Snowed In With Sin: An Ex-besties to Lovers Cozy Fantasy Romance

by Aurora Lillard

When a polar bear shifter and his pixie ex-bestie get snowed into their vacation cabin together by a magical snowstorm, things heat up real quick!

***

Nothing tastes as good as Sin herself.

Pixie Siana should be focused on running her magical bakery, Sweet Like Sin, instead of going on vacation. Especially when she knows the last person she wants to see, her ex-bestie, will be there. Polar bear shifter Frost was used to the cold, but when Sin froze him out after their argument, it almost destroyed him. After a fight of epic proportions at a friend's rehearsal party, Frost and Sin's friendship was ruined, and they haven't spoken since.

Now, those friends want to take a Christmas trip to celebrate their anniversary and share some holiday fun. Frost and Sin can't say no to their best friends, not after last year's mishap. Plus, Frost would do anything to get Sin to talk to him again, even if every word was full of attitude.

Things quickly go sideways when they're forced to share a cabin together. The Yule Ball invited too many powerful Winter Spirits and elementals, whose partying creates a magical snowstorm, trapping Frost and Sin inside. Will these ex-besties survive each other's irritating company, or will the anger between them burn into something hotter?

Genres: Romance, Holiday

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2023

About the author

Hi, I’m Aurora Lillard, an author who rewrote her bio recently because she realized her first one was too stiff and cringy. Like, do I love reading “a book centering a passionate romance at its core that rivals the Florida sun’s intensity?” Absolutely, yes, but you see what I meant when I said ‘cringy.’ So here is an update. I’m an author who prioritized diversity because I’m bi-racial, I grew up in a culturally diverse community, and because it just makes sense to me to be inclusive. I enjoy stories infused with fantasy, adventure, and magic, and it’s a huge plus when traditional ‘good vs evil’ tropes get turned upside down. Yes, I’m the woman who falls for the villain or magical creature. I’ve embarrassed my family a time too many talking about vampires, have gotten strange looks when I tell people I like blood-red nail polish because it makes me feel like I ripped out someone’s beating heart à la vampire queen Aaliyah, and some people don’t get my dark vibes.
But you probably will. Because you’re here, reading my books. So we can be a little bit spooky, deliciously feminine, mystical, and eclectic together.

Reviews

[Weekend Reader_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends this is my first polar bear shifter book. What a fun ride. I had to get used to the internal dialog with both Sin and Frost but once I did it made sense. We were getting a peak into the things they wanted to say but "didn't". Anyway there were a lot of elements keeping them from repairing their friendship but when they got over that they couldn't stay off each other 🤭 The magic system was really interesting and I wanted more. Rosalie is a boss and clearly powerful, give me more. Also the different creatures just roaming around was a delight, again give me more.

Thank you to the author for sending me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

CN: near drowning, malfunctioning ride, food poison, near kidnapping

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfert Christmas in July Read

PNR, Christmas vibes, a friends to lovers storyline I can get behind, the ends on the beach. Could a book get anymore perfect for this mid year holiday season?!? This is a new to me author. I enjoyed the story and all the fantastical elements, it was a touch cheesy, but she has a good narrative voice. Sin’s gift was particularly awesome and one I’d love to experience! A POC man who shifts into a polar bear, umm yes!!!! I liked the subplot but I think it missed for me because it was never explained why Sin was a target. Even if the answer was just wrong place, wrong time. And at times the pace dragged just a touch. Overall I liked it, loved the cover, and it definitely put me in the holiday spirit which is always a win!

[Jaleesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polar Bear Shifter….Yes please!!! 3.5

Ok I enjoyed this one!! It definitely gave me cozy Christmas vibes but I’m not gonna lie it had me a little stressed out too. I liked that we got to really see two people repair their friendship and FINALLY be honest with themselves and each other. It felt like there was a lot of inner dialogue but I didn’t mind it because it helped me know the characters more. The magic system was unique, I feel like I need to read more to really understand it and I hope we get that. I’d definitely pick up another book in this universe!

[Kristina Birch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estranged friends to lovers with a little magic thrown in!

Sin and Frost used to be best friends but for the past year they haven’t spoken a word to each other, now they’re carpooling to their anual holiday friends trip and being forced to share a cabin, where confessions and apologies lead to redefining their relationship.

First, I liked that the past conflict that separated them wasn’t too drawn out and we know early on what was said and why it led to the rift. Second, I loved that Frost was all in from go (I’m a sucker for a he falls first storyline). Third, despite the shared cabin there was plenty of build up and chemistry before these two finally came together. And fourth, the little action sequence at the end was really fun!

My only dislike, and it was minor really, was I felt like there could’ve been a little bit more world building/info dump. These were fantasy/magical/paranormal beings and what all they could do and how they fit in the world wasn’t always clear or it was explained in the moment taking me out of the story. I should note this was my first book by Aurora Lillard, so it’s possible I missed world building info in other books.

[Live2readbookluva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a winter themed slow burn fantasy romance with fun banter and pops of spice. The story is told from dual pov by the main characters, Siana (Sin) and Frost. This was a 2nd chance / enemies to lovers type read with hilarious banter and steamy chemistry. Sin is smart, strong, and sassy. Frost is charming and irresistible. How could they not wind up together? This was one of the best books that I read for the holiday season so far. I did not expect to enjoy a polar bear shifter romance so much and was pleasantly surprised. The story was well written with an interesting plot, the world building and magic was well done while still feeling very modern, and the characters were enjoyable. This was my first time reading this author, but won’t be my last! Overall, I really Liked this read!

[Sonya F · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read! It’s spicy it’s hot it’s healing, and so much more depth than just a holiday romance book. The characters are so lovable there’s tons of heart and the magical element just tickles fantasy lovers, and all the right places. Frost has so much devotion to Sin and it’s beautiful to see their relationship develop. There were tons of interesting twist, and turns that made it so much more than a contemporary romance. Everything about this felt like a warm hug definitely a winter must read.

[The Juju shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 This was a great story, a wonderful Christmas story. and it was so spicy I loved it. It was more than just spicey it was decadent. I am probably going to read this again next year!

Sin hasn’t spoken to her best friend Frost in a year. As the story progresses you come to understand why they weren’t talking. Without giving spoilers they do get snowed in. There is whole world in this story. There was enough fantasy that you didn’t have to take notes and I was really able to enjoy the unique magical characters in this book.

I would definitely recommend this story!

[Strawberry Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not known peace since this book released because I have not been able to put it down. I’m absolutely obsessed with these characters. I wish a could steal Frost away for myself but theres absolutely no way I can get him to take his eyes off of Sin. I haven’t been this obsessed with a book in a long time. The spice is spicing!

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first polar bear shifter romance. Spicy, sweet, hot, and cold. We follow two ex best friends (Sin, pixie, and Frost, polar bear shifter) throughout the holiday season and a massive snow storm. Very great chemistry between the two leads and hilarious side characters. Really enjoyed the world and would love another book in it. Recommend this

[Melinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect supernatural love story

I was looking for a Christmas supernatural romance and this hit the spot. Very steamy, living and cute. I loved the storyline. Actually, I would love a series about the early days and leading up to the infamous wedding. This was a great book. Please write more!!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so cute! I read it over the Christmas holiday and it really got me into the holiday spirit. A polar bear shapeshifter is so unique too. I wish she did more world building so we could better understand the magic system and different supernatural characters but it was still a really enjoyable read.

[b.andherbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun and steamy, then surprisingly action packed PNR shifter romance (he's a polar bear shifter; she's a witchy winter magic haver) that was a fun bite before the holidays. The romance arc was resolved relatively swiftly, leaving more steamy scenes and action RE a fantasy subplot. I had fun! Would read more of the author for sure.

[Abiageal Ketchersid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and cozy fantasy romance! It was a great read and the spice was well written. I really loved the characters and it was a great holiday read. A fun quick read for the holiday season!