Cabin Fever: New year...New Resolutions...New Lines Crossed

by Colton Drake, Virginia Sabala (Editor), Lustfire

Three best friends. One snowed-in cabin. Zero chance of keeping their hands—or hearts—to themselves.

Freshly divorced and emotionally unraveling, Connor Maddox is done pretending he’s fine. He needs a break—from his small town, the heartbreak, and the haunting silence of his empty bed. His yearly trip to Wildfern Lake Cabin with his two best friends has always been a tradition. But this year? It might be the only thing holding him together.

Dawson Hale is steady, quiet, and hopelessly in love with the two men who’ve never seen him the way he sees them. He’s always been the one to listen, to comfort, to carry the weight—but this year, when the chance presents itself, he’s ready to take a risk, even if it means risking everything.

Aiden Calloway is loud, loyal, and hiding a secret of his own. The golden boy with a laugh that melts snow and a body built for sin, Aiden’s starting to realize the looks he’s giving his best friends aren’t just friendly—and they haven’t been for a while. Every year, they return to the cabin to drink, reminisce, and ring in the New Year with tequila shots, whiskey, old games, and familiar comforts. But this time, the fire burns hotter, the silences last longer, and the air crackles with more than just winter.

As the snow traps them in, truths unravel, touches linger, and their tradition becomes something far more intimate.

Genres: M M M, Contemporary Romance, LGBT, Romance

417 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2025

About the author

Colton Drake writes M/M romance with heat, heart, and enough emotional chaos to keep readers up way past their bedtime. Known for crafting bold, character-driven stories packed with grit, longing, and unapologetic passion—thriving in the space where desire gets messy and love refuses to behave. He's a firm believer that romance should be intense, inclusive, and a little dangerous, building worlds where queer men get the spotlight they deserve—raw, vulnerable, and completely unforgettable. His books are fueled by too much caffeine, not enough sleep, and an obsession with complex men who fall hard, kiss harder, and never take the easy way out.

Currently he resides in the U.S. with his partner and four pups.

Reviews

[Nick Gordon-Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely everything and I fully mean EVERYTHING. This is hands down my favorite MM (I guess MMM) romance that I’ve ever read. A perfect mix of emotion, humor and spice. Connor, Aiden and Dawson all brought something unique to this story and we’re all relatable in their own ways. I really appreciate how the author broached the subject of the throuple aspect of the novel, and also how he dealt with the realization of being attracted to the same sex later in life. Dawson was a top tier character as well, I adore him. Now…I just need a sequel. Extremely well written, exceptional from cover to cover.

[Michael T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Colton Drake, and it didn’t disappoint. In fact it blew the top off my expectations! From the cover art, which is super steamy, to the very intricate characters, filled with inner struggles, past pains, and hopes and dreams for a future filled with happiness and love, this book delivered. Just the premise of 3 hot men in a cabin in a snowstorm drew me to it, but the multi-angled storyline, the angst, which drove me a little crazy at times (in a good way), and the spice level was just perfect. I truly enjoyed this and can’t wait to see what Colton comes out with in 2026.
Thank you, Colton, for giving me the honor of reading this ARC. And thanks to your team, including Greyson Blackwood who suggested I read this. He hasn’t steered me wrong yet! It was fantastic!

[Mother Of Dragons 86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 3.75 | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Cabin Fever by Colton Drake drops you into a wintry tangle of emotions, unresolved tension, and three men who have absolutely no business pretending they’re “just best friends” anymore. The setup is irresistible: one divorced and unraveling Connor, one quiet and long suffering Dawson, and one golden hearted Aiden who’s been lying to himself for far too long. Add one snowed in cabin, a tradition built on comfort, and enough unspoken longing to fog every window in the place.

The story definitely leans into its emotional heaviness. At times it felt a bit too wordy, and the misunderstandings between the guys dragged longer than they needed to, especially with two of them still circling around their sexuality like it’s ice on the cabin porch. But when the chemistry hits, it hits. The slow reveals, the vulnerability, the hesitant touches turning into something more… the emotional clarity is where the book shines.

The connection between the trio is believable, magnetic, and hot enough to melt the snow straight off the roof. Once the walls finally crack, the intimacy feels earned. Messy, yes. Complicated, absolutely. But real.

If you want a winter romance with heavy tension, heartfelt confessions, and a trio learning how to choose each other in every sense, Cabin Fever delivers a cozy, spicy escape.



Tropes
💘 Friends to Lovers
🍷 Slow Burn
❤️‍🔥 Love Triange
❤️‍🩹 Unrequited Love
🏠 Forced Proximity

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5☆
🅢🅟🅘🅒🅔:🌶🌶🌶
🅛🅐🅤🅖🅗🅢:🤣🤣
🅣🅔🅐🅡🅢:🥲🥲
🅜🅒🅢: Connor, Aiden, Dawson
🅟🅞🅥: 1st Person
🅣🅡🅞🅟🅔🅢: Double Bi-awakening, MMM, Best Friends to Lovers

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta- this was such a good read!! Connor, Aiden, dawson have such a great chemistry together and the way the story was built was truly so beautiful! It had great flow and amazing character development. The forced proximity due to the blizzard really helped build the story in the best way and created a really great setting to build the relationship! Definitely worth the read 10/10 recommend!!!

[Jurnee Mccarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS AMAZING. Review to come soon 😉

[Taylor Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg… The spice. The tension. The chemistry between the three of these characters was palpable.
The lack of communication between the characters left me reeling and uncertain for them at times, But it built up to a spicy, tension filled payoff. 🔥

I loved the way each character had a compelling and engaging backstory that blended into the present at times.

Definitely a 5⭐️ read, and encourage anyone who enjoys MM romance (MMM in this case 🤭) to check this one out!

[Jarrod Murrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’ve got a white out in more ways than one if you know what I mean 😉😉

What starts as a traditional new years trip for three friends quickly becomes a crash course in admitting feelings and coming face to face with truths that have been hidden and buried for years. All amongst the backdrop of a blizzard that traps the boys in.

The premise sounds fun, and in reality was.But where this book really shone for me were the steamy scenes. The bi-awakening scenes. The scenes of exploration. The scene where Connor and Aiden are chopping wood (not a euphemism, but yeah that scene was 🥵🥵).

While I normally get frustrated with miscommunication tropes, and I definitely got frustrated at times, there was something about the way that this was written that made it less frustrating than I normally would have found it? I dunno, maybe it was how it was woven with the characters realisations for how much love they had for each other, or just that it wasn’t the main trope here. Either way, it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. Well, not as much as the third act break up, that was just pure dumbness by the characters rather than a flaw in Drake’s writing 😂

Cabin Fever is out December 13 and would make a steamy stocking stuffer for all 😜

[dj&books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so messy in the best fucking way! 3 best friends get stuck in a blizzard on their annual cabin trip where secrets and feelings start to pop up making it one hell of a ride that had me going crazy and absolutely hooked! Cabin Fever is fast, fun and deliciously spicy! The tension and build up was soo good and hot but also at times frustrating cause you just wanted to slap them all at points cause the communication was horrible! But when everything starts poppin off it’s SOO FUCK HOT!! The spice in this is absolutely delicious and had drooling, kicking and screaming!! especially when Conor opens up that filthy mouth! I really loved this and think ALL OF YOU should add it to your TBR when it comes out on the 13TH!!

Shiiiiit I definitely need to read The Playroom after reading this! Thank you Colton Drake for the ARC it was so much fun and will read for you ANYTIME! 💜

[✭ 𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖞✭ ｡^‿^｡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cabin Fever
By: Colton Drake

I’ve waited two days to write this review, and the words just aren’t there.
I want to shout from every entrance of every book store “while you’re in there buy this book!” However, that’s not doable. So I have to figure out how to tell every person on booktok, bookstagram and goodreads, this shit was dope!
How do I say I want to live with Dawson, Aiden and Connor? How do I say I love their love? It would give everyone hope and all the feels if they would just read this book!
How do I thank Colton for giving the Unhinged Book Baddies this magnum opus of his writing? And ask him to continue giving us beautiful stories we talk about long after we finish the read.
I’ll keep thinking on it. In the meantime, please read Cabin Fever. You don’t want FOMO.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was waiting and rooting for this book and I am happy to report: It was worth the wait.

Colton Drakes writing oozes tension and longing and unspoken feelings and love. I was captivated from the get go.

I love all the little tender touches in this book. It’s like you can feel them to. They get a bit less soft as the book goes on but not less significant.

Connor, Dawson and Aiden take their time but don’t shy away from the big questions and overcome beautifullly their fear of making a mess of what is to embrace what could be.

But I just resent them taking so much time to include Dawson. Damn I feel for that one.

Also when have you ever heard of book with their own sexy title end card and credit song? You have to finish the book to find out more about it.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the chance to beta read this and this was everything I wanted it to be!

Spice level = 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Tropes:
-Forced Proximity
-Best Friends to Lovers
-Praise/Degradation
-Bi-awakenings for 2 MCs
-First times
-Teaching how to hunt

Three best friends, Connor, Dawson, and Aiden, take their annual New Years trip to Connor's family cabin in the woods. They end up snowed in and feelings Connor and Aiden have never had before start to come up. Through the forced proximity of being completely isolated, these 3 friends are forced to face their feelings and answer all the hard questions.

Will this trip bring them closer or ruin their relationships for good?

You'll find out soon enough!

[Xavier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Colton Drake, and it didn't disappoint. This was so messy in the best fucking way! Three best friends stuck a blizzard storm during their annual cabin trip, and feelings start to pop up during the time being stuck together. The spice in this is absolutely delicious and had drooling, kicking my feet in the air and had me blushing!! especially when Conor opens up his dirty and filthy mouth! You should definitely check this book out when it comes out.

[Ananas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Cabin Fever. Friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, and bi-awakening kept me completely hooked. I was waiting the whole time for them to finally get together, and when it happened, the chemistry and the sexy moments were totally worth it. Overall, it was a fun, steamy, and satisfying read that left me grinning at the end.

[Maegan Chanthaphone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. Watching old friends discover feelings they didn’t know were there, navigating proper communication in a new relationship and polyamory. I loved the pining and longing. I really devoured this book and wished it was longer to just have more of it!! Get ready to get snowed in with these three steamy men!

[antonia🫧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

they literally were in a cabin, how did they manage to hide from each other for so long??

i think connor was my favourite even though i liked the other guys as well.

they kept getting hurt and they were all a bit dramatic but i overall enjoyed the book!!

the ending was a bit unexpected with all the daddies and sirs but it was a somewhat pleasant surprise.

[nay📚 Smut_tok55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reunion at a cabin reunites three friends in different stages of life, who discover an undeniable chemistry that they cannot resist. This captivating novel is ideal for readers seeking a sensual and romantic exploration of male friendships.

[Kim Merkenhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a feel good friends to lovers christmas romance.

The miscommunication between the characters made me pull my hair. Just talk, my god.
But when they finally talked, my my the heat was heating and the spice was spicing.

[Tim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was fantastic, definitely worthwhile. its the perfect choice for a good winter read. there's definitely some parts that will warm you right up ;)

[HappilyEverReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book at it was my first MMM Romance! I love the friends to lovers trope so I knew this would be right up my alley. Dawson, Aiden, and Connor are lifelong best friends who meet up in Connor’s cabin in Montana every year for a guys trip after Christmas. This year they get snowed in by a blizzard and the simmering feelings they have had for each other start to boil over and turn into something real.

I was frustrated by the miscommunication between the three of them and the love triangle that followed for a bit. They were all on the same page about their feelings and they just needed to TALK TO EACH OTHER!! I also wished that they would have come together earlier (it wasn’t until after 80% that we get to see them all together) in the story so we could get more page time of them as a throuple. BUT- I adored their dynamic once they did get together and the epilogue was EVERYTHING!

[Zachary Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT! HOT! HOT!

[Reader1218-Jing · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ This story has a lot of potential. The strong start and the poetic writing style captivated me immediately.

Three best friends who already have feelings for each other are trapped together in a cabin by the storm.--A closed environment, beautiful memories, emotional turmoil, sensual tension, and imminent danger—this is the perfect stage for an MMM story to unfold.

The first 40%-ish develops pleasantly. But when the push and pull happens till 70%, the dragging is frustrating and doesn't make sense. Aiden and Connor talk about both of them want Dawson already, then why is the fuss and hiding when Dawson is approaching both of them? You just start fucking talking to each other! Besides, Dawson has been longing for his friends since high school, So when Connor and Aiden clearly express their feelings for him and want him, why does he still think they're using him? Why does he run out in anger? It is completely unnecessary drama.

I have a suggestion: the author's writing is really beautiful, but I truly think it would benefit from some restraint. Trying to showcase this in every sentence only adds to the reader's burden and distracts from the real emotional moments.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege to beta-beta read this book as it was developing. This is before the editor got a hold of it.

Cabin Fever is a steamy, heartfelt MMM romance that takes the classic "snowed-in at a remote cabin" trope and turns it into a sizzling exploration of friendship, self-discovery, and unexpected love. Set against the backdrop of a brutal Montana blizzard, author Colton Drake weaves a tale of three lifelong best friends, Connor, Dawson, and Aiden, who reunite for their annual New Year's tradition, only to find themselves trapped not just by the storm, but by long-buried desires that finally come to the surface. If you're a fan of slow-burn tension, polyamorous dynamics, and explicit heat, this book delivers in spades.

Overall, Cabin Fever is a feel-good escape with heart, heat, and hope. It's perfect for winter reading (or anytime you want to feel warm inside). Highly recommended for romance fans looking for a throuple that feels earned and enduring—grab a blanket, some whiskey, and dive in. You won't want to leave the cabin.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Beta Reader Review: Cabin Fever 📚

Just finished beta reading "Cabin Fever," and wow, this MM romance is a slow-burn that absolutely delivers on emotional depth and steamy tension!

What I loved:
Characters: Connor, Dawson, and Aiden are so real and complex. Their individual journeys and internal monologues had me hooked from page one. You'll feel every one of their struggles and desires.

Tension: The build-up of romantic and sexual tension between these three best friends is fucking amazing. Every subtle touch and lingering gaze just ratchets up the anticipation.

Setting: A remote cabin during a snowstorm? Perfection! It creates the ultimate cozy yet intense atmosphere, forcing our characters to confront their feelings head-on.
Emotional Rollercoaster: From Connor's divorce struggles to Dawson's hidden love and Aiden's journey of self-discovery, this book hits you right in the feels.

Dialogue: The banter and heartfelt conversations felt incredibly authentic to their long-standing friendship.

[DannyReadsThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a spicy MM romance to warm you up this holiday season, one packed with yearning, forced proximity, and a delicious love triangle dynamic, look no further. Cabin Fever by indie author Colton Drake was such a fun winter read. I found myself wanting to savor it, especially in the first quarter of the book, where Drake carefully establishes our three main characters, lifelong best friends Connor, Aiden, and Dawson. Connor is the rugged, recently divorced alpha of the group. Aiden is the blond, sexually curious, versatile jock. And then there’s Dawson, the lone openly gay man of the trio, brooding, aching, and quietly in love with his best friends.

These men are fully realized, compelling characters you can’t help but root for. Once their holiday getaway goes disastrously off the rails and they’re snowed in together, things heat up fast. What follows is a blend of sexual awakenings, raw honesty, and deeply heartfelt moments that build toward a truly satisfying ending.

Cabin Fever is the kind of gay romance that will live rent free in my head all winter long.

[Miranda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It’s about three best friends who have an annual tradition to meet at a cabin for the new year. This year something is different. A horrible snow storm forces them to confront feelings they have all secretly been hiding for one another and with the danger of the storm and tensions running high something or someone is about to crack. This book had my heart pounding with every chapter. I couldn’t tear myself away from it every night and it made me want to start reading it all over again before I was even finished. The characters are so beautifully written. Lovable, kind, sexy and the spice in this book had me gasping! Highly recommend if you’re a fan of MM romance.

[Tara Arriola · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Unhinged Baddies Book Club ARC Review**
I received this book as an ARC by being part of the Unhinged Baddies Book Club. Thank you, Colton Drake, for allowing us to read your work.

When three friends find their way back to the cabin for an annual holiday trip...things don't go the way they always do. Everyone comes with their own secrets and Mother Nature has some secrets of her own.

Snowed in during the worst blizzard the area has ever seen there is nothing more to do than tell your best friends everything and hope it works out.

This story was heart warming and loving. The angst was palpable. The spicy scenes were incredible. I will happily recommend this MMM throuple to anyone.

[A reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly, pretty wholesome and sweet for an MMM read! More than just smut (the 🌶️ is def there though 😝), friends to lovers that reads really authentic and sincere. These guys are messy, slightly confused but fully devoted green flags. The tension and desire were so intense, practically palpable 🥵 Love the cozy Montana cabin vibes too.

"Three. My lungs squeeze tight. Two. One. Their lips find me at the same time." 🫠🥹

[Tori OGuin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave this book 3 stars simply for the length. There was a lot of fluff which is okay just not what I was expecting. The plot was great, the spice wonderful. Wish there would have been more mmm and showing the connection between the 3 grow together. Overall a great book and can’t wait to read more by the author.

[Dark Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was fine and a little frustrating 😕