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Winton's Strays
Two young men meet on a train in 1917.
Miles is out of the hospital in time for Christmas, traveling to relatives he doesn't want to see. He was lucky to survive the Great War. But he doesn't feel very lucky right now. Until blue-eyed Winton trips on a scarf and into his life. Winton, with his quirky smile, gentle nature, and rescued pets.
Miles could love this man, he really could. But how the hell can he burden this kind, bright young man with his wounded, limping self?
A sweet, historical M/M romance / gay romance.
Length: approx. 50 pages or 13,000 words
Heat level: low
Miles is out of the hospital in time for Christmas, traveling to relatives he doesn't want to see. He was lucky to survive the Great War. But he doesn't feel very lucky right now. Until blue-eyed Winton trips on a scarf and into his life. Winton, with his quirky smile, gentle nature, and rescued pets.
Miles could love this man, he really could. But how the hell can he burden this kind, bright young man with his wounded, limping self?
A sweet, historical M/M romance / gay romance.
Length: approx. 50 pages or 13,000 words
Heat level: low
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2013
2 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 24, 2013
3.80 stars
Short little gem about two men who meet on a train and immediately click. Miles is the sombre, injured soldier and Winton's the happy, engaging college student, traveling home for Christmas. A delightful collection of pets, with one singing at the top of its voice to drown out Miles voice, "jealous" was adorable. I couldn't be happier, a sweet and promising future ahead, a really lovely romance. The instant attraction and easy acceptance for the time period didn't annoy me one bit. I'm a sucker for fuzzy fur-balls and injured MC's , I wasn't disappointed here, I loved it, a sequel please, I need and want to know more about their future.
Short little gem about two men who meet on a train and immediately click. Miles is the sombre, injured soldier and Winton's the happy, engaging college student, traveling home for Christmas. A delightful collection of pets, with one singing at the top of its voice to drown out Miles voice, "jealous" was adorable. I couldn't be happier, a sweet and promising future ahead, a really lovely romance. The instant attraction and easy acceptance for the time period didn't annoy me one bit. I'm a sucker for fuzzy fur-balls and injured MC's , I wasn't disappointed here, I loved it, a sequel please, I need and want to know more about their future.
February 28, 2013
3.75
There's a sweet naivety to this that works for me because of the time frame. Set in 1918, this is the story of two men meeting by chance on a train and finding a life partner in each other. One man is an injured soldier coming home from the war the other is a college student who has a squirrel for a pet and a canary he's hoping to settle into his aunt's home.
There's a great connection between Winton and Miles in what is basically just a quiet roadtrip but even despite the short time they've known each other I could see the men in lasting and loving relationship.
There's a sweet naivety to this that works for me because of the time frame. Set in 1918, this is the story of two men meeting by chance on a train and finding a life partner in each other. One man is an injured soldier coming home from the war the other is a college student who has a squirrel for a pet and a canary he's hoping to settle into his aunt's home.
There's a great connection between Winton and Miles in what is basically just a quiet roadtrip but even despite the short time they've known each other I could see the men in lasting and loving relationship.
March 8, 2013
One of the sweetest romances I've read for a long time, I loved it! Granted at about 58 pages its pretty short but when something's as lovely as this, length becomes immaterial and pure enjoyment takes over. This story had me as soon as Winton produced a squirrel from his pocket! Winton and Miles are very endearing, both of them deserving of true love, so for them to find it together in such an incongruous place as on a train is just delightful. Far more sensual and tender than in your face sexy, this gorgeous little tale is all the better for it... The connection and chemistry that occurs between these two men is all the story needs to make you feel the fast growing love that occurs in a surprisingly believable way and the era that its set in also adds a poignancy to the whole story as well. Just charming! 4.5 stars rounded up!
July 18, 2013
Charming...
sweet...
& left me with a happy heart!
I am so delighted and content right now.
Perfect quick pick me up, and I would LOVE more; more tenderness, more affection, simply more Winton and Miles.
*4 absolutely-adorable stars*
sweet...
& left me with a happy heart!
I am so delighted and content right now.
Perfect quick pick me up, and I would LOVE more; more tenderness, more affection, simply more Winton and Miles.
*4 absolutely-adorable stars*
December 1, 2023
This was a very sweet WW1 Christmas story but the short length wasn't enough for me and the instalove (a forced result of the short length) wasn't believable, especially given the time period this took place in.
I appreciate that the author put a lot of thought into how to make the short length work when it's a strangers-to-lovers scenario. There was a lot of ground to cover in just 60 pages and it was great that the author used simple techniques that made the MCs bond easily and quickly (ex. ). I did believe that they got along very well and I felt that they clicked right from the start. Giving them opposite personalities with Winton being outgoing, carefree and kind hearted and Miles being grumpy, jaded and suffering from a war injury meant their interactions were interesting and it made me believe in them as a couple. Using the themes of Christmas and Winton's love for animals as a backdrop gave the story a cozy, warm feel that Miles and I both enjoyed. I also liked how Miles' disability was handled and how it was a constant presence throughout the story.
That being said, the story takes place over the course of 2 days and by the end of Day 1, both MCs are convinced they're 'in love' with each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together. I do think these two work well as a couple and I can see them being together forever, but it didn't feel realistic that in a 1917 world, these two guys would randomly kiss each other and also confess their romantic feelings when they've only known each other for a few hours and they have no idea if the other person is gay or not. In general, I didn't feel it was believable that these two guys would think they're in love within a few hours of meeting and it especially made no sense that Winton's aunt would agree to let Miles live and work with her when Winton goes back to college after Christmas break, after she's only known Miles for a few hours.
This is the kind of story that I would have loved to get a full length version of because I think I would have loved it. Both MCs were great and there was lots of potential for future conflict and other interesting plotlines between them. Since the author insisted on keeping it so short, I felt the instalove and the general rushed pacing of everything didn't work well and that's what forced me to decrease the rating.
I appreciate that the author put a lot of thought into how to make the short length work when it's a strangers-to-lovers scenario. There was a lot of ground to cover in just 60 pages and it was great that the author used simple techniques that made the MCs bond easily and quickly (ex. ). I did believe that they got along very well and I felt that they clicked right from the start. Giving them opposite personalities with Winton being outgoing, carefree and kind hearted and Miles being grumpy, jaded and suffering from a war injury meant their interactions were interesting and it made me believe in them as a couple. Using the themes of Christmas and Winton's love for animals as a backdrop gave the story a cozy, warm feel that Miles and I both enjoyed. I also liked how Miles' disability was handled and how it was a constant presence throughout the story.
That being said, the story takes place over the course of 2 days and by the end of Day 1, both MCs are convinced they're 'in love' with each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together. I do think these two work well as a couple and I can see them being together forever, but it didn't feel realistic that in a 1917 world, these two guys would randomly kiss each other and also confess their romantic feelings when they've only known each other for a few hours and they have no idea if the other person is gay or not. In general, I didn't feel it was believable that these two guys would think they're in love within a few hours of meeting and it especially made no sense that Winton's aunt would agree to let Miles live and work with her when Winton goes back to college after Christmas break, after she's only known Miles for a few hours.
This is the kind of story that I would have loved to get a full length version of because I think I would have loved it. Both MCs were great and there was lots of potential for future conflict and other interesting plotlines between them. Since the author insisted on keeping it so short, I felt the instalove and the general rushed pacing of everything didn't work well and that's what forced me to decrease the rating.
January 14, 2023
Dlaczego???
Dlaczego ta historia była taka krótka, mając taki potencjał???
Słodka, krótka świąteczna insta (taka naprawdę insta), która mogła być świetną, długą książką. Albo wstępniakiem do długiej książki. A tak...
Dlaczego ta historia była taka krótka, mając taki potencjał???
Słodka, krótka świąteczna insta (taka naprawdę insta), która mogła być świetną, długą książką. Albo wstępniakiem do długiej książki. A tak...
December 4, 2017
4 stars
Sweet, short holiday romance set in 1917.
Sweet, short holiday romance set in 1917.
August 1, 2013
A sweet little read with some errors (name switches, incorrect web tenses) along the way that don't obscure the loveliness that is these two finding each other and Miles' realisation.
September 23, 2015
Completely adorable and charming.
January 23, 2021
Sweet story from a hundred years ago, near the end of the Great War. These characters are real, as is the setting. Genuine romance without any erotic distractions. A short Christmas story, but filled with new found love.
December 13, 2017
This was such a sweet story! I got it for free on Instafreebie, and I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
May 23, 2014
♥ `•.¸.•´ ♥ º ☆.¸¸.•´¯`♥ Utterly Charming!! ♥ `•.¸.•´ ♥ º ☆.¸¸.•´¯`♥
Two young men meet on a train in 1917.
I was hooked from that blurb opening alone =D
No really, the setting is somewhat simple but exciting at the same time.
And Win has a squirrel in his coat pocket! How much more lovable can a guy get?
I seem to really love Hollis Shiloh's characters and the way she often gets me hooked from page one for reasons I can't explain.
Winton's Strays was no exception, to be completely honest I found this to be the most adorable and absolutely sweetest thing I have read in a long, long while - Of course I teared up a bit like I often do, it was wonderful!
Two young men meet on a train in 1917.
I was hooked from that blurb opening alone =D
No really, the setting is somewhat simple but exciting at the same time.
And Win has a squirrel in his coat pocket! How much more lovable can a guy get?
He reached into his pocket and gingerly pulled out a small squirrel. He cradled it close, stroked its fur and long tail, rubbed its little ears, and then put it back into his pocket in a nest made from handkerchiefs.
I seem to really love Hollis Shiloh's characters and the way she often gets me hooked from page one for reasons I can't explain.
Winton's Strays was no exception, to be completely honest I found this to be the most adorable and absolutely sweetest thing I have read in a long, long while - Of course I teared up a bit like I often do, it was wonderful!
February 16, 2013
This is a nice little story (58 pages?), a heart-warming M/M romance with cats and squirrels.
Writing is simple and neat and makes up for a pace that, especially in the second part, is not really as tight as it should.
There is hardly any sex but you shall not hear me complaining: this romance is complete just as it is.
Writing is simple and neat and makes up for a pace that, especially in the second part, is not really as tight as it should.
There is hardly any sex but you shall not hear me complaining: this romance is complete just as it is.
July 25, 2016
This is a charming, feel-good holiday novella and I enjoyed reading it so much. It made me smile and feel warm in that lovely "cute holiday novella" way. Delightful and endearing characters, a warm atmosphere, cute animals, and a really lovely romance made this so nice to read. This is a gentle, sweet, heartwarming story and I loved it.
March 26, 2013
Short but very sweet. Two men meet by chance on a train and there is an instant connection between them. Both men seemed quite vulnerable and there was a feeling of innocence to the whole story. I enjoyed it a lot.
February 24, 2013
3,5* upgrade because I love the cover.
June 26, 2016
Gentle and charming and sweet! I had to love the menagerie...especially that feisty wee kitten! :)
Want to read
July 14, 2013Free today again at Amazon US! 7/14/13!
August 18, 2013
This sort of reminds me of a Christmas story; that seems tragically sweet and makes your heart warm and full of gratitude. A sweet, quick read.
July 31, 2016
Sweet and gentle story all the way through. The name of one of the MCs gets confused twice, which was a bit distracting, but other than that, I enjoyed the story very much.
January 6, 2018
What a lovely story! Hollis is always good at warm, tender stories, and this novella about two young men who meet and fall quickly in love is very sweet and satisfying. Winston is a young man with a huge heart who is always saving strays and looking out for others. Miles is someone broken in body and spirit from the war. When they make a real but fast connection on the train, Miles is desperately happy, but then he second guesses Winston's motives and feelings. Is he just one of Winston's strays?
Mixed up in their story is also a tale of a lovely sounding Christmas Eve. The spirit of Christmas is certainly pervasive and there is a sense of many new beginnings and causes for celebration. The story is mainly kisses with a bit of offscreen sex--more loving than sexy. It's a gentle read in the vein of many of Holis's works.
Mixed up in their story is also a tale of a lovely sounding Christmas Eve. The spirit of Christmas is certainly pervasive and there is a sense of many new beginnings and causes for celebration. The story is mainly kisses with a bit of offscreen sex--more loving than sexy. It's a gentle read in the vein of many of Holis's works.
December 26, 2017
3.5-4 stars
A chance encounter in a train may lead to the discovery of a real home...
Miles comes back from war, deeply scarred both inside and outside. On the train in his way to his uncle’s farm (a place that never felt like a home to him), he meets sweet and friendly Winton, a college student who seems to have a penchant for picking up all sorts of strays. When Win offers Miles a place to stay for the night, Miles doubts whether he is another stray Win feels compelled to rescue… But something in Win convinces him he may have found a home at last…
A short and very sweet seasonal story, this story of two men who happen to meet and discover they are just right for each other is the perfect Christmas read for a grey winter evening. It’ll certainly brighten your day.
Sweet.
A chance encounter in a train may lead to the discovery of a real home...
Miles comes back from war, deeply scarred both inside and outside. On the train in his way to his uncle’s farm (a place that never felt like a home to him), he meets sweet and friendly Winton, a college student who seems to have a penchant for picking up all sorts of strays. When Win offers Miles a place to stay for the night, Miles doubts whether he is another stray Win feels compelled to rescue… But something in Win convinces him he may have found a home at last…
A short and very sweet seasonal story, this story of two men who happen to meet and discover they are just right for each other is the perfect Christmas read for a grey winter evening. It’ll certainly brighten your day.
Sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2025
4-⭐
I'm not a big fan of instalove but I do believe in instant connections that can grow into love. Here we have a connection that feels true. And a bunch of cute strays which are entertaining, and not too sappy.
Read as a part of Christmas Treats.
I'm not a big fan of instalove but I do believe in instant connections that can grow into love. Here we have a connection that feels true. And a bunch of cute strays which are entertaining, and not too sappy.
Read as a part of Christmas Treats.
July 20, 2018
Very sweet story of Miles, a lonely and injured soldier returning home from war, and Winton, a kind-hearted college student. They meeting on a train just before Christmas (in 1917) and almost immediately find that heart-felt connection they both so desparately need. And while their budding romance shines warmly, it is also clear to see how different and difficult times were a hundred years ago.
December 26, 2017
Nice short Christmas story about two guys meeting on a train in post-war (WWI) England. I read it previously but it was nice to read again.
Typos: "After bit" should be "after a bit," "American hadn't been in the war long" should be "America."
Typos: "After bit" should be "after a bit," "American hadn't been in the war long" should be "America."
December 15, 2021
Holiday instalove on a train. The WWI wounded soldier was mostly a device rather than having any real historical vibes, and it had the fatal accidental wrong name issue, but it was pretty cute.
December 14, 2024
A sweet short read.
Would of loved this to be longer.
Would of loved this to be longer.
February 5, 2019
You cannot hate on instalove when it's this adorable. It would be like kicking a puppy. We begin our story in 1917, on a train car, where Miles has finally left the hospital after treatment for a disabling leg injury he received during the war. A cute young man shows up to share his car, and the dude has a canary in a cage and a tame squirrel in his pocket. By the time they reach their destination, Miles is head over heels for this Winton dude, and he's pretty sure the feeling's mutual. Miles is in the early stages of accepting his disability, though, and he's not interested in being a short-term fling, so the boys run into some problems pretty quickly. If you haven't read a romance where an incredibly angry kitten saves the day, I recommend this as an entry into the sub-genre. Except that I'm not sure there's an angry-kitten-savior romance genre, but clearly there should be.
January 25, 2015
Historical American (just after the Civil War) clean M/M romance on a train on Christmas holiday travel. Miles and Winton meet on a train both going home which is a lucky coincidence that they were both from the same train stop. They have instant friendship and perhaps more although this is a 'clean' romance with nothing described but a couple kisses. Winton is a kind loving young man that takes in lots of animals so it makes sense that he would love the desperate lonely Miles.
50ish pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
50ish pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
December 18, 2016
4-1/2 Stars
A great blend of historical, romance, a bit of drama, a couple of cute little creatures, a lost kitten and it's all wrapped up in a lovely petite Christmas package. You can't help but love both Miles and Winton, their adorable as their connection is immediate. I will admit that I would have liked to have seen more of their story but as a holiday novella it's a beautiful and heartwarming read. Definitely one for more holiday shelf that I will be re-reading for many Christmases to come.
A great blend of historical, romance, a bit of drama, a couple of cute little creatures, a lost kitten and it's all wrapped up in a lovely petite Christmas package. You can't help but love both Miles and Winton, their adorable as their connection is immediate. I will admit that I would have liked to have seen more of their story but as a holiday novella it's a beautiful and heartwarming read. Definitely one for more holiday shelf that I will be re-reading for many Christmases to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews