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Finding Forever #0.5
A Winter's Dance
Ry loves Cart. Cart loves Ry. But neither one is ready to say it. A winter’s walk might help them take the next step.
As seniors at Harvard, they’re looking forward to law school and moving in together. The only problem is Ry’s in the closet because his conservative parents won’t accept him as gay, and Cart isn’t sure about a relationship with someone who won’t even hold his hand in public.
When a snow storm cancels classes, Cart and Ry take a walk and go to a friend’s house for a party, while the words "I love you" dance on their tongues. A secret snow garden, ballroom dancing lessons, the lure of the annual Winter’s Ball, and some steamy winter loving conspire to make this a day they will remember forever.
As seniors at Harvard, they’re looking forward to law school and moving in together. The only problem is Ry’s in the closet because his conservative parents won’t accept him as gay, and Cart isn’t sure about a relationship with someone who won’t even hold his hand in public.
When a snow storm cancels classes, Cart and Ry take a walk and go to a friend’s house for a party, while the words "I love you" dance on their tongues. A secret snow garden, ballroom dancing lessons, the lure of the annual Winter’s Ball, and some steamy winter loving conspire to make this a day they will remember forever.
93 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2021
18 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 13, 2021
A somewhat incomplete tale (I guess there's more coming in the series) but the chemistry between Ry and Cart was undeniable and sweet. I enjoyed the story and the characters are well developed.
December 11, 2022
While I didn't completely enjoy this, I'm looking forward to reading Ry and Cart's second chance story. I like both of these characters and really felt for them in different ways. I was sad for Ry, thinking he would live his life hiding his true self because of his parents. And I felt badly for Cart, just wanting his boyfriend to be all in, but understanding why he couldn't be. It was tough.
I hate thinking about the time lost for these two, but I guess I better dive into A Kind of Forever to see how things worked out for them!
I hate thinking about the time lost for these two, but I guess I better dive into A Kind of Forever to see how things worked out for them!
January 7, 2021
So far, the best Winter Giveaway story from "new to me author". Sweet and sexy romantic prequel to upcoming full length novel, likable MCs, dual POV, engaging storytelling.The story ends with HFN but based on the 1st novel chapter included with the prequel it didn't last long. I'm definately hooked and looking forward to more Ry and Cart
June 15, 2021
This story, while short, was draining.
I couldn't feel one moment of warmth because of the situation with Ry. The baby steps were too small. I honestly couldn't feel any kind of pay off, because in the end, it just... Ended. There was no real resolution, there was no gratification for me as a reader at any point during my reading. I'm not sure I'll read what's next.
I couldn't feel one moment of warmth because of the situation with Ry. The baby steps were too small. I honestly couldn't feel any kind of pay off, because in the end, it just... Ended. There was no real resolution, there was no gratification for me as a reader at any point during my reading. I'm not sure I'll read what's next.
Want to Read
January 1, 2021Free on prolific works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/6...
January 8, 2021
I can´t wait to see what comes next for the MCs. The writing is excellent, the characters are lovable.
January 3, 2021
Marie Sinclair is a new author offering a prequel to her full length debut novel in the Winter Wonderland MM romance giveaway and it was so good! It give you a great insight into the love of Ry and Cart and the dynamic of their relationship. There’s a lot of hurt feelings and understanding going on but that’s to be expected when one guy is out and the other is deep in the closet. The full length novel promises to be a second chance romance and I love those! The writing is done well and the characters are, so far, well developed and real! I can’t wait for the rest of their story!
January 16, 2021
It’s impossible not to immediately fall in love with Stryver (Ry) Lee and Sydney (Cart) Carlton. These two Harvard University seniors, the subject of Marie Sinclair’s excellent winter short story, ‘A Winter’s Dance’, could not have come from more different backgrounds.
Set on the campus of Harvard University in the middle of a blizzard, with off-campus meetings of the LGBTQ’s Association in an historic Bunker Hill townhouse, the story’s title comes from the Annual Winter Ball, a fund raising event for the Association.
Ry is Chinese-American (you’ll have to read this short story yourself to find out how he came to be named Stryver) and is the son of a wealthy conservative San Francisco family, while Cart, the only child of a single parent, is a scholarship student. Both young men have applied to law schools and are waiting to hear back on their applications.
Cart is open and active in the campus LGBTQ movement; Ry because of his family pressures, is not.
The short story has what at appears to be a HEA ending. But the promo for the first book in Sinclair’s new Finding Forever series, makes clear that it’s only a HFN conclusion. So we’ll just have to wait until the first volume of her series, ‘A Kind of Forever’, is released later this month to know for sure.
Set on the campus of Harvard University in the middle of a blizzard, with off-campus meetings of the LGBTQ’s Association in an historic Bunker Hill townhouse, the story’s title comes from the Annual Winter Ball, a fund raising event for the Association.
Ry is Chinese-American (you’ll have to read this short story yourself to find out how he came to be named Stryver) and is the son of a wealthy conservative San Francisco family, while Cart, the only child of a single parent, is a scholarship student. Both young men have applied to law schools and are waiting to hear back on their applications.
Cart is open and active in the campus LGBTQ movement; Ry because of his family pressures, is not.
The short story has what at appears to be a HEA ending. But the promo for the first book in Sinclair’s new Finding Forever series, makes clear that it’s only a HFN conclusion. So we’ll just have to wait until the first volume of her series, ‘A Kind of Forever’, is released later this month to know for sure.
February 7, 2021
A lovely little novella that captures the euphoria, innocence and hope when it comes to first love
This prequel novella takes us to the very beginning of Ry and Cart's story-to the time they were two young men trying to find their place in the world,with hope and dreams for a future together..a forever for just them and the soul-stirring love they share.
Starting from roommates, friends and then as lovers, the duo share a very intimate bond , though they are forced to hide from much of the world.
It is simply beautiful to read about the love they share, their hopes for the future, the way they find joy and comfort in just doing simple things together. The romantic lines were so very lovely to read. Some great penmanship.
A perfect novella for the lovely backstory of the duo I now regard as one of my favourite couples.
This prequel novella takes us to the very beginning of Ry and Cart's story-to the time they were two young men trying to find their place in the world,with hope and dreams for a future together..a forever for just them and the soul-stirring love they share.
Starting from roommates, friends and then as lovers, the duo share a very intimate bond , though they are forced to hide from much of the world.
It is simply beautiful to read about the love they share, their hopes for the future, the way they find joy and comfort in just doing simple things together. The romantic lines were so very lovely to read. Some great penmanship.
|"Never felt as if he couldn’t get enough of them. As if twenty-four hours wasn’t enough time in the day to see Ry, talk to him, touch him; like even a lifetime wouldn’t give him enough time to do or say everything that was in his heart."|
A perfect novella for the lovely backstory of the duo I now regard as one of my favourite couples.
February 25, 2021
I read A Kind of Forever first before I found out about this story. I wish I had read this first. This is such a warm background for the next book. In this story the strong attraction between Ry and Cart is defined. It is also known how Ry is afraid of his family finding out he is gay. I don’t know that it is actually needed for you to read this but if you do….don’t do so after A Kind of Forever. By the time you are done with that story you have all these lingering emotions and this just sort of rubs salt into the womb. To find out the time these guys are torn apart. To find out what happens to Ry just makes this sweet story bittersweet. I’m so happy to have found this new author and can’t wait for what comes next.
January 18, 2021
Winter Wonderland download. Novella featuring two pre-law Harvard roommates during their senior year winter. The relationship builds as the plot progresses and the reader learns more of what makes them and their partnering work. A prequel to a novella a series, the physical and emotional joy overwhelms the little cautions that sneak into the story.
January 23, 2021
Yes yes yes! This is exactly what I need from a 0.5 story. This has given me a great background to the next book in the series and has left me wanting! This was my first book by this author and if the rest of her stories are like this one, then I have a feeling this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship 😍
December 5, 2023
A nice collage romance.
Cart and Ry are in love but Ry is still in the closet and is afraid of showing any affection in public. Cart loves Ry but wonders if he can be back in the closet again. Ry finally releases his fear of public affection and the Winter Ball is one to remember.
Cart and Ry are in love but Ry is still in the closet and is afraid of showing any affection in public. Cart loves Ry but wonders if he can be back in the closet again. Ry finally releases his fear of public affection and the Winter Ball is one to remember.
January 9, 2021
Beautifully crafted, with a sprinkling of snow, this steamy short will have you wanting more. I loved Ry and Cart, and look forwards to reading more of Marie's beautiful prose!
Read
February 4, 2021Dnf
June 1, 2022
This is a prequel to the series as we get to meet Ry and Cart with sweet romance though they are not completely open. I look forward seeing who the story evolves.
August 7, 2023
Good but bet frustrating
October 13, 2024
Reading this after reading the follow up full story (which was wonderful) instead of before, like it was supposed to be, was a mistake, but it was a touching tale just the same.
December 17, 2025
Short But Sweet & Sexy Origin Story, Spiked With Closeted Tension, Sucking Me Into Book 1.
March 1, 2021
Despite how lovely and romantic this was, this absolutely hurt me so much. But oh my god it’s so good. Cart and Ry are college roommates and also boyfriends. They are also both deeply in love with each other, but are both scared to say those three little words to each other because of the uncertainty of their future. They’re both sure that they want to be together forever, but Ry still isn’t out to his conservative Chinese parents, and he’s not sure when he’ll safely be able to be. This story has a lot of fluff, but there’s also a heavy layer of angst over the whole thing as we see both men struggle to navigate this semi-closeted relationship they have. It’s a bit hard to get fully invested in their relationship with this cloud hanging over it. This is actually a short prequel to a much longer story, and what we know of how the main story starts just makes reading this short all the more painful. The writing in this is beautiful, and Ry and Cart are so in love and deserve every happiness, but we know there is darkness looming on the horizon. The ending here is happy, but we don’t know how long that’ll last. And neither do they, which makes it somewhat tragic. But so worth the read and I can’t wait to get into the main story.
December 30, 2023
I loved this and it ends so happily. But I know they go through some major issues in the next one...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews