A Snowstorm & A Stonehorn: A Cozy Monster Romance

Evershift Haven #4

by Aurelia Skye, Kit Tunstall

I, Fiona MacLean, am a lost soul trying to find my way—and I never expected to stumble into a magical town or into the arms of a seven-foot-tall Minotaur.
After my mother’s death, I set off on a road trip through Montana, looking for…something. I didn’t know what until a freak snowstorm caused my car to crash and led me straight to Bram Stonehorn. He’s a gentle giant with the face of a bull, the patience of a saint, and the ability to make me question everything I thought I wanted in life.

Trapped together in his cozy cabin while the blizzard rages outside, Bram teaches me survival skills, wins at chess every time, and slowly chips away at the walls I’ve built around my heart, but when the storm clears and I’m introduced to Evershift Haven—a hidden town full of magic and chaos—I have a choice to make.

Do I leave behind the enchanting world I’ve discovered and the Minotaur who’s already claimed my heart? Or do I embrace the magic, mayhem, and love that Evershift Haven has to offer?

Welcome back to Evershift Haven—a town where every season brings new magic, every holiday comes with a touch of chaos, and love stories are anything but ordinary. This fourth book in the series will warm your heart like a crackling fire, with enough heat to melt even the coldest snowstorm.

Genres: Romance

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2025

About the author

Aurelia Skye is the pen name Kit Tunstall uses when writing science fiction romance. It’s simply a way to separate the myriad types of stories she writes so readers know what to expect with each “author.”

For just the science fiction romances, join Aurelia's Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/byIP7P

Reviews

[TaylorReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. A short novella with not much substance in any department.

[Helena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok, it's super fluffy and sugary sweet, but it doesn't have much depth or substance. There is a decent smut scene but it's really short and I didn't really have time to connect with or ship the characters. It seems like the heroine goes from terrified to in love and she wasn't even mad that the storm was intentional?! We don't really get a sense for bram as a character at all and it was hard to get what they even had in common / there didn't seem to be much connection on her end)

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about rose colored glasses.., everything in Evershift Haven is so sweet it will make your teeth ache. But who doesn’t like a man who has aspects of a bull (wink, wink) and is good with his hands.

[Maari · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent enough read. It's part of this magical town series. Quite much insta, and as improbable fairy tale as it gets.
CW: car crash
Bram seems to be very mellow and nice.
Fiona is in a psychological crisis after her mother's death and escapes her grief by taking on some kind of a road trip. After her car crash on the road in a snow storm which is the key turn of events in the book, she is carried to a magical town by Bram who offers her shelter from the storm and heals her back to health. It takes a week for the storm winds to quiet and by that time, these two are in love.
Now, Fiona exhibited overly dependant traits already before. In her grief, she seemed over-identified and enmeshed with her deseased parental figure. After her visit to the magical town where not a single soul does not seem to have strong/healthy boundaries, either and some residents are in fact Fiona's old college acquiantances, she seems to cling on to this new identity of belonging to this town.
I'm not sure that's the healthiest way forward for her, as she isn't taking time off but falls head first to this half-minotaur who teaches her life skills as almost to a child. Bram is her substitute parental figure now but she sleeps with him. So, interesting connotations there. Fiona effectively crisis-dives to her next escapist destination which just happens to be this magical town. Will she really find herself this way?
Also, Bram's extra imposing mother figure has decided that she likes Fiona... for now. The fact that Fiona doesn't appear to be concerned in the slightest that things might change and she does not want to be on the bad side of that dominating woman to whose will Bram resigns himself, well.. the thought should make our female main character pause but it clearly doesn't. Instead, she goes on with the flow because everyone's super manic about making her stay there, there's a group hug and they held not one but in fact two parties for her in just a matter of days.
Sugary sweet tale with some eerily culty undertones, this. Makes one ponder, how does one even become ex-citizen. Mind magic spells were mentioned before as a 'last resort' by Bram, I wonder how does that work in practice and which type of restraints would be used (and by whom) on the person who wants a way out of that euphoric place where our main character was trapped by force.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona is driving through MONTANA pushing herself to the next town. It's a clear star filled night then suddenly it turns deadly. Whiteout!!! She loses control of her car and hits her head. When awakes she grabs her duffle and leaves the car before it decides to catch fire. She starts walking. At one point she feels a hum in her body like an unseen energy shock.
Shortly thereafter she hears footsteps and calls out. A huge figure appears before her and catches her as she passes out.
Bram takes her to his cabin. When she wakes he gives her a tea. She asks him why he was out in the storm. He tells her Grizelda told him to look for her. Then she takes his scarf off. He tries to explain to her about pockets of magic and universes and creatures like him. They find a like for chess and play. As they play he tells her about the town and the people. The next day he
sets out to teach her how to survive. But as the days pass she comes to see a gentle and loving side to him. She feels conflicted. She still grieves her mother's death just three months ago. But she also remembers her mother's last words about finding happiness and someone who will take good care of her. When the snow stops they head into Evershift Haven. She meets Grizelda and then friends from college show up to welcome her. She is totally shocked. She catches up with her friends and how they got to the town. She meets up with Bram who takes her to his workdshop. Then she meets his mother. A party bis planned for the next day. Fiona now has to decide whether to stay or leave. Will she make the right decision?
A beautiful love story that keeps the heart pumping!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up

This might be my favorite installment in the series so far (and it was also my first Minotaur romance). A Snowstorm & a Stonehorn really shines in its cozy, snowed-in beginning, with just Fiona and Bram tucked away in his cabin after he rescues her. Watching their attraction slowly build while they’re trapped together was incredibly sweet, especially as Bram gently supports Fiona as she navigates her grief after her mother’s death.

I loved that their relationship had space to grow without the added chaos of the town at first. The forced proximity, survival lessons, chess games, and quiet moments made their connection feel natural and earned. There’s a small bit of open-door spice that fits the cozy vibes nicely without overpowering the story.

Once the storm clears and Evershift Haven comes into play, things move quickly with Fiona meeting all the town's characters and deciding to stay. Still, this was a warm, comforting novella with found family energy, monster romance charm, and just enough magic to keep things interesting.

[M]

Seems like a prerequisite for the female leads in this series to be kind of stupid. At least in this one I made it to 28%. After her initial bout of stupidity (she wandered into unfamiliar woods in a frickin blizzard) passed it was pretty boring. Even her reaction to finding out about the magical town and that her savior is a Minotaur is boring. Also Fiona mentions her mom about 60 times in this book. This book is only 96 pages long. So roughly every other page the reader is reminded that her mother is dead. I only made it 29 pages in and I was completely over it, so I decided to stop reading and return the book to Kindle Unlimited. I probably won't try another one in this series.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona was lost in her grief after the passing of her mother. She was taking a road trip trying to find herself when a sudden snow storm causes her to crash. Bram the town's Minotaur has been tasked with finding Fiona and bring her to safety. Being snowed in together gives them the opportunity to open up and get to know each other. I enjoyed the story it was really short but pleasurable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the Best Comes From a Snowstorm

She was saved by him and he taught her how to be self reliant. He also introduced her to the town and its wonderfully, magical people. Imagine her surprise she she found her college room mate and other friends there. Because of the warm welcome she received , she realized you can be happy and handle grief at the same time and also get your HEA. I know it's only a book, but I would like to find a town like "Evershift Haven".

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute story

Fiona,s car his a tree during a freak blizzard where she is rescued by Bram. Bram is a minotaur and she has never seen anything like him before. Her fear eventually changes to friendship and then attraction. I enjoyed the story. It was slightly spicy and really sweet, no real drama.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After losing her mother, Fiona is adrift, hoping a road trip will help her find purpose. One freak snowstorm and a car crash later, Fiona finds herself in trouble. Fortunately, Bram is there to rescue her. This story is slow-burn and sweet, but when these two turn on the heat it gets spicy. I loved the welcome party - that sounded like ‘snow’ much fun! A great read.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story centers on the main characters and their deepening bond before the introduction of the enchanting town.

The female main character is in mourning, and she finds solace and a sense of belonging in the embrace of her minotaur and the magical place known as Evershift Haven.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pamela Reyes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shifter haven

I tried to read this book but a couple of the pages were blank page 4 the blurb and the first page of chapter 1

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a magical storm

It’s rather dramatic introduction to Evershift Haven for Fiona.
Love heals and binds their hearts.
The town is so welcoming

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.8
Missing something
Too short

[Victória · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non virgins
Hfn

[Stephanie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute and cozy comfort read! Just what I needed.