A sweet, endearing read that shows how much of a difference the right random stranger can have on a person. ( )

Doing something completely out of character, like going to a place you've never been before, can lead to the most amazing results. All Phoenix-based Chris expected was a nice Christmas visit with his friend Martin and experiencing snow for the first time. Instead he ends up in the northern Wisconsin cabin on his own because Martin has to go to a funeral. And when a blizzard causes the power to fail, he is convinced he's going to die. Not a total impossibility, considering his lack of snow survival skills.

Instead the normally reclusive neighbor, Horace, comes along to check on him, and they hit it off. Only physically at first, and Horace runs at first, but before long they realize there is more between them. The slow build of their relationship was really well done. Externally, it may look as if they're only exploring each other's bodies, which they are. But under the surface and while they're cuddling, or preparing food together, or setting up the Christmas tree, they're gradually getting to know and like each other. Despite all this, Chris thinks he has to go back home. He's afraid of being hurt, like he has been before, and that stops him from admitting what he has with Horace. It takes Martin pointing it out to him in words clear enough to be stark, for Chris to realize what he should do.

Horace is a great character. Quiet, observant, and extremely loving, he is also very straightforward and says exactly what he thinks. He wants Chris to stay. For Horace, life is very simple, and love like the one he is beginning to feel for Chris is to be treasured. He may never speak the words, but then he isn’t a very talkative character and he lets his actions speak for him. When he does use words, though, they are deeply touching.

If you like stories with a slow build and a sweet, romantic feel, if you enjoy reading about characters confined to a cabin in the snow, and if you're looking for a Christmas story that will warm your heart, you will probably like this one as much as I did. This is a sweet, wonderfully emotional Christmas story that is going straight onto my reread shelf.





NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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Things just don't seem to be going well for Chris. First the friend he's supposed to visiting is out of town, then it snowing and he's a warm weather boy, and finally the power goes off. But suddenly Horace is there coming to his rescue and it's wonderful. But then reality threatens the new relationship. ( )