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Not Over Yet

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On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…
One pissed off Santa…
A whole heap of trouble…

The last thing Phin feels like doing is going to a New Year’s Eve party. After a day dealing with sick animals, all he wants is a glass of red wine, some food and his bed. But as he drives home down a steep, snow-covered hill, he skids and hits a guy dressed as Santa Claus.

Maric’s not badly hurt, but he’s pissed off. He’s pretty sure Phin’s not the one he’s supposed to find, but when Phin takes him to his cottage, and Maric sees no sign of festivities, he begins to wonder if Phin is the one who needs his help.

Much as Phin would like to get rid of Maric, the thickly falling snow makes it too dangerous for Phin to drive him anywhere. The pair are stuck together, which suits Maric just fine. Now all he needs is luck and a bit of magic.

89 pages, ebook

First published November 10, 2020

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About the author

Barbara Elsborg

102 books1,682 followers
Barbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the south of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.

After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.

Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.

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5 stars
278 (44%)
4 stars
221 (35%)
3 stars
102 (16%)
2 stars
22 (3%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~.
3,677 reviews1,237 followers
November 28, 2020
I liked this story at the beginning, but Phin was so mean to Maric (after he hit Maric with his car!), the magic waned as the story progressed.

I loved Maric, however. I liked how utterly sweet and hopeful he was, even though his, um, family background was difficult to believe (even in a holiday romance).

The epilogue was OTT, and it was never entirely clear to me what Maric's quest had been (all his siblings had failed, yet they all seemed happy with mates and kids).

And why exactly did Phin's ex show up? That entire scene was unnecessary.

This is a cute, magical story. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as most readers did.
Profile Image for Cadiva.
4,118 reviews463 followers
December 10, 2020
Suspend all logical questions and just go with the flow.

This is a gorgeously sweet festive set romance which reminds one man of all the things he once loved about Christmas.

Cute and adorable, although I didn't really get the Yorkshire vibe from it and I'd love to know how they got from Harrogate to the coast in what seemed like about 15 minutes based on the dialogue 😉

Keep your mind open and then your heart will get filled with all the joys of two perfectly wonderful characters finding happiness.
Profile Image for Sheri.
1,418 reviews205 followers
December 5, 2020
Who What When Where Why How…Nope. I can’t tell you. Actually, I don’t know. But you can’t ask. Are you okay with that? Can you…continue without knowing? If the answer is yes, please carry on. If not, I’m afraid this tale isn’t for you. Yes, you must suspend reality my friends because Elsborg is going to take us on an enchanting journey. And I can promise you that you’ve never been on anything like this. This is going to be ‘one of those’ reviews, intentionally vague and probably more questions than anything. Because quite frankly, I can’t tell you. Not without spoiling and I am not one to reveal presents before it’s time to open.

Let’s get to what I can share…Phin is going to rub you the wrong way at first. He’s abrasive and irritable and…there are valid reasons for his spiky shell. I wasn’t expecting them (although since this is Barb penning this story, I should have!) and my eyes instantly began to leak. I should have known the feelz were going to come out and bite me. I didn’t mind, I just was startled. Amazingly, this curious and outlandish story touches on a little bit of everything. Now Maric, you’re gonna LOVE him. Without a doubt, he will steal your heart while he’s lifting it. He is playful and loving and full of wonder. When Phin accidentally strikes Maric with his car, his world is tipped upside down. Or maybe it’s toppled back where it’s supposed to be? Phin lost his smile and his sparkle earlier that year. Maric brings it back tenfold. Their story and fall are swift but I didn’t mind. I was swept away with the giddy joy and contagious smiles. It’s silly and yet serious. It’s simple but deep. It’s pure and at the same time kinky. In short, it was…festively charming. I think you need it!

Beware of: Magic is all around…but only if you believe. If you thought snowmen were cool, wait till you see this snow dragon. A foolish ex returns only to test the waters…or ice as it might be. And twelve days of Christmas that you won’t soon forget!

This book is for: Want something different to read this holiday? If you can hold your tongue, close your eyes and just feel…this adventure is for you.

Book UNfunk
Profile Image for Trio.
3,700 reviews218 followers
November 28, 2020
Simply lovely.

Barbara Elsborg is on a roll, her last four books have been amazing. Maric is completely endearing, and the way he patiently breaks down/waits out Phin tugged on my heartstrings the whole way through.

Ms. Elsborg uses such beautiful words to describe such ordinary things, unless it's the extraordinary things, in which case her words are even more beautiful.

Leaving us with the timeless reminder (which we need even more in 2020) that life is to be lived, and Christmas isn't over yet.
Profile Image for Darien.
869 reviews320 followers
December 27, 2020

4.25


This was so good and Maric is a delight. Glad I finished off my holiday reads with this gem.

HOW IT STARTED

description


HOW IT ENDED.....

Read the book.
Profile Image for Kazza.
1,593 reviews175 followers
November 20, 2020
This book's characters sneak up on you. Their story.

I wasn't sure for a while that their romance would click with me... then it totally did.

There's the usual Barbara Elsborg humour present, as well as her ability to make you experience little heart flutters, a hit to the feels. What I thought was simply going to be a fluffy little tale gave me so much more heart and soul.

Maric is adorable and Phin is a good guy, who can't love people who love animals? The fairy tale being told to the alpaca - oh, my heart. The letters. The snow dragon. I always enjoy BE's use of snow and magic around Christmas time. Not Over Yet is magical reading. Enjoy!
blog review at-
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Profile Image for Rin.
92 reviews6 followers
November 24, 2020
Perfect Christmas story. Light, sweet, fun and magical. No drama, no angst. Simply adorable.

Honestly, there's not much to say. It's a short read, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for R.J..
Author 315 books2,725 followers
December 1, 2020
I seriously did not know what to expect with this story, not knowing that it was going to have a magical Christmas touch and I was so happy it did. A lovely Christmas Story :)
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,902 reviews505 followers
December 7, 2021
3.75*

So this is pure Christmas fantasy, suspend belief and just go with it.

It’s an enjoyable read. Maric is a positive delight and grumpy Phin grows on you.

A beautiful and sweet Christmas treat.
Profile Image for Agla.
881 reviews63 followers
November 30, 2020
That was different but very sweet. I liked all the characters and the "mystery". The secondary characters were nice even though I wish we had known more about Olan because his behaviour was strange and not really explained. The two main characters could have been drawn out in more depth but it's a short story so that was fine. The steam did not really come across in my opinion, there were scenes but they did not really work for me. It was still highly enjoyable and I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,281 reviews276 followers
December 29, 2020
A cheery stranger and The Veterinarian!
A charming tale !
Phin is a Veterinarian and has been caring for sheep, and he’s tired on this New Year’s Eve. During his trip home he gets a surprise that sends his truck skidding on the icy road. What was the blonde, blue-eyed man doing on he road?
Phin takes Maric home to check him out, but Maric isn’t exactly appearing normal.
Maric has until January 5th to complete his task, so he spends quality time with Phin, learning about his sadness, but they do have fun. Maric learns about Phin, but can’t tell his truths. He does tell some stories, and sweet Maric makes very fancy decorations, they both go sledging, eat tasty meals, and have a new adventure for Maric, plus get sexy times.


Later on, it’s time for Maric to explain, but what will Phin think ?
This is cute, funny, magical, dreamy and heartwarming.
Let go and let the happiness catch you in this “fairytale” style story.
We get a fantastic, fantasy epilogue to make us smile !
ENJOY !


=====
Profile Image for Eugenia.
1,961 reviews328 followers
January 27, 2023
Fun & Fluffy

Zero angst
Magical
Christmas
A collision
Mending hearts
Flirty fun
Snow-capades
Magic
HEA

Was it perfect? No. Was the beginning a bit mean and rocky? Yes. I enjoyed the vibrancy that Maric brought that softened Phin’s prickly edges.

In all, a fun holiday read!
Profile Image for QuietlyKat.
710 reviews20 followers
November 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this charming, magical, heartwarming story. It was a lovely balance of feels putting a smile on my face and also bringing tears to my eyes.

4.5 lovely and magical stars
Profile Image for Jennifer☠Pher☠.
2,970 reviews279 followers
December 22, 2020
This was different. I couldn't quite get a feel for exactly what was happening and I think I was a little frustrated. I just wasn't sure if there was even going to be a real chance for a Happily Ever After so it made the read a little difficult for me.

It ended up being magical though.
Profile Image for Ren.
699 reviews8 followers
November 14, 2020
Perfectly seasonal and magical five stars. Do read this.
603 reviews
January 4, 2021
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…
One pissed off Santa…
A whole heap of trouble…

The last thing Phin feels like doing is going to a New Year’s Eve party. After a day dealing with sick animals, all he wants is a glass of red wine, some food and his bed. But as he drives home down a steep, snow-covered hill, he skids and hits a guy dressed as Santa Claus.

Maric’s not badly hurt, but he’s pissed off. He’s pretty sure Phin’s not the one he’s supposed to find, but when Phin takes him to his cottage, and Maric sees no sign of festivities, he begins to wonder if Phin is the one who needs his help.

Much as Phin would like to get rid of Maric, the thickly falling snow makes it too dangerous for Phin to drive him anywhere. The pair are stuck together, which suits Maric just fine. Now all he needs is luck and a bit of magic.

Review:

This is the only Christmas themed story I have read this year so far and I suspect it may remain the only one. I have a weird relationship with holiday stories - too often sweetness and hit for me over the head with the magic just overwhelms me . Mind you I love fantasy, I love magic, so I suspect too sweet is my main issue, but also when story becomes more about Christmas and the meaning of such rather than about two people in it .

I actually thought that up till the epilogue the amount of magic and amount of sweetness was just about right for me . Obviously one cannot doubt that Maric is connected to magic in one way or another, but there is just that tiny ray of doubt and uncertainty that was making the story, I don't know more subtle for me?

I also liked that besides having erm Christmas related skills Maric was saying things to Phin that amused me and made me giggle and made me consider Maric rather eccentric individual.

Just listen to him :)


“When Phin carried the bowls to the table, his jaw dropped in astonishment. Maric had cut delicate snowflakes out of two sheets of printer paper and made circular place settings and coasters. How the hell did he do that so fast? Not that they were any use other than as decoration, but they looked… beautiful. “They’re lovely.” Phin poured more wine for both of them. “How did you make them without folding the paper? They’re… amazing.” Impossible.

“I’m just good at it.” Maric beamed. “None of the four are identical. Just like snowflakes, though we have to take the word of scientists that no two snowflakes are alike because they can’t prove it. It’s extremely unlikely that two are identical but not impossible. That would be quite a job, wouldn’t it, if you were trying to confirm it one way or another? Bit like looking for a four-leafed clover. But in the cold. And with a microscope. And there are such things as four-leafed clovers, so if you look long enough, you’ll find one. But I never have.” You are a little weird.”


And I would like for the reader to listen to Maric for a little longer:
““Are you a murderer, cannibal, vampire, demon, werewolf or a… gargoyle?” Maric asked. “Possibly,” Phin said. He felt murderous. But when Maric laughed, the ice in Phin’s heart began to melt. Right until he registered it might have been a serious question. Well, parts of it at least.”


This boy was fun. And I liked that he was mysterious - as I said it was very hard not to get what he was connected to, but I was not 100% sure who he was *exactly* if that makes sense.


I also liked him with Phin who was a nice guy, but to me rather standard m/m character ( issues he has to overcome , etc ). I thought they had potential to be a fun couple.


And then there was an epilogue which spelled out everything, in *great detail* and made my teeth hurt from sweetness a great deal.

3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for JD Crittendon.
1,171 reviews11 followers
December 31, 2020
Christmasy Magic!

Knocking over a man dressed as Santa with his SUV was not the way Phin wanted to meet his next love Maric but it worked eventually. Wow! Such as a cute, sweet, whimsical Christmasy fairytale. I love the witty banter, I loved Maric, I love the magical storyline. Must read more books but this author.
Profile Image for Anabela.M..
960 reviews15 followers
November 8, 2020
Barbara Elsborg did it again, offering me a story that will stay with me forever.

Picture a modern day Scrooge and you have yourselves Phin. I love myself a grouch hiding a soft heart, and he was wonderfully growly, snappy yet obliviously gentle and caring. When he hit Maric, of course the guy was Phin's complete opposite. You know, one of those happy, all Christmas things loving, joyful and cheerful people...just to irritate Phin better.

Sparks flew between them and their banter was so hilarious I couldn't stop laughing. At the same time, it broke my heart seeing how lonely they both were. The author kept the mystery of Maric and his mission for most of the book, but made it completely obvious how much he needed a home and someone to love him. Phin, for his part, was disillusioned and still mourning his parents. The grumpiness was just a facade, a defense mechanism to protect himself from more hurt. They were both sweet and giving...so, so precious. I loved them together and hoped for their happy ending.

So Maric's time in Phin's home became a quest to open the latter's heart to Christmas again. And maybe, hopefully also make Phin want Maric forever. A quest that filled my heart with tenderness and joy, but also brought me to tears. The ending was delightful and heart-warming, the perfect finale to a perfect story.

Not Over Yet was a magical reading experience, no other way I can describe it, and I'm so grateful for the wonderful emotions that it gifted me.

Thank you.
Profile Image for French_fry.
359 reviews14 followers
November 21, 2020
Cute. Just enough angst to satisfy but not enough to upset the delicate balance I must maintain during these trying times.
Profile Image for Ann.
1,452 reviews136 followers
December 17, 2020
3.5 Stars

You have to suspend belief on this one, more so than most magical-elf-meets-human tales. The thing that sells it though is Maric and his pure likable sweetness. I just absolutely loved his heart. Whenever Phin was mean(ish) to him, I'd get so irritated. Not that Phin didn't have a right to question all the things, but come on, he's Maric, look at him and his sweet self.

I didn't totally get Maric's family dynamics or what his mission was exactly, but it seems like he accomplished it, so YAY Maric. I honestly only cared that he was happy.
Profile Image for the.argumentative.bong.
365 reviews10 followers
January 10, 2021
A magical holiday romance between a vet and a beautiful stranger...with lots of snow (lots of it), good food, enchanting Christmas decorations, snow dragon, badgers, reindeer, Santa Claus and a perfect fairytale ending.
Profile Image for Kirstin.
2,154 reviews20 followers
November 22, 2020
Very cute story with a bit of magic and a lot of hope.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews