I absolutely loved this fun and sweet, short story. It has a little of everything that a festive romance should: two really developed main characters, a great, wintry setting, romance chase, warmth, fun, and of course a dilemma for Winter and Jack to overcome.
Winter, although hurt from her cheating husband, is a very considerate, loving person as she decides to protect his family from knowledge of Philip’s philandering ways. Deep down she has always been in love with Philip’s cousin, Jack, but as fate would have it, it wasn’t meant to be.
Now, Winter has been alone for so long; both during and after Philip’s death. And, after some awkward conversations with Jack, that leave her all confused, she decides to take a break in her holiday home in the Lake District.
On the flip side, Jack has always been in love with Winter, and her happiness is all that he has ever wanted for her. And so, believing that Philip was the one for her, he remained silent all these years about his true feelings. A close friend is aware of his unhappiness and now encourages Jack to come clean to Winter. And, when he finally plucks up the courage to approach and tell her his true feelings he gets wind of her mystery man! Thus, deciding to leave her be.
It is confusing and a little frustrating at times for these two as they keep shying around each other, and not really knowing the truth. However, their real feelings for each other leave the reader longing for them to get together. And, the author keeps it fun and sexy as her choice of words flirt with the reader and keep you hooked.
“The secret crush she harboured for her friend, felt to some extent out of control. Despite the melting snow on his coat and the layers of woollens surrounding him, the man oozed sex appeal. His supple fingers caressed the colourful trinkets and beads on the nearby display stand. Without warning she found herself wondering how those fingers would feel on the nape of her neck, or gliding in a gentle caress across her cheek, or … She shook herself from the visual. She needed to move him from the beads and fast before she leapt on top of the man.”
And, this story couldn’t get any better when both characters have no choice but to remain in each other’s company in unforeseen circumstances. Will this be the opportunity they both need to reveal their true feelings? Or, does the situation encourage an overwhelming awkwardness that leaves them further apart than they started?