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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this whirlwind M/M British New adult romance that takes place over the holidays between a struggling student/single dad/musician and the up and coming rock star he falls hard for after a one night stand.
The mental health (anxiety) and disability rep (dyslexia) was so great in this book - something I really appreciated! Ben and Charlie are also very three-dimensional and relatable. I enjoyed their journey to figure out a way to be together. They balanced each other out and helped boost the other up when each of them was dealing with their individual insecurities. Good on audio and perfect for fans of Alexis Hall, Casey McQuiston or Annabeth Albert.
Steam level: VERY open door
The mental health (anxiety) and disability rep (dyslexia) was so great in this book - something I really appreciated! Ben and Charlie are also very three-dimensional and relatable. I enjoyed their journey to figure out a way to be together. They balanced each other out and helped boost the other up when each of them was dealing with their individual insecurities. Good on audio and perfect for fans of Alexis Hall, Casey McQuiston or Annabeth Albert.
Steam level: VERY open door
As I've come to expect from Hayden Stone's writing, this book was full of emotion. The characters are easy to fall in love with and relate to. The angst and turmoil is poignant. Even when I don't think I'm in the mood for a Hayden Stone book, I always enjoy them.
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
When London Snow Falls by Hayden Stone is the second book in the When Snow Falls series. Charlie Renfrew makes it through each day by focusing on school, his job, his band and his daughter. He struggles but his routines keep him on track for the most part. It isn’t until Ben Campbell walks up and he manages to stick his foot in his mouth that all that Charlie’s carefully laid routine is thrown out the window. Ben’s band is rising fast in popularity through the UK and Charlie finds himself surprised at the lead singer’s interest in him. Charlie tries to keep things casual with Ben but struggles to add another person to his already chaotic life. Charlie finds himself trying to decide if he can handle another responsibility or if a relationship on top of everything may lead to his downfall.
Charlie Renfrew has been outrunning his past for the last few years. Because he was a partier and struggled with addiction, he feels he needs to prove himself to his family. Ben Campbell is someone that Charlie struggles to accept into his life. Ben shows time and time again that he is interested in knowing the real Charlie and that he’s willing to accept whatever time he has free. But with the ups and downs of Charlie’s mental health and the responsibilities he has to put first, he hurts Ben by failing to be honest in their communication. Although you only get Charlie’s POV, you find your heart hurting for Ben who has his own past he struggles with and the moments when Charlie forgets to talk to him like a partner and not just another obligation. These were two very emotional MCs and I appreciated that there was no toxic masculinity preventing them from truly feeling and showing their overwhelming emotions. At first the two MCs find it easier to communicate through quick physical moments together but as the build trust in each other they venture into other sexual avenues.
Sex is easy. Being vulnerable isn’t.
This story follows two musicians on completely different paths. Charlie’s music is a way to escape the world for a while and feel the natural high of performing. Ben’s band is already making waves and he plans to ride their success to fame. The men find comfort in their shared love of music. Where music may take them plays an important role throughout the story because Charlie constantly questions Ben’s interest in him because he’s “just a barista” while Ben’s band is working its way to becoming a household name. Ben finds comfort in Charlie because he believes he found someone who doesn’t just see as someone who could be famous and instead wants to care and support him day to day. I loved Ben’s appreciation for knitting and how that was a way he found a support system when he moved from Scotland to London. Through the ups and downs of their relationship I never found myself not cheering for Ben and Charlie to get their HEA.
4.5 stars for Ben and Charlie finding warmth in each other when London snow falls.
When London Snow Falls by Hayden Stone is the second book in the When Snow Falls series. Charlie Renfrew makes it through each day by focusing on school, his job, his band and his daughter. He struggles but his routines keep him on track for the most part. It isn’t until Ben Campbell walks up and he manages to stick his foot in his mouth that all that Charlie’s carefully laid routine is thrown out the window. Ben’s band is rising fast in popularity through the UK and Charlie finds himself surprised at the lead singer’s interest in him. Charlie tries to keep things casual with Ben but struggles to add another person to his already chaotic life. Charlie finds himself trying to decide if he can handle another responsibility or if a relationship on top of everything may lead to his downfall.
Charlie Renfrew has been outrunning his past for the last few years. Because he was a partier and struggled with addiction, he feels he needs to prove himself to his family. Ben Campbell is someone that Charlie struggles to accept into his life. Ben shows time and time again that he is interested in knowing the real Charlie and that he’s willing to accept whatever time he has free. But with the ups and downs of Charlie’s mental health and the responsibilities he has to put first, he hurts Ben by failing to be honest in their communication. Although you only get Charlie’s POV, you find your heart hurting for Ben who has his own past he struggles with and the moments when Charlie forgets to talk to him like a partner and not just another obligation. These were two very emotional MCs and I appreciated that there was no toxic masculinity preventing them from truly feeling and showing their overwhelming emotions. At first the two MCs find it easier to communicate through quick physical moments together but as the build trust in each other they venture into other sexual avenues.
Sex is easy. Being vulnerable isn’t.
This story follows two musicians on completely different paths. Charlie’s music is a way to escape the world for a while and feel the natural high of performing. Ben’s band is already making waves and he plans to ride their success to fame. The men find comfort in their shared love of music. Where music may take them plays an important role throughout the story because Charlie constantly questions Ben’s interest in him because he’s “just a barista” while Ben’s band is working its way to becoming a household name. Ben finds comfort in Charlie because he believes he found someone who doesn’t just see as someone who could be famous and instead wants to care and support him day to day. I loved Ben’s appreciation for knitting and how that was a way he found a support system when he moved from Scotland to London. Through the ups and downs of their relationship I never found myself not cheering for Ben and Charlie to get their HEA.
4.5 stars for Ben and Charlie finding warmth in each other when London snow falls.
lighthearted
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
I like my books more upbeat, the main character was so whiney that I got too annoyed with him already to continue after 10%
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a cute holiday romance. I thought Ben's character was very sweet and supportive, but Charlie was somewhat irritating. Given, he has a lot going on in life with uni, working, anxiety, and his daughter. But he pushes people away and tries to bear his burdens alone. I really enjoyed the London winter vibes, very cute. I did not enjoy Charlie's frustrating, horrible parents.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m a sucker for a good Queer romance book, and I would’ve rated this one 5 stars except I feel like the story stopped about 50 pages too soon. There was a lot of build-up and a lot of drama, but for all of that we got very little couple-y goodness. Still, this book is definitely worthwhile for those of us who identify with the main character a little too much and have put dating bans in place for whatever reason, so you live vicariously through fictional characters.
Boy was this an absolutely terrible read. I loved the first book in this series a lot, but there was nothing but bad writing this time around. The main character was the whiniest and most annoying character, who experiences absolutely no growth, that I've read in a long time. The same conversations and insecurities were brough up over and over ad nauseum. The story got tedious and induced many eye rolls, and I wanted to stop reading this on multiple occasions. I was so disappointed, but this was a huge miss for me.