Tutus and Tinsel

I was lucky enough to win an ARC copy of this book.

This is a little catch up, if you will, with the Harris-Reid family, and you really SHOULD at least read Fish Stick Fridays before this one. Hanging the Stars ain't too shabby either, but this is more about Zig and her dads.

Zig is eleven, and blindsided by a school project. Her dads go about rallying around and making the project a little less painful for her.

I'm not usually one for Holiday/Christmas stories, but I loved Zig, and Deacon and Lang, so really had to catch up with them! And I LOVED this! It packs quite an emotional punch for some 90 odd pages!

Zig has to do a project on Christmas traditions on her family. But she doesn't have any, not really. So Deacon and Lang go all out about making NEW traditions: using some from Lang's grandmother, some from their friends and making some up as they go along.

They do cracker house decorations, the chopping of trees down. Trees in each and every room. Making salt dough ornaments. Lots of different things, from a whole host of backgrounds, and choosing which ones to make their own.

I loved that we caught up with Deke and Lang, but also with West, Angel and Rome. Loved the plans the adults have for the kids should something happen to either set of parents.

But Zig, again, made this book! Set 3 years after Fish Stick Fridays, and she still has her eclectic taste in tutus and boots, and it's so great she hasn't lost her swear jar! Indeed, opening line in the book is Zig swearing her little head off and realising that Deke can hear her! Loved it!

And even though Zig was sick, and not actually able to do her presentation at school, loved that she WAS able to still show her dads what did. I cried at that point! Because even though it was about making NEW traditions, Zig still draws on her painful past and how important it is to remember where you came from, and that past is a part of you, always. And new families need new traditions.

5 full and sparkly stars!

ps, we ALWAYS have take out Christmas Eve!

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

I adored Zig when I met her in Fish Stick Fridays so a book centred on her was catnip to me.
This is book 2.5 in a series and I think Rhys includes enough background that it could be read as a stand-alone, but you’d be doing yourself a big disservice to jump in at this point in the series.
We got to catch up with Deacon & Lang and West & Angel but the moments that tugged most on my heart featured Zig. She is amoured up against the world but when she shows her vulnerability to her Dads it’s beautiful to read.
I really hope Rhys returns again to Half Moon Bay with a novel length story as the inhabitants there are so engaging.
A great read!

This is a follow up book on Deacon and Lang from Fish stick Friday’s and I highly suggest you read it first for most enjoyment. However there is enough information you can probably figure out the characters and what’s going on.
Zig is Deacon’s niece now daughter. She has a Christmas project due she is none to happy about since her past wasn’t happy and they didn’t have family traditions. Lang being the supportive wonderful dad he is suggesting they begin their own traditions and she write about that. The story is about all the new traditions they try, the hits and missed. It’s a great feel-good story about family and holidays.
Of course we get more Lang and Deacon , even West, Angel and Rome. I loved these men and Zig and getting to share the holiday was fun.

Tutus and Tinsel is the equivalent of a wonderful visit with good friends. In this holiday short by Rhys Ford, readers are reunited with Deacon, Lang, and Zig Reid-Harris, as now eleven-year-old Zig conquers a school project that forces her to deal with her past. Together, the family experiences holiday traditions to help Zig complete her project. Along the way, they make new memories and renew traditions they’ve created as a family.
Rhys Ford packs a complete, gorgeous tale into this short story. Tutus and Tinsel made me sigh contentedly, laugh and snicker, and tear up with joy. This story is everything I hoped it would be and then some.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
Cute cover. Cute plot concept.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person
I wish I’d realized that this was a between-the-numbers holiday short for a series I’d not read yet before requesting to read/review it. While the author does try to give enough background information on the characters, I truly believe it would have benefitted me greatly to have read –at the very least –Fish Stick Fridays, featuring Lang and Deacon, especially since this is a continuation of their story.
The concept is still cute and the content was heartwarming and enjoyable. I have a sudden urge to want to try to make melted peppermint ornaments now!
This was more a holiday story featuring pre-teen, Zig, and less a romance. Deacon and Lang are already married, live together, and share custody of Zig.
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Rating: [PG-13] ~ Score: 3.925 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐