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Cabin Nights
Oxford University student, Ben thinks a skiing holiday in the French Alps is his idea of hell, so when his best friend, Jonny suggests they spend Christmas there he isn’t impressed. Taking to the slopes like Bambi on ice, Ben isn't having much luck, until charming bearded beauty, Cal, comes crashing towards him in a flurry of snow at fifty miles an hour. From the moment Cal offers to help Ben get back on his skis, the attraction is instant and Ben is convinced that a man as perfect as Cal is out of his league. Womanizer Jonny wastes no time asking out a girl he meets on the slopes and he makes her promise to bring along a friend to keep Ben occupied that night in the Après-Ski Bar. When that friend turns out to be Cal, he's given the opportunity of a lifetime to wine and dine with a man of model like beauty, with a charismatic personality to match.When Cal invites Ben back to his Cabin, they find themselves trapped in an extreme whiteout and with the men forced to spend the Christmas holidays together, they quickly find they are doing more than roasting marshmallows next to the warm and inviting fire.*Contains gay sex scenes between an Oxford University Student and a sexy bearded cabin dweller*
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2015
25 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Ashley John
24 books801 followersAshley John is a gay author of gay/mm romance novels. Living in the north of England with his fiance and two cats, Ashley John spends his days writing down the voices he hears in his head. His books are primarily romance dramas with sprinklings of erotica and he has a knack for making you feel like you're living right beside the characters he creates. Ashley John is also a keen artist and he puts his artistic side to designing all of his own covers.
Find ashley john at ashleyjohn.co.uk
KEEP UP WITH ASHLEY JOHN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyjohnart
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/itsashleyjohn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ashleyjohn
Find ashley john at ashleyjohn.co.uk
KEEP UP WITH ASHLEY JOHN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyjohnart
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/itsashleyjohn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ashleyjohn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 28, 2015
3.5 Stars!
Another pretty good holiday read! This was a new to me author.
Nothing wowing, but an easy entertaining read!
Another pretty good holiday read! This was a new to me author.
Nothing wowing, but an easy entertaining read!
Want to read
September 6, 2017THAT COVER!!
I'm just going to buy this and spend all my time looking at that cover. Until then though let me show you some of my favorite beards...
Ricki
Scroob
Billy
Joseph
Josh
And beautiful Colby
Thanks Susan for pointing this out to me. I'm such a cover ho...
I'm just going to buy this and spend all my time looking at that cover. Until then though let me show you some of my favorite beards...
Ricki
Scroob
Billy
Joseph
Josh
And beautiful Colby
Thanks Susan for pointing this out to me. I'm such a cover ho...
December 13, 2020
Well, I have to give this young British MALE author some credit here, and yes, I DO believe he's male. After the panning I gave to both BOSS and Shelter in terms of the extremely poor beta reading and complete lack of an editor, I was dreading reading Cabin Nights to be honest, but something good seems to have happened with this little Christmassy Cracker...
There is no mention of an editor, and the joyriders masquerading as his beta readers seem to have done a bunk too (thank goodness), but this work is a great improvement on the last two offerings from him. Yes OK, there were a few niggles and obviously Faulty Towers should be FAWLTY Towers, but in all fairness, this was a really nice and festive Xmas read with plenty of snow, lots of pine trees, an isolated cabin in the alpine forest and a hot American for Ben to keep warm with. Yes Jonny (the friend) was a bit of a 'hooray Henry', but he wasn't nasty with it. Have to say I'm not that thrilled with beards generally, especially those like the one the guy on the cover is sporting which is more like a rhododendron bush (Blackadder again) BUT I'm willing to change my mind!! 4.25 stars from me, and great job Ashley!!
There is no mention of an editor, and the joyriders masquerading as his beta readers seem to have done a bunk too (thank goodness), but this work is a great improvement on the last two offerings from him. Yes OK, there were a few niggles and obviously Faulty Towers should be FAWLTY Towers, but in all fairness, this was a really nice and festive Xmas read with plenty of snow, lots of pine trees, an isolated cabin in the alpine forest and a hot American for Ben to keep warm with. Yes Jonny (the friend) was a bit of a 'hooray Henry', but he wasn't nasty with it. Have to say I'm not that thrilled with beards generally, especially those like the one the guy on the cover is sporting which is more like a rhododendron bush (Blackadder again) BUT I'm willing to change my mind!! 4.25 stars from me, and great job Ashley!!
November 26, 2016
re-read Nov. 2016
*** Oxford student, Ben, reluctantly went skiing with his friend for Christmas. He meets a burly bearded man when they crash into each other on the slope, and later spend the evening talking, laughing and drinking. Cal is a wanderer, always moving, his life is a freelance job jumping adventure. He takes Ben to his own cabin the next afternoon and when the "white-out" hits they are trapped for a few days. This turns out to be the BEST thing that has ever happened to Ben and Cal, because each man has never had this kind of connection with another. They spend days and nights spent cooking, having super M/M sex, deep conversation and finding true love. After the storm Ben must return to finish school, and then the next Christmas at his parents home, there's a knock on the door !! This amazing tale is full of magic, romance, acceptance, emotion, Christmas fun, and friendship.
Highly recommend this lovely , well written story !! ENJOY everyone !!!
*** Oxford student, Ben, reluctantly went skiing with his friend for Christmas. He meets a burly bearded man when they crash into each other on the slope, and later spend the evening talking, laughing and drinking. Cal is a wanderer, always moving, his life is a freelance job jumping adventure. He takes Ben to his own cabin the next afternoon and when the "white-out" hits they are trapped for a few days. This turns out to be the BEST thing that has ever happened to Ben and Cal, because each man has never had this kind of connection with another. They spend days and nights spent cooking, having super M/M sex, deep conversation and finding true love. After the storm Ben must return to finish school, and then the next Christmas at his parents home, there's a knock on the door !! This amazing tale is full of magic, romance, acceptance, emotion, Christmas fun, and friendship.
Highly recommend this lovely , well written story !! ENJOY everyone !!!
November 28, 2015
Sometimes you come across a book that makes you feel absolutely nothing….
When thinking back I can hardly remember anything about this book (and I read it yesterday). I found neither Ben nor Cal to have much of a personality. They just were.
I was so incredibly bored for most of the story.
Well, at least there were a lot of sex scenes… didn’t make the book better though.
I can’t give this 2 stars, because it’s not that it was a bad book, it just didn’t do anything for me.
When thinking back I can hardly remember anything about this book (and I read it yesterday). I found neither Ben nor Cal to have much of a personality. They just were.
I was so incredibly bored for most of the story.
Well, at least there were a lot of sex scenes… didn’t make the book better though.
I can’t give this 2 stars, because it’s not that it was a bad book, it just didn’t do anything for me.
Want to read
November 24, 2015IT'S LIVE!
Grab your copy for 99c!
Grab your copy for 99c!
November 24, 2015
Cabin Nights is one of the sweetest, romantic and dreamy Christmas stories that I've ever read. I swear this story would be the perfect made for TV Christmas movie. In this novella, we meet Ben, An Oxford Univ. student who has no right to be out on the slopes proves just that, as he slams into Cal and gets knocked out ~ only, not by the collision, but by the hot, bearded wall of muscle himself. Ben Is Smitten! They spend much time together at Cal's cabin and get to know one another as they're snowed in; it wouldn't have mattered if they were or not, as these two were captivated by each other. Their stories of Christmas past, the aroma of food cooking in Cal's oven, the warmth of the roaring fire, hot toddie's and snowball fights, along with heartfelt lovemaking, made ME not want to ever leave their cabin. But Ben's Christmas holiday Is almost over, so will that be the end for the two of them? C'mon, this is a feel good Christmas story! Would Santa do that to us?
Ashley John makes his characters so believable and genuine that you can't help but fall in love with every one of them. Cal and Ben are no exception. The places and situations in all of his books are so vividly described that you feel consumed by them as you immerse yourself in the pages. Where Ashley goes, he takes you along for the ride. Believe me, Cabin Nights is where you want to be. Five Snow-Angel stars for me ~
Ashley John makes his characters so believable and genuine that you can't help but fall in love with every one of them. Cal and Ben are no exception. The places and situations in all of his books are so vividly described that you feel consumed by them as you immerse yourself in the pages. Where Ashley goes, he takes you along for the ride. Believe me, Cabin Nights is where you want to be. Five Snow-Angel stars for me ~
November 28, 2015
There was absolutely nothing wrong with this story. It had a total meet cute, a sexy, free-spirited mountain man, and a snowed in cabin at Christmas. I should be a happy girl right now, and yet I don't really feel much of anything. The story just didn't pull any emotion from me at all and in about 3 days I'll have completely forgotten Cabin Nights and its characters.
December 11, 2015
Super cute, how nice to find a good holiday story that isn't over before it starts. I like the cover, but I do wish the guy wasn't giving the murder eyes.
December 5, 2015
3.25 stars
Loved the swiss alps setting but the story and romance just didn't completely come together for me,.
Loved the swiss alps setting but the story and romance just didn't completely come together for me,.
November 25, 2015
This was just a sweet novella read full of warm seasonal fluff!
Ben is on a ski trip from hell when Cal crashes into him on the slopes. They meet again when their respective friends meet up at a bar. There is a quiet attraction to each other which is explored further and affection quickly develops when they are snowed in Cal's cabin for a few days over Christmas.
There is a little touch of insta-love about their time in the cabin, the outside world was shut out and it was just the two of them in a little bubble. Cal is a free spirit and a traveller, having no roots or family, unlike Ben, who has attachments and traditions back home in England. But, Cal's gestures were sweet, his words were soft and my heart actually ached when he gave Ben his mother's book, I was goo.....
When they parted, it was bittersweet but hopeful and then we get the epilogue. I was a little annoyed with Cal for continuing his travels....seriously it took him 12 months to land on the doorstep!!!! But, the ending wrapped it all up perfectly, so he can be forgiven!!!
Overall, this was a seasonal no angst, sparkly, candy sweet slice of romance, filled with snowy kisses and a little smexy time in front of a log fire. It ended on a strong HFN, leaving me with the warm and fuzzies.
Ben is on a ski trip from hell when Cal crashes into him on the slopes. They meet again when their respective friends meet up at a bar. There is a quiet attraction to each other which is explored further and affection quickly develops when they are snowed in Cal's cabin for a few days over Christmas.
There is a little touch of insta-love about their time in the cabin, the outside world was shut out and it was just the two of them in a little bubble. Cal is a free spirit and a traveller, having no roots or family, unlike Ben, who has attachments and traditions back home in England. But, Cal's gestures were sweet, his words were soft and my heart actually ached when he gave Ben his mother's book, I was goo.....
When they parted, it was bittersweet but hopeful and then we get the epilogue. I was a little annoyed with Cal for continuing his travels....seriously it took him 12 months to land on the doorstep!!!! But, the ending wrapped it all up perfectly, so he can be forgiven!!!
Overall, this was a seasonal no angst, sparkly, candy sweet slice of romance, filled with snowy kisses and a little smexy time in front of a log fire. It ended on a strong HFN, leaving me with the warm and fuzzies.
December 8, 2017
dnf-ed at nowhere.
it's 'sucks'
It's you, it's not me. Again.
I'm too stupid to understand this book, with all those 'no-word, words', tried to find it on wikipedia, oxford dictionary, still....'empty'...
"try again," wiki said.
So I gave up. Nothing's wrong of being stupid.
Some books should be written for stupid people like me.
It's sucks.
December 16, 2016
MMRG Xmas Bingo 2016: team 07-"Naughty"
Week 3: Snow on the book Cover/ Monday, December 12, 2016
Poor characterization of American MC
*Rant Alert*
The two MCs meet at a ski resort in the French alps during the xmas holidays.
Ben, an Oxford scholarship student is there accompanying his well-off straight best friend who doesn't know Ben is gay. Cal is from California, the son of a world traveler and spends his young life doing the same.
This is a perfectly good story but the characterization of Cal, MC from the US annoyed me to no end.
The British writer seems to have studied characterization of American characters from Mrs Van Hopper of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and Agatha Christie's Mrs Hubbard and Cyrus Hardman both from Murder on the Orient Express.
These characters who are all US-born and traveling in Europe in the hands of these British authors make me cringe and Ashley John has taken a cue from these two giants in fiction-writing on how to portray an American.
Cal, the American, son of a sophisticated woman and a sophisticated young man from California, keeps saying things about Ben's British speech like some sort of bumpkin--which Cal is not! This is all very jarring to me because these idiotic comments are not consistent with the character at all. Some of Cal's background and experience, and yes even from the US born people-would not make stupid comments about the language or speech of people from other countries, but that is lost on Ashley John. If he's from the US, he must be a rustic, and from California no less!
The author need to stick to what he knows when he writes.
This is a good story. I recommend it to anyone else who doesn't care about these issues (everyone else!).
I loved the description of the winter scene at the resort and the lovely, bracing cold winter air that reminded me of the climate in the region where I grew up.
Week 3: Snow on the book Cover/ Monday, December 12, 2016
Poor characterization of American MC
*Rant Alert*
The two MCs meet at a ski resort in the French alps during the xmas holidays.
Ben, an Oxford scholarship student is there accompanying his well-off straight best friend who doesn't know Ben is gay. Cal is from California, the son of a world traveler and spends his young life doing the same.
This is a perfectly good story but the characterization of Cal, MC from the US annoyed me to no end.
The British writer seems to have studied characterization of American characters from Mrs Van Hopper of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and Agatha Christie's Mrs Hubbard and Cyrus Hardman both from Murder on the Orient Express.
These characters who are all US-born and traveling in Europe in the hands of these British authors make me cringe and Ashley John has taken a cue from these two giants in fiction-writing on how to portray an American.
Cal, the American, son of a sophisticated woman and a sophisticated young man from California, keeps saying things about Ben's British speech like some sort of bumpkin--which Cal is not! This is all very jarring to me because these idiotic comments are not consistent with the character at all. Some of Cal's background and experience, and yes even from the US born people-would not make stupid comments about the language or speech of people from other countries, but that is lost on Ashley John. If he's from the US, he must be a rustic, and from California no less!
The author need to stick to what he knows when he writes.
This is a good story. I recommend it to anyone else who doesn't care about these issues (everyone else!).
I loved the description of the winter scene at the resort and the lovely, bracing cold winter air that reminded me of the climate in the region where I grew up.
December 23, 2015
3.5 Holiday Stars
I'm feeling a little bit likr the Grinch right now, because most of the Christmas stories I've read so far didn't do a lot for me.
This one wasn't exactly an exception. Ben has this confused & lost puppy feeling to him, that made him kind of adorable, but also a tiny little bit annoying. Cal on the other hand is an easy-going good guy who comes literally from the back of the woods. Add a cozy little cabin and a lot of snow, and vòila! Here comes Cabin Nights. It's a cute story, extra sweet, with enough steam and an unusual epilogue.
I liked it, I really did. It was easy, it was heart-warming in a way, and it had all the ingredients a Christmas Story needs. And yet... I don't know. I wasn't really touched, it didn't grab me or pulled me in all the way. I definitely didn't start humming Christmas carols while reading. It was a good book, just didn't rock my world.
I'm feeling a little bit likr the Grinch right now, because most of the Christmas stories I've read so far didn't do a lot for me.
This one wasn't exactly an exception. Ben has this confused & lost puppy feeling to him, that made him kind of adorable, but also a tiny little bit annoying. Cal on the other hand is an easy-going good guy who comes literally from the back of the woods. Add a cozy little cabin and a lot of snow, and vòila! Here comes Cabin Nights. It's a cute story, extra sweet, with enough steam and an unusual epilogue.
I liked it, I really did. It was easy, it was heart-warming in a way, and it had all the ingredients a Christmas Story needs. And yet... I don't know. I wasn't really touched, it didn't grab me or pulled me in all the way. I definitely didn't start humming Christmas carols while reading. It was a good book, just didn't rock my world.
December 6, 2015
I love reading seasonal books/novellas. And as it is the Christmas season, this was the perfect read for me.
Ben is on holiday with his friend and literally runs into Cal while skiing. Ben is immediately attracted to Cal. Throughout Ben's holiday he and Cal get the opportunity to spend a great deal of time together and getting to know one another.
I've read many novellas where the story was rushed and there was no character development. However, Ashley has a gift for developing characters, even when we do not have them for long. This novella had me wanting more of Ben and Cal. I do wish this had been a full novel because I just loved their story and wished to see where they went from there.
Another wonderful story Ashley.
Ben is on holiday with his friend and literally runs into Cal while skiing. Ben is immediately attracted to Cal. Throughout Ben's holiday he and Cal get the opportunity to spend a great deal of time together and getting to know one another.
I've read many novellas where the story was rushed and there was no character development. However, Ashley has a gift for developing characters, even when we do not have them for long. This novella had me wanting more of Ben and Cal. I do wish this had been a full novel because I just loved their story and wished to see where they went from there.
Another wonderful story Ashley.
December 13, 2015
Such a fantastic holiday read, though I know I'll be rereading it sometime again very soon. It was so sweet and incredibly hot.
I want to find myself stuck with a hot, bearded, sexy man somewhere in a secluded cabin...
It was so well written and flowed so nicely, it was the perfect comfort read for any season. Highly recommended.
I want to find myself stuck with a hot, bearded, sexy man somewhere in a secluded cabin...
It was so well written and flowed so nicely, it was the perfect comfort read for any season. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2015
Sweet Christmas love story
A really sweet good feeling Christmas story. Lovely personalites. Just positive feelings exactly how a Christmas love story should go. The storyline is compact and mostly takes place in a Cabin Completely snowed under they find love together. Its sweet, good and short.
The end is a HEA (of course)
A really sweet good feeling Christmas story. Lovely personalites. Just positive feelings exactly how a Christmas love story should go. The storyline is compact and mostly takes place in a Cabin Completely snowed under they find love together. Its sweet, good and short.
The end is a HEA (of course)
November 25, 2015
Happy sigh. Review soon at bmbr.
November 27, 2015
All I can say is awwwwww. That was the sweetest story I have read in a long time.
January 29, 2016
3.5 Stars
November 25, 2015
This story of Ben and Cal is such a sweet, romantic, and snow melting read. When Ben goes on a Christmas skiing trip with his best friend Jonny, Ben is completely out of his element. After crashing into Cal, the bearded beauty that makes Ben’s heart flutter, Ben wonders if he will see Cal again. On a second chance meeting, the two start to get to know each other with ease and soon find themselves at Cal’s cabin deep in the forest. While waiting out the snowstorm that has trapped these two in the cabin for a few days, they get to know one another mentally, emotionally and physically. The fun and spirit of Christmas is shared between these two men. They talk and learn about each other’s lives and Christmas traditions. While trying to make a Christmas worthwhile for each other, they realize their one Christmas wish each is for the whiteout to never end.
What’s Christmas without snowball fights, flour fight from Christmas cookies, a fire, cutting your own Christmas tree and of course, body made heat? Ben and Cal find out that Christmas is about spending it with the ones you love and not all about presents, except for maybe that one particular one that makes your heart flutter.
Ashley John has brought two sweet and charismatic men together that create a world that I never wanted to leave. His talent of writing with such detail, depth, vivid clarity and believability makes you feel and live in the story and the true love of his characters.
What’s Christmas without snowball fights, flour fight from Christmas cookies, a fire, cutting your own Christmas tree and of course, body made heat? Ben and Cal find out that Christmas is about spending it with the ones you love and not all about presents, except for maybe that one particular one that makes your heart flutter.
Ashley John has brought two sweet and charismatic men together that create a world that I never wanted to leave. His talent of writing with such detail, depth, vivid clarity and believability makes you feel and live in the story and the true love of his characters.
November 26, 2015
Such a lovely story of meeting the one when you're not looking and certainly don't expect them to crash into your life at full speed.
Cal is a free spirit travelling and working as he needs to.
Ben is a hardworking student at Oxford Uni on a skiing holiday he didn't want to be on.
This book gives you a warm cuddly feeling that love can find you in unlikely places and can be the most liberating experience.
5* well deserved
Cal is a free spirit travelling and working as he needs to.
Ben is a hardworking student at Oxford Uni on a skiing holiday he didn't want to be on.
This book gives you a warm cuddly feeling that love can find you in unlikely places and can be the most liberating experience.
5* well deserved
November 29, 2015
Such a sweet and great story, exactly what one needs for the Holiday, especially some confirmed s#cker for romance like me! "Cabin Nights" is just again an more than awesome little tale by Ashley John which you'll love from the first page to the last. I did! Just thinking of Cal's christmas present for Ben...awww...perfect! Thank you for this little precious and early christmas present, Ashley!
November 25, 2015
Another amazing story from Ashley. Ben and Cal are endearing characters who come together and make you smile when they do. Opposites attract and this story shows how well they mesh. Sweet, loving, happy are just a few words I would use to describe it.
November 28, 2015
Cute, light read for the holidays. The only thing is for how short this was and with the epilogue I wish the connection had appeared stronger. For what was on page it felt more like a nice holiday hookup vs. something that could progress into something long term.
February 7, 2016
I enjoyed this book. Ashley John just keeps getting better.
December 9, 2015
Very romantic, sweet holiday read with enough back story to connect with the main characters bravo!
April 4, 2016
That cover tho..... yes please
June 19, 2016
I've been dying to read this book for a while now, but just haven't found the time. Today I decided it was time to dive in and boy am I glad I did. Cabin Nights is a heartwarming story that has a perma-smile on your face.
From the best friend, Jonny, to the glorious alpine setting, everything about this book was so enjoyable. But the best bit was definitely in the form of 'The American,' Cal. He was a rugged, outdoors kind of guy that put a smile in my heart as well as on my face.
I won't say anything about the content of the story in detail, but I will say it is the perfect companion for a cold night in. If there's not much to occupy you on tv, it's raining outside so there's nothing to do, pick up a copy of Cabin Nights and be warmed all the way from your toes. You won't be sorry you did.
This is the 4th book I've read by Ashley and in my opinion, they just get better. I loved George and Harvey, but I think Ben and Cal are tipping the scales as for who I love most.
From the best friend, Jonny, to the glorious alpine setting, everything about this book was so enjoyable. But the best bit was definitely in the form of 'The American,' Cal. He was a rugged, outdoors kind of guy that put a smile in my heart as well as on my face.
I won't say anything about the content of the story in detail, but I will say it is the perfect companion for a cold night in. If there's not much to occupy you on tv, it's raining outside so there's nothing to do, pick up a copy of Cabin Nights and be warmed all the way from your toes. You won't be sorry you did.
This is the 4th book I've read by Ashley and in my opinion, they just get better. I loved George and Harvey, but I think Ben and Cal are tipping the scales as for who I love most.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews