An Angel gets his wings

Title:
Author: Missy Welsh
Cover Artist: Deanna C. Jamroz
Publisher: MLR Press
Buy Link:
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Length: Novella
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

A Guest Review by Larissa

Review Summary: the perfect sweet holiday read that will have you melting in a puddle of mush

Blurb: Will closeted Mike make it through this year’s family Christmas without succumbing to the innocent charms of his long-lost “cousin” George?

Mike Sharp is in Little Rock, Arkansas, visiting his family for Christmas while his best friend Brian Bailey’s up north walking right into Mike’s plans to hook him up with his neighbor Trent. Unfortunately, it seems like someone’s conspiring to get Mike panting after his third cousin, twice removed (or something like that) named George Whitlock. George who keeps sneaking up on him, being all shy and cute, and then having the audacity to give Mike great big calf eyes that are just begging Mike to drop to his knees. Mike will not give in because, if he does, he could lose his entire family when they discover he’s gay.

Review: The time around Christmas is the perfect time to read a sweet romantic story, on the couch under a blanky with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, with the Christmas tree and the lights twinkling. An Angel gets his Wings by Missy Welsh is such a story. It brightens your mood and has you smiling in no time.

It’s no secret that I like all works by Miss Welsh. This author is on my ‘buy immediately’ list, so I couldn’t resist reviewing this latest Holiday read.

An Angel gets his Wings is Mike and George’s story. We briefly met Mike in Everytime a Bell Rings, a holiday read from last year. While Brian is busy falling for his neighbor Trent, Mike is with his family in the Deep South. Instead of being out and proud and very gay like he is in Ohio, he is deep in the closet when at home. While it’s hard for Mike to lie to his family, he doesn’t want to lose them either and with the homophobic slurs they make that is a real possibility. Only Mike didn’t count on George being there this year. George is his third cousin, twice removed (or something). George is everything Mike likes in a man and it’s no surprise that he’s instantly hooked. So what is he going to do?

While primarily a Holiday read, An Angel gets his Wings also briefly touches the ‘coming out’ theme. How that works out for Mike and ultimately George, you’ll have to find out for yourself. All I can say it’s both very amusing and very touching.

Like all of Missy Welsh’s works, An Angel gets his Wings is very well written with a good narrative and plot and good characterization.

The story focusses on Mike and George and how they hook-up and the wacky Christmas celebration. The story doesn’t offer a happily ever after where the characters ride off in the sunset, but the promise of one. It’s something that fits the length of the story and makes it believable. It’s a holiday read so the focus is on the Holidays and has a feel-good air. It would be nice to see more of Mike and George and to see how they work together as they are both engaging characters.

Both characters are well developed. The reader gets a good feel for them in the story. Mike is hilarious and the situations he gets in are funny. He’s caring and sweet and witty. George is more sensitive. He’s still very young and has been in some hard situations. While fragile, he’s strong too. He is definitely a character that pulls on your heartstrings.

While the Holidays are over, An Angel gets his Wings is definitely worth the read if you are in the mood for something short and sweet. You’ll love the attention to details the author puts in, like the shirt George wears to church (and no I’m not telling!).