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Snowed Inn

Five Night Stand

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The advantage of a one-night stand is being able to walk away. Except, Nathan can’t.

Workaholic Nathan Nicholls hasn’t had the easiest time of late. Still reeling from his publisher’s rejection of his latest book, he seeks refuge in a remote hotel. When he’s propositioned by the sinfully sexy CJ, a man who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t afraid to go for it, why shouldn’t Nathan throw caution to the winds for once and have a bit of fun? After all, he’s leaving the next day.

When an avalanche puts paid to Nathan’s quick exit, he finds himself stuck there for Christmas. Stuck with CJ. What should be awkward, quickly becomes something else. The snow might be cold, but the time they spend together is far from it, and Nathan finds his heart warming. If only their passion and laughter didn’t have a shelf life, doomed to come to an end once the road is cleared.

Nathan Nicholls doesn’t do one-night-stands. But maybe, just maybe, if he makes a Christmas wish, this could be something more.

A sweet and steamy 43k forced proximity story which features a man who never was any good at one-night stands, a cheerful wildlife photographer who might not be as confident as he makes out, rustic log cabins, snow, Christmas cheer, and two men gaining a whole new perspective on life.

All the books In the Snowed Inn collection are standalone stories and can be read in any order.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2022

75 people are currently reading
206 people want to read

About the author

H.L. Day

48 books498 followers
H.L Day is a teacher and a writer. She enjoys writing far too many different sub genres to stick to one thing so writes everything from rom-coms to post-apocalyptic sci-fi. It's just the way her brain works. H.L Day lives in the UK with her elderly black cat that she accidentally stole from her next door neighbour.

Want to sign up for my newsletter, you can sign up here. https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

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Website: https://hldayauthor.co.uk/
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5 stars
195 (38%)
4 stars
210 (41%)
3 stars
79 (15%)
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18 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~.
3,587 reviews1,126 followers
January 26, 2023
This is a cute, but not remarkable, story.

Part of that is I'm getting tired of the Snowed Inn setting. This is my fourth, and last, book in the series because how many times can I read about the avalanche, gay speed dating, best snowperson contest, and Bryan the manager.

If all the books of a series are going to be set in the same place, it needs to be a town or at least a large resort to prevent the repetitiveness.

My main issue though was that I just didn't like Nathan, and his is the only POV we get. Nathan is an uptight stick in the mud.

I liked CJ, but we never get his perspective.

The ending is sweet, and the skunk picture cracked me up.
Profile Image for Cadiva.
3,997 reviews439 followers
November 8, 2022
Fun novella about chance meetings turning into lifetime happiness

3.5*

I don't think I've read a book by H.L. Day before but I did very much like this one.

It's set in the Snowed Inn multi-author world so there's the forced proximity trope like the rest and here it's coupled with a one night stand narrative that worked totally for me.

I didn't think it was too "insta love-y" either, there was a clear connection which sparked between them from the off and only deepened the more time they spent together.

My one comment would be that I didn't see why Nathan being from Leeds (my neck of Yorkshire) or Yorkshire in general was mentioned a few times when he didn't sound remotely Yorkshire in his dialogue.

It's a minor point though and it doesn't really spoil the romance itself and other than that, I loved both of them as individuals.

The sex was hot and felt organically developed after their initial one night stand and I liked the gentle way they each let the other bloom in confidence.

A fabulous Epilogue just sealed the deal. I wished we'd gotten more!
Profile Image for Dan.
1,733 reviews51 followers
November 27, 2022
This one was slow. Best description I can give it. While they did do stuff, it kind of felt as if the activities were a filler to avoid their issues. Which made the story feel slower rather than help it move along. I was kind of exasperated by the time the emotional climax came along, so my "finally!", was not in triumph or joy but more of exhaustion.
Profile Image for Lily Loves &#x1f4da;.
778 reviews31 followers
October 28, 2022
This was such a sweet story! I enjoyed the setting and the way the relationship developed between Nathan and CJ.

Nathan is licking his wounds after his most recent book is rejected by his publisher. He takes a much needed break at a resort cabin before visiting his father for Christmas. When he sees CJ he is immediately drawn to him but Nathan doesn’t take chances and he’s never had a one night stand. Imagine him surprised when CJ approaches him and offers one night together. Nathan figured he’s leaving the next day so why not.

When these two get stuck at the resort together because of an avalanche it turns out that getting to know CJ and continuing their attraction to each other is the perfect way to spend the holiday.

This was such a fun book and it flowed so nicely. I enjoy HL Day’s writing and this was no exception.

**ARC received for review
**All thoughts are opinions are my own
Profile Image for J.
1,561 reviews37 followers
December 30, 2022
The Snowed Inn multi-author series takes place at a Colorado resort around Christmas where a recent avalanche has blocked the road and the normal checkout time for the guests. Naturally, in a close proximity trope, we're going to have a couple of "instalove" romances develop, and that's pretty much what we get here.

CJ and Nathan, two British tourists at the resort for different reasons, meet the night before the avalanche for a hook-up. No strings attached, say hello on your way out the next morning kind of deal. Once the avalanche hits the MCs find themselves spending more and more time with each other over the next five days (hence the title of the book). Falling in love, of course, with little to no drama between them (although Nathan is a little anxious about his quick feelings).

This worked for me because the author made sure to give some room for CJ and Nathan to breathe and learn about each other. Although the book is told completely from Nathan's POV, his insights about himself and his own observations about CJ help the reader understand why and how things developed so quickly. It feels organic and real and helps keep my usual "ugh" factor towards instant relationships in these books at bay.

Also helpful is the author's writing. She does a great job with distinguishing the voices of each MC, and provides a great backstory for Nathan that parallels what happens to him over these five days. Perhaps a bit too coincidentally, but it didn't feel gimmicky to me.
Profile Image for Marthea.
1,010 reviews16 followers
November 23, 2022
4,25
Zdecydowanie urocza, świąteczna insta-love 😁

Z tego, co się zdążyłam zorientować, przewodnim tematem całego cyklu Snowed Inn jest lawina, która odcina od reszty świata przyjazny społeczności LGBTQ+ hotel w Colorado na całe pięć dni.

W tym tomie głównymi bohaterami są dwaj Anglicy. Nathan - pisarz, którego ostatnia książka została odrzucona przez wydawcę i CJ - fotograf dzikich zwierząt, który usiłuje zrobić TO zdjęcie, które da mu przepustkę do National Geographic. Nathan musi poprawić/napisać na nowo książkę. W samotności szuka inspiracji, która zdecydowanie nie nadchodzi. On sam nie widzi problemu ani w fabule, ani w bohaterach - zatem jak poprawić coś, w czym nie widzisz żadnego błędu? Nie zgadza się z wydawcą, że ludzie mogą się zmienić w przeciągu pięciu dni - bo tyle trwa akcja jego książki - a brak wpływu akcji na bohaterów, którzy są tacy sami jak na początku, to największy zarzut. Ale karma to suka i udowodni mu to w przeciągu - cóż za niespodzianka 😜 - właśnie pięciu dni CJ 😁

To chyba piąta książka H.L. Day, którą przeczytałam, piąta, która ma tylko jeden POV - i nie przeszkadzało mi to po raz piąty 😁 Co chyba mówi samo przez siebie, że naprawdę lubię jej historie - bo normalnie jest to rzecz, która mnie raczej wkurza 😉
Profile Image for Edga.
2,243 reviews23 followers
November 5, 2022
It's All About the Skunk 😉

Ok first question is where can I get me an CJ? He's so sweet, considerate and fun loving, I need me one. In this story you can feel the instant attraction and emotional pull between CJ and Nick. I liked the passion they had for their work, and how each guy was able to recognise and understand the dedication each had to their careers. They fell in love quickly, but the connection was so palpable, it felt just right. Great writing, and character development in such a short story, and.... I'd love that skunk pic 😉 4.5 stars
Profile Image for Heather MMRomanceReviewed.
1,731 reviews86 followers
November 5, 2022
Five Night Stand is a lovely addition to the Snowed Inn series and I quickly warmed to both Nathan and CJ as they warmed to each other! This book is a simple boy picks up boy in a bar for a one night stand and can't get away for days... but it's also a story of transformation and trust with both men opening up to each other in a vulnerable way... and also enjoying the winter wonderland that they find themselves trapped in!

It was a quick read and festive without being over the top Christmas focused and makes me look forward to reading the rest of the Snowed Inn series)
Profile Image for Ami.
6,242 reviews489 followers
December 11, 2022
Despite the whole instant-love thing - which I still don't really like in romance, no matter if other people say it happens in real life - I find this one pretty cute and well, I can accept it.

Maybe because I can feel that Nathan and CJ connect during those days when they are "snowed-in". I like their interactions. I like that they're different enough, so they end up complimenting one another. And I like that in the end, Nathan admit that they still fight about things.

So there, a good quick read.
Profile Image for Caz.
3,273 reviews1,178 followers
December 5, 2022
I've given this a B at AAR.

It’s that time of year when our TBR piles see an influx of Christmas-themed romances, and while I’m usually not ready to start getting festive until well into December, I do usually pick up a few of them for review each year, and I’m kicking off 2022’s batch with a short but sexy/sweet story from H.L. Day. Five Night Stand is part of the multi-author  Snowed Inn  series set at a holiday lodge in Colorado that is cut off when an avalanche closes the surrounding roads for a few days rendering its guests unable to leave. The books all feature different couples and can be read in any order, so you can dip in and out as the fancy takes you.

A couple of weeks before Christmas, author Nathan Nicholls is anxiously awaiting a meeting at his publisher’s. He’s written three pretty successful books and hopes the meeting is to offer him a new contract, or at the very least an offer to publish his latest one, but alas for him, it’s not. He’s told they’re going to pass on it – or at least, that they don’t want to publish the book in its present state because the characters are flat and and underdeveloped. If he makes some substantial changes, then maybe they can revisit it, but for now… it’s thanks but no thanks.

Frustrated and dispirited, Nathan decides to bite the bullet and make the necessary revisions. He sweated blood for eight months over that book, locking himself away and having no life while he made sure to meet his deadline, so he’s loath to chuck it out completely. He’s due to fly to Colorado to spend Christmas with his dad and stepmum and, hoping that maybe a change of scenery might help his creative juices start to flow, he decides to fly out a bit earlier and stay at a hotel for a few days before heading to his dad’s place.

Unfortunately, the different scenery, while beautiful, isn’t having the desired effect, and Nathan’s laptop screen has remained annoyingly blank. On his last day at The Retreat, he suddenly feels the need to be somewhere other than his cabin, somewhere there are other people, even if he doesn’t really feel like talking to anyone. Mooching around the hotel building, he peeks into the room where a speed dating event is going on and almost regrets not signing up for it – the guys look like they’re having fun, which is something Nathan hasn’t had a lot of recently. But he’s leaving the next day and flying home a few days later, so there wasn’t really any point… although when he locks eyes with the gorgeous guy with the generous smile and the camera slung around his neck, he thinks maybe he made the wrong decision.

Realising he’s just standing in the doorway like an idiot, Nathan quickly makes his way to the bar and is surprised when camera-guy shows up not long afterwards and brings him over another beer. He’s a fellow Brit and introduces himself as CJ – and he doesn’t waste any time in inviting Nathan back to his cabin. Nathan is startled. He’s never been one for casual sex and almost says so, but then thinks – why not? It’s not like they’ll ever see each other again, and maybe one night being something “other than a writer who had apparently forgotten how to write” is exactly what he needs.

The sex is fantastic and CJ is surprisingly intuitive, immediately sensing Nathan’s tendency to overthink and helping him to overcome his inhibitions with effortless ease. He asks Nathan not to leave without saying goodbye in the morning – but when it comes to it, all Nathan’s habitual awkwardness comes roaring back and he leaves quietly, returning to his own cabin – right next door – to shower and pack before heading to reception to check out.

But… he can’t. An avalanche hit late the previous night and the roads are impassable. It looks like he’ll be seeing CJ again after all.

Five Night Stand is a fun, steamy and surprisingly fresh take on a couple of well-worn tropes, and I enjoyed it a lot. It’s a quick and very engaging read featuring two likeable, three dimensional characters with chemistry that leaps off the page, and although Nathan’s is the sole PoV, the author does such a wonderful job of presenting CJ through his eyes, I didn’t once feel I was missing anything by not having CJ’s take on things. They’re your classic grumpy/sunshine pairing; Nathan is a bit of an introvert who works hard and doesn’t play very much, while CJ is charming, fun and larger-than-life, open to opportunity and ready to grab the next one with both hands. Spending the days together – as well as the nights – enables them to go to know each other, talking about their jobs and their hopes and dreams, and the affection between them is palpable. Nathan tells CJ about the problems with his book and CJ shares his love of wildlife photography and his dream of one day having a shot accepted by National Geographic. CJ’s love of life, his positivity and his ebullience are infectious, and I loved the way he encourages Nathan to come out of his shell and start to live a little; watching Nathan doing just that, opening up and finding real happiness for the first time in a long while is really satisfying. It’s not all one-sided though. CJ has never really had anyone in his life who understands his love for what he does and supports him in it – his family sees his photography as a hobby, and past boyfriends have been annoyed because he travels a lot – but Nathan gets it. He knows what it’s like to feel passionately about something and is genuinely interested and impressed with CJ’s talent.

One of the things I often criticise shorter romance novels and novellas for is that the relationship development can feel rushed – but that isn’t the case here. Nathan and CJ form an entirely believable connection during their short time together, and I have to give the author kudos for the little nod back to Nathan’s assertion early on, that the characters in his book can’t be expected to change all that much in just five days – when he realises that he has, in fact, fallen in love in just that timeframe.

Five Night Stand is the perfect way to brighten up a grey, wintry afternoon; a tender, funny and spicy love story that’s nicely romantic without being sappy. Recommended.
1,044 reviews10 followers
November 1, 2022
Five Night Stand is part of the multi-author Snowed Inn series. This is a fun, sweet, make you feel good story about CJ, a wildlife photographer, and Nathan, a writer. When an avalanche blocks the road Nathan can't leave. This gives him more time to spend together with CJ. Their would've been one night stand turned into so much more when they are stuck together at the hotel. CJ and Nathan have wonderful chemistry and an instant connection. They made good use of their time together and even helped each other out. This is an enjoyable book and I recommend it. I look forward to reading others from this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,080 reviews518 followers
November 9, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars


Five Night Stand is part of the multi-author Snowed Inn collection. The books are all designed as standalones set in the same inn where the guests are trapped during an avalanche. This story definitely works as on its own, as while the men are staying at the inn, the focus is almost exclusively on the two of them alone with very little interaction with any other characters. We really get a chance to hone in on Nathan and CJ and follow along with their developing relationship. It starts off with what they both assume is a one-night stand. They are acting on attraction and barely know one another and so it is all about the heat between them. Then, in the light of day, they learn they are trapped at the resort. The story is told all from Nathan’s POV, so we feel his anxiety and sense of awkwardness as he figures out how to navigate things with CJ.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.


Profile Image for Emozioni fra le pagine.
280 reviews7 followers
December 17, 2024
Fino ad ora è quello che mi è piaciuto di più, leggero ma anche profondo, due personaggi che non si conoscono un grumpy vs sunshine che mi ha intrattenuto qualche oretta che è volata via per quanto è scorrevole.
Nathan è uno scrittore in incognito che sta soggiornando un paio di giorni prima di raggiungere il padre per le feste, il suo quarto romanzo che gli è costato mesi e mesi di isolamento e privazioni sembra essere un disastro da riscrivere ma l’uomo non ha idee, almeno fino a quando non appare CJ, biondo, occhi azzurri un sogno, sta partecipando ad uno speed dating e attira subito la sua attenzione.
Nathan dopo averlo fissato sfacciatamente se ne va ma CJ lo va a cercare, ha visto qualcosa in quegli occhi che lo attrae e i due passano una notte di passione, tanto il giorno dopo ognuno andrà per la sua strada, peccato che la valanga gli cambia i programmi e Nathan è terribilmente a disagio…


CJ è un fotografo, uomo determinato, affascinante, solare ed entusiasta e trascina un riluttante Nathan a fare cose che non avrebbe mai pensato di poter fare, tanto che quei pochi giorni passati insieme sono per entrambi una scossa alla vita precedente, tra una gara di pupazzi di neve e passeggiate tra i boschi devono solo trovare il coraggio di lasciarsi andare.

Tfpeel
Profile Image for Bekka.
1,288 reviews163 followers
Read
December 20, 2023
Sweet five-night-stand fling-or-forever romance with the best camara rep I’ve read to date in a romance novel (finally <3)

Quotes
"You, Nathan Nicholls, are the world's worst person at one-night stands." (p. 102)

"Isn't it beautiful?" "Yeah, it is." I wasn't looking at the sky, though. I was looking at him. He was far more beautiful than anything in the sky could ever be. Far more alive. Far more spellbinding. (p. 107)


NSFW infos:
28 year old British wildlife photographer
30-ish British author
vers
Profile Image for Sadonna.
2,706 reviews46 followers
November 6, 2022
4.5 stars!

This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Review

Nathan is licking his wounds from a bad meeting with his publisher who have decided not to publish his fourth book in a series. He’s gone off to Colorado from the UK to see his father for the holidays, but he’s booked himself into a resort for a couple of weeks in advance to try to “fix” the book that has been rejected. Frankly it’s not gone well. His last night, he goes up to the lodge from his cabin to get a drink at a quiet out of the way bar. On his way he passes a room with a gay speed dating event happening. He sees a gorgeous guy and their eyes meet. But he moves on to the bar.

CJ is a photographer who is staying at the resort in a cabin as well. He’s there to try to get a good shot of wildlife in the snow. He is intrigued by the guy who was staring at him and comes to the same bar seeking him out. He has a camera around his neck which is the giveaway that he’s a photographer 😉 It’s clear that Nathan is nervous around him but CJ proposes a night of fun – since Nathan is leaving the following day for his father’s place for Christmas.

They go back to CJ’s cabin and fun is definitely had. Multiple times 😉 But in the morning when Nathan is trying to make his getaway, it turns out that there has been an avalanche and they are stuck at the resort until the road gets cleared – which is currently unpredictable. So CJ proposes that spend more time together.

For the next few days, Nathan is pulled out of his comfort zone with CJ. They spend a lot of time together outdoors and Nathan learns a little something about photography in the process. He also learns quite a bit about CJ. But the real takeaway is that Nathan finally learns something about himself. And what he wants. But will he be willing to risk it by being honest with CJ?

Well this was lovely! I haven’t read this author before, but I really enjoyed this sweet story of two guys who start out as a bit of fun one night stand and end up more. Nathan is so vulnerable and it’s clear he has been living in his head and not living his life for some time. CJ has issues as well – his ex in particular has made him feel like he’s not enough and that he’s living in a fantasy world pursuing his nature photography. Nathan comes to the realization – with CJ’s help – that he needs to live his life and the words will come. There are some smart parallels between Nathan’s writing and his life as it turns out and it opens his eyes to what is missing. There is plenty of humor and passion and I was cheering when Nathan finally decided to get out of his own way 😀 Absolutely adorable story of two guys who meet in a rather serendipitous way and end up discovery they have a lot more in common that it would seem on the surface. They are also two guys who discover what it means to really support the other in their life’s work. Loved the epilogue too! Definitely recommended if you are a fan of holiday romances and HEAs!
Author 3 books39 followers
November 1, 2022
This was such a sweet, sexy story.

The beginning – oh man, I felt for Nathan – that rejection from his publisher was painful to read. How he walked out of there not bawling his eyes out is beyond me. His time at the hotel seemed to be a bit of a wash – he was struggling to connect with what his publisher wanted and the only thing that had changed was his location.

And then along comes C.J. He was so hot, so in control and so totally owning what he wanted, it was incredibly sexy. I really loved their first interactions and their first night together, and was saddened that Nathan allowed his doubts to prevent him from saying goodbye. Then fate stepped in and wow, the story bounded along. I really loved reading the two of them opening up to each other, being vulnerable and just doing their best to enjoy the enforced proximity.

I admit, I was almost shouting at Nathan when the road was cleared and he was going to bottle it, so I was very proud of him.

I loved how honest they were with each other; how C.J. pulled Nathan out of his head and got him to see there was a world he was missing out on; how Nathan bolstered C.J. and respected what he did. They were very sexually compatible but there weren’t too many sex scenes for the size of the book – I felt that it was just enough.

This was a real feel-good book, with a lovely ending and it was all very fairytale which I guess I needed this weekend.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
116 reviews
November 4, 2022
Lovely holiday romance

I’m not usually that keen on holiday romances, but this one had enough substance to be a really good read. The main characters were engaging and the forced proximity storyline, ironically, didn’t feel forced. I liked the idea of an author reeling from a rejection as well.

The romance was paced well and I enjoyed the main characters’ backstories. This was pretty low angst between the couple, lighthearted enough to read if you’re feeling a bit down, but with enough emotion for that warm glow after finishing it.
Profile Image for Theresa Derwin.
1,136 reviews43 followers
November 7, 2022
Five Wintry Nights to Love

Part of the shared world Snowed in novellas of Christmas MM Romance, this one sees writer Nathan rejected for book 4 in his series, because his characters are cardboard cutouts.
He decides to hide away at The Retreat for a couple of weeks to rewrite but an avalanche following his one night stand with photographer CJ, extends their time together.
Romance of course blossoms as does friendship.
This is sexy, sweet, funny, heartwarming and emotional.
But most of all, delightfully Christmassy.
Profile Image for Monika .
2,341 reviews39 followers
November 12, 2022

**3.5 Stars

This was a such a sweet addition to the Snowed Inn Series!

QUICK THOUGHTS

** Holiday/Christmas
** Quick, easy read
** Forced proximity/Avalanche
** Writer/Photographer pairing
** One night stand turns to much more
** No drama or angst
** Some very sweet moments
** Made me chuckle
** No hint of a ghost in this one
** Likeable MCs... Nathan & CJ
** Satisfying enough ending
** Part of a Multi Author Series
** Shared Inn and a few side characters
** Completely a stand-alone

Profile Image for Demetra Roussakis.
1,514 reviews14 followers
October 29, 2022
Loved this. Sweet novella about Nathan and CJ. Nathan was called to his publishing house where he received bad news about his book. He ends up away to the mountains before visiting his father for Christmas. After 2 weeks of not being able to rework his book, he went to the bar at a hotel. There he ends up meeting CJ. What follows is great Christmas magic with great chemistry and following your heart. I received a copy of this book for my review.
Profile Image for Annie.
1,715 reviews26 followers
November 9, 2022
Five Night Stand is an enjoyable forced proximity, holiday romance that is part of the multi-author Snowed Inn collection. I really liked the idea of a shared prompt and setting for a good variety of holiday books, and this made for a wonderful addition.

Nathan and CJ are wonderful main characters who are well developed and easy to like. I always find it a bit fun when one of the characters is an author as it gives a little glimpse into the writer’s own personality, struggles, and worries, and I enjoyed seeing Nathan work through his writer’s block while finding love. I also really liked that both men are creative artists. It makes their easy connection and support of one another all the more believable, especially given the abbreviated timeline.

Not only does Five Night Stand feature great characters with chemistry, but it also has a nice lighter tone and flirty dialogue to create an easy, pleasurable read. I’d definitely recommend this holiday novella to anyone looking for a fun, fast read that’s sure to lift your spirits.
Profile Image for Robazizo.
1,120 reviews4 followers
November 18, 2022
3.5 stars. Last year's Christmas entry from HL Day didn't work for me, but this one was cute. It took me a while to wam up to CJ, but Nathan was adorable and somehow felt very real with all of his insecurities. The setting was also nice and I'll be sure to pick up some more of the books in the Snowed Inn series.
Profile Image for Tj.
1,707 reviews20 followers
November 18, 2022
This is a cute holiday read. I wanted to yell at Nathan at times. I don’t know if was lack of courage or his natural reserve, but he is too closed off, doesn’t express himself, or share his feelings. I would have liked a dual POV.
500 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2022
I love Christmas stories and I enjoy the forced proximity trope so the whole series is a gift for me!

This was a great addition to the series. I loved the framing device (although I sincerely hope the author wasn’t basing that first scene on personal experience!) The characters were engaging (not cardboard cutouts!) and the development of the romance believable.

Definitely one to add to my Christmas comfort re-read shelf. (Where it will join HL’s other Xmas book ‘Not so silent night’.)
844 reviews5 followers
December 1, 2022
This was perfectly fine, although maybe not the most exciting.
95 reviews
November 4, 2022
A perfect Christmas romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a one night stand that becomes more as they get stuck at a resort due to an avalanche. The characters are very engaging and I was so happy when they got there HEA. If you like sweet Christmas books with a bit of spice you will love this story.
Profile Image for Lidia.
2,642 reviews30 followers
December 11, 2022
The perfect Christmas story: lovely and hot, I loved it.
Profile Image for Naia Sterne.
213 reviews7 followers
December 19, 2024
Secondo soggiorno al Retreat, nuova coppia.
Loro non sono amici dal college, al contrario, proprio non si conoscono. Sia Nathan che CJ sono ospiti della struttura, l'altra cosa che li accomuna oltre a esserci entrambi per lavoro è che sono inglesi su suolo americano, difficile non riconoscerci per l'accento. (e se posso permettere un'opinione personale, e lo farò, l'accento inglese è qualcosa di meraviglioso.)

Nathan è uno scrittore che ha scelto di concedersi qualche giorno al Retreat prima di raggiungere il padre per le vacanze di Natale, l'intero volume si svolge tramite il suo punto di vista. Prima di partire per raggiungere il padre, ha incontrato il suo editore che gli ha stroncato il libro. Non per essere drammatica, gli ha proprio detto che rispetto ai primi tre libri della serie i personaggi sono piatti, come se non vivessero e che non hanno intenzione di pubblicarlo se lui non lo cambierà migliorandolo.

Tecnicamente il soggiorno al Retreat sarebbe dovuto servire a scrivere, peccato che Nathan dopo aver dedicato mesi alla stesura si trovi davanti alle pagine senza sapere che pesci prendere. Decide quindi di prendere una pausa e concedersi un drink, è mentre si dirige al bar che si sofferma a osservare la sala in cui si svolge uno speed date. Lì, vede CJ. Biondo, occhi azzurri, gli stessi occhi che incontra da un lato all'altro della stanza. Nathan distoglie lo sguardo e continua la sua strada.

CJ però non è dello stesso avviso, giacché lo segue e sedutosi allo stesso tavolo di Nathan dopo avergli portato una birra gli propone di passare insieme la notte. Una notte e nient'altro. Non è qualcosa che Nathan conosce o fa, però il giorno dopo ripartirà, è così grave concedersi del sano divertimento per una volta? Cosa potrà mai succedere in fondo? Non si conoscono, sanno soltanto i nomi di battesimo e trascorreranno una delle migliori notti che Nathan abbia mai avuto. La stessa da cui scappa al mattino, sebbene CJ gli abbia chiesto di non andarsene senza salutare.

Dicevamo, cosa potrà mai succedere? Beh, una valanga, ovviamente. Ora quell'unica notte è qualcosa che danza fra loro fra l'imbarazzo e il senso di colpo di Nathan. CJ però non è un tipo che si lascia scoraggiare e la sua insistenza porta frutti. Quella che doveva essere una sola notte diventano cinque e non solo. I due trascorrono insieme anche le giornate, o partecipando alle attività organizzare dall'hotel o lavorando. Nathan segue CJ, fotografo naturalista, insieme a un taccuino che resta bianco perché invece di scrivere guarda lui.

Una storia d'amore piccante che non dimentica il lato sensibile e fragile dell'amore e dell'animo umano. Di un uomo come Nathan che non è abituato a permettere agi altri di superare le sue barriere e si trova davanti ad un uomo che sembra trapassarle senza nemmeno accorgersi della loro presenza. Ma insomma, ha detto al suo editore che è normale che i suoi personaggi non abbiano avuto un evoluzione, nella storia passano solamente cinque giorni... Non può essere cambiato tutto grazie/per colpa di CJ, vero?

Poi la strada viene sgombrata. Il caffè dev'essere bevuto in fretta per preparare le valige e raggiungere finalmente il padre, anche se Natale oramai è finito. La barriera di neve che li separava dal mondo reale è stata sconfitta ed è il momento di tornare alle proprie vite. Lo è, vero? Oppure c'è la possibilità che quel frammento di mondo in cui ogni cosa era al proprio posto sebbene nulla fosse ordinario potrebbe contaminare la realtà?
Nathan e CJ si saluteranno o troveranno il modo di diventare reali?

Consigliato anche questo? Si, ovviamente.
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2,911 reviews26 followers
December 12, 2022
Sweet strangers to lovers story

This second book in the Snowed Inn collection centers on two men hooking up for what they believe will be a one night stand until an avalanche forces them to remain at the resort for five more days. Being stranded together allows their relationship to grow and allows for some personal growth as well.

The opening scene sets up the conceit for the story and it’s a clever one. Nathan is a writer whose editor has told him that they aren’t offering him a contract for this fourth book in his series because they felt the characters were too bland, that they showed no growth. Nathan’s response is that the book takes place over five days and no one changes in five days. Cue the five days of being stranded set up.

CJ is a wildlife photographer. He sees Nathan at the hotel, follows him to the bar and propositions him…one night of fun. Nathan, depressed because he’s getting nowhere on rewriting the book, figures “what the hell, it’s one night.” Because I read book one I knew the set up…it’s not going to be one night.

The trajectory of their relationship is a sweet story. As the book is a first person POV we never really know what CJ is thinking as we”re only getting Nathan’s perspective. I’d have loved a dual POV as I’m sure there was a lot going on in CJ’s head as well given the little we did know about him. There is one point where he and Nathan have an exchange that just breaks my heart. I’d have really liked to get more of his perspective.

There’s a bit too much of the hemming and hawing and neither man saying what they want (lack of communication is one of my least favorite tropes) but the ending is really sweet and made me very happy.

I’m enjoying this series and moving right on to the next book. This one did not really involve anyone else at the resort as the first book did so it’s perfectly fine to read on it’s own in any order. Though I do think it is best to read RJ Scott’s “Stop the Wedding” first as that one has a lot of the scene setting about what happens at the hotel as a result of people being stranded there. This book doesn’t really go into it as fully and I kind of missed that description.
2,850 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2022
sweet romance I really enjoyed

Rating: 4🌈

The holiday stories have started to be released and H.L. Day’s Five Night Stand marks the beginning of my seasonal reading.

It’s a short sweet romance with all the elements and characters that make a heartwarming holiday story and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Nathan Nichols, action/suspense author, is on a break. Nathan is trying to salvage his latest book that’s been rejected by his publisher. And the rewrite, up in a snowy mountain inn, is going nowhere.

A one night stand with CJ, a wildlife photographer, that turns into more courtesy of a avalanche , sparks more than inspiration.

H.L. Day builds a really lovely holiday story around this theme. Nathan’s predicament and his frazzled, upset attitude with himself and the situation is perfect for this moment. CJ, there to capture snow filled wildlife photos, especially rings true. The location, the elements, and the men lead to a romantic, heartwarming journey as they make love and share histories.

Five Night Stand has so much promise for a larger novel about the men, their characters, romance , and relationship. It’s the one reason I find shorter stories so frustrating.

If you love holiday romances and a terrific couple, this is a great way to start your seasonal reading. I’m recommending it.
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