It wormed it's way so easily into my heart that I know I am forever changed by it. Russo knocked this out of the park! I mean full on bases loaded, bottom of the ninth, World Series HOME RUN!Ĭhristmas Kitsch is one of my all time favorites stories. With their help and Oliver's love, Rusty comes to realize that he may have failed college, but he'll pass real life with flying rainbow colors. Oliver may not have much money, but he's got something Rusty has never known: true family. Rusty's parents disagree, and Rusty finds himself homeless for the holidays. He returns home for Thanksgiving break clinging to the one thing he knows to be true: Oliver Campbell is the best thing that's ever happened to him. Rusty thinks the friendship is just pity - Oliver is very bright, and Rusty is very not - but then Oliver kisses him good-bye when Rusty leaves for college, and Rusty is forced to rethink everything he knows about himself.īut even Rusty's newfound awareness can't help him survive a semester at Berkeley. And he might have stayed that way except he develops a friendship with out-and-proud Oliver Campbell from the wrong side of the tracks. Rusty Baker is a blond, rich, entitled football player in a high school full of them - just the type of oblivious jock all the bullied kids hate. Sometimes the best thing you can get for Christmas is knowing what you really want.

Christmas Kitsch by Amy Lane