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For Joy
When college athlete Chad comes out to his parents and gets a nasty reaction, sparkly twink Joaquin “Joy” Acosta offers him shelter in his tiny apartment. Joy’s the sweetest, most beautiful roommate on the planet, and every day, Chad falls in love a little bit more. The problem is, Joy will never know since his banter-loving hipster friends make bear-sized Chad feel all hulking and tongue-tied.
Joy is a sucker for anything handmade, though, and eventually Chad decides to tell him he loves him with a self-knitted pair of gloves. But it turns out knitting is way harder than Chad expected. Fortunately, Joy knows just how to save the day….
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2019 Advent Calendar "Homemade for the Holidays."
48 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2019
About the author
Crystel Greene
15 books31 followersCrystel loves cute guys - especially when there are two of them in a romance novel who are meant to be! And she likes it best when she can create their plights and fights herself. Her stories come with a product promise: no fade-outs when things get steamy or emotional, and an ending that will leave you smiling.
Crystel is a lawyer by training, a lover of pastry, and a believer in Happy Ever Afters. She lives in the Austrian Alps with her big, noisy family.
For freebies and news sign up for Crystel's newsletter here:
https://www.crystelgreene.com/crystel...
Crystel Greene. MM romance. Sweet, star-crossed, and NC-17.
Crystel is a lawyer by training, a lover of pastry, and a believer in Happy Ever Afters. She lives in the Austrian Alps with her big, noisy family.
For freebies and news sign up for Crystel's newsletter here:
https://www.crystelgreene.com/crystel...
Crystel Greene. MM romance. Sweet, star-crossed, and NC-17.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 14, 2020
3 Hearts - Blog holiday reads with Ann!
Take a gentle giant, a shy one at that, who’s devastated by his parent’s lack of acceptance when he comes out. Toss in some good luck and said giant is able to crash on his crush’s couch until he gets his bearings.
So yes, Chad’s crush Joy, comes to his rescue allowing Chad to stay at his place till he gets his bearings. Only thing is, Chad’s besotted, and he can’t help but hope and wish that Joy would feel the same.
Mix this with the holiday spirit, and Chad’s feelings have only one direction to travel and that’s to grow deeper and deeper for Joy. He can only dream and wish that Joy would feel the same. What’s a guy to do?
Again, another easy holiday read, but beware a mean bestie, a preference towards some D/s that seemed incongruent, and the use of one of my most hated endearments. However, this was saved by two great MC’s that were just so darn likeable! Pssst…. the smexy smex didn’t hurt one bit either! Just saying.
Thanks to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
Check out the blog for more advent reviews!
Take a gentle giant, a shy one at that, who’s devastated by his parent’s lack of acceptance when he comes out. Toss in some good luck and said giant is able to crash on his crush’s couch until he gets his bearings.
So yes, Chad’s crush Joy, comes to his rescue allowing Chad to stay at his place till he gets his bearings. Only thing is, Chad’s besotted, and he can’t help but hope and wish that Joy would feel the same.
Mix this with the holiday spirit, and Chad’s feelings have only one direction to travel and that’s to grow deeper and deeper for Joy. He can only dream and wish that Joy would feel the same. What’s a guy to do?
Again, another easy holiday read, but beware a mean bestie, a preference towards some D/s that seemed incongruent, and the use of one of my most hated endearments. However, this was saved by two great MC’s that were just so darn likeable! Pssst…. the smexy smex didn’t hurt one bit either! Just saying.
Thanks to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
Check out the blog for more advent reviews!
December 8, 2019
2 Stars
My first DSP advent pick of the year and sadly not the story I was after.
I was pulled in by the idea of a gentle-giant-type falling for his twinky new roommate, but unfortunately the chemistry just wasn’t there for me and the characters didn’t have that spark I needed to become fully engaged.
This was simple and sweet, and it even delivered on the sexy, all of which I appreciated, but I didn’t care for the leads, I actively disliked the secondary characters, and I found the dialogue a little off-putting, if truth be told.
As the Goodreads rating scale suggests, this one was just okay for me.
My first DSP advent pick of the year and sadly not the story I was after.
I was pulled in by the idea of a gentle-giant-type falling for his twinky new roommate, but unfortunately the chemistry just wasn’t there for me and the characters didn’t have that spark I needed to become fully engaged.
This was simple and sweet, and it even delivered on the sexy, all of which I appreciated, but I didn’t care for the leads, I actively disliked the secondary characters, and I found the dialogue a little off-putting, if truth be told.
As the Goodreads rating scale suggests, this one was just okay for me.
December 6, 2019
Was a bit rough at the beginning but the author quickly got in the groove with a truly sweet and adorable Christmas love story! Chad was just perfection and Joy his completion!
December 16, 2019
4.5 stars The sparkling Beauty and the... King Kong?
Chad can sleep on Joy’s couch, after coming out to his family he can’t go back with all their disapproval and denial.
Joy is Chad’s hairdresser and the sweetest guy on earth. Chad is in love, but Joy is out of his league. He has to find a way to conquer Joy.
Awesome Christmas story. It had all the feelings, lovable guys, friends with kind of annoying jokes, but the best true friends. A story with Chad as the big shy guy and Joy as the vibrant sparkling guy, all just enough developed to make this a very enjoyable story!
Chad can sleep on Joy’s couch, after coming out to his family he can’t go back with all their disapproval and denial.
Joy is Chad’s hairdresser and the sweetest guy on earth. Chad is in love, but Joy is out of his league. He has to find a way to conquer Joy.
Awesome Christmas story. It had all the feelings, lovable guys, friends with kind of annoying jokes, but the best true friends. A story with Chad as the big shy guy and Joy as the vibrant sparkling guy, all just enough developed to make this a very enjoyable story!
December 7, 2019
Unicorn Christmas Review with *A Reader Obsessed*!
Oh Chad, how do I love thee . . .
I love me a Chad type character in a story and this Chad made me all kinds of happy. He’s so much more than he seems on the surface and is underestimated entirely too often. It takes a special person who sees him for all his wonderfulness and I couldn’t have been happier to have Joey and Chad paired up.
One of the friends, Franky, was a little much and he could have been dialed down from 11 by a few notches, but he was the vehicle to see Joy’s protective streak come out and Chad and I both loved seeing that.
There was an odd little dynamic about Joy’s sexual preferences that seemed to be dropped in, but not super relevant because the intimacy between Joy and Chad didn’t need any explaining. They seemed to handle things fine all on their own.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
Oh Chad, how do I love thee . . .
I love me a Chad type character in a story and this Chad made me all kinds of happy. He’s so much more than he seems on the surface and is underestimated entirely too often. It takes a special person who sees him for all his wonderfulness and I couldn’t have been happier to have Joey and Chad paired up.
One of the friends, Franky, was a little much and he could have been dialed down from 11 by a few notches, but he was the vehicle to see Joy’s protective streak come out and Chad and I both loved seeing that.
There was an odd little dynamic about Joy’s sexual preferences that seemed to be dropped in, but not super relevant because the intimacy between Joy and Chad didn’t need any explaining. They seemed to handle things fine all on their own.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
November 18, 2019
For Joy was my first story by Crystel Greene and I really liked it. It's a fun and sweet short about Chad who is a self-conscious baseball jock and Joy, a cute twink. Can't wait to read more by this author.
December 7, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
After coming out to his parents doesn’t go well, Chad’s hairdresser Joy taken him in. Chad is such a good guy and the reaction of his parents when he comes out is awful and had me in tears several times. But the romance with Joy is so sweet and full of love it made me so happy.
I loved reading novellas at Christmas and For Joy is wonderful. I read it in one sitting and it just made my heart sing and the ending is perfect!
After coming out to his parents doesn’t go well, Chad’s hairdresser Joy taken him in. Chad is such a good guy and the reaction of his parents when he comes out is awful and had me in tears several times. But the romance with Joy is so sweet and full of love it made me so happy.
I loved reading novellas at Christmas and For Joy is wonderful. I read it in one sitting and it just made my heart sing and the ending is perfect!
November 15, 2019
For Joy is a short, sweet read from Chad's POV. Chad found Harry's Hair Dreams two years previous and loved it when Joy cut his hair. Although Chad has known he's gay, he hadn't admitted it to his family. But when Joy catches him in a vulnerable moment, Chad admits his fear and things truly start between the two men at that moment. The story is told from Chad's POV and while you can suss out his feelings for Joy from the moment he sees the man, you don't get an insider view of how Joy looks at Chad. But as the story progresses, you realize how much Chad and Joy come to enjoy being together and Joy involves Chad in his life, incorporating him with his friends, and becomes a beacon of light for Chad. Great characters, wonderful for anytime of year!
January 7, 2020
This one seemed disjointed to me. I think, once again, it's a matter of trying to fit too much plot into a short story. Plus, the side characters were all pretty mean.
November 16, 2019
Awwwwww! Sweet,sweet Chad! My god, I swear I just wanted to hug him close and give him courage. Beautiful,innocent,gentle giant,so endearing in his adoration for everything Joy. Powerless and lost,afraid to take that step toward accomplishing his dreams because he's scared of rejection.
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘆 is a wonderfully written story of love. The kind of love that will make you awe,cry,laugh and swoon. It's charming,emotional and I can't recommend it enough.
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘆 is a wonderfully written story of love. The kind of love that will make you awe,cry,laugh and swoon. It's charming,emotional and I can't recommend it enough.
December 6, 2019
4.5 Stars
Chads feelings for Joy are tender and sweet. I instantly felt for Chad and hoped Joy would see how much he was cared for. Both Chad and Joy are likeable and I easily found myself rooting for both to get together. I enjoyed this story and found I was wanting more.
Chads feelings for Joy are tender and sweet. I instantly felt for Chad and hoped Joy would see how much he was cared for. Both Chad and Joy are likeable and I easily found myself rooting for both to get together. I enjoyed this story and found I was wanting more.
December 1, 2019
Chad is closeted. Terrified to tell his parents, he finally tell them he gay after being persuaded to ''go for it'' by his hairdresser and secret crush, Joy. Joy is an enigma. He has friends and found his way in his life of being ''femme'' and gay. When Chad gets kicked out of his family's home, Joy lets him stay with him because he has nowhere else to go. Chad is a huge, bumbling guy who is socially inept, but is also smart and wise. Joy soon finds that Chad makes him feel safe and Chad is trying to find a way to show Joy how much he cares about him. Trying to make a special gift for him for christmas, but his big fumbling fingers just can't do it. Joy has a sweet solution and we get a sweet Christmas story of a man who has learned to believe in himself and his skills, a big, sweet man who hasn't learned to believe in himself, a family that you choose when you lose your blood relatives and a Christmas that is warm, sweet and filled with holiday spirit. A must holiday read. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.
February 8, 2020
Reviewed by Cindy
Chad is about the sweetest guy you ever met. When he finally gathers up the courage to come out to his family he finds himself out on the street.
Joy is the exact opposite of Chad in looks and demeanour but you know what they say about opposites.
This story is adorable. Chad’s shyness and uncertainty is definitely compelling and Joy? Well he will have you cheering with his compassion and understanding.
I loved watching Chad figure himself out and Joy has the patience of a saint as he waits for Chad to see what’s right in front of his eyes.
If you are looking for a sweet Christmas treat with very little angst, this story will leave you smiling!
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Chad is about the sweetest guy you ever met. When he finally gathers up the courage to come out to his family he finds himself out on the street.
Joy is the exact opposite of Chad in looks and demeanour but you know what they say about opposites.
This story is adorable. Chad’s shyness and uncertainty is definitely compelling and Joy? Well he will have you cheering with his compassion and understanding.
I loved watching Chad figure himself out and Joy has the patience of a saint as he waits for Chad to see what’s right in front of his eyes.
If you are looking for a sweet Christmas treat with very little angst, this story will leave you smiling!
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
December 9, 2019
"For Joy" is a sweet (and spicy!) gay romance novella, perfect for the winter season. It reads quickly, and leaves the reader in a cheerful, christmassy mood. I instantly fell in love with Joy, his bubbly personality, quirky hobbies, and sparkling eyeshadow. Chad was well-written, too, the strong contrast between him and Joy's friends not only emphasized his personality, but also added tension to the story. I was really curious what would happen next, and I wasn't disappointed! "For Joy" is a beautiful tale about the magic of unconditional love, home-made presents and unexpected reunions. I definitely recommend it!
December 1, 2019
Chad is having a rough time at Christmas.
Joy is the stylist who cuts his hair and Chad has been harboring a crush for him.
When his world falls apart, Joy offers him a hand and friendship.
Chad is feeling especially vulnerable and awkward with Joy and his group of friends.
He tries to thank Joy with a homemade Christmas gift gone awry which ends in a steamy encounter and a HEA.
This was a perfectly sized dose of holiday happiness.
Joy is the stylist who cuts his hair and Chad has been harboring a crush for him.
When his world falls apart, Joy offers him a hand and friendship.
Chad is feeling especially vulnerable and awkward with Joy and his group of friends.
He tries to thank Joy with a homemade Christmas gift gone awry which ends in a steamy encounter and a HEA.
This was a perfectly sized dose of holiday happiness.
December 28, 2020
Short and perfect for a weekend read. Chad's fear is both real and assumed. He's sure that one rejection of who he really is means a rejection from all others and it has him hiding. Joy's generous heart is also kind and sentimental. I loved that he cherished his gift from Chad as he saw the heart behind it. His gift to Chad was just as wonderful. I loved the chosen family they surrounded themselves with. I'm crossing my fingers for Franky's book.
December 16, 2019
This was sweet, especially lovable Chad, but it didn't knock my socks off. I kept thinking something was missing and whatever that something was kept me from fully connecting to Chad and Joy's story.
TAGS
-- Holiday/Christmas -- sweet -- loved Chad, liked Joy -- something was missing -- less than 50 pages
TAGS
-- Holiday/Christmas -- sweet -- loved Chad, liked Joy -- something was missing -- less than 50 pages
December 21, 2019
A sweet coming out holiday story. Had has had a crush on Joy for a long time and has decided to come out to his parents. When they didn’t take it well, Joy let him crash on his couch. I loved Joy. He is such a fun quirky character.
January 29, 2020
3.5/5
Very cute. Recent college grad Chad comes out and when his parents kick him out he crashes on the kitchen couch of the stylist he's in love with. (Side note: kitchen couch? That's a thing?)
Tags: Blue Collar: Chad gets a job as a mechanic
Very cute. Recent college grad Chad comes out and when his parents kick him out he crashes on the kitchen couch of the stylist he's in love with. (Side note: kitchen couch? That's a thing?)
Tags: Blue Collar: Chad gets a job as a mechanic
August 2, 2020
Chad, newly out and not welcome at home, lives on hairdresser Joy’s couch.
A story about Chad finding himself in his new skin, gaining a bit of confidence and Joy’s heart too.
The home made failed for Chad but Joy’s coworker Franky saves the day on that score!!
A story about Chad finding himself in his new skin, gaining a bit of confidence and Joy’s heart too.
The home made failed for Chad but Joy’s coworker Franky saves the day on that score!!
December 8, 2019
Nothing new but still very sweet.
December 10, 2019
Joy is there when Chad needs him. The fact that they are perfect for each other is the special icing on the Christmas cookie.
Read
December 15, 2019review to follow
January 26, 2020
Very cute
December 30, 2020
For Joy was a sweet story where the bigger guy is definitely the one less secure in who he is. Chad is at that stage where he wants to come out and is afraid. His parents do not take it well and Joy gives him a place to stay and work on accepting his current life.
December 30, 2019
Books that focus on the rejection of a child because of sexual identity just gut me. Like how can you not love your child just because he is gay. Chad is that poor child. He is secretly in love with Joaquin "Joy," the guy who cuts his hair. He blurts out to Joy that he has to tell his family he's gay. Things don't go well and we fast forward to Chad living with Joy. Dealing with Joy's ribald hair stylist friends has Chad freaking out. But as with all of these lovely Christmas goodies, it ends and puts a goofy smile on your face.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews