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Colder Than Fiction
An author is often haunted by their muse, but this one promises a kiss.
Ezra wakes with the worst hangover of his life after a Christmas party he never wanted to attend. It’s the holidays, he was just dumped by his boyfriend, and his next manuscript is due to his publisher by the end of the year, but all Ezra wants is escape. Then escape finds him when the antagonist from his current work in progress appears in the flesh to help him finish his book – and indulge in everything else that’s been missing from Ezra’s life.
Ezra wakes with the worst hangover of his life after a Christmas party he never wanted to attend. It’s the holidays, he was just dumped by his boyfriend, and his next manuscript is due to his publisher by the end of the year, but all Ezra wants is escape. Then escape finds him when the antagonist from his current work in progress appears in the flesh to help him finish his book – and indulge in everything else that’s been missing from Ezra’s life.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Meuwissen
57 books662 followersAmanda Meuwissen is a queer author with a primary focus on M/M fiction and romance. As the author of LGBTQ+ Fantasy #1 Best Seller, Coming Up for Air, LGBTQ+ Horror #1 Best Seller and #1 New Release, A Delicious Descent, and several other titles through various publishers, Amanda regularly attends local comic conventions for fun and to meet with fans, where she will often be seen in costume as one of her favorite fictional characters. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, John, and their cat, Helga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 11, 2022
"All this beauty, even though, technically, it's death."
" This death will come back to life.”
"It will. And you need to too."
well hello unexpected delight! if you're in the mood for a mind-bendy holiday-ish short to consume in a flash, i present to you this bad boy on a silver platter 😌🤲 i would say more if i didn't think it’d be best to go into it as blind as possible, so instead i leave you with nothing more than an encouraging slap on the back and a bid of good luck *salutes*
February 11, 2021
Real or Imagined?
This was a short novella but felt complete to me, a perfect little story of finally having someone after not having much luck in the love department. (I'm just so glad I preordered this novella because that blurb got me so excited when it came out.)
I liked Ezra's conflict in his personal life and the struggle he faces with writing his current novel because when he did write the ending, it was so worth it, It's so good he had help in a hands on kind of way.
I loved the twist near the end which I will not spoil, though it brought a few tears to my eyes.
I just know if Ezra and Jon's story continues in a future book, I'll be rooting for them.
This was a short novella but felt complete to me, a perfect little story of finally having someone after not having much luck in the love department. (I'm just so glad I preordered this novella because that blurb got me so excited when it came out.)
I liked Ezra's conflict in his personal life and the struggle he faces with writing his current novel because when he did write the ending, it was so worth it, It's so good he had help in a hands on kind of way.
I loved the twist near the end which I will not spoil, though it brought a few tears to my eyes.
I just know if Ezra and Jon's story continues in a future book, I'll be rooting for them.
January 10, 2021
COLDER THAN FICTION was such a fun, enjoyable and most importantly original story.
Ezra is a crime fiction writer. Trap in writer's block he withdraws to his family's solitary cabin. When the good-looking antagonist from his latest novel suddenly comes to live ...
This was such a cool concept! I did see the final twist coming, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment. The only thing I didn't really care for where the sections from Ezra's latest novel, which I thought weren't as well written as the rest of the story. I will definitely check out the author's other books though.
Ezra is a crime fiction writer. Trap in writer's block he withdraws to his family's solitary cabin. When the good-looking antagonist from his latest novel suddenly comes to live ...
This was such a cool concept! I did see the final twist coming, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment. The only thing I didn't really care for where the sections from Ezra's latest novel, which I thought weren't as well written as the rest of the story. I will definitely check out the author's other books though.
January 3, 2021
Omg I loved this story so much, sweet and funny and so heartbreaking. Shred a few tears but the ending was just everything
February 19, 2021
2/11/21 I need to write a proper review for Amazon:
Ezra's struggling in life, his book's deadline is coming up and his protagonist keeps trying hook up with his antagonist, a very suave gentleman thief.
After he gets super messy Christmas party Ezra takes off for the family cabin to write and peace, but peace was never an option. His book's antagonist has materialized in the real world and is pushing him to finish the book and give his mystery crime novel and romance.
This section of the novella is dreamy and mind bendy in the best way possible way with hints peppered in where it is his brain might be getting his inspiration. There's room for something supernatural happening as well as the events at the cabin being Ezra coping with loneliness and stress. I'm happy with either explanation. This was a super fun and steamy read with a great HFN ending that leaves so much hope for Ezra and ... spoiler ...
Original review:
Ohhhhhhh well that was... hot that was really hot! 😂
Ezra is haunted by the antagonist of his current book and while loosing his mind in a secluded cabin manages to give his protagonist a happy ending. I suspected the twist with Christmas songs popping up and felt delighted and very satisfied. Charming, steamy and sweet. I loved it. New to me author will check out more of their stuff.
Ezra's struggling in life, his book's deadline is coming up and his protagonist keeps trying hook up with his antagonist, a very suave gentleman thief.
After he gets super messy Christmas party Ezra takes off for the family cabin to write and peace, but peace was never an option. His book's antagonist has materialized in the real world and is pushing him to finish the book and give his mystery crime novel and romance.
This section of the novella is dreamy and mind bendy in the best way possible way with hints peppered in where it is his brain might be getting his inspiration. There's room for something supernatural happening as well as the events at the cabin being Ezra coping with loneliness and stress. I'm happy with either explanation. This was a super fun and steamy read with a great HFN ending that leaves so much hope for Ezra and ... spoiler ...
Original review:
Ohhhhhhh well that was... hot that was really hot! 😂
Ezra is haunted by the antagonist of his current book and while loosing his mind in a secluded cabin manages to give his protagonist a happy ending. I suspected the twist with Christmas songs popping up and felt delighted and very satisfied. Charming, steamy and sweet. I loved it. New to me author will check out more of their stuff.
January 30, 2021
Winter Wonderland download. Short story where an author (Ezra) is finishing a novel, fighting writer's block. Meuwissen give a plot where fiction contributes to the book's conclusion. The introduction of a protagonist from it playing a role in the plotting and writing is most clever and welcome. The fantasy scenes kept the story amusing.
December 14, 2021
3.5 stars - A mind-bending little tale of a writer and the character who won’t leave him alone. You’re wondering if he is a figment of his imagination or a ghost or what? Kind of neatly tied up in the end, quite enjoyed this one.
January 20, 2021
I actually enjoyed this 'different' story with its twisty/nonlinear style. I actually wanted more of these two characters as well as the cop and his thief.
January 20, 2021
This was short and sweet. I enjoyed the story a lot, and the characters held my interest!
January 25, 2021
I loved this quirky tale! So brilliantly written and sizzling hot. Loved every page.
December 7, 2023
The subconscious mind is one hell of a drug.
This is a 50 page “my muse has come to life” author MMC might be going crazy holiday novella. RECOMMEND !!
This is a 50 page “my muse has come to life” author MMC might be going crazy holiday novella. RECOMMEND !!
January 28, 2021
I really loved this. The concept was super neat and the execution was good. I saw the ending a mile away but it still left me all warm and fuzzy. Definitely a solid short story.
February 3, 2021
OMGGG??!?!! I need more Jon and Ezra!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Why so short as always 😭
Why so short as always 😭
January 15, 2021
"All this beauty, even though, technically it's death."
Ughhhhh That's such a good quote I just might get that as tattoo.
Ughhhhh That's such a good quote I just might get that as tattoo.
Want to read
January 1, 2021Free on prolific works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/6...
August 24, 2021
A really engaging short! Ezra is a writer who has just broken up with another boyfriend and is depressed because he never seems to find anyone. He is also stuck in his writing, unable to truly shape the story he is working on. Soon those two subjects blend together when Ezra goes up to a cabin to write and one of the main characters of his book comes to life for him, urging him to write what he truly wants to write and see the hope and romance, even if it is just for a character and not himself.
This was such a dream-like sort of story. As the character comes to life at first there is a fell that it is from his slightly hungover/drunken state. But when the man persists in existing it becomes clear he is real in some way, but it is never truly clear if he is truly present or part of a writers vivid imagination. Even Ezra himself is confused. As that shapes into helping write the story and realizing the direction it needs to go it becomes truly heartbreaking, both for what the end of the book he is writing will be and for what it will mean for Ezra. It was a surprisingly emotional short but the ending was a true delight after it all. Great short read!
This was such a dream-like sort of story. As the character comes to life at first there is a fell that it is from his slightly hungover/drunken state. But when the man persists in existing it becomes clear he is real in some way, but it is never truly clear if he is truly present or part of a writers vivid imagination. Even Ezra himself is confused. As that shapes into helping write the story and realizing the direction it needs to go it becomes truly heartbreaking, both for what the end of the book he is writing will be and for what it will mean for Ezra. It was a surprisingly emotional short but the ending was a true delight after it all. Great short read!
December 6, 2023
First of all, Amanda Meuwissen, how dare you? You made me cry with a 52-page story?!? Second of all, what a damn delightful 52 pages. I loved Colder Than Fiction by Amanda Meuwissen; it was a perfect holiday short with a touch of mystery and a little magic.
Ezra is a writer, and as the holidays approach, he’s staring down the deadline for his latest novel after yet another boyfriend has left him. After a drunken disaster of a night at a holiday party, he decides to go off to an isolated cabin to write. And the character in his book decides to join him there: Havoc, Jon Havoc. As Ezra and Jon get to know each other, and get Jon’s story down on paper, is it magic or madness? And what will happen when Ezra finishes the novel?
I fell in love with lonely Ezra and mischievous Jon so quickly — hence, the aforementioned tears, but Meuwissen wouldn’t crush us like that at the holidays, so the story ends on a happy note. Definitely recommend for when you want a quick holiday read.
Ezra is a writer, and as the holidays approach, he’s staring down the deadline for his latest novel after yet another boyfriend has left him. After a drunken disaster of a night at a holiday party, he decides to go off to an isolated cabin to write. And the character in his book decides to join him there: Havoc, Jon Havoc. As Ezra and Jon get to know each other, and get Jon’s story down on paper, is it magic or madness? And what will happen when Ezra finishes the novel?
I fell in love with lonely Ezra and mischievous Jon so quickly — hence, the aforementioned tears, but Meuwissen wouldn’t crush us like that at the holidays, so the story ends on a happy note. Definitely recommend for when you want a quick holiday read.
October 26, 2021
A fictional read!
An author is often haunted by their muse, but this one promises a kiss...
Original, interesting and will definitely leave your breathless for more... 100% guaranteed!
It may be short but was definitely emotional by the end. My gosh, won't say anything more because I don't want to ruin it if you decide to read it.
Highly recommend.
Full of writing, longing, hope, fiction, heartbreak and romance.
No idea how to class this read because it's not paranormal or fantasy (though it feels that way) so will just say...
Perfect for readers of fictional romances.
An author is often haunted by their muse, but this one promises a kiss...
Original, interesting and will definitely leave your breathless for more... 100% guaranteed!
It may be short but was definitely emotional by the end. My gosh, won't say anything more because I don't want to ruin it if you decide to read it.
Highly recommend.
Full of writing, longing, hope, fiction, heartbreak and romance.
No idea how to class this read because it's not paranormal or fantasy (though it feels that way) so will just say...
Perfect for readers of fictional romances.
November 21, 2022
I love when a novella turns out to be amazing. I thought this would be fun and cute but it turned out to be so much more. Ezra is still feeling down from his latest breakup, hungover and under pressure to finish writing his novel so he decides to hide away at his family cabin over the holidays. Imagine his surprise when he wakes up with a fictional character in his bed. It's a crazy ride from there. I never expected that this little novella would blow my mind, bring me to tears and then make me laugh and swoon at the end. What a fantastic gem!!
January 25, 2021
Still stuck on gaming and finishing my paper to be done with the exam period so I guess this shortie was actually the only thing I could really read in this situation.
Not too bad if a bit magical realism and short. It at least makes the plot go faster.
Not too bad if a bit magical realism and short. It at least makes the plot go faster.
December 8, 2021
"This death will come back to life.”
Christmas spirit in the novel ....🤩 Wow
Ezra is passionate, handsome and lonely, it's wonderful to feel/ read his emotions
Maybe author was inspired by Chinese and Korea show😉
Enjoyable 💃
Christmas spirit in the novel ....🤩 Wow
Ezra is passionate, handsome and lonely, it's wonderful to feel/ read his emotions
Maybe author was inspired by Chinese and Korea show😉
Enjoyable 💃
December 6, 2021
Una historia corta MUY buena.
Es sobre un escritor que hace que uno de sus personajes "salga" del libro para ayudarlo a terminar de escribir el mismo, puedo decirles que llore en una parte.
Es sobre un escritor que hace que uno de sus personajes "salga" del libro para ayudarlo a terminar de escribir el mismo, puedo decirles que llore en una parte.
December 14, 2021
Really enjoyed this.
December 15, 2022
Really good, loved the time structure. New author for me, I'm very curious about other work
This did not feel like a novella at all, great job.
This did not feel like a novella at all, great job.
September 30, 2023
Such a dear story. A lonely writer letting his desire for a happy ending lead to a different path for his newest novel.
December 8, 2023
Rating: 4 stars (8/10)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: author x character, unreliable narration, writer's block, Christmas
Review:
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: author x character, unreliable narration, writer's block, Christmas
Review:
June 20, 2025
If you love holidays and death I will not spoil you any since I love holiday books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
The writing was good, but I couldn't connect with the characters at all. The nonlinear storytelling didn't help either - maybe in a novel-length piece it would've worked better. The story-in-the-story, with the thief and the cop, was honestly more interesting than the actual plot. Which is too bad, because the premise sounded great!
January 12, 2021
3.5 stars for me. An interesting story combining an author's story being written during this story, and also a nice twist on the character that was the inspiration and a nice way to give the story a HEA. Had a bit of a non-linear flow and was interesting!
May 10, 2021
3.5 stars! Obtained through the Prolific Works' Winter Wonderland Giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews