1. So, first thing to note is this book takes place almost entirely not in DC. I know! But it involves a Hawaiian Expo held in Las Vegas, Nevada, so most of the action takes place there. The Expo is loosely inspired by an actual much more serious Hwaiian gathering that probably does not involve, well, we'll get to that.
2. Helena appeared previously in Troubled by Love and Tricked by Love. You do not need to read either of these to read Presented with Love, though, In fact, Helena does not have time in the story to talk to any of her friends from DC.
3. Makoa is a hockey player, although it's July so there is no hockey played in this story.
4. Helena and Makoa hookup after meeting in an airport hotel bar near the Denver airport. I don't know about you, but the Denver airport always tries to keep me. I've decided it enjoys my presence. So, I am basically never surprised when people have tales about trying to get out of Denver.
5. I am somewhat ambivalent about Christmas but I love Christmas music. And the Hawaiian versions of the Christmas songs are of course faves. It's odd because it basically never snowed growing up in DC on Christmas (once, maybe) but it seemed just as dreamy to me - much as I love snow - to listen to people singing about sandy beaches or eating coconuts for Christmas.
6. Yes, they are doing a Christmas song themed reality show, but it is July. I mean they are also doing this inside a fictitious hotel ballroom in Vegas, so why not?
7. Presented with Love - a novella
When a flight snafu puts Helena in the airport hotel bar next to a hot guy, she takes full advantage. The hookup is hot, but the guy disappears on her. And when finally she gets to Las Vegas it turns out her tutu has signed her up for a televised competition based on a Hawaiian Christmas song, and one of the other contestants is that guy who ghosted her? Helena's competitive spirit kicks into gear.
Makoa is good at hockey, it's off-ice where he seems to fumble. So when he finds his mom has signed him up for a TV show, well, he's hoping for a Christmas miracle. Because Helena is rightfully annoyed at him, and he needs to stay in the competition long enough to prove he's worth another chance. Otherwise this will be his last day of Christmas.
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