Made in New York - A Christmas Short Story by Ana Newfolk

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Blurb

Isaac’s trip to New York just before Christmas was supposed to serve a single purpose, learn as much as he could about running an LGBT Youth Center to take back home and make those much necessary improvements to the youth center he ran in his native Portugal.

Max’s love of the Christmas season was only surpassed by his love for the LGBT Youth Center he volunteered at, and his job as a nurse. One last speech about sexual education for LGBT young people at risk at a conference in the same center was all that separated Max from getting started with his Christmas celebrations.

Isaac didn’t count on needing to be rescued from a fire by a strapping brown-eyed nurse.

Max didn’t count on Christmas coming early in the shape of a curly-haired man with the most bewitching pair of eyes he’d ever seen.

With 48 hours left in New York, Isaac never thought he’d get an offer he just couldn’t resist.

Suddenly, the chill in the air isn’t enough to stoke the fire that now burns in a completely different way to the one that brought Isaac and Max together.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Ana Newfolk's Made In New York is a fantastic, fun novella. 

Isaac and Max are amazingly sweet and romantic together. They both found their "person" and have to navigate the fact that they live far apart from one another. 

They do fall in love quickly, but it's written in a tender and romantic way, and their distance makes for an emotional ride. My favorite part is their day spent exploring, NYC, especially the Bryant Park scene. Of course, their scene when they part is tough to read. 

Made In New York is a wonderful tale of finding "the one" but not having enough time together. Don't miss it if you've been reading Ana's series, that started with Made In Portugal, which is superb!

Made in Portugal by Ana Newfolk

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Blurb

At 10 years old Joel was uprooted from his home and everything he knew in Portugal to start a new life in the States. At 26 he finds himself returning for the first time in thirteen years. So what if looking into the eyes of his childhood best friend again still makes his heart race out of his chest?

Living in sunny, laid-back Portugal isn't all it's cracked up to be. For David, dreams of being a pastry chef come second to working in his family's café where his renowned custard tarts draw in the crowds. Seeing Joel brings old feelings back. Feelings he’s not sure he’s brave enough to acknowledge to anyone other than himself.

With the inspiration of an old travel journal, the two friends embark on a real journey through memories in a country where looking back into the past runs as deep as the blood that courses through their veins.

Falling in love was never meant to be a stop along the way, but maybe inevitable when you have the adventurous spirit and courage to pursue what you want, make love under the stars and even figure out how to jumpstart an old Citroen 2CV in the middle of the Alentejo countryside.

Made In Portugal is Ana Newfolk's debut novel and is a standalone gay romance novel with a HEA ending and no cliffhanger. Fair warning, there will be naked man parts touching, know-it-all grandparents, a red car, and pastry, lots of pastry.
Made In Portugal is approximately 74000 words.



REVIEWS
My Rating - 5 Stars!!!!!


It's not everyday that I find a book like Made in Portugal that makes me want to tell everyone to read it right away! I am so damn impressed with this book by Ana Newfolk.

From the very beginning, I knew this book was going to be special. 

Joel and David are everything you want in a M/M Romance. After growing up as best friends, they are reunited and what follows just warms the heart.  

This book contains so much sentiment, so much romance, and an overabundance of love. The trip the two set out on is so damn wonderful, and when they are together physically, the chemistry is off the charts.

The overall journey for these two is so powerful. David had spent his life in the closet, fearing the repercussions if his aunt and uncle ever find out he's gay. His reasons for this are sound, but his constant public rejection of Joel is devastating. 

The lessons in this tale are fantastic. There is a big difference between living with caution versus embracing your true self and fully living. Sometime you need to return home to find your true self, and it is ok to do so.

And one of the most special things about this book is that Ana manages to feature the deceased parents as some of the most important people in the story. She does so in a creative and emotional way that is astounding.

Want a romantic preview? '"I love you so much I'm not even sure how all the particles in my body remain in one place when you're not around."'


Made In Portugal is as romantic as it can get. Ana Newfolk has far exceeded any expectations I had going into this book, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!