The best thing about today wasn’t winning—it was getting to know you.
Glenn Quigley
The Great Santa Showdown
Format:
ebook
Publisher’s Synopsis:
It’s two weeks before Christmas, and the official Santa Claus of the small town of Yuleboro is retiring. The town takes Christmas seriously, with year-round celebrations, themed diners and guesthouses, and a Santa Claus who makes regular public appearances.
Fifty-something bookstore owner Gregory has long dreamed of taking over the role. However, he’s far from the only one. Grandfather and tree farmer John has been waiting his whole life for this opportunity and plans to seize it with both hands, despite objections from his daughter.
Alongside a host of other competitors, they’ll battle their way through a tournament designed to test the skills of any would-be Kris Kringles, and find it takes more than a belly and a beard to wear the red suit. As Gregory and John go head to head in the town’s first-ever Great Santa Showdown, will it be more than just the competition that heats up?
Point of view:
3rd person. Alternating between Gregory and John.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
The Great Santa Showdown is a fun and no angst short story about two mature men competing to become Yuleboro’s next Santa. While they start out as adversaries they quickly bond over their shared passion of epitomizing Jolly ol’ St. Nick. Yuleboro is a year-round homage to Christmas and every business in the small town gets into the spirit.
Quigley’s always vivid writing offers a nice mix of world building, humor, and budding romance. The story ends with a sweet first kiss for John and Gregory, but it’s easy to see the promise of a happy future together. Adorable holiday read.
I received an advanced copy of the ebook from the author and am leaving an honest review.
About the author:
Glenn Quigley is an author and artist originally from Tallaght in Dublin, Ireland, and now living in Lisburn, Northern Ireland with his partner of many years.
His first novel, The Moth and Moon, was published in 2018. When not writing, he paints portraits in watercolours and tweets too many photos of lighthouses.
You can connect with Glenn Quigley here:
My Favorite Quotes
“If all it takes is a belly and a beard, I’ve got you beat on
both counts.”
“Floyd pulled his scarf up over his mouth. “Why don’t we
just pick the guy with the biggest sack?”
“It’s not canon. It’s not official Santa Claus lore. It’s…fanfiction.”
“The best thing about today wasn’t winning—it was getting to know you.”
Rellim Reads 