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Eli Easton
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The Best Gift Kindle Edition

by Eli Easton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,654 ratings
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THE BEST GIFT – by Eli Easton
With help from a Christmas miracle, two bruised hearts find joy again.

Greg Cabot is the third generation to run Cabot’s Christmas Wonderland and tree farm in rural Vermont. But this year will be his last. Since the death of his son, Sam, in Afghanistan, Greg no longer has the heart to run a business based on holiday cheer. When he picks up a hitchhiking soldier on a snowy night, he finds the help he needs to get his farm through the holidays—and maybe much more.

Sergeant Robbie Sparks doesn’t have much to be thankful for this holiday season. Badly wounded in Afghanistan, he’s spent most of the past year in recovery and was discharged after ten years of service. When fate lands him at Cabot’s tree farm, he feels like he’s fallen into a snow globe reality. Friendly people, gorgeous trees, lots of Christmas kitsch… and Greg Cabot.

Greg believes he’s too heartbroken for romance, but those we love never truly leave us. A little nudge from heaven may help build a bridge for these two men trying to heal. If only they are willing to take that first step.

This stand-alone, long novella is a small town, Christmas cornucopia, May-December, hurt/comfort , military romance stuffed full of family and holiday feels.
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  1. Print length
    153 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    November 16, 2021
  5. File size
    4064 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09KQTJJTW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pinkerton Road LLC (November 16, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 16, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4064 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 153 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,654 ratings

About the author

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Eli Easton

Eli Easton

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister's daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, an organic farmer and a profound sleeper, Eli is happily embarking on yet another incarnation as a m/m romance author.

As an avid reader of such, she is tickled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, three bulldogs, three cows and six chickens. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.

Her website is www.elieaston.com

You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,654 global ratings
Lovely read
5 Stars
Lovely read
I was going to take a little break from my holiday reads…then I spotted this sitting in my KU queue and I couldn’t leave it be.So, so glad that I read it. I really loved this story. Not just from the holiday aspect – it’s set at a Christmas Tree farm! – but from the emotional tale that Easton shares. Greg and Robbie are both hurt and trying to find a way to go on despite all the losses. Slow burn, age gap, hurt/comfort – all set in a winter wonderland that eventually brings closure and peace to both men.
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Top reviews from the United States

Johnny T. Townsend
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, painful, and happy
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
Probably some spoilers, but this is a holiday romance, so the basic points are fairly predictable anyway. What's nice is that despite the formula (a secret that comes out and briefly divides the couple), the writing, the characters, and the story are all compelling enough to enjoy every minute of the book. In so many stories, I get aggravated at the main characters, who could avoid most of their dilemma if they'd simply tell the secret, but here, it makes perfect sense why that doesn't happen.

Because so many military men are homophobic or sexist to the point of sexual assault or other violence, I wasn't sure I wanted to read a book about a veteran. But I'm glad I did.

I will say I was a bit peeved to see this described on the back cover as a May/December romance, while the "old man" was a mere 43 years old, and the younger man was only 15 years younger. That strikes me more as a May/Sept romance. And since I'm now 60, someone 43 seems quite far from "December."

I liked the "chosen family" aspect of the story, the unconventional parenting, and the character of Roscoe.

Though I'd just lost a husband when I was 43, a line that resonates much more now that I'm 60 is "There's a certain feeling you have when you think some part of human experience is lost to you forever, and you've given up on it, pushed it away from your field of reference...and then you find it again, and experience it in all its power, and it's not over."

It's hard to find time to read in our fast-paced, always busy world, but I make time for Eli Easton.
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Dana Piazzi
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a sucker for messages from the deceased!
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I have read every Eli Easton Christmas story she has written, and was thrilled to read The Best Gift. Just like her other books, Christmas or not, I was swept up into the story and experienced a truckload of emotions.

At the start of this novel, we are introduced to Greg Cabot working at his Christmas Tree farm, polite and helpful, but drowning in misery. He is clearly just going through the motions and Christmas is not in his heart this year. He receives a mysterious package from his son, nearly a year after his death in Afghanistan. But he’s not quite ready to tackle the heartache of opening it, and goes to town to handle some banking for his business. Along the way he sees a soldier walking down the road and offers him a ride into town. Well, to my mind, this seems like it can’t be a coincidence, but in his grief he just sees a soldier needing help, help that he hoped someone would have given his son in the same circumstances.

Robbie Sparks is a wounded veteran, forced to retire from service after being burned and concussed in battle. His memories are scattered, but he does know that his last mission ended with several of his men dead, and he is mired in guilt and grief, too. Without family, he is heading to Maine to settle his deceased father’s estate, with no plans for what to do after. But all that can wait, when he is picked up by Greg Cabot and brought to his farm due to incoming snow. He sees an opportunity to be useful by helping at the short-handed tree farm.

The two men’s sadness is legitimate for sure, but their shared company slowly brings a little lightness into their lives. Robbie bonds with the other employees it creates an atmosphere of joy that is contagious even to Greg. Greg’s presence seems to help Robbie’s nightmares. It seems that the two are made for each other as feelings grow and they act on their attraction, but eventually Greg puts two and two together. It does get a bit sticky for a little bit, but of course this is a Christmas romance, and with this author I don’t worry about a happy ending.

About Sam, Greg’s son. It definitely feels like he had a hand in his dad meeting Robbie. Even before his death he did a lot of talking about his gay dad to his commanding officer, and talked up “RJ” to his dad during video calls. It seems like Sam had been trying to play matchmaker for sometime, The mysterious present to his dad honestly had me balling my eyes out. I swear I am just a sucker for messages from the deceased. All in all, it was an emotional story of loss and learning to live again. There were sexy moments and a few thrilling moments as well. The employees at the tree farm were awesome secondary characters that added a warm feeling to the story.
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amf0001
4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 rounded up
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
It's a Christmas novella, so what do you expect? It's sweet, and charming and I liked it. But it wasn't magical, so I didn't love it. But if you want something heartwarming and nice, like a good cup of cocoa, then this is for you.
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JayReads
5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional depiction of tradition, loss, regret, acceptance and love
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Best Gift, by Eli Easton, is one of the best holiday reads I have tackled to date. It is an emotional roller-coaster of sadness and grief that transforms into an absolute holiday miracle of revitalization and joy. This May/December romance brings both protagonists out of a soul-crushing despair of loss, giving them the ability to see past the grief, to live and find happiness once again.

Forty-three-year-old Greg Cabot lost his son, Sam, this past year while he was serving a tour in Afghanistan. The loss is so profound that he no longer has a desire to run the families’ generations-old Christmas Wonderland tree farm. It holds too many painful memories and represents a joy that Greg just cannot endure. The simple act of giving a ride to a discharged Army veteran during a snowstorm, sets off a chain of events that rocks Greg’s world.

Twenty-eight-year-old Sergeant Robbie Sparks is heading back to Maine after a long recovery and stint in rehab for injuries he suffered during an attack by a Taliban force in Afghanistan. Robbie experienced a traumatic head injury, resulting in “brain fog” and burns over the left side of his body. It is a blessing and a curse that Robbie doesn’t remember the attack and what transpired. He does, however, remember he has one stop to make on his way home… for his buddy and best friend Troob.

The Best Gift switches back and forth from the perspective of Greg and Robbie. This is a powerful delivery mechanism that lays their internal struggles bare for us to witness. I usually connect with one of the men stronger than the other, but in this case, I would be hard pressed to pick who presents the greater impact. However, if I shallowly base it on their physical characteristics… the older, dark-haired, bearded lumberjack, Greg, would take first place hands down.

This is a relationship built on friendship first and it is relatively easy to figure out the major twist loitering throughout the story, which will test their friendship and budding romance. Satisfactorily, this resolves quickly, when it could have been fraught with unnecessary tension. Although you know what is coming, this is integral to the story and smacks of holiday magic at work, with maybe an injection of supernatural influence.

The Best Gift is an emotional depiction of tradition, loss, regret, acceptance and love. I must admit it has been a while since I have cried while reading, but I recount at least twice during The Best Gift when I had to stop and wipe the shed tears from my eyes to continue reading. My emotions were enhanced by the detail that was put into the physical and non-physical characteristics of Greg and Robbie.

My recommendation, take a chance on this gem!
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Top reviews from other countries

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BEAUMONT
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly Captivating
Reviewed in Canada on December 15, 2022
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Easton powerfully delivers this Christmas themed short read with seeming ease. She captures the devastating impact of loss with grace and sensitivity, by drawing you into the story of two men as they individually navigate tragedy and learn to live and love despite and perhaps because of their shared struggle. Loved it.
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Ren
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bueno.
Reviewed in Mexico on December 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
Excelente lectura para la temporada.
Un lindo romance, lleno de emociones fuertes y todo el espíritu navideño. Definitivamente lo recomiendo.
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Cliente Kindle
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in Brazil on December 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Wow. What a story. So beautiful and moving, and also a bit sad, I could feel the grief pouring from the pages, but it was also cathartic to red about Sam through the memories he left for those who knew him and loved him. I hope the Cabots are still selling trees and happiness in the literature realm, somewhere.
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Leseratte
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for Christmas
Reviewed in Germany on January 3, 2023
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The best gift is the right mix of sappy and sad. It left me crying and happy at the same time and I read this wonderful book every Christmas.
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Rachael
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming and heart wrenching
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
It’s been a while since a book brought me to tears - but this book did it several times.

EE wrote in their notes at the end that Xmas stories always have the best focus - kindness, generosity and family and that is so true. This book has all of this in spades (cue happy tears) with an underlying sadness to the story as well (cue sad tears).

An absolutely beautiful story, I 110% recommend you read it!
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