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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this fantasy novella which draws on Norse mythology. On the one hand, I loved that the story engaged deeply with issues of sexual consent, and not just in regards to women. The whole set-up—a sexual curse that must be resisted—circles around and around the issue in interesting ways, always insisting that consent must be a choice, and freely given. But at the same time, the problem keeping the male and female protagonists apart could have been resolved via one simple conversation. I understand the reservations both protagonists had to having that conversation, at least initially, but by the story's climax, I was more frustrated than excited for the big reveal.
msripley's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amym84's review against another edition
3.0
Frozen is a stand along short story by Meljean Brook. Olivia is heading to her family's home for the holidays, but before she can truly begin her trip, she has to stop at her boss's home to get him to sign some "really important papers that can't wait until after the holiday". Being the dedicated worker she is, she reluctantly agrees. There's a few problems with this however. Erik, her boss, and Olivia have an unmistakable attraction to one another. They've kissed but very quickly and abruptly Eirk put a stop to it and has been cold to Olivia ever since. She's still carried feelings for him, but keeps her distance figuring he's not really interested. Little does Olivia know that Erik may be a little too interested.
Erik's family has long suffered from a curse that they can't control and turns them into what they think of as monsters on the winter solstice every year. Olivia was Erik's trigger for the curse and hence his trying to avoid her. Throw in some trickster Hounds that Erik's family has been feuding with for centuries and Olivia truly has her work cut out for her this holiday season!
Overall, I thought that Meljean Brook did wonderful with keeping Frozen within in the page structure of what is considered a short story. Everything was very well rounded. She gave readers enough information and background and mythology. I'm actually a little impressed. I think it shows the work of a fine author when they can make such a large story out of so little pages.
I also have to say that the chemistry between Olivia and Erik was hoooot! Meljean Brook has no problems writing tension and building it up throughout a story. I've read other books by Meljean Brook and she's the master of the tease! She builds things up between her heroes and heroines until you can't take it anymore and then she finally gets them together always to very hot results. Frozen is no different in that regard.
Where the story lost me a bit was with the back and forth between Olivia and Erik about his curse and why / why not he shouldn't be with her and their kind of unsure feelings for one another. It just went round and round too many times for my liking and really some of the answers were so apparent, mainly in regards to Erik's curse. These scenes took up a good amount of time in the story, time I feel could have been better spent exploring elsewhere.
I would have liked to see more of the conflict between the Hounds and Erik. In the few scenes they are in the Hounds made such great opponents I wish more of that could have been played upon. But I also understand that given the length of the story an author has to carefully pick and choose what gets included and the most important direction for Frozen was between Erik and Olivia.
If you're looking for something quick to read in an afternoon Frozen can definitely fit that bill. If Meljean Brook decides to write more of these short stories, I would definitely pick it up without a second thought.
Erik's family has long suffered from a curse that they can't control and turns them into what they think of as monsters on the winter solstice every year. Olivia was Erik's trigger for the curse and hence his trying to avoid her. Throw in some trickster Hounds that Erik's family has been feuding with for centuries and Olivia truly has her work cut out for her this holiday season!
Overall, I thought that Meljean Brook did wonderful with keeping Frozen within in the page structure of what is considered a short story. Everything was very well rounded. She gave readers enough information and background and mythology. I'm actually a little impressed. I think it shows the work of a fine author when they can make such a large story out of so little pages.
I also have to say that the chemistry between Olivia and Erik was hoooot! Meljean Brook has no problems writing tension and building it up throughout a story. I've read other books by Meljean Brook and she's the master of the tease! She builds things up between her heroes and heroines until you can't take it anymore and then she finally gets them together always to very hot results. Frozen is no different in that regard.
Where the story lost me a bit was with the back and forth between Olivia and Erik about his curse and why / why not he shouldn't be with her and their kind of unsure feelings for one another. It just went round and round too many times for my liking and really some of the answers were so apparent, mainly in regards to Erik's curse. These scenes took up a good amount of time in the story, time I feel could have been better spent exploring elsewhere.
I would have liked to see more of the conflict between the Hounds and Erik. In the few scenes they are in the Hounds made such great opponents I wish more of that could have been played upon. But I also understand that given the length of the story an author has to carefully pick and choose what gets included and the most important direction for Frozen was between Erik and Olivia.
If you're looking for something quick to read in an afternoon Frozen can definitely fit that bill. If Meljean Brook decides to write more of these short stories, I would definitely pick it up without a second thought.
amyreadsandsails's review
5.0
mf - monster romance - paranormal - snowed in - child free - high steam - second chance - workplace - 5 stars. Frost giant Erik is cursed so once a year on the winter solstice he goes into a rut. Thanks to external plot, he’s trapped in his castle with the heroine and is afraid the fucking is going to be so brutal he’s going to kill her. 5/5 it’s not going to fit smut.
winterreader40's review against another edition
3.0
Olivia is sent to drop off some papers for her bosses son to sign on the way to her parents place for xmas. Eric however suffers under a curse that causes him to want to mate Olivia, possibly to death, and it only kicks in on the winter solstice.
This story revolves around the descendants of Odin and Loki's son's and a curse from a witch. The curse doesn't hit every generation, but once it's triggered it will happen every year.
This was an interesting concept but only an okay story.
This story revolves around the descendants of Odin and Loki's son's and a curse from a witch. The curse doesn't hit every generation, but once it's triggered it will happen every year.
This was an interesting concept but only an okay story.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
This was just too angsty and tortured for me to enjoy. The whole "saving you from myself" cliché is annoying, if they'd had a decent conversation it would have been sorted a lot easier. And the whole potential rape thing was gross, Olivia was happy to have sex with him, but it wouldn't have made any difference either way.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
3.0
Crazy and sexy with a plot to match. A relatively standalone novella, we're placed in the middle of the plot with a heavy handful of exposition to understand that Olivia has somehow found herself at the doorstep of the coworker she's lusted after for a year, who couldn't really give a damn.
Cue snowstorm! But actually it turns out Erik is a snow giant cursed to bang a selected female on the winter solstice, and also there are a few Paranormal wolves after him as well.
What is important is that the sex is hot, even if the plot is ridiculous.
Cue snowstorm! But actually it turns out Erik is a snow giant cursed to bang a selected female on the winter solstice, and also there are a few Paranormal wolves after him as well.
What is important is that the sex is hot, even if the plot is ridiculous.
jaga119's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure if I skills give this book 3 or 4 stars. It was a nice read and that's pretty all I can say. The first person narration is not something I am fond of, but it was well done here and I didn't miss the hero's part as I usually do with such narration.
A little rushed. But a good one for a few free hours.
A little rushed. But a good one for a few free hours.
bayou99's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Another enjoyable book (novella) by Meljean Brook.
yolieca's review
4.0
Great novella about consent and the fated mate trope.
Was hoping for a bit more sexual activity but will acknowledge it fits w the a frost giant who'd rather die than harm his girl.
Was hoping for a bit more sexual activity but will acknowledge it fits w the a frost giant who'd rather die than harm his girl.