I think it's very thoughtful, romantic, emotional, has a strong message. BUT I hesitate to throw this aside as "just" an erotic novel. If you're not into that, this might not be the meet-cute for you. Just SOME moments that made me aware, "Oh, this is a book, I've seen this before." which took me out of the moment.įull disclosure if you couldn't tell from the tags: This IS an explicit book, there are very detailed sex scenes. Gave me flashbacks to The Mister (thank you for ruining Sponge Bob, E.L. I think the book could have done without those Scooby Doo boxers. But not a literal child, despite the fact that Jon's previous relationship was with a "Daddy" XD. And maybe it's a little bit preachy of me, but I found the CONSTANT Scooby Doo references infantilizing, which I don't think was the kink the author was going for. The Cinderella concept was cute, but the whole setup had me playing Romance Novel Bingo: Car dies on a snowy road Hottie brings Stranded back to a lovely log cabin Mismatched lovers bond over skating and cocoa, yada yada yada. But this book was not without its eyeroll moments. Jon may have that cliche "Sleigh all day *Z-snap*" vibe, but he's a wonderfully nuanced character, and I'm so happy his message is out there, dear readers. It wasn't his responsibility to educate someone ignorant, or to endure derision, but he made the choice to be better than the things that hurt him, and to put forward the kind of warmth he wants to see in the world. I loved everything Jon had to say about confronting offensive behavior with firm boundaries and kind instruction, and being true to himself by being kind even when others are not. I liked the subplot (secondary theme?) too about not stereotyping gay people or queer culture. I really really REALLY liked the representation in this book. Jon and Cooper are caring, attentive, careful, respectful. But THIS book was wise and responsible with its representation. This was such a sweet, swoon-worthy book! I'm so proud that it exists! Many "romance" novels get kink representation wrong, and actually parrot bad, abusive relationship advice to the audience. I just can’t believe that the same author that wrote my precious Finch and Luca wrote whatever this is. There was just so much disjointed writing in this so that by the end I didn’t care. The Big Conflict between Jon and Cooper was just… silly. Everything was just wrapped up in a neat little package and it was cheap. Then his mom’s eventual redemption was… out of the blue and kind of undeserved. And his dysfunctional relationship with his ex. 70% of the book was about him and his dysfunctional relationship with his mom. But this didn’t even really deliver on sex at all. I HATE it when authors hint at kink and don’t deliver. There is one BJ near the beginning, then about 70% of the book with nothing… a mediocre sex scene… then there “we’re officially together and in love” sex scene was… another blow job? Then the final supposedly D/s sex scene was off page. What it was: a book where D/s dynamics were talked about but not delivered on (some stern words and a spanking at 99% does not make it a D/s book). What this book tried to be: a sweet holiday stranded-in-the-snow-with-a-sexy-stranger Hallmark movie with a kinky twist. HFN/HEA guaranteed, and no cliffhangers.įeaturing: Snowed In, There's Only One Bed, Hurt/Comfort, Fake Dating, Mistletoe Kisses and (naturally!) some naughty fun. Winter Wonders is a standalone holiday romance novel with humor, just a dash of angst, and west-coast cool versus east-coast class. Meanwhile, Cooper's disapproving mother not only invites his ex to their Christmas Eve event, she digs into Jon's past to prove to Cooper that they're totally unsuited.Ĭan Cooper and Jon admit that they might be each other's winter wonderful, or will their differences and outside interference prove too much? He's determined to work out exactly what Jon wants, and give it to him. Still, maybe a fake relationship could be fun, just for the holidays?īut Cooper has made up his mind: it's his Christmas mission to heal Jon's heart. And especially no interest in a guy who's so new to finding his bossy side in bed. Definitely no interest in the heir to the Kincaid estate, where Jon is working for the holidays. Jon has no interest in a new relationship after getting his heart broken. But their merrymaking is complicated when Cooper lies to his meddling mother, and tells her he's dating Jon. Jon seems to bring out something deep inside Cooper.something he's tried to keep hidden from previous boyfriends. So perfect, in fact, that he can't resist unwrapping the gorgeous present and playing with him a little early, after taking Jon back to his cabin to recover from a minor car accident. This holiday season, Cooper Kincaid finds his perfect Christmas gift on the side of the road: Jonathan Ashe. Alternate cover edition of ASIN B0811BNP7M
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