A Kiss of Winter: A Dark Fantasy Romance

by Joline Pearce

A DARK FANTASY ROMANCE RETELLING OF THE SNOW QUEENMy fate was sealed the day I met a prince while planting roses in my grandmother’s window box. I didn’t know, then, what the boy’s friendship would cost me—only that he and I were inseparable from that day forth.

I ignored the whispers that a scullery maid could never truly be friends with a prince. They were right. As we grew older, Kai became my one and only love, for better or worse.

But on his Ascension Day, a bitter wind cuts through our land of eternal summer, and a wicked fae witch steals him away. His body remains, but his soul is lost to her cold cruelty.

No human can stand against The Snow Queen. But I will follow her to the ends of the earth to bring Kai back—even if it costs me my own life.

A Kiss of Winter is a dark fantasy romance retelling of The Snow Queen. This friends-to-lovers dark romance fairy tale is intended for mature audiences. Preorder now.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Dark

142 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[Stacy Ziems · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and naughty fairytale retelling. I enjoyed it, very much. It was definitely spicy and there is a warning at the front of the book.

[WhiskeredInquisition · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up as a light, quick read between heavier books, and on that front, it does what it says on the tin. It’s short, whimsical, and easy enough to get through. However; there’s something important I really wish I’d known before starting.

Right in the introduction, we’re told the FMC is 16 years old (almost 17… which, let’s be honest, doesn’t make that much difference) and the MMC is 18. For a spicy adult romance, that was an immediate red flag moment for me. I kept reading, hoping for a time jump and while there is one, it’s only a year forward at first. Unfortunately, before that jump, there are several sexually themed descriptions involving the FMC while she’s still 16, and I found that extremely uncomfortable.

Later in the story, it jumps again and she’s suddenly 20, but by then the damage was already kind of done for me. I genuinely don’t understand how none of the existing reviews mention this, because had I known the characters would be that young at the start, I wouldn’t have picked this up at all.

As for the writing itself: it’s very light on description, basic details like hair and eye colour are there, but not much more. Time also moves very loosely. Weeks pass in a few sentences, and in one case, years fly by just as quickly. I can see how that fits the fairytale style whimsy the book is going for, but at times it felt rushed and a bit disorienting. I'm surprised I didn't get whiplash by the speed of some scenes.

That said, it’s not completely terrible. The writing is a little amateur and definitely rough around the edges, but it is readable. It filled the gap I needed it to fill, and with only 146 pages, I wasn’t expecting a masterpiece. There is a HEA, and there’s a continuation available if you want more of the story.

Still, reading a 16-year old’s yearning described in more detail than I was comfortable with really overshadowed the experience for me. Overall, this was an okay read but I’m mostly leaving this review so others can make an informed choice before diving in.

[Stacie Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is 3.5 stars rounded to 4. I really enjoyed the the whole story and plot. The characters were engaging an interesting. It was almost like watching a 30 minute travel show where you went on a whole adventure around the country in just a short amount of time. There was a lot packed into the short book. There was suspense, angst, love, friendship, found family, and the list goes on and on. The author did a nice job of giving a lot of adventure in a short amount of time. It was great to read and one setting.

I love best friends to lovers trope. This one was done well. Although I did find some of the story, a bit stilted. It was a bit hard to follow Kai‘s back-and-forth cruelty to understanding. I know why it was done and the necessity for it, but it was still hard to follow at times. It felt a little clunky. I also had an issue at the end with how Kai treated Gwen After she saved him. His abrupt change back to chivalry and distant respect didn’t exactly match his desire to make her his wife. I don’t understand why he couldn’t have shown some sort of affection toward her during that time. I guess the story wouldn’t have worked out the way it did if he had, but it still just felt a little strange.

Overall, I enjoyed the story wholeheartedly. I am certainly intrigued to see what happens with the Raven King.

[Mariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Kiss of Winter
by Joline Pearce

I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving my review.

A Kiss of Winter is a dark fantasy retelling of The Snow Queen, set in the frozen kingdom of Montrace. Told from Gwen’s perspective, it blends explicit romance, violence, and emotional struggle into a chilling yet passionate tale of love and transformation.

Kai, a royal suddenly thrust into power after a tragic accident claims his father and brothers, becomes a stranger to Gwen, the loyal friend and commoner who has always loved him. When he disappears with the mysterious Snow Queen, Gwen refuses to give up. Her journey to find him tests her courage, heart, and sense of self.

I loved seeing Gwen’s growth as a protagonist. She begins as a lovestruck girl but grows into someone strong and determined, even though she suffers greatly to achieve it. As a retelling of The Snow Queen, the story offers a creative twist I truly enjoyed. However, some parts felt a little rushed, and I would have liked more detail and development, though I understand this may not have been possible given the short length.

While the happy ending (HEA) is satisfying, I didn’t like how Kai treated Gwen before their reunion. Still, the premise is engaging, the writing solid, and the hint of a follow-up leaves me curious to see where the story goes next.

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually closer to 3.75 stars but goodreads doesn’t offer a partial star rating.

Something I will continue to suggest. Hopefully someday this will change.

I actually like this book, and the back story behind it.

Although we are left wondering about a side character.
Which does not appear to be addressed in the soon to be published novel in June of 2025.

A disappointment given the way this book ends.
Otherwise I would probably have given this 4 stars.

For those interested in this novella. It was written to be a part of the fractured fairytale series.
A total of 52 stories that was posted on https://www.prolificworks.com/

I do know that many of the stories will be made available elsewhere later, most likely fall of 2025.

I liked the premise of the story, and the twist on the original fairy tale of the Snow Queen.

It is listed on Amazon as being apart of the Awakened series.
Although no reading order is given, and each appears to be a stand alone thus far.
With three stories having already been published, and the one previously mentioned pending publication this June.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the chance to ARC for you dear Joline! It was an honour.

A Kiss of Winter is a snow queen retailing dark romantasy with SPICE! I so enjoyed the relationship between Kai and Gwyn. As you all know how the story goes. Boy and girl meet, become best friends, boy gets cursed girl moves the world to save him because they are the epitome of friends-to-lovers. Gwyn will do anything to have her beloved Kai back and save him from the hands of the Snow Queen.

Tropes:

Friends to lovers
Cursed royalty
Broken curses
Spice
She saves him
He saves her
Fae magic
Fae vs Humans
Fairytale retailing
HEA

[Kreela · Rating 3 out of 5]

{fairy retelling; m/f; single pov ; explicit scenes}

One of my favorite fantasy novels was Joan D Vinge’s Snow Queen. It reversed common tropes. At the time most stories seemed to have wilting princesses. The thought of rereading it now makes me shiver with how long it is, and I worry that it might lose its glow.

This story is perfect when you want to enjoy a novelette that has a modern take. The female main character is still the hero of the story. She goes on a long quest to save the prince when every other character including the prince has given up on him.

The Romance:💘
-thrill of being discovered
-she likes a dominant man
-consensual

[Ladenia27 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Kiss of Winter is amazingly packed full with an amazing plot, great romance defying all odds, spice off the charts and so satisfying I’ve picked up all of the other books from the same author!

I loved our FMC, Gwen and her unfailing love and courage for her MMC, Kai who pissed me off but in the end is really amazing and all will make sense...

Now I’m curious to know more about the villain and also some side characters so here I go to read her other books!

I feel very lucky to have been chosen to receive an advance review copy for free, I’m very thankful to the author Joline Pearce, and I am happily leaving this review voluntarily.

[Antonia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was really good but I'm not a fan of books this fast paced. So if you like a fast pace and a quick read, I def recommend this book.

Would've probably been a 5 star review for me if it would have been a bit longer and more in-depth/descriptive writing. But I guess this is just personal preference.

[Jo Fouracre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the world building the intense mystery that was spun into the book. It was full of twists and turns and there was a fair amount of narcissism in it but that was needed. An oh was there spice and I’m guessing another book!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine retelling

I am less familiar with The Snow Queen than other fairytales. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this short retelling. I enjoyed the FMC, as well as her journey for love. Worth reading.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Gwen’s character and her drive to get her best friend back. Kai’s character was typical to me in the sense that guys fall for the beautiful stranger but I’m a tool because I lost everyone. I’m glad it had a happy ending.

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story with a little bit of a dark spicy twist, that's a brand new take on the snow queen story.