For several months Angela and Christian have a wonderful affair. It is not difficult for either of them to say, "I love you." And they get together whenever they can manage. Then Christian's job starts to get in the way. First it is a weekend here and there but eventually they are only talking on the phone, it just isn't the same. After six months Angela feels like Christian has dropped out of her life altogether. By the following Thanksgiving, when Christian calls to say he can't make Thanksgiving or Christmas, although Angela is still incredibly hurt, she is more surprised that he called than that he will not be showing up.

Two years later, just after Thanksgiving, Christian surprises Angela with a phone call saying he is coming to town and then with the news that he is moving to Dallas. They quickly discover that the love and friendship between them is just as strong as it was two years ago. And in no time they find themselves falling into a similar relationship, with Christian showing up whenever his job permits it. Sometimes that means arriving at Angela's after she is asleep and leaving before she wakes up. Christian's priority of placing work over everything else is becoming a serious problem for Angela. Although in bed, everything between them is fantastic and saying "I love you" is not a problem, all the other aspects of their lives seem to be causing problems. Angela begins to realize she needs a serious relationship with someone who is there for her not just in his thoughts but also in person. Christian took a pay cut in order to transfer to Dallas, but his work is very important to him and it seems no one else can keep is company's computer servers running. This Christmas they are to finally have Christmas dinner together again and this time with Angela's family. But when Christian tells Angela he is forced to work a double shift on Christmas day it might mean the end of their relationship.

A Christmas Favor is a wonderful story of a passionate friendship between two people that although both love and care for each other are not sure they can make it work. The believable relationship between Angela and Christian was nicely developed and the chemistry between them makes for some delightfully steamy and erotic scenes. There were many little touches in the story that help bring a realistic feeling to the contemporary romance and bring Angela and Christian across as ordinary people trying to make their life work. I did feel there were a few unnecessary and confusing parts to the story that didn't really seem to help in the development of the plot. Overall, Sascha Illyvich has written a fun, sexy novel that makes for a great evening of entertainment.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Larenda Twigg
January 26, 2004