review 1: eight daysThis is a short little holiday story about two boys who grew up as friends, then fell in love, then separated because of ignorance and re-united when the dolt finally figured things out.Maccabe is the nerd and Josh is the jock. Both families are close and they spend a lot of time together. When friendship turns to sex, it seems like everything is great, but Maccabe wants to come out and Josh doesn’t. Why? A) he doesn’t think he’s gay and B) he wants to be a pro-Baseball playerSo, in a huff, Maccabe comes out is renounced by the family and lives separated from everyone for 7 years. Meanwhile Josh does become a pro player and is confused as to why Maccabe won’t return his calls or emails.Finally, over the holiday season, Josh confronts the families an... mored finds out Maccabe has been ostracized for being gay, and goes to fetch Maccabe.Maccabe hasn’t gotten over Josh, though he’s tried, and Josh hasn’t really even tried to get over Maccabe. So when they re-unite and muck through the confusion, they easily fall back into each others arms for a very HEA.**Because this is a short story a lot has to be forgiven: The seven years with no contact. The quick reunion and the quick acceptance of explanations. The poor boyfriend left behind in San Francisco.It’s a lovely holiday story with a bit of hot smexy times and some very sweet Cardeno lovin’.Jeff Gelder, who has done a lot of Cardeno’s stories does a nice job with the narration and if you are a Cardeno fan, or in the mood for a very light-hearted easy holiday read/listen, you’ll want to pick up this delightful treat.I loved it and highly recommend both the book and the audiobook.Overall Impression: 4.5 stars – I loved it!in another life(sort of contains spoilers)This is a short story about a boy who tries to commit suicide and is “shown” that his life could have an alternate ending if he chooses it. A take on a familiar Christmas classic, but a gay, Jewish, more morbid variation. In one path, he survives and later in life (36) he meets Travis at a school event. Travis and Shiloh fall in love but then Travis gets diagnosed with terminal lung cancer only two weeks into their relationship.On another path, Shiloh is 18 again, recovering in the hospital from his wounds, and Travis is an EMT/Doctor in Training who rescued Shiloh. In this version Shiloh has the memories from when he “met” Travis at 36 and he convinces Travis that the two are soul mates who already “know” each other.This is an unusual story and though it’s short, tells a lot. There are a lot of plot inconsistencies without explanations, but overall it’s a very sweet holiday story that, like all of Cardeno’s works, is delightfully ooey, gooey, sweet and tender.AudiobookJeff Gelder does a nice job with this. He makes Travis’s smokers voice distinct from his younger voice. And he pronounces all those tough Jewish words really well! Just like the story, his voice is soothing and easy to listen to.I recommend both the book and audiobook for lovers of holiday stories and lovers of destined soul mates and second chances.Overall Impression: 4 stars – I really liked it review 2: Oh Cardeno C. no one puts the feelz into a story quite like you do. It's Hanukkah and Maccabe and Josh have been friends for years their families are close and they have seen each other through many a holiday but as things often do this year they change. Eight days is a reflection through Macabe's eyes of the 8 days that defined and shaped his relationship with Josh and brought them to the inevitable conclusion. I loved this story and I was totally enchanted with Maccabe in all his flawed glory. It was wonderful and these two men are simply adorable together. Simply put it was warm, sweet, wonderful, magical and everything a holiday story should be.3.5 stars rounded up for GR. less
