As I said in my response to Dances Long Forgotten, the first book of Moone’s Winsford Green series, I sought it out because I received this review request from Gay Romance Reviews and it intrigued me enough to want to give the series a go.*
I liked the series enough to request this book halfway through the first. And while I don’t regret it, I think the first book was the strongest (I LOVED the flashback and hoped for it again), this and People Like Us were a distant second, and The Schoolmaster’s Spy further behind them.
The primary reason this one didn’t edge ahead of the first book or the other two is that Moone put it a little too far out there in “could it really have happened world.” And that’s saying something because I thoroughly enjoyed that part of the story and wished it could’ve been true during this period. Thankfully, she didn’t take it so far as to add a mystery/thriller/spy novel element to it, but it was just a little too perfectly wonderful to be believable and that took me out of the story a bit.
He had a horrible feeling he was in love. Proper love, not a crush that passed after the first bedding. Proper, forever and ever kind of love because he couldn’t imagine being without Jo. How was that possible? The thought terrified him, not least because he wasn’t sure how Jo felt about him. He didn’t think coming to him in the way he had was something he’d done lightly, but it sounded as though he’d been through a lot and maybe he was just finding his feet. (104)
What I’m referring to is the creation of a queer community/family/collective. Now, this happened somewhat in Winsford Green in a broader sense, but in this book Moone took it to the next level with two couples (one presumed MM and FF), a trans/genderqueer character and a single gay man, Alfie—the first protagonist, all living and working together sharing the income of two people in a house that’s been abandoned by the owner who pays them a pittance for upkeep.
The owner dies and we’re introduced to the second protagonist, Jo, and his arrival causes the little queer collective to freak out a bit. They don’t know him from anyone and are so afraid of what will happen to them if he brings a family and kids and decides to ruin the utopia they’ve created. He doesn’t bring a family or kids, but he does bring PTSD from the Napoleonic wars.
‘I want him to learn to care about people, to be tolerant and loving, and to have respect for people who don’t quite fit into society’s mould. I can teach him all he needs to know about being a gentleman, about horses, schooling, etiquette, what spoon to use . . . all of that. But I need you and our . . . family to teach him about love and belonging. So, when he grows up, he can choose his own path.’ Jo’s eyes filled. ‘But by God, he’ll know that there is more than one path and he’ll know that he is loved no matter what.’ (156)
He and Alfie fall madly in love and they slowly add Jo to the collective after things have to be revealed to him slowly. The crisis of the novel was actually really well written and I sort of knew it was coming, but it didn’t stop me from being PISSED AF at Jo’s response and turning 100% to team Alfie. It’s resolved and the collective has figured out how to live out the rest of their days near Winsford Green for the HEA all the characters deserve.
Recommendation: The series is definitely worth the read. And while this one isn’t the strongest, it probably had the most feels. Alfie and Jo were great protagonists, and Alfie’s taking care of Jo was swoon-worthy, even if I wanted to slap Jo multiple times because he was being such a fool. I might check out Moone’s MC Securities series in the near future as I want to see if she does a decent contemporary romance.
*I received a copy of A Christmas Miracle via Gay Romance Reviews in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.
Opening Line: “It was the distinct lack of deference in the servant standing before him that alerted Mr. Jolyon Mortimer Devereaux that all might not be well in his newly discovered ancestral home, Darley Hall.”
Closing Line: “Alfie Hope, you are my Christmas miracle.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)
Additional Quotes from A Christmas Miracle
“He pulled out a couple of books on the history of the local area that might be interesting. If he remembered rightly, the house bordered the land belonging to the Winsford estate. He vaguely recalled the youngest brother of the Marquis, Hugh or Hugo, something like that. Decent chap.” (18)
“‘I presume that you are aware that the stable boy is a girl?’
Now Alfie really did feel sick. He opened his mouth and shut it a couple of times before gesturing with his hand.
‘Well, yes and no.’
Devereaux waited, those dark eyes completely inscrutable. Alfie blinked at the ceiling for a moment, sent up a quick prayer, then sighed. ‘When he was born, people might have looked at Robbie and thought that he was a girl. He had all the right equipment for a girl, but as he grew, well, it was clear someone had it wrong.’
Devereaux’s attention sharpened, and he waited for him to continue.
‘And . . . well, see, he . . . he’s a boy. That’s all there is to it, really. He’s a boy. Sometimes people look at him and think they see a girl, but they’d be wrong.” He shrugged. ‘He’s a boy and the best stable hand I’ve ever worked with.’
Devereaux looked frozen. ‘So, all of you look at Robert, excuse me, Robbie, and see a boy? Or rather, a young man?’ Alfie sucked in a breath and held it.
‘We do.’ (46)