See You Next Winter

Snowbound Secrets #2

by Holly June Smith

Kayla

Ryan Richmond and I have spent every Christmas since we were kids in the same snowy Alpine village. As we grew, so did our chemistry.

On our eighteenth winter, we made a ‘festive friends-with-benefits’ pact: take advantage of our limited time together, then wave goodbye with no strings attached.

Those two weeks were the highlight of my year. Until, without warning, Ryan stopped coming here for the holidays. It broke my heart, and I’m determined not to waste another winter pining over him.

Ryan

The best things about Christmas are snow, skiing, and sneaking around with Kayla McInnes.

My oldest friend is funny, adventurous, and gorgeous. She's everything I'd want in a partner, if only she didn’t live half a world away.

We always agreed a long-distance relationship was pointless, but saying goodbye got harder and harder. I thought if I stopped visiting, I’d get over her. But I was wrong.

I can’t stay away anymore. And I’m hoping this year we can make winter last forever.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Novella, Contemporary Romance

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2024

About the author

Holly June Smith is a writer and romance addict who is constantly falling in love with fictional heroes and dreaming up new ones.

Originally from the North East of Scotland, she now lives in Hertfordshire, England.

You can also find her on Insta and TikTok @hollyjunesmith

Reviews

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 2 out of 5]

First time rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Second time rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Kayla pisses me off so much.

The last chapter was very sweet and adorable though.

Spending every Christmas together since they were small children?
CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS!!!!

This better be good!

[Aina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved the first book of this series, so I came expecting more of the same.

I was utterly disappointed.

The first half was looking good, sex was supreme as always, but from the halfway point it just plummeted. Kayla is immature, selfish, toxic and very unlikable.

Ryan's main toxic trait is trying to make a relationship with Kayla work when she clearly isn't putting any effort - I've never rooted so hard for a couple to not make it.

As someone who has had her share of LDRs, this was such a red flag I almost expected an author note being like "haha it's a joke here's the real book".

I'm all for making realistic characters, but then don't romanticise red-flag-Kayla. The girl is expecting her partner to drop his dream for her AND then gets mad when he drops it, while still NOT putting a single minute of effort throughout the book for him. He's constantly trying to get her out of her tantrums. So unhealthy it hurts.

Truly disappointing.

[Jill (readinginpjs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧 audiobook thoughts (added 11/5/2025):
Narrated in duet, Shane East & Zara Hampton-Brown were absolutely PERFECT as Ryan and Kayla!
Shane truly captured Ryan’s attitude, energy, & emotions, and of course I love the accent (British) 🥰
Zara was wonderful at bringing Kayla to life, with her accent as well (Irish), and bringing so much emotion to her character.

We also got Adam Gold as Cameron & Evelyn Rose as Hannah back, who I absolutely adore! (from book 1, Can I Tell You Something)
____
original review from Nov 2024:
This book had me going from omg that’s so hot to omg that’s so sweet/sad from from one sentence to the next 🙃 I don’t know what’s more perfect than that! 🥹🔥

📖 See You Next Winter by Holly June Smith
📚 book 2 • Snowbound Secrets series (can be read alone, but PLEASE read both!)
⭐️ rating: ♾️
🌶️: open door and so hot 🔥

💭 overall thoughts:
Holly is incredible in how she fits so much emotion & heat in a short novel! I’m so obsessed with Kayla & Ryan and Hannah & Cameron 🥹

I was lucky to beta & arc read this one, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH 🥹🥹

“It’s not fair for two people to have this much chemistry, this much history, and no future.” 😭
Desperately needed to see how these two would figure it out, and find their way to be together.

If you’re looking for a perfect balance between plot, spice and emotions, definitely pick this one up!

read if you love:
❄️ festive friends with benefits
🤍 childhood friends + soulmates
⌛️ dual timeline
(and the past goes backwards, which I LOVE)
🐰 he calls her ‘bunny’
🤫 secret tattoos
🌎 long distance mutual pining & spicy FaceTime
💞 dual 1st person pov

Thank you to Holly June Smith for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was smutty, short, and light.

I didn't love that it took them so long to get together. I couldn't understand the reasoning for it.
I am also sad to say the audio was not my fave, I just don't like the FMC narrator personally.

This also made me want to re-listen/re-read book 1 as I enjoyed it so much, so there is that :)
------------------
This just got an audio :)

[MegsTBR · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate it when I read a book and come away with a vastly different opinion than the majority of others who have read it, because it makes me feel like maybe I missed something. I really enjoyed the first book in this series last year, and was looking forward to Kayla and Ryan’s story. This was not the story I was hoping for. I honestly didn’t connect with Kayla at all. She drove me absolutely nuts a majority of the book. This is a book where I actually don’t think the main characters belonged together. The power dynamic in their relationship is very unbalanced in what I felt like was in an unhealthy way.

I have no issues with the writing in this book, my rating is purely related to the plot/story itself. Although, it says in the front of the book that this was supposed to be a fun, cozy, Christmas novella with low angst. The book felt like it was almost all angst. This is also why it’s always good to never judge one book by a single review - we all have different perspectives and takeaways. It just wasn’t for me unfortunately.

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I was so hyped for this couple after listening to Can I tell You Something last year. This couple was falling in love in the background of that romance, and you can really read either one first. They were both quick reads that cover a lot of ground. Longer than a novella but still a quick read or listen.

Kayla and Ryan have been life-long friends and Friends with Benefits for a decade of that time. They have big feelings but they each think the other doesn't care as much as they do. There's also the little issue of them living half a world away 50 weeks of the year. But those 2 weeks every holiday season.... those 2 weeks are everything.

So... this winter, they are at a critical point. Do they keep holding on just for those two weeks? Foregoing any other chance at romance during the interim? Or are they ready to make this love a year-long arrangement?

Well, one of them is committed at least! And that was part of the problem for me. I actually enjoyed the flashbacks and seeing how deep their connections ran, but that made me annoyed when Kayla was so stubborn about giving it a go! Ryan may have seemed slow on the take at the beginning.... but, when you learn some of the things he's done behind the scenes... well, it made me roll my eyes at Kayla's drama.

Overall, this was a fun, sexy listen. I loved their Holiday sex wishlists, and I loved how well they know one another. I just with that it didn't feel so one-sided so often.

This was narrated in Duet by Zara Hampton-Brown & Shane East, plus a Evelyn Rose & Adam Gold!

4 Stars
3 on the spice scale

*Thank you to Must Love Audio & the author for an ALC of this title.*

[Ri ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

“She’s the benchmark, the blueprint, and if she wanted to tattoo her signature along the side of it, I’d let her and say thank you.”

This novella had one of my comfort tropes, childhood friends to lovers, and it was such a delight to read Kayla and Ryan’s story. This wasn’t just a Christmas romance; it spanned over a few years and traced Ryan and Kayla's festive friends-with-benefits relationship in such a simple but beautiful way. I love the flashback chapters, they are short but add important depth and details to their friendship.

Ryan was amazing, not quite Cameron-level amazing, but I really liked him. He did annoy me a bit when he couldn’t make a decision about being with Kayla. Kayla was such a fun character to read about. She was badass but also had the sweetest personality, and you couldn’t help but love her. I liked how she stood up for herself when Ryan couldn’t give her what she wanted.

“She's the first place my mind goes in the quiet moments. She’s my soulmate.”

Ryan and Kayla were perfect together as a couple. I loved reading about them, and how they spent Christmas together since they were kids, and how they grew up to love each other as friends and then lovers. Their friendship was easygoing and content, and the longing and yearning added so much tension between them. It hurt to see them struggle with their relationship, but I really loved how they made the effort when they realized how much they wanted each other in their lives.

“Yes, Kayla,” he smiles. “Nobody else is ever coming close to you. I love you. You’re it. North star.”

I’m so happy they finally got their happily-ever-after after years of yearning for each other. This series was such an enjoyable and delightful read, and I hope I get to read more of these holiday romances by Holly June Smith.

[Sav | SavtheBookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay. I had high hopes for this one but it fell flat for me….

these two have loved each other since basically they were born and only see each other during the winter to fuck like bunnies LOL I’m just gonna say it like it is. WHICH I KNOW. THE ARE FWB. But literally complain the whole time that they love each other and are soulmates but won’t work it out? LOL

I got the ick from both of these characters just because like…. You could figure out long distance?? But they are too scared to??? And then if he said anything wrong she would be mad at him and then they would fuck like bunnies again LOLLL

okay that’s all I have to say. I gave it 3 stars just because it’s a me problem and probably not a book problem LOL. Onto the next HA

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

She’s the benchmark, the blueprint, and if she wanted to tattoo her signature along the side of it, I’d let her and say thank you. That’s how much she owns my dick.

The companion novel to Can I Tell You Something?, is Kayla and Ryan's story. Childhood friends who have long held a "friends with benefits" pact that makes no relationship promises, the two slowly begin to realize that maybe something more is worth fighting to have.

I have rated both books as 4 stars but each has its similarities and differences as to why. If you're looking for spice and passion- Hannah and Cameron are who I would guide you towards. If you're looking for two adults realizing that they would be crazy to let go of the perfect mate for them- I would guide you towards Kayla and Ryan. As per similarities, both books kept me reading and so I now have to add Holly June Smith to my long list of authors that thrill me.

Other things I liked:
(1) Winter setting
(2) Dialogue banter
(3) Him falling into the idea of a relationship faster. Her being the reluctant one!
(4) Chapters from the perspective of both Kayla and Ryan
(5) Flashback chapters are super short so most of the story is in the here and now. Other authors take note!


If you're looking to finish that Goodreads goal, this series is the ticket and both titles are available on KU.

Goodreads review published 14/12/24

[Lisa MacDougall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Urg, I was really hoping for more “Can I Tell You Something” vibes because that book was one of my favs this year but this one didn’t even come close.

There is a disclaimer at the start that says this book is very low angst so I was expecting another fun, heartwarming story but this was one of the most angsty books I’ve ever read and not in a good way.

The FMC was insufferable. Despite the MMC being nothing but sweet and loving she was just off sleeping with other men and refusing to give him a chance for the entire book which was grating on my nerves.

Couple huge icks in here I couldn’t get past:

- He calls her BUNNY 🤮 I can’t do cute animal nicknames in spicy books.

- She sleeps with other men and he gets off on asking her to describe the sex to him in detail…. What in the what!? Nope, not for me.

This book has high reviews so maybe it would be for you, but it definitely wasn’t for me 🫠

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️

I absolutely loved this follow-up to Can I Tell You Something. Kayla and Ryan are such a messy, real, and relatable couple — the kind that makes you want to root for them even when they’re making questionable decisions (and maybe especially then). Their friends-with-benefits-turned-something-more story is cozy, emotional, and full of that nostalgic holiday chemistry that only Holly June Smith can pull off.

The audiobook was perfection. Veteran narrators Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown nailed the tension and warmth between Kayla and Ryan, and it was such a treat to hear Adam Gold and Evelyn Rose return as their characters from the first book. It made the world feel connected and alive.

If you love second chances, snow-dusted settings, and holiday romance with a little angst and a lot of heart, this one’s a must-listen (read). ❄️❤️🎧

Thanks to HJS for an advanced audio copy of this book. 🩵

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

✔️holiday novella
✔️ski vacation
✔️holiday friends with benefits
✔️long distance pining
✔️childhood friends to lovers

2.5⭐️

I understand that this will work for some people, but it unfortunately did not work for me (which is really sad because I loved the first book). This book is presented to be a low angst holiday story (it literally has the words fun, cosy and low angst in the author’s note). It is definitely a holiday story, but the entire book is angst. I don’t have a problem with angst, but don’t tell me it will be one way and provide a completely different reading experience please.

The MMC was very immature in book one (he is the brother of the FMC in the first book) and that never changed. The FMC is all-around unlikable and standoffish, and I understand that she was hurt and wants him to fix it, but she doesn’t give him any space or ability to fix it. You can’t have it both ways, sweetheart.

While the spicy scenes are done well, I was looking for the “more” that Can I Tell You Something? (book 1) provided, and this missed the mark. The one reason I am not rating this lower is the fact that the main characters are so sex positive and it isn’t made out to be this huge deal, it just is who they are. In that way they are each other’s safe space, I just wish that would carry over to the rest of their relationship that we know is there, they are just too stubborn to do anything about it.

[Katey (currentbookstack) Baiocco · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️4.5
🌶️ 3

Absolutely LOVED this. With a holiday novella you usually go in just expecting spice, a fun quick story and some Christmas spirit. This hit all of that while still taking you on such an emotional journey that had me crying at parts. Highly highly highly recommend reading the other book first not even just for continuity but to get more of these characters.

• friends with benefits
• secret tattoos
• childhood friends
• forced proximity (and it’s in a French ski town??)

[Aleesha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let's make no mistake - there's very little in the way of plot going on here.

It's a very short story to begin with, taking place at the same time as book 1 in this series does.

That being said - I didn't need a ton of context to understand Kayla and Ryan's history with each other. We're told over and over and over again how they used to spend their holidays together. I really didn't need the wasted page-space taken up with countless flashbacks to naughty things they talked about or did together before Ryan screwed things up by not coming to his parent chalet for 2 years in a row.

The way the story's set up makes me extra frustrated because Kayla can't commit to being upset, constantly giving in to Ryan, even though she's "trying to get over him" or some such thing, so all we really get to read about is her being mad at herself for screwing the guy then mad at him for... I don't know, existing? Then horny and screwing him again - rinse, repeat.

Ryan doesn't have a good reason for missing the past 2 years, which was annoying. And in the beginning he's sort of pushy to spend time with Kayla and even though he claims it's not JUST for sex, that's all he seems do with her whenever they get together.

As dubious as that is, turns out, Ryan's not the problem in the story at all. But I'll get to that in a second.

Then it's just an unfortunate case of logistics. They can't be together because they live in different places. Nevermind that his BFF and his sister made it work easily. The two don't even talk about it - even when Ryan tries, Kayla shuts him down because it's "just too painful". 😒🙄 Then what's the point of reading this?

Anyway, they finally trade phone numbers - because they haven't ever managed to do that in the 30 years they've known each other. 😒🤨

And then, they spend a decent amount of the middle of this VERY SHORT (I want you guys to remember this) book apart, trying to communicate with one another over a wide stretch of time zones. Kayla sleeps with other people while they're apart and even though they've agreed they're not in a relationship, it doesn't change the fact that it feels like cheating.

Even if it gets Ryan off to hear about it, it just didn't do it for me as a reader.

And when he confesses that he's not sleeping around too, it makes Kayla feel terrible.

Bile churns in my belly. If he's waiting, and I'm not, what kind of monster does that make me?

And that makes her angry.

Which is weird, because just SECONDS before that, he was describing the last time he was with her (and she thought he was describing a recent time with another woman) and she was PISSED. THE. FUCK. OFF. about it. She let him continue his descriptions - but she was really upset and CRYING until she figured out he was actually talking about her.

Which way is it then? You're fine sleeping around with other people, but the thought of him doing it brings you to tears? But when he tells you he's waiting for you, you're STILL upset because you're sleeping around and you don't want him hung up on you alone because you've decided you can't be together????

Then she ghosts him.

Girl, make some damn sense, please.

Never mind that during this time they're apart - they have the PERFECT opportunity to actually have genuine conversations with each other. To get to know one another like they both admit they never have because they've always just been a 2 week fling once a year. Instead. It's just a very long string of phone-sex scenes and sometimes disaster-worthy brief visits when they can find time away from work to fly out to meet up.

Don't get me wrong, all of this is full of hot spice.

But you gave us the perfect opportunity for character and relationship building and we sacrificed it for dirty talk and cum everywhere.

Look - I KNOW this wasn't ever meant to be anything other than it is. I know because the first book was very similar. I found the relationship between Cameron and Hannah just as ludicrous - but at the very least, the two of them had a conversation or two that didn't revolve around or devolve into fucking each other's brains out.

The ONLY thing I know about Kayla and Ryan is that they have excellent sexual chemistry with one another. Beyond that? I don't know. They don't know, either. They know NOTHING about each other.

Kayla's weird emotional flip-flopping just sealed this one's fate for me. She loves the man heart and soul but is so dead set on them not being a thing that she ends up hurting them both repeatedly with her cold and callous behavior. Ryan's pouring his heart out, willing to have conversations to try and work things out, willing to do long distance if it means he gets to be exclusive with her - but none of that is good enough for her.

She's not willing to compromise HER job or HER life. She just expects HIM to quit his and move to be with her. He's the one willing to make all the sacrifices. He's the one willing to "do whatever it takes" and she's holding out on being in a relationship with him until he forsakes EVERYTHING ELSE for her. And then has the nerve to be mad at him when he finally does.

It's bullshit. It's not romantic. It's spoiled behavior and it's gross.

She's SO unwilling to believe that the man wants anything out of her other than sex, that even when he's grand gesturing for her she's sitting there thinking:

Why isn't he inviting me over for hot tub sex? Why isn't he dragging me there right now, one hand up inside my shirt? Why is he here at all?

The man's been telling her he loves her and begging her to give him a chance for MONTHS at this point, trying to prove to her that he wants to be with her - even if it's long distance (for now), and she's not heard ANY of it. Because he's been unwilling to just drop EVERYTHING, ruin his career (and his reputation in the industry, let's be honest) to be at her beck and call 24/7. She literally thinks all they are to each other is fucking. Because she hasn't listened to a single word the man's said for months.

Because they don't actually KNOW each other outside of the bedroom.

Oh, and the grand gesture is just them 'meeting in a bar' and then dating each other for the first time. LOL

It's lucky this book was short, or I don't think I'd have made it all the way through, because after the BS Kayla puts Ryan through, I didn't like her at the end, and I didn't like them together, either.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh that was a struggle to complete. I found Kayla and Ryan to be nauseating, the push & pull of the relationship. Do yourself a favor and stick with the first book with Cameron and Hannah!

[Linna • linnareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio reread.
_______________________

I adored the first book in this series (Can I Tell You Something?) and have been very excited to return to this little town in the Swiss Alps for Ryan and Kayla’s story! A friends with benefits type of situation that has been happening for years, only when they are together over the winter break. Except Ryan hasn’t been back in a couple of years and Kayla is forcing herself to move on. It’s obvious to nearly everyone but them that they should be together, it’s just a matter of if they can make it work with the distance and where they are at in their lives. So when Ryan comes back there’s a big of groveling and other goodness we get to see. Plus there a secret tattoo moment for them BOTH! I loved so much of this… the setting, the story, the romance. It’s definitely one I’d see myself re-reading in the future.

🥰 it’s always been you
❄️ long distance
🤍 secret tattoos
🏔️ holiday novella

dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
3/5 spice level 🌶️

[CHELSEA · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ | 3 🌶️
A perfect winter romance!

Kayla and Ryan have known each other since they were kids. Spending two weeks every winter together in the alps. As they get older they form a friends with benefits pact that every winter they will see each other for those two weeks. As time goes on there is so much chemistry and pining even with the distance but these two don’t believe it could ever work when they feel like they are worlds away from each other the rest of the year.

I loved the long distance pining, the flashbacks of how their friendship grew and matured with age, & of course their undeniable chemistry and the spicy scenes were sooo hot!

This one is definitely a perfect winter read!

[winnie ₊ ⊹ · Rating 2 out of 5]

”i can’t forget anything about you. not ever. you’re my north star. you always guide me home.” ₊ ⊹

my thoughts ┊this was cute!

admittedly, i didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first book, and overall i think this will be a pretty forgettable read for me, hence the low rating. i didn’t hate this at all, but i didn’t really find myself loving it or enjoying it too much either. not bad, just not for me, i guess! still a decent christmas-y, read though!

[iowagirlreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly June Smith knows how to write the best novellas. I have been anxiously waiting for this novella on audio since I listened to Can I Tell You Something last year, I even listened to again in preparation for this release!

Kayla and Ryan are just so good together, but they’ve only ever been a “thing” during the holidays in the French Alps. When Ryan shows up by surprise after two years, it doesn’t take long for Kayla to realize she has not moved on at all. I enjoyed the dual timelines and getting to see their friendship from when they were really young and as it grew into more as they got older. I also loved how it overlapped with the first book since parts of it are happening at the same time. The spice is also to die for, I just loved every second of this!

I highly recommend this duo, and I would personally would read them in order. You should read them no matter what, but if you like audio even a little bit you MUST do these both on audio! They are so so good!

🎧Audiobook Thoughts
Shane East with his British accent and Zara Hampton-Brown with her Scottish accent…there isn’t much better! They nailed the chemistry in and out of the bedroom for sure. We also get Adam Gold and Evelyn Rose reprising their roles as Hannah & Cameron

TROPES
🎄Holiday Novella
💞Friends to Lovers
❤️‍🔥Friends with Benefits
💫It’s Always Been You
🫦So Spicy
🎿Holiday Arrangement
📍Long Distance Pining

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, spicy novella! I loved Ryan and Kayla’s energy the flirty banter, the long-distance pining. These two have been friends since childhood, but things changed once they became adults. I loved how, for two weeks every year, they would come together and just devour each other. But underneath it all were the unspoken feelings of wanting more from their arrangement, even though neither knew how to navigate it. It made me laugh, smile, and root for them in the end because they’re meant to be together and felt like soul mates.

I absolutely loved the spice in this one there was such a great range of scenes and I especially loved how open Kayla was about what she wanted and what she wanted to do to Ryan. Also I really enjoyed the past memories throughout the years and how this story concluded it felt like a full circle moment.

Lastly, the audiobook in duet form was brilliant, especially with the featured narrators. It was such a joy to listen to, so I highly recommend picking it up in that format.

I’ll definitely be grabbing the first book in the series. I’m so excited to read about Hannah and Cameron from the snippets we got in this book!

Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 5hrs 18mins
Narrators: Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown Featuring Adam Gold and Evelyn Rose - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series or Standalone: Book Two In The Snowbound Secrets Series - Novella
Tropes or Themes: Friends To Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Mutual Pining, Mutual Agreement, Long Distance, Chemistry, Soulmates, Banter, Past Memories, Intimate Tattoos, Made Me Laugh, Mine, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Praise, Oral Play, Role Play, A Little Degradation, Mask Scene and Impact Play.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

[Jessica Thibault · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
Ok spicy! 🤭

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but I enjoyed the first book a lot more.

[Kerryrosalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this second book in the Snowbound series too! A cosy Christmas type plot with a spicy twist - would advise reading ‘Can I Tell You Something’ first!

[Manahil Noor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried. It was that cute!

[Lorna Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially thought this was a follow up to Hannah & Cameron’s story so I wasn’t prepared to get to know new characters, but I LOVED this. I don’t read romance & filth much anymore but it’s all the more enjoyable when I do come back to it, and Holly is a master of her art.

A beautiful balance of smut & cute, a truly excellent plot and there were points where I didn’t know where Kayla & Ryan would end up, there was jeopardy and I loved it!

Read it read it read it x

[Laura VanZant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen, we all need more joy in our lives, and I kicked off the holidays early this year thanks to an ARC of "See You Next Winter" by @hollyjunesmith (courtesy of @lovenotes.pr )

"Can I Tell You Something?" was one of my top reads from Horny Holidays 2023, so this was a MUCH anticipated follow up and it exceeded all of my expectations! I'm a sucker for a friends-to-lovers, and when you add in a healthy dose of mutual pining? UGH. Obsessed.

Let Ryan and Layla into your heart this holiday season, you absolutely will not be disappointed!

TROPES:
✈️ Festive Friends-with-Benefits
❄️ Long Distance Pining
✈️ Bedroom Wishlists
❄️ Spicy Facetime
✈️ Secret Tattoos
❄️ Flashbacks
✈️ Snowy Alpine Setting
❄️ Open Door Spice
✈️ HEA

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had to really think about what I want to say about this novella.

Firstly, the spice was 🥵 🔥 🌶️

Secondly, having already fallen for Hannah and Cam, I was not prepared to fall even harder for Ryan and Kayla.

Holly has once again made me feel all emotions possible, from laughing, to smiling to tears of sadness. Holly writes from the heart about relationships and this book is another one that had me hooked from the get go. I finished it in one evening as I didn't want to sleep without knowing how it ended.

I loved getting snippets into Hannah and Cams life after book 1 - the bookshelf made me burst out laughing!

I really enjoyed seeing into Kayla and Ryan's day to day life and when they understood how each other felt about long distance relationships and the impact on them.

You don't have to read book 1 to know what's happening in this book, however I would recommend it as they're both 5 stars from me.

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but this book is really not it. I quite liked the first novella in this series, so I feel bad for giving this one only one star. But there's honestly not a single thing I like about this book. Maybe aside from the setting because I love the mountains.
The main couple has no chemistry. They're just fucking all the time from as early as the third chapter I think. We're told they're soulmates, but I don't see any evidence except their sexual compatability.
The entire premise of the book feels construed. Maybe that's a me-problem, but their problem seems way out there for me.
The miscommunication is painful. The main characters don't really have any personality. And that god-awful nickname?! Bunny?! I don't care that there's apparently a back story to it, it's terrible.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy when Ryan and Kayla’s story was announced. This is the perfect winter novella - spice, pining, flashbacks and romance. I liked the long distance aspect and the emotions around that. I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed the background to R & K and precious winters chapters. I’d highly recommend. Going to struggle to find a winter read to beat this!

[DMATMOOBILforever · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️? Eurgh. This was SO not my book lol, I didn’t even bother with the bonus chapter.

||I hated Ryan, I almost wish Kayla ended up with someone else lol, he was awful to her and she deserved better. Also I think y’all know I pretty much only enjoy reading about monogamy, so the whole ‘she knows she loves him yet sleeps with other dudes’ thing (and he gets off on it) was NOT the trope for me lol. Even though I know they were not in a relationship at that point. BUT (!) at the same time I’m kinda glad she did sleep with other dudes cuz Ryan sucked so much 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Not shaming the mini-cuck thing at all, they’re consenting adults and I can see how others find it hot, it’s just not my thing.

I also really liked how Kayla held her own and called Ryan out on constantly yanking her chain. The whole… ‘he stayed away for two winters so they didn’t see each other or speak or text each other for THREE YEARS’ was fucking bizarre to me. Like whaaaaat. The person you supposedly love? (I think they said in their internal monologue or hinted at it that they loved each other by that point?) But then later he mentions how he’ll take any scrap from her that she offers? So I guess he had a chance of heart. Idk. I believe actions over words. I just had a hard time believing these two really actually loved each other. She didn’t try to call him either. Their families are fucking close.. they could’ve gotten each other’s numbers so easily, but nope, no point in keeping in touch with the love of your life? So yeah I hated Ryan. He took so long to get his head out of his ass and strung her along and UGH.

I finished the book anyways because it was short and I wanted to find out how they would change their jobs so they could live together. I liked the solution, it made sense, she definitely couldn’t give up her location so he had to… and frankly after all that he put her though, he definitely needed to be the one to change his career.

I did enjoy the writing and will continue reading other HJS books though! The short chapters were very reminiscent of SJ Tilly and made it easy to blast through this book in a single sitting. ||