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Breathing Snow
Dear Author,
We’ve hated each other for three years. Since we were supposed to be rivals and everyone expected us to fight, we just did it. But then we met under completely unexpected circumstances and realized that neither of us is the prick we thought the other one was. Eventually, we became friends and now I cannot imagine a life without him. Just a few people know that we only fight for publicity now and actually like each other very much.
But during our last “fight” something went awfully wrong. He grabbed me in front of the cameras and kissed me! And I liked it! Now, everyone asks me if we are gay or if that was some kind of prank. But I really don’t know! I need to talk to him but he doesn’t react to my phone calls. The only thing I know is that I don’t want to lose him.
Photo Description:
Two men stand whisper-close, one second from a kiss.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
We’ve hated each other for three years. Since we were supposed to be rivals and everyone expected us to fight, we just did it. But then we met under completely unexpected circumstances and realized that neither of us is the prick we thought the other one was. Eventually, we became friends and now I cannot imagine a life without him. Just a few people know that we only fight for publicity now and actually like each other very much.
But during our last “fight” something went awfully wrong. He grabbed me in front of the cameras and kissed me! And I liked it! Now, everyone asks me if we are gay or if that was some kind of prank. But I really don’t know! I need to talk to him but he doesn’t react to my phone calls. The only thing I know is that I don’t want to lose him.
Photo Description:
Two men stand whisper-close, one second from a kiss.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
51 pages, ebook
First published June 22, 2013
1 person is currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Dev Bentham
25 books127 followersDev Bentham believes in the transformative power of true love. She’s the author of many gay romances, including Moving in Rhythm, August Ice and the Tarnished Souls Jewish Holiday series.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 15, 2020
I'm sure now it is possible to kill someone with sport descriptions.
I’m not winter fan, and not really into sports either. So I guess reading a story featuring a winter sport was a mistake. I don’t know what I was thinking. Still, I liked Him and Synchronicity so I think not liking this one is not exactly my fault.
It was boring as hell. It is 80% sport description and 20% well… other things. I wouldn’t call it romance. Too long time span, disengaging characters, undeveloped “romance”, no chemistry.
I’m not winter fan, and not really into sports either. So I guess reading a story featuring a winter sport was a mistake. I don’t know what I was thinking. Still, I liked Him and Synchronicity so I think not liking this one is not exactly my fault.
It was boring as hell. It is 80% sport description and 20% well… other things. I wouldn’t call it romance. Too long time span, disengaging characters, undeveloped “romance”, no chemistry.
March 30, 2016
This writer is quickly becoming one of my favorites. There is a clean, fresh style to the writing and always a well-built story. This shortie, packs it in -- giving us two elite athletes, Nordic, cross country skiiers Cory and Teag. They are fierce competitors after the same goal -- to be the best, to go to the Olympics. The enemy-to-lover trope is also a favorite because it skirts around the insta-love sappiness and usually involves some hot, hot UST. No lack of that here. There seem to be a number of athlete stories in the this year's event and this one stands out so far. Recommended.
June 23, 2013
First thing first, I liked Dev Bentham's stories -- although they mostly range on the 3 - 3.5 stars rating. The last one I read wasn't satisfying, though, and this one would be just another 'okay' story for me.
On the good side -- I loved the feel of the sports. When it comes to MM sports/athletes stories, I appreciated the quite depth descriptions of the sports or the fans or the life of being an athlete. This one has that. I liked how the sport was ski -- haven't read many of those. I liked how it took place in several competitions.
Now, what didn't work me -- which might be due to the length limitation? -- was that I didn't feel the (much needed) chemistry between Teag and Cory. The two of them started the story with, well, dislike with one another on the outside. Teag didn't like Cory for being the golden boy (he admitted that Cory was really good, so he was also jealous of that). While Cory didn't like Teag for getting things so easy (since Teag was rich). So they kept the thoughts that they actually sort of, sliiiightly, liked each other INSIDE. Then suddenly, and they were good?
Yeah, I didn't really buy that. I wanted that ease into the relationship. I wanted to see that they actually, deep inside, liked one another. I wanted them to acknowledge that. I didn't get enough of that in the story.
Plus, from the first scene into the second, there were three years gap, and I wondered what happened there -- it wasn't about Teag and Cory, it was more about Teag and his Dad. What happened? How could Teag's Dad kept Teag skiing? What did Teag finally say to his Dad? How was their relationship because of that?
Oh, and Lora ... when did Teag and Lora decided to mutually ended their fake relationship? I missed that one (maybe I wasn't paying too much attention). And how could Lora kept nudging Teag to Cory, and said that "Cory might be gay", when as a reader, I didn't feel that there was a chemistry or hints that Cory might like Teag?
Yeah, too many questions in my head. Which was why I could only give this 3-stars and not more.
On the good side -- I loved the feel of the sports. When it comes to MM sports/athletes stories, I appreciated the quite depth descriptions of the sports or the fans or the life of being an athlete. This one has that. I liked how the sport was ski -- haven't read many of those. I liked how it took place in several competitions.
Now, what didn't work me -- which might be due to the length limitation? -- was that I didn't feel the (much needed) chemistry between Teag and Cory. The two of them started the story with, well, dislike with one another on the outside. Teag didn't like Cory for being the golden boy (he admitted that Cory was really good, so he was also jealous of that). While Cory didn't like Teag for getting things so easy (since Teag was rich). So they kept the thoughts that they actually sort of, sliiiightly, liked each other INSIDE. Then suddenly, and they were good?
Yeah, I didn't really buy that. I wanted that ease into the relationship. I wanted to see that they actually, deep inside, liked one another. I wanted them to acknowledge that. I didn't get enough of that in the story.
Plus, from the first scene into the second, there were three years gap, and I wondered what happened there -- it wasn't about Teag and Cory, it was more about Teag and his Dad. What happened? How could Teag's Dad kept Teag skiing? What did Teag finally say to his Dad? How was their relationship because of that?
Oh, and Lora ... when did Teag and Lora decided to mutually ended their fake relationship? I missed that one (maybe I wasn't paying too much attention). And how could Lora kept nudging Teag to Cory, and said that "Cory might be gay", when as a reader, I didn't feel that there was a chemistry or hints that Cory might like Teag?
Yeah, too many questions in my head. Which was why I could only give this 3-stars and not more.
September 25, 2022
This is another one I had DNF without a review, but as that was back in 2014, I needed to at least attempt to read it again to see why it was a DNF. And I finished it. I think I must've just been feeling impatient back when, since this is pretty weak on the romance aspect and focuses more on the training and competing. That didn't bother me this time. But if you're looking for romance, I can't really recommend this one as it's just kind of tacked on at the end.
June 23, 2013
I have to say we are really being spoiled by all the great, free LHNB stories we have been given. :)
Teag and Cory are opposites it seems, one is very wealthy and has all the options open to him, the best trainers, equipment etc. the other works all the odd jobs he can finds, trains in between and needs bake sales to get him to competitions. Their families are also very different, one gets emotional support the other only financial.
Yet, they are both very talented and dedicated athletes and they are both in the closet.
I liked the timeline of sporting events and competitions to show how they slowly go from rivals/enemies to cautious teammates to friends.
And then, well, surprise !
I actually really liked the ending and would love a follow-up.
Teag and Cory are opposites it seems, one is very wealthy and has all the options open to him, the best trainers, equipment etc. the other works all the odd jobs he can finds, trains in between and needs bake sales to get him to competitions. Their families are also very different, one gets emotional support the other only financial.
Yet, they are both very talented and dedicated athletes and they are both in the closet.
I liked the timeline of sporting events and competitions to show how they slowly go from rivals/enemies to cautious teammates to friends.
And then, well, surprise !
I actually really liked the ending and would love a follow-up.
July 26, 2013
From enemies who don't really know why they hate each other, to friends and then to lovers, this story covers several years of Cory and Teag's lives. Much like an endurance race in skiing, there are no quick solutions, nor are there any huge surprises. But one of the things I really liked was the fact that, like in real life, they sort of fell into their relationship as enemies due to lack of information and a ton of assumptions, then came out of it because they'd done a little growing up, started to talk, and figured out that all the other stuff in their lives wasn't half as important as what they ended up feeling for each other.
Cory is a fighter. He isn’t rich, can barely afford the training, but wants to ski and win so badly he can taste it. Competition is in his blood, and seeing Teag, one of his key competitors, have everything handed to him on a silver platter, so to speak, just gets to him. But when they end up on the same team for the world cup, things change. Suddenly they have to work together in the relay race, and Cory begins to learn a few facts that make him reconsider the truth of what he always thought he knew about Teag.
Teag may be the "rich kid", but he has a damned difficult life. An overbearing father, who doesn’t think he should be skiing, a health condition that makes every race even more of a challenge than it would be anyway, and the need to hide who he really is make everything a challenge. Add to that the fact his father sponsors other skiers, rather than his own son (saying he wants to avoid being accused of nepotism), one of them his arch-rival, Cory, and Teag doesn’t have it easy either. He, too, ends up making assumptions and has a lot to learn.
If you like testosterone-fueled men who are all about the competition until being teammates becomes more important, if you enjoy reading about athletes and the tough training they put themselves through to win, and if you're looking for a read that is as filled with intense, understated emotion as it is with heat and passion, you will probably like this free short story.
Cory is a fighter. He isn’t rich, can barely afford the training, but wants to ski and win so badly he can taste it. Competition is in his blood, and seeing Teag, one of his key competitors, have everything handed to him on a silver platter, so to speak, just gets to him. But when they end up on the same team for the world cup, things change. Suddenly they have to work together in the relay race, and Cory begins to learn a few facts that make him reconsider the truth of what he always thought he knew about Teag.
Teag may be the "rich kid", but he has a damned difficult life. An overbearing father, who doesn’t think he should be skiing, a health condition that makes every race even more of a challenge than it would be anyway, and the need to hide who he really is make everything a challenge. Add to that the fact his father sponsors other skiers, rather than his own son (saying he wants to avoid being accused of nepotism), one of them his arch-rival, Cory, and Teag doesn’t have it easy either. He, too, ends up making assumptions and has a lot to learn.
If you like testosterone-fueled men who are all about the competition until being teammates becomes more important, if you enjoy reading about athletes and the tough training they put themselves through to win, and if you're looking for a read that is as filled with intense, understated emotion as it is with heat and passion, you will probably like this free short story.
July 11, 2013
As much as I appreciated the well-rounded story and enjoyable writing, something that stood out most to me would be the lack of intensity. There was a distinct lack of tension -- sexual or not -- between the two characters, despite this being an enemies-to-lovers story. I feel that there wasn't enough interaction between the two to build up that atmosphere of animosity before they slowly became friends. To be blunt, it was rather bland. However, my opinion of the story may also be because my dislike of sport may have spilled over... As a general rule, I tend to ignore sport books because I simply have no interest. Overall however, it was a good story, one that I personally didn't enjoy so much.
July 6, 2013
The picture and the prompt for this one had me really looking forward to this story. And perhaps that's why I feel so let down after reading it.
I love a good enemies-to-lovers story, getting to see all of that lovely antagonism turned into attraction. The big problem for me with this story is that I didn't really feel any of it. There wasn't really that much antagonism (I'll have a hard time adding this to my enemies-to-lovers shelf, in spite of its tag). The only time the two men really even acknowledge each other is during that silly pull-up competition, and then they don't even speak afterward.
And then they kiss and then suddenly they're having sex. And they still never really speak to each other. They say they need to talk, and they plan to, but it doesn't happen and then the story's over. No emotion.
The sports bits were lovely, though. I've never read or heard much about cross-country skiing, so it was interesting to learn some more.
I love a good enemies-to-lovers story, getting to see all of that lovely antagonism turned into attraction. The big problem for me with this story is that I didn't really feel any of it. There wasn't really that much antagonism (I'll have a hard time adding this to my enemies-to-lovers shelf, in spite of its tag). The only time the two men really even acknowledge each other is during that silly pull-up competition, and then they don't even speak afterward.
And then they kiss and then suddenly they're having sex. And they still never really speak to each other. They say they need to talk, and they plan to, but it doesn't happen and then the story's over. No emotion.
The sports bits were lovely, though. I've never read or heard much about cross-country skiing, so it was interesting to learn some more.
July 9, 2013
not what i expected!
November 22, 2013
Mmmmm I do so love me some athlete stories! Having grown up in the mountains and even spent a year or two racing as a cross-country skier this story really appealed to me. And both Teag and Cory were oh so sweet.
Cory is the young up and comer battling his way up the ranks of the National Team first on the Junior level and now finally earning a birth on the Senior A team. With that comes more money and sponsorships that can help him sustain his competing. Not having been raised with the silver spoon in his mouth he needs all the help he can get just to stay in the game. All of it makes him resent even more the rich golden boy at the top of the A team.
Teag may have been born into money, and his father may be one of the biggest supporters of the sport, but none of that support flows his way. Teag’s father wants nothing more than for his son to give up this ridiculous hobby and turn his mind to some real man’s work and get his MBA. Nevermind all the work and years of effort Teag’s put in to over come his asthma and to compete as one of the best sprinters in the sport. Now with the Winter Olympics coming soon he’s got to put even more effort than normal in, especially if they want any shot of beating the European teams. Being paired with the gorgeous Cory for the team sprint isn’t helping either. There’s too much mutual resentment to be easily overcome.
Yum, long rangy skier bodies all decked out in skintight racing uniforms! Ok maybe not the most flattering, but the do show of all those pretty muscles. :D I liked watching these two start to get over their differences and learn to get along. I was fascinated by Teag’s determination to overcome his limitations and despite the pain, fight through to get what he wants. And that ending! Wow, that’s one way to make an American win in a European dominated sport memorable. Really great characters and a beautifully written story. Highly recommended.
Cory is the young up and comer battling his way up the ranks of the National Team first on the Junior level and now finally earning a birth on the Senior A team. With that comes more money and sponsorships that can help him sustain his competing. Not having been raised with the silver spoon in his mouth he needs all the help he can get just to stay in the game. All of it makes him resent even more the rich golden boy at the top of the A team.
Teag may have been born into money, and his father may be one of the biggest supporters of the sport, but none of that support flows his way. Teag’s father wants nothing more than for his son to give up this ridiculous hobby and turn his mind to some real man’s work and get his MBA. Nevermind all the work and years of effort Teag’s put in to over come his asthma and to compete as one of the best sprinters in the sport. Now with the Winter Olympics coming soon he’s got to put even more effort than normal in, especially if they want any shot of beating the European teams. Being paired with the gorgeous Cory for the team sprint isn’t helping either. There’s too much mutual resentment to be easily overcome.
Yum, long rangy skier bodies all decked out in skintight racing uniforms! Ok maybe not the most flattering, but the do show of all those pretty muscles. :D I liked watching these two start to get over their differences and learn to get along. I was fascinated by Teag’s determination to overcome his limitations and despite the pain, fight through to get what he wants. And that ending! Wow, that’s one way to make an American win in a European dominated sport memorable. Really great characters and a beautifully written story. Highly recommended.
August 18, 2013
I think their coming together was really overshadowed by two things. The first being skiing came first. That was the sole focal point in this book, secondary was the two gay guys who hated each their.
Well, the author did a fabulous job at writing a perfect scene. I could easily see the story unfolding. But, the romance or even friendship of these two was summed up in less than 20 pages with them becoming lovers only in the last handful of pages.
I guess it just feels like I'm missing the new emotional connection. I believed they truly did not like each other, but as of them being lovers. No way. There was no communication at all.
Well, the author did a fabulous job at writing a perfect scene. I could easily see the story unfolding. But, the romance or even friendship of these two was summed up in less than 20 pages with them becoming lovers only in the last handful of pages.
I guess it just feels like I'm missing the new emotional connection. I believed they truly did not like each other, but as of them being lovers. No way. There was no communication at all.
Want to read
July 23, 2016
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 2. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
June 25, 2013
(LHNB colleague rating)
Consummately written, paced and researched. A satisfying read all round, that keeps you engaged despite an absence of plot gimmicks or hidden facts about a character, which is a hard thing to pull off this well. Crisp, clear and smooth as fresh snow, with two eminently likable characters who in their lycra would (were this not fiction, where the laws of physics can be suspended) melt any ski track in a New York minute.
Consummately written, paced and researched. A satisfying read all round, that keeps you engaged despite an absence of plot gimmicks or hidden facts about a character, which is a hard thing to pull off this well. Crisp, clear and smooth as fresh snow, with two eminently likable characters who in their lycra would (were this not fiction, where the laws of physics can be suspended) melt any ski track in a New York minute.
July 17, 2013
I liked this one. The author focused on the behind the scenes stuff and relationship development rather on the publicity side, which I would have liked to have seen more of. Snark is one way to my heart and there was a distinct lack of snark here. As for their competitors: Oh how I miss the days when we Finns didn't suck at keeping the doping secret ;) Nah. We've always been terrible at that.
April 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this story, the characters and the build up to the romance. I could feel my heart racing every time they competed. Thank you Dev Bentham for donating your story, your time and your talent.
June 23, 2013
Easy reading. Two lovely main characters both determined to succeed in their chosen sport, both harbouring misconceptions about each other.
I could feel every scrap of snow against skis, every sharp breath of frosty air, every pint scented smell. Just lovely.
I could feel every scrap of snow against skis, every sharp breath of frosty air, every pint scented smell. Just lovely.
June 22, 2013
3.5 rounded up
Overall, this was quite good. I liked the style of writing. Unfortunately, the end was too rushed for me. :(
Overall, this was quite good. I liked the style of writing. Unfortunately, the end was too rushed for me. :(
July 25, 2013
I'm a sucker for sports stories, and this one hit all the right notes for me. Very nice :)
February 5, 2016
Really liked this one, I would have liked a longer story or an epilogue though.
August 17, 2016
2.5 stars rounded up because I felt like I read snippets out of a book I really WANT to read. :)
January 29, 2018
I thought it was cute
August 15, 2019
A very interesting Story, with a very unusual but Fitting Setting. It had some flaws, but I really loved it.
June 7, 2021
I liked seeing why they started off by hating each other.
July 15, 2013
I loved this story. It surely wasn't perfect but it kept me awake last night when I wanted to finish it this morning until I got up and read the last chapters. It's a long time ago a short story did that for me so five stars anyhow.
Well, I may be (sure am) biased, I love cross country skiing! One of the few sports I even watch on TV. And the author for sure knew what she was writing about or did research pretty well.
I liked the sports feel the story had to it. Very authentic how these athletes live for their sport, what they forgo for their spirt and to become one of the best, how they breath it. Also the timeline with the sports events and the development between the two MCs was nicely done.
A little bit unbelievable wad the first kiss scene. Have you ever watched a cross country competition. Then you'll know how these guys look like after the finish line if they really push it. No chance for a kiss in my opinion. And running of without a proper cool down or even a change of clothes, I don't think so but, you know what, it worked for me anyhow and I'll give it five stars. And I will check out the authors other works or sure.
Well, I may be (sure am) biased, I love cross country skiing! One of the few sports I even watch on TV. And the author for sure knew what she was writing about or did research pretty well.
I liked the sports feel the story had to it. Very authentic how these athletes live for their sport, what they forgo for their spirt and to become one of the best, how they breath it. Also the timeline with the sports events and the development between the two MCs was nicely done.
A little bit unbelievable wad the first kiss scene. Have you ever watched a cross country competition. Then you'll know how these guys look like after the finish line if they really push it. No chance for a kiss in my opinion. And running of without a proper cool down or even a change of clothes, I don't think so but, you know what, it worked for me anyhow and I'll give it five stars. And I will check out the authors other works or sure.
July 4, 2013
a LHNB StoryI liked the writing but I kept waiting for Teag and Cory to get together and finally have that conversation about how each other was feeling. They finally do get together but instead of having a conversation they have sex & the story ends on that note. It's a short story so I know there's only space for so much but the two guys were competitive against each other & resented each other for most of the book & become slightly friendlier later on but we never got to see them as romantically interested in one another. It's a nice sports story that needed a bit more development.
January 11, 2016
This is a free story written as part of the Romance without boundaries event. This is where writers of M/m romance were asked to select a photo and writing prompt supplied by a fan of the genre and write an original tale.
This story has several things that I enjoy in m/m romance, enemies to lovers, coming out, and a good ending. It is sad but true that many professional athletes hide that they are gay so that they can avoid slurs and prejudice. That is that basis for this story as well. There is also rivalry and misunderstandings. Things begin to look up when the two finally talk in the sauna.
A good story succinctly told.
This story has several things that I enjoy in m/m romance, enemies to lovers, coming out, and a good ending. It is sad but true that many professional athletes hide that they are gay so that they can avoid slurs and prejudice. That is that basis for this story as well. There is also rivalry and misunderstandings. Things begin to look up when the two finally talk in the sauna.
A good story succinctly told.
November 8, 2013
I'm a lover of slow build relationships or even ememies/rivals to lovers but I felt like this story was more about the sport than the romance. Don't get me wrong it was an enjoyable read but what bumped me toward 4 stars instead of 3 was that 1 moment after the event.
Fabulous addition to the LHNB event!
Fabulous addition to the LHNB event!
July 3, 2013
Wish it was a longer story. The basis of something really good was there but too short to completely develop. Good writing and captivating characters. This was a short story covering a timeline of years. The story just needed more room to develop. Maybe in a longer story the reader could fell the sexual chemistry between the two MCs instead of just being told about it. I liked the setting and the characters so hope that their will be a longer & more developed story about these 2 guys in the future. Thanks for the free story.
August 26, 2013
This was a really well done enemies-to-lovers story about two young skiers trying to succeed in the sport. Initially the two guys resent each other and are competing for scare spaces on the funded team, however when they both end up on the squad and as relay partners they are forced to work together and realise they have more in common than they thought.
The story takes place over several years and the time-lapse was well done and fitted in with the story.
I really enjoyed reading this and will look out for more by this author.
The story takes place over several years and the time-lapse was well done and fitted in with the story.
I really enjoyed reading this and will look out for more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews