Cold Nights & Cryptids

by Duckie Mack

Jesse loves working as a receptionist, but often feels overlooked and ignored by coworkers. When an opportunity comes up to spend a week on a Bigfoot hunt as part of a team-building exercise, he jumps at it. He loves camping and the outdoors, so even if it’s with people from work, it seems like the break he’s been needing.

Reed is the golden boy of the company. He’s charming, handsome, and everyone likes him. Almost everyone. Reed is a total city boy with painted nails and perfectly coiffed hair. Camping is the last thing he wants to do.

Jesse gets his hopes up for a quiet trip when he doesn’t see anyone from work, until he spots Reed, the last person he would want to be stuck with. But when he sees how nervous and scared the golden boy is, he reluctantly feels protective of him.

Off the grid and in the shadows of a legendary cryptid, how far will their team-building exercise go?

Cold Nights and Cryptids is a stand-alone novella with coworkers to lovers, cuddling for warmth, and tall tales to take home.

Genres: M M Romance

81 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2024

About the author

She loves reading and writing stories that show that love isn't defined by gender. She writes sweet romance with fun heat, adorkable characters, and is a sucker for an HEA.

She lives in Southern California with her family, 2 dogs, and 3 cats, and loves to give out free hugs at pride events.

Duckie loves to interact with readers and is most active on instagram @authorduckiemack

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Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Nights & Cryptids is a stand alone novella by Duckie Mack. This is short, sweet and oh so sexy. And it is the perfect reminder that if you take the time to get to know someone, you just might be in for the best surprise.

Jesse Diaz is the receptionist at Printech. He is the first voice or face that people see when either calling or visiting their company. He loves taking care of people and loves his job. Except that the other employees seem to think he is invisible. They pass by his desk every morning oblivious of him, in their own worlds. When the company decides that everyone needs to take part in a team building trip, he signs up for the week long camping trip/search for bigfoot. He loves camping so just getting out of the city for a week and having some peace and quiet sounds wonderful. Except, the only other employee he sees in his camping group is the least person he wants to spend the week with. A man who has never even noticed he exists, even though he walks by his desk every morning.

Reed Dawson works in the sales department at Printech. His family runs the company but Reed wanted no part in administration. But due to his beautiful face, he has been featured on posters and advertisements for the company. Reed is only doing the team building trip because he was forced to. He is a city boy through and through. He is completely out of his element in the woods. He vaguely recognizes another employee, eventually realizing it was their receptionist. He can’t believe how gorgeous he is and he never even noticed him at work.



Reed was not prepared for the cold nights and strange sounds of the forest. Luckily Jesse helps him to stay warm and feel safe. For some reason, with Jesse he feel safer than he ever has. A week spent together with no technology and only conversation helps them to get to know each other in a way they may never have had at home. And they can’t help but to fall for each other. But what happens when they return home to their regular lives? Will everything just go back to the way it was? Or is this something that could last?

This was so cute. They were adorable together. It’s super short so you’ll read it in a couple of hours but it’s just a fun little break from longer books. I love Duckie Mack’s writing and am so glad I had the chance to grab this.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
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[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MM Vacation romance novella with opposites attract, & a team-building exercise aka Bigfoot adventure!
This was a sweet quick story, I read my #ARC in 2hrs.

Jesse is a receptionist in Printech. He likes the quiet & being close to nature. So for a paid leave? The bigfoot excursion!
Reed is a salesperson in Printech, the "face" of it. A great storyteller, likes modernity, & so out-of-depth in a forest but reasons 😅.

A week being close, unexpected feelings, a connection forged away from normal life, Protectiveness. It's sweet to see the 1st impressions changing, the "I see you" scene was emotional ❤️. They're so hot together heh 🔥. Cute epilogue!
Duckie writes cool short stories. Loved the cameo.

Story Ratings:

POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 😁😯🤨🙁😜🤭🥺❤️😩😅🥵🥰👣
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5 (good novella-wise)
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.5/5
Angst: 2.25/5
Dark: 0.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4/5
7) Plot arc: (Sweet - fun & quick) 3.5/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse attends Bigfoot Adventure camp outside Portland for a work team building event. He gets teamed up with Reed, nephew to the CEO and favorite of the sales department who looks like a model and is out of his depth camping. It's a sweet novella with two guys who want each other and despite differences make it work with sexy times and mutual respect through the cold camping nights with only each other to keep warm. I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Jennivie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so cute!

This story is a sweet close proximity romance about coworkers, that are practically strangers, becoming lovers on an outdoor office retreat slash team-building excursion. Reed, the office golden boy, and Jesse, the receptionist, both sign up for the same team-building exercise. While one is reluctantly on this Bigfoot expedition and totally out of his element in the great outdoors, the other chose it as a way to get away from it all and is instead “stuck” with their clueless coworker all week. Jesse has an unfair view of Reed, who barely ever noticed Jesse in their work setting. Here, Reed can’t help but notice Jesse and Jesse in turn gets to know the real Reed up close and personal. What starts as forced close proximity becomes a craving and wish for it to never end.

There are some cameos from this author’s book All The Stars, Book 1 of Love Bank Romance series that fans may appreciate. I have not had the pleasure of reading their story yet but I loved them in this story and look forward to reading their book and the others in the series I have missed.

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a fun hot story of two co-workers on a company retreat who gets to see the real person. The title sums up what you are going to get for a company retreat Jesse & Read go for a sasquatch sighting week long excursion. Jesse, the company's receptionist, is unseen by all with a missed love for camping, Reed is the company literal sales poster model who is not a fan of the outdoors. With the cold nights of the North, they share a tent when Reed let's his guard down to show Jesse his real self. It's such a fun and spicy read! With an added bonus cameo of Rider & Cam from All the Stars! It was a great quick fun sexy read!

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

First-person, past tense, dual POV

I first read this story in the Packing anthology last autumn and it was my favourite contribution. This was a flawless novella, Duckie Mack understood the assignment. This was a delightful way to spend a couple hours.

When the company they work for offers team-building trips Jesse Diaz, the receptionist, jumps at the chance to sign up for a week-long Bigfoot Adventure Camp, envisioning a relaxing getaway close to nature, a throwback to all the camping he'd done when he was younger.

Reed (f'ing) Dawson, the golden boy of sales at Printech wasn't so eager, he doesn't really do the outdoors, or bugs, or critters, or things that go bump in the night, he just left signing up for a team-building thing to late to sign up for anything other than the Bigfoot Experience. Jesse and Reed will need all the "team-building" skills they can muster to survive the week.

The premise was delicious, and the execution perfect. Jesse's wariness when Reed tries to get all buddy-buddy was fun as was their back and forth banter. I adored how protective Jesse was when it became evident how nervous Reed was about the whole experience. The relationship evolved quite nicely, with them opening up to each other over the course of the week and I was thrilled there wasn't anything third-act breakup or huge miscommunication. Their chemistry was evident and while their relationship naturally progresses rather quickly it was so masterfully done that it doesn't feel too insta- or shallow.

I loved the inclusion of some interesting secondary characters, two of whom have their own book, but their story is so subtly hinted at that I didn't feel as though I needed to have read the author's entire backlist to fully enjoy this story.

I was invested in Jesse and Reed from beginning to end. There was just enough tension to draw the reader into the story, but not so much that things felt rushed or unresolved, it flowed naturally and didn't seem forced in any way which is a real feat within the confines of a novella. I could go on, but my point is this one hit in all the best ways.

I've read other books by the author and enjoyed them as light, fun romps and this one was no different, I look forward to reading more of her work.

I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[Choyang · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Cold Nights & Cryptids' by Duckie Mack

This was a really fun short story! The interplay between the MCs was sweet, and an unexpected bonus for both of them.

One of the guys was expecting a peaceful week hanging out in the mountains and enjoying his love of nature while camping...

...but the other guy? City boy all the way, lol; never been camping a day in his life, nor wanted to, til he got suckered into going on a 'team building' trip by his uncle, and thought he had no other choice!

It was cute, watching them 'dance' around each other while they were figuring out how to deal with their situation and expectations, neither being tethered ino the reality of the other, at first.

Yep, I quite liked this storyline!

Just wanted to point out that the author's descriptions of what the group's guide told them to watch & listen for, relative to Sasquach (Big Foot), was spot on, as related to me by friends. As was our intrepid MC's noticing that funky 'wet dog' smell. I haven't been around any Sasquatch, to my knowledge, although I have lots of experience camping in wilderness areas, alone and with family, but I can attest to that funky wet dog smell, but as it relates to bears; yep, they're pretty odiferous, lol.

Anyway, I think I'll have to back-track and read the first book in this series, seeing as how I started with this one.
(yeah, that's me, never where I'm expected to be...directionally dyslexic...for reals, lol)

[Mommysuz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reed the office "Disney Prince" and Jesse of office receptionist. They find themselves on the same work team building excursion. Jesse, happy about a week in the woods and Reed not so much. What an adorable short story. This book hit all the marks even though it is a short story. Found myself smiling while reading. You can also call it an opposites attack story.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the right amount of everything for a short read with low angst. The MCs were both really sweet and I really liked how they continued to find out more about each other. They fit each other really well despite not expecting to, great examples of how shallow outward impressions of people can be unexpectedly different underneath.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This out of office, team building, close proximity romance was sweet. Every one has their quirks and this novella explored them and just because you think you know someone you really don't until you get to know the real person...Jesse and Reed...OMG I loved reading their journey to love. I enjoyed every bit and could have kept reading more of their romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ARC review for the extended version. A cute short story. The camping trip - forced proximity anyone? - was just what they needed to see there was more to the other than what was on the surface. They were really rather sweet together. Getting a glimpse of them at work after, seeing how they’d continued to grow in their relationship was a bonus.

Another little bonus, Cam and Rider from All the Stars make an appearance in this book (which I’m highly embarrassed to admit I didn’t put the two characters in this book to that one until nearly the end of the this book, even with the familiar descriptions.)

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story! Maybe partly because I traveled to Oregon last summer and saw for myself all the stores dedicated to and statues of Bigfoot. The small easter egg of one of Duckie’s earlier books is also a fun addition to the story. One of my favorite parts of this book is that even though both Jesse and Reed worked together, they really knew nothing about each other. This trip allowed them to get to know each other without the static and noise of their regular lives, to dive deep into their real selves.

I am a huge Duckie Mack fan. I love her characters and how sweet love is the corner stone in each of her books. This story is short, sweet, and makes for a nice cozy afternoon read.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Nights & Cryptids is the story of Jesse a receptionist and Reed the golden boy at the same company. Jesse and Reed have to choose a team-building exercise and they both choose the Bigfoot Adventure camp. I loved these two so much because they are so different from each other. Reed is afraid and Jesse wants to protect him. I love the writing style of Duckie Mack. I loved watching the respect and romance develop between the guys. I love the way the story develops. I hated seeing this story come to an end. I would definitely recommend this book.

[RomanceLand65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable short read. I loved it. I always struggle with short stories because they feel like something is missing but this book did not make me feel like that. It's was well written with just enough story to make it a romantic short story. The characters were very well written and you will definitely feel chemistry and romance between the two.
If you enjoy short quick reads this is your book

[Amanda Glaeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duckie writes some of the sweetest books and this one is no different.

Two men, working at the same company, one feels invisible and one wears a mask to hide his true self. Both find comfort and love in each other.

Reed, the confident sales man, is really a shy, scared man and Jesse, the invisible receptionist, is really a caring, protective man.

Even though they are completely different, they are a match in every sense of the word.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Nights and Cryptids by Duckie Mack is an opposites attract story between two men who find out they have more to offer each other than they thought as they find their way to love. Jesse Diaz is the receptionist at Printech in Portland. He loves his job but often feels invisible and overlooked by others at the company. Reed Dawson is the golden boy of the company and the darling of the sales department, featured in its promotional videos, and has won salesman of the year. His uncle is the CFO of Printech and all his life his family has put their expectations on him and while he’s not good at following those directions, he tries to put his real self into his job and life. The company has decided that everyone needs to do team building activities and since Jesse loves the outdoors and camping he chose the Bigfoot Adventure Camp. Reed doesn’t like either of those things but when his uncle forces him to go that choice is the only one left. He is very surprised when he doesn’t recognize anyone when he gets there but Jesse seems familiar and Jesse is also surprised no others from the company are there and a little upset that Reed is the one he knows as he always seemed preoccupied and uppity. Reed then attaches himself to Jesse and Jesse finds out he’s not as douchy as he thought – just helpless. There are 14 people in the tour group and 12 of them are couples which leaves Jesse and Reed together as they set up their tents, which leads to a slight accident for Reed since he’s never done anything like this before. Then the cold and the noises lead Reed to Jesse’s tent and they snuggle in together, which leads to some steamy fun in the morning. This causes Jesse some distress as he doesn’t want to lose his job, which he could for fooling around with Reed. But Reed assures him this won’t happen. They go to the creek to clean off and this leads to another steamy love scene. Then they smell and hear something that scares both of them and they head back to camp. Strike, the leader, thinks that it could have been a sasquatch so the group heads out at night to see if they can see it. For the whole week they talk and get to know one another as they really are, something they haven’t felt with anyone before and Jesse doesn’t feel invisible and Reed is able to be his true self. This leads them to want to be in a relationship when they get back to Portland and later to fall in love. This was a very cute short story. Jesse was great and very knowledgeable about camping and being in the woods as well as being patient and protective when Reed turned out to be so scared and helpless in everything he did out there. As time went on they both grew in the confidence of their relationship and were able to have some very fun times both in the woods and in other places together. The other campers didn’t play a big part in the story but they were in loving couple relationships. And maybe sighting a cryptid was an interesting setting for the story. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like opposites attract, coworkers to lovers, with both brave and scared characters who find what they have been looking for in each other while on a camping trip looking for a Bigfoot.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

- novella
- work colleagues
- close proximity

Jesse and Reed are co-workers, Reed is the work 'golden boy' and doesn't really know that Jesse exists. They end up on a bigfoot hunting trip as part of a work initiative for team building. Jesse not realising Reed would be there.

It also has one of my favourite 'first' impressions too, I absolutely loved this and have zero shame about sharing it 😂

Just as I thought I would get to appreciate the corny adventure on my own, I froze in place when he came into view. He came out from behind the truck and flipped his head back, whipping his luscious blond hair out of his eyes. I could swear it was in slow motion with a crescendo of music and birds singing in the background like a Disney prince making his grand entrance, releasing his smolder on the world. Zoom in for the money shot and the gleam of perfect teeth. Ting!'

The whole story is a delight, from the cheeky cameo from one of Duckie's other couples, to the bigfoot hunt itself, and the development of Jesse and Reed's relationship. It's so sweet, low angst and just altogether wonderful. I originally read a shortened version of this in an anthology but this extended version is even more delightful and I highly recommend it.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Nights & Cryptids - Teambuilding

‘We were far enough removed from the ears and eyes that were always on me that I felt like I could be more open. I felt awful for how he’d been treated at work, especially by me. But he held me in his arms, he saw me. Something about him made me feel protected.’

What can lead to romance between the well-known and handsome company spokesperson and the quietly efficient reception greeter? Why Bigfoot, of course! lol

Duckie Mack creates beautiful romance from a company team building experience, where guest are seeking Sasquatch. Reed finds himself in unchartered territory out in the woods, but Jesse befriends the gorgeous man, who rarely acknowledges him in the workplace, because it is clear that Reed has no experience roughing it.

Together they find something neither expected during their time together…love!

[Read Letter Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun, forced proximity, fish out of water romance. I loved that Jesse was so excited for a big foot hunt and camping while Reed was stuck there and terrified.

It was a touch too insta-love for me and I wish there had been a little more angsty/USTy/playful build-up, but it didn't take away from the summer fun of this story.

A sugary summer quick read is the perfect escape, especially when the camping magic comes home for a nice HEA.

**a note for readers of sweet romance: I wouldn't call this sweet with heat; there are plenty of open door intimate scenes. Which are well enough done, but plentiful for the length of the story. So maybe think of it as a solid 3 chili peppers ;)

[Lydia R · Rating 5 out of 5]

GAH I love how cute this story was! Jesse goes on a work retreat and is ready to spend some time hunting for BigFoot. Reed was forced to sign up for a team building exercise at the last minute and ended up going along with the BigFoot camping trip. Shenanigans occur, but do they actually see a BigFoot?? Guess they’ll just have to sleep in the same tent for safety…

Pick up if you love:
Only One Sleeping Bag (by choice)
Cryptid Sightings?!
Coworkers in Love….eventually
Long walks through the forest
“Okay, but do you like me like me?”
Cameo from “All the Stars”!! Ryder & Cam!

[Lisa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of Jesse, a receptionist and Reed, the top salesman at the same company. Both are sent on a team building exercise from work and get the chance to finally meet and get to know each other. Loved the characters, the unusual plot and the HEA. Quick read but full, funny and heartfelt story.

[Thera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super cute novella. Jesse and Reed bond on a coworker team building excursion. Both men make snap judgements but once they start getting to know each other they get a lot closer. It was super sweet. I love cuddling and this didn't disappoint. They fell fast and hard and it was perfect for them!

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Jesse and Reed’s story. Jesse was kind of Reed’s only lifeline while on the camping trip and they grew very close during that time. They both were able to show each other how seen they are for who they are and how important they are to each other. THis just hit the right warm and fuzzy feeling I was looking for from this author.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute, fun novella! Both characters are so easy to love and you want to root for them from the beginning. I really enjoyed reading this story, it made me smile all the way through! It’s definitely a new way to start a relationship! Team building at its best.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet short story. It's an opposites attract, co-workers to lovers read about Jesse and Reed. This story has great characters and a wonderful story even for it being short.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse and Reed were just the cutest. I love that seeing Reed vulnerable was what changed Jesse’s mind about him. No angst, just enough heat, and an HEA.

[Anne Marie Crookes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining tale. Quite enjoyed it.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Sweet but a bit too underdeveloped, I thought it was a real pity that the rest of their week at camp is glossed over so much after the first 2 days, as that for me is where the real character and relationship development lies.

Nice epilogue though, I enjoyed the mentions of how they had somewhat different lifestyles & didn't come into work at the same time but loved each other. I think especially with colleague romances you sometimes end up with a 24/7 glued-at-the-hip kind of vibe and I like to see that subverted.

[Amber Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, sweet novella with a touch of spice. I did struggle a bit telling the two POVs apart because the voices were very similar, but otherwise this was a smooth, enjoyable read!

[David Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Nights & Cryptids
Duckie Mack
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

This is originally a part of Packing: A M/M Anthology, but our wonderful Duckie decided to release it as a novella as well.

I always have a tough time reviewing novellas. They always seem like a tease leaving me longing for more. This one still left me wanting more, but it was done really well. The best way I can describe it is that it was watching a tv episode versus watching movie. The whole story was contained in that one “episode”

All that being said, I really liked this story. It was cute and quirky with some spicy scenes thrown in. The premise of a team building event being a Bigfoot hunt was funny and balanced the spice well. I really hope that this may turn into a full book or series, until then I just ordered Packing.