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Iced
Keith Walker, a mall bookstore employee, is struggling to get through another miserable holiday season while trying to preserve a crumbling long-term relationship. One of his few comforts is his morning coffee made by a good-looking, younger barista. Austin Novak felt an attraction when Keith started frequenting the coffee shop, but he doesn’t think the older man has any interest in him or his graphic novel collection.
A Christmas week snowstorm buries the city and locks Keith’s car into its parking spot. Keith decides to show Austin his gratitude for helping free the car from the ice with a dinner invitation. The meal becomes complicated when Austin meets Keith’s boyfriend, Shawn, and things go downhill from there when Shawn announces he’s heading to Cancún with his coworkers. Keith is caught between keeping his boyfriend happy and keeping his job. But Keith might not need a plane ticket to find the happiness that’s been missing from his life.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar "Bah Humbug."
A Christmas week snowstorm buries the city and locks Keith’s car into its parking spot. Keith decides to show Austin his gratitude for helping free the car from the ice with a dinner invitation. The meal becomes complicated when Austin meets Keith’s boyfriend, Shawn, and things go downhill from there when Shawn announces he’s heading to Cancún with his coworkers. Keith is caught between keeping his boyfriend happy and keeping his job. But Keith might not need a plane ticket to find the happiness that’s been missing from his life.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar "Bah Humbug."
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 21, 2017
2 hearts
I think it's worse when you start off liking a book and then it turns into a massive disappointment, compared to when it's not enjoyable for the whole story. Exhibit A.
I had such high hopes for this story and for Keith and Austin's chemistry. Unfortunately it was not to be and this may become slightly ranty. Sorry in advance.
We start off when Austin is helping Keith when Keith's car has a flat and has been iced in. Austin and Keith work in the same mall and seen each other around but hardly know each other. Keith even had to try and remember his name at the beginning. I liked both of them immediately and their apparent ease around each other.
Then we meet Shawn, Keith's boyfriend for the past 10ish years (since college and Keith is now 30) and Shawn is such an asshole I thought we’d discover some abuse towards Keith, but no, Keith is trying to fix the relationship and doesn’t even see that Shawn is a total wank.
The next day Keith discovers Shawn is a total asshole and is surprised by the revelation, then he gets into some trouble and Austin comes to the rescue. And this is where the story totally lost me. After knowing each other on a first name basis and some very mild flirting for three days, they decide it's totally normal to sleep naked next to each other and then proceed to ‘subtly’ feel each other up in the morning. Then at the end of that day (still only three to four days after remembering Austin's name and one whole day after a 10 year relationship, that Keith initially thought was ok, ending), Keith and Austin are talking about commitments to each other and the probability of Keith moving in with Austin.
Argh this had such hope and the slow burn and chemistry building between Austin and Keith was great to begin with and then it was totally ruined buy rushed relationships and shallow character development.
Sorry, but this wasn’t for me. I’m sure that won’t be the case for everyone.
Click in the Jizzmas picture to see the unicorns reviews of this week's releases from the Bah Humbug 2016 Advent Calendar stories!
I think it's worse when you start off liking a book and then it turns into a massive disappointment, compared to when it's not enjoyable for the whole story. Exhibit A.
I had such high hopes for this story and for Keith and Austin's chemistry. Unfortunately it was not to be and this may become slightly ranty. Sorry in advance.
We start off when Austin is helping Keith when Keith's car has a flat and has been iced in. Austin and Keith work in the same mall and seen each other around but hardly know each other. Keith even had to try and remember his name at the beginning. I liked both of them immediately and their apparent ease around each other.
Then we meet Shawn, Keith's boyfriend for the past 10ish years (since college and Keith is now 30) and Shawn is such an asshole I thought we’d discover some abuse towards Keith, but no, Keith is trying to fix the relationship and doesn’t even see that Shawn is a total wank.
The next day Keith discovers Shawn is a total asshole and is surprised by the revelation, then he gets into some trouble and Austin comes to the rescue. And this is where the story totally lost me. After knowing each other on a first name basis and some very mild flirting for three days, they decide it's totally normal to sleep naked next to each other and then proceed to ‘subtly’ feel each other up in the morning. Then at the end of that day (still only three to four days after remembering Austin's name and one whole day after a 10 year relationship, that Keith initially thought was ok, ending), Keith and Austin are talking about commitments to each other and the probability of Keith moving in with Austin.
Argh this had such hope and the slow burn and chemistry building between Austin and Keith was great to begin with and then it was totally ruined buy rushed relationships and shallow character development.
Sorry, but this wasn’t for me. I’m sure that won’t be the case for everyone.
Click in the Jizzmas picture to see the unicorns reviews of this week's releases from the Bah Humbug 2016 Advent Calendar stories!
December 22, 2016
3.5 Stars ~ There was something in the description for 'Iced', or maybe just the picture of Keith I got from reading it, that made me want to delve into this addition to Dreamspinner Press's 2016 Advent Calendar. I could feel the despondency dragging Keith down and since I think I've been in that position a few times in my early thirties, well I just wanted to read about someone who got free and had a happy ending.
Keith is not having a good life and his oh so crappy boyfriend, Shawn, needs to be stabbed. Okay, that might have been my overprotectiveness coming through, but I despise seeing someone get disparaged constantly by the person who is supposed to love them. Keith seems to be in a rut and I was hoping that Austin might be the one to help him get out of it.
I would be a total Scrooge "Bah Humbug" too if I worked in retail at the mall over Christmas. I can't even begin to imagine how horrific that would be and then to have to go home to a failing relationship? Keith really deserves all the kindness and love he can get. So when he makes a sacrifice for Shawn in hopes of salvaging their relationship, and then comes home to find Shawn screwing someone else on their couch, well, that just feels like the end to Keith. Luckily he has made a good friend in Austin and has someone to turn to for help.
'Iced' is an enjoyable, sweet read that definitely showcases some of the worst things that can happen during the holiday season but also some of the best.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Keith is not having a good life and his oh so crappy boyfriend, Shawn, needs to be stabbed. Okay, that might have been my overprotectiveness coming through, but I despise seeing someone get disparaged constantly by the person who is supposed to love them. Keith seems to be in a rut and I was hoping that Austin might be the one to help him get out of it.
I would be a total Scrooge "Bah Humbug" too if I worked in retail at the mall over Christmas. I can't even begin to imagine how horrific that would be and then to have to go home to a failing relationship? Keith really deserves all the kindness and love he can get. So when he makes a sacrifice for Shawn in hopes of salvaging their relationship, and then comes home to find Shawn screwing someone else on their couch, well, that just feels like the end to Keith. Luckily he has made a good friend in Austin and has someone to turn to for help.
'Iced' is an enjoyable, sweet read that definitely showcases some of the worst things that can happen during the holiday season but also some of the best.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
January 7, 2017
Falling into a routine, followed by complacency, is a death sentence for any relationship. And unless both partners want to change things and are willing to do the work – on themselves – that may be needed, there is no chance to salvage anything. That is what Keith faces after twenty years with his partner, Shawn. They have developed in different ways since they got together in college and it is evident to me (and to Keith’s new friend, Austin), that Shawn is not interested in saving what he used to have with Keith. In fact, the man has become emotionally abusive, and Keith - in my humble opinion – has hung on much too long. This is the story of Keith’s awakening to the truth and his path toward change and a new happiness.
Keith works at a bookstore in a mall, is settled in his routine, and desperately wants to save his relationship. The problem is that he is the only one, and with Shawn not interested in the least, Keith ends up appeasing him by trying to do everything Shawn’s way. Keith’s self-confidence is gone, and it takes a flat tire for him to get to know Austin, the young barista at Keith’s favorite coffee shop. Austin is like a breath of fresh air in Keith’s life, and while they don’t immediately fall into bed, Austin is one of the impulses Keith needs to see the truth – Shawn is an a**hole who is no longer interested in Keith and there is no point in trying to rescue a relationship that has ended quite a while ago. But it’s Shawn’s ultimate act of betrayal that ends it for Keith – and it had me shaking my head (I had expected it after his previous behavior) and I was upset on Keith’s behalf at the same time.
Austin, as an outsider, can see Keith and Shawn’s issues much more clearly than Keith can. He is attracted to Keith, but he bites his tongue, at least at first, not wanting to be a homewrecker. Instead he offers support to Keith when he deals with his “holiday misery”, including the awful annual letter from his religious mother. I respected Austin for that, and I liked how he waited for Keith to be ready for a change. After all he is Keith’s friend at that point, and even though he feels slightly selfish because he is interested in more than friendship, in the end, it is Keith’s happiness that matters to him more than anything else.
If you like your Christmas stories with a few complications, if you enjoy reading about troubled relationships that result in life-changing situations, and if you’re looking for a read that goes from depressing and dismal to hopeful, then you will probably like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
Keith works at a bookstore in a mall, is settled in his routine, and desperately wants to save his relationship. The problem is that he is the only one, and with Shawn not interested in the least, Keith ends up appeasing him by trying to do everything Shawn’s way. Keith’s self-confidence is gone, and it takes a flat tire for him to get to know Austin, the young barista at Keith’s favorite coffee shop. Austin is like a breath of fresh air in Keith’s life, and while they don’t immediately fall into bed, Austin is one of the impulses Keith needs to see the truth – Shawn is an a**hole who is no longer interested in Keith and there is no point in trying to rescue a relationship that has ended quite a while ago. But it’s Shawn’s ultimate act of betrayal that ends it for Keith – and it had me shaking my head (I had expected it after his previous behavior) and I was upset on Keith’s behalf at the same time.
Austin, as an outsider, can see Keith and Shawn’s issues much more clearly than Keith can. He is attracted to Keith, but he bites his tongue, at least at first, not wanting to be a homewrecker. Instead he offers support to Keith when he deals with his “holiday misery”, including the awful annual letter from his religious mother. I respected Austin for that, and I liked how he waited for Keith to be ready for a change. After all he is Keith’s friend at that point, and even though he feels slightly selfish because he is interested in more than friendship, in the end, it is Keith’s happiness that matters to him more than anything else.
If you like your Christmas stories with a few complications, if you enjoy reading about troubled relationships that result in life-changing situations, and if you’re looking for a read that goes from depressing and dismal to hopeful, then you will probably like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
December 31, 2016
Reviewed for BMBR
Sunday Funday Jizzmas: 2016 Advent Calendar - Bah Humbug | Week 4
December 10, 2016
2.5 stars
I found the story to be dry *shrugs*. Keith should've seen Shawn's being a douche-bag and figured out his infidelity because clearly everyone else did. I didn't really find the chemistry between Austin and Shawn. Like I said, it was just dry and uninspiring holiday romance for me.
PS: On a different note, this is the second story I read from this author, and I gave the other one a 2.5* as well. Maybe he's just not for me, you know?
I found the story to be dry *shrugs*. Keith should've seen Shawn's being a douche-bag and figured out his infidelity because clearly everyone else did. I didn't really find the chemistry between Austin and Shawn. Like I said, it was just dry and uninspiring holiday romance for me.
PS: On a different note, this is the second story I read from this author, and I gave the other one a 2.5* as well. Maybe he's just not for me, you know?
October 20, 2017
Nice!
I liked this one. After so many years trying to be blind about his boyfriend's asshole-ness (it's a word, trust me), Keith finally found someone who looked at him the way he deserved.
And his BF can go to hell.
Great Christmas ever (for Keith and Austin). Cheers!
* I received the ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange of a fair and unbiased review.*
I liked this one. After so many years trying to be blind about his boyfriend's asshole-ness (it's a word, trust me), Keith finally found someone who looked at him the way he deserved.
And his BF can go to hell.
Great Christmas ever (for Keith and Austin). Cheers!
* I received the ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange of a fair and unbiased review.*
December 22, 2016
3.75 Stars rounded up.
December 12, 2017
Iced is part of Dreamspinner Press’ Bah Humbug: 2016 Advent Calendar collection. This book stars Keith Walker, a mall bookstore employee, and Austin Novak, a coffee shop barista. The pov alternates between the two main characters.
2.5 Stars
2.5 Stars
December 17, 2016
3/5 Stars for Iced.
This was a pretty good little Christmas short, but it’s only been a few days since I read it and I was already having trouble remembering the characters.
That’s not to say that Austin and Keith weren’t good characters, because they were. Keith was nice and entirely too forgiving and trusting for his own good. He wanted to find that forever kind of love and he was holding on to a complete and total douchebag (aka Shawn) because he thought that they could have that kind of love.
Until Austin came to his rescue. Austin not only saved him from a flat, ice-encrusted tire, but also from a loveless relationship with a deadbeat cheater. We only get to see the first few days of their relationship together, but Austin already treats Keith much better than Shawn ever did.
I really liked the characters, I just felt that the plot was a little predictable and overused. Overall, it was a pretty cute story. If you have a preference for this type of plot, I would definitely recommend it. It was written well and the characters were good. It just didn’t mesh with me.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
This was a pretty good little Christmas short, but it’s only been a few days since I read it and I was already having trouble remembering the characters.
That’s not to say that Austin and Keith weren’t good characters, because they were. Keith was nice and entirely too forgiving and trusting for his own good. He wanted to find that forever kind of love and he was holding on to a complete and total douchebag (aka Shawn) because he thought that they could have that kind of love.
Until Austin came to his rescue. Austin not only saved him from a flat, ice-encrusted tire, but also from a loveless relationship with a deadbeat cheater. We only get to see the first few days of their relationship together, but Austin already treats Keith much better than Shawn ever did.
I really liked the characters, I just felt that the plot was a little predictable and overused. Overall, it was a pretty cute story. If you have a preference for this type of plot, I would definitely recommend it. It was written well and the characters were good. It just didn’t mesh with me.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
December 26, 2017
Keith and Austin move from nodding acquaintances at the mall they work at to friends with benefits quite quickly.
Keith is the bah humbug per the series, especially as his relationship is on a downward slide.
Austin rescues Keith twice, from the ice and from Shawn making him homeless.
Fine and dandy, nice enough.
Keith is the bah humbug per the series, especially as his relationship is on a downward slide.
Austin rescues Keith twice, from the ice and from Shawn making him homeless.
Fine and dandy, nice enough.
December 23, 2016
Keith is just trying to survive the holiday retail season and keep his struggling relationship alive. The only bright spot is his friendship with Austin, who works in the coffee shop at the same mall Keith works in. One night Austin saves Keith from a flat tire and Keith invites him home for dinner as a thank you. Dinner gets awkward with Keith's boyfriend Shawn and a friend he has over.
Austin just can't understand why Keith is still with someone as horrid as Shawn is. When Shawn announces that he's going to Cancun for Christmas with or without Keith, he realizes he has some decisions to make.
I have never hated a character as quickly or as strongly as I hated Shawn. His awfulness was written in such a way that I instantly disliked him. It usually takes me a good 150 pages to make my mind up. Great character development along with a great story.
Austin just can't understand why Keith is still with someone as horrid as Shawn is. When Shawn announces that he's going to Cancun for Christmas with or without Keith, he realizes he has some decisions to make.
I have never hated a character as quickly or as strongly as I hated Shawn. His awfulness was written in such a way that I instantly disliked him. It usually takes me a good 150 pages to make my mind up. Great character development along with a great story.
December 1, 2016
Kieth works in a bookstore. One night when getting off of work he found his car with a flat and frozen on the road. Austin, one of his customers and a Barista in the neighborhood helps him get his car out. To repay him for his kindness he invites him over for dinner. Shawn, his boyfriend, has his friend over for dinner. Austin doesn't like Shawn and the way he treats Kevin but keeps his mouth shut. Then one night Keith dials Austin by mistake, and it changes their lives.
Iced is a very well written short story. You get the full story in a short amount of time. I loved both Kieth and Austin. There is tension, drama and romance.
If you like bookstore workers, baristas, and an allover sweet romance this is for you.
Iced is a very well written short story. You get the full story in a short amount of time. I loved both Kieth and Austin. There is tension, drama and romance.
If you like bookstore workers, baristas, and an allover sweet romance this is for you.
December 26, 2016
I loved how Austin isn't one to try to cause trouble for Keith but when trouble happens he's there to give support and care. They move from acceptance to friend, to rescuing, and the more.
Read
January 8, 2017 3.5 Hearts
I liked this and for one simple reason, attraction. We often get the perfect men with perfect abs and the perfect thing to say in romance so it was a nice change to get not one but two men who see themselves on the non-attractive side for different reasons and yet each, think the other is hot and sexy.
I felt sorry for Keith and yeah, his asshole boyfriend was a totally douchenugget of rotten coal and yeah Keith should have left sooner before it all went telenovela but life doesn’t come with instructions and sometimes, things happen.
I adored Austin and his crush on the bookstore working, coffee loving Keith. It was lovely to get his POV as well to see how he felt about Keith and I loved him sticking up for him at dinner. Keith deserves more and the two times ice brings he and Austin together really were sweet.
Sure, the story moves fast but the men had enough chemistry that I liked it and I hope they give the newlywed neighbors a lot more to “payback” in the future.
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We Unicorn's are reviewing the Dreamspinner 2016 Advent Calendar every Sunday, Jizzmas gang bang style on the blog with the unis who are Santa Jizzians and the Grumpicorns. Check out the rest of the reviews for this story here...
I liked this and for one simple reason, attraction. We often get the perfect men with perfect abs and the perfect thing to say in romance so it was a nice change to get not one but two men who see themselves on the non-attractive side for different reasons and yet each, think the other is hot and sexy.
I felt sorry for Keith and yeah, his asshole boyfriend was a totally douchenugget of rotten coal and yeah Keith should have left sooner before it all went telenovela but life doesn’t come with instructions and sometimes, things happen.
I adored Austin and his crush on the bookstore working, coffee loving Keith. It was lovely to get his POV as well to see how he felt about Keith and I loved him sticking up for him at dinner. Keith deserves more and the two times ice brings he and Austin together really were sweet.
Sure, the story moves fast but the men had enough chemistry that I liked it and I hope they give the newlywed neighbors a lot more to “payback” in the future.
*******************************************
We Unicorn's are reviewing the Dreamspinner 2016 Advent Calendar every Sunday, Jizzmas gang bang style on the blog with the unis who are Santa Jizzians and the Grumpicorns. Check out the rest of the reviews for this story here...
March 31, 2018
I enjoyed this well enough, even if it did move pretty fast as the end. I thought Keith could use some time tho get over his relationship with his asshole ex, but on the whole it didn't make me too crazy.
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