Tutus and Tinsel

Love this novella! A family that hasn’t been a family for very long, figuring out what Christmas is for them, and what their traditions should be. Sometimes it’s a little hard because life wasn’t kind to them before they became a family, but they’re figuring it out with Humour, friends, and graham crackers. A true Christmas story!

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

Going back to Half Moon Bay is one of the best Christmas presents ever. Seeing Deacon, Lang, and Zig as they've settled into life makes it even better. Tutus and Tinsel is NOT a stand alone so if you haven't read the first two books of the series, I fear you will be a little lost and will miss a lot of what makes these characters so very special. That said, if you fell in love with the Reid-Harris's as much as I did then this sweet novella is truly like visiting old friends.

When Zig is given an assignment at Christmastime to write a report on her family traditions it sets the course for Deacon, Lang, Zig as well as West, Angel, and Roman to make new ones for their new family. I loved seeing their ideas come to fruition, especially since Rhys was nice enough to give us different points of view throughout this poignant story. It always amazes me how different the "voices" of Rhys's characters are, but by this point it really shouldn't because no one captures nuances and emotions quite like she does. Zig ... precious girl that she is ... learns that making new traditions in the midst of a family that isn't quite your typical family can be as special as those that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Tutus and Tinsel was sweet, nostalgic, and quite emotional at times as Zig and her two dads explore their different cultures and try to incorporate them into their family and make them theirs. While reading this, I couldn't help but reflect on the things my family and I have done and changed ... and kept the same over the years which made reading this story all the more personal. As with any Rhys Ford book, I cried a little a few times, but only from happiness and warmth because Deacon, Lang, and Zig are just so wonderful. If you're a fan of Rhys Ford (and really, who isn't?!) and love the Half Moon Bay series anywhere near as much as I do, I urge you to check out this book ASAP. It will leave you all warm and fuzzy and with the biggest smile on your face. What a gift Rhys has given us, and one that will last long after you read the last page.

I enjoyed Tutus and Tinsel (a Holiday Novella). It was great to catch up with Zig, Deacon, Lang and crew. It was fun to read as Zig explored different Christmas traditions. It was a pretty upbeat book and realistic. This is book should not be read as a stand alone novel. Also, the book has a few references to other Rhys Ford series (Sinner’s Gin). I reviewed an ARC for an honest review. This book is a solid 4:45 stars of 5.

What a treat it is to revisit Zig, Deacon and Lang! This short story gives us an inside glimpse on the family they have created. How important it is to create their own traditions and memories. I love the commitment and respect they have for each other. Rhys Ford packs so much sweetness and love in this story!

“Dad always thinks he can fix things.” Her lower lip jutted out, and a scowl so much like Deacon’s brought her brows together over her too-sharp eyes. “You can’t fix this. You can’t go back and fix things. You can’t fix Mom. You can’t do anything about it.” “No, but we can do something about it going forward,” he proposed.”

Zig is still, hands down, one of my most favorite characters. She might only be eleven and a half but she has an old soul paired with a knowledge of things no child should ever know. I adore her for her fierce spirit and her vulnerable heart so it was with much anticipation that I returned to Half Moon Bay to see how Deacon, Lang, and Zig were doing.

Deacon and Lang are married and Zig is legally their daughter. It brought tears to my eyes to hear her call them “dad”. Even though life is so much better now it hasn’t wiped Zig’s earlier years from her memories. Her dads do the best they can to help her through the rough patches that crop up so when she storms into Deacon’s garage cussing, he just waits her out until she tells him what is wrong. It certainly isn’t what Deacon expected. Zig’s teacher assigned the kids a project to talk about their holiday traditions and memories. Well, up until Deacon and Lang, Zig didn’t have traditions and only rotten memories so she is understandably upset. Lang comes up with the great idea for Zig to present the traditions they already have and then for the three of them to work on coming up with new ones from different cultures and other family members.

I so enjoyed the low-key gingerbread house tradition that Angel, West, and Rome introduced them to and renewing their own love of driving to a tree farm to get the various ones for their house along with making ornaments together. Each new tradition they come up with has a meaning in Zig’s life whether it is something from her biological father’s part of the country or just something they heard about and think would be fun. I loved watching all of this happen and wonder if maybe I need to add some new traditions to my holiday season.

“Zig’s exploration of holiday traditions led them to ice cream making and learning about Hanukkah as she bravely attempted mouthfuls of gefilte fish and matzoh balls during a visit to an open house at a Jewish cultural center. They were all in agreement that it was interesting and they enjoyed it, but no one was willing to give up bacon.”

‘Tutus and Tinsel’ is a wonderful holiday novella. As usual, I underestimated this author and her ability to weave a story that is more than the blurb indicated. Zig and their family’s search for traditions is certainly the focal point but Lang’s growing relationship with his twin brother, West, is shown in a beautiful light as is Deacon and Lang’s words of wisdom as they struggle down the path of parenthood. The continued love shared between Deacon and Lang is joyous to see and made me very happy to be a part of. I can’t get enough of these characters and dearly hope there will be another story set in Half Moon Bay.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews