This review is only for Merry Scroogemas by Kiki Clark

MERRY SCROOGEMAS was a sweet read about two men who get snowed in together after West gets lost in a snow storm and crashes his car. Ashley has isolated himself on his mountain but he's clearly a gentle giant under his gruff exterior. This was just a quick look at their initial meeting with a few moments of possibility for the future but since it only covers about 2 days there isn't a definitive HEA (which makes sense).

Because of the short page count this was pretty surface level so we only get some basics about each man and their history. I did think it was interesting that Ashley had a prosthetic leg but it's barely a part of the story; I don't need (or want) Ashley's entire personality to be about his prosthetic but West doesn't even seem to notice it since there's not even a casual comment on it.

Content Warning: minor grief over past death of parents

 

If you’re looking for a fun winter themed anthology to cozy up with, I’d definitely suggest Snowed In.  The author list is stacked, and the stories are full of snowy forced proximity! 

 Merry Scroogemas by Kiki Clark: West is sent on a job to a remote resort on a mountain.  When the snow causes an accident he’s rescued by the burly mountain man, Ashley.  The one thing I would want from this story is more.  The chemistry between West and Ashley was so sweet and I hope there’s more of them to come in the future.  

 Christmas Pipe Dreams by Lark Taylor: Rory is having issues with his rental house and who comes to the rescue but his crush, Owen.  When car trouble and a snowstorm traps Owen at Rory’s, the sparks fly and misunderstandings are figured out.  Lark Taylor brings her quintessential humor to Rory (I think we all learned new plumbing terms along with Rory) and her sweetness with Owen.  This friends to lovers story had me hooked from the start. 

 Mistle Foe by Cora Rose: Wren and Christian are stuck on a road trip together to a friend’s wedding.  When a snowstorm forces them to hunker down for the night they’re left with the problem of two people, one bed.  I’m not sure how Cora Rose wrapped so much character development into one novella.  These opposite personalities go from enemies to lovers so seamlessly. 

This is one of the first anthologies I’ve ever finished!
Love this trope and such good stories ❤️

If I Had the Chance 
A Beginning of Always Short Story 
E.M. Lindsey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Super sweet, awkward nerds, loved them❤️

The Room I Paid For 
Crea Reitan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One bed trope, bi awakening, it felt a bit rushed and a bit long with unnecessary details 

Texas Snow 
Kelly Fox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh wow loved this, first thing I’ve read from this author. A cute and unlikely couple, a really hot and sweet story❤️

Merry Scroogemas 
Kiki Clark
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Super cute short❤️ Loved the big grumpy mountain man! 

Snowdrifts & Secrets 
A.M. Johnson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweet little adventure in a stranded car🔥

Christmas Pipe Dreams 
Lark Taylor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The plumber coming to fix the pipes 😂❤️

Winter Blues 
Nicole Dykes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brothers best friend, jock/nerd trope❤️


The Holidate Rescue 
Dianna Roman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ooff this was so good! Made me tear up! Loved it so much❤️❤️

Mistle Foe 
Cora Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ridiculously good, as always! Hot, fun and sweet❤️

Snowed In is filled with holiday short stories all centered around MM romance and the holiday season. I read Nicole Dykes short story titled Winter Blues where forced proximity, brother’s best friend, and enemies-to-lovers tropes all come into play.

Simon is the little brother to Zane Sharpe and Hunter has been Zane's best friend for years. It's winter break at college and Simon needs a ride home, but with a blizzard headed their way Hunter is now the only option if Simon wants to make it home for Christmas. These two end up only about half way home and end up spending the night together where they realize there is more than just underlying tension between them.

Winter Blues is short, sweet, and steamy. Truly all the best things I love packed into a spicy holiday short story.

This Anthology is perfect for a fast and easy winter read or as a palate cleanser. 

Winter Blues by Nicole Dykes

"Screw logic, this makes sense in it's own way."
 
Simon and Hunter are snowed in, and Simon is not happy about having to spend time with Hunter alone. Simon has a brother (Zane), and Hunter is Zane's best friend. It was short, but it still didn't feel rushed! 


Mistle Foe by Cora Rose

"Guys like him don't ever like guys like me." 

There is only one bed, and it's very cold, so they start cuddling and talking and more! Christian grew up religious, so he is inexperienced, and Wren helps him with that. 

I only read the short stories from Nicole Dykes and Cora Rose for now. I want to read the other stories later in between other books. But I give the whole book 4 stars because this is a great way to get to know new authors or to read the short stories as palette cleaners, like I'm planning to do. 

All proceeds will be donated to Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE). I received an arc copy of this book, thank you for the opportunity.