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Sentinel Protection #1.5
Kissing in the Snow
I’m not a social person.
It’s why I prefer spending my time working on engines instead of interacting with the world around me.
Yet when I saw him stranded on the side of the road as the worst storm this county has ever seen moved in, I had to stop.
Inviting a stranger into my home was never part of the plan, but the moment my eyes met his, I knew there was something different about him.
As the hours pass, I find my world changing as my walls start to crumble before my eyes.
The storm raging outside is making me question everything. Is what I’m feeling real, or will I be left with a disaster after it passes?
Kissing in the snow is a steamy M/M Christmas Novella
It’s why I prefer spending my time working on engines instead of interacting with the world around me.
Yet when I saw him stranded on the side of the road as the worst storm this county has ever seen moved in, I had to stop.
Inviting a stranger into my home was never part of the plan, but the moment my eyes met his, I knew there was something different about him.
As the hours pass, I find my world changing as my walls start to crumble before my eyes.
The storm raging outside is making me question everything. Is what I’m feeling real, or will I be left with a disaster after it passes?
Kissing in the snow is a steamy M/M Christmas Novella
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2021
34 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Laura John
29 books496 followersHi i am Laura, a Canadian girl who loves to write romance. I write swoon worthy romances that will take you on emotional rollercoasters!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
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December 7, 2021
Kissing in the Snow is a sexy, sweet holiday novella by Laura John. I chose this because of the cover! And after getting to know Dane, it’s perfect.
Dane Michelson owns his own mechanics shop in the small town of Chestnut. Dane has always suffered terribly from social anxiety. He can deal with people most of the time one on one, but not groups. This, along with being gay, limits his chances of finding someone to love. Most men can’t handle the type of quiet life he needs. To get away from things when it all starts to be too much, Dane has a cabin up in the mountains. It’s his recharging place. He was there on that particular Christmas Eve when he found the car in the ditch and when he met the driver, his world changed.
Ryan is a doctor and his life is full of stress. He works in the emergency room in the hospital in the city where he lives. His shifts are long and grueling and it doesn’t help that his boss is less than tolerable. Ryan is determined to make it to his brother’s wedding at a lodge up in the mountains. A snow storm and icy conditions landed him in the ditch. Thankfully, the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen came along to rescue him. It looks like he’ll be spending Christmas with him!
Ryan and Dane’s attraction was fast and strong. But along with it, came feelings. On the outside, it seemed like they were polar opposites. Ryan was outgoing, Dane, of course, was not. But as they got acquainted, they realized they had much more in common than they thought. But Ryan lives in the city. Dane could never tolerate that kind of life. Is this just a short fling while Ryan is stranded? Or is it something that could grow to more?
This was a quick read and oh so steamy. These two were cute together and I enjoyed watching their feelings develop. It was a fun addition to my holiday reading.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Dane Michelson owns his own mechanics shop in the small town of Chestnut. Dane has always suffered terribly from social anxiety. He can deal with people most of the time one on one, but not groups. This, along with being gay, limits his chances of finding someone to love. Most men can’t handle the type of quiet life he needs. To get away from things when it all starts to be too much, Dane has a cabin up in the mountains. It’s his recharging place. He was there on that particular Christmas Eve when he found the car in the ditch and when he met the driver, his world changed.
Ryan is a doctor and his life is full of stress. He works in the emergency room in the hospital in the city where he lives. His shifts are long and grueling and it doesn’t help that his boss is less than tolerable. Ryan is determined to make it to his brother’s wedding at a lodge up in the mountains. A snow storm and icy conditions landed him in the ditch. Thankfully, the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen came along to rescue him. It looks like he’ll be spending Christmas with him!
Ryan and Dane’s attraction was fast and strong. But along with it, came feelings. On the outside, it seemed like they were polar opposites. Ryan was outgoing, Dane, of course, was not. But as they got acquainted, they realized they had much more in common than they thought. But Ryan lives in the city. Dane could never tolerate that kind of life. Is this just a short fling while Ryan is stranded? Or is it something that could grow to more?
This was a quick read and oh so steamy. These two were cute together and I enjoyed watching their feelings develop. It was a fun addition to my holiday reading.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
dnf
December 7, 2021DNF at 11%
Is it too much to ask for characters that don't get erections in the middle of snow storms at the first meeting?
Come on guys, what happened to your survival instincts? I guess they're a little lower than usual, all the way down in the groin area.
Also what is with getting turned on by someone that treats you like crap?
"You have two options: stay here and freeze to death or come home with me. I honestly give zero fucks what you decide."
And they say romance is dead..
Is it too much to ask for characters that don't get erections in the middle of snow storms at the first meeting?
Come on guys, what happened to your survival instincts? I guess they're a little lower than usual, all the way down in the groin area.
Also what is with getting turned on by someone that treats you like crap?
"You have two options: stay here and freeze to death or come home with me. I honestly give zero fucks what you decide."
And they say romance is dead..
December 20, 2021
3 Stars
Featuring a steamy, fast-paced M/M romance between an introverted mechanic and an extroverted young doctor, Kissing in the Snow utilized the classic winter-y trope of two strangers being reluctantly snowed-in together but finding unexpected love over Christmas.
I’ll be honest, it’s a trope I enjoy—so much so, that I threw caution to the wind on a new-to-me author just to give this story a try.
It proved satisfactorily sexy and romantic, and just Christmassy enough to meet my holiday reading tastes, but I’ll admit I struggled immediately with the use of first-person POVs, which, in general, seem to always pull me out of a story with jarring regularity. This may very well be a personal taste issue on my behalf though, so keep that in mind.
The beginning of the story, too, was fairly perplexing, with Dane coming across as a bit of an unlikable prick, with his rudeness to Ryan when they first met on the side of the road. I know this was explained away due to Dane’s social anxiety, but it’s just becoming a bit of a common theme to cast anxiety-ridden people as unsociable and rude because of their inner struggles, and quite frankly, based on my lifetime of anxiety issues, this is far from my personal experience, and hence, a tad annoying whenever I witness this representation in books and on screen. Sure, Dane becomes the sweet, doting lover pretty quickly, apologizing for his poor first impression, but that didn’t excuse his asshole-ery at the beginning, just sayin.’
It should also be noted that this story was insta-lust/love on crack, with sex on the first day, talk of soulmates on the second, and grand decisions to uproot lives for new-love by the third. This type of speed-romance will not be for everyone, but as long as you know what your in for in that regard, readers can adjust their disbelief scales accordingly.
As far as new-to-me author experiences are concerned, all things considered, this one wasn’t half bad. I’d certainly be open to trying more from Laura John in my future, should another one of her enticing synopses and sexy book covers pull me in again.
Side note: I see this is (now) marked as the second book in John’s Sentinel Protection series, but I have ZERO CLUE what this has to do with bodyguard romances. Perhaps it’s a mistake, but don’t let the supposed series connection sway you, as this was 100% a standalone read as far as I’m concerned.
Featuring a steamy, fast-paced M/M romance between an introverted mechanic and an extroverted young doctor, Kissing in the Snow utilized the classic winter-y trope of two strangers being reluctantly snowed-in together but finding unexpected love over Christmas.
I’ll be honest, it’s a trope I enjoy—so much so, that I threw caution to the wind on a new-to-me author just to give this story a try.
It proved satisfactorily sexy and romantic, and just Christmassy enough to meet my holiday reading tastes, but I’ll admit I struggled immediately with the use of first-person POVs, which, in general, seem to always pull me out of a story with jarring regularity. This may very well be a personal taste issue on my behalf though, so keep that in mind.
The beginning of the story, too, was fairly perplexing, with Dane coming across as a bit of an unlikable prick, with his rudeness to Ryan when they first met on the side of the road. I know this was explained away due to Dane’s social anxiety, but it’s just becoming a bit of a common theme to cast anxiety-ridden people as unsociable and rude because of their inner struggles, and quite frankly, based on my lifetime of anxiety issues, this is far from my personal experience, and hence, a tad annoying whenever I witness this representation in books and on screen. Sure, Dane becomes the sweet, doting lover pretty quickly, apologizing for his poor first impression, but that didn’t excuse his asshole-ery at the beginning, just sayin.’
It should also be noted that this story was insta-lust/love on crack, with sex on the first day, talk of soulmates on the second, and grand decisions to uproot lives for new-love by the third. This type of speed-romance will not be for everyone, but as long as you know what your in for in that regard, readers can adjust their disbelief scales accordingly.
As far as new-to-me author experiences are concerned, all things considered, this one wasn’t half bad. I’d certainly be open to trying more from Laura John in my future, should another one of her enticing synopses and sexy book covers pull me in again.
Side note: I see this is (now) marked as the second book in John’s Sentinel Protection series, but I have ZERO CLUE what this has to do with bodyguard romances. Perhaps it’s a mistake, but don’t let the supposed series connection sway you, as this was 100% a standalone read as far as I’m concerned.
December 9, 2022
Maybe 1.5 ⭐️
Insta lust, not a fan. Insta love? That I am. (which this book DID NOT have)
I think I already complain about this a million times. Lusting over a stranger you just met and getting a boner after few seconds talking to them is a big no no for me. Especially when you’re stuck in the middle of a snowstorm. So, that part, obviously did not work.
The love/lust development was EHHH. Since they already lusted over each other, obviously sex comes first. It was easy and fast, but kinda boring. Nothing was exciting. The book was trying to be sweet, but it felt numb. I felt numb reading it. Not entertaining at all.
Then, they (rushly) develop romantic feelings which leads me to think that this book is overall, too short for its own storyline. Also, I counted, they had sex (the one that described in detail) like 6-7 times in a 100 pages of novella - Incase anyone wants to know how hypersexual they are :’) again, not a fan of cock bobbing, cock sucking and fucking all the time here and there. Well actually, I am a fan, but please make it actual hot and spicy and not something repetitive ;)
I wanted to DNF, but I was already at 87% waiting for the entertainment to come to existence AHAHAH so yeah here I am 💀
Insta lust, not a fan. Insta love? That I am. (which this book DID NOT have)
I think I already complain about this a million times. Lusting over a stranger you just met and getting a boner after few seconds talking to them is a big no no for me. Especially when you’re stuck in the middle of a snowstorm. So, that part, obviously did not work.
The love/lust development was EHHH. Since they already lusted over each other, obviously sex comes first. It was easy and fast, but kinda boring. Nothing was exciting. The book was trying to be sweet, but it felt numb. I felt numb reading it. Not entertaining at all.
Then, they (rushly) develop romantic feelings which leads me to think that this book is overall, too short for its own storyline. Also, I counted, they had sex (the one that described in detail) like 6-7 times in a 100 pages of novella - Incase anyone wants to know how hypersexual they are :’) again, not a fan of cock bobbing, cock sucking and fucking all the time here and there. Well actually, I am a fan, but please make it actual hot and spicy and not something repetitive ;)
I wanted to DNF, but I was already at 87% waiting for the entertainment to come to existence AHAHAH so yeah here I am 💀
Read
December 18, 2021Dnf @ 43%. 🤦♀️ I already knew instalove novellas rarely do it for me and a Christmas novella at that? I have no idea what i was thinking... I'm blaming the cover!
I'm not going to rate this because it wouldn't be fair to the author. While I really liked Dane's character I thought the overall story was just meh and them going at it the very night they met just didn't feel believable to me. Not saying that type of scenario never feels believable because done right it definitely does 😏... I just wasn't feeling it here. I think I'm going to have to use the much used "its me, not the book" explanation for this one. Oh well.
I'm not going to rate this because it wouldn't be fair to the author. While I really liked Dane's character I thought the overall story was just meh and them going at it the very night they met just didn't feel believable to me. Not saying that type of scenario never feels believable because done right it definitely does 😏... I just wasn't feeling it here. I think I'm going to have to use the much used "its me, not the book" explanation for this one. Oh well.
November 19, 2021
Kissing in the Snow is a face-paced read, way lighter on the emotional scale than I’m used to with this author. Ryan finds himself in need of a rescue, when he wrecks his car in a snow storm, which is where a grumpy Dane finds him. They quickly realize they have a mutual interest in each other and decide to make the best of the time they have. The sexy times are off the charts hot, but I personally got to a point where they were too frequent. I wanted more depth from the characters. It’s mentioned several times that Dane’s past relationships have been inhibited by his severe social anxiety, but it’s never explained why he feels that way. I really enjoyed their connection and how well they complemented each other, I think I just liked them so much, I wanted more back story maybe? It didn’t take away from the book, it just made it feel different from Laura’s others. I guess I’ve gotten so used to angst and plot twists, I have to re-train my brain for a sex-centered, lighter read.😂🤷🏼♀️ I’ll give this one 4.5 stars.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 12, 2023
Loved it! Snowed in mm spicy novella with a grumpy, burly mountain man and an outgoing city guy. Super hot and well written. I ate this up.
November 19, 2021
This was an utter delight of a novella to read. I adored Ryan and Dane. The grumpy/sunshine combo just did me in.
I understood Dane on a core level with his aversion to large crowds, anxiety issues and general dislike of people. He was like my spirit animal. Ryan was this sunshine of a man who was upbeat and charismatic. Absolutely adorable. Dane came off as this beast of a man initially, but wasn’t too macho to recognize his need to apologize and move on. I loved that we got to see that softer and more vulnerable side to him. Ryan wasn’t afraid to take a chance and step out of his comfort zone. They really did end up complimenting one another personality-wise.
Can we talk about how these two burned up the sheets for a second? Because, dang, these two could not keep their hands off of one another! I loved every delicious, steamy and sweet moment.
This was the right balance of Christmas warmth, unreal chemistry and insta-love. Definitely recommended for a quick holiday read.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I understood Dane on a core level with his aversion to large crowds, anxiety issues and general dislike of people. He was like my spirit animal. Ryan was this sunshine of a man who was upbeat and charismatic. Absolutely adorable. Dane came off as this beast of a man initially, but wasn’t too macho to recognize his need to apologize and move on. I loved that we got to see that softer and more vulnerable side to him. Ryan wasn’t afraid to take a chance and step out of his comfort zone. They really did end up complimenting one another personality-wise.
Can we talk about how these two burned up the sheets for a second? Because, dang, these two could not keep their hands off of one another! I loved every delicious, steamy and sweet moment.
This was the right balance of Christmas warmth, unreal chemistry and insta-love. Definitely recommended for a quick holiday read.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2021
Oh, how I adored Ryan and Dane. Add in a little bit of insta, two well-adjusted men with supportive families and friends, and Christmas and I’m here for it! These two felt the pull right away, but had to figure out how to get their very different (or so they thought) lives on the same page in order to find happiness. And as I’ve come to expect with this author, the falling for both men is inevitable because they’re just both so perfectly matched. There’s no unnecessary hate or drama here. There’s just the wonder of falling for a person neither Ryan nor Dane ever saw coming and then holding onto that feeling of being whole. If you want a quick holiday read full of fun, love, and festivities, you’ve come to the right book!
November 21, 2021
What a beautiful Christmas present, Dane and Ryan due to unfortunate circumstances, meaning mother nature, Ryan missed his cousins wedding when he has a unfortunate accident, and is rescued by a big burly and surly man, staying in a small cabin in the mountains, breaking the ice so to speak they start talking, heating up more than the fire in the fireplace, this is such a great feel great story, interweaving with the others in Sienna, I want so much more, I have voluntarily read and review this ARC, thank you for the privilege, Dana Zamora
December 1, 2021
This was the perfect read for the Holiday season. Ryan and Dane are the perfect match for each other and I loved seeing there relationship develop into something amazing as I read this book. The chemistry between this two was hot but yet intense which lead to some very sexy times. I loved how Ryan was able to help Dane and vice versa. The connection between these two was intense the moment they met and the sexy times between these two is enough to melt your kindle while reading it. Another great book by Laura and if you like a good MM book please take a chance on this book and you wont be disappointed.
December 2, 2021
Getting stuck in a ditch not good. Being rescued by a hot hunky grumpy guy turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to Ryan.
“Do you believe in destiny? In soulmates?” Ryan asks out of the blue.
Dane likes to be alone. That makes it hard for him to have a relationship.
“I’d like that too. You’re super sweet, and it’s surprisingly easy to open up to you. I’ve never let my guard down so fast around someone before.”
This was a super cute hot Christmas short story. Just the perfect gift to pass a few hours!!
“Do you believe in destiny? In soulmates?” Ryan asks out of the blue.
Dane likes to be alone. That makes it hard for him to have a relationship.
“I’d like that too. You’re super sweet, and it’s surprisingly easy to open up to you. I’ve never let my guard down so fast around someone before.”
This was a super cute hot Christmas short story. Just the perfect gift to pass a few hours!!
November 23, 2021
I love holiday novellas. Laura crafted one of the sweetest spice filled tales that will make you smile. A spin off of the Love in Sienna Series, Dane is on the way to a wedding when he becomes trapped in a snow storm. Rescued by a reluctant stranger, the typically sunny Dane is forced to share his holidays with a grumpy and rather antisocial Ryan. What happens next - well SPOILERS - I'm not telling.
The story is fast paced, with some sass, sweetness, and some spicy times that made my day. And in true Laura fashion, we get a glimpse into what makes these men tick.
Honestly this is a great, fast read to enjoy while you snuggle in your favorite sweater and drink some spiced cider. Good story.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest read.
The story is fast paced, with some sass, sweetness, and some spicy times that made my day. And in true Laura fashion, we get a glimpse into what makes these men tick.
Honestly this is a great, fast read to enjoy while you snuggle in your favorite sweater and drink some spiced cider. Good story.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest read.
December 1, 2021
Kissing in the Snow by Laura John is a steamy MM holiday romance novella. I could relate to Dane and his anxiety towards people especially in large crowds. I really liked this character. Ryan was a breath of fresh air. He was outgoing and easygoing. There was definitely chemistry between the two. I generally do not care for insta-love storylines, but Laura John writes it in a way that seems believable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
December 1, 2021
Once again Laura John blow me away with this book again. I was honor once again with this arc book two. The charter were wonderful. And very steamy m/m story. Ryan car fell in a ditch and got stuck. It was a big snow storm. Now Dane help Ryan out and brought him to his home. the only problem is that Dane have he dose the like to close to people. I just love it and story how it falls. Thank you once again .
December 2, 2021
Ahh the proximity trope can bring me to smile so easily. Grumpy guy who wants to be left alone meets an overly talkative guy stranded in a snow storm. This is a short story so the character development was a little rushed but still worked in my opinion. I liked the dual point of view to enter help understand where each of them were coming from. Cute and seasonal.
December 13, 2022
A fast-paced, insta-love Christmas story. Dane and Ryan meet when Ryan's car gets stuck during a snowstorm. While Dane comes across as a grumpy ass for the first bit of the book, his reasoning for how he acts is quickly explained, and his attitude turns around. Ryan was often overly chipper, especially for missing his cousin's wedding.
Overall, it was a cute first-time meeting with pretty low angst and a quick read.
Overall, it was a cute first-time meeting with pretty low angst and a quick read.
November 19, 2021
A really quick, steamy, M/M holiday story, with a forced proximity, grumpy sunshine, snowed in aspect. Dane has really severe social anxiety so he's alone in his cabin for Christmas and while gathering supplies he comes across city boy Ryan, stuck in a snow filled ditch on the way to his cousin's wedding. It's really cute and I totally fell for the instant connection between the two. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.
November 22, 2021
This was a good, fun read. Is one of those stories that gives you butterflies. The guys are just adorable and sexy. One of my fav M/M romance of this year. If you want a story with the holiday spirit, this is it.
November 25, 2021
A fun, fast, good read. Dana, and Ryan are opposite as they come.
Dana,is more out going. Ryan is the type who love to stay home.
Together they work through their differences. To start a relationship that hey both desire.
Their story will make you believe any thing is possible.
Laura has out done herself with this love story.
Dana,is more out going. Ryan is the type who love to stay home.
Together they work through their differences. To start a relationship that hey both desire.
Their story will make you believe any thing is possible.
Laura has out done herself with this love story.
November 30, 2021
I have a love/hate relationship with novellas.... I love them because they are a quick read but I hate them because if they are good I always want more. This book was so good I wanted more! Laura John never fails to give me a good book. Ryan and Dane are so great for each other! Dane is this introvert with social anxiety wnd Ryan is this outgoing people person and he brings Dane out of his shell.
December 1, 2021
My first Christmas book for the holiday season and it was absofreakinlutely perfect. I found both Ryan and Dane super relatable. And then add in the sexy and sweet times and I was just about ready to burst! Although this is a novella I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything between these two. Their story was paced perfectly and I was literally doing a happy dance when I finished the book.
December 2, 2021
This was sweet. It’s a MM romance perfect for Christmas and gave me all the feels. Dane and Ryan are perfect for each other and even though they’re opposites they complement each other so well. The story is steamy and sweet with some humor thrown in. I couldn't put it down.
November 19, 2021
A fun, fast read. I liked getting to know the characters and also that they make the best of being being snowed in together.
November 26, 2021
If you're looking for a cute, spicy, sunshine/grumpy, holiday novella definitely read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2021
Seriously the cutest novella gahhh. Why can’t my boyfriend be like one of these two!
Once again Laura has hit the spot with this cute asf storyline
Once again Laura has hit the spot with this cute asf storyline
November 24, 2021
No need to cuddle up for this book. This trip through a snow storm will heat you up and start fanning your self. A city doctor and a small town mechanic will have you burning up the pages as this holiday story melts your heart.
December 16, 2021
This was a valiant attempt at a classic Christmas romance; you can definitely feel the author's enthusiasm for her story while reading. Sadly, it still falls flat on all levels.
RTC
RTC
December 2, 2021
AMAZING!!!
Best M/M romance I’ve read this year!! Super swoon worthy.
I’ve read several M/M romances this one was so sweet and so hot!! I needed all the fans on!!
Best M/M romance I’ve read this year!! Super swoon worthy.
I’ve read several M/M romances this one was so sweet and so hot!! I needed all the fans on!!
November 21, 2021
This is a quick, sweet read with a whole lot of heat. The heat level could have melted all the snow produced by the storm and had them floating in a lake.
Dane and Ryan couldn't be more different but the insta lust was off the charts. Soon they could feel how much they melded with each other and the lust very quickly started to turn into a deep need for more.
Can a city physician who doesn’t shy away from crowds and a country mechanic with social anxiety find a middle ground to explore the budding feelings that started to burn in a snow storm.
Dane and Ryan couldn't be more different but the insta lust was off the charts. Soon they could feel how much they melded with each other and the lust very quickly started to turn into a deep need for more.
Can a city physician who doesn’t shy away from crowds and a country mechanic with social anxiety find a middle ground to explore the budding feelings that started to burn in a snow storm.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews