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Royally Snowed In
Ivy
Alessandro Valmont. Rich. Gorgeous. Cruel.
I once made the mistake of believing he was mine. And then I paid the price.
I’ve done everything in my power to stay away, going as far as leaving the kingdom, never once returning.
But after four years, I agreed to visit my family’s new winter retreat.
We have our own chalet, so even if the royals are vacationing nearby, there’s no reason for me to see any of them—and especially not him.
Until a storm traps us in a house without heat or power.
My little sister and I flew in first, and our parents are stuck on the other side of the kingdom. Now we can freeze to death, or I have to let my royal enemy next door save us, although he and his friends made my teenage years a living nightmare.
I think I’d rather die in the snow, but with Bella in tow, what choice do I have?
Less
Ivy was always fun to play with, but after she escaped me, the rules of the games are going to change.
I have her right where I’ve always needed her, and this time? She can run all she wants.
I’m not letting her go.
Royally Snowed In is a high steam standalone romance, unsuitable for anyone with any sort of trigger. Details at the start of the book.
Alessandro Valmont. Rich. Gorgeous. Cruel.
I once made the mistake of believing he was mine. And then I paid the price.
I’ve done everything in my power to stay away, going as far as leaving the kingdom, never once returning.
But after four years, I agreed to visit my family’s new winter retreat.
We have our own chalet, so even if the royals are vacationing nearby, there’s no reason for me to see any of them—and especially not him.
Until a storm traps us in a house without heat or power.
My little sister and I flew in first, and our parents are stuck on the other side of the kingdom. Now we can freeze to death, or I have to let my royal enemy next door save us, although he and his friends made my teenage years a living nightmare.
I think I’d rather die in the snow, but with Bella in tow, what choice do I have?
Less
Ivy was always fun to play with, but after she escaped me, the rules of the games are going to change.
I have her right where I’ve always needed her, and this time? She can run all she wants.
I’m not letting her go.
Royally Snowed In is a high steam standalone romance, unsuitable for anyone with any sort of trigger. Details at the start of the book.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2023
150 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 1, 2024
This was going really well, I was even debating if I should give it 5 stars, but then I got to around 80% and two stars fell from the night shining dark reads beautiful sky. This book did one thing I dislike with a passion and that’s make me feel like I read about two different male leads in the same book. If your male lead is a manipulative bully in the beginning, he needs to be a manipulative bully in the end that loves the heroine and is willing to compromise because of his love. What he should not be is a completely new character I don’t even recognize. I’m not even going to touch on the sharing, it’s not my preference in romance books, but I don’t knock off stars because of it because I’m usually warned going in, so I can’t complain about something I willing chose to partake in. Over it started off really well, then started to downgrade as the hero was turning into a completely different person.
Also, just my pet peeve, but please stop writing non-con scenes as “she didn’t want it but but but she enjoyed it.” She didn’t want it… period. End of story. You don’t have to make the female lead enjoy getting dominated and taken against her will, that’s the reason there is a dark romance genre.
Overall, it started out great and then went downhill.
Also, just my pet peeve, but please stop writing non-con scenes as “she didn’t want it but but but she enjoyed it.” She didn’t want it… period. End of story. You don’t have to make the female lead enjoy getting dominated and taken against her will, that’s the reason there is a dark romance genre.
Overall, it started out great and then went downhill.
December 31, 2023
So this started a little crazy and I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. But that whole fate thing and princess prince married since 4 really just made my tears flow a bit
Again. The beginning was a little r4pey for a second there and I was very nervous and confused. As the story went on it was still pretty crazy w the friends and sister but I enjoyed it. says a lot about me lol
The end was great and I really want to read all of their stories. Especially nic Bella and seb. What is gunna happen there??
Again. The beginning was a little r4pey for a second there and I was very nervous and confused. As the story went on it was still pretty crazy w the friends and sister but I enjoyed it. says a lot about me lol
The end was great and I really want to read all of their stories. Especially nic Bella and seb. What is gunna happen there??
August 15, 2025
Trigger (SA)
not the greatest book but found it a quick and easy read, sort of enjoyable. only thing I thought wasn't right was when the MFC states she didn't want it but enjoyed it enough to let it continue. she either wanted it or not I dont see how she didn't want it but enjoyed it. might just be me
not the greatest book but found it a quick and easy read, sort of enjoyable. only thing I thought wasn't right was when the MFC states she didn't want it but enjoyed it enough to let it continue. she either wanted it or not I dont see how she didn't want it but enjoyed it. might just be me
January 15, 2025
[TW for mentions of SA]
The triggers at the start of the book should absolutely have included rape, because there was nothing dub-con about that first sex scene. It was entirely against her will, even if you want to throw in that “she ended up liking it” BS halfway through—which is a whole other problem for me, because having normal biological reactions to stimulation, forced or not, is NOT the same as discovering a rape-fantasy kink, which I think is what the author tried for here. Realistically—I don’t care if this is fiction—a teenage girl being raped as her first sexual experience is NOT going to actually like it. I think there was room for her to be gaslit later into thinking she did, which would have been fine, but that wasn’t the way it was presented.
In general, I felt like the cast should have been aged up 10 years or so. There was way too much sexual maturity in the room for a group ranging from 17-20. No boy fresh out of high school is gonna be giving mind-blowing orgasms to a girl, let’s be real. 17 is way too young to act so confident about a poly relationship like what we saw here.
The end was a mess, with the resolution happening out of nowhere and way too fast. If you write dark romance, you need to commit to the dark part, not contribute it to teenage misunderstanding(??) and miscommunication to wrap everything up nice and clean.
Also, for the love of everything— “neither of us IS.” It’s “neither of us IS,” not “neither of us ARE.” The irony of the MC being an editor was not lost on me.
The triggers at the start of the book should absolutely have included rape, because there was nothing dub-con about that first sex scene. It was entirely against her will, even if you want to throw in that “she ended up liking it” BS halfway through—which is a whole other problem for me, because having normal biological reactions to stimulation, forced or not, is NOT the same as discovering a rape-fantasy kink, which I think is what the author tried for here. Realistically—I don’t care if this is fiction—a teenage girl being raped as her first sexual experience is NOT going to actually like it. I think there was room for her to be gaslit later into thinking she did, which would have been fine, but that wasn’t the way it was presented.
In general, I felt like the cast should have been aged up 10 years or so. There was way too much sexual maturity in the room for a group ranging from 17-20. No boy fresh out of high school is gonna be giving mind-blowing orgasms to a girl, let’s be real. 17 is way too young to act so confident about a poly relationship like what we saw here.
The end was a mess, with the resolution happening out of nowhere and way too fast. If you write dark romance, you need to commit to the dark part, not contribute it to teenage misunderstanding(??) and miscommunication to wrap everything up nice and clean.
Also, for the love of everything— “neither of us IS.” It’s “neither of us IS,” not “neither of us ARE.” The irony of the MC being an editor was not lost on me.
December 21, 2023
Less leaves the hall through one of its many entrances. I’d like to say I’m just watching him walk away because I’m glad to have the distance, but while that’s true, I also have to admit my gaze dips down. It’s only to myself, and I don’t judge too harshly for it. He has one hell of an ass. Rounded, firm, muscular.
He’s proof God doesn’t exist, because there’s no way He would have let someone as terrible as Less look quite so good. Or maybe it’s the opposite; God’s responsible for floodings, hail, locusts, and the rest of the plagues of Egypt. Of course He’d come up with Alessandro. Unless he let Satan build him.
Discovering May Sage's books has been one of my absolute FAVORITE finds of 2023. I am obsessed with her dark fantasy romance books as Alexi Blake; this was my first read from her as Emm Darcy, and while bully-esque romances tend to be a bit hit or miss for me, I absolutely loved Royally Snowed In. It's riddled with tension, intense sexual attraction, and that dubious, super morally gray shenanigans that May is known for.
Less is the epitome of a morally dark gray MMC - arrogant, possessive... also a bit of an oblivious ass. Lucky for him, as much as Ivy may hate him (turns out a lot of it was all just one big misunderstanding exacerbated by him being that aforementioned oblivious ass), she's very much into him despite her better judgment, and the passion between them when they collide borders on explosive.
I do want to point out that this has dubcon in it, so if that's a trigger for you, then May's books probably won't be your cup of tea. There's also a bit of swinging going on - though most of it is with a particular side-character.
I think what surprised me most about this book was the bit near the end when we finally get some insight into when Less and Ivy met for the first time. I fucking MELTED. Just thinking about it is making me feel a bit swoony. God, I loved this book!
Royally Snowed In is entertaining, slightly dark, and a fairly quick read if you're in the market for a holiday romance that's more on the shadowy side of the moral spectrum.
Oh! And did I mention that his petname/nickname for her is poison? I freaking love it 🥺
August 14, 2024
Royally snowed in is a novella about a girl named Ivy and her ex-Betrothed, Alessandro.
Being betrothed to the boy you've been in love with forever, should be a dream come true. But it turns out, he's a psycho and only wants Ivy as property. So Our girl Ivy does what any girl would do, and runs far away. Except now she's back, and a snow storm so big takes out the power in her family's chalet, and her only hope is that same psycho she ran away from 4 years ago. She can stay in his family's Chalet while they wait for power, or possibly leave her and her sister in the dark to starve. Our girl Ivy makes the right choice and accepts the help, but now she's trapped with the psycho who broke her heart, and her soul, and she may not be able to resist letting him do it all over again, and this time...He's more determined to keep her.
This book is a NOVELLA, so it moves at a novellas pace. That being said, some things seemed like they came out of nowhere, but maybe I was missing the cues that the author may have left. Will definitely pay closer attention during my next read of "Royally Snowed In"
Being betrothed to the boy you've been in love with forever, should be a dream come true. But it turns out, he's a psycho and only wants Ivy as property. So Our girl Ivy does what any girl would do, and runs far away. Except now she's back, and a snow storm so big takes out the power in her family's chalet, and her only hope is that same psycho she ran away from 4 years ago. She can stay in his family's Chalet while they wait for power, or possibly leave her and her sister in the dark to starve. Our girl Ivy makes the right choice and accepts the help, but now she's trapped with the psycho who broke her heart, and her soul, and she may not be able to resist letting him do it all over again, and this time...He's more determined to keep her.
This book is a NOVELLA, so it moves at a novellas pace. That being said, some things seemed like they came out of nowhere, but maybe I was missing the cues that the author may have left. Will definitely pay closer attention during my next read of "Royally Snowed In"
October 10, 2024
Lmao what. Wanted something easy, fun and fast for this week and while this went by quickly, it was jumpy af. It started out strong, typical dark romance with some dubcon but the mmc suddenly had a massive tone shift halfway through?? Like the author decided at the 50% mark that writing a dude who genuinely didn’t care was taking too long in development of the relationship and decided to jump 10 steps.
Also the group sex thing is really not my kink lol but I pushed through anyway thinking maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. 🙄 wtf was that?? The mmc is all possessive and then decides you know what? Let’s actually share her and while we’re at it, I actually don’t want to hold onto my rules?? I mean I’m definitely biased because it’s already very much so not my thing but that also was super annoying.
All just felt suuuper rushed. I know it’s a shorter story, but still the speed through was whiplash inducing and the spice was not spicy for me whatsoever.
Also the group sex thing is really not my kink lol but I pushed through anyway thinking maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. 🙄 wtf was that?? The mmc is all possessive and then decides you know what? Let’s actually share her and while we’re at it, I actually don’t want to hold onto my rules?? I mean I’m definitely biased because it’s already very much so not my thing but that also was super annoying.
All just felt suuuper rushed. I know it’s a shorter story, but still the speed through was whiplash inducing and the spice was not spicy for me whatsoever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
This needs editing. The timeline feels off. Basically we know they were engaged when the hero was 14 and the heroine was around 12. Then fast forward, she broke off their engagement on her 16 birthday, he was 18. He raped her back then and maintain a sexual relationship until her graduation. I assume she left for London at 17-18 years old for university, making him 20 years old? Now in the current timeline, he was 24, and she was 21-22? She’s been gone for 4 years. But I see the inconsistencies wherein she claimed to sleep around a lot in her 1st year, and he stopped receiving information on her when she started dating and became moody for 2 years straight before the current event. Then in one chapter, he complained about her belonging to him for the last 18 years and running away for 6 years. It makes no sense to me.
Other than that, they had some chemistry, when she wasn’t being self absorbed and oblivious, and he wasn’t being a selfish asshole. The sharing concept was weird as well, since she didn’t notice it before? The sisters seemed close.
Other than that, they had some chemistry, when she wasn’t being self absorbed and oblivious, and he wasn’t being a selfish asshole. The sharing concept was weird as well, since she didn’t notice it before? The sisters seemed close.
December 11, 2025
Royally Snowed In
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its a bully romance that’s not really a bully romance, its more of a miscommunication romance.
I loved the obvious connection between Ivy and Alessandro, it was beyond clear that they were practically oozing with sexual tension that was just bound to explode, and boy did it explode!!
It definitely showed the need for communication in a relationship but it also highlighted how different upbringings could affect future relationships.
All in all it was a great book, there were only 2 things I wasn’t a fan of, there was an incident from the past and one from the future, lets just say that one future aspect felt unnecessary and didn’t seem like it meshed well with what we had been shown of their relationship. That being said they were minor details that didn’t affect the quality of the book and i still loved reading it anyway.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its a bully romance that’s not really a bully romance, its more of a miscommunication romance.
I loved the obvious connection between Ivy and Alessandro, it was beyond clear that they were practically oozing with sexual tension that was just bound to explode, and boy did it explode!!
It definitely showed the need for communication in a relationship but it also highlighted how different upbringings could affect future relationships.
All in all it was a great book, there were only 2 things I wasn’t a fan of, there was an incident from the past and one from the future, lets just say that one future aspect felt unnecessary and didn’t seem like it meshed well with what we had been shown of their relationship. That being said they were minor details that didn’t affect the quality of the book and i still loved reading it anyway.
May 5, 2024
Maybe indifference is not what's needed.
Ivy was so excited to be marrying a prince and the man of her dreams. But it seems Alessandro (Less) just didn't want to be bothered or burdened with her as his fiance especially since he seemed more interested in every other girl but her. So Ivy broke it off and ran away the first chance she got. Four years later Ivy is back home for the holiday, will Less be able to prove to Ivy she is all he's ever wanted?
Ivy was so excited to be marrying a prince and the man of her dreams. But it seems Alessandro (Less) just didn't want to be bothered or burdened with her as his fiance especially since he seemed more interested in every other girl but her. So Ivy broke it off and ran away the first chance she got. Four years later Ivy is back home for the holiday, will Less be able to prove to Ivy she is all he's ever wanted?
January 12, 2025
Miscommunication
Ivy and Less were engaged as children but in high school their relationship implodes until after graduation Ivy leaves for four years. Now she is back to visit family but thanks to a storm is confronted with the bane of her existence, Less. Unfortunately Less and Ivy have a completely different view of the past and a lot of miscommunication to clear up if they even habe a chance at a future in this dark but delicious tale.
Ivy and Less were engaged as children but in high school their relationship implodes until after graduation Ivy leaves for four years. Now she is back to visit family but thanks to a storm is confronted with the bane of her existence, Less. Unfortunately Less and Ivy have a completely different view of the past and a lot of miscommunication to clear up if they even habe a chance at a future in this dark but delicious tale.
January 25, 2025
Wow!
I loved reading Less and Ivy's story. I felt bad for her because everyone treated her bad. Including her fiancee. He was the worst of them because she really loved him. He took her for granted until she decided to leave. I'm glad she did so he could understand what he did. The whole sex in front of another sibling thing, uh usually isn't my forte but it worked for the story. I can't wait to read the others stories.
I loved reading Less and Ivy's story. I felt bad for her because everyone treated her bad. Including her fiancee. He was the worst of them because she really loved him. He took her for granted until she decided to leave. I'm glad she did so he could understand what he did. The whole sex in front of another sibling thing, uh usually isn't my forte but it worked for the story. I can't wait to read the others stories.
January 9, 2025
Dark Romance • Enemies to Lovers • Royalty •
"Because unlike her, I was engaged to a literal psycho."
When Ivy's father becomes a local hero for thwarting the kidnapping of a royal, the Duke rewards their whole family, and that includes promising his young sons to Ivy and her sister, Bella. It's like a real-life fairytale for them, but Ivy finds herself dreading it when her promised fiance, Less, shows no interest in her and but plenty of interest in other girls.
It leads up to her being able to leave and call off the engagement. When she travels back home years later a bad winter storm hits causing her and her sister to leave their parent's home and stay at the Royal villa where Less and his friends are currently occupying. The situation leads to some eye-opening conversations that Ivy and Less definitely should have had years ago, and an interesting spicy scene that kind of came out of nowhere.
Definitely be aware of the trigger warnings with this book, there is a scene in the beginning that's pretty rough.
"Because unlike her, I was engaged to a literal psycho."
When Ivy's father becomes a local hero for thwarting the kidnapping of a royal, the Duke rewards their whole family, and that includes promising his young sons to Ivy and her sister, Bella. It's like a real-life fairytale for them, but Ivy finds herself dreading it when her promised fiance, Less, shows no interest in her and but plenty of interest in other girls.
It leads up to her being able to leave and call off the engagement. When she travels back home years later a bad winter storm hits causing her and her sister to leave their parent's home and stay at the Royal villa where Less and his friends are currently occupying. The situation leads to some eye-opening conversations that Ivy and Less definitely should have had years ago, and an interesting spicy scene that kind of came out of nowhere.
Definitely be aware of the trigger warnings with this book, there is a scene in the beginning that's pretty rough.
March 24, 2024
I dove into this one and devoured it and laughed and cried along the way.
This was really a rollercoaster of emotions
This book had me a chokehold from the first words to the final words. Love the part that May Sage showed Less ( short form for the hero ) at 4 yrs old
This was really a rollercoaster of emotions
This book had me a chokehold from the first words to the final words. Love the part that May Sage showed Less ( short form for the hero ) at 4 yrs old
June 26, 2024
I’m liking this author! The whole Heritage thing is right up my alley.
The only reason this one didn’t get more stars is because it wasn’t dirty enough. Almost all of the tension was built in flashbacks. And it was too short. I could have spent a lot more time with these characters.
The only reason this one didn’t get more stars is because it wasn’t dirty enough. Almost all of the tension was built in flashbacks. And it was too short. I could have spent a lot more time with these characters.
December 31, 2024
For me, this wasn’t really a “dark romance” but it was a very interesting story and I loved the premise and the somewhat darker themes sprinkled throughout. All in all a solid read and it was quick paced and easy to read in one sitting!
February 12, 2025
Definitely buying this book.
This was perfect!!! The heroine made her love interest work for it, she didn't cave easily. The main characters were determined to understand each other and either say goodbye or fight for each other
This was perfect!!! The heroine made her love interest work for it, she didn't cave easily. The main characters were determined to understand each other and either say goodbye or fight for each other
March 29, 2025
Good quick read
Finished this book in two hours! Ivy and Less captivate you in this book making you desperately wanting to figure out how it ends. This is my first read of Emm Darcy and let me tell you I want to read all her books! 4.5 🌟
Finished this book in two hours! Ivy and Less captivate you in this book making you desperately wanting to figure out how it ends. This is my first read of Emm Darcy and let me tell you I want to read all her books! 4.5 🌟
August 21, 2025
Hotwife for the win!
Enjoyed the storyline, loved the new works she created, the steam was perfect, the outside characters were fun, the hotwife aspect was spot on. Great book and goes in my reread stack :-)
Enjoyed the storyline, loved the new works she created, the steam was perfect, the outside characters were fun, the hotwife aspect was spot on. Great book and goes in my reread stack :-)
September 30, 2025
An interesting read
I’ve read most of May Sage’s books, so her other pen name as Emm Darcy was a bit different. Still a great story, interesting read and enjoyable, just a bit edgier. Just be prepared for any triggers you may have.
I’ve read most of May Sage’s books, so her other pen name as Emm Darcy was a bit different. Still a great story, interesting read and enjoyable, just a bit edgier. Just be prepared for any triggers you may have.
December 22, 2023
loved it!!
Emm Darcy never disappoints! I love all her books and this is no exception!! Please give us more of these characters! I didn’t want it to end!
Emm Darcy never disappoints! I love all her books and this is no exception!! Please give us more of these characters! I didn’t want it to end!
December 23, 2023
such a good read it needed to be longer
I absolutely loved this book. The spice was super hot and the storyline was amazing. I binged it in one night.
I absolutely loved this book. The spice was super hot and the storyline was amazing. I binged it in one night.
December 24, 2023
3.25⭐️
December 26, 2023
4.25 stars
January 3, 2024
😻
Omg that was good! I cried happy tears at the end! I’m also really dam interested in her sisters story!
Omg that was good! I cried happy tears at the end! I’m also really dam interested in her sisters story!
January 8, 2024
fun winter story
Royalty being royalty in a snow storm. Nice spicy story. It much of a plot but that’s okay. It was a quick fun read
Royalty being royalty in a snow storm. Nice spicy story. It much of a plot but that’s okay. It was a quick fun read
May 14, 2024
3.2✨ 3.8🌶️
June 18, 2024
Book was absolutely perfection. I only wish it was longer so i can see more of Less and Ivy. Can’t wait to see stories of the other royal characters
August 30, 2024
Very good
This was very good story about young love. The supporting cast are also very interesting. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
This was very good story about young love. The supporting cast are also very interesting. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
December 25, 2024
Do any of the other characters in this one have their books already?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews