« And he’s doing the rom-com freeze. Where the guy stares at the girl when he sees her in a fancy dress for the first time? Yeah. That’s exactly the way Jack is looking at me, and I have to admit—I love it. »
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Format: Ebook
Pages: 231
Spice: 1.5 🌶️
POV: First POV
S/S: The Immortal Warriors #1
Check trigger warnings for any book
This was a very cute low-stakes urban fantasy romance.
We follow Emery and Jack and their little grumpy / sunshine-esque relationship. It’s a fast-paced overly adorable romance with a touch of magic in a Christmas-y setting. Would I call it a straight-up Christmas romance? No, but a winter holiday one for sure.
This is mainly character relationship focused, the fantastical plot is secondary. I didn’t mind it as I was just so enamored with Jack. Golden retriever boyfriend energy all the wayyyyy.
I enjoyed the ending, quite obvious, but sometimes you don’t need a big twist to make a story work. The expected ending was very cute and heartwarming (not very appropriate for our frozen lookalikes).
Still enjoy Rebecca’s writing style, it’s so easy to read and makes you feel like you’re part of the story.
Favorite quotes (MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS):
« This is either a noble and dramatic way to die, or a very stupid one. »
“Yeah, Emery was really, really dumb. She ignored all the safety protocols and hung back to take more footage —wandered too far, got separated from the group. You know, it was natural selection, honestly. The idiots die and the smart ones survive.”
« The idiots die. I’m going to die. In Antarctica. In the middle of a freaking blizzard. »
« The pain means I’m here. Tired, but whole. »
« Nature did not craft the hooked fangs or sharply planed face of that creature. Nature didn’t etch the graceful fairy a few yards further, or the dragonesque being that seems to cling to the icy ceiling. »
« And there’s a throne, because of course there is, because I am dreaming, or dying, or dead. If I’m dead, or dreaming, I’m totally allowed to sit on the throne, right? »
« The person in the bed isn’t a fairytale ice queen. It’s worse, much worse. A man. »
« Okay, this guy’s not waking up. He’s in a sleep as deep as any fairytale slumber. The fleeting thought of fairytales wakes an idea in my brain. My breath had an effect on the door—I’m not sure why—but maybe it would have a similar effect on him. Kissing a stranger while they are sleeping wouldn’t be my first choice, but in cases of magical slumber, it’s totally justified. »
« “I can make you immune to the cold. It’ll just take a second.” A helpless, raw laugh breaks from me. “Okay. Yeah, that would be nice.” He grabs my hooded head in both of his long white hands and crushes his mouth to mine. »
« “True Sight is a side effect of the Chill.” »
« “Mon Dieu. Tu te tuerais pour les pingouins? Les pingouins? C’est des conneries, ça!” »
« “In my experience, a beautiful face on a man typically pairs with misogyny, overconfidence, and annoying cockiness. In the worst cases, the beauty masks a latent male-pattern dumbness that I just don’t have time to deal with. »
« “I know about global warming,” I interrupt. “How does that affect you?” He looks at me from under hooded lids. “Seriously? I’m Jack Frost. I think it’s fairly obvious how global warming would affect me.” “Jack Frost? The guy who flies around with a staff and leaves pretty snowflake designs on glass?” »
« “It’s nothing personal.” “Weird, because it felt really personal when you were breathing into my mouth while I was sleeping.” »
« I squint balefully at him over the mask, and he looks delighted. “You’re adorable, you know that?” »
« “Global warming’s a bitch, huh?” “Yes, she is,” Jack agrees fervently. Why do I get the feeling that he’s talking about a specific entity, not just a global effect? »
« You’re not involved in my life.” “Hey, I saved your life.” “What, so you’re my stalker now?” Jack recoils in mock offense. “Rude.” “Well, what else do you call someone who keeps showing up at random moments when they’re not invited?” “A friend?” “No. Friends text first.” “But I don’t have a phone.” “Sucks for you.” »
« “That’s why I drink coffee,” I snarl, shoving back my chair. “It’s my one indulgence.” “My one indulgence is art. And now, apparently, you.” »
« “Stop grinning like an idiot.” “Can’t help it,” he says. “You make me happy.” »
« “Maybe they should. Maybe if more people expressed honest emotion, especially positive emotion, the world would be a more pleasant place.” »
« “I could freeze his dick for you,” Jack wheezes. “He’d be peeing snowflakes for a week, if he managed not to break himself off.” His shoulders jerk with painful laughter. “Break himself off—get it?” “You’re foul.” “I really am. You love it.” »
« One more kiss. One more salacious sweep of his tongue through my mouth. One more moment in which I am pressed against every bit of his gorgeous, solid, perfectly naked body. »
« Though not until after I took care of certain physical cravings in my own way. Jack does not need to know how horny he made me. »
« but I’ve had no one but Karyl to talk to. Mysterious frost gods don’t count. »
« At least when I’m doing that, I don’t have to look at his stupid beautiful face. »
« “Oh my god. You’re jealous.” “The hell I am.” “You are. Even though you have no right to be, because you and I are barely acquaintances.” His voice turns low and husky. “You kiss all your acquaintances like that?” »
« “You’re more than gorgeous. You’re clever and honest, sharp and transparent as ice. You sparkle even when you don’t mean to.”��»
« “It’s fine. I’m glad I could help you. Meeting you has been the highlight of my life as Jack Frost.” »
« I won’t be the cliche, the young human woman who falls for the immortal guy. I won’t. I refuse. »
« When I pick up my clothes, I risk a glance at him, and the raw want in his eyes rips the breath from my lungs. »
« I’ve seen lust before, too many times. This is lust, yes, but it’s also something more, a craving for all of me, a hunger for something deeper and broader and higher than I’m willing to give. »
« You’re spiraling into my bathroom now?” “I could have appeared right in the shower with you, but I did not, because I have standards.” “Whatever. You’re afraid of the hot water.” »
« “Damn it, Emery. Do you trust anyone?” “Maybe Karyl. That’s pretty much it. People will screw you over the minute it’s in their best interest. Even if you think they’re your friends, they’ll let you slide right out of their lives as soon as you become inconvenient.” His stare is half shock, half sorrow. “Is that what you think I would do?” “I know it is. You’re an immortal god-thing with a job to do—and if you don’t die first, you’ll get tired of fluttering around me.” His jaw flexes, hardening. “I guess I’ll just have to prove you wrong, then. »
« In the meantime, leave the dress problem to me. I’ll need your measurements, though.” “I don’t know them offhand.” “Good.” Eagerness sparkles in his eyes. “Then I’ll get to measure you.” »
« My heart cracks. In all the world I want nothing more than to ease his pain. Softly I place both hands on his shoulders, careful of the burns, and I lean in. »
« “Well. I should get back to work.” “Like that?” I wince at the bulge he’s sporting. “Are you offering to take care of it right now? Here? On the edge of a horrible forest fire where homes, lives, and workplaces are being threatened? I don’t know about you, but to me that seems wildly inappropriate.” “No—I just—” “Your concern is appreciated. I’ll be fine. For now.” At the last two words, his eyes flash with a raw desire that turns me hot. “You’re blushing, sweetheart,” »
« When did this happen? How did this happen? When did I fall in love with Jack Frost? Maybe love is a moment of realization. Maybe love is layers, paper-thin and sweet, accumulating like delicate honey-glazed sheets of baklava, until it’s luscious and cloying, aromatic and irresistible. Or maybe love is charred skin, and white bone, and torment. »
« The way I see it, you can’t help who you love, or how fast. The only thing you get to choose is whether or not to act on it.” »
« And he’s doing the rom-com freeze. Where the guy stares at the girl when he sees her in a fancy dress for the first time? Yeah. That’s exactly the way Jack is looking at me, and I have to admit—I love it. »
« “I imagined you in that dress.” Jack’s voice sounds raw, probably from smoke inhalation, but his face looks as flawless as ever. “But my imagination was obviously lacking, because you—you’re so—you’re sublime.” “Sublime?” I giggle. “Beautiful isn’t a strong enough word.” »
« Can you turn around? I want to see how your ass looks in this dr—” His words cut off as I smack him in the face with a pillow. »
« “Emery, darling, would you kiss me again? I forgot my lipstick and I thought maybe I could borrow some of yours—” “Hush.” I sweep past him, out into the hall. “Good goddess, look at that view,” he crows. “I think I’ll walk behind you all night.” “Do I need to hit you again?” “Please. It’s very exciting. Or if you have a knife handy, you could hold it to my throat. I hear that’s considered romantic in some circles.” I stare over my shoulder at him. “What the hell circles do you hang out in?” “The fun ones?” »
« “But I won’t lie, I do miss being touched, or touching someone who won’t fear me or give me away. Not that anyone would believe them if they tried to tell my secret—but they’d probably end up institutionalized and I’d feel guilty for ruining their lives. It’s a whole thing.” »
« “Want me to freeze Minnick’s dick for you?” I choke on a laugh. “What is it with you wanting to freeze people’s privates?” He shrugs. “It’s fun?” “Have you ever actually done that to a guy?” “No.” “Just as I thought. You talk a big game, but you’re too nice inside.” »
« Love gleams in every line of that sculpture. This is how Jack sees me—not as a purveyor of magical healing, or a sexualized object. In this piece of art I am strong. Adventurous. Visionary. It’s as if he reached down into my soul and extracted the best part of me, and then placed it on a pedestal for all to see. He loves me. »
« “I may be cold-blooded, but I’m not made of ice. It won’t melt, if that’s what you’re worried about.” »
« “You can’t fix people,” he replies softly. “You can only love them. And sometimes, when they won’t accept help, you have to let them be.” »
« Jack extends those icicle claws again and tears away my panties. Damn it. I’m going to have to buy more if he keeps this up. »
« “So you want me to take the bow off my present,” he murmurs in my ear. “Ew, no. I will not be objectified.” He unhooks the strap, fingers grazing my spine. “How about worshipped?” A thrill races between my legs, through my stomach and into my heart. My breath hitches. “Well... if I must…” »
« “Jack,” I say quietly. “Is there anywhere else you need to be?” He draws in a long, deep breath and gathers me closer. “No.” And I let the subject drop. Let him be selfish for just one night. It is Christmas, after all. »
« “I’m not speaking to you like an equal, honey. I’m your damn superior.” »
« “Did I rescue you, or did you rescue me?” He beams at me. “I guess we rescued ourselves and each other.” “And I think that’s called a healthy relationship,” I say softly. “But I wouldn’t know—I’ve never had one. Until now.” »
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