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The Christmas Trap
Two years after losing her teenage son and ending her thirty-two-year marriage, Kelsey Riggs wants one thing for Christmas—a quiet holiday with her adult daughters in the Colorado mountains.
Addie and Sky, however, have other plans.
Done watching their parents suffer alone in separate states and desperate to get their mother on board by any means necessary, the girls conveniently forget to mention that the cozy cabin they’ve booked is practically in their biker father’s backyard. Also, they may or may not have intentionally missed their flight.
What could go wrong?
Well. Everything.
The last thing Teddy Riggs expects to find when he shows up with dinner is the ex-wife he left in Texas. The two quickly realize they’ve been set up, but before Kelsey can book that return flight home, a record-breaking blizzard slams into the Rockies.
When her rental car skids off an icy mountain road and into a tree the following day, Teddy is the only one crazy—or desperate—enough to brave the treacherous whiteout to find and rescue her.
With snow piling up and the airport and highways shut down, the two are forced to ride out the winter storm together at his secluded cabin.
The weather outside may be frightful, but inside, things between the exes are heating up…
Somewhere between tree decorating, late-night confessions, and a gingerbread baking session that definitely wasn’t meant to be foreplay, Teddy and Kelsey finally confront everything they avoided during their marriage.
With Christmas fast approaching, they’ll have to decide whether to risk it all for a second chance at forever—or let their love grow cold for good.
A steamy holiday romance about second chances, love after loss, and two meddling daughters determined to pull off the ultimate Christmas reunion—whether their parents like it or not.
Addie and Sky, however, have other plans.
Done watching their parents suffer alone in separate states and desperate to get their mother on board by any means necessary, the girls conveniently forget to mention that the cozy cabin they’ve booked is practically in their biker father’s backyard. Also, they may or may not have intentionally missed their flight.
What could go wrong?
Well. Everything.
The last thing Teddy Riggs expects to find when he shows up with dinner is the ex-wife he left in Texas. The two quickly realize they’ve been set up, but before Kelsey can book that return flight home, a record-breaking blizzard slams into the Rockies.
When her rental car skids off an icy mountain road and into a tree the following day, Teddy is the only one crazy—or desperate—enough to brave the treacherous whiteout to find and rescue her.
With snow piling up and the airport and highways shut down, the two are forced to ride out the winter storm together at his secluded cabin.
The weather outside may be frightful, but inside, things between the exes are heating up…
Somewhere between tree decorating, late-night confessions, and a gingerbread baking session that definitely wasn’t meant to be foreplay, Teddy and Kelsey finally confront everything they avoided during their marriage.
With Christmas fast approaching, they’ll have to decide whether to risk it all for a second chance at forever—or let their love grow cold for good.
A steamy holiday romance about second chances, love after loss, and two meddling daughters determined to pull off the ultimate Christmas reunion—whether their parents like it or not.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2025
About the author
Shannon Myers
23 books613 followersShannon is a born and raised Texan. She grew up inventing clever stories, usually to get herself out of trouble. Her mother was not amused. In junior high, she began writing fractured fairy tales from the villain's point of view and that was the moment she knew that she was going to use her powers for evil instead of good.
In 2003, she moved to Denver and met the love of her life. After some relentless stalking and a few well-timed sarcastic remarks, the man eventually gave in to her charms and wifed her so hard. They welcomed a son in 2007 that they named after their favorite Marvel superhero, Spiderman.
Sick of seeing beautiful mountains through their window every day, the three escaped back to the desolate landscape of the west Texas desert in 2009. She welcomed her second son not long after and soon realized that being surrounded by three men was nothing at all like she'd imagined in her fantasies.
After an unplanned surgery in 2014 and a long pity party, she decided to pen a novel about the worst thing that could happen to a person in order to cheer herself up. She's twisted like that. Thus, From This Day Forward was born and the rest, as they say, is history.
Not only does Shannon enjoy stalking people, she also has a fondness for being stalked. Visit her at www.shannonshaemyers.com to keep up with her latest schemes and shenanigans.
In 2003, she moved to Denver and met the love of her life. After some relentless stalking and a few well-timed sarcastic remarks, the man eventually gave in to her charms and wifed her so hard. They welcomed a son in 2007 that they named after their favorite Marvel superhero, Spiderman.
Sick of seeing beautiful mountains through their window every day, the three escaped back to the desolate landscape of the west Texas desert in 2009. She welcomed her second son not long after and soon realized that being surrounded by three men was nothing at all like she'd imagined in her fantasies.
After an unplanned surgery in 2014 and a long pity party, she decided to pen a novel about the worst thing that could happen to a person in order to cheer herself up. She's twisted like that. Thus, From This Day Forward was born and the rest, as they say, is history.
Not only does Shannon enjoy stalking people, she also has a fondness for being stalked. Visit her at www.shannonshaemyers.com to keep up with her latest schemes and shenanigans.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 18, 2025
This is a MUST read
I don’t even know where to start. I had been in such a book slump, when this book came out. I was hooked from the very first chapter. This book is so well done. It illustrates so well the grief process and how we can turn against those we love the most. It shows how you can deeply love someone and still be unable to open yourself wide to bleed. While this book deals with the grief of losing a child. We get it from the perspective of the parents viewpoint a few years after it’s happened. The book alludes to what happened to the child, there’s no graphic details. The MMC in this book is definitely my new boyfriend. I was rooting for him and the FMC from the very beginning. I cannot write a review as eloquently as the author wrote this book. I can only say, if you bypass it, you’ve missed out!
I don’t even know where to start. I had been in such a book slump, when this book came out. I was hooked from the very first chapter. This book is so well done. It illustrates so well the grief process and how we can turn against those we love the most. It shows how you can deeply love someone and still be unable to open yourself wide to bleed. While this book deals with the grief of losing a child. We get it from the perspective of the parents viewpoint a few years after it’s happened. The book alludes to what happened to the child, there’s no graphic details. The MMC in this book is definitely my new boyfriend. I was rooting for him and the FMC from the very beginning. I cannot write a review as eloquently as the author wrote this book. I can only say, if you bypass it, you’ve missed out!
December 21, 2025
Amazing Read
This story pulls on all of your heart strings. Teddy and Kelsey built a beautiful life together but tragedy strikes and their grief takes a hole on their relationship. Their daughters devise a plan to get them back together. Their second chance is what makes you believe that soul mates are always meant to be together.
This story pulls on all of your heart strings. Teddy and Kelsey built a beautiful life together but tragedy strikes and their grief takes a hole on their relationship. Their daughters devise a plan to get them back together. Their second chance is what makes you believe that soul mates are always meant to be together.
February 16, 2026
Loved this so much, read it in a day. My first book by this author and I will be going back through her catalogue.
It was so refreshing to read about the FMC/MMC being in their 50s and getting that all important second chance, after so much heartache. A lot of relatable emotions within the story and the characters were so well written.
Will definitely be one to go back to.
It was so refreshing to read about the FMC/MMC being in their 50s and getting that all important second chance, after so much heartache. A lot of relatable emotions within the story and the characters were so well written.
Will definitely be one to go back to.
December 30, 2025
Great read.
This was such an emotional story, a second chance romance after a huge heart breaking event. But I loved that they still loved each other and their chemistry was still strong.
This was such an emotional story, a second chance romance after a huge heart breaking event. But I loved that they still loved each other and their chemistry was still strong.
March 24, 2026
Beautifully written.
I felt their grief, I felt their anguish, I felt their love and I felt their chemistry and connection.
Some might not understand grief but it can affect you in ways that won’t always make sense to anyone else but the person who is going through it.
There were some light hearted funny moments and one liners which made me giggle, and more than a few steamy moments which I absolutely adored.
An emotional second Chance romance that gave me all the feels!
I felt their grief, I felt their anguish, I felt their love and I felt their chemistry and connection.
Some might not understand grief but it can affect you in ways that won’t always make sense to anyone else but the person who is going through it.
There were some light hearted funny moments and one liners which made me giggle, and more than a few steamy moments which I absolutely adored.
An emotional second Chance romance that gave me all the feels!
March 21, 2026
Oh I just loved it. I was rooting for them so hard. Seeing how they handled grief, communication differently but then how they started opening up to each other. As a fellow ‘shut downer’, I related to Kelsey a lot and loved how Teddy coaxed the truth out of her and encouraged her to start opening up. The sex scenes were hit and realistic and nice to see ‘older’ people getting the good loving too.
February 18, 2026
five stars for all the ones who believe in taking second chances
Great book for those who have remarried their their long time spouses after being married many years and then divorcing them and then taking a second chance on them again. Marriage is hard and divorce is really hard too especially when you still love your spouse. This book is really good at explaining how that can be sometimes and how life can rip us apart sometimes when we are just trying to do our best. Five stars on Kindle.
Great book for those who have remarried their their long time spouses after being married many years and then divorcing them and then taking a second chance on them again. Marriage is hard and divorce is really hard too especially when you still love your spouse. This book is really good at explaining how that can be sometimes and how life can rip us apart sometimes when we are just trying to do our best. Five stars on Kindle.
January 18, 2026
This old (not ol’) lady thankful
Excellent story for those of us who have been married awhile, raised kids, peed ourselves laughing, and weathered a lot of life on the roller coaster of joy and grief- and enjoy the naughty side of empty nesting. Thanks, Shannon, for writing one about people my age 😉
Excellent story for those of us who have been married awhile, raised kids, peed ourselves laughing, and weathered a lot of life on the roller coaster of joy and grief- and enjoy the naughty side of empty nesting. Thanks, Shannon, for writing one about people my age 😉
May 1, 2026
The Christmas Trap
Silent Phoenix MC
Shannon Myers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 4.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
One Sentence Summary/Review:
They have history that ended in divorce-so their children decide to "Parent Trap" them.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕Second Chance
💕MC Romance
💕MF Romance
💕Divorced
💕Part of a Series
💕Angst
💕No Cheating
💕No OW Drama
💕Forced Proximity
Triggers:
🚩Mention of Mental Illness
🚩Mention of Suicide
🚩Mention of Death of a Child
🚩Mention of Violence
Emotion Impact Rating: 💞😍
😢Crying/Heartbroken 🤯Shocked/Mind-blowing
😠Frustrated/Angry 💞Emotionally Invested/Obsessed
😍In Love/Swooning 😊Comfort/Cozy
Spice Level (as of 4.8.26): 🔥🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
We weren't. We were about as far from okay as two people could be. But with her head on my shoulder and her breath on my neck, I could almost believe her. Almost.
Writing Style Rating: Simple
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: ⚖
🐢: Slow/Takes Time to Build
⚖: Medium Pacing/Things Move Steadily
🚀: Fast/Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC and MMC have been divorced a number of years. Their marriage did not survive the death of their son. They haven't been in contact since the divorce. It is Christmas and their daughters decide to "Parent Trap" them. Eventual HEA.
Full Review:
I loved this book. It draws you in from the first page. I found myself feeling for both the FMC and MMC. I wanted to see them heal, communicate, and work this out. The daughters' roles as well as the grandparents are written very well.
This book is filled with angst. Bring your tissues. Also, I would recommend reading Keeper by this same author. It gives you the uncle's point of view during the tragic time.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4wbfvZp
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4tjoGV2
Keeper:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4w1gpY6
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4w5g9Y4
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
Silent Phoenix MC
Shannon Myers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 4.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
One Sentence Summary/Review:
They have history that ended in divorce-so their children decide to "Parent Trap" them.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕Second Chance
💕MC Romance
💕MF Romance
💕Divorced
💕Part of a Series
💕Angst
💕No Cheating
💕No OW Drama
💕Forced Proximity
Triggers:
🚩Mention of Mental Illness
🚩Mention of Suicide
🚩Mention of Death of a Child
🚩Mention of Violence
Emotion Impact Rating: 💞😍
😢Crying/Heartbroken 🤯Shocked/Mind-blowing
😠Frustrated/Angry 💞Emotionally Invested/Obsessed
😍In Love/Swooning 😊Comfort/Cozy
Spice Level (as of 4.8.26): 🔥🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
We weren't. We were about as far from okay as two people could be. But with her head on my shoulder and her breath on my neck, I could almost believe her. Almost.
Writing Style Rating: Simple
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: ⚖
🐢: Slow/Takes Time to Build
⚖: Medium Pacing/Things Move Steadily
🚀: Fast/Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC and MMC have been divorced a number of years. Their marriage did not survive the death of their son. They haven't been in contact since the divorce. It is Christmas and their daughters decide to "Parent Trap" them. Eventual HEA.
Full Review:
I loved this book. It draws you in from the first page. I found myself feeling for both the FMC and MMC. I wanted to see them heal, communicate, and work this out. The daughters' roles as well as the grandparents are written very well.
This book is filled with angst. Bring your tissues. Also, I would recommend reading Keeper by this same author. It gives you the uncle's point of view during the tragic time.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4wbfvZp
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4tjoGV2
Keeper:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4w1gpY6
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4w5g9Y4
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
May 3, 2026
Good
Ok so first off if there is a book that should have been read before this , about Teddy and Kelsey ( Kel's) please someone reach out to me on AMAZON and let me know .With that bring said I am going to read the book that was mentioned at the end of this book.
Second , I really wish I could have rated this a 5 because I loved the storyline and her writing style is great . there is enough dirty (I do like more) but it was good. But with that being said there were more than a couple things that really bothered me about this book.
The story line is 2 daughters trying to get their patents back togeather. Which is fine but it feels lime I walked into the middle of the book.
They are already divorced, they lost a child . it is never explained how they lost a child .. At first it sort of seems he did it himself , but then the author talks about babies that never came to be , IVF more than once , troubles with carrying , so you start to believe its related to that . then teddy's brother says its his fault . so yea it made me extremely upset that it wasn't just said why ..
They lost a child and pushed each other away , she joined a gym he retreated to the MC where he says everyone was just glad to see him .
So they under up divorced , and he went nomad, only he didnt stay that way .
She never stopped loving him he never stopped loving her . I would think when you lose a child you would cling to your partner, these two did not . they pushed each other away at every turn .When he saw her breaking he thought she was just avoiding conversation. When he went to the club she assumed he was with women and didnt want to deal with a grieving wife .
One of the major thongs that made me really mad was he said he loved her and never got over her or hoping they would work out and find each other again. But he made a whole life as president of the Colorado chapter of his MC and never told her . now later in the book you do find out he had planned on telling her and showing her the house he wanted but then she asked for a divorce. He said dome mean and hurtful things to her and she would retreat like she always did .
They did finally talk and work things out and are going to get a second chance but there was just way to much walking away from each other and ignoring things .
Ok so first off if there is a book that should have been read before this , about Teddy and Kelsey ( Kel's) please someone reach out to me on AMAZON and let me know .With that bring said I am going to read the book that was mentioned at the end of this book.
Second , I really wish I could have rated this a 5 because I loved the storyline and her writing style is great . there is enough dirty (I do like more) but it was good. But with that being said there were more than a couple things that really bothered me about this book.
The story line is 2 daughters trying to get their patents back togeather. Which is fine but it feels lime I walked into the middle of the book.
They are already divorced, they lost a child . it is never explained how they lost a child .. At first it sort of seems he did it himself , but then the author talks about babies that never came to be , IVF more than once , troubles with carrying , so you start to believe its related to that . then teddy's brother says its his fault . so yea it made me extremely upset that it wasn't just said why ..
They lost a child and pushed each other away , she joined a gym he retreated to the MC where he says everyone was just glad to see him .
So they under up divorced , and he went nomad, only he didnt stay that way .
She never stopped loving him he never stopped loving her . I would think when you lose a child you would cling to your partner, these two did not . they pushed each other away at every turn .When he saw her breaking he thought she was just avoiding conversation. When he went to the club she assumed he was with women and didnt want to deal with a grieving wife .
One of the major thongs that made me really mad was he said he loved her and never got over her or hoping they would work out and find each other again. But he made a whole life as president of the Colorado chapter of his MC and never told her . now later in the book you do find out he had planned on telling her and showing her the house he wanted but then she asked for a divorce. He said dome mean and hurtful things to her and she would retreat like she always did .
They did finally talk and work things out and are going to get a second chance but there was just way to much walking away from each other and ignoring things .
March 6, 2026
This was one of those "couldn't put down" books. I read it in one day. First off, I loved that the main characters were in their 50's. No offense to you younger readers. I love all my hot spicy romance books but I'm in my 70's and can relate a little easier to Teddy & Kelsey. I read a lot. Several books a week and I have to admit this was a unique story line for me. I knew there would be the inevitable HEA but I couldn't put the book down wanted to get to it asap.
It was my first time reading this author. I'm definitely going to go check out her other work. She certainly has a new fan. I won't bother to recap the story, you can read that yourself in the details of the book. Sufice to say it was a refreshing change from the usual tropes. Check it out. You won't be disappointed It dealt with some heavy subjects. We will all experience loss in our life at some point, some more traumatic than others but it shows you can survive and come out the other side. It's not always easy or a straight path. It will leave scars but they can heal.
I just loved this book. I hope you will too.
PS. I read Teddy in Sam Elliott's voice. Swoon.
It was my first time reading this author. I'm definitely going to go check out her other work. She certainly has a new fan. I won't bother to recap the story, you can read that yourself in the details of the book. Sufice to say it was a refreshing change from the usual tropes. Check it out. You won't be disappointed It dealt with some heavy subjects. We will all experience loss in our life at some point, some more traumatic than others but it shows you can survive and come out the other side. It's not always easy or a straight path. It will leave scars but they can heal.
I just loved this book. I hope you will too.
PS. I read Teddy in Sam Elliott's voice. Swoon.
Did Not Finish
May 14, 2026Stopping at a pretty crucial point, 74%.
We just had a breakdown between the parents where they revealed that they both felt relieved when their depressed child, 13-year-old CHILD passed away and that was really hard for me to read because I couldn’t understand.
I’m not a mother yet. I do not have children, but as someone who has siblings and someone who has loved ones, I don’t think I’ll ever feel what these people felt. I don’t know if family members with people who are depressed feel this way.
I honestly feel like I need this book to be read by someone maybe who has gone through that, or maybe the author has herself gone through that and that would make a lot of sense to feel the way the feelings were felt but it was just really hard for me, I couldn’t go on. It made me nauseous and yeah, that was really hard for me even as someone who isn’t as close to this kind of a situation. It was a way different reaction from what I would’ve expected but yeah, I think I’m going to stop reading this book.
We just had a breakdown between the parents where they revealed that they both felt relieved when their depressed child, 13-year-old CHILD passed away and that was really hard for me to read because I couldn’t understand.
I’m not a mother yet. I do not have children, but as someone who has siblings and someone who has loved ones, I don’t think I’ll ever feel what these people felt. I don’t know if family members with people who are depressed feel this way.
I honestly feel like I need this book to be read by someone maybe who has gone through that, or maybe the author has herself gone through that and that would make a lot of sense to feel the way the feelings were felt but it was just really hard for me, I couldn’t go on. It made me nauseous and yeah, that was really hard for me even as someone who isn’t as close to this kind of a situation. It was a way different reaction from what I would’ve expected but yeah, I think I’m going to stop reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
Good second chance
Loved this second chance romance where the author gave us a taste of that deep connection between two people that could not be severed. Loved that for them, if it wasn't their person, no one else would do. You get a look at love growing through the years, the changes, the healing, the growing older parts of life. Good read.
Loved this second chance romance where the author gave us a taste of that deep connection between two people that could not be severed. Loved that for them, if it wasn't their person, no one else would do. You get a look at love growing through the years, the changes, the healing, the growing older parts of life. Good read.
March 9, 2026
Such a good book
Kelsey and Teddy find their way back to each other, thanks to the interventions of their adult daughters. Snowed in as Christmas approached, they find that the love they had shared since teenagers was still there.
Kelsey and Teddy find their way back to each other, thanks to the interventions of their adult daughters. Snowed in as Christmas approached, they find that the love they had shared since teenagers was still there.
March 27, 2026
4 🌟
A great story about love and loss and finding your way back.
Absolutely loved this second chance forced proximity romance. Theyre daughters parent trapping them is hilarious and was needed seeing as they never got over each other. Ugh so good.
A great story about love and loss and finding your way back.
Absolutely loved this second chance forced proximity romance. Theyre daughters parent trapping them is hilarious and was needed seeing as they never got over each other. Ugh so good.
May 2, 2026
The Christmas Trap
I loved this book. I loved the tears, the laughed the sad memories and the happy one. Such a roller coaster of emotions. A wonderful thoughtful read. Just beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
I loved this book. I loved the tears, the laughed the sad memories and the happy one. Such a roller coaster of emotions. A wonderful thoughtful read. Just beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
May 12, 2026
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I do love a second chance. This one was even better because the kids got involved and made it fun. They knew their parents were supposed to be together. They just had to give them a push. Loved it.
I do love a second chance. This one was even better because the kids got involved and made it fun. They knew their parents were supposed to be together. They just had to give them a push. Loved it.
March 1, 2026
loved it
Wow, a very beautifully written book. I loved how it dealt with a lot of issues including loss, divorce and anxiety
Wow, a very beautifully written book. I loved how it dealt with a lot of issues including loss, divorce and anxiety
March 2, 2026
amazing
Love an MC romance. Teddy and Kelsey were perfect. So much emotion and angst. The perfect MC romance for the holidays.
Love an MC romance. Teddy and Kelsey were perfect. So much emotion and angst. The perfect MC romance for the holidays.
April 7, 2026
Spice is great and the plot was so sweet 🥹
April 20, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews