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Only One Bed
Two Enemies. Only One Bed.
Abbie Walker can’t wait to spend two weeks alone in a remote cabin. No overbearing mother. No nagging sister. Just one grumpy cat, a carload of snacks, and a heart full of cheer. It’s going to be the best holiday ever.
Then, in the middle of a blizzard, he shows up.
Not Santa, unfortunately. Instead an injured Reed Knowles stumbles into Abbie’s cabin, ruining her perfect holiday. Abbie has good reason to hate him—and Reed doesn’t like her any better.
But they’re stuck together. And there’s only one bed. So until the snow thaws, they’ve got to bite their tongues, keep each other warm…and maybe, during those cold winter nights, discover their worst enemy is the one person they’ve needed all along.
Abbie Walker can’t wait to spend two weeks alone in a remote cabin. No overbearing mother. No nagging sister. Just one grumpy cat, a carload of snacks, and a heart full of cheer. It’s going to be the best holiday ever.
Then, in the middle of a blizzard, he shows up.
Not Santa, unfortunately. Instead an injured Reed Knowles stumbles into Abbie’s cabin, ruining her perfect holiday. Abbie has good reason to hate him—and Reed doesn’t like her any better.
But they’re stuck together. And there’s only one bed. So until the snow thaws, they’ve got to bite their tongues, keep each other warm…and maybe, during those cold winter nights, discover their worst enemy is the one person they’ve needed all along.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2025
151 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Kati Wilde
48 books1,721 followersKati Wilde is a tight-lipped, loose-hipped woman of indeterminate age and low breeding. Born into a very large family, she now has a very small family (no laws were broken in this transition), and she writes romantic fiction to assuage her darker urge to write Transformers erotica. She lives in Oregon, so most of you are safely far enough away, and has two old cats.
Kati writes the Hellfire Riders MC romance series and will be publishing her first New Adult novel, Going Nowhere Fast, with Berkley later this year.
About Our Series:
The Motorcycle Clubs series is for romance readers who want all the heat and emotion, but who don’t have all of the time. At this time, we are only publishing novellas — our intention is to provide readers with short (yet satisfying) MC romances. Sometimes we might continue one couple’s story over several novellas, but each individual novella will have a satisfying romantic resolution. Because they are short, we focus the stories on the eroticism and romance, and will be building the MC worlds as each series progresses.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me -- kati@katiwilde.com.
Kati writes the Hellfire Riders MC romance series and will be publishing her first New Adult novel, Going Nowhere Fast, with Berkley later this year.
About Our Series:
The Motorcycle Clubs series is for romance readers who want all the heat and emotion, but who don’t have all of the time. At this time, we are only publishing novellas — our intention is to provide readers with short (yet satisfying) MC romances. Sometimes we might continue one couple’s story over several novellas, but each individual novella will have a satisfying romantic resolution. Because they are short, we focus the stories on the eroticism and romance, and will be building the MC worlds as each series progresses.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me -- kati@katiwilde.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
January 17, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down
I really enjoyed Abbie (h) and Reed (H) together, with the forced proximity of them being in a remote cabin causing them to evaluate their family dramas and connect with each other on a personal level. Abbie’s dad and Reed’s mom ran away together and died when they were children and their surviving parents have fanned the flames of hate and retribution against each other since. Reed and Abbie end up discovering that they like each other as people instead of hating each other because of their last names. I do wish that this was a longer novel because the balance felt off for me between the developing romance and the repeated introspection of the drama and crappy family members. Plus, I wanted to see these two outside of their little cabin bubble before the epilogue. The author does have content warnings at the start of the book too fyi.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are experienced (both say it’s been a long time and there are some brief, vague mentions of each’s history/what they like or don’t like).
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Families hate each other
☆ Enemies to lovers
☆ Forced proximity
☆ Snowed in together
☆ Slowly showing each other their vulnerabilities
☆ Good consent
☆ Cute animal friend
☆ Helpful representation of the cabin at the front
Abbie and Reed are likable and when they stop poking at each other, there’s a lot to admire about the other. Loved that Reed thought Abbie was “vibrant”, such an amazing word. Abbie appreciating that Reed had hidden depths was awesome. Both are creatives at heart and that was so cool. They were slow to trust the other obviously and I felt like emotional intimacy was truly layered and built here, even though it does happen in a short amount of time. Plus the steamy scenes are Hot (yes that’s capitalized on purpose), detailed, and plentiful. Reed likes to spend time downtown and he’s a big dude who’s proportional. Also, I swear Kati Wilde’s one of the only authors who can get me to find a description of a hairy dude hot, this is at least the second time. I didn’t love Abbie’s song but that’s such a tiny personal preference lol.
I did find myself disengaging from the story in places because of the significant amount of time spent dissecting family actions and motivations. Sometimes these were presented in just a chunk of text that I struggled with. There are some good messages being communicated here though about boundary establishment, not having to put up with toxic family in your life, and finding the people who build you up instead of tear you down.
The ending is sweet where both are questioning what leaving the cabin means for them, wanting to explore this further, and I was thankful that question mark wasn’t dragged out. As I said before though, I wish there was at least a chapter or two to transition from the cabin to the epilogue, which is a year later. At first I was also upset at the epilogue that we were being told what Abbie went through with her family following her return home, I wanted some of it shown vs. told. Further into the epilogue however, you get some on page confrontation, with Reed being a supportive presence and backup if Abbie needs (yay for him reading her cues too). They’re in love, talking about the future, and I was happy with the possibilities for them. While some of this left me conflicted, I did enjoy these characters and it had some nice Christmas feel to it.
I really enjoyed Abbie (h) and Reed (H) together, with the forced proximity of them being in a remote cabin causing them to evaluate their family dramas and connect with each other on a personal level. Abbie’s dad and Reed’s mom ran away together and died when they were children and their surviving parents have fanned the flames of hate and retribution against each other since. Reed and Abbie end up discovering that they like each other as people instead of hating each other because of their last names. I do wish that this was a longer novel because the balance felt off for me between the developing romance and the repeated introspection of the drama and crappy family members. Plus, I wanted to see these two outside of their little cabin bubble before the epilogue. The author does have content warnings at the start of the book too fyi.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are experienced (both say it’s been a long time and there are some brief, vague mentions of each’s history/what they like or don’t like).
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Families hate each other
☆ Enemies to lovers
☆ Forced proximity
☆ Snowed in together
☆ Slowly showing each other their vulnerabilities
☆ Good consent
☆ Cute animal friend
☆ Helpful representation of the cabin at the front
Abbie and Reed are likable and when they stop poking at each other, there’s a lot to admire about the other. Loved that Reed thought Abbie was “vibrant”, such an amazing word. Abbie appreciating that Reed had hidden depths was awesome. Both are creatives at heart and that was so cool. They were slow to trust the other obviously and I felt like emotional intimacy was truly layered and built here, even though it does happen in a short amount of time. Plus the steamy scenes are Hot (yes that’s capitalized on purpose), detailed, and plentiful. Reed likes to spend time downtown and he’s a big dude who’s proportional. Also, I swear Kati Wilde’s one of the only authors who can get me to find a description of a hairy dude hot, this is at least the second time. I didn’t love Abbie’s song but that’s such a tiny personal preference lol.
I did find myself disengaging from the story in places because of the significant amount of time spent dissecting family actions and motivations. Sometimes these were presented in just a chunk of text that I struggled with. There are some good messages being communicated here though about boundary establishment, not having to put up with toxic family in your life, and finding the people who build you up instead of tear you down.
The ending is sweet where both are questioning what leaving the cabin means for them, wanting to explore this further, and I was thankful that question mark wasn’t dragged out. As I said before though, I wish there was at least a chapter or two to transition from the cabin to the epilogue, which is a year later. At first I was also upset at the epilogue that we were being told what Abbie went through with her family following her return home, I wanted some of it shown vs. told. Further into the epilogue however, you get some on page confrontation, with Reed being a supportive presence and backup if Abbie needs (yay for him reading her cues too). They’re in love, talking about the future, and I was happy with the possibilities for them. While some of this left me conflicted, I did enjoy these characters and it had some nice Christmas feel to it.
January 19, 2025
2.5 ⭐
It could have been a fun read but the trauma dump was heavy here and for a book this short, I wish there was less complaining and more... I don't know, anything else.
I found they had valid reasons to be enemies so I enjoyed it at first (which is rare with me, I admit).
I haven't read the epilogue since it's available on the author's website so to me it's just a HFN.
Edit: I just read the epilogue. It happens a year later and it's 99.96% family drama. I should have skipped it.
It could have been a fun read but the trauma dump was heavy here and for a book this short, I wish there was less complaining and more... I don't know, anything else.
I found they had valid reasons to be enemies so I enjoyed it at first (which is rare with me, I admit).
I haven't read the epilogue since it's available on the author's website so to me it's just a HFN.
Edit: I just read the epilogue. It happens a year later and it's 99.96% family drama. I should have skipped it.
February 9, 2025
When you are here for a silly good time, but the characters have all been through massive amounts of family drama and talk to each other like they have had all the therapy. Like, there is no therapy left, these people took it all.
If you hate miscommunication this is the opposite. This is over communication.
Also there is spicy times.
I didn’t dislike this so much as I came for a silly good time and this was going deep.
If you hate miscommunication this is the opposite. This is over communication.
Also there is spicy times.
I didn’t dislike this so much as I came for a silly good time and this was going deep.
January 17, 2025
Spoilers ahead
Abbie leaves her toxic family behind and heads off to the cabin owned by her boss to enjoy Christmas the way she wants too, unfortunately her perfect Christmas is ruined by a knock on her door. Even worse the person at her door is one half of her family's life long enemy.
Reed leaves his toxic family behind and escapes to his best friend's cabin, unfortunately he's injured along the way. Managing to make it to the cabin, injured though he is, he finds it occupied by none other than the woman who'd once bitten him, the enemy of his family for years.
Now stranded together the two come to realise that maybe they're not enemies at all.
*******
This has some great moments but them wading through their family struggles gave me a headache. The h's in-depth description of her mom and sister's issues was just too much. I get the struggles but considering the length of this book it was just too much.
To make matters worse the relationship angle ends abruptly.....with the epilogue on the author's website😒🙄
All in all I love this author but the family stuff just weighed this one down.
Love the sexy times but I did not need that discussion that happened just before.
Abbie leaves her toxic family behind and heads off to the cabin owned by her boss to enjoy Christmas the way she wants too, unfortunately her perfect Christmas is ruined by a knock on her door. Even worse the person at her door is one half of her family's life long enemy.
Reed leaves his toxic family behind and escapes to his best friend's cabin, unfortunately he's injured along the way. Managing to make it to the cabin, injured though he is, he finds it occupied by none other than the woman who'd once bitten him, the enemy of his family for years.
Now stranded together the two come to realise that maybe they're not enemies at all.
*******
This has some great moments but them wading through their family struggles gave me a headache. The h's in-depth description of her mom and sister's issues was just too much. I get the struggles but considering the length of this book it was just too much.
To make matters worse the relationship angle ends abruptly.....with the epilogue on the author's website😒🙄
All in all I love this author but the family stuff just weighed this one down.
Love the sexy times but I did not need that discussion that happened just before.
January 20, 2025
This started out heavy on the Hatfield and McCoy vibes and then it just went nowhere. I guess if you like books where the MCs spend the entire time between boinking complaining about their toxic family members, then this book is for you. It has some good moments but my gawd there was so much family trauma dumping, I started skipping entire paragraphs. Even the epilogue was taken over by their terrible family. I love Kati Wilde but this was not it
⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Forced proximity
One bed lol
Enemies to Lovers
⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Forced proximity
One bed lol
Enemies to Lovers
January 16, 2025
Generational trauma enemies to lovers!!
They actually had pretty good reasoning for hating each other. I liked how we didn’t get their full backstories head on and were made to a pick a side- everything came out little by little and could somewhat understand both families. I feel like there was too much talk about Abbie’s sister it was almost like she was a third MC. She seemed like a weirdo. Abbie and Reed were super hot!
They actually had pretty good reasoning for hating each other. I liked how we didn’t get their full backstories head on and were made to a pick a side- everything came out little by little and could somewhat understand both families. I feel like there was too much talk about Abbie’s sister it was almost like she was a third MC. She seemed like a weirdo. Abbie and Reed were super hot!
January 16, 2025
Their family situation is so messy and toxic. But they were so sweet.
January 16, 2025
3.8 stars
Classic Kati Wilde! Meaning it was excellent, and she packed more emotional depth and character growth into 250 or so pages than some books with double or triple the number of pages. I loved it 🖤
I couldn’t give this one 5 stars because I will say the emotionally heavy part felt a bit “trauma dumpy monologue” in a way that is distinctly un-Kati Wilde like.
Usually she’s a bit more subtle in “exposing” her characters motivations and inner workings to one another. But it actually served to make Reed seem like a great listener and a thoughtful and caring partner so I can’t complain much!
Classic Kati Wilde! Meaning it was excellent, and she packed more emotional depth and character growth into 250 or so pages than some books with double or triple the number of pages. I loved it 🖤
I couldn’t give this one 5 stars because I will say the emotionally heavy part felt a bit “trauma dumpy monologue” in a way that is distinctly un-Kati Wilde like.
Usually she’s a bit more subtle in “exposing” her characters motivations and inner workings to one another. But it actually served to make Reed seem like a great listener and a thoughtful and caring partner so I can’t complain much!
January 17, 2025
How is this so good?
Real, raw, and so so incredible. Wilde is so good at relationships, the ins and outs, the slow reveal/realization of emotions and feelings. This is probably some of her best at that.
Reed and Abbie are such passionate, headstrong, intelligent people that it's surprisingly unsurprising that they're so convinced they're right about the awfulness of each other. It is so rewarding to read the change, from both perspectives, to care and respect, to devotion, and finally to love.
My only complaint is the book ended, but we can't have books go on forever.
Real, raw, and so so incredible. Wilde is so good at relationships, the ins and outs, the slow reveal/realization of emotions and feelings. This is probably some of her best at that.
Reed and Abbie are such passionate, headstrong, intelligent people that it's surprisingly unsurprising that they're so convinced they're right about the awfulness of each other. It is so rewarding to read the change, from both perspectives, to care and respect, to devotion, and finally to love.
My only complaint is the book ended, but we can't have books go on forever.
January 29, 2025
At the beginning I enjoyed this well written romance, set in a snowy wilderness before and during Christmas. Throw two characters together in a tiny, cold cabin - YES! I was disappointed when the H/h's conversation started centering on her mother and sister and how dreadful they were fifty percent through. It went on for pages and pages and pages. Unfortunately it took me out of this slow burn at story and I started skimming.
Read
January 20, 2025I liked the couple. Abbie's family issues and trauma dumping were hard to read. Didn't find the sex scenes sexy - some of the language choices came across as porn-y and mechanical to me.
January 20, 2025
a nice, quick read where you still manage to feel like you lived through the 30 years of family drama
January 16, 2025
She’s back!!
Been awhile since we’ve had a new release from this author….and it was worth the wait. Dirty-talking heroes. Feisty heroines. Enemies to lovers. Swoon. Loved every moment of the read and finished it in one sitting. With my ADHD, that is quite an achievement. Just tells you how good this story is. Welcome back, Kati-girl.
Been awhile since we’ve had a new release from this author….and it was worth the wait. Dirty-talking heroes. Feisty heroines. Enemies to lovers. Swoon. Loved every moment of the read and finished it in one sitting. With my ADHD, that is quite an achievement. Just tells you how good this story is. Welcome back, Kati-girl.
August 24, 2025
Only One bed features Abbie, marketing guru and artist and Reed, real estate inspector and writer. When Abbie plans a winter vacation in a cozy cabin, she does not expect her family’s sworn enemy Reed to show up, injured. A huge snowstorm leaves them stranded and forced to get to know Escher other.
This was an actual enemies to lovers in a contemporary romance! Both Abbie and Reed had excellent reasons to hate each other and I was very into that relationship change. I enjoyed both of the characters and their dynamics, the caretaking and barbs were both fun. The middle got bogged down a little and felt like therapy sessions, a little, but honestly, it still worked. I completely believed that they would both feel they way they do after what they’ve gone through.
As always, top notch spice. If you haven’t read a Kati Wilde, you are missing out.
Overall, so much fun and probably the best Christmas story I’ve read this year!
This was an actual enemies to lovers in a contemporary romance! Both Abbie and Reed had excellent reasons to hate each other and I was very into that relationship change. I enjoyed both of the characters and their dynamics, the caretaking and barbs were both fun. The middle got bogged down a little and felt like therapy sessions, a little, but honestly, it still worked. I completely believed that they would both feel they way they do after what they’ve gone through.
As always, top notch spice. If you haven’t read a Kati Wilde, you are missing out.
Overall, so much fun and probably the best Christmas story I’ve read this year!
February 21, 2025
My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.
4.25/5 stars
Abbie Walker and Reed Knowles have been mortal enemies for 20 years. It all started when Abbie’s dad ran away with Reed’s mom who was his psychiatrist, they never got their happily ever after because they died in a car crash. The destruction they left behind effected both families. Abbie’s mom hated the Knowles family, she blamed Reed’s mom for seducing her depressed husband . Reed’s dad made it his mission to destroy anything related to Abbie’s dad including the Walker women, his pride was injured when his wife chose Abbie’s dad over him. So even though the two were teens they grew up listening and seeing the toxic aftermath of the affair.
Abbie is taking a much needed two week vacation during Christmas, her boss was kind enough to offer up his remote cabin. Things are bad at Abbie’s house, her mom and sister have moved in with her after Reed’s dad bought Abbie’s childhood home and bulldozed it. The two women are bitter and extremely toxic. They belittle Abbie constantly and take advantage her good nature.
Imagine her surprise when someone bangs on her door one night, the cabin is remote and she’s a little worried but answers the door. A man covered in snow and obviously injured staggers in. It Reed! He was coming to the cabin to get away from his new stepmother who “accidentally” slipped into the shower with him. Disgusted by her he thinks he’ll spend the rest of the holiday at his good friend’s cabin. He heads out on a snowmobile and is on his way there he is struck on the head by a falling tree limb. He has a pretty significant head injury and a heavily bruised leg. Against her better judgment Abbie tends to his head wound and helps him into the only bed in the one room cabin. They are trapped there due to a massive snowstorm.
The rest of the story has them slowly warming to one another. There is definite attraction between them and I liked that they didn’t fight it first too long. The forced proximity and one bed helped. Their banter was great, Abbie is sweet and funny and Reed is charming. I really liked how they listened to each other and really heard what the other was saying. They share what their passions are, Abbie is a painter and Reed writes sci-fi. They both realize that their remaining parent is not a good person. Reed is embarrassed and ashamed of how he acted and apologizes to Abbie. He also tells Abbie that her mother lied to her about the family home, she sold it to his dad because she needed money and has the money from the sale of the house. She told Abbie she had no money and no house since it was bulldozed by Reed’s dad.
They also discuss their own feelings regarding what happened 20 years ago and at times things got very heavy, felt like we were in therapy with them. The emotional family trauma was a lot.
When the snow melts they head back to reality. Both are worried their time together was ending but Reed admits he wants to continue seeing her. He wants to be there when she confronts her mom and sister. She knows that would cause even more problems but agrees that they have something special and want to be in love with each other.
Time jump to the next Christmas, you’re told of the confrontation with her mom and sister, asking them to leave and all the drama associated with it. Reed is there for her through it all. We get to see when her mother and sister come over at Christmas and how they still treat her like crap and how they don’t take responsibility for their actions. But after laying into them her sister seems to sort of understand and is willing to meet Abbie half way. Lots of I love yous and Reed telling her one day soon he will marry her. To which she says she will not take the Knowles last name.
Their sexy times were sweet and hot, Reed is a dirty talker and it definitely works for Abbie. Reed has an expired unopened box of a dozen condoms in his bag and they make use of each one. Abbie has a hilarious 12 days of Christmas themed song for each one of the 12 condom as they use them.
4.25/5 stars
Abbie Walker and Reed Knowles have been mortal enemies for 20 years. It all started when Abbie’s dad ran away with Reed’s mom who was his psychiatrist, they never got their happily ever after because they died in a car crash. The destruction they left behind effected both families. Abbie’s mom hated the Knowles family, she blamed Reed’s mom for seducing her depressed husband . Reed’s dad made it his mission to destroy anything related to Abbie’s dad including the Walker women, his pride was injured when his wife chose Abbie’s dad over him. So even though the two were teens they grew up listening and seeing the toxic aftermath of the affair.
Abbie is taking a much needed two week vacation during Christmas, her boss was kind enough to offer up his remote cabin. Things are bad at Abbie’s house, her mom and sister have moved in with her after Reed’s dad bought Abbie’s childhood home and bulldozed it. The two women are bitter and extremely toxic. They belittle Abbie constantly and take advantage her good nature.
Imagine her surprise when someone bangs on her door one night, the cabin is remote and she’s a little worried but answers the door. A man covered in snow and obviously injured staggers in. It Reed! He was coming to the cabin to get away from his new stepmother who “accidentally” slipped into the shower with him. Disgusted by her he thinks he’ll spend the rest of the holiday at his good friend’s cabin. He heads out on a snowmobile and is on his way there he is struck on the head by a falling tree limb. He has a pretty significant head injury and a heavily bruised leg. Against her better judgment Abbie tends to his head wound and helps him into the only bed in the one room cabin. They are trapped there due to a massive snowstorm.
The rest of the story has them slowly warming to one another. There is definite attraction between them and I liked that they didn’t fight it first too long. The forced proximity and one bed helped. Their banter was great, Abbie is sweet and funny and Reed is charming. I really liked how they listened to each other and really heard what the other was saying. They share what their passions are, Abbie is a painter and Reed writes sci-fi. They both realize that their remaining parent is not a good person. Reed is embarrassed and ashamed of how he acted and apologizes to Abbie. He also tells Abbie that her mother lied to her about the family home, she sold it to his dad because she needed money and has the money from the sale of the house. She told Abbie she had no money and no house since it was bulldozed by Reed’s dad.
They also discuss their own feelings regarding what happened 20 years ago and at times things got very heavy, felt like we were in therapy with them. The emotional family trauma was a lot.
When the snow melts they head back to reality. Both are worried their time together was ending but Reed admits he wants to continue seeing her. He wants to be there when she confronts her mom and sister. She knows that would cause even more problems but agrees that they have something special and want to be in love with each other.
Time jump to the next Christmas, you’re told of the confrontation with her mom and sister, asking them to leave and all the drama associated with it. Reed is there for her through it all. We get to see when her mother and sister come over at Christmas and how they still treat her like crap and how they don’t take responsibility for their actions. But after laying into them her sister seems to sort of understand and is willing to meet Abbie half way. Lots of I love yous and Reed telling her one day soon he will marry her. To which she says she will not take the Knowles last name.
Their sexy times were sweet and hot, Reed is a dirty talker and it definitely works for Abbie. Reed has an expired unopened box of a dozen condoms in his bag and they make use of each one. Abbie has a hilarious 12 days of Christmas themed song for each one of the 12 condom as they use them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
January 21, 2025I got over halfway through and I should've probably stopped earlier on when the author dropped a comment about the pandemic (covid). I read to escape, and this was the first red flag for me. I do not want to think about real life and highly stressful health problems happening when I read, nothing personal, it just takes me out...
I liked the beginning, even though some of their interactions just felt stiff or off as the book went on. I enjoyed how she took care of him in the beginning and all the forced assistance scenes on her part to make sure he got better after he got stuck in her cabin with an injury, but after that, near the half way point, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the h started rambling for several upon several pages and pages at time and even in her inner monologue about religion, and her sister and her toxic family. Bringing up everything from religion to organic foods, to volunteer work, working at church, etc etc. It almost felt like someone writing this was venting their true feelings seemingly out of nowhere. From the beginning I didn't get the feeling or vibe that the h would ever unload like this on someone, so it felt just misplaced or off...
I agree with another reviewer that this was a trauma info dump based on h's family, and I still pushed on for a bit after, but it felt like where the story started and where it was by the middle, it almost felt like the heart wasn't in it anymore, not to mention there were errors that stuck out. Then the interactions between the H and h were weird, just strange exchanges and robotic type feelings to their conversations after that point. I am shelving this for now, but gosh how I absolutely loved the beginning with him getting ill and injured and she was forced to help him get better. These were my favorite scenes. I love the one bed and snowed in trope, but this didn't work for me sadly :( 1/18/2025
I liked the beginning, even though some of their interactions just felt stiff or off as the book went on. I enjoyed how she took care of him in the beginning and all the forced assistance scenes on her part to make sure he got better after he got stuck in her cabin with an injury, but after that, near the half way point, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the h started rambling for several upon several pages and pages at time and even in her inner monologue about religion, and her sister and her toxic family. Bringing up everything from religion to organic foods, to volunteer work, working at church, etc etc. It almost felt like someone writing this was venting their true feelings seemingly out of nowhere. From the beginning I didn't get the feeling or vibe that the h would ever unload like this on someone, so it felt just misplaced or off...
I agree with another reviewer that this was a trauma info dump based on h's family, and I still pushed on for a bit after, but it felt like where the story started and where it was by the middle, it almost felt like the heart wasn't in it anymore, not to mention there were errors that stuck out. Then the interactions between the H and h were weird, just strange exchanges and robotic type feelings to their conversations after that point. I am shelving this for now, but gosh how I absolutely loved the beginning with him getting ill and injured and she was forced to help him get better. These were my favorite scenes. I love the one bed and snowed in trope, but this didn't work for me sadly :( 1/18/2025
January 27, 2025
Great premise but it did not quite deliver. At the same time, a new Kati Wilde Christmas romance is never a bad thing. Abbie and Reed hate each other thanks to an inherited feud from their parents. The logistics didn't completely add up. Reed didn't even know Abbie's name, just that she was a "Walker girl." But whatever. Once they get over their preconceived notions of one another, the chemistry was legit. That part was great. What didn't work as well was the amount of therapy speak while talking about their toxic parents. The dialogue didn't sound natural as a result. I was glad Abbie and Reed both figured out
Characters: Abbie is a 25 year old white mental health nonprofit marketing director and amateur painter. She has a cat named Hot Biscuit Slim. Reed is a 30 year old white author and structural engineer/house inspector.
Content notes: off page sexual misconduct by MMC's new stepmother, toxic family members and emotional abuse, estrangement decision, past childhood emotional neglect, laceration and concussion from off page snowmobile accident, blizzard, FMC's mother lied about not having money, FMC's mother harassed MMC online and attempted to sabotage his work (past), past death of MMC's mother and FMC's father (car accident together), past parental infidelity and professional ethics violation (MMC's mother and FMC's father ran off together 18 years ago; she was his psychiatrist), past infidelity (some of FMC's exes), diet culture, FMC's mother is estranged from her former in-laws, COVID references, unsafe sex practices (FMC and MMC decide to use expired condoms but they do discuss risks ahead of time and she has an IUD), dubcon/noncon (FMC grinds on MMC's penis while she's asleep but he's awake; she's mortified when she realizes it but he's okay), on page sex, orgasm control, masturbation, STI jokes, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction, mention of past death of grandfather
Characters: Abbie is a 25 year old white mental health nonprofit marketing director and amateur painter. She has a cat named Hot Biscuit Slim. Reed is a 30 year old white author and structural engineer/house inspector.
Content notes: off page sexual misconduct by MMC's new stepmother, toxic family members and emotional abuse, estrangement decision, past childhood emotional neglect, laceration and concussion from off page snowmobile accident, blizzard, FMC's mother lied about not having money, FMC's mother harassed MMC online and attempted to sabotage his work (past), past death of MMC's mother and FMC's father (car accident together), past parental infidelity and professional ethics violation (MMC's mother and FMC's father ran off together 18 years ago; she was his psychiatrist), past infidelity (some of FMC's exes), diet culture, FMC's mother is estranged from her former in-laws, COVID references, unsafe sex practices (FMC and MMC decide to use expired condoms but they do discuss risks ahead of time and she has an IUD), dubcon/noncon (FMC grinds on MMC's penis while she's asleep but he's awake; she's mortified when she realizes it but he's okay), on page sex, orgasm control, masturbation, STI jokes, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction, mention of past death of grandfather
February 7, 2025
For the most part I enjoyed this book. The enemies to lovers aspect was so good. The connection the MCs had through family trauma was so good because it made the enemies part really believable. I really liked the way they both realized that they didn't actually have any reason to hate each other. But then Abbie started talking about her mom and sister, and talked, and talked. The turmoil between Abbie and her family was so heavy handed it felt exhausting to read and took me out of the book a little bit. I really wish it would have been sprinkled instead of dumped. With that being said, there are a lot of funny and sweet moments in the book and I love the idea of being snowed in with only one bed.
January 16, 2025
Magical
From the title and blurb, I thought this was just going to be a cute little Christmas romance, but it was so much more. It takes phenomenal writing to spin a story with just two characters talking to each other, providing great, witty dialogue, while also conveying a long and detailed history between them (without flashbacks). Making the characters hate each other and then fall for each other in a believable way as well was just....chef's kiss. I forgot how much I liked Kati Wilde.
From the title and blurb, I thought this was just going to be a cute little Christmas romance, but it was so much more. It takes phenomenal writing to spin a story with just two characters talking to each other, providing great, witty dialogue, while also conveying a long and detailed history between them (without flashbacks). Making the characters hate each other and then fall for each other in a believable way as well was just....chef's kiss. I forgot how much I liked Kati Wilde.
March 9, 2025
3,5 stars
I included this one in my to list after a rec and seing the title lol
It wasn't exactly what i hoped for honestly and it was more into the turnmoil and family problems of these two but i still enjoyed it.
I included this one in my to list after a rec and seing the title lol
It wasn't exactly what i hoped for honestly and it was more into the turnmoil and family problems of these two but i still enjoyed it.
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January 30, 2025
Really enjoyed this, who can resist the one bed trope? The main characters had some Capulet and Montague style family rivalry and the hate for each other to go along with it. Regardless when Reed shows up injured during a blizzard Abbie’s good manners force her to nurse him back to health and they both finally get to know each other despite the prejudice their parents instilled in them. Cute read, nice and wintery with some good Christmas-y vibes.
February 1, 2025
Listen, my girl Abbie asked for dirty talk and she gets it.
June 23, 2025
if this guy says Abbie girl one more time …
June 22, 2025
Pacing was rough - early was good but then walls of deep conversations derailed - then sex that came with and without anticipation or intimacy in ways. Idk. Not my fave.
January 24, 2025
Well written, but a lot of repetitive trauma dumping. I'd rather the author focus on building chemistry, which, to me, was sadly lacking.
May 26, 2025
Surprisingly entertaining, surprised since I came for a smutfest and ended up with free therapy.
It was a longer story than I thought it would be but I was really happy with the "hate" and unfettered conversations between them. The truthfulness of a conversation when you have no need for them to like you.
It really did feel like they hated each other unlike some other books that advertise and don't deliver.
It is a really short timeline between meet and sex but the book makes it feel like a natural transition. I enjoyed their chemistry and dual POV. It makes it easier for me to like the hero if I can read his intentions :)
LOVED- his nickname for her: Abbie Girl. Extra star right there...
Its not easy to write long conversations between characters but KW does a great job.
I did not enjoy how wordy some of the discussions got at the end, not preachy but the author definitely used this as a platform to deal with issues. Totally fine, as they were excellent points, just a lot more than I expected.
Highlights & Spoilers:
He gives me a scowling look of disbelief. As if I’ve just said something incredibly stupid.
“That’s not something I can promise. That’s not something anyone can promise.”
“Sure you can. You’re just not trying hard enough. You will not ruin my Christmas.”
“You said I was already ruining it. So maybe you’re the one not trying hard enough. You don’t seem very cheery to me.”
“Oh, I was cheery. Before you arrived, I was having a jolly time—and I’m determined to have the best Christmas ever. I can’t do that if you’re dead.” No, that’s not right. “I can’t do that if you’re dead and still here. So you’ve got three days to get better and leave.”
-----------
“Thank you,” says a Knowles man to a Walker woman. Holy crap. It’s a Christmas miracle.
“You can thank me by leaving as soon as you’re able to.”
“That I can promise,” he says.
-----------
She hisses. “Ouch, you little shit! Get off my tit.”
What the fuck is she accusing me of? All my good intentions fly out the window. “My hands aren’t anywhere near you, woman. I wouldn’t touch Walker tit if you paid me.”
“Aw, you won’t? Golly-gosh darnit. That was item number one on my Christmas list: pay Reed Knowles to tiddle my tits. I guess I’ll go cry pitiful tears in the bathroom.”
It’s too early and too dark to see anything, but her sarcasm is sharp enough to slice steel.
When it starts to heat up between them:
I try to ignore him. But oh, it’s hard. Because he’s big and intense and smells like pine—and he’s kind.
So who wants to climb him like he’s a giant Christmas tree? Surprise, surprise. It’s me.
------------
But instead he shaved his jaw smooth. As if he’s planning to do something with his face soon and doesn’t want his stubble tearing up delicate skin while doing it.
I’m not sleepy anymore. I might never sleep again.
------------
Reed gently nips my bottom lip. “I like it when we aren’t enemies.”
“No,” I say, “we still are.”
“Dammit. Still?”
And the tension at the end? Perfect! I was like nononono, please say something! The this:
A second later, he turns back again. “It might be too soon, but I do want you to. I want you to fall violently in love with me.”
“All right.” My heart is thundering. “But I want that, too. You, in love with me. Wildly in love with me. I want that more than anything.”
“You’ll get it, Abbie girl.” He stares at me with an almost silly, lopsided grin. “All right, then. We’ll figure out all the components of love, yeah? And we’ll piss off our families while we do it.”
It was a longer story than I thought it would be but I was really happy with the "hate" and unfettered conversations between them. The truthfulness of a conversation when you have no need for them to like you.
It really did feel like they hated each other unlike some other books that advertise and don't deliver.
It is a really short timeline between meet and sex but the book makes it feel like a natural transition. I enjoyed their chemistry and dual POV. It makes it easier for me to like the hero if I can read his intentions :)
LOVED- his nickname for her: Abbie Girl. Extra star right there...
Its not easy to write long conversations between characters but KW does a great job.
I did not enjoy how wordy some of the discussions got at the end, not preachy but the author definitely used this as a platform to deal with issues. Totally fine, as they were excellent points, just a lot more than I expected.
Highlights & Spoilers:
He gives me a scowling look of disbelief. As if I’ve just said something incredibly stupid.
“That’s not something I can promise. That’s not something anyone can promise.”
“Sure you can. You’re just not trying hard enough. You will not ruin my Christmas.”
“You said I was already ruining it. So maybe you’re the one not trying hard enough. You don’t seem very cheery to me.”
“Oh, I was cheery. Before you arrived, I was having a jolly time—and I’m determined to have the best Christmas ever. I can’t do that if you’re dead.” No, that’s not right. “I can’t do that if you’re dead and still here. So you’ve got three days to get better and leave.”
-----------
“Thank you,” says a Knowles man to a Walker woman. Holy crap. It’s a Christmas miracle.
“You can thank me by leaving as soon as you’re able to.”
“That I can promise,” he says.
-----------
She hisses. “Ouch, you little shit! Get off my tit.”
What the fuck is she accusing me of? All my good intentions fly out the window. “My hands aren’t anywhere near you, woman. I wouldn’t touch Walker tit if you paid me.”
“Aw, you won’t? Golly-gosh darnit. That was item number one on my Christmas list: pay Reed Knowles to tiddle my tits. I guess I’ll go cry pitiful tears in the bathroom.”
It’s too early and too dark to see anything, but her sarcasm is sharp enough to slice steel.
When it starts to heat up between them:
I try to ignore him. But oh, it’s hard. Because he’s big and intense and smells like pine—and he’s kind.
So who wants to climb him like he’s a giant Christmas tree? Surprise, surprise. It’s me.
------------
But instead he shaved his jaw smooth. As if he’s planning to do something with his face soon and doesn’t want his stubble tearing up delicate skin while doing it.
I’m not sleepy anymore. I might never sleep again.
------------
Reed gently nips my bottom lip. “I like it when we aren’t enemies.”
“No,” I say, “we still are.”
“Dammit. Still?”
And the tension at the end? Perfect! I was like nononono, please say something! The this:
A second later, he turns back again. “It might be too soon, but I do want you to. I want you to fall violently in love with me.”
“All right.” My heart is thundering. “But I want that, too. You, in love with me. Wildly in love with me. I want that more than anything.”
“You’ll get it, Abbie girl.” He stares at me with an almost silly, lopsided grin. “All right, then. We’ll figure out all the components of love, yeah? And we’ll piss off our families while we do it.”
January 27, 2025
This was so...SO close to five stars for me that the only reason I'm not giving it is I finished last night and I slept on it and my stingy ass self is pulling back at the last minute because I'm extremely picky about five stars as my own personal consideration. BUT THIS WAS SO CLOSE.
I wish it was a full length book because I was not ready to stop reading about Abbie and Reed. Which, probably is why I docked in one (half) a star here. The only ONLY small nitpicky thing I have here is that because this is a novella their self actualization of their own foils came a bit wordy and too well neatly wrapped, so for a few moments it kind of took me out of it a bit. However, this is only because it was meant to be a shorter book so you can't have them struggle too much or for too long.
Other than that... GOD, what a joy to read a book about MATURE, smart, REASONABLE, fun, lovely people with, FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, genuinely good banter. I am sick to absolute death of what the current piss poor teen cringe dialogue passes as banter nowadays. Thank you to Kati Wilde for knowing how to write actually good back and forth.
I enjoyed Abbi's maturity, her sense and her grievances. As a person with a narcissitic parent myself I related to her like...a lot. I enjoyed Reed's capitulation to him being a dick and the realization and willingness to apologize for it. I thought their "feud" was understandable (as in, sure, when you are growing up you kind of take the side of your parents unilaterally and if you don't really have contact with the other people as an adult why would you bother to really capitulate on that reasoning until you are forced to) and I appreciated how they resolved it.
I enjoyed their chemistry and how good they were to each other. Reed was a fantastic MMC overall, I honestly really wish we had more time with him (and both of them).
Honestly this was a FANTASTIC read.
I wish it was a full length book because I was not ready to stop reading about Abbie and Reed. Which, probably is why I docked in one (half) a star here. The only ONLY small nitpicky thing I have here is that because this is a novella their self actualization of their own foils came a bit wordy and too well neatly wrapped, so for a few moments it kind of took me out of it a bit. However, this is only because it was meant to be a shorter book so you can't have them struggle too much or for too long.
Other than that... GOD, what a joy to read a book about MATURE, smart, REASONABLE, fun, lovely people with, FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, genuinely good banter. I am sick to absolute death of what the current piss poor teen cringe dialogue passes as banter nowadays. Thank you to Kati Wilde for knowing how to write actually good back and forth.
I enjoyed Abbi's maturity, her sense and her grievances. As a person with a narcissitic parent myself I related to her like...a lot. I enjoyed Reed's capitulation to him being a dick and the realization and willingness to apologize for it. I thought their "feud" was understandable (as in, sure, when you are growing up you kind of take the side of your parents unilaterally and if you don't really have contact with the other people as an adult why would you bother to really capitulate on that reasoning until you are forced to) and I appreciated how they resolved it.
I enjoyed their chemistry and how good they were to each other. Reed was a fantastic MMC overall, I honestly really wish we had more time with him (and both of them).
Honestly this was a FANTASTIC read.
February 2, 2025
Two enemies stuck with one another over the holidays and they have to come to the grudging realization that maybe they're not as enemied as they thought. No lie, I love when two people get snowed in together and come to some harsh realizations and end up making some serious connections during the long winter nights. Oh. Yeah.
But first! First, Abbie and Reed have to snarl and scowl at one another as they settle into their extremely unexpected co-habitation. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, since they were forced to face some of their old prejudices against one another), a snow storm and Reed's head injury leaves them no choice but to make the best of a bad situation.
Except...it's not all bad. As they spend time together, their walls begin to come down and certain truths begin to come to light. Reed realizes that Abbie's not the harpy he's made her out to be in his head. Abbie realizes that a lot of her notions about Reed were rooted in lies and twisted truths. In other words, neither of them have a real reason to hate the other, just a whole lot of baggage they need to work through in order to be the happiest, healthiest versions of themselves.
A snow storm, extremely complicated family dynamics (on both ends), good food, long nights, a man who finds home in a prickly woman with a sharp tongue, and a lady who has to make some hard decisions to protect her own mental health. Fortunately, Abbie finds out she has Reed to lean on when things get tough. And Reed is lucky enough to figure out that all Abbie's prickles hide a bruised heart. MAN, I liked this one.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But first! First, Abbie and Reed have to snarl and scowl at one another as they settle into their extremely unexpected co-habitation. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, since they were forced to face some of their old prejudices against one another), a snow storm and Reed's head injury leaves them no choice but to make the best of a bad situation.
Except...it's not all bad. As they spend time together, their walls begin to come down and certain truths begin to come to light. Reed realizes that Abbie's not the harpy he's made her out to be in his head. Abbie realizes that a lot of her notions about Reed were rooted in lies and twisted truths. In other words, neither of them have a real reason to hate the other, just a whole lot of baggage they need to work through in order to be the happiest, healthiest versions of themselves.
A snow storm, extremely complicated family dynamics (on both ends), good food, long nights, a man who finds home in a prickly woman with a sharp tongue, and a lady who has to make some hard decisions to protect her own mental health. Fortunately, Abbie finds out she has Reed to lean on when things get tough. And Reed is lucky enough to figure out that all Abbie's prickles hide a bruised heart. MAN, I liked this one.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 19, 2025
4.5 stars. Why am I reading a Christmas book in the middle of January? I saw a friend reading it and it looked good. I didn’t even read the blurb, just saw the cover had a cozy cabin in the snow and the title is one of my favorite tropes. It’s freezing here at the moment, so I wanted a snowy read. Plus it’s a novella, and I like to squeeze in something short when I’ve been drowning in longer books.
This was wonderful. Reminded me of that animated Christmas movie Klaus, but so much better. Love the writing, so I’ll be picking up another Kati Wilde book for sure. Honestly I rounded up to 5 stars because the writing and characters are perfection, even though I think the pacing wasn’t fantastic. It was sometimes too slow for my liking, and some stuff could have been skipped, but in the end, I don’t think it matters. This is my kind of book, and I highlighted a lot. Certain aspects resonate with me so intensely. I really enjoyed this book. Even the epilogue!
Side note: The dedication is so funny. Slash sad.
This was wonderful. Reminded me of that animated Christmas movie Klaus, but so much better. Love the writing, so I’ll be picking up another Kati Wilde book for sure. Honestly I rounded up to 5 stars because the writing and characters are perfection, even though I think the pacing wasn’t fantastic. It was sometimes too slow for my liking, and some stuff could have been skipped, but in the end, I don’t think it matters. This is my kind of book, and I highlighted a lot. Certain aspects resonate with me so intensely. I really enjoyed this book. Even the epilogue!
Side note: The dedication is so funny. Slash sad.
January 24, 2025
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times; Kati Wilde is one of the most underrated romance authors.
She always, ALWAYS, delivers MCs with complex lives and emotions, and unravels them in such a short amount of pages. While they often start out as enemies, the ways they butt heads tend to collide into therapeutic understanding, and release. Which leads into incredible sexual release. Like, top shelf stuff going on. It never feels like smut for the sake of smut. It’s truly part of the progression of who they are as characters, and what they learn about themselves, together.
This book is different, though, than anything else I’ve read of hers. This one felt deeply personal. Like, she was leaving pieces of herself all over the book, and it’s beautiful the way it intertwines with the characters. I genuinely wish I could give this more than five stars.
*All of that aside, you should definitely read the trigger warning she provides at the beginning of the book, particularly if you’ve got any tumultuous relationships with a family member.
She always, ALWAYS, delivers MCs with complex lives and emotions, and unravels them in such a short amount of pages. While they often start out as enemies, the ways they butt heads tend to collide into therapeutic understanding, and release. Which leads into incredible sexual release. Like, top shelf stuff going on. It never feels like smut for the sake of smut. It’s truly part of the progression of who they are as characters, and what they learn about themselves, together.
This book is different, though, than anything else I’ve read of hers. This one felt deeply personal. Like, she was leaving pieces of herself all over the book, and it’s beautiful the way it intertwines with the characters. I genuinely wish I could give this more than five stars.
*All of that aside, you should definitely read the trigger warning she provides at the beginning of the book, particularly if you’ve got any tumultuous relationships with a family member.
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