I listened to the audiobook of this short story and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. As is often the case with short stories, it left me wishing there was more. However, for such a brief read, it managed to pack in a surprising amount of character development, emotion, and romance.

Lily and Walker are childhood best friends who find themselves snowed in together for a night at a cabin in the Colorado Rockies. They’ve been carrying around a misunderstanding for years, and this unexpected situation finally forces them to have the conversation they’ve both been avoiding.

When Walker eventually reveals why he has kept Lily at a distance for so long, I found his reasoning both honorable and understandable. It added more emotional depth to the story than I expected and helped make their relationship feel more meaningful.

Given the short length, there isn’t a lot of time to fully explore the characters, but I still enjoyed getting to know them. Both Lily and Walker have experienced significant loss after losing their fathers, which creates a bond between them through their shared grief. I also liked the detail that both of their mothers brought their husbands’ ashes on the trip to scatter in the mountains before the snowstorm stranded everyone. It added a bittersweet layer to the story and gave it more heart.

The romance leaned a little more into physical attraction than I typically prefer, but it worked well within the context of a short story. It kept the story light and engaging without becoming overly heavy. That said, I honestly think this concept would have been even stronger as a full-length novel. The characters, emotional backstory, and setting all had enough potential to support a much longer story, and I would have happily spent more time with them.

If you enjoy second-chance romance, childhood crushes, friends-to-more relationships, opposites attract, and forced proximity, this is a charming read worth picking up. It’s the perfect winter romance to curl up with alongside a cozy blanket and a hot drink, especially when you’re looking for something heartwarming that can be finished in under an hour. Definitely recommend!