A Lion in Tails

4.00 * ‘cause it's almost Christmas and I'm not the Grinch

A Christmas story in August? Yep. I'm shocked too and even more so that I enjoyed it.

This had the potential of going sideways for me real quick: I've only done one [a:Andrew Grey|586879|Andrew Grey|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] book before, and though I didn't hate it, I didn't run out to buy his backlist; I'm not a super fan of Holiday stories with their propensity for cheese and maple syrup; and I'm not a huge fan of kids in books, cute or otherwise *ducks. Color me surprised and chastened on all fronts.

After the unexpected death of his sister, Larry Kincaid, becomes the sole guardian to his six (6) year old nephew Angus. They're both still adjusting and grieving but life goes on. Larry is preparing for his annual business holiday party and Angus wants to attend for which he needs formal wear. At the store they meet Joshua and Angus is immediately taken with him and maybe Larry is a bit smitten too.

I liked the progression of the story, necessarily insta due to length and trope, but believably so and not overly-done. I liked Joshua. Very much. Though the younger, poorer, smaller guy in this duo he's no pushover and in fact is the party that gets things going and later keeps them going. Makes sense. Larry is in mourning and being the older of the two has had the chance of being burned & disappointed. Perhaps my favorite surprise was Angus. His child's grief and fear of being left again is well done but not made trite or maudlin, nor is he one of those “oh-so-wise” kids I never happen to meet in RL.

However what brought it all together for me and tied it with a nice bow was [a:K.C. Kelly|2748905|K.C. Kelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1516972213p2/2748905.jpg]'s narration. Really good. Slow, deliberate and a nice touch with the voice for Angus. The emotions ring true.