Tutus and Tinsel

I really enjoyed this series and decided to revisit the characters for a bit of Christmas in the summer. Tutus and Tinsel builds off characters and families previously introduced in the Half Moon Bay series, so it’s definitely best enjoyed after reading those books. This sweet holiday story reminds readers that traditions aren’t necessarily those held the longest time, but rather those you hold closest to your heart.

I’ve always liked Zig and her big personality so I was excited to get more time with her as well as her fathers. The author does a wonderful job capturing her strength and vulnerability as well as lighting on those little moments between Deacon and Lang that reaffirm their love and strong connection. If you’re looking to add a bit of holiday magic to your day, I’d definitely recommend picking up this short as it’s filled with heartwarming family moments.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

I loved this short story. I loved all the old and new traditions they made. A great way to catch up on the gang! It left me wanting for more! I can’t believe how they have grown as a family!

Fact One: the adage is “write what you know”, and for most people the goings on in the house they live in is something with which they are at least vaguely familiar. Fact Two: for many people the holidays are all about family and things that the family does together; their family traditions. So when Zig’s teacher assigns an essay/presentation all about family holiday traditions, it seemed on the surface like it would be a safe bet. PROBLEM -- before Deacon (and by later extension Lang) Zig didn’t really have much to call family.. Things were dicey enough that family time was something to be survived, not enjoyed. Holidays were to be dealt with, not celebrated. Zig has no family traditions to write and talk about. The whole concept is foreign to her. What’s a kid to do? Well, necessity is the mother of invention.

Zig, Deacon and Lang come up with a plan to try-out various Christmas-themed holiday traditions. Zig’s report will then be about the trials and errors of their experiences. It will be half writing assignment, half social sciences experiment. Most of this book is the hilarity that ensues as the merry trio test-drives a list of varied activities, trying to decide what which ones will become their family traditions.

By the end of the book though, there are a couple of realizations that come come out of the experience. One, family isn’t necessarily defined as those one is biologically (or legally, such as in the case of marriage or adoption) connected to. Two, what makes a really special “tradition” isn’t necessarily what you are doing or why, but who you are doing it with.

There is no suspenseful creepy happenings, and the hijinks are of the fun kind as opposed to the criminal kind. In that sense this is NOT the typical Rhys Ford book. What this book DOES have in common with the rest of Rhys’ work though, is heart. It’s a fun little romp of fly-on-the-wallness, watching a group of people coming together and finding what it takes to both make and be a family.

Fact One: the adage is “write what you know”, and for most people the goings on in the house they live in is something with which they are at least vaguely familiar. Fact Two: for many people the holidays are all about family and things that the family does together; their family traditions. So when Zig’s teacher assigns an essay/presentation all about family holiday traditions, it seemed on the surface like it would be a safe bet. PROBLEM -- before Deacon (and by later extension Lang) Zig didn’t really have much to call family.. Things were dicey enough that family time was something to be survived, not enjoyed. Holidays were to be dealt with, not celebrated. Zig has no family traditions to write and talk about. The whole concept is foreign to her. What’s a kid to do? Well, necessity is the mother of invention.

Zig, Deacon and Lang come up with a plan to try-out various Christmas-themed holiday traditions. Zig’s report will then be about the trials and errors of their experiences. It will be half writing assignment, half social sciences experiment. Most of this book is the hilarity that ensues as the merry trio test-drives a list of varied activities, trying to decide what which ones will become their family traditions.

By the end of the book though, there are a couple of realizations that come come out of the experience. One, family isn’t necessarily defined as those one is biologically (or legally, such as in the case of marriage or adoption) connected to. Two, what makes a really special “tradition” isn’t necessarily what you are doing or why, but who you are doing it with.

There is no suspenseful creepy happenings, and the hijinks are of the fun kind as opposed to the criminal kind. In that sense this is NOT the typical Rhys Ford book. What this book DOES have in common with the rest of Rhys’ work though, is heart. It’s a fun little romp of fly-on-the-wallness, watching a group of people coming together and finding what it takes to both make and be a family.

It was wonderful to revisit these guys from the previous stories without the same level of drama. We get more of Deacon's back story. But Zig is really the star of the story. I loved her presentation she made. They are such a beautiful family that has overcome so much.