Note: Reviews are listed alphabetically by author’s last name.
Christmas on Stardust Lane
Garrett Leigh
The best sorts of Christmas romances are those that could be set at any time of year and still read perfectly, because the depth of emotion is rooted in the characters and their connection rather than any specific holiday. Tam and Bhodi have this connection in spades, from the first they lay eyes on each other, which makes Tam’s initial determination to avoid his lodger crumble immediately. Their goal to stay “friends,” once they get to know each other, is admirable for the five seconds that also takes to crumble under the weight of their undeniable chemistry. After that, Leigh balances swoon and communication issues effortlessly, crafting a heart-melting romance that provides plenty of delicious warmth for the holiday season.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Snow Storm
E.M. Lindsey
I appreciate that Lindsey tagged this book as a winter romance, rather than a holiday romance. While the story is set around the holiday season, the themes of the love story element are much more evocative of two characters finding themselves in a personal winter but coming together unexpectedly and having something more bloom between them. Claude and Harley aren’t looking for love, but they both deserve to have it find them when they each risk their hearts in search of connection. As always, Lindsey writes nontraditional/diverse heroes with intention and respect, and I always love visiting their realistic worlds filled with love and hope. This winter season, especially, we all deserve such a lovely story.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
No Man’s Land
Sally Malcolm
This creepy and engrossing paranormal/horror romance is the perfect palate cleanser amidst all the holiday love stories, while also helping us appreciate everything worth celebrating. Malcolm doesn’t stint on highlighting the brutality of WW1 in the adventure element of this plot, using the tragic plight of the common man versus the “special” supernatural element to mirror the inherent conflict between Josef and Alex as their stories intertwine in more ways than one. This is a true paranormal romance, with a love story that would not have developed without the external conflict that brings these two men together, but where the well-crafted conflict also stands on its own without the added drama of the relationship. Josep and Alex are a wonderfully unlikely pair, because war does create strange bedfellows, but their connection and chemistry feel strong enough to stand the test of time. I’d absolutely love to read about their ongoing adventures, or at least more stories set in Malcolm’s vibrant version of England and beyond during this time period.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Love of the Game
Anna Zabo (Games We Play)
As a reader who is much more used to kink and/or angst from this author, this book is certainly a departure. What is consistent, however, is the quality of the writing and the depth of the characters Zabo brings to life, regardless of angst level. This isn’t an “insta love” romance so much as a story of two men finding a home in each other even when they weren’t necessarily looking. Drake’s personal struggles bring him into Jon’s world, but even though Jon acts like he doesn’t have many struggles at all, these are both fully three-dimensional characters that I can easily see existing in western Pennsylvania. Together, they are sheer perfection.
Snowed In
“If I Had the Chance” by E.M. Lindsey: A sweet forced proximity story in which the people being forced together don’t exactly complain…and even more sweetly use the opportunity to finally be true to themselves. Adam and Magnus are fully realized characters even within the limits of this shorter text. Lindsey tells a complete story that doesn’t need to be any longer, but I’d have read so many more pages of these two adorably spiky scientists being soft for each other.
“Texas Snow” by Kelly Fox: This story starts out like a pile of bad decisions wearing a sexy trench coat but quickly evolves into the fun “murder swoon” storytelling that I adore from Fox. She packs a spicy and well-developed romantic suspense story featuring three-dimensional characters into a small package, and I loved this fun departure from more traditional holiday romances.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the anthology organizer.
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