Snowed in with the Grump

by Fern Fraser

Ava

I’ve been in love with my best friend’s older brother for years. Unrequited and very much a secret, I’ve been content only to share my feelings in the letters I wrote him. For five years, Carter served overseas, and I poured my affection and concern into unsent notes I foolishly hid in his family’s mountain cabin. The very place where Carter plans to stay once he returns stateside. I need to find the letters before anyone else, especially before the man who holds my heart discovers my secret.

Carter

I never imagined that when I retired from the military, I’d have to do it like this. Scarred and broken and unfit for the beautiful things in this world. Which is exactly what I find in my family’s old cabin, in the form of my sister’s tempting best friend, Ava. Suddenly, we’re snowed in together, and I’m struggling to remember why I’m supposed to keep my hands to myself. I’m too damaged to deserve Ava’s sunshine, but she’s got me hoping for a Christmas miracle.

Tropes: ex-military, best friend’s brother, secret love letters, grumpy/sunshine, protective hero, snowed in during a storm.

Genres: Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Military Fiction, Friends To Lovers

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2023

About the author

Fern Fraser is a steamy short contemporary romance author who knows love at first sight is real. Fern's books feature possessive Alpha Heroes and the Strong Sassy Women who bring them to their knees. The path to true love isn’t always a straight line, but with laughter and steam, happy endings are real. Every Single Time.

Fern Fraser: Short Romance with Heart and Hot Happy Endings.

Reviews

[Lori ◡̈]

DNF at 22%. No rating because this is obviously a short, instalove type of story, which I absolutely hate so it’s my fault for not realizing that before downloading.

But…. A fair warning. This guy is NOT grumpy. He has some post-military trauma, thinks he is unworthy of the heroine so he tries to stay away. But he is completely normal, if not sweet.

What ruined the book for me was the writing. I was constantly cringing and thinking how the thoughts, actions and dialogues were all unrealistic and cheesy. Maybe this is just a short and quick erotica, I don’t know, I didn’t get far enough to see. But quality and engaging storytelling it is not.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars - NOT the Grumpy story I was expecting :/ this guy was super sweet unless dealing with PTSD- which is totally realistic. The story however is NOT realistic so warned
.
Its a 100% fluffy, sappy sweet holiday fantasy with vague timelines, no mention of showers, h is a virgin but can go for days, cute cooking scenes (she is a fabulous cook of course) and it's her best friend that is the grump in this story. The premise had a good hook but wasn't executed like I imagined it could be.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. The premise was great, but I think there were a lot of issues that were brought up and not really dealt with very well.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hotness this book was absolutely fantastic and will definitely have you enthralled from the beginning until the end and the storyline flows throughout the book
It's compelling and tantalizing and captivating and so much more. Nick can't keep a secretary mainly because he is a grumpy and grouchy man but when Sabrina starts can he try to keep her working for him or will he chase her away like.the others? This is such an enjoyable story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful!! This was a little longer than I was expecting, but I really enjoyed this one.

Carter and Ava knew one another growing up, she's his sister's best friend. Carter joins the military and leaves Ava at home. Ava doesn't tell Carter how she feels about him but thinks about him. Ava goes off to college with her best friend, Carter's sister Sarah. Carter's sister invites Ava up to their cabin she is having him renovate. Ava doesn't realize Carter is there until she arrives. When Ava arrives she finds it's only Carter and the others have when to get groceries. Ava barely made it up the mountain there's a snow storm coming in. Ava and Carter soon realize that his sister isn't coming back since the snow storm hit fast and hard. Ava and Carter work together making meal for themselves. When Carter leans in Ava thinks he's going to kiss her but he doesn't. Carter excuses himself and Ava heads outside to take a walk. When Carter comes back and can't find Ava he heads outside and follow her tracks. When they get back to the cabin they gather more firewood and supplies. Carter leans in and kisses Ava, he tells her they can stop but she tells him she doesn't want to. Soon they realize they are burning dinner since they were so lost in one another. After dinner they're not sure what to do with their time, then Carter tells Ava he wants her. Carter pleasures Ava then they make love. When they finally do eat they talk about plans for their future. After they clean up from dinner the lights flicker then go out. Carter checks on the generator but he can't fix it tonight. They decide to head to bed together so they can stay warm with just the fireplace heating the cabin. They pleasure one another and then make love before falling asleep. The next day they wake up, get breakfast, and notice it's still snowing out. Carter gets the generator working, soon they are looking for something to do. They decide to play a few card games to pass the time. They make love once again. The next day Ava admits to Carter that she's falling in love with him, Carter admits he's falling in love with her. The day passes quickly and soon Ava is asking Carter what happens when everyone returns, how will his sister handing them being together. Carter tells Ava not to think about that right now they'll cover that when his sister returns. The next day Ava asks Carter what they should do, she knows he's getting restless traps in the cabin. Ava suggest they bake some cookies, so Carter helps bake. Later that night Ava wakes to Carter's anguished cries, she wakes him up, he was having a bad dream. Ava tries to get Carter to talk about it but he tells her to go to sleep. The next day Ava tries to get Carter to talk about what happened but he closes up on her. Ava tells him not to close up on her now. Ava admits to Carter that when he left to join the military she wanted to send him letters. Ava tells him she has letter written to him but she never sent them. Carter tells Ava that he would love to read those letter one day, but she tells him they're to embarrassing. When Ava wakes in the morning Carter is already out of bed with the coffee made. Ava gets breakfast for them and then Carter asks her to dance with him. Ava tells Carter she doesn't want to leave and he tells them then don't. Carter admits to Ava that he doesn't want to let her go. Soon they hear a car pulling up outside and Carter's sister Sarah comes running inside. Carter's sister, Sarah talks about what they went through and Ava tries to avoid the conversation about her and Carter. When they afternoon comes Sarah and her husband asks Carter if he wants to head back home, but he tells them he's fine. Carter heads off to do some renovation and finds Ava's letters so he heads to his room and reads them. Later at dinner, Carter comes out in a bright Christmas sweater. Carter and Ava sit next to one another and he slips his hand on her thigh. After dinner they gather around the Christmas tree to pass out presents. Ava admits to Carter she doesn't have one for him she didn't know he'd be there. but he tells her that's alight. Sarah gives Ava a handmade gift, and when Ava gives Sarah her present it's the shoes she was looking at that cost a lot of money. Sarah tells Ava she doesn't have that kind of money to spend, and Ava tells her she wanted to get her something nice. Sarah tells Ava about how she doesn't want her to go into debt giving out Christmas presents like she does every year. When Sarah starts to go on Carter comes over and wraps his arm around Ava. Sarah tells Carter she's just trying to financially protect Ava. Soon Sarah realizes that Carter has his arm around Ava and asks when all this started. Carter tells Sarah that this is new and he loves Ava. Sarah tells Ava she won't let her take advantage of Carter when she can't even manage her money. Carter tells Sarah she's gone too far, when he walks away Ava follows him. When Ava finds Carter he working on the walls, he admits it's his sister he's mad at. Ava tells Carter it doesn't matter what Sarah thinks it's what they want. Carter tells Ava he found her letters and read them. Ava tells Carter he wasn't suppose to read them. Carter tells her he needed to read them they were beautiful. Carter hands Ava a letter he wrote to her, as she sits and reads it. Carter admits he wants her and asks her to stay and help him with the cabin. Ava tells Carter she would love to do that. Ava tells Carter that they are forever. Ava tells him she loves him and Carter tells her he loves her. Carter tells Ava he'll help her manage her money. Ava head out to talk to Sarah and they work through it. Ava tells Sarah she loves Carter. Carter announces to everyone that he and Ava are together. Five years later, Carter and Ava are married, with a three year old daughter Lily. They host Carter's family at Christmas in their cabin every year. Ava is now teaching and enjoys her job. Carter went to counseling to help with his trauma after being in the military. Carter and Ava have an annual tradition to play the games they played that first year they were stuck in the cabin because of the snow storm.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of the multi-author Mistletoe Love series featuring the steamy age-gap, brother's best friend, grumpy/sunshine, ex-military, secret letters,forced proximity romance between Carter and Ava. Ava has always had feelings for her best-friend's older brother Carter and she poured her feelings out in letters that she wrote to him while he was serving in the military. Ava never mailed the letters she hid them in his family's cabin never intending for anyone to see them. However Carter plans on renovating the cabin now that he's retired and home from the military so Ava has to get the letters out of the cabin before Carter sees them. Carter is struggling since he retired from the military he's scarred and broken he feels unfit for the beauty in the world. Speaking of beauty his sister's best-friend Ava is here at the cabin driving Carter crazy since he's always wanted her. Now that they're snowed In together will Carter remember why he's supposed to keep his hands off of Ava? Will he be able to even though he doesn't think that he deserves Ava? You really need to read this steamy age-gap, brother's best friend, grumpy/sunshine, ex-military, secret letters, forced proximity romance to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowed In with the Grump is a short and steamy, age-gap, forced-proximity, Christmas-themed, grumpy-sunshine, curvy girl gets her best friend's brother romance. Ava is a free spirit with a heart of gold. Carter is an 8 years older, ex-military vet who was injured and her best friend's brother. They had feelings for each other when she was 17, and he was 25, but Carter knew he couldn't act on his feelings and went into the army. When the two end up snowed in at Carter's family cabin over Christmas, old feelings resurface. But Carter is haunted with the darkness of his past. Can he let her in? Can Ava show him he is worthy of love? And what will Carter's sister say? I loved this couple. They had amazing chemistry. I loved seeing the crush turn into true love, and Carter's grumpy facade crumble with Ava. They were so good for each other. And we also got an amazing HEA after a little family angst.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aliama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava has had a crush on her best friend's older brother for as long as she can remember. When he left town and enlisted she wrote him letters that she never mailed. Now Carter is back and renovating the cabin that holds so many memories for Ava but most importantly it's where she hid her letter to Carter. Carter returned home with physical scars as well as mental scars. He's always had a thing for Ava but she was too young so that why he left. Now she's at the cabin waiting out a snowstorm and waiting for his sister and their friends for a Christmas celebration. Ava has always been a kind and giving person and about others before herself. She decides it’s time to stand up for what she wants and who she is and not let the love of her life pass her by. Carter finally realizes that he is worthy and that Ava is the balm that his scarred soul needs. He’s done waiting and ready to tell everyone that they were meant to be. I received an arc copy of this book.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava has loved her best friend Sarah’s older brother Carter for a long time but she has never told Sarah. When Carter left and was overseas in the military, Ava wrote him secret letters that she hid in his family’s mountain cabin. She is spending Christmas at the cabin with Sarah, her husband Matt, and their two friends Ivy and Easton.

Carter is now retired from the military. He is renovating the cabin so he can live there full time. His sister neglected to tell Ava that Carter is back. She is shocked when she arrives at the cabin and is worried that Carter will find the hidden letters declaring her feelings.

A blizzard sets in before Sarah and the gang can return from shopping so Ava and Carter are snowed in together.

Will Ava be able to keep her secret from Carter? Why did Carter really go into the military?

Cute story about two people and crossed signals.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Best Friend's older brother, Grump/Sunshine
Mistletoe Love series

Trigger / Content Warnings
Military injury
PTSD


Ava (mfc)
Carter (mmc)
Sarah (sister of mmc)
Matt (husband of Sarah)


Ava is supposed to be spending the holidays with Sarah, Matt, and another couple. She would be the only single person at the cabin. But when she gets there, the couples are not there, only Carter. He's there to remodel the cabin. She's has a crush on him forever. She even hid love letters to him when she was younger. Now, they are snowed in together. Can she find find those letters before him? What will Sarah say?

The random stranger showing up had the potential to turn the book a certain way, but it didn't play out like I expected. It does have to do with another one of her books, though. I also spent most of the book thinking Matt was the boyfriend. I'm not sure how I messed that up.

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava (h) travels to a mountain cabin owned by her best friend’s family and is surprised to find Carter (H), her secret crush, best friend’s older brother. Carter has retired from the Army and is renovating the cabin where he plans to settles as he deals with his past traumas. Ava realizes Carter will find all the unsent love letters she wrote to him and stashed within the cabin’s wall and hopes to find them before he does. A snowstorm traps the two togther, offering them the chance to connect with one another, and for things to heat up between the two, though Ava worries how her friend will react when she finds out Ava and Carter are together. Hot and steamy grumpy shine, forbidden romance wit ha bit of angst. Personally, I wish Ava would’ve given Sarah a good slap and told her to get over it.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this read! I was in the mood for something a bit wintery, warm and cozy and this hit all those with some additional heat! The book was steamy and didn’t take long to throw you into the passion. Ava and Carter are thrown in to a tricky, close proximity situation, with only themselves to keep each other company and it leads to so much pent up emotion trying to let itself out. The author gave us loads of opportunity to get to know both characters, their background and the history they share, leaving us wanting nothing more than to see them together, to see them fox each other.
I also really loved the spicy moments. They were detailed, interesting and written really well, making for some very interesting and exciting reads. I liked that the author mixed them up a bit and kept the interactions exciting and very intriguing. Overall, a brilliant read.

[De Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traditional Game of Poker.
Amazing. Carter left and joined the military because Ava was too much of a temptation at only seventeen. She is his little sister’s best friend but, not that they are trapped inside the cabin during the blizzard he can’t remember the reasons to stay away. Knowing that she was going to be a fifth wheel to a bunch of couples Ava only goes to retrieve the letters she wrote to Carter but, never mailed. They give into their feelings and truths come. Then Carter finds the letters and reads them all realizing that Ava’s loved him just as long as he has her. But, when the rest of the crew, including his sister, finally makes it back things become tense. Will Ava and Carter get the chance to truly be happy?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ava and Carter together! There was enough steam to keep you on your toes. Both have secretly crushed on each other but Ava is Carter’s sister’s best friend. OFF LIMITS!! Or are they?
Carter goes up to his family’s cabin to fix it up after leaving the military a scared man. At the same time, Ava goes to the same cabin to retrieve some letters she wrote to Carter. They two are caught up together and spend some time together alone. They are able to have some meaningful conversations and time together. Carter doesn’t feel good enough for Ava.
This was a fabulous book and this author does a wonderful job of bringing Ava and Carter together. I love Fern Fraser books! This is a definite MUST READ!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a part of the Mistletoe Love series and focuses on Carter and Ava. Ava has been hopelessly in love with Carter, her best friend’s brother, but had never told anyone. She wrote all her feelings for him in letters she never sent but instead stashed at his family’s cabin. The same cabin that she realizes he’s now renovating and planning on living at since he is finally out of the military. She has no idea that all the things she felt for Carter were the same feelings that he felt for her all this time. I absolutely loved how great Carter and Ava were together and that they were finally able to get the future that they had always wanted together. This was a great story and a great addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fern Fraser's Snowed in with the Grump, her contribution to the wonderful multi-author series Mistletoe Love, is a beautifully-written, emotional, best friend's brother holiday romance. Ava and Carter have both wanted one another for years, but with Ava eight years his junior, Carter joined the military when she was seventeen to avoid making a move. Now years later, he has been medically discharged and is fixing up the family's cabin to live in. When Ava heads to the cabin for the holidays to celebrate Christmas with her best friend (and Carter's younger sister), she and Carter end up stranded together when a big storm rolls in. Forced together, the two have no choice but to confront their feelings. An entertaining, steamy holiday romance you won't be able to put down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CookieLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two. Hot !!!! But the best friend/sister. Oh my goodness. She is soo judgmental. I wanted to smack her upside the head. She was soo mean. Our main heroine was just too nice to her. And she couldn’t see it as anything more than throwing her money away. Some people show love by giving. That gives them the joy back. I was soo glad that our hero saw it as that. And didn’t judge her for it. But did offer to help teach her better habits if she wanted. I loved how he finally stopped running away when it got hard but rather showed everyone but mostly her how all in he really was. I could read another book about them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenage crush no longer. Ava has had feelings for Carter, her best friend Sarah's older brother, for quite some time. What Ava did not realize is the real reason Carter left was that he was fighting his feeling for Ava because she was so much younger than him. Well in this book, which is a sweet and fabulous story, they get their chance to be together. It is not without challenges, but their happily ever after would not have been as sweet as it was had it not been a little bit of a bumpy ride. Absolutely fell in love with Ava and Carter through reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Why did past me make present me's life so difficult?'

Ava is so sweet, thoughtful and genuine, she goes out of her way to make everyone feel special and loved, you cannot help but like her. And I have to say I very strongly dislike Sarah, she is vile and doesn't deserve Ava or Carter in her life.
Carter may come across as a grump, but he is a dinted and damaged warrior, fighting his demons and his doubts as he searches for his safe place, his home. I am so glad that Ava is his safe place, she has such a beautiful soul and has no judgement, just calm acceptance of the man he is now.
This is a lovely read, almost a second chance for first love which I read on Kindle Unlimited.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Snowed in with the Grump : Mistletoe Love. Carter is hurting after the military and Ava is the balm he needs. She’s sunshine and he’s tired of hiding his feelings. Ava was hurt when he left but she’s loved him since she can remember and she won’t give up on him. Her only worry is how her best friend will react when she finds out. Being snowed in together gives them the time they need to explore their relationship. I loved the storyline and the characters. She will help him HEA, and he will give her the family. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter is coming back from the military and finds that Ava has written him letters for the last 5 years and never sent them. He's retired and broken and feels like he doesn't deserve Ava. Now Ave is there at the cabin and she's driving him nuts. The snow is falling and they are stuck together. Will they fall into each other's arms and do what they have always wanted to do? There are doubts, struggles with PTSD, steamy scenes, secrets, healing, family judgments, steam, and love. Great enjoyable story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natasha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava has been in love with her best friends brother forever. Carter started having feelings for Ava when she was 18. Being 8 years older he tried to hide his feelings and joined the military to stay away from Ava. Now he is injured and home for good. Staying at his family cabin he is surprised when Ava arrives for Christmas. Now they are snowed in alone together neither can hide their feelings any longer. Sweet, steamy story with amazing chemistry, true love, a little family drama, a loving, caring, if grumpy hero and a wonderful HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carter may be a grump but Ava has loved him since she was a teenager. And Carter has loved Ava but since he doesn't think he's good enough for her since he was wounded he keeps to himself. But when they get snowed in together some truths finally come out. This is such a well written, feel good holiday read. It's steamy and hot and I loved Carter and Ava, they are made for each other. Excellent snowed in best friends sister holiday read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun story that I feel in love with. Ava has loved Carter for years. When he left for military, she wrote to him, but never sent them, instead hid them in his family's cabin.

Ava headed to the Cabin to spend with her friends and his sister, but when she arrived, she found Carter. When the weather turned, truth comes out, feelings are revealed, and the passion is given into.

I love these types of stories as you never know how the sibling will react.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas wishes come true

Snowed in with the Grump by Fern Fraser is part of the multi-author Mistletoe Love series. The story is about Ava and Carter, her best friend's older brother. They reconnect when he retires from the military with plans to renovate the family cabin and she has to retrieve letters she hid there before he finds them. Add in a snowstorm that traps them together, and things are about to get snow melting hot and very steamy. This was a good story with nice characters, even if I did want to smuck her a couple of times.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava has been in love with Carter, her bestie's brother for years. He has been serving overseas for five years and has poured out her heart in letters that she never sent, but hid in their family cabin.

Carter has retired from the military, not like he planned, he plans on hiding away at the family cabin. He does not expect to find his sister's bestie. When they are snowed in, he has try to keep his hands to himself.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the best friend older brother trope and Ava and Carter delivered. Carter comes home broken and scarred, thinking the worst about himself and hiding from the world. Ava has always loved Carter and even wrote notes while he was away in the military but hid them. Determined to get them back, she hides in the cabin where Carter comes to stay. Short and sweet, this story reveals feelings hidden and unrealized. Great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lillah Cruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. Ava and Carter are absolutely incredible together, both are scared and a bit broken in their own ways. However they love each other fiercely. My only gripe is the way Sarah treated Ava and Carter, in general and about their relationship. That being said it is a really tiny piece of the book, and I will most definitely be reading this book again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Ava and Carter as characters, I believed in their connection and chemistry and liked that they had a shared past and the story was told from both sides. It was really nice seeing them being able to explore the possibility of more between them and I really enjoyed seeing the love, respect and trust they had for each other and the support that they gave one another.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Snowed in with the Grump by Fern Fraser. Ava has crushed on her best friend's brother since she was a young girl and when he went into the military she wrote him a collection of letters that she never mailed. Carter is completely unaware of Ava's feelings until they become stranded at his family's mountain cabin during a snowstorm. Carter believes he is too damaged to be with someone as special as Ava but the more time they spend together the harder they both fall. Awesome read.