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Under the Aurora Sky
Previously published under the author name Jessica Weston
Some people leave. Others never let you go. Drew was both.
By the time I was ten, I’d lived in four different towns and learned that my mother’s next drink always mattered more than I did. Stability was a luxury I never had—until I met Mel. Her family became my safe haven, the closest thing to home I’d ever known.
But I hadn’t expected Drew, Mel’s older brother. Falling for him was easy. Hiding it was impossible. Every glance, every lingering touch told me he felt the same, but I refused to risk the only real family I had. Then, without a word, Drew left.
Now, years later, I’m back in town for work, and avoiding him isn’t an option—especially when Mel volunteers him to help me scout photography locations. Then a storm rolls in, trapping us in a remote hunting cabin with no power, no escape, and nowhere to hide from the past.
Stuck together, they’re forced to face the truth—and the pain. The truth will change their lives. But can they find a way through it together?
Some people leave. Others never let you go. Drew was both.
By the time I was ten, I’d lived in four different towns and learned that my mother’s next drink always mattered more than I did. Stability was a luxury I never had—until I met Mel. Her family became my safe haven, the closest thing to home I’d ever known.
But I hadn’t expected Drew, Mel’s older brother. Falling for him was easy. Hiding it was impossible. Every glance, every lingering touch told me he felt the same, but I refused to risk the only real family I had. Then, without a word, Drew left.
Now, years later, I’m back in town for work, and avoiding him isn’t an option—especially when Mel volunteers him to help me scout photography locations. Then a storm rolls in, trapping us in a remote hunting cabin with no power, no escape, and nowhere to hide from the past.
Stuck together, they’re forced to face the truth—and the pain. The truth will change their lives. But can they find a way through it together?
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 25, 2025
I was chosen to be a ARC reader for this book. First thank you so much Justine for the opportunity! This book is amazing! If you are looking for a small town, best friend’s brother romance this is it!! I really hope there is going to be more of Lainey and Drew and their future together!
November 30, 2025
ARC Review ✨✨✨
Under The Aurora Sky by @justinebennettauthor
Thankyou so much for the ARC opportunity 🥰
Tropes
💜Best Friends Brother
💜Forced Proximity
💜One Bed
💜Snowed In
💜Troubled Childhood
💜Found Family
Oh my god, I'm in love with this book! I was drawn right in straight away and really couldn't put it down! Both main characters did nothing but question themselves throughout and I honestly thought we wouldn't get a happy ever after ending but I should have trusted the process😍 I loved both main characters from start to finish, they're really relatable and likeable.
We follow Drew, the slightly broody best friends older brother that has a major soft spot for Lainey, the troubled kid who found a safe space within her best friends family.
The book is short and sweet and kept me wanting more as soon as I finished it. And the spice was 👌🏻🥵🌶️
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Highly recommended 😍
Under The Aurora Sky by @justinebennettauthor
Thankyou so much for the ARC opportunity 🥰
Tropes
💜Best Friends Brother
💜Forced Proximity
💜One Bed
💜Snowed In
💜Troubled Childhood
💜Found Family
Oh my god, I'm in love with this book! I was drawn right in straight away and really couldn't put it down! Both main characters did nothing but question themselves throughout and I honestly thought we wouldn't get a happy ever after ending but I should have trusted the process😍 I loved both main characters from start to finish, they're really relatable and likeable.
We follow Drew, the slightly broody best friends older brother that has a major soft spot for Lainey, the troubled kid who found a safe space within her best friends family.
The book is short and sweet and kept me wanting more as soon as I finished it. And the spice was 👌🏻🥵🌶️
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Highly recommended 😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
I read this as an ARC for Justine. All I'm saying is WOW. This book surpassed my expectations. I loved the buildup. I love Lainey and Drew's dynamic. They grew up together and Drew leaves, but when he comes back, there's this tension. You can tell they both have these longing feelings for one another, but when they find themselves in a cabin, and only have one bed, they realize that they can't hold back anymore. There were many moments when I wanted to scream at Drew for being stupid. The ending is perfect and the epilpgue had me squealing with joy. If you want a shorter read, a girl who falls for her best friends older brother, this book is for you.
November 25, 2025
Loved this book!! It made me laugh and made me cry. Love the family relationships that Lainey made with the Mitchell family. I also love the second chance at love that Lainey has with Drew. Great book! Highly recommend!!
@JustineBennett
@JustineBennett
November 24, 2025
Note: I am an ARC reader. This is my honest review of the book in its current form, as of writing this review. This does not take into account any changes the author may make to this book between now and it being published.
No-spoiler TL;DR: Overall, I would recommend this book if you're looking for a quick burning romance, without too much tension or complexity. (Besides sexual tension, I mean.) It could definitely have benefitted from being either a longer book, or two books, just to fix some of the pacing.
Spoilers ahead, in no particular order.
This book was a pretty decent read. The characters are simple and easy to relate with, and the plot is straightforward. The spice is very tame, so it's not going to turn many people away from it. My disappointment with this one was that it's so short, that everything feels a bit rushed, and there are parts that feel crammed in with no real rhyme or reason.
There's a LOT of background being told right at the beginning, but until the very end, when everything is resolved all at once, there's nothing really done with a lot of that backstory. The decision of the FMC to just suddenly resume contact with her mother, with no accompanying conflicts about whether or not she should give her a chance in the interim, feels a little bit forced and almost jarring. The concern that the best friend or mother wouldn't approve were real concerns, but we don't really *see* the tension it creates. There was a lot of potential, but the characters, in the end, didn't have the development they deserved.
The mention of her mother's sobriety and recovery could have been completely removed, and nothing else about the story would have changed or been affected in any way. The only real part of her and her mother's relationship that had any impact on the story was that because of her alcoholism, our FMC had a rough childhood and nightmares which brought her and the MMC closer together.
The physical problems the characters did have also felt like they were resolved too conveniently. (No condoms? FMC just happens to have an IUD. Stuck in a blizzard? The cabin is stocked with food and firewood and they want for nothing. Wrong clothes for winter? FMC fits her best friend's clothes perfectly, even after 10 years living separate lives with VERY different levels of physical activity.)
Perhaps the most disappointing of these situations was when the FMC got lost in the woods and fell into ankle-deep water. She wasn't seriously injured, was found very quickly, and suffered none of the effects of frostbite or hypothermia. While I understand that this book is about the romance aspects of their relationship, having absolutely no consequences for events like this makes the book feel a lot less immersive. There was a perfect, but missed, opportunity here to have a very sweet hurt/comfort moment, at which point the characters could have confessed their true feelings to one another in spite of their circumstances in the "real world."
With that being said, the conflicts that we *did* see were relatable and did, in fact, make me cry. The FMC's spiral into self doubt when she believed the MMC "didn't want her" near the end was heart wrenching, the author captured those emotions perfectly. It felt like the characters were real people in those moments, and I was there, living their pain with them. There was a lot of descriptive language that made the scenes come to life, as well. It felt like I was there under those northern lights, like I was there in that truck with the silence and tension.
I think this book could have benefitted from being two books, instead of one. Having the first book focusing on her falling in love with her best friend's brother and the second one focusing on the interpersonal relationship conflicts between the FMC, her mother, her best friend, and her work after their relationship has been established would have given this a much better pacing, in my opinion, and would be much more satisfying to read.
No-spoiler TL;DR: Overall, I would recommend this book if you're looking for a quick burning romance, without too much tension or complexity. (Besides sexual tension, I mean.) It could definitely have benefitted from being either a longer book, or two books, just to fix some of the pacing.
Spoilers ahead, in no particular order.
This book was a pretty decent read. The characters are simple and easy to relate with, and the plot is straightforward. The spice is very tame, so it's not going to turn many people away from it. My disappointment with this one was that it's so short, that everything feels a bit rushed, and there are parts that feel crammed in with no real rhyme or reason.
There's a LOT of background being told right at the beginning, but until the very end, when everything is resolved all at once, there's nothing really done with a lot of that backstory. The decision of the FMC to just suddenly resume contact with her mother, with no accompanying conflicts about whether or not she should give her a chance in the interim, feels a little bit forced and almost jarring. The concern that the best friend or mother wouldn't approve were real concerns, but we don't really *see* the tension it creates. There was a lot of potential, but the characters, in the end, didn't have the development they deserved.
The mention of her mother's sobriety and recovery could have been completely removed, and nothing else about the story would have changed or been affected in any way. The only real part of her and her mother's relationship that had any impact on the story was that because of her alcoholism, our FMC had a rough childhood and nightmares which brought her and the MMC closer together.
The physical problems the characters did have also felt like they were resolved too conveniently. (No condoms? FMC just happens to have an IUD. Stuck in a blizzard? The cabin is stocked with food and firewood and they want for nothing. Wrong clothes for winter? FMC fits her best friend's clothes perfectly, even after 10 years living separate lives with VERY different levels of physical activity.)
Perhaps the most disappointing of these situations was when the FMC got lost in the woods and fell into ankle-deep water. She wasn't seriously injured, was found very quickly, and suffered none of the effects of frostbite or hypothermia. While I understand that this book is about the romance aspects of their relationship, having absolutely no consequences for events like this makes the book feel a lot less immersive. There was a perfect, but missed, opportunity here to have a very sweet hurt/comfort moment, at which point the characters could have confessed their true feelings to one another in spite of their circumstances in the "real world."
With that being said, the conflicts that we *did* see were relatable and did, in fact, make me cry. The FMC's spiral into self doubt when she believed the MMC "didn't want her" near the end was heart wrenching, the author captured those emotions perfectly. It felt like the characters were real people in those moments, and I was there, living their pain with them. There was a lot of descriptive language that made the scenes come to life, as well. It felt like I was there under those northern lights, like I was there in that truck with the silence and tension.
I think this book could have benefitted from being two books, instead of one. Having the first book focusing on her falling in love with her best friend's brother and the second one focusing on the interpersonal relationship conflicts between the FMC, her mother, her best friend, and her work after their relationship has been established would have given this a much better pacing, in my opinion, and would be much more satisfying to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2025
ARC review, thank you for my early copy in exchange for an honest review.
3 .5 ⭐️
2🌶️
I’m very much a mood reader and while I liked the overall story and enjoyed the writing and world building. I didn’t connect with the FMC. When caught in a snowstorm; Laine and Drew find themselves stuck in his uncles cabin, what else is there to do but to make up for lost time.
FMC - Laine, at 16 she’s practically lived with her bestfriends family due to being neglected by her mother who’s struggling with an alcohol addiction. Laine is crushing on the older brother. When he suddenly leaves she’s depressed and lets people assume it’s due to her mum and not the loss of her Drew. Laine enjoys taking photos and follows a career in photography. Also at 26, doesn’t know how to dress for the cold weather and isn’t smart about observing her surroundings.
MMC Drew, 19 and realises he may return the feelings for Laine, believing that he’s an adult while she’s a child in an emotionally vulnerable state, Drew doesn’t act on his feelings and starts to create distance. Fearing his families opinions if they found out. Drew leaves and focuses on working himself ragged in a travelling construction company. Drew is thoughtful, caring and prepared for most situations.
10yrs later, Drew and Laine both end up at Drew’s family home, Laine visiting for the week to take photos of the northern lights, Drew because he no longer wants to take risks and wants to help look after his mum and settle down. Laine seems to hate Drew for leaving her. Laine has abandonment issues and should see someone about that. Laine needs help scouting a spot and her bestfriend volunteers Drew. Drew wants to be helpful and offers to take her to a spot. Laine captures some great photos and they get caught in a snowstorm. I felt like they both kept pointing out why they couldn’t be together but it was only on Drew to “find a solution” even with Laine pointing out it was just a break from reality because they couldn’t be together. This is where Laine started to annoy me, she kept saying he hurt her, he was at fault; he did this. She treats him poorly after she all but guilt trips him into admitting his feelings and why he thinks things won’t work but then is mad about it. Started to say he has a whole family she doesn’t know about and she’s the “other woman” again, she needs to seek help with some things here.
Overall tho, loved the idea of childhood friends coming back at an age appropriate time and falling in love due to forced proximity due to a snowstorm
3 .5 ⭐️
2🌶️
I’m very much a mood reader and while I liked the overall story and enjoyed the writing and world building. I didn’t connect with the FMC. When caught in a snowstorm; Laine and Drew find themselves stuck in his uncles cabin, what else is there to do but to make up for lost time.
FMC - Laine, at 16 she’s practically lived with her bestfriends family due to being neglected by her mother who’s struggling with an alcohol addiction. Laine is crushing on the older brother. When he suddenly leaves she’s depressed and lets people assume it’s due to her mum and not the loss of her Drew. Laine enjoys taking photos and follows a career in photography. Also at 26, doesn’t know how to dress for the cold weather and isn’t smart about observing her surroundings.
MMC Drew, 19 and realises he may return the feelings for Laine, believing that he’s an adult while she’s a child in an emotionally vulnerable state, Drew doesn’t act on his feelings and starts to create distance. Fearing his families opinions if they found out. Drew leaves and focuses on working himself ragged in a travelling construction company. Drew is thoughtful, caring and prepared for most situations.
10yrs later, Drew and Laine both end up at Drew’s family home, Laine visiting for the week to take photos of the northern lights, Drew because he no longer wants to take risks and wants to help look after his mum and settle down. Laine seems to hate Drew for leaving her. Laine has abandonment issues and should see someone about that. Laine needs help scouting a spot and her bestfriend volunteers Drew. Drew wants to be helpful and offers to take her to a spot. Laine captures some great photos and they get caught in a snowstorm. I felt like they both kept pointing out why they couldn’t be together but it was only on Drew to “find a solution” even with Laine pointing out it was just a break from reality because they couldn’t be together. This is where Laine started to annoy me, she kept saying he hurt her, he was at fault; he did this. She treats him poorly after she all but guilt trips him into admitting his feelings and why he thinks things won’t work but then is mad about it. Started to say he has a whole family she doesn’t know about and she’s the “other woman” again, she needs to seek help with some things here.
Overall tho, loved the idea of childhood friends coming back at an age appropriate time and falling in love due to forced proximity due to a snowstorm
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2025
Growing up, Lainey’s mom had priorities other than her daughter, like searching for her next drink. When Lainey meets Mel and her family, she finds the solace and attention she craves. However, it’s not just Mel, but her older brother Drew, with whom she becomes friends. There was a spark that ran between them, but Lainey wasn’t willing to act upon it. She wanted to preserve the relationships with the people that she called family. After all the nights Drew and Lainey spent talking and watching TV, he left with no warning, and resulted in her feeling depressed.
Years later, Lainey returns to town to visit and stay with Mel, only to discover that Drew has as well. As a photographer, she’s back for a work assignment and needs to seek out places to shoot the northern lights. When Mel volunteers Drew to help Lainey find just the right spot, they are thrown together and the weather is not on their side. A snowstorm leaves them seeking shelter in a hunting cabin deep in the woods. Stranded indoors to ride out the storm, they come face to face with their past.
Questions will be asked and answers will be given. Will that long-ago spark fizzle and die or will it ignite into a raging fire?
This book may be short with less than 2oo pages; however, it’s definitely not short of a good storyline, relatable characters or angsty spice. Ms. Bennett fashions her words to bring winter in Maine to life and palpable emotion that feels like a hole in your heart followed by hug to your soul.
I highly recommend this 5⭐️ read!
Years later, Lainey returns to town to visit and stay with Mel, only to discover that Drew has as well. As a photographer, she’s back for a work assignment and needs to seek out places to shoot the northern lights. When Mel volunteers Drew to help Lainey find just the right spot, they are thrown together and the weather is not on their side. A snowstorm leaves them seeking shelter in a hunting cabin deep in the woods. Stranded indoors to ride out the storm, they come face to face with their past.
Questions will be asked and answers will be given. Will that long-ago spark fizzle and die or will it ignite into a raging fire?
This book may be short with less than 2oo pages; however, it’s definitely not short of a good storyline, relatable characters or angsty spice. Ms. Bennett fashions her words to bring winter in Maine to life and palpable emotion that feels like a hole in your heart followed by hug to your soul.
I highly recommend this 5⭐️ read!
January 2, 2026
After getting past a little mental health dip, I was able to sit down and read my ARC of Under the Aurora Sky by Justine Bennett! I’m always a sucker for a brother’s best friend trope - but admittedly had never read many best friend’s brother tropes in books (maybe only one previously?) so I was itching to check this book out!
💜 Best Friend’s Brother
🌟 Small Town Vibes
▫️ Second Chance
🌟 Forced Proximity
▫️ Secret Tattoo
🌟 One Bed
▫️ Snowed In
🌟 Found Family
Lainey Spencer, a now photographer who grew up in a small Maine town comes back to photograph the Aurora Borealis. While she’s there she will be staying with her long time best friend (Mel) and her family, which includes Mel’s brother Drew. The same Drew that left town 10 years prior, leaving Lainey confused and feeling alone before she moved to start her new life. After getting back into town, Lainey feels the connection to Drew start up again, but can’t help notice how guarded he seems around her. When he offers to help her find the perfect spot for her photos, a snow storm blows in trapping them together in an old hunting cabin. Now being trapped alone, they will have to face the feelings they have both been running from.
The push and pull between Lainey and Drew was so delightful. I loved everything from their banter to how hard they both tried to deny their feelings for each other. It was a fun read that kept me smiling through it all, and tearing up more than once.
I would like to have seen more of an update with the mother, and maybe the conflict resolution take a little more time. For a quick, fun read, it scratched the right spots.
💜 Best Friend’s Brother
🌟 Small Town Vibes
▫️ Second Chance
🌟 Forced Proximity
▫️ Secret Tattoo
🌟 One Bed
▫️ Snowed In
🌟 Found Family
Lainey Spencer, a now photographer who grew up in a small Maine town comes back to photograph the Aurora Borealis. While she’s there she will be staying with her long time best friend (Mel) and her family, which includes Mel’s brother Drew. The same Drew that left town 10 years prior, leaving Lainey confused and feeling alone before she moved to start her new life. After getting back into town, Lainey feels the connection to Drew start up again, but can’t help notice how guarded he seems around her. When he offers to help her find the perfect spot for her photos, a snow storm blows in trapping them together in an old hunting cabin. Now being trapped alone, they will have to face the feelings they have both been running from.
The push and pull between Lainey and Drew was so delightful. I loved everything from their banter to how hard they both tried to deny their feelings for each other. It was a fun read that kept me smiling through it all, and tearing up more than once.
I would like to have seen more of an update with the mother, and maybe the conflict resolution take a little more time. For a quick, fun read, it scratched the right spots.
December 1, 2025
A small town homecoming, Aurora Borealis, and the snowed-in condition - it’s all here in Under The Aurora Sky.
Lainey is home for the first time in years. She’s a photographer and needs good shots of the Northern Lights - away from all the tourist areas. But she’s going to need someone with more recent local knowledge to help her…and the perfect man for the job is the man who broke her heart ten years ago.
Seeing his little sister’s best friend for the first time in years is not easy for Drew. He left to prevent his growing feelings from coming between Lainey and his sister and those feelings aren’t gone. So getting stuck in a remote cabin during a snow storm is not ideal.
With tropes aplenty (only one bed, it’s always been you, forced proximity etc), this is a high emotion, low stakes romance. It was a quick, easy read that you could knock over in an afternoon.
It’s a slow burn, open (cabin) door romance with a number of potential triggers. It deals with grief, alcoholism (not a main character), parental abandonment and making false assumptions.
All up, it is easy to recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance.
Lainey is home for the first time in years. She’s a photographer and needs good shots of the Northern Lights - away from all the tourist areas. But she’s going to need someone with more recent local knowledge to help her…and the perfect man for the job is the man who broke her heart ten years ago.
Seeing his little sister’s best friend for the first time in years is not easy for Drew. He left to prevent his growing feelings from coming between Lainey and his sister and those feelings aren’t gone. So getting stuck in a remote cabin during a snow storm is not ideal.
With tropes aplenty (only one bed, it’s always been you, forced proximity etc), this is a high emotion, low stakes romance. It was a quick, easy read that you could knock over in an afternoon.
It’s a slow burn, open (cabin) door romance with a number of potential triggers. It deals with grief, alcoholism (not a main character), parental abandonment and making false assumptions.
All up, it is easy to recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance.
December 7, 2025
I’m rating this book 3.5 stars. This is a sweet small town, best friends brother romance. There was loads of feelings in this story, big angsty feelings, and they really came across in the writing.
We have Lainey, our MFC, she had a rough childhood and found a family when she needed it, with her best friend Mel and her family. Then we have Drew, our MMC, he is Mel’s older brother, he was quietly there when Lainey needed a shoulder for support. She caught feelings for him and then he upped and disappeared.
Years later we find Lainey coming home to get pictures of the Aurora Borealis, and her home town is the best place to get them, but Drew has returned too. And so the story unfolds, old feelings resurface, the yearning, it practically jumps off the page, but we get through the angst to a lovely HEA.
For a short story with a short plot timeline it was well written so the story felt genuine and was mostly not rushed, although I thought the ending seemed a bit abrupt.
I enjoyed reading this sweet and angsty book.
We have Lainey, our MFC, she had a rough childhood and found a family when she needed it, with her best friend Mel and her family. Then we have Drew, our MMC, he is Mel’s older brother, he was quietly there when Lainey needed a shoulder for support. She caught feelings for him and then he upped and disappeared.
Years later we find Lainey coming home to get pictures of the Aurora Borealis, and her home town is the best place to get them, but Drew has returned too. And so the story unfolds, old feelings resurface, the yearning, it practically jumps off the page, but we get through the angst to a lovely HEA.
For a short story with a short plot timeline it was well written so the story felt genuine and was mostly not rushed, although I thought the ending seemed a bit abrupt.
I enjoyed reading this sweet and angsty book.
December 31, 2025
Loved this book. It is a cute romance that is slow burn with a little spice. Lainey and Drew have known each other since they were kids and Lainey has been part of the family since a young age as her mother was an alcoholic and did not have a good family home. Drew and Lainey have always had a thing for each other but Drew left 10 year ago.
Ten years later Lainey is back. She is now a photographer trying to make it in the big world of photography. Drew still has feelings for her and tries to stay away as he feels that this would ruin her relationship with his family. Drew and Lainey embark on an adventure to get pictures of the aureoles borealis. Does their love for each other blossom or do they continue to deny each others desires and hearts.......
Ten years later Lainey is back. She is now a photographer trying to make it in the big world of photography. Drew still has feelings for her and tries to stay away as he feels that this would ruin her relationship with his family. Drew and Lainey embark on an adventure to get pictures of the aureoles borealis. Does their love for each other blossom or do they continue to deny each others desires and hearts.......
December 9, 2025
Under the Aurora Sky was a cute short read!
Lainey and Drew have such a spitfire relationship with one another, and I truly loved watching their relationship come to life.
This book had such a great premise, and such a cute storyline.
For me, it only made 3.5 stars due to how rushed everything felt, and how uneventful the climax was.
I feel like it could have been written a bit longer, and added a little bit more dimension and depth. The ending seems a bit thrown together, and I just wish the last quarter of the book was as smooth as the first 75% of it.
Still a short fun book, and if you’re not looking for anything too time-consuming or complex, it’s definitely worth it!
Lainey and Drew have such a spitfire relationship with one another, and I truly loved watching their relationship come to life.
This book had such a great premise, and such a cute storyline.
For me, it only made 3.5 stars due to how rushed everything felt, and how uneventful the climax was.
I feel like it could have been written a bit longer, and added a little bit more dimension and depth. The ending seems a bit thrown together, and I just wish the last quarter of the book was as smooth as the first 75% of it.
Still a short fun book, and if you’re not looking for anything too time-consuming or complex, it’s definitely worth it!
December 16, 2025
This was a good, quick read but I felt like something was missing. I liked the premise - best friend's brother, seeing each other for the first time in years, unresolved feelings. Plus the forced proximity. However, everything was resolved too easily. The cabin situation. Her getting lost and injured. Her mother. I would have liked to see all of that flushed out a little more on page. The book itself takes place over just a few days so maybe I'm expecting too much but it just didn't hook me as I'd like.
This was an ARC read and I feel bad but this is my honest opinion. As you can tell by other reviews though, many did enjoy it and I wish the author tons of success.
This was an ARC read and I feel bad but this is my honest opinion. As you can tell by other reviews though, many did enjoy it and I wish the author tons of success.
December 1, 2025
“This feeling, this sense of peace, might be the closest I’ll ever get to true happiness.”
Short and sweet story. Drew and Lainey are both likable characters. They have tried to avoid falling for each other, but being trapped together in an isolated cabin during a snowstorm proves to be the final straw. I enjoyed the pace of the story, the dual POV and the HEA.
*Disclaimer*
I received this copy for free as an ARC - I was not paid to review this book, these are my own thoughts and feelings. Thank you to Justine Bennett for the honor to read and review this book!
Short and sweet story. Drew and Lainey are both likable characters. They have tried to avoid falling for each other, but being trapped together in an isolated cabin during a snowstorm proves to be the final straw. I enjoyed the pace of the story, the dual POV and the HEA.
*Disclaimer*
I received this copy for free as an ARC - I was not paid to review this book, these are my own thoughts and feelings. Thank you to Justine Bennett for the honor to read and review this book!
December 7, 2025
*ARC Review* To me this was one of those books that gave me that "teenage girl up late at night giggling about my secret crush on my friend’s brother" feeling we all miss!
Lainey & Drew's story is a roller coaster of emotions in the best way! Ups, downs, the extremely frustrating stubbornness men seem to have that can drive us crazy in more ways than one!
The self sabotaging us ladies like to do more than we would care to admit. One of those books that will have you yelling at the characters begging them to stop the nonsense and get it together already!
Lainey & Drew's story is a roller coaster of emotions in the best way! Ups, downs, the extremely frustrating stubbornness men seem to have that can drive us crazy in more ways than one!
The self sabotaging us ladies like to do more than we would care to admit. One of those books that will have you yelling at the characters begging them to stop the nonsense and get it together already!
December 17, 2025
ARC read:
I didn't like the revisiting of old trauma multiple times, like every chapter from her POV mentions it. It was exasperating. The lack of communication between the mains didn't add to any spice, just frustration. I think if the communication was better, the spice would have been better. I kept getting hung up on the woe-is-me of it all. When there was FINALLY good communication from one side during the final car ride, it was all is forgiven? I feel like it didn't wrap up well. Maybe build it out more? Make the book longer? It feels like it either wants more or less.
I didn't like the revisiting of old trauma multiple times, like every chapter from her POV mentions it. It was exasperating. The lack of communication between the mains didn't add to any spice, just frustration. I think if the communication was better, the spice would have been better. I kept getting hung up on the woe-is-me of it all. When there was FINALLY good communication from one side during the final car ride, it was all is forgiven? I feel like it didn't wrap up well. Maybe build it out more? Make the book longer? It feels like it either wants more or less.
January 1, 2026
I was chosen to be an ARC reader for this book. First thank you so much Justine for the opportunity!
This review is my honest opinion.
First off this is not for me, I am not the targeted audience for this book.
It's cute and cozy, but the dialog between the FMC and MMC felt repetitive, the inner musing and thoughts of the characters also felt repetitive and redundant, and also very predictable.
It's a cute bite size contemporary romance, and if you as a reader are into it you will love it.
This review is my honest opinion.
First off this is not for me, I am not the targeted audience for this book.
It's cute and cozy, but the dialog between the FMC and MMC felt repetitive, the inner musing and thoughts of the characters also felt repetitive and redundant, and also very predictable.
It's a cute bite size contemporary romance, and if you as a reader are into it you will love it.
November 25, 2025
This book feels like that couple you know in real life that you just want to grab by the shoulders and shake until they figure their shit out. It was so good. At one point my heart was racing and I was yelling at Lainey for being an idiot. It was heartfelt and sweet and spicy and all the things I needed. The fact that Justine weaved such a tender story in these short pages is a testament to the author she's becoming. I cannot wait to read what she writes next.
November 26, 2025
Lainey and Drew captured my heart from the start of this book and I instantly wanted them to have a happily ever after. This story is short and sweet, with well written second-chance awkwardness! The connection between them is undeniable and getting trapped in a cabin brings their past to a head. Justine has a way with words, and made me feel like I too was under the aurora sky. Thank you for the ARC, all thoughts are my own.
November 28, 2025
First and foremost....thank you to the author for providing me with an early release copy!!
I absolutely loved this book! I loved the second chance romance, the found family, etc. If you want a quick little read then definitely pick this up! Nothing is better than a best friends brother romance and this author hit every nail on the head with this writing!!
Will definitely be reading more from this author!
I absolutely loved this book! I loved the second chance romance, the found family, etc. If you want a quick little read then definitely pick this up! Nothing is better than a best friends brother romance and this author hit every nail on the head with this writing!!
Will definitely be reading more from this author!
December 2, 2025
A quick, cozy read, perfect for the wintertime!
I couldn’t put it down!
Lainey and Drew are snowed in at his uncle’s cabin in the woods, trying to capture the perfect shot of aurora borealis. As they spend more time together, their long suppressed feelings for each other resurface. I loved the wintery, snowy vibes; I wanted to be in a cabin snowed in somewhere reading it myself. I’m a sucker for friends to lovers, and Lainey and Drew’s chemistry felt so natural.
I couldn’t put it down!
Lainey and Drew are snowed in at his uncle’s cabin in the woods, trying to capture the perfect shot of aurora borealis. As they spend more time together, their long suppressed feelings for each other resurface. I loved the wintery, snowy vibes; I wanted to be in a cabin snowed in somewhere reading it myself. I’m a sucker for friends to lovers, and Lainey and Drew’s chemistry felt so natural.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
I was chosen as an Advance reader for this book. Thank you Justine for this
This romance has everything you could wish for. You can feel the angst and unspoken wishes through the book and it makes you want to shake the characters.
It has a little bit of spice. I can not get enough of the Characters and wish this book would be longer
This romance has everything you could wish for. You can feel the angst and unspoken wishes through the book and it makes you want to shake the characters.
It has a little bit of spice. I can not get enough of the Characters and wish this book would be longer
November 29, 2025
I think I just found a new favourite trope: the sharing body heat🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Absolutely Loved Drew and Lainey, and their connection was super special. I also kind of understood where Drew was coming from, and I think he made the right decision years ago. It gave both of them room to grow❤️
Thank you to Author Justine Bennet for the ARC🩷
Absolutely Loved Drew and Lainey, and their connection was super special. I also kind of understood where Drew was coming from, and I think he made the right decision years ago. It gave both of them room to grow❤️
Thank you to Author Justine Bennet for the ARC🩷
November 30, 2025
Such a good story. I love found family who take them in and never let go. The Aurora lights are so beautiful and getting the right shot was so important Drew had to help right ? The lights are not the only shots they captured that snowed in stay. If you love a little heartache and a lot of tender care this book is for you.
December 2, 2025
~ARC Review~
I absolutely loved this small town, second chance romance! This book is short but sweet with a guaranteed HEA (happily ever after). The tension and forced proximity between Lainey and Drew was just *chef's kiss*. I also loved the inclusion of the Aurora lights and Lainey's desire to capture the perfect photograph. This was such an enjoyable read and I hope to read more from this author in the future!
I absolutely loved this small town, second chance romance! This book is short but sweet with a guaranteed HEA (happily ever after). The tension and forced proximity between Lainey and Drew was just *chef's kiss*. I also loved the inclusion of the Aurora lights and Lainey's desire to capture the perfect photograph. This was such an enjoyable read and I hope to read more from this author in the future!
December 1, 2025
First off I’d like to thank Justine for the opportunity to get to read her book! In my honest opinion this book had all the great components for a perfect book, it started off great I was immediately hooked but about 60% in it started getting extremely rushed. It lacked some components that I felt would’ve made the book a 5 star.
December 7, 2025
This is a beautiful love story between two souls who found each other when they were very young.
It’s deeply emotional, mainly because of the FMC’s past experiences and the circumstances both protagonists face.
The story unfolds in a lovely and romantic way, and the aurora-filled skies make everything even more beautiful in the reader’s imagination.
It’s deeply emotional, mainly because of the FMC’s past experiences and the circumstances both protagonists face.
The story unfolds in a lovely and romantic way, and the aurora-filled skies make everything even more beautiful in the reader’s imagination.
December 17, 2025
This book is sooo good! For a small book it packs a punch! The backstory was very well explained and the fact that it’s her bestfriends brother wins points for me! Drew is 🥵 and the way he loves Lainey is exactly how everyone wants to be loved! And the fact that they both have had the same exact feelings for each other is crazy that they haven’t acted on them sooner!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2025
A well written short story about the one that got away and the second chance that brought them back together. A little forced proximity never hurt anyone either! There was a lot of feeling in this book for how short it was but I thought it was the perfect length to do the characters justice.
November 27, 2025
I was chosen as an ARC for this book so thank you for that! This is a quick read but full of emotion. It’s full of what life is full of…not communicating.🤣🤣 I did laugh, cry and enjoy every minute of this book. Definitely don’t skip out on this one!
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