Miracle in the Library #1
Original Review March 2019:
I featured Miracle in the Library as part of my series of Random Tales of Christmas 2018 but was unable to read it before the holiday, how it missed my After Holiday Christmas Reads list is beyond me . . . too many Christmas cookies I guess😉😉. But as I often say, there is never a wrong time to read stories of the holidays so I may be a few months late according to the calendar but finally I jumped in.
Now, its no secret that I rarely read Young Adult, not that it is a bad genre I just probably could count on two hands the number of YA stories I've read since I was 16, I'll be 46 in October so that's 1 every 3 years on average. You can imagine that when I read one it sticks with me and Miracle is no different.
Miracle in the Library is a sweet and insightful holiday read that will entertain no matter when you pick it up. Heart, friendship, discovery, and with just a touch of holiday magic makes this short novella a must.
Lessons in Love #2
Original Review March 2019:
Not a lot I can say about Lessons in Love that I didn't say in Miracle in the Library where we first met Mitch and Cian. Mitch is now an adult and visiting his boyfriend at college in Dublin for the first time. Now there is definitely more heat in Lessons than Miracle now that Mitch is of age and even though to them Cian is older, they really aren't that far apart.
The "age gap" brings me to what I think I loved most about this St. Patrick's Day gem: despite being older and a college man, Cian isn't that experienced in the ways of physical love. Helena Stone lets us see into the mind of Cian and all the insecurities he's having from hand holding to sleeping in the same bed to sex. This element really showcased how both parties are still discovering all that relationships and life entail. For me that point changed this story from a lovely read to an absolute must.
So, Lessons in Love may not have the "sweetness" factor that Miracle in the Library did since Mitch is of age but its no less full of heart. When I enjoy a couple as much as Mitch and Cian this is where I normally hint to the author that it would be lovely to see the boys pop up in a holiday novella but since their journey started in a Christmas story perhaps we'll get to see them enjoying all the freakiness and creepiness of Halloween😉😉.
Pride of Place #3
Original Review July 2019:
There is still so much to love about this pair. Mitch and Cian are still in the honeymoon phase of their growing relationship and that newness is beautifully depicted in Pride of Place. Not only do we get to see their love grow even more but we get to see them experience Dublin's Pride festival as well.
Don't get me wrong there is some drama thanks to mom but also an unforeseen hiccup, however it's not heavy on the angst. Pride of Place is a lovely romantic look at the next leg of Mitch and Cian's journey that will warm your heart. Is the solution to their housing issue a bit convenient? Perhaps, but their love story is a novella series so the timing may seem not quite realistic but it is by no means rushed either. Let's face it, sometimes things in life do fall into place at just the right time in just the right way so the boys' unexpected good tidings really isn't impossible or hard to accept. Add to that the title telling of their first meeting was A Miracle in the Library, perhaps the solution that's "dropped in their laps" now is simply serendipitous.
Helena Stone definitely has another winner with Pride of Place that is worth the time to read and if you haven't already explored the beginnings of Mitch and Cian's journey in A Miracle in the Library and Lessons in Love, I highly recommend giving them a read first. Trust me, you won't be sorry, Mitch and Cian are a pair of lovely lads finding love and navigating life that will make you smile. I for one, hope we haven't heard the last of this young duo.
Ukuleles & Scrums #4
Original Review December 2019:
I read Ukuleles & Scrums one afternoon two days before Christmas but unfortunately didn't get around to writing a review until now. I'm just going to start out by saying that once again Helena Stone has captured Mitch and Cian's growing relationship perfectly. I should point out that I know nothing about ukulele music and even less about rugby. The idea of putting these two hobbies/pasttimes/activities together with Mitch and Cian to be completely and utterly delicious.
The semi-unigueness of their activities is a great blend with the elements of misunderstanding and miscommunication to create a relatively low angsty story. I don't want to give anything away but Ukuleles and Scrums is a beautiful read that will make you laugh, cry, smile, and just plain feel good about life, course there a few moments I want to whack Mitch and Cian's heads together but it wouldn't be any fun if we the reader didn't want to knock sense into our heroes at least once😉😉. There is a great blend of relationship realism and romantic entertainment to make this a definite one for the win-win shelf.
The Rest of Our Lives #5
Original Review December 2019:
What better day than New Year's Eve to read the concluding entry in the Mitch and Cian series? It's sad to see the story end but riding along on the journey of their first year together has been romantic, humorous, realistic, and simply put: entertaining and a pure delight.
I don't really think there is much I can say about The Rest of our Lives that I haven't said in the previous entries other than don't miss out and don't let the novella size fool you because Mitch and Cian's love story is perfect just as it is and jam packed to the rafters with high quality storytelling.
There's just something magical about this one(the whole series really) not just because it's the holidays or because it's their one year anniversary but because of . . . well you'll have to read to decide for yourself, trust me you wont' regret it😉. Another holiday romance gem to enjoy for years to come.
BTW: Mitch's mom being a Star Wars fan is such a lovely treat. As a lifelong devoted SW nerd it always adds a special flare when a character(be it main, secondary, or cameo doesn't really matter) is too and when that character is a woman, that's an even bigger dessert special because too often it's the male character that is the fan so for that element, Thank You, Helena Stone💙
New Stories
Intermezzo #1: Eighteen
As the title suggests, this is a look at Mitch's 18th birthday and his celebrating with two of the most important people in his life: his mother and Cian. A very delightfully fun look at a moment not previously explored. I won't give anything away but it was pure fun to see the three of them together.
Intermezzo #2: Exam Fever
There's only so much preparing one can do for tests before it becomes a brain overload and Mitch's mom understands that. Moms know best but boyfriends have their own way of relaxing one's mind and Cian provides that in this little short. "Sweet heat" is all I'm going to say for this treat between the couple.
Intermezzo #3: House Proud
Showing family to their new living space could be tricky but luckily for Mitch and Cian, they have amazing families. Another short but lovely glimpse into the next stage of their journey.
Intermezzo #4: After Dark
Once again a sweet heat look at life when the powers out, perhaps a little more heat than sweet this time around but still complete fun.
Intermezzo #5: Twenty-One
In this final new short, it's Cian's turn for a birthday surprise. Family makes it all complete. So much fun with so few pages.
As for the whole of the new shorts? Helena Stone has "filled in" gaps that we really hadn't notice were missing. Being able to see Mitch and Cian in these moments of "down time" is like finding a 5 layer cake inside an already huge 5 layer trifle. Heart, family, heat, friends, love, just as with the original novellas, these snippets in time are fun and entertaining that bring the men's journey full circle.
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