The Heart of Winter

by Zoey Castile

Genres: Audiobook

242 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2021

About the author

Zoey Castile was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. She started writing in her teens and pursued that love in her studies at Hunter College and the University of Montana. For nearly a decade, she worked as a bartender, hostess, and manager in New York City's nightlife. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ZoeyCastile. You can also email her at ZoeyCastile@gmail.com

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars
3.5/5 spice

Tropes:
Santa Claus/St. Nicholas retelling
Portal romance
Magic system
Human/Magical royal
Forced proximity
Insta-lust
Hurt/Comfort
Virgin FMC
Both MCs in 30s
Dual POV
HFN
Cliffhanger

This one took me by surprise... in the sense that it was spicier than I expected. Also... I had NO IDEA there was a cliffhanger, lol...
But I'm not mad. Now, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment. I really liked the MCs. Even though Alexander plays into the playboy persona, you could tell right away he was lonely and hated it. This is why it wasn't surprising he found comfort in Lia. She didn't have any other information to go off of other than what he did for her. You do get the insta-love vibes because they are instantly attracted to each other, but in these fantasy settings, it comes across as soulmates or fated mates. It's not expressly stated in this book, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was mentioned later on in the series.

I'm really hoping the author continues this series 🙏🏽 I seriously want to see what happens with the other two sisters and how things are resolved for the kingdom.

Overall, this was a fun read for the holiday season. Just beware if you aren't ready to dive into an incomplete series. But I would definitely recommend this for fans of portal romance, retellings, Romantasy, and diverse characters.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Lia never expected to have "sentient vines tie me up and choke me while i get fucked" on her list of sexual fantasies, but she was through the looking glass.

Listen this quote tells you almost everything you need to know about this book. If you read that and giggle like I did, you will enjoy it. If you cringe, pick another book darling.

This book was a TRIP in the best possible way. Was it good? EHHHH. Did I have a fucking blast? AM I gonna recommend this to all my romantasy reader friends? HELL YES AND YES.

Lia is a 33 year old virgin who runs away when her boyfriend who she planned to breakup with asks her to marry him. Along with her sisters, she absconds to Germany near the Black Forest. When she wanders away to fully break it off with her ex, she ends up lost right on the border with The North Pole The Eternal Winter Forest. Alexander has also fled after his brother was murdered and he became next in line to inherit. His trace of magic has been used for only one purpose: honing his body into a pleasure machine. Like...his spend tastes like whatever the person receiving it loves most levels of pleasure machine.

Like I said: this one is bonkers and a wild ride and so ridiculous and fun. There's tension, banter, shenanigans, magick, and LOTS of sexy times.

Oh and did I mention he's the descendant of the OG Saint Nick and his trusted knight is a reindeer shifter?!

HAVE FUN BESTIES!!!!!

CN: murder, blood, animal death, injury/injury detail
Sex tags: oral, hand, and vaginal sex, breeding kink, ropevine play, dirty talk.
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I DIDNT REALIZE IT WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES!😩😩😩

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