Scan barcode
endemictoearth's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
4.0
Another high-concept Hanukkah romance. Our couple breaks up in the first chapter, Seth goes off to his aunt and uncle’s B&B on their planned holiday alone and ends up having to run the inn bc his relatives have disappeared. Lars comes to beg forgiveness (sort of) and they end up thrown together as Seth can’t cook and Lars offers to man the kitchens. It’s kind of ridiculous, but very endearing.
leelee68's review
5.0
I have to say this book surprised me, I didn't really know what to expect. I really enjoyed the story, it was really a sweet one and I enjoyed Lars and Seth and also the cast of characters they had me smiling and chuckling. It was really interesting to me what happens on the Hanukah Holiday.
book_loser's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
witandsin's review
5.0
Recommended Read
Originally posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/RRs/Feb10RR/carolofthebellskis.AA.html
Paralegal Seth Bellski is tired of being his boss’s secret boyfriend. He may love Lars Varga, and his love may be returned, but Lars’s fears over what the other attorneys at his firm will think of him keeps him deep in the closet and it’s tearing him and Seth apart. When Lars calls off their plans to visit Seth’s aunt and uncle’s kosher B&B for Hanukkah, it’s the last straw for Seth. He breaks things off with Lars and drives up to Canada on his own. What he doesn’t expect is the madness that awaits him. His aunt and uncle are missing and he has a B&B full of guests to deal with. It’s one disaster after another, and to make matters worse, Lars shows up, practically begging Seth to take him back. Lars will do just about anything to gain Seth’s forgiveness, including help run the B&B. Seth has never doubted his love for Lars, but even if the pair makes it through Hanukkah in one piece, will they be able to figure out a way to make their relationship work? Or will Lars’s reluctance to come out spell disaster for their rekindled romance?
Astrid Amara masterfully blends tenderness, forgiveness, humor, and chaos in this fantastic Hanukkah romance. What’s different about Carol of the Bellskis is that Seth and Lars have no problem recognizing their feelings for one another. The true obstacle in their relationship is Lars’s willingness to let the rest of the world know he and Seth are a couple. It’s understandable why love just isn’t enough for Seth and I respected him for knowing that he deserves to be more than a secret. However, though he’s made mistakes, Lars is a truly wonderful hero. He’s sweet, generous, brilliant, and devastatingly sexy. It’s a hard combination to resist. I could not stop reading Carol of the Bellskis because I wanted to see him take that extra step, to be able to confront his fears for the sake of living the life he could have with Seth.
Lars and Seth’s adventures running the B&B add a dash of energetic mayhem to Carol of the Bellskis, which was fun in and of itself. I had to respect both heroes for their patience in dealing with each new thing that was thrown their way. Overall I’d have to say I absolutely loved Carol of the Bellskis. It has everything I want in a tale I can escape with for a few hours: love, passion, endearing heroes, and an utterly perfect happily ever after. Joyfully Recommended!
Originally posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/RRs/Feb10RR/carolofthebellskis.AA.html
Paralegal Seth Bellski is tired of being his boss’s secret boyfriend. He may love Lars Varga, and his love may be returned, but Lars’s fears over what the other attorneys at his firm will think of him keeps him deep in the closet and it’s tearing him and Seth apart. When Lars calls off their plans to visit Seth’s aunt and uncle’s kosher B&B for Hanukkah, it’s the last straw for Seth. He breaks things off with Lars and drives up to Canada on his own. What he doesn’t expect is the madness that awaits him. His aunt and uncle are missing and he has a B&B full of guests to deal with. It’s one disaster after another, and to make matters worse, Lars shows up, practically begging Seth to take him back. Lars will do just about anything to gain Seth’s forgiveness, including help run the B&B. Seth has never doubted his love for Lars, but even if the pair makes it through Hanukkah in one piece, will they be able to figure out a way to make their relationship work? Or will Lars’s reluctance to come out spell disaster for their rekindled romance?
Astrid Amara masterfully blends tenderness, forgiveness, humor, and chaos in this fantastic Hanukkah romance. What’s different about Carol of the Bellskis is that Seth and Lars have no problem recognizing their feelings for one another. The true obstacle in their relationship is Lars’s willingness to let the rest of the world know he and Seth are a couple. It’s understandable why love just isn’t enough for Seth and I respected him for knowing that he deserves to be more than a secret. However, though he’s made mistakes, Lars is a truly wonderful hero. He’s sweet, generous, brilliant, and devastatingly sexy. It’s a hard combination to resist. I could not stop reading Carol of the Bellskis because I wanted to see him take that extra step, to be able to confront his fears for the sake of living the life he could have with Seth.
Lars and Seth’s adventures running the B&B add a dash of energetic mayhem to Carol of the Bellskis, which was fun in and of itself. I had to respect both heroes for their patience in dealing with each new thing that was thrown their way. Overall I’d have to say I absolutely loved Carol of the Bellskis. It has everything I want in a tale I can escape with for a few hours: love, passion, endearing heroes, and an utterly perfect happily ever after. Joyfully Recommended!
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This comes before "Miracle of the Bellskis" and they are probably a bit better read in order, but it's not essential. This story introduces us to Lars and Seth, one year into their relationship on the down low. Seth is tired of being the dirty secret for his lawyer boss and gives Lars an ultimatum. When Lars can't come through, Seth heads off for his aunt's B&B to spend a solitary holiday. Except that his aunt and uncle are nowhere to be found, a bunch of guests are on the doorstep, and keeping the B&B running and the guests safe falls to Seth. The last thing he thinks he needs is Lars coming after him. Although Lars can cook...
This book has well-portrayed MC's, some realistic relationship troubles, some sweet and hot moments, a few slightly OTT supporting characters but not so far out that you can't enjoy them. A primarily sweet with a touch of angst holiday story.
This book has well-portrayed MC's, some realistic relationship troubles, some sweet and hot moments, a few slightly OTT supporting characters but not so far out that you can't enjoy them. A primarily sweet with a touch of angst holiday story.
nightcolors's review
4.0
1st read: March 8 - 9, 2010.
2nd read: December 5, 2012. Read for m/m team bingo special holiday challenge
2nd read: December 5, 2012. Read for m/m team bingo special holiday challenge
lillian_francis's review
4.0
A book that starts with a break-up? How depressing... Well, not really, no. Once Lars turned up frozen on the doorstep, and with no sign of another lover interest, I knew who to root for I don't re-read the blurb before I open the book, so the content is almost always a surprise). And root for Lars to win Seth back, I did. The more I got to know him, the more I wanted him to break down Seth's resistence.
Only grumble, the reason for them being thrown together to run the B & B felt contrived. I guessed it early on, and hence never felt Seth's sense of worry. Also, in the circumstances, the chances of the Aunt or Uncle not getting in touch at some point during the week (at the very least with their own child in a "hey have you seen your Dad" type conversation) seems unlikely.
Kicking myself for not buying the sequel at the same time now!
Only grumble, the reason for them being thrown together to run the B & B felt contrived. I guessed it early on, and hence never felt Seth's sense of worry. Also, in the circumstances, the chances of the Aunt or Uncle not getting in touch at some point during the week (at the very least with their own child in a "hey have you seen your Dad" type conversation) seems unlikely.
Kicking myself for not buying the sequel at the same time now!
calila's review
5.0
Great story. I loved the conflict, it was real and messy. I appreciate that Lars wasn't made out to be some villain (I mean not seriously). He just was struggling. Seth was great, even in his hurt he still stepped up for his aunt and uncle. Speaking of the aunt and uncle, they are kind of horribly selfish people. DO MORE THAN LEAVE A NOTE IN A PRECARIOUS PLACE. Sheesh.
More...