Rating: 4 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novella

There’s falling for a handsome stranger … and then there’s falling off a barstool in front of a handsome stranger. And yet, somehow, they’re both the same for Jonah. The handsome stranger, the blonde-haired and blue-eyed man of his dreams is, of course, named Christian. For Jonah, it’s almost like a sign. He’s been struggling with his Jewish faith, his Jewish identity, the idea of being gay, and hiding his true self from his parents. With all of that, the idea of letting Christian be his first has a sort of an illicit appeal.

Then, one chance meeting ruins it all. Christian and his friends are mocking a Jewish man in the small grocery store, grabbing his yarmaluke, calling him slurs, and mocking his faith. Jonah’s own faith. He’s too afraid to do anything more than apologize to his fellow student once Christian and his friends are gone. The man, whose name is Aaron, walks home with Jonah in the dark, cold night, and invites him up to celebrate Hanukkah with him. Because Aaron, too, is lonely. And Jewish, and gay.

As Aaron says, “We’re celebrating the Festival of Lights. This is not the time to hide in the dark — or in the closet.” Not that he’s asking Jonah to come out; he just wants Jonah to know he isn’t alone. There’s attraction between them, yes, but also a friendship based on shared experiences, both of a shared religion and an interest in English studies. But, for Jonah, Aaron’s religion is a sticking point. He’s not certain where he is with his faith, and expects Aaron to bring it up, to try to convert him or bring him back to the fold. But Aaron doesn’t, because Aaron’s faith isn’t what Jonah needs. Jonah needs to find his own path to God and, if Aaron is fortunate, Jonah will let him walk beside him on that path.

This is a wholesome, feel-good book about two people finding each other. It’s about the small moments that end up leading to something more, and how being there for someone, be it as a friend or lover, can help them more than all the grand gestures in the world. This is a lovely little holiday story.