Leland’s Final Gift by Thianna Durston is a short but sweet holiday romance with a ghostly twist. I received one copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest reviews but all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
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Leland’s Final Gift by Thianna Durston
Purchase Links: Amazon
Title: Leland’s Final Gift
Series: N/A
Author: Thianna Durston
Publisher: NQWYE Press (October 20, 2015)
ASIN: B014WWE3HM
Genre: M/M,
Length/Format: 3309 KB/40 pages
Heat Rating: 2
Star Rating: 3 1/2
About the Author: Learn more about Thianna Durston by following along on Facebook or Twitter.
Book Blurb:
Kinder Thane lost his life partner three years ago and ever since, has folded into himself. He doesn’t speak to friends and only sees his family once a year. Every year on the anniversary of Leland’s death, he spends his time with the ghost of his dead boyfriend.
When Jessie Riley moves in across the hall, it sends his entire existence into a flurry. Suddenly there’s life out there, happiness, the joy of the holidays, and it’s so shocking he almost doesn’t know what to do with it. It gets to be too much but before he can pull back inside and go back to the way he was, Leland has a final gift for him, one that changes everything.
My Review:
In Leland’s Final Gift by Thianna Durston, Christmas used to be Kinder’s favorite holiday until his life partner was killed in an accident on Christmas Eve. Now, he has become a shell of a man, avoiding friends and family for the last three years. He spends his Christmas Eve with the ghost of his dead partner and has no interest in moving on.
Leland (or, shall we say…Leland’s GHOST) really needs Kinder to stop grieving and start enjoying life again. His ghostly interference presents Kinder with a very cute neighbor all but falling into his lap. Jessie (the cute neighbor) ends up needing a trip to the hospital and Kinder feels a deep need to make this Christmas special for Jessie. Slowly, Kinder starts to come out of his shell and realize that he can’t say no to the gift Leland has presented him with.
A few thoughts on Leland’s Final Gift by Thianna Durston:
This is an incredibly short novella. I would say more along the lines of a short story than an actual novella. It is incredibly well written and very touching, however it moves quickly and it is hard to really get attached to the characters given the short length.
Leland’s ghost is only present in the very beginning of the book. I know some people aren’t all that into the paranormal, ghostly characters but I actually found myself wanting to see more of him. I would have liked the story to be a little bit longer and require a bit more interference from Leland to get Kinder and Jessie together.
My heart was sad for Kinder, having lost his partner on his favorite holiday. You really could feel the pain he was in at the mere thought of celebrating the day.
Jessie was well written and their interactions were realistic and believable.
This was a short but sweet holiday story with a ghostly twist and an inspiring message of love after loss. I would have liked it quite a bit longer but it was a very good story!
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