So This is Christmas: The Adrien English Mysteries Book 6

“So This is Christmas” is the charming novella that fans of the Adrien English mystery series have been wanting to read for a very long time. It’s sort of a standalone story, but really, it isn’t. The mystery has a fine missing person plot, and it works by itself, but the point of the novella is Adrien and Jake. If you aren’t five books – and ideally, several character interviews and a few Christmas codas – into their emotional arc, you will miss half of the joy of watching them grasp the happy ending that neither expected to have.The last major entry in this story was the fifth book of the Adrien English mystery series, “The Dark Tide.” When we left the couple, major changes had occurred. Jake was out to the world, was divorcing his wife, and had started a business as a private investigator; Adrien had survived heart surgery, adopted a cat, and accepted Jake back into his life. The novella, however, does not pick up from there – rather, we join them around six months later, after a Christmas trip to London with Adrien’s family.As they settle back into their rhythms at home, we see that life is good, but not perfect. They love each other deeply, but they occasionally overstep the other’s lines. Their vulnerabilities are exposed, and it leaves them open to defensive error. Still, watching them navigate around each other’s soft spots and handle their own weaknesses is a satisfying contrast to the secrecy, lies, and pain that defined their relationship in the past.Ultimately, I think the focus on their commitment as a couple, and their efforts to make the relationship thrive, explain why the timing – immediately after Christmas – worked for me. This holiday isn’t just a time for family, food, gifts, and good cheer; it can also be a time for cementing bonds. The memories you make during this time are more sharply engraved, love is closer to the surface, and joy can be accessed on easier terms. More than that, though, the week between Christmas and the New Year slows down time and makes the world go a little bit quiet. This is the kind of a space where determined intimacy can thrive. And even though the sex was hot, the heartbeats of this story are the quiet moments where Adrien and Jake are not just together, but are self-consciously focused on building a life.I really enjoyed it, but again, I’m a long-time fan of the series and the characters. A newcomer could read it and understand everything that happens, but the emotional satisfaction won’t be the same until you’ve fought with Jake and Adrien all the way to this point. They earned this gentle treatment, and I’m already sad they’re gone.

*I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book*OMG!! I LOVED IT! HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ANY FAN OF JOSH LANYON!!!Adrien is back from his trip in London with Jake earlier than expected (there is scene about this at the authors blog, you will have to search it since it was in the Xmas time of the year before). Adrien comes to his shop and has to deal with the drama of his employees and then bumps into an old acquaintance asking for his help in solving a dilemma he has of his missing boyfriend. Adrien plans to ask Jake but things turn drastic when Jake reveals his case is about finding the same person but that he is working for the homophobic family of the missing person. Adrien now plays mediator when conflicts arise on this case. Furthermore, Adrien is trying to stay positive with Jake finalizing things with his ex as well as supporting Jake emotionally while they wait to see if Jake's family will come around. There is also a challenge of Jake believing he is not worthy of his life with Adrien because of all the bad mistakes and pain he has caused everyone especially Adrien. However, they work through that challenge and work together to solve the case, which I am happy how it came out to be. I was worried at 1st that it will be something tragic like all the other mysteries but was glad it was more hopeful. Furthermore, I loved the scenes after the case was closed because it shows how far Jake and Adrien have come and how far they are going! THE ENDING WAS AMAZING!! I will read their cameo in H&M book 3 in a whole new light.Any questions you had at the end of book 5, is answered here and things you were hoping for, I believe, were fulfilled, at least thats what happened with me. And I could not ask for more except maybe see more cameos of them in book 4 and 5 of the H&M series.*I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book*

I just topped off a great holiday with a visit from two old friends—Adrien and Jake! I love these guys. Anyone who is familiar with the Adrien English Mysteries series by Josh Lanyon will understand.So This Is Christmas picks up shortly where book 5 of the series (The Dark Tide) ends. It’s not necessary to read the previous books in the series before you read the Christmas novella, but I think you’ll want to read the complete series once you delve into Adrien and Jake’s world. I’ve laughed and cried my way through their first meeting to Jake’s declaration of love. (The Dark Tide @ 93% on my e-reader. Yes, Jake had to work through some issues.)Even though this is a novella, there is still a mystery to be solved and a few loose ends to be tied up (i.e., the sale of Jake’s house he shared with his ex-wife and facing Jake’s family who have yet to come to terms with his homosexuality). Adrien is approached by an old acquaintance who is frantic over the disappearance of his boyfriend. By the time Adrien can talk to Jake about the missing Ivor, Jake is hired by Ivor’s parents to find their son. I should clarify that Jake is an ex-cop turned private eye. Adrien is the owner of the Cloak and Dagger Books in Pasadena, California, who has a knack for finding dead bodies and getting involved in Jake’s cases. Oh, and mixed into the story is the little problem of Adrien finding his step-sister Natalie in a compromising position with shop clerk Angus. I didn’t see that one coming! For all of you who have followed Adrien and Jake through the years as I have, there is a special surprise at the end that you’re going to love. If this is your first Adrien English book, I hope you read the others. Be warned, however, they’re addicting. I read this novella in one evening but then went back and re-read parts of the others. I just couldn’t say goodbye.I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

It was so worth the wait for this, and in a way I'm glad it didn't come any sooner. The ending of The Dark Tide was so intense, so nearly tragic, that any immediate follow-up would have been almost anticlimactic (though the two or three little snippets we've had have been reassuring!). But now it is here it is everything I could have wished for.It seems so natural to slip back into Adrien and Jake's world - the shop, the familiar characters, the allusions to past events - but with the added comfort of observing how worth the wait their relationship has proved to be for them too. Difficult emotions are not glossed over, but the overall feeling is of love and hope. The case involving Kevin from A Dangerous Thing blends in nicely, and there's even talk of seeing Pine Shadows Ranch again, one of my favourite locations.The first five books ended, for me, with a satisfying resolution, but now Josh has opened up a way forward, and I shall be happy with as many more glimpses into Adrien's world as she will grant us.

3.5 stars. How fabulous to have Adrien (with an "e") and Jake back for a Yuletide special. All the elements of the original series, the humour, the mystery, the brooding....but.....in my humble opinion, a less than spectacular plot....quite disappointing frankly....a bit of a cop out.The writing as ever was great (one or two edits required with those adverbs, some too close to one another, but hey....what the hell, didn't put me off, this is a short, a novella no less....no padding.I really liked it.

Well, this was a lovely Christmas present for fans of Adrien English. Adrien is as sharp as ever, and Jake... Much as I have often wanted to give him a clout around the earhole, I always felt this was the Jake hidden beneath the surface. Lots of cameos in this - Guy was hilarious; Lisa was Lisa (pulling a runner? Hmm). Natalie...bless her.Can't say much more without spoiling the story. There's a mystery, of course, and there's the book shop, a road trip, and lots of Adrien and Jake just being a couple. It's wonderful.

Awwww yessssss this was lovely. Adrian and Jake have just come back from their trip to England and, have to deal with chaos in Adrien's shop thanks to the staff, and a mystery involving Kevin, from an earlier story. Jake helps, the mystery is solved, the chaos in the store calms down a bit. It makes me happy to see how much Adrian and Jake's relationship has progressed - they care for each other so much, even when they're disagreeing about something. Anyway, it's all satisfying and had a lovely happy ending and I felt all warm and fuzzy.

It was so worth the wait for this book. Getting back into the Adrien/Jake story line and the familiar places, like the shop were great.It was good to see some of the older characters back in the story and I really enjoyed it a lot. I'm looking forward to another instalment, hopefully there will be one.