At fifteen, Lee Mitchell and Roman Carmichael are sure their fledgling relationship can survive any heartache or hardship--until a spring canoeing trip ends with Lee in the hospital and Roman missing. With his memories of that final, tragic trip gone, Lee spends the next ten years building a life around the river where he lost Roman, existing on the hope that one day he'll find a clue as the fate of his first love.
During a late March snowstorm, Lee finds a stranger wandering the road and offers him a ride. Lee's shock and confusion at discovering this stranger is Roman, older and confused by his long absence, is fast tempered by relief and joy. But Roman isn't back to stay, and as they work to repair the fractured pieces of their past, the emerging truth of the night Roman disappeared may be the one thing that their enduring love cannot overcome.
No stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance wasn't a thing yet) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com
I was excited and prepared for heartbreak and maybe one of those horrible sad endings thankfully I got a riveting and intriguing story and two sweet MC's in Roman and Lee. Its quite spooky and unexpected with that twist at the end. Just what I needed a great story and I was riveted to the very end too bad it couldn't have been longer. I would have loved some more relationship time with Roman and Lee after the ordeal they both had to endure.
Hell,YES! That was good - but not nice,keeping me on the edge of my seat for so long with an eerie sense of foreboding and dreading the outcome... I wanted to squeeze the much needed answers out of Roman as desperately as Lee... A perfect ending for this creepy paranormal love conquers all story with two very likeable heroes - mushy relationship stuff wouldn`t have fit here! My only niggle...too short! Enjoy!
The first half of this book was a bit slow for me. I thought I'd figured out what was going on and I was just waiting to be proved right. Instead I was proved just how wrong I can be. The twist in this tale was perfect. 3 stars for the first half but definitely 4 stars for the ending.
Reviewed by Stacey Jo: This is a great example of using flashbacks to tell a story.This can be a tricky tactic, but here, it’s done well. It starts in the present, during the start of a spring snow storm. On his way home, Lee Mitchell sees a guy walking home wearing shorts and a T-shirt, which is weird in 20degrees and snow. It’s not his problem though, so he goes on home. He starts feeling guilty, so he heads back out and finds him, bringing him back home. He discovers it’s Roman Carmichael, his best friend since preschool, first love,who has been missing for the last ten years, since they were fifteen years old.He’s reeling from shock, but quickly gets himself under control and takes care of Roman. The really weird thing is that he’s wearing the clothes that he was wearing the day he disappeared during their canoe/camping trip ten years ago,he smells funny, and his eyes are the wrong color. He tries asking Roman questions about where he’s been, but Roman is evasive and Lee still can’tremember anything about that night. The story of their past together is told through the series of flashbacks. Suddenly, we find out that Roman isn’t back to stay. Whoever it is that has had him all these years intends to take him back once the snow melts. Roman is there for a specific reason. And the reason is as chilling as what we soon find out was the cause of his disappearance,because Lee finally remembers that last night on the river. Now that Lee knows what happened to them, and Roman now has the full story, Lee is bound and determined that he’s going to do whatever it takes to fight to keep the man he’sloved all his life to have the future that they always planned. It takes some clever trickery on their part to pull it off.
There is no way I can tell any more than what I have without coming right out with what’s going on and to do that would be to totally ruin a really good story. It’s not very long and can be read in one sitting if you have an hour or two to spare. It’s a well done mystery that’s well written. I knew there was a twist going into it, and I wanted to be clever and try to figure it out on my own, but it went in a totally different direction that even I was thinking. I was really surprised but pleasantly so. Suffice it to say,this is a good way to spend a little bit of your time.
A.M. Arthur has made me very happy with her Cost of Repairs series, this one feels totally different. Frozen is the kind of book I try to avoid. A dark, spooky, could leave me full of rife and/or have a sad, ambiguous ending but I read on...with fingers crossed.
Lee is fine on the outside but inside he is a mess of sad and lonely man. He finds a man walking along the road on a stormy night who is, well we aren't really sure what and who he is?
Oh how I worried and fretted and thought about not finishing the book, I don't read to worry like this. I did like the ending. Whew!
This story has best friends Roman Carmichael & Lee Mitchell, who have been intertwined in each other's lives since they were young. The day comes when they both realize that they mean and want more with each other. Of course, others don't believe these two should be together. The scary thing is that Roman goes missing after an outing with each other. Lee can't remember what happened, which tears him apart. His life isn't the same after that day. This story tore my heart apart when Lee couldn't remember what happened to Roman. The years that he is torn apart are another hard thing to read. But I was rooting for these two; they would get back to each other. I loved the intertwined paranormal touches. I hate when I read the last page lol. When I love a book, I hate when the story ends, but as we all know, they have to end right lol. I look forward to reading more of this series the author.
Frozen is the second book in the Prodigal series. Each book can be read as a standalone but why not enjoy the whole series. This is the story of Lee and Roman. Another story in the series that I couldn't put down once I started. This was so so good. I loved the characters and world building in this book. This was a rollercoaster ride that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the whole thing. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
Excellent spooky story with a gradually building "what's really going on here??" sense of dread. The reader is as confused and disturbed as Lee, the main character, as events slowly unfold and memories of the past resurface one by one.
Lee is 25 years old, running a business out of his childhood home, and existing in a kind of half-life because of an unforgettable tragedy in his past. At 15, he and his best friend and lover, Roman, were involved in a mysterious accident while canoeing. Lee recovered in a hospital bed, his memories gone, and Roman disappeared. Lee still looks for Roman every day, unable to leave town or move his own life in any other direction.
Now Roman has reappeared, literally walking out of a snowstorm without warning or explanation. He has aged ten years, but is still somehow wearing the teenager's clothing he had on when Lee last saw him. Holed up in Lee's solitary, memory-laden house while the snow closes them in, the two have only a short time to unravel the intervening years and decide whether or not they have a future.
Lee is the sole narrator, and it's up to him and the reader to figure out where Roman has been all this time and what actually happened on the fateful day ten years ago. The entire situation is eerie and off-kilter with many frightening unknowns. And the emotional poignancy of the teen lovers' story, as retold through Lee's returning memories, is both heartbreaking and uplifting.
The book is the perfect length for its suspense level--the answers are at last revealed before the reader can grow overly frustrated. As the mystery is the entire point of the tale, this review will spoil nothing, and only say that after the fear and dread, the story ends happily with love and hope.
Lee and Roman have been best friends since preschool and at 15 they realize they're more than that. Even though living in a small town with small minded homophobic people is rough they have tentative plans for the future that include them together and in love for always. But a solo canoe trip leaves Lee found hurt and not remembering anything and Roman gone without a trace never to be found again. Lee is alive but he never really lives. For 10 years he stays close to the place he lost his love not completely giving up hope because his body was never found only for Lee to come across a man on the side of the road in a snow storm not dressed for the cold who turns out to be Roman 10 years older skinny, shaggy, bearded and in shock. He doesn't know what happened but he can tell it's not anything good. He has to try to remember that night but what happens if he doesn't like the answer? Ugh my heart broke for both boys so much but my heart goes out to Roman so much. That boy did not have it easy and the only time he was happy was when he had Lee by his side only for them to be separated and only reunited for a number of time. Lee was the strong one always there for Roman ready to protect him and Roman was everything to Lee. His whole heart. The love of his life. Both boys now men would do anything for each other and they did even if it came with a price. I think this is my favorite so far from the series. There was a lot of emotion in just 120 pages and I teared up more than once. They didn't deserve what happened to them just for loving each other and I'm so happy that they got their HEA. They deserved it and then some. Can't wait for the third one!
Green Day, Swiss army knife, gay porn, beef stew & crackers, frozen peas, black handgun, hideous Sarloth, Ghost of Christmas Past
Wow. What a great book. I'm totally blown away. I didn't even see that ending coming. And it's only 120 Android Kindle app-pages long! It's mysterious, and made me hold my breath until the end.
Lee Mitchell and Roman Carmichael have been friends since primary school. They were inseparable and eventually became more than friends. In middle school, they were on on a canoe and camping trip when tragedy struck. Lee was found unconscious in the river, their camp and equipment in ruins. Worse, Roman went missing and his body was never found.
Ten years later during a hunkering-down snowstorm, Lee comes across a bedraggled stranger, ill-dressed and walking along the mountain road in the worsening snowstorm. Lee would usually mind his own business, but something draws him to help the poor soul. Lee picks up the man and takes him home to warm up and feed him a hot meal. Lee is shocked to learn it's Roman, ten years older only in the same state as when he disappeared.
Roman doesn't share much useful information, and avoids answering Roman's direct questions, frustrating Lee to no end. During the ongoing storm, they catch up and reminisce, still avoiding the unanswered questions.
They story is hella intriguing. Being highly invested, I HAD to read the book in one sitting. To say I enjoyed myself is a huge understatement. I ardently recommend reading this.
I’m new to AM Arthur’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I would’ve enjoyed this read even more if it was longer but that’s just a small complaint, still a quick, spooky and enjoyable read. I was hooked from page one and I thought that it was a good addition to the Prodigal Series. I’m usually not much of a fan of novellas since they’re insta-love but since the characters have a previous relationship it didn’t bother me like it usual does and the blurb sounded very interesting.
Man, my heart hurt for everything Lee & Roman suffered through and I’m really glad that they finally got their hard fought and well deserved happily ever after which was years in the making. I was completely shocked when it was revealed what actually happened ten years ago when the Lee & Roman were on a canoe trip and Roman went missing during a supposed accident that Lee can’t remember. I thought that the flashback scenes were very well done and I loved seeing how much Lee & Roman meant to each other, even back then. I’m looking forward to reading Frozen next, as well as more from AM Arthur in the future. I’d definitely recommend this novella, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
Lee has been in love with his best friend since he was fifteen and Roman felt the exact same way. They got permission to go on a camping trip alone and had a great time until the last day when the unexpected happened. Roman goes missing and Lee doesn’t remember a thing about that night but has looked, waited, and griefed for 10 long years.
Now in another unexpected turn Roman is back and not by accident, he struggles with the reason why he’s back. With some patience Lee is able to get Roman to tell him what’s going on and something Roman says caused Lee to remember everything that happened to them that night and Lee isn’t happy at all once he gets the full truth but he’s more than willing to do what he has to do to keep Roman with him forever.
Their happy ending is almost bittersweet but they stuck together and defeated the evil that tried to keep them apart. The bond and love these two share is unbreakable even with being separated for so long it still shines bright and holds them together. ❤️😁
Frozen is a second chance romance that blends elements of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. The story is about Lee Mitchell and Roman Carmichael, childhood best friends and then boyfriends. Their budding romance is tragically cut short when Roman disappears during a canoeing accident that Lee cannot fully remember. A decade later, a dishevelled and bewildered Roman suddenly reappears during a snowstorm. The plot unfolds as Lee works to recover his lost memories of that fateful day, and both men try to come to terms with the mysterious circumstances of Roman's return. A supernatural element adds to the eerie atmosphere, building suspense as they uncover a mystery that reveals human beings can be more horrifying than any paranormal being. Despite the supernatural nature of the story, Frozen is, at its heart a fluffy love story. However , it will keep you on the edge of your seat while you're reading it. The ending is very cleverly written.
The second book in the Prodigal Story series, Frozen is the story of Lee and Roman. Again, best friends since youth with a tragic mid-story event that is put together through back and forth in time reveals. TW for suicidal ideation/attempt in the backstory. You can see the progression in AM Arthur’s writing, the pacing is a little quicker and I followed the overarching storyline a little better. These two do get their HEA and there is one death that I wasn’t at all sad about. Even though this is the second story, there are no interconnected characters - more an interconnected theme so it does stand alone. another quick read that I read mostly in one sitting (and partly because I didn’t want to put it down).
Lee and Roman, childhood friends who realized they want more at 15. A horrible canoeing accident leaves Lee with no memory of the incident and Lee missing, the worst is presumed. Ten years have passed and Lee is simply existing, plagued by guilt over the accident, never able to recover. A stranger on the side of the road in the dead of winter turns out to be Roman, exactly as he was 10 years ago, unaware of where he's been. These two were so sweet and protective of each other, willing to fight for their love. I dreaded the ending, thinking the worst but the twist was really clever and I enjoyed Roman getting justice.
I'll say upfront - the stories are not interconnected at all...all standalones, but do share a similar theme, if you would allow. So, story is told soley from Lee's POV and you soon discover he's living his life.... but not living it. As in, there's no enjoyment - just going through the motions. He's no sad sap, but he's kinda stuck on a memory, or rather, the lack of one. Until, one night, when something unbelievable happens. Denial, shock, hope, anger, frustration ...everything & anything. I found the story is very well paced with snippets of the past ..... great suspense with a touch of paranormal. Very enjoyable book.
Outside the box thinking! Lee and Roman realized at 15 that they were more than besties. Then, while they were out Lee is hurt with no memory of what happened and Roman disappears. He lives his life in place trying to figure out what happened. 10 years later, Roman reappears basically looking the same as when he left. AM does an amazing job creating a world that challenges and makes on think. Great dilemma and an intriguing solution, doing anything for love. Absolutely exciting, well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a bang-up ending to this one! I completely had the wool pulled over my eyes as to what was going on. I'm a fan of amnesia stories, but this was even more creepy with Roman's disappearance then sudden reappearance dressed exactly as he was when he went missing ten years ago and apparently with a future disappearance date ticking toward them. Don't read any spoilers for this book, just leap in and see what happens to these two wonderful characters struggling twice for their relationship to survive.
In the same general vein as "Prodigal" by this author, the villain is a powerful supernatural being, and the way to break his hold on Roman and Lee is to use his weakness against him. That's why I rounded this up to 3 stars. I was disappointed that the story isn't sufficiently different from the first in the series to engage me fully. I read to the end to find out how the bad guy was defeated. The love story was just okay. Roman's and Lee's feelings for each other still felt too much like teenage emotions to me.
This is a passionate supernatural romance. Lee thought he lost the love of his life Roman ten years ago. But during a snowstorm he finds him walking on the side of the road, in the exact same clothes as ten years prior but with different colored eyes. This book shows the power of unconditional love, the heartbreak of loss and dealing with homophobia with a supernatural twist. Note this book may be triggering to some; it deals with homophobia, child abuse, an animal being killed and suicide attempts.
This story was unpredictable. I was not expecting the plot twist with Roman’s return to be what it was.
When I read that he had been missing for ten years and then showed up basically the same way as he had disappeared, my jaw dropped.
I love how Lee never got over him despite how much time had passed. He was willing to do anything to keep Roman in his life and boy did he con the person responsible for his disappearance. The way he turned the tables to get what he wanted was awesome!
Best friends since childhood and it grows into a relationship which others are not happy about. He is shocked when they disappear without trace and he loses memories. Ten years later they reappear but there is a time limit. He needs to try to recover his memories before they disappear again. See how they get on
A very short read, but with enough time for a strong and unexpected plot twist. Roman has been missing for ten years until Lee found him walking in a blizzard. Lee had never given up hope, and through a surprising and unexpected paranormal element, they have a new chance at a HEA.
I didn't realise I had read this before but I enjoyed it just as much as the first time and luckily I had forgotten about the twist!' Such a sweet love story with a twist. I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
This was another interesting story. I liked the flashbacks and I was intrigued throughout waiting to see what happened to Roman. I appreciated their ending.