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The Advent Calendar
Toby wants children, Derek doesn't, and this just might end their ten-year relationship. But will a near-brush with death help them set aside their differences to focus on what matters most?
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2011
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 27, 2011
Here's the thing, my issue with this story is that it doesn't feel finished. Both men have grounded argument on "should we have kids or should we not" ... and while in the end, there's an 'event' that halt the argument, I don't see how this NOT becoming another problem for them in the future. That's why I can only rate it three stars. Having said that, the whole argument between two men who have been together for 10 years, is written really well.
November 27, 2011
This is a really lovely short story--sweet, emotional, funny--with some SMOKIN' hawt smexing at the end. Check it out!
January 9, 2012
This was a charming and perceptive story of a relationship at crisis point, though Derek and Toby had a strong romance to give them hope for the future.
Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...
It’s a treat for this reader to step into a loving, well-established relationship. The couple are preparing for Christmas, with most of the decoration being carried out as per Derek’s happy childhood. Yet there’s tension, with Toby continually wishing they had a child to share it all with, and Derek protesting he can’t think of anything more disruptive. Some people were clearly meant to parent, and some just as clearly were not. Over time, they’ve slipped into a dark and hurtful rut. Christmas is bringing the situation to a head, the fun traditions becoming chores. They were together, alone.
There’s still plenty of wit and fond familiarity, Derek’s memories of past Christmases are particularly amusing, like the poor animatronic reindeer which developed a tick in its circuitry. “You didn’t really help matters. You had to go put up Santa aiming a shotgun at it.” There’s a lovely sense of the season and the setting. Christmas is shown as a beloved and poignant time, for example how Christmas cards reflect the passage of time. The dialogue is realistic and flows well, though a couple of times a character’s speech was cut between two lines, which made it confusing to tell who was “he”.
The story is all from Derek’s point of view and Toby comes over at first as rather obsessive. But Derek himself is entrenched, clinging to the same traditions and lifestyle. He admits he’s selfish, and his arguments are based on blunt pragmatism, scorning Toby’s emotional need. They both make valid points, and both feel strongly. Yet it’s Toby who finally rounds on Derek, challenging the rituals that were actually established for the sake of the children in Derek’s family. To me, while I have a huge amount of sympathy for Derek’s arguments, he seems reluctant to consider new ones, to create new rituals. He craves continuity but allows it no growth. Change will happen around him, regardless, but during this story he places the whole blame for that on Toby. It’s a fascinating and unusual scenario for a short story, and comes across as very heartfelt.
The characters are well defined and attractive each in their own way. The sex was hot and also had delightful touches that only a long-standing couple would enjoy. I have to say I was a bit disappointed the story ended where it did: I’d have liked to see or hear what changes both men might make in future. They’d both been shocked into realising how much they loved and treasured each other, and agreed other things could be discussed later. And of course, that reflects real life – a relationship is rarely chock-full of the epiphanies we find in fiction, but more like hard work, compromise and the pleasure of building a robust life together. I really enjoyed the way this difficult but realistic situation was explored and described, I rate it B+.
by pettyprose ... my opinion alone.
Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...
It’s a treat for this reader to step into a loving, well-established relationship. The couple are preparing for Christmas, with most of the decoration being carried out as per Derek’s happy childhood. Yet there’s tension, with Toby continually wishing they had a child to share it all with, and Derek protesting he can’t think of anything more disruptive. Some people were clearly meant to parent, and some just as clearly were not. Over time, they’ve slipped into a dark and hurtful rut. Christmas is bringing the situation to a head, the fun traditions becoming chores. They were together, alone.
There’s still plenty of wit and fond familiarity, Derek’s memories of past Christmases are particularly amusing, like the poor animatronic reindeer which developed a tick in its circuitry. “You didn’t really help matters. You had to go put up Santa aiming a shotgun at it.” There’s a lovely sense of the season and the setting. Christmas is shown as a beloved and poignant time, for example how Christmas cards reflect the passage of time. The dialogue is realistic and flows well, though a couple of times a character’s speech was cut between two lines, which made it confusing to tell who was “he”.
The story is all from Derek’s point of view and Toby comes over at first as rather obsessive. But Derek himself is entrenched, clinging to the same traditions and lifestyle. He admits he’s selfish, and his arguments are based on blunt pragmatism, scorning Toby’s emotional need. They both make valid points, and both feel strongly. Yet it’s Toby who finally rounds on Derek, challenging the rituals that were actually established for the sake of the children in Derek’s family. To me, while I have a huge amount of sympathy for Derek’s arguments, he seems reluctant to consider new ones, to create new rituals. He craves continuity but allows it no growth. Change will happen around him, regardless, but during this story he places the whole blame for that on Toby. It’s a fascinating and unusual scenario for a short story, and comes across as very heartfelt.
The characters are well defined and attractive each in their own way. The sex was hot and also had delightful touches that only a long-standing couple would enjoy. I have to say I was a bit disappointed the story ended where it did: I’d have liked to see or hear what changes both men might make in future. They’d both been shocked into realising how much they loved and treasured each other, and agreed other things could be discussed later. And of course, that reflects real life – a relationship is rarely chock-full of the epiphanies we find in fiction, but more like hard work, compromise and the pleasure of building a robust life together. I really enjoyed the way this difficult but realistic situation was explored and described, I rate it B+.
by pettyprose ... my opinion alone.
December 20, 2011
I really liked this one. The arguments over Toby wanting to start a family and Derek not wanting to have any kids felt so real and was a nice change from the usual story of a couple just automatically on the same wave length with wanting children. I thought Toby's desire to have kids was endearing while Derek's wish to never ever have any was frustrating but at the same time realistic. The fact that this takes place around Christmas and actually deals with the traditions and the preparation for the holiday made this short, Christmas story very likable and easy to read.
I enjoyed the multiple scenes that showed their relationship wasn't all hearts and roses and that their love for each other is put to the test because of their disagreements and while they might not agree on everything, they were able to get their relationship back to being as strong as it used to be. It was a nice. enjoyable read
I enjoyed the multiple scenes that showed their relationship wasn't all hearts and roses and that their love for each other is put to the test because of their disagreements and while they might not agree on everything, they were able to get their relationship back to being as strong as it used to be. It was a nice. enjoyable read
January 28, 2012
3.5
I really enjoyed it, even as the tension twisted my gut (in the good way) wondering how they'd make it work. But then it felt like it ended too soon, too neatly, as suddenly everything is hunky-dory following a major scare. I totally believe that in those first moments after the scare they'll fully appreciate each other. But I'm not convined that Toby's desire for children won't reappear in another day or week, setting them right back where they were when the story started.
For it to work for me, I think I needed Derek to communicate to Toby how Toby's desire for children made Derek feel like he was no longer enough. And for Toby to understand that, and respond in some way that makes it clear that's not true, though of course he can see how Derek would feel that. Or I needed Toby to have some insight as to why he suddenly needed children so badly, and through that insight to be able to fulfill the need another way.
I really enjoyed it, even as the tension twisted my gut (in the good way) wondering how they'd make it work. But then it felt like it ended too soon, too neatly, as suddenly everything is hunky-dory following a major scare. I totally believe that in those first moments after the scare they'll fully appreciate each other. But I'm not convined that Toby's desire for children won't reappear in another day or week, setting them right back where they were when the story started.
For it to work for me, I think I needed Derek to communicate to Toby how Toby's desire for children made Derek feel like he was no longer enough. And for Toby to understand that, and respond in some way that makes it clear that's not true, though of course he can see how Derek would feel that. Or I needed Toby to have some insight as to why he suddenly needed children so badly, and through that insight to be able to fulfill the need another way.
November 28, 2011
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this story of Derek and Toby. The Christmas traditions and obsessions all rang true. I appreciated how the dilemma about children was framed. I wish more people had ANY discussion about whether or not to have children and what that really means before they actually have them! It seems like many have no discussion at all and are then surprised by what it means to their lives. Universal issue and I liked the way it was handled - even though it was left open-ended. Sometimes that's the best way for a short story.
December 2, 2011
A cute short story where the MC have been together for 10 years but now have to deal with wanting different things from life.
It was an ok story, but I didn't get neither Derek nor Toby since for both the argument over (not)wanting children boiled down to because with no real reasoning behind it. Also the ending felt like it was left open. On one hand they realized they love each other and don't want to loose each other, but the issue of kids is still there and unresolved.
That said I did enjoy reading the story and even got a few chuckles out of Derek's comments.
It was an ok story, but I didn't get neither Derek nor Toby since for both the argument over (not)wanting children boiled down to because with no real reasoning behind it. Also the ending felt like it was left open. On one hand they realized they love each other and don't want to loose each other, but the issue of kids is still there and unresolved.
That said I did enjoy reading the story and even got a few chuckles out of Derek's comments.
November 30, 2011
4 1/2 stars - an outstanding short story
Mr. Koehler is a very good writer. He knows how to pull out all the emotional stops, how to make a serious situation jump out of the pages and grab the reader by the throat, and when to realize the story has reached a point where he will either have to write a full-on novel or end the story right there. How can a story have both an HEA and an HFN? Read The Advent Calendar to find out.
Mr. Koehler is a very good writer. He knows how to pull out all the emotional stops, how to make a serious situation jump out of the pages and grab the reader by the throat, and when to realize the story has reached a point where he will either have to write a full-on novel or end the story right there. How can a story have both an HEA and an HFN? Read The Advent Calendar to find out.
December 25, 2011
3.5 Stars
Oh Lord, but I felt badly for Derek & Toby. Their disagreement and conflict was achingly real, seemingly without the possibility of a positive resolution.
Oh Lord, but I felt badly for Derek & Toby. Their disagreement and conflict was achingly real, seemingly without the possibility of a positive resolution.
December 6, 2011
too unfinished, no resolution
December 28, 2011
I liked the writing of the story, although the "kid or no kid" was a bit too much, especially in the light of the end of the story. A real closure would have been nice.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews