This was such a lovely little story about two men who struggle with connection. Rudy is super-shy, and although he loves his job at Rainbow Futures (a youth-services organization working with LGBTQ youth) and has overcome the shyness with most of his coworkers, the new guy—who is super-hot—leaves him completely locked inside himself.

It doesn't help that Zac never involves himself with any of the rest of them. He does a great job as the social media manager, but he is the least social person around. That Zac's history has taught him this is the only way to stay safe is beside the point.

A holiday party, a bit too much tequila, a kiss, and an offer made in the spur of a moment combine to push Zac and Rudy together for the holidays alongside Rudy's odd (and awesome) family. After that? It's all up to some holiday magic, and maybe a kitten.

Extra props for the queer content, too: this is a rare story where queer moves beyond "two men falling in love" and includes trans and bi characters actually, y'know, existing in the world.

I listened to this on audiobook, and while the performer was good, there was some oddness with how he paused mid-sentences that I found a bit distracting. The characterization, on the other hand, was solid, and I loved his voices for the various characters, so I tried to ignore the distracting pauses, and it didn't knock me out of the narrative.