Book Review: Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas

Book: Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas by A.V. Sanders

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

Reid, an American shark research scientist, is in Perth, Australia working to develop a mobile app that may revolutionize shark safety practices. But even the company of his boyfriend, Graham, isn't enough to stave off homesickness as Christmas approaches, and a missing shark and Graham's struggling business seem set to ruin the holiday for good.


Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

I'm glad I gave this author a second chance because although the first book I read Percolation, Poetry, and Passion was good, it felt a bit rushed and underdeveloped especially near the end. Meanwhile, I found this book to be much more well thought out and well-written.

In this short story, Reid an American research scientist was trying to enjoy the Christmas holiday in his newly adopted city of Australia. However, despite having a wonderful boyfriend (Graham), he still can't quite shake his Christmas blues.

Reid has been in Australia for a year studying sharks and testing his invention, a surf safe app that can both track sharks and be a warning system when they get too close to shore. Reid's work with sharks and trying to test out his shark detecting app are helping to keep his mind off of the fact that Christmas won't come with snow and many of the other things he's used to seeing. Lying around on the beach in hot sunny weather doesn't feel like the Christmas season to him.

Meanwhile, native Australian Graham had been waffling when it comes to his career. After his father died, the party planning business Celebration Hall was left to him and his mother. But his heart really wasn't into the business.

Adding to Reid's homesick troubles is that his favorite shark Molly has gone missing. He hasn't been able to track her whereabouts and is starting to fear the worse. Meanwhile, Graham while trying to avoid his family obligations is trying to find different ways to show Reid how Australians celebrate Christmas.

However, Graham may have unexpectedly found a new career opportunity that may make it possible for him to continue working in the family business but add something new to it.

I really like this story, it was nice and fluffy and there was no unnecessary relationship drama. But there was some shark drama near the end that added a little suspense to the story. Reid and Graham are two 30-somethings already in an established relationship and you get to see these sweet and romantic moments between them in this interesting story. I really like the characters, despite being a short story, I found out a lot about Reid and Graham. The author also included a lot of interesting information about sharks and the Australian ecosystem.