on the bunny slope and sneaking glances at hot guys.

I was not supposed to be sitting in the SUV I’d just rear-ended.

I was not supposed to lose my hotel reservations because said rear-ending made me miss check-in.

And I most definitely should not be sharing the cabin of the hottest man I’d ever touched.

Oh, did I mention the SUV and cabin belong To. My. Ex?

Can you call someone an ex if you never actually broke up?

God, he looks good. The last four years have definitely been kind to him. So, would it be so bad if we shared a kiss—only one—for old times' sake?

But… What if we could make it work? What if how easy it has been to slip back into an “us” means there’s still hope?

What if this vacation isn’t just a getaway but a journey back home—for keeps this time?

Christmas for Keeps is a heartwarming gay holiday romance between a second-grade teacher who seems to make a habit out of needing to be rescued and a charming ex frat bro who’s always up for being a knight in shining armor. It also features forced proximity, second chances, a picturesque town with the friendliest residents (minus one pesky and persistent neighbor), so much heat there’s no need to light the fireplace, and a HEA eight years in the making.

CHRISTMAS FOR KEEPS

by Ryan Taylor & Joshua Harwood

Release Blitz

Release Date: November 1, 2023

Cover Design: Kate Farlow @ Y'all That Graphic

Genre: M/M Holiday Romance Novella Standalone
Trope: Second chance, forced proximity, small town, HEA

Molly Otto's Review:

When we first fell for Zach and Connor in Swimming Against the Tide, you knew they had something special. Then life got in the way, and two boys were not quite ready for the big life decisions, and they did what so many of us have: they let their own insecurities hinder them from happiness.

Fate decided to give these two a second shot at happiness when they literally crashed into each other on a trip in Vermont. They learn you must communicate to make life work, you can not let your past dictate your future, and sometimes fate gives you a second chance for the holidays.

Another great holiday read from this married writing duo, where it feels more real.

Rating: 5 Stars

Angel's Review:

Christmas For Keeps is about Conner and Zach crashing into each other, (literally) after not seeing one another since they stopped talking. Both men made mistakes back then, and as much as they would like to fix it they just don't know how.

Conner is on his way to the ski resort he booked for the week when he ends up hitting the car in front of him, the driver turns out to be his lost love Zach. Aka, his ex.

What he thought would be an awkward and tension filled car ride actually turned out to be what both men really needed.

I thought this book started off really well. There was a lot of snark which I could appreciate, and I liked the concept of past lovers rekindling their flame. I thought the background was really great and well written. I will say that this definitely seemed to be more focused on the steamy moments between the two men, as opposed to having romantic moments. Which isn't a bad thing. I just wish there was more than steam.

I did appreciate how they didn't jump into bed right away. They took the time to talk to each other first about what had happened to them that caused them to stop communicating with each other. I liked that they took the time to talk, as it was important to talk about what happened.

Overall, I thought this was a good way to do a snowed in trope, and the way that these two were able to rekindle what they had lost was done really well.

Rating: 4 Stars

Heather's Review:

Who doesn't love a second chance holiday romance? Especially one where there's a ton of unfinished business and hurt/healing that needs to happen?

I truly enjoyed getting to know these two men and appreciated the forced proximity, the snowed-in setting and the chance for Connor to get to know some of the various members of Zach's community. I did find some of the angst a little repetitive and would have liked to delve a bit more into Connor's depression and recovery from grief, but it was a lovely read and a great way to have a HEA for the holidays!

Rating: 4 Stars

Christmas for Keeps is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.