I need a break, a vacation, a holiday away from the dumpster fire that is quickly becoming my life. After a disaster of a year, jet-setting off to the icy mountains of Colorado right before Christmas to see my best friend and her new baby sounds like the perfect getaway—if I even make it there.
I brave delays, rogue TSA agents, eternal layovers, rabid passengers, and turbulence from hell, only for my luggage to be stolen by some blonde lumberjack the size of Sasquatch. But, to my horror, my safe passage up the mountain lies in the hands of this leviathan goon.
But even after I arrive in my safe-haven, I can’t forget the reality that awaits me back home. I’d like to think we all have the power to change the trajectory of our lives, but the clouds are approaching, and they seem darker than ever. Will I make it out of this storm or will I get swept away by an avalanche on this mountain?
Oh Sergei, I just KNEW your story was going to be everything. And who better than Barrett to be the jelly to your peanut butter. Sergei caught my attention first in Heart So Hollow (his character had one of my favorite lines!!) and I’ve been pining for his story ever since. Emily delivered and more. This was a short novella so no spoilers here… but expect everything you’ve come to know and love about Emily’s storytelling… she absolutely captivates you, gets your thrill going, emotions flowing and spice heating up. Absolutely loved Night so Silent.
Also… behold this perfection of a quote… “Good,” he rumbles. “Because I was assessing the size of your tits and how good my cock will look fucking them until you make me come in your mouth. But now that I know I can come inside your pussy without interruption, I think I like that better.”
Night So Silent by Emily Nealis was sooooo good. Sergei completely owned this story, and pairing him with Barrett was perfection. He’s the grumpy, rough-around-the-edges type who has no business being that irresistible, and she’s the fiery chaos that lights him up. Together they’re pure heat and tension.
From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The snowy mountain setting, the danger, the banter, it all pulled me in. Emily’s writing gives just enough emotion to make your chest ache and just enough spice to make you forget how to breathe. Sergei’s filthy mouth? I was not prepared.
“Good,” he rumbles. “Because I was assessing the size of your tits and how good my cock will look fucking them…” Yeah. That line lives rent-free in my head.
Short, intense, and downright addictive. This novella proves Emily Nealis can pack emotion, danger, and heat into every single page. I’m obsessed.
•ARC review• Release date: December 1st Book 2.5 of Dire Wolves Genre: contemporary dark romance, suspense
Think snowed in Swedish cabin during Christmas time with suspense elements and a stoic, devoted Viking like man. Boy did it eat this up. Emily is one of my favorite contemporary dark romance authors, she delivers every single time. Night So Silent was such a little treat, I’m fortunate with my festive reads this month.
As a Colson girlie, I was excited to see glimpses of him with his family. I would recommend to read the other books beforehand, because it’s taking place after and you will get spoiled.
As always, Emily’s writing style is effortless and engaging. This particular book is shorter and a little less suspenseful than the other two, but it’s not the main focus here and the elements are still definitely present (it wouldn’t be Emily’s book otherwise). As I said previously, it’s more of a delectable treat that took me by surprise. I don’t know if it’s because it’s actually already snowing here, or if I’m working a lot and would tremendously benefit from a snowed in cabin episode too, but it checked all of my boxes. I’ve also been in a weird place lately regarding reading and Night So Silent rekindled my passion for it.
With that being said, everybody go read it. Now.
Thanks so much to Emily for the arc, I honestly can’t get enough of your books. I cannot contain myself for the ones you’re working on already.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Spicy
keywords: snowed in, cabin/home into the woods, toxic ex, Russian mmc, stressed and overworked fmc, interconnected book, forced proximity, cryptid vibes, size difference, light capt1v1ty.
Night So Silent sank its claws into me from page one. I meant to savor it, but the tension, the chemistry, the cold creeping around the cabin walls—I devoured it instead.
Barrett felt so real it almost hurt: funny, loyal, carrying more weight than she lets anyone see. And Sergei… he’s the kind of man whose devotion feels dangerous in the best way. Quiet, intense, fiercely protective. The kind of presence that fills a room—and a heart—without ever raising his voice.
Their connection wasn’t just chemistry; it was this quiet, haunting pull. The way they shared space, shared silence—it felt intimate in a way that almost made me hold my breath. And then the snowstorm, the isolation, the sense that something outside might not want them to survive the night… it all wrapped the romance in a darker edge I didn’t expect but absolutely loved.
Emily’s writing made the mountain feel alive—beautiful, cold, and just a little unforgiving. I laughed, I swooned, and I absolutely did not appreciate when the characters decided to investigate strange noises in the dark.
This book was atmospheric, romantic, and just unsettling enough to keep me glued to the pages. I finished wanting more of this world, these characters, this shadow-kissed kind of love.
Highly recommend if you want your snowed-in romance with spice, heart… and a whisper of danger.
I go feral when beloved support characters get their own story! I loved both Barrett and Sergei from our first interactions with them. Barrett's friendship with Brett was so full of love and support and absolute bad-assery, I immediately loved her. And Sergei, with his quiet wisdom, that helped guide Colson back to Brett made me so very curious about the mystery that is this silent beast. Put them together and you have fireworks...and sparklers! Brett and Sergei seem so different at first but they compliment each other perfectly. Their back and forth banter of humor and brutal honesty was perfection. They share a similar need for silence but find that they don't have to be alone to enjoy the quiet. This was a fast paced novella that had me hooked from the very first line and kept me captivated through every turn of the page. It was mysterious and funny, sweet and spicy. I can't wait to continue the Dire Wolves series.
"I never could've guessed how much I would love the way that Sergei's compliments sound like death threats."
" It's the only love I want, and the kind that only he can give. Because sometimes silence is more satisfying."
Night So Silent by @emilynealisauthor is book 2.5 in the Direwolves Series and the perfect Christmas novella if you're looking for psychological thrills, mysterious dark figures lurking in the night, and an insanely tall Russian man with a Greek god-level ass all around Christmas👀
I read Night So Silent in one sitting and had the most amazing time, as I always do with Emily's book because her writing style is one of my absolute favorites and the way she writes her characters/stories is just so unique. I was cackling at so many points while also half covering my face like I was watching a scary movie because what do you mean you heard something outside and now we're going out there?? All in all, I absolutely loved this book and seeing the relationship form between our MCs. I think they were the perfect fit for each other and truly loved their love for one another.
Snowed in with a man who thinks you are the whole world. What could be better? I really liked that Sergei and Barrett could enjoy being quiet together. They enjoyed just being in the same room spending time together but not talking and still feeling connected. I enjoyed getting to know Barrett and Sergei and seeing their relationship bloom into something long lasting. I haven't read Colson and Brett's book but reading this one made me want to go and read it. I'm definitely going to do that. I really liked their characters. I loved the mountain, snow, Christmas setting of the book. It made me want to get cozy in front of the fireplace and never leave especially if someone like Sergei was there.
Thank you to the author Emily Nealis for the eARC!
This was a good novella! I enjoyed it, I do know it’s part of a series and I haven’t gotten into those yet but I did love Barrett and Sergei’s story. I would love to be snowed in with a hot Russian with long and luscious hair 🤣🤣
Barrett is being stalked by a crazy kind of ex, and Sergei is also obsessed with her but not in a stalker way LOL I also love when we have a virgin MMC. That always does something to me. And I love how fiercely he protects and stands up for her.
Sure there is instalove here, but it’s a novella. So this is what I expect from short stories trying to lack as much of a punch in so few pages.
Night So Silent was such an addictive read! Part of me wanted to devour it in one sitting, while another part wanted to draw it out to avoid the inevitable hangover. I’m thrilled these characters got their own story and the way that Emily writes them is perfection. Barrett is so relatable and funny- the strong, loyal bestie every girl needs. And Sergei…whew! Totally had me clutching my pearls. He’s the man every girl deserves. Suffice it to say I have a new favorite book bf for the rest of time. I’m already planning to read it again asap. 💖💖💖💖💖
If Emily writes it, I’m reading it. Auto buy author, all day.
Night So Silent was no different. I’ve been waiting since book one for more of Sergei and Barrett!
These two were everything in this story! There was yearning and tension and so much understanding. Understanding of each other and the wants and needs - gah it was lowkey so refreshing, Sergei was touch her and did and obviously we love that. Barrett is really a take no nonsense kind of person and I love that she finally gets her guy.
Who wouldn’t want to be snowed in with a beautiful blonde Norse god lol
Barrett just wanted a break. A cozy Christmas trip to visit her best friend in Colorado. Between travel chaos, stolen luggage, and one very large, very grumpy man, things don’t exactly go to plan. Enter Sergei: a quiet, brooding lumberjack of a man who somehow manages to melt all that mountain ice.
Sergei’s quiet dominance was honestly everything 🥵 I loved how grounded and protective he felt without ever losing that edge. The ex-boyfriend storyline was a little predictable, and some of the “girl-power” dialogue felt a touch forced at times, but the chemistry between Sergei and Barrett made up for it tenfold. Their banter, the tension, the steam! It all hit just right 🙌🏼
If you like snowy small-town settings, a grumpy/sunshine pairing, and a hero who speaks volumes in few words, this one’s a perfect cozy-and-spicy winter read.
and I gotta add THAT quote cause 🥵👀 "Good," he rumbles. "Because I was assessing the size of your tits and how good my cock will look fucking them until you make me come in your mouth. But now that I know I can come inside your pussy without interruption, I think I like that better."
This book is no different… pure perfection! Barrett has finally met her match and I’m so here for it!!! Let’s just say… I understand the friendships of Dire Ridge more and more… I can’t get enough!! I am impatiently waiting for the next book in one of my all time favorite series!!
Emily is an immediate yes… whatever she creates will always be a must read for me!!!
This was such a quick, steamy little novella, with just the right amount of spice, banter and obsession! This little glimpse into Sergei’s life was perfect, and giving him a bit of romance just made me so happy! The writing and world building in 215 pages was perfect. Throwing in just a hint of Christmas spirit, perfect little holiday novella for the Dire Wolves series!
I swear with each book I tell myself there's no possible way she's going to get me to be even more obsessed with a couple as I was with the previous couple. And I love being proved wrong because SERGEI AND BARRETT?!
Sergei too perfect. That grumpy man L I S T E N S AND COOKS?!
THAT window scene. God, I will remember that for forever UGH 🫠🫠🫠
I love the plot but that can’t be the end like how do you drop a bombshell then say “the end”?! That’s diabolical and I need more because that can’t be the end?!
And excuse me “we mate for life” everyone needs someone like this because yes please!!
NOT SO SINGLE NIGHT is part of the Dire Wolves series and is an interconnected standalone. You do not hsve to read HEART SO HOLLOW or SOUL SO DARK, however I will because I truly loved all these characters. I was completely invested from page one. I loved the instant chemistry between Sergei and Barrett. Theyfit absolutely perfect together. This book definitely had its spice and swoon-worthy moments. A book I would whole heartedly recommend.
I will always read anything written by Emily! ❤️ her books are the perfect combo or deranged dark romance with smut 🤭 The hot and quick connection of Sergei and Barrett is one that we’ve been teased and was not disappointed! Perfect reading for the season hehe
This was a great book. Definitely a book worth reading more than once. You get a grumpy Russian who only likes a few people to letting one women in his home where none have been.