Two strangers, one cottage, and a blizzard that changes everything.
In the quiet isolation of a snowed in cottage, William guards his shattered heart. His world’s been ripped apart, and he has no idea how to start living again. Little does he know life is about to come crashing in.
Kyle’s seeking his own refuge from the festive season. Arriving in the dead of night, the last thing he’s expecting is to be attacked by a half naked man.
Both have booked the cottage. Both are determined to stay. But as the weather worsens neither is able to leave, and they’re left with no choice but to stay and endure each other’s unwanted company.
Thin skinned William and cocky Kyle are opposites in every way, and their initial clash sparks an icy standoff. Yet, as the snowflakes continue to fall, so do the barriers between them. Exploring the winter wonderland beyond the cottage, and sharing Christmas treats by the crackling fire, smouldering attraction starts to ignite.
Can William overcome the burden of his secret heartache, and will Kyle be able to convince him that life and love are there for the taking — but only if he is brave enough to seize the chance?
Snowed In at Christmas Cottage is an opposites attract, close proximity, heartwarming MM romance. Expect a touch of enemies to lovers, a pinch of grumpy/sunshine — and only one very big bed.
This is such a beautiful book, with a story of double booking at Christmas that is touching and heartwarming at the same time. William and Kyle find themselves in a lovely cottage in the countryside that they both had booked. After trying to fix the double booking issue and failing to do so, they have to share the cottage for several days as the snow doesn't let any of them leave. I loved this story very much. Both men were hurting and just wanted to be alone, but they were exactly what the other needed to get back on track. William broke my heart as I could feel his pain through the pages. He felt so guilty, and lonely, I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything was going to be alright. But that was what Kyle was for. He had already been hurt, but he was determined to start again after a little time alone. I couldn't help but laugh as William was so uptight and Kyle just loved teasing him. The way they both learnt to trust each other in such a short period of time while sharing emotive moments was lovely. This is an amazing novel about two broken hearts that heal each other, while enjoying a different Christmas than what they expected. There is love, hope and so much happiness here. I highly recommend it.
I love a good forced proximity holiday story - snowed in with a stranger - add in a dash of opposites attract, a little hurt/comfort and a pinch of grumpy/sunshine and add more snow and a host of interesting food choices and you've got the recipe for an interesting slow building holiday romance...
I have to say that for me, the slow build was almost glacial, but getting to the heart of the matter was worth the slog (as was some of the fun sniping between the guys)
I wasn't expecting much originality here. Snowed in for the holidays. Where have we seen that before? I'm living in a winter wonderland right now so I went with it.
I should have known better. I've followed this author for a while now and haven't been disappointed.
Ye gads was this good. There is so much more to this love story than proximity and the holidays. A sadness that grips you. Two men who could not be more different manage to find in each other the healing that they so desperately needed. You become part of the journey. I loved it.
Also, kudos to the author for having a sense of humor amidst the real life, weighty material.
3.75 stars. Incredibly slooooooow burn, fairly good payoff. But I wanted more of them together, and more about the characters themselves. Seems like 50% of the book was squabbling about food (which made sense in context but when they're only together for 5% of the book, all the food scenes seem a bit much).
A beautiful, moving Christmas story about two men who thought they lost nearly everything.
As soon as I opened the book, the first sentences already put me in a special mood… it is cold, lonely, snowy when the first of our heroes arrives at his self-imposed Christmas exile. I immediately wanted to snuggle up with a hot tea and feel the warmth and security but also the loneliness of a holiday home in the forest.
It's William who arrives at the cozy, empty cottage, alone in his car, with his books and a lot of Christmas related food. He’s more than a little lost, doesn't want to see or be around anyone, so he doesn't have to pretend to be happy and sociable, and he carries a lot of baggage, and not just from a culinary point of view. From the first moment you want to hug him, protect him, help him, but at the same time there is this great darkness into which he has retreated. That longing to be left alone, a feeling you perhaps know all too well, that makes you sad because it hurts... and you can only imagine what could have been the reason. A man, fragile in every way, no longer able to eat, to feel more than sadness, maybe to live. But then something, or rather someone, steps into his dark mood: Kyle. Loud, provocative, expansive, exhausting. At least at first glance. And he’s good- looking, too. Both men have booked the same escape domicile, neither wants to leave the field to the other, and apart from that, the snow is far too deep for retreat to be possible. Arrangement is the magic word, sleeping options, meals, entertainment, the amount of festive decoration and other activities must be coordinated willy-nilly. William helps Kyle resolve his lack of preparation regarding snow-ready clothing and edible food. Kyle gradually manages to make William smile, at least a little bit. And being alone is no longer the most desirable thing at this time of year. Little by little, the two men learn to be in (initially unwanted) proximity, learn something about each other that they hadn't suspected, Christmas decorations, cookies and hot drinks do the rest, and before they even realize it, they care about each other, in more than one way. But there is still a long, difficult, and bumpy road and more than a shed tear (not only for the heroes) before one can confide in the other why they sought solitude in the first place, what hurt them so much and what they are missing, and an even further way until they admit that maybe they could help each other. Now the reader has to find out whether there will be a little Christmas miracle for the two of them and whether they will return to their lives in a better condition than when they left it before Christmas. Reading their story, I couldn’t but wish for these beautiful, lovely men to find the happy end they truly deserve, and I hope you’ll feel the same. I've shed my share of tears, now it's your turn to hopefully fall in love with William and Kyle, with or without crying.
Snowed in at Christmas Cottage is such gorgeous, emotion-filled story. What happens when two men, who couldn’t be more different, both rent the same secluded cabin for Christmas week? William arrives ready to put a horrible year behind him, wanting to escape the celebrations his bruised and battered heart is not ready to deal with. Waking to what he thinks is a burglar, is actually a man who claims (and also has a confirmation email) that he rented the cottage, too. Kyle may appear carefree, but he has his own reasons for being far from London and his happily coupled up friends. With the owner of the cottage unreachable in Peru, a snowstorm raging, and stubbornness making them both refuse to leave, they come to an uneasy detente. Over several boozy conversations, they both realize how wrong their first impressions were. This is a slow burn, but the emotional connection between prickly GP William and brash builder Kyle is so satisfying. Watching Kyle help slowly reawaken bits of the old William, and William being so caring when Kyle shares his reasons for being there is everything. Both these men are so endearing. Slowly the begin to appreciate the things that make them different - and so right for each other. There are some genuinely funny moments -especially with their wildly different Christmas decorating styles, a Bargains4U vs. Waitrose debate, and a memorable snowball fight that had William beginning to feel again. After sharing an intimate night together, Kyle is surprised that William bolts. But he returns and finally shares his story with Kyle. Your heart will break as he recounts his loss and the guilt he feels. But you’ll also feel William begin to lighten as he unburdens his soul and Kyle is there for him. It’s a beautiful moment, giving them both a glimpse of a future filled with something wonderful. This is a beautifully poignant story that might have you tearing up. William and Kyle’s HEA includes all the love, light, and laughter they deserve. Just lovely. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
🌨Snowed it at Christmas Cottage is a cute Christmas stand-alone by Ali Reycart. William and Kyle are equally broken and equally fed up with the frenzy of Christmas and the city and only want to spend some time alone. But so alone they’re not. As it turned out, the cottage has been double booked and they’re forced to spend time together, healing.
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🌨m/m 🌨snowed in 🌨THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED!!! 🌨hurt/comfort 🌨opposite attract 🌨forced proximity
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️* 🔥
*spoilers ahead*
This book was so lovely. It broke my heart time and time again, but damn if I didn’t enjoy every single page of it. I started it and when I went to sleep, I was already at 50%, I genuinely couldn’t peer myself away from it. Snowed in is one of my favoure tropes and when you add only one bed (they woke up cuddling, you guys🥹) it makes it 100% sweeter. Kyle and William are the complete opposite, yet they are exacly what they needed to heal at the right time. The whole book I got major PS I Love You vibes from William’s auditory hallucinations and now Ferdie looks like Gerald Butler in my head. (Also, in my head William has a posh RP accent and Kyle has some sort of Cockney accent, I had so much fun imagining them speak to each other.) I was so honoured to get read this book, I loved the characters and their growth. Their epilogue was so cute, I wish I could read more of them!
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“It… it leaves us where we want to be. Or, I hope so. Together? Or maybe?” William held his breath, but Kyle’s smile was sunshine breaking through storm clouds, warming away the chill. “What’s with the maybe? Together. Yeah, reckon I can go with that. A Doc is for life, not just for Christmas. That’s what they say, isn’t it?”
I was gifted my copy of this book, and I thank Ms Ryecart for it!
Kyle and William end up double booked into the same cottage for Christmas. Neither will leave, even if they could but they get snowed in. There follows a few days of butting heads, until they see they can enjoy this time, seperately, and then together. Til the reason William is there comes to light and he runs away.
I loved this, I really did! The Christmas stories this year are cracking but this was the best one yet, and I'm SURE I said that last year about Ms Ryecart's Christmas story!
Kyle and William are very different, and I loved their voices showed the differences in their backgrounds, but also it gave William a surprise or two.
Kyle's reason for being in the cottage wasn't quite obvious, but William's was painfully so. But all wasn't made clear from either of them till they told the other about it. And William? I cried for him. Not giving anything away, but given his profession adn what happened, I really cried!
I loved the jokes around Kyle's food shopping! Made me think of a local supermarket that is cheap and cheerful but not especially nice! I loved that William was able to share the mountain of food he bought, even if he didn't know WHY he bought it.
I loved this, I really did. Ms Ryecart has a knack of keeping me fully engaged, by not giving me all the information I want, so I gotta keep going to get the full picture, and at the moment, keeping me engaged is extremely difficult!
I loved the epilogue! And the bit with the picture?? I cried all over again.
A thoroughly delightful, wonderfully told tale, of letting go and finding yourself again.
Two men, one cottage with just one bed, a booking error and lots of snow - a recipe for some Christmas magic. William has gone away for Christmas to hide from everything and everyone as his heart has been shattered and he has no idea how to start living again. Kyle arrived in the dead of night and was not expecting to be attacked by a half-naked man. Both have booked the cottage. Both are determined to stay. But as the weather worsens neither can leave, and they’re left with no choice but to stay and endure each other’s unwanted company. Exploring the winter wonderland beyond the cottage, and sharing Christmas treats by the crackling fire, a smouldering attraction starts to ignite. Can William overcome the burden of his secret heartache, and will Kyle be able to convince him that life and love are there for the taking — but only if he is brave enough to seize the chance?
This was such a sweet story with broken William learning that he can be happy again and have a future with a man who cares for him and loves him. I enjoyed the banter and some of the times they disagreed as they were passionate which was an indicator of what was to come. The ending was great and I loved that they got a HEA. This story was full of emotions and analysis after the loss of a partner. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
Ali Ryecart's books always hit me in the feels but her Christmas books are especially wonderful for giving me all kinds of sad/happy/seasonal feelings. I loved everything about Snowed in at Christmas Cottage. I knew almost from the beginning that it was going to be a bit heart-wrenching but I love stories that make me feel things deeply.
While there were indeed some sad things hinted at during this story there were also some very light-hearted moments. One of my favorite passages involved "naked Santas whose dicks wiggle from side to side as they go Ho! Ho! Ho!" Another was an Easter-egg for a favorite Ali Ryecart book, A Kiss Before Christmas. And finally, a reference to "a giant inflatable Santa wearing a cock ring."
Snowed in at Christmas Cottage is about two lonely men with hearts that are hurting. They don't know that they need each other but fate decided to throw them together for a holiday that would have otherwise been very lonely. William and Kyle could hardly be more different from one another but they are perfect together.
Epilogues are often one of my favorite things about a book and the one that Ali wrote for William and Kyle's HEA was wonderful.
An opposites attract romance, Kyle and William, both have some issues impacting their future. They have an undeniable connection from the get-go. Both having a way of getting under each other's skin, yet impacting one another's lives in a way neither of them yet realise. The story starts slowly, but as soon as they accept that they're attracted to one another, it starts to pick up. The guys bring out the best in each other, and I loved seeing William's walls break down, and go from grumpy and brooding to accepting all the things that drive him mad about Kyle, and actually starting to have fun, relax and being himself. They really are the complete opposite to each other in so many ways, yet that made them the perfect match! A cute, but poignant forced proximity romance, with a lovely ending.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
All the stars, all the praise! This is a deeply vulnerable, achingly realistic journey filled with devastation, healing, unexpected joy, and a connection that pulls straight from the darkest corners of human experience into the breathtaking discovery of new love. I laughed. I cried. I felt the warm fuzzies all over. I felt completely wrecked and completely elated in varying degrees of intensity, even simultaneously.
Ryecart captures grief, hope, and intimacy with such tenderness it feels almost sacred. More than anything, this book reminded me of how powerful it is to see queer love written with this much care, softness, and truth that shares lived experience not often captured in authentic light without over-saturated tropes. I only wish stories like this had existed decades ago for little boys like me. I am now ferociously devouring everything Ali Ryecart has ever written. I’ll be buried in my kindle for the foreseeable future. This was truly unforgettable. Thank you, Ali!
The first time I looked at the percentage read on my Kindle was at 42%. This is always a good sign! The book is a very good read and totally moreish.
I enjoyed the interactions between William and Kyle. Kyle hides his own hurt under a mountain of snark, but he is perceptive of William's sorrow and pushes him just the right amount. Poor William has had such a terrible 12 months, but slowly starts to thaw and enjoy Kyle's company. My one small niggle is that I wanted William's past to have been revealed a little earlier, to the reader at least, because you can guess what it is.
Although most of the story is told in 5 days, their coming together doesn't seem rushed at all. The chemistry between them is so right and their story leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy. Now excuse me...I'm off to buy a bottle of Advocaat.
This is a moving Christmas story. It is not a fluffy treat amongst all the Christmas stories being released. This is an excellent story that is low on fluff. This is the story of Kyle and William. Both are suffering from hurt and heartbreak. Rather than pretend to be happy with family and friends; they decide to escape to a secluded cabin in the woods. Everything is just as they want except for one thing; the owner accidentally rented it out to both of them. Then a snowstorm traps the two of them together. Both from different worlds yet both in the same pain. This is a very well written book that is easy to read. I really enjoyed it. I like how Kyle slowly peeled back all the layers of hurt and defense that William had; finally revealing the true William. A moving Christmas story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was not the light fluff Christmas read that I was expecting. Both William and Kyle have things they are hiding from, and it leads to so much emotion. Kyle's story came out pretty quick, but we didn't get William's until almost the very end. There were a lot of clues throughout the story, and I had mostly figured out what had happened, so it wasn't really a surprise
There are a lot of intimate moments, but this book isn't very heavy on the spice. I think a lot of heat would have felt unnatural between these MCs. Their story is more of a slow burn, even if it does happen over a fairly short amount of time. But I guess that's what happens when you are snowed in together in an isolated cabin!
4.5⭐️ This was really lovely, filled with a depth of emotion that I wasn’t expecting from the showed in at Christmas in a remote cottage premise. The two main characters are so well done. You can really feel how fragile William is when he arrives at the cottage, how he is still very much cloaked his grief. This really made this take on forced proximity stand out from the rest. It is a beautifully told story, I especially loved how the atmosphere in the cottage starts to change as William and Kyle grow closer. You start feel the holiday spirit take hold a bit, it’s a lovely setting to tell this heartfelt story. It also has a truly wonderful ending which these two definitely deserve. Excellent.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Sweet and generally fluffy despite the supposed angst that both William and Kyle were so dead set on not mentioning to each other or their thoughts. Honestly got a little bored at how slow things progressed. I get slow burns, but this one goes a whole 58% with only internal thoughts fueling the supposed attraction. Even after they kiss, there's still the annoying "it's not you, it's this thing that I've been keeping hidden from the reader for some inexplicable reason"
I can only read "I should tell him what happened" and "Bargain 4U" so many times before I start skimming, and when the payoff doesn't come or seem worth it (the hints point to William and Kyle both trying to run away from a broken relationship, which isn't nearly exciting enough to keep hidden) I'm going to stop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
William and Kyle couldn't be any more different. When a booking mishap lands them in the same cottage, when each has booked it to be alone for the holidays, they become reluctant cottage mates. Things really heat up as the weather worsens. It's a sweet story. Perfect for a holiday read. This story uses the grumpy/sunshine, stuck together tropes. I've read most of this author's Christmas stories and they have all been quick and enjoyable reads. I've read most of this author's Christmas stories and they have all been quick and enjoyable reads. I received an advance copy and this is my review.
This was a beautiful story. William and Kyle both want to escape London and their distinct problems at Christmas. They both end up double booked at the same out of the way cottage. Initially they clash, William coming off as a posh and snobby while Kyle is more working class, rough around the edges. Slowly they begin to draw one another out as they realize each is trying to overcome trying times. William has a world of self inflicted guilt upon his shoulders so it was so wonderful to see Kyle able to help him come out of his shell and slowly start to heal. The epilogue was beautiful.
Kyle, William and one cottage, our scene is set! William wants to get away to figure out his own sadness and Kyle is sneaking away in the night. They both reserve the same cottage. I liked that you would not really guess from the beginning that these two would mesh the way they did. It was a very good opposites attract dynamic. Kyle has attitude and snark but seemed to instinctively know just how much William really needs. They balanced each other and it was wonderful to see new sides to each of them the more they were together.
Forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, grinch/christmas lovery goodness, all wrapped up in one cute little story.
Snowed In At Christmas Cottage gave me all the vibes of the movie The Holiday.
William and Kyle both are seeking solace from their lives at Christmas, and being thrown together is the last thing either wants, but they can't help but fall for each other as the snow falls around them. I adore the interactions between them, the snark and the smiles and everything in between.
This was a quick, enjoyable read and I would not be surprised if I read it again next year,
As the title implies, this story is something of a celebration of some solid holiday tropes: weather-enforced proximity? Check. Only one bed? Check that too. Add in a case of opposites attracting, something of an enemies-to-lovers vibe, chemistry that gets the time it needs to take shape, and winter wonderland vibes, and you have William and Kyle’s romance. There’s a lot to like here, and the narrative weaves together all its seasonal elements deftly and with charm. 4.5 stars.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Such a great read. While this book has 2 characters and from both POV’s, there really is a third character. And I loved him. Sweet Ferdie. He was the voice of reason for William throughout the first 5 or so days and it was easy to fall in love with him. He wanted his dear William to live again, to love again. I enjoyed how William and Kyle understood both were suffering and gave each other the room to breath and talk about themselves in their time.
“We’re just going to have to share the cottage. Happy Christmas, Dr. Stroppy Knickers.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
William and Kyle are nearly as opposite as they can get. Add in a reservation mixup and of course their initial meeting is going to be disastrous. It all lead to a good story as things developed between them throughout the time that they were stranded together. It was worth reading it to get to their beautiful happily ever after.
Ali can make your holiday special, just by sharing her vision of the perfect romance. Two lonely, and hurting men, find themselves stranded in a remote cottage. As they work through their forced cohabitation, they open up about their pasts, and the losses they’ve experienced.
Some lovely snowman adventures, decorating compromises and shared meals make for the beginnings of new relationships for each of them.
This story of two very different guys ( Wiiliam and Kyle) being mistakenly booked in the same cottage was a bit slow moving, but the build-up to where it was leading was worth it; both MCs needed the solitude of a secluded cottage over the holdays to heal, hide and come to terms with the hidden emotional pains of the past year....or that was the original plan...
This was a sweet holiday romance between two very different people. William is the uptight, lonely, widower and Kyle is the laid back, happy guy looking for a little solitude after a break up. These two are as opposite as you can get but they work so well together! They end up in the same cottage, and snowed in for Christmas. I loved seeing these two come together and help each other, while growing closer. This was a heartwarming Christmas romance and I enjoyed every minute!
A fun grump/sunshine hurt comfort holiday story. Definitely a very British feel. William is full of grief for his loss and Kyle definitely has some baggage as well. William is uptight and Kyle much more laid back. After they are forced to share a cabin in the storm they find comfort in each other and healing. I liked their connection. I do wish the relationship progressed faster and heated things up more. Still definitely a sweet holiday romance worth the read.
William and Kyle are super sweet together, at first things are rocky but the longer they are each others company the easier things become. They are both dealing with their own issues but the more they get to know each other the more the ice thaws between them and they start to fall in love. My heart absolutely aches for William but nothing says you can’t have more than one great love in your life, these guys heal each other in the best way and get their amazing happy ending. 😀❤️
I can maybe nudge my rating up to 2.5 stars. It's not a bad story by any means but nothing really happens. I think it was just too slow for me and I don't mean how slow it was for these guys to finally get on the same page, i mean there was a lot in the story that didn't feel like it really belonged and it got bogged down. Unfortunate, because the MC were good and the premise was there. This definitely could be a "I think it's me and not the story" kind of book.