Love at Frost Sight

by R.J. Peterson

Jack Forrest agrees to accompany some friends on a Caribbean cruise just before Christmas. But he’s sharing a cabin with a friend of his friends so he won’t meet his roommate until he boards the ship.

Bart Chadwick is interested in Jack as soon as he sets eyes on him, but it doesn’t seem like the feeling is mutual. They’re rooming together, so maybe things will change.

Friendly bar waiter Gabriel fancies himself a matchmaker and sees a spark between Jack and Bart at the LGBTQ meet-up. Can he help them find love at first—or second—sight?

Genres: M M Romance, Holiday

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2023

About the author

R.J. Peterson is a retired graphic designer.

He is an avid reader, preferably while sipping a vodka martini or some bourbon on the rocks. RJ’s had a long and varied career, including library page, car wash attendant, customer service representative, interpreter for the deaf, travel agent, and graphic designer in the marijuana industry. He also worked in banking for twenty-five years. In addition to starting up a writing career, he still works as a freelance designer, creating book covers and other items for several authors.

RJ loves to travel and has been on 50+ cruises. When not on a cruise, he and his husband live in New England.

Reviews

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review soon

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars ⭐️

Short and sweet holiday read with some really good characters, I'm excited for what's next. I'd recommend if you are looking for some cute holiday cheer.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review.*

[Lisa Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet short story by a new to me author. I felt like it was HFN more than HEA, but I still enjoyed it. I was expecting more interaction with Gabriel based on the blurb, but it was still a cute story.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two men, Jack an introvert with an almost non existent social life, and Bart who just spent the last few years caring for and then burying a parent, are convinced by their friends to join them on a December cruise to the Caribbean. Although they've never met, they agree to share a room to save money. A nosy waiter and supportive friends help get the two together.
Since it's a short story (and only a two week cruise), there's not a lot of dithering between meeting and sharing a bed. The two find a lot in common and they're both attracted to each other.
It's a sweet, very quick read. Their chemistry is good. And Peterson, a veteran cruise taker, does an excellent job with the world building. This is a good book if you want to lose yourself in a good story for an hour or so.
In all, there are four books in this series. Can't wait for the next one.
I received an advance copy of this book. This is my review.

[Theresa Derwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jack's friends decide a cruise to the Carribbean in Dec is a fun idea, he agrees to go and reluctantly agrees to share a cabin with the other singleton, Bart.
Despite the arrangements being made some time ago, Bart still hasn't made time to meet Jack, so he's not too enthused about rooming with a stranger.
Bart however, is attracted to Jack the second he sees him.
This short story - a novelette at 51 pages - is book one in the SEAsons of love series, the link of course being that the stories are set on a cruise ship.
In this one, bar tender Gabriel plays matchmaker to the two cabin roomies.
It literally is a short and sweet story and the cover is very good.
You can experience more of Peterson's work in the charity anthology 'Midnight in the Renaissance Elevator'.
The characters are fun, the setting is of course lovely, there's a HFN and I suspect that the other books in this series will enable the reader to learn more about the other 'supporting' cast members.

[Anne Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, let me say I got this book from gay romance reviews, and this is me leaving my honest review.
This is a brand-new author to me and I thought for such a short story, I would give it a go. And I’ve got to say it’s a really cute story about a group of friends going on a cruise and Jack is going to share a suite with a guy called Bart who he has never met before.His friends had promised him they weren’t setting them up, but if honest as soon as Jack and Bart saw each other, the attraction was there.
The only thing I will say is there’s no excitement with the book. It’s like it’s on one level all the way through and I think they left the story unfinished so I’ve got the next book in this little series so I will see how that goes.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

DID THEY OR DIDN’T THEY GET SET UP?

This was a sweet, short holiday read about two single friends of friends Jack Forrest and Bart Chadwick that “conveniently” get to share a cabin on a cruise ship with a matchmaking bar waiter Gabe…

It is a short read so don’t expect the characters to have a lot of depth to them just fun in the sun at sea with their coupled up friends and discovering what they have in common in and out of the shared cabin…

I loved their budding friendship with chemistry oozing out of their pores, it was so sweet and steamy!

Their friends were very nonchalant regarding their meet up on the cruise, hmm was it a meet up or a set up?…

I look forward to the next cruise with Gabe wielding his matchmaking magic!

I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest opinion on this book.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me a hallmark romcom movie. It is short, sweet, romantic with focus on this relationship of Bart and Jack. Seems both are experience some hard life circumstances and a cruise is a way to rejuvenate and have some fun. They end up as roommates and Bart feels the spark immediately but does feel Jack does (thus the title, frost at first sight). This one is a quick, sweet easy read that is nice fluffy love story. Grab your favorite beverage and for hour or so just let the book take you away and feel good. I think they are more books so happy for book two. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is less seasonal than I thought, although it is Christmas time,  this story takes place on a cruise ship around the Caribbean so it's hot and sunny. A short novella so expect insta love. The intimacy was a one time thing and I would have liked another, longer scene to convince me of the developing feelings. This was the difference between a 3 and 4 star review. During the short read we did get to know the characters and I think the all-seeing waiter, Gabe, will appear in the follow on stories. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, shallow, more tell than show. The characters don't have much depth, but that's likely because the story is only forty-some pages. I had hoped for a lot more Christmas than we got -- the idea of a holiday cruise is great, but the seasonal feel is missing. All the supporting characters are interchangeable, again because of the short length.

I want to compare it to a peppermint candy, one that melts quickly away and leaves nothing behind but a general feeling of mild satisfaction.

(I was given an advance digital review copy.)

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

🛳Short, sweet, strangers no more😉

3.5🌟 stars
I was expecting more holiday to the action, but ultimately the story was short and sweet, more a travel vacation than holiday MM romance. Strangers Jack and Bart have a week on a Caribbean cruise to get to know each other and after a day or two, they start making the effort. There's a short bit of heat. The story is too short for much character development, but a basically fine read.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the story; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Mrs.V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quick but cute!
I enjoyed this morsel of a cruise-based love story. Despite being short the story doesn’t feel hurried or rushed.
Jack and Bart both join their coupled-up friends on a week-long cruise, and are rooming together despite having never met before. The attraction on Bart’s side is immediate, but Jack, despite being far from unaffected, is not the most social or outgoing guy and sometimes comes off as standoffish. A couple of days of dancing around each other, a meddling waiter and the relaxed atmosphere of the cruise help them take the plunge and fall in love!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Bart are single friends accompanying their couple friends on a cruise. Neither have met before, so they are both unsure about sharing a cabin, but interest is there. As the week passes, there is the opportunity for something more. A short, sweet story with lots of descriptions of the cruise ship and short encounters between Jack and Bart, as well as helpful waiter Gabe playing matchmaker.
A good effort for a first book, maybe add more interactions with characters to add depth. 3.5 stars rounded up.
I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

DDelightful! Excellent group of friends. Jack, agrees to go on a cruise with his friends. He has reservations, but he values their friendship more than his concerns. Bart, is immediately attracted to Jack when they first meet. He was forewarned that Jack was shy, but he still didn't feel his interest. They share a cabin as the only two singles among the friends. Gabe, a waiter on the cruise is very helpful keeping these two together. Does it work? Nice story, description are so good, I'm ready to book my cruise! Well done! Way too short. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janniemac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read set around Christmas but not too Christmassy for the beginning of the holiday season. A great way to enjoy a cup of tea and a mince pie curled up on the sofa on a dreary afternoon. Bart and Jack are a couple of likeable characters. There isn’t too much depth to the story but as it is a short novella, that is to be expected. There is a recurring character, Gabe the barman, who is a bit of a cupid on the cruise ship. All in all, a quick, fun read.

[Elizabeth D · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 This is short and sweet, a meeting between friends-of-friends on a cruise ship vacation. Attraction and feelings develop very quickly, but I appreciate that they didn’t actually get together that first night. (The set up was there, lol). We don’t get to spend a lot of time with them, but it felt like they had a genuine (of quick) connection to carry them forward.

I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Book Review - ARC ✨

✨ "Love at Frost Sight" by R. J. Peterson
✨ Series: "SEAson of Love", book 1

✨ Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

✨ What a fun, short read to get ready for the holidays!

✨ Join single men Jack and Bart as they go on a cruise with their coupled up friends, who "accidentally" book one suite for them.

✨ I read this in one sitting, and really enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing what other hijinks ensue on this ship!

[Shana_Bobana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute novella to start a series. I wish we got to see the men together after the cruise was over but the ending was still sweet. I love a forced proximity trope, and this one was done well for being so short. The bartender Gabriel was hardly in it though, and I thought he would be in it more based on the blurb. I did enjoy this story overall, and I will be reading the rest of the series.

I did receive a free ARC of this book but that did not influence my review.

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both Jack and Bart have been talked into going on a Christmas cruise with their friends. Even though they have never met, they are talked into sharing a cabin to save money. Jack is shy and quiet with strangers and is dreading rooming with Bart. Then he sees Bart and he is drawn to him. He was too shy to make any move until one of the ship's bartenders pushes them into spending time together. The more time they spend together, they realize that they are perfect for each other.

[Malia Winger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is everything I want in a holiday novella. Short, sweet, to the point, and a little spicy! Jack and Bart are for sure NOT set up on a tropical holiday cruise by their friends. Both men need a getaway but neither of them can afford the cost of a single cruise. Their friends have the perfect solution. They can share! The beauty of the ship and the relaxed atmosphere works its magic and they are able to let their guards down enough to act of their attraction

[Raven and Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick story about finding love on a cruise when you least expect it. Neither Bart nor Jack were looking forward to sharing a room with a stranger but that is exactly what happens when they both accompany their friends on a cruise. There isn’t a whole lot of depth to this one, mainly because it is so short, but it is a pleasant read and I enjoyed it.

[T Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short holiday delight with good friends, a warm cruise and a HeA. An instant attraction makes the holidays even better as the m/c’s meet and sparks start flying. Zero drama makes the book a treat as they connect and start on the journey to forever. Lots of sweetness from all the characters just adds more fun to the story. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love holiday reads. If you are looking for a sweet short read set during the holidays then this is perfect for you. It still gives you the feels that you want in a seasonal read. This is the first in a four book series and I recommend checking them out. I was given an arc by GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but sweet novella. Bart and Jack have mutual friends. When they first meet on a cruise, there is instant attraction. I look forward to seeing more of Gabe, the cruise ship bartender, in the rest of the series. If you are looking for a short, no drama, afternoon read, this is a good pick. This was my first R. J. Peterson read, and it won't be my last.

[Julie Bedwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack and Bart's story is a fun holiday-ish story. It's not too much holiday, though so it can definitely be enjoyed any time. Jack and Bart meet through friends on a cruise. This is a short story, but it is one that feela complete to me. If you need a light, quick escape from the real world, this is an excellent choice.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in a new series of short holiday romances, the story is sweet the characters good, Jack and Bart met on a cruise with friends, they shared a room, got to know each other and fell in love, I would have liked the epilogue to be further into the future as for me it was more a Hfn than Hea which is why I give it four stars instead of five.

[Jo Atkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insta love short and I mean short. Although Christmas themed during a cruise in the Carribean, it doesn't really come across as Christmas themed, other than a mention of decorations on the ship and Jack's surname. Fun read though

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short But Cute

I really enjoyed reading this cute holiday romance story. Jack and Bart don't have an instant connection but it's pretty close to it. Their story was quick but fun to read.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Bridgette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and Sweet novella! I enjoyed this, read it in one sitting. It was just a short, sweet, feel good, holiday romance. Jack goes on a cruise with friends and agrees to share a cabin with a friend of a friend, Bart. As with short stories, the romance is fast but it was fund to read.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this book. It was a fun little romp around a cruise ship. Not much in the way of heat but I don't think it mattered in this case. The story was good enough without it. Thinking about it puts a smile on my face and that's enough for me! Enjoy.