Say It Isn't Snow: A Best Friend's Brother Holiday Romance

by Veronica Eden

Coming Soon

A best friend's brother, snowed in, holiday hockey romance.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Second Chance, Holiday, Forced Proximity, Sports Romance, Hockey

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

About the author

Veronica Eden is a USA Today and International bestselling author of romances with spitfire heroines, irresistible heroes, and edgy twists.

She loves exploring complicated feelings, magical worlds, epic adventures, and the bond of characters that embrace us against the world. She has always been drawn to gruff bad boys, clever villains, and the twisty-turns of a morally gray character. She is a sucker for a deliciously swoony hero with a devastating smirk. When not writing, she can be found soaking up sunshine at the beach, snuggling in a pile with her untamed pack of animals (her husband, dog and cats), and surrounding herself with as many plants as she can get her hands on.

Keep up with Veronica:
Newsletter Sign up ➜ bit.ly/venewsletter
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Website ➜ bit.ly/veronicaeden
Amazon ➜ amazon.com/author/veronicaeden
Facebook ➜ facebook.com/veronicaedenauthor
TikTok ➜ tiktok.com/@veronicaedenbooks

Reviews

[Jessica]

4.5 stars

This was such a cute snowed in, second chance romance! And the yearning!?! Loved. The hero and heroine had a fling when they were 19, but the hero left to chase his professional hockey dreams, and they've spent 7 years pining for each other. The heroine is supposed to spend the weekend at her best friend's cabin, but she shows up and her her best friend's brother, who she had that fling with, needs a reprieve after he got let go from his team and shows up there as well. They get snowed in and can't resist each other. She owns a bakery and does some baking while they're snowed in. And it was so cute!! Definitely gave me all of the snowed in Christmas vibes I wanted, and I loved how he never got over her!

[Jen ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐ for the pink on the cover and the fact that Caleb was celibate during the separation! 🤣 I'm such a sucker for second-chance romance where the "It's always been you" trope is done right. 🤭

But then this is a novella, so everything moved quite fast; there's no angst or anything at all. The pushing away didn't last long, and it was very obvious that even after seven years, they were still very much in love with each other. 🤷‍♀️

Anyway, it wasn't bad; I just wasn't invested in the story. Like I said, things really picked up way too quickly, and I barely had the time to even digest them. The quick pace kind of pulled me out of the story a few times, which is probably why I wasn't as into it as I hoped to be.

But overall, if readers want a short and quick read to pass some time, they could probably give this a try. 😄


Book info:
- Second-chance romance (7 yrs)
- Hockey player x Baker
- It's always been you
- Novella
- Bisexual FMC
- No cheating, OW/OM, separation
- Celibate MMC
- HFN (in a relationship)
- Bonus ep (engaged)


Notes:
〰️ The breakup. They had a summer fling and secret relationship. Holly (19 then) overheard Caleb (20 then) while he was on a call with his coach telling him he wasn't seeing anyone—when in reality, she was literally naked on his bed, and that his sole focus was hockey. But this is a half-truth; he meant the latter part but lied about the former just to appease his coach. So Holly decided to end things instead. He chased after her for a little while, though I'm not exactly sure how long that was. But he eventually gave up when Holly started ignoring his calls and texts. As he was also invested in his career, he thought it was more important, so he let her go instead. Tbh, I really can't blame them for their decisions since they were both young and still had some growing up to do.
〰️ Celibacy. Caleb was celibate during the years they were separated, but Holly wasn't. After their breakup, she had a girlfriend. Not sure how long this lasted, but after her, she never had relationships again. Over the years she did go on dates but said it never developed into something more.

[TTP · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Second chance
- Best friends brother
- H celibate during 7 years seperation
- Hockey player // baker

They had one summer when they fell for each other, but she overhears him on the phone with his agent that he’s not seeing anyone and that all his focus is on hockey. h is then naked in his bed, and is hurt. So she leaves and don’t answer his calls or text.

7 years later they are both stuck in the same cabin, and they work things out. Such a cute read!

Safety:
- No info about their life before they hooked up that summer, but neither are V, but don’t get the feeling anyone was whoring around either
- H celibate during 7 years seperation, only fantasied of h
- h tried dating, had one girlfriend. She’s bi. But it didn’t work out.
- No owd or omd

[Cassandra 🍁☕️📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for second chances. Caleb was everything in this book. Caleb and his hand waited seven years for Holly! SEVEN years!!!! I wish us readers didn’t get jipped on the wedding proposal in the epilogue.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Say It Isn’t Snow is a best friend’s brother, hockey player x bakery owner, forced proximity, snowed in, only one hot tub, the one that got away, holiday romance!

This was cute. Holly has a bakery she owns and is about to head out of town to spend time with her best friend, but she gets snowed in at the cabin waiting and her friend never makes it…but her best friend’s brother Caleb shows up! Caleb and Holly have been in one another’s lives for years, they snuck around together a few times in the past and both have feelings about one another still. Caleb recently got fired from the hockey team he played for and is needing some time away when he gets snowed in at his family’s cabin. He sees it as the perfect time to win back Holly!

This was a quick read, on the shorter side so things get going pretty quickly. I’ve read a ton of holiday romances and a bunch from this author, while this wasn’t a new favorite, it was fun enough especially if you like forced proximity/snowed in!

[isu ✮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

★ 3.75 | ❛ How will I survive being snowed in with him if the little things are testing my resolve? ❜

[casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect short & sweet winter/holiday book you need to read this season! 💗

🏒 best friend’s brother
🧁 hockey player x baker
💕 second chance
❄️ forced proximity

This book encapsulated everything I love about holiday romances! It had delicious baked goods, being snowed in at a cabin, and a hot man who yearns — like what’s not to love 🤩

I adored Holly & Caleb and watching their second chance story unfold. The yearning between these two was just so good, especially on Caleb’s end! And as an eldest daughter, I related so deeply to Holly. Seeing Caleb dote on her and attend to her every need without even being asked truly healed something in me! I will always be a fan of an acts of service man who cares for an eldest daughter like it’s his dream job 🥲

All in all, this is a new favorite from Veronica for me! If you just want to feel all the winter vibes and ease into the holiday season with a smile, I couldn’t recommend this one enough 🫶🏼

Thank you so much to Veronica Eden & her team for an ARC of this book! 🎁

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

4.25! this was the perfect winter/holiday sweet treat of a read!! & i will always be weak for a fictional man who cares for an eldest daughter like it's his dream job :,)

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Say It Isn’t Snow is a spicy holiday novella. For the most part, I found this book to be a good seasonal escape. It’s a snowed in/forced proximity romance and the two main characters have history. The author certainly nails the snowed in aspect, but I was a bit perplexed that there wasn’t much angst considering their history. However, it IS a novella so I guess I can’t expect the entire book to be filled with angst. Next, the plot is very predictable. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but on top of the characters being a bit one dimensional it took away from the story for me. Finally, Holly (the FMC) got on my nerves a lot. I think it was her personality that I didn’t care about. Caleb was great though and I enjoyed his storyline.

Overall, this was a 3-star read for me. It’s an easy read that’s great for the season but it didn’t wow me like some of the other books I’ve been reading lately.

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Christmas Romances
❥ Second Chances
❥ Forced Proximity/Snowed In
❥ Best Friend’s Brother
❥ Hockey Player/Bakery Owner

[Amity Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

4.5 stars!!

This was a cozy, cute, but steamy holiday novella! Holly is a bakery owner & the one who got away. Caleb is a NFL hockey player & her ex from 7 years ago. He’s back in town & now they are forced together & snowed in at his family’s cabin! What a great read. Always been you, forced proximity, best friends brother, and a snowy Christmas vibe, I was loving it all!

The chemistry with Caleb & Holly was so good. Holly is the eldest sibling & never wants to be a burden to anyone. The way Caleb was there for her & always knew exactly what she needed and wanted to take things off her plate, just had my heart melting. This one had me laughing, swooning, and blushing!! A perfect little holiday read for the Christmas season!

Thank you Veronica Eden for this early opportunity!!

[Jess • bestiebookshelf_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was so cute! 3.5 ⭐️ from me. Such a great holiday read, sweet and swoony with plenty of heat!

The eldest daughter/ can’t let go of control vibes had me in my feels! I loved that the FMC was plus size but she totally owned it, was confident and the MMC worshipped the heck out of her!

Hope this book leads into a new NHL series for Veronica!

Read if you like;
- holiday novella
- best friends older brother
- second chance
- snowed in
- hockey player x baker

[er · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐

Say it isn't snow is cute holiday romance that follows Holly, a bakery owner, and her brother's best friend, Caleb. The two of them have history from when they were in college and have spent the past 7 years not speaking to each other. But when fate forces them together they can't resist the chemistry between them and thing inevitably change.

This was a very cute and fun read, it's not too long so I'd say this is the perfect read for a rainy (or even snowy, if you're lucky like that) evening spent curled up on the sofa. The chemistry between the two main characters is palpable, and I honestly loved seeing Caleb work in every way to get closer to Holly again. The only thing I would've changed is the mentions of their history, I would have loved to see proper flashbacks instead of just little mentions. Everything else was nice, all the mentions of cookies and sweets and desserts left me wanting to go raid a bakery and buy every sweat treat existent lol.

Tropes:
Holiday romance
Forced proximity
Snowed in
Brother's best friend
Bakery owner x Hockey player

[Heather Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute and short book! I love those!
This is my first time reading this author. The blurb and tropes drew me in and I was excited to read it!

I really loved the tropes but I just didn't connect with the main characters or the story itself. I loved the idea of being snowed in with her best friend's brother who used to be an ex but that's about it.

I thought some of the dialogue was cringey and I did not like the nickname Caleb had for Holly, which was "Sugar".

[Ajla Obic · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Sugar, spice & everything nice! This was such a cozy & cute novella that was also surprisingly so steamy! As the eldest daughter, this novella had me feeling miserable because what do you mean I can’t have my own Mr “let me take care of you” ?!🤧 I loved how low-drama this was, which made for an easy, fast-paced read. Holly was sweet, easygoing & bubbly, but I admired her sassy & take-no-bs attitude when it came to Caleb. Caleb is an eldest daughters dream partner. He is observant, loyal, obsessed, does things without being asked, & his name probably sits under the word “yearner” in the dictionary. Caleb would quite literally crawl on his knees & beg & pleade for Holly to give him even an ounce of affection, & I think that is so hot🤭 I loved their tension, chemistry, & banter, & both their tender and steamy moments.

Thank you to Veronica for this arc🩷

[Lynn_G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bakery owner Holly is spending a wintry getaway at her bestie’s family’s cabin in rural Vermont when the one who got away seven years before comes crashing back into her life.

Newly released from his current team, hockey player Caleb is hoping to spend some time in solitude while he sorts out the next phase of his life, but he gets instead a second chance with the one woman he never stopped wanting and thinking about.

This was a sweet, slightly spicy second chance novella, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I received an advance reader copy from bookfunnel, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[Silvia Andrito · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 45%

This wasn’t doing it for me. Not much happening between the two main characters other than a lot of lusting. So in a way it is insta love. Their previous “relationship” didn’t work out due to miscommunication and misunderstandings, which would have been easily solved by having a conversation. But instead they just went their own ways and the other remained the one that got away.

Also, maybe this is just me, but why did the author make the FL have a past relationship (the only one mentioned so far) be a gay relationship. It really annoys me when authors do this, because it feels like pandering? Or like casting a big net to attract more demographics? Idk, it just feels icky because in no way shape or form does the author take the time to develop this past relationship which then could have brought depth to the FL character, or created some conflict. Instead it just felt like the author was checking off boxes in order to get as much “representation” so people would buy her book. So like I said, maybe it’s just me, but it really annoyed me and put me off.

[Kelsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing! This was such a cute, cozy, sweet romance that is so perfect for the start of the holiday season! I adored Holly and Caleb from page one, truly they were such perfect characters individually and together! And the romance was just perfect, it was sweet, and hilarious, much like a friends to lovers romance where the chemistry is already there and the romance was just waiting to bloom! Truly I could go on and on about this book, but I will say that Say it isn’t Snow is a book I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a read that is full of heart, amazing characters, swoon-worthy romance, a hilarious goose, some Christmas shenanigans, a sprinkle of spice and a beautiful happily ever after!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you reach out or not, I’ll catch you.
~
I’ve never met a Veronica Eden book that give me all the warm and snuggly feels, and Say It Isn’t Snow was no different! This was a short, sweet, and spicy holiday novella full of baked goods and hockey forearms and I loved every second of it! Being snowed in at a cabin was definitely done the right way with Caleb and Holly and I wanted to climb into my own little snowglobe haven of sweet treats, hot tubs, and snowy fun. And my own Greta!! We love Greta, total stan! This was the perfect start to the holiday season and I highly recommend it!

[Booked on Lattes · Rating 4 out of 5]

POV: Dual
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

I love a snowed in Christmas book and this one included a hot tub, a goose, and a hockey player so I’m here for all of it!

I’m not much of a second chance enthusiast, but since it didn’t get into too much detail of Holly and Caleb’s past and focused more on them in the present, I was okay with the second chance aspect.

These two are so cute together and the way Caleb pines for her and then takes care of her is just the sweetest 🥹 Their story is light and drama free which is exactly what I want in a holiday romance.

[cori (ෆ˙ᵕ˙ෆ)♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute!! Quick, cutie read for the winter time.

Holly is a sweet MFC. She has pink hair! And I used to have pink hair. Holly is obviously a baddie.

Caleb is a dream guy. He yearned for her for years!? He’s so perfect, but so perfect that I can’t imagine a man like him actually exists in this world.

The spice was good! Not too crazy, and not many spicy scenes, since the book is short. But enjoyable nonetheless.

I loved the characters, the romance, the spice! Enjoyed it all.

[Romancewitham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say It Isn't Snow (ARC review)

Thank you to Veronica Eden for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Holly and Caleb were the sweetest! The whole book was so beautiful! Holly was such a sweetheart. I loved how she escaped to finally catch a break from her demanding job and she enjoyed herself. In a way she found what she truly was missing. Caleb was everything I needed him to be. That man was perfect! The way he loved and admired Holly meant the world to me. Their moments together were so sweet and special. They had this incredible chemistry and to be honest this book being a holiday romance was just perfect! The epilogue was everything I needed to be!

Book by: Veronica Eden
Tropes:
• Second chance
• Small town romance
• Holiday romance
• Sports romance
• Best friend's brother
• Dislike to love

My rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice level: 1,5/5 🔥

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This such a lovely, cosy, festive romance. I love the way Veronica writes that angsty pining, and this book had some of my favourite tropes as well!

if you like
best friend's brother
it was always you
second chance
secret fling
eldest daughter x caretaker

This book will be right up your street! be warned, it hits hard with the eldest daughter struggling to ask for help, with the caretaker MMC who wants to treat her like a queen and anticipate all her needs to be prepared for that to hit you right in your generational trauma! In the best way 😂

[Ashley’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay okay, this book has everything I could possibly want in a holiday romance!

5⭐️

I read this book in one sitting and I am so happy I did! It 100% got me in the holiday mood and let me tell you I have been craving holiday sweets since I finished this!

🍪 Second Chance Romance
⛸️Hockey Player MMC
🍪Baker FMC
⛸️It’s Always Been You
🍪Bi-sexual mention
⛸️Best Friends Brother
🍪Forced Proximity

So imagine, you’re snowed in, in this beautiful cabin with your best friends brother that you’ve been in love with for seven years! What could possible go wrong, or right 😏

This is a short and sweet 🧁holiday novella that I am so glad I had the chance to read! Thank you to Veronica and her team for giving me an ARC of this book! I truly loved it and it’s a new favorite of mine from her! 💖

[Jamie Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I have been waiting forever for another hockey romance from veronica and this was worth the wait. okay it might not be the traditional hockey romance but it was just a good.

Holly and Caleb had a thing years ago and it ended abruptly (miscommunication) they haven't spoken since. After getting fired Caleb goes to his family's cabin to get away. Holly ends up being at the cabin waiting for her best friend, Caleb's sister, for a girls trip. After a snow storm holly and caleb end up having to hang out and talk and we all know how snowed in stories go.

this was so cute and spicy. I could not put it down. The yearning between these two!!! I had a goofy as grin reading this one. and caleb had me melting...

Overall: 5
Spice: 3

Tropes:
holiday read
snowed in
best friend's brother
hockey player x baker
second chance
forced proximity

[Alexandria G · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Yes, good boy.” Does she want me to bark? I’ll bark for her.”

That quote above literally had me giggle - Caleb was obsessed with Holly!!

This book was so sweet. I really like the snowed in with my best friend brother aspect, especially when he’s also her ex!! I enjoyed watching their interactions after not seeing one another for so long (their chemistry was also so so delicious!!)😮‍💨🫶

I definitely enjoyed this one and would recommend it for a slow build romance - with a holiday touch.

I think the reason I struggled a tad with this one was some of the wording chosen - some was pop culture references that I just didn’t vibe with (which is a me thing, nothing to do with the wonderful story)!!

[Drew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insta love Christmas. It was okay, maybe even a 3 but then the sport terminology was wrong and it makes my eye twitch. If you are going to write a hockey romance, at least refer to them as goals and not points.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

arc review - 4 stars

first holiday romance of the season, babyyyy.

if this isn't the definition of the 'it's always been you' trope, idk what is.
best friend's brother, second chance, forced proximity a la snowed in ANDDD he's a hockey player. sign 👏 me👏 up 👏

i'd highly recommend blocking out a day, making a hot choccie and bundling yourself in blankets to read this one.

[Readiculous 📚🖤👱🏼‍♀️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute novella! As it is snowing here at the moment, I was in the mood for a cozy holiday read. I loved everything about it! A second chance done right (H was celibate for 7 years, h wasn’t). H was so caring and sweet, h was fun and endearing. Loved the forced proximity and the snowy backdrop. And don’t get me started on the spice…phew!
All in all a very nice way to spend a couple hours! Just wish it were longer…

Safety:
- No OW/OM
- No cheating
- No third act break up
- Separation of 7 years (H was celibate the whole time!!)

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spicy, forced proximity, dual POV, snowed in with your ex, best friend's brother, second chance romance between Caleb, a pro hockey player and Holly, a bakery owner. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, the strong, bisexual female energy and how Holly struggles to ask for help but Caleb steps up showing her how much he loves her by caring for her in all the important little ways. For a novella it packed a big emotional punch, had me sweating (in the best way) and was a fast book to gobble up as a sweet holiday treat. Highly recommended.

[Shannai · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

I ate this upp, omgg, it was so much fun!!! 🎀❄️🧸

I love it when an FMC thinks that the MMC hates/dislikes them and it turns out that they're wrong and in fact been pining and down bad for them!! Caleb knew that Holly, the girl of his dreams slipped through his fingers, seven years ago, and when they find themselves snowned in together (because who doesn't love it when it's forced proximity!!!) he is a man DETERMINED to win back his girl!!

I absolutely loved Holly, she was so sassy, such a complete breath of fresh air; and full of that eldest daughter energy that makes you want to both hug her and tell her to please take a nap. I loved seeing how she leant on Caleb, the way he shows up for her?? 10/10 caretaking scenes. Need a foot rub? He’s got you. Hungry? He’s already in the kitchen, making something delicious. Needing your back blown out, CALEB is your mannn 😮‍💨😮‍💨

He’s the type to baby you all day, then making sure you forget how to spell your own name by midnight. Acts of service? Yeah, he’s got a few lined up for Holly!! 😏

This was the perfect cosy, snowed-in, second-chance romance that was filled with so much warmth, a heaping dash of some serious spice, and full of that soft emotional payoff that leaves you grinning like an idiot. I can’t believe this was my first Veronica Eden book, but you can bet I’ll be deep-diving her entire backlist immediately.

Thank you, thank you Veronica for the e-arc! 💖

Pre-read September 2025: this looks and sounds incredible, best friend’s brother, holiday romance and they’re snowed in together, sign me uppp!! 🤭✨

[Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭒ Rating: 4.4
🌶️ rating: 1.5 / 3

Oh, how I’ve missed Veronica Eden‘s words, specially her hockey romances. This novella hit the spot. It was my first official Christmas book this holiday season, not my first Christmas book of the year cause I read plenty in January, and I also did Christmas in July, but this novella was short, very cute and just delicious.

One thing I’m a sucker for in holiday novellas, or well in books in general, is a baker heroine. I don’t even know why, it just always slaps for me. And honestly, Holly was so cute, I related a lot to her and I just loved her style. It kind of made me want to try pink hair, which is kind of ridiculous, but it’s a fact.

The hero, oh my lord. He was obsessed!! He had been missing her for years. The way he talked about her and how she was always on his mind, sigh. It was honestly beautiful to watch them reconnect, and watching him treat her oh-so-right. As soon as he realized the situation they were in, he put a plan into work. He knew she was meant for him and worked to prove that to her, and boy, did he!

I loved them together. I loved the way they found their way back to each other, and they were just like so cute together. He was literally perfect for her, and he really showed her how much he cared. He knew exactly what she needed, even before she did, and it was beautiful to watch how deep he understood her. They really were meant to be all along.

⭒ ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
 
𝜗𝜚 Tropes: best friend’s brother, second chance, snowed in, holiday romance, hockey romance, he’s obsessed
 
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