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The Promise of Snow
Christmas is fast approaching and familial obligations are dampening Brandon Jacobs's holiday spirit. On top of requiring his attendance at the annual neighborhood Christmas party, his mom has been bugging him to call AJ, a childhood playmate who just moved to town. Brandon's memories of AJ as a kid aren't exactly fond, and he's not about to waste time on him as an adult... until he runs into AJ at the party and decides that Christmas might be the perfect time for a fresh start.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package "Heartwarming".
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2013
1 person is currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Elizah J. Davis
12 books49 followersElizah Davis has lived in various parts of the United States, but currently resides in the Pacific Northwest, enjoying the abundance of coffee readily available there. She earned her degree in creative writing after she realized journalism involved too many facts and not enough unicorns. She loves stories of all kinds, but has a particular fondness for romance and fantastical adventures. When she isn’t busy making things up, Elizah enjoys reading, laughing at cats on the internet, buying girly shoes, and trying to come up with world domination plans that don’t require the donning of pants (her endeavors towards which have thus far been unsuccessful).
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 1, 2014
3.25*
This is a cute short in the DSP heartwarming Adventscalender.
A short recap: Brandon meets his childhood playmate *forced by parents to play with annoying visiting boy from next door neighbor's grandson* he's all grown up now and looks especially yummy, and he's no longer annoying.
But Brandon doesn't know this yet as he appears unsuspecting at his Mom's Christmas party :
“With all the decorations and the sound of Christmas carols playing softly in the background, Brandon could feel himself getting sucked in by the seasonal cheer and goodwill. It was horrible. He would have to be on his guard."
It's a cute little short, but that's the imperative word here, short! I'm greedy and wanted a little more, but it ends in a very hopeful HFN...ish.
This is a cute short in the DSP heartwarming Adventscalender.
A short recap: Brandon meets his childhood playmate *forced by parents to play with annoying visiting boy from next door neighbor's grandson* he's all grown up now and looks especially yummy, and he's no longer annoying.
But Brandon doesn't know this yet as he appears unsuspecting at his Mom's Christmas party :
“With all the decorations and the sound of Christmas carols playing softly in the background, Brandon could feel himself getting sucked in by the seasonal cheer and goodwill. It was horrible. He would have to be on his guard."
It's a cute little short, but that's the imperative word here, short! I'm greedy and wanted a little more, but it ends in a very hopeful HFN...ish.
December 29, 2013
This was one of the better stories of this adventcalendar. I especially liked the fact that there was no insta-love, no I-love-you's and no more like a few kisses. It was a short about meeting again after several years, trying to bridge the gap and hopefully the beginning of more.
December 3, 2015
That was really cute! I wish it wasn't so short. I would definitely read more about Brandon and AJ :)
December 29, 2013
Once we are adults, coming back home for Christmas can be a great return to childhood in the best sense, if our memories are good, or a task of epic proportions if we have left behind some unresolved issues of the familial kind. As Brandon figures out in this story, not all "issues" he remembers as such are insurmountable, and the "promise of snow" – for him – ends up being hope for a better future.
Brandon may have returned home, and his mother may be looking forward to him being at the neighborhood party, but Brandon cannot get in the spirit of things. The prospect of meeting AJ, his childhood nemesis, doesn't make it easier. Everyone seems to think they used to be good buddies, ut Brandon only remembers the bullying.
The whole situation is well on its way to a minor disaster until Brandon meets the grown-up AJ – and is rather impressed with the changes the man has gone through. And I don't just mean the physical ones, although those attract Brandon's attention first. When AJ actually shows an understanding of what he's done wrong, suddenly, there is not just the promise of snow, but the promise of newfound happiness for both Brandon and AJ.
If you like stories full of hope that are like a sketch that leaves you to fill in the details, if you enjoy reading about men who finally deal with their past, and if you're looking for a read that will make you smile, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Brandon may have returned home, and his mother may be looking forward to him being at the neighborhood party, but Brandon cannot get in the spirit of things. The prospect of meeting AJ, his childhood nemesis, doesn't make it easier. Everyone seems to think they used to be good buddies, ut Brandon only remembers the bullying.
The whole situation is well on its way to a minor disaster until Brandon meets the grown-up AJ – and is rather impressed with the changes the man has gone through. And I don't just mean the physical ones, although those attract Brandon's attention first. When AJ actually shows an understanding of what he's done wrong, suddenly, there is not just the promise of snow, but the promise of newfound happiness for both Brandon and AJ.
If you like stories full of hope that are like a sketch that leaves you to fill in the details, if you enjoy reading about men who finally deal with their past, and if you're looking for a read that will make you smile, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 27, 2019
While my previous read - short novella by Elizah - have been about a formed couple already living their Happily Ever After, this short novella is only a promise. Something to look forward to. I actually like these short stories. Though in a way they don't give us true romance (or a "story") I can still close my eyes and imagine how things would work out.
When Brandon Jacobs was just a kid, he didn't especially like (okay, he hated) spending time with his neighbor's grandson AJ Peterson. It didn't happen much - maybe for the better. So when his mother announces AJ is back and might need a "tour guide" of the city, he isn't especially thrilled to actually pick up the phone and call the guy. But after he sees him, well, he might have a different idea..
AJ looks FINE. Brandon definitely likes what he sees, and when AJ is looking at him, he can see the sentiment is mutual. Too bad the circumstance is a bit awkward in a neighborly christmas setting. But as I said, they'll have their time alone, I can totally picture it including the embarrassing, funny, endearing moments family, friends and even neighbors can add to the mix.
I'm so glad I was introduced to Elizah through the "One Night Ever After" anthology. I'm going back to her second collab with Tere and Elle in "One Holiday Ever After" and already have planned a full length novel by her. Her writing is easy going and fun. Captivating heart warming.
More Reviews HERE
When Brandon Jacobs was just a kid, he didn't especially like (okay, he hated) spending time with his neighbor's grandson AJ Peterson. It didn't happen much - maybe for the better. So when his mother announces AJ is back and might need a "tour guide" of the city, he isn't especially thrilled to actually pick up the phone and call the guy. But after he sees him, well, he might have a different idea..
AJ looks FINE. Brandon definitely likes what he sees, and when AJ is looking at him, he can see the sentiment is mutual. Too bad the circumstance is a bit awkward in a neighborly christmas setting. But as I said, they'll have their time alone, I can totally picture it including the embarrassing, funny, endearing moments family, friends and even neighbors can add to the mix.
I'm so glad I was introduced to Elizah through the "One Night Ever After" anthology. I'm going back to her second collab with Tere and Elle in "One Holiday Ever After" and already have planned a full length novel by her. Her writing is easy going and fun. Captivating heart warming.
More Reviews HERE
December 11, 2013
4.5 stars. Though I’ve never been fan of stories where a high school bully and his tormented victim reconnect as adults, and all is forgiven at the sight of a hot body, in this story AJ, the former bully, showed remorse for his dumb, mean acts. And the tone of the story is kept light and humorous which took out the blunt edge of needing acts of contrition and forgiveness. Besides, AJ was more of a jerk than an actual bully so….
The family celebration with meddling family members and neighbors works as a backdrop to Brandon and AJ finding a lot of things in common as grownups. This, and trying to make up for childhood mistakes, made this a great, rather in-depth story about how people can change—and giving them another chance to prove said change. A positive ending, filled with promise, made me smile.
The family celebration with meddling family members and neighbors works as a backdrop to Brandon and AJ finding a lot of things in common as grownups. This, and trying to make up for childhood mistakes, made this a great, rather in-depth story about how people can change—and giving them another chance to prove said change. A positive ending, filled with promise, made me smile.
December 22, 2013
3.5 Stars
This is definitely a HFN ending, and maybe in the future we will get to revisit these two. I would love to see them in a full length story. They were very HAWT together.
I wish there had been more to the story than what we got, though. It just seems so incomplete to me. I know it was a short story. but I just feel like there was so much missing. Don’t get me wrong, what we got was amazing, I just wish there was more.
You can read the full review at The Novel Approach
This is definitely a HFN ending, and maybe in the future we will get to revisit these two. I would love to see them in a full length story. They were very HAWT together.
I wish there had been more to the story than what we got, though. It just seems so incomplete to me. I know it was a short story. but I just feel like there was so much missing. Don’t get me wrong, what we got was amazing, I just wish there was more.
You can read the full review at The Novel Approach
December 31, 2017
A sweet little holiday romance. I was glad the author stopped at kissing.
December 3, 2018
Cute story of old "friends" reconnecting at Christmas. Brandon was awkward at times and I liked AJ's honesty about being a jerk when they were kids. Puts you in the Christmas mood.
December 6, 2013
2.5~3 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Ah, this story is such a tease it’s nearly frustrating.
You remember those American Holiday movies where the single son of a family gets constantly set up by the mom on Christmas parties with the neighbor’s daughter and they to fight off a very irritating and meddling situation? Yeah, this story starts and continues one might add as such...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Ah, this story is such a tease it’s nearly frustrating.
You remember those American Holiday movies where the single son of a family gets constantly set up by the mom on Christmas parties with the neighbor’s daughter and they to fight off a very irritating and meddling situation? Yeah, this story starts and continues one might add as such...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
January 1, 2014
I chuckled out loud more than once reading this one. It's a sweet HFN scene about 2 childhood adversaries (who everyone else thought were the best of seasonal friends) who come back together at Brandon's parents neighborhood Christmas party. Brandon is an absolute crack up and while it really was just a scene, it was just enough and didn't try to be too much.
December 31, 2013
Cute story about how things change when we grow up and some people luckily get better with age ;) Loved the parents and grandma in this one. Very cute trying to get the boys together - and none too subtly either! Brandon and AJ are fun MCs. Wouldn't mind reading more about them.
December 3, 2014
A nice, short and sweet story - with a Christmas party, meddling mothers and nosy neighbours.
AJ & Brandon, forced to play together as children remeet as adults at Brandon's mum's Christmas party - a new connection is forged.
AJ & Brandon, forced to play together as children remeet as adults at Brandon's mum's Christmas party - a new connection is forged.
December 6, 2013
Very sweet enemies to lovers short story.
December 24, 2013
Short, but really cute!
July 22, 2016
Super, super short. Childhood frenemies reunite at Christmas and become lovers. Nothing special or exceptionally memorable.
January 24, 2014
Kind of a 3.5.
It prove that while you might not exactly go home again you might be able to find a new way of visiting.
It prove that while you might not exactly go home again you might be able to find a new way of visiting.
December 31, 2013
Very short story of two neighborhood kids meeting again as adults. I did enjoy one lead’s matchmaking mother though the romance is superficial at best.
*review copy provided by publisher*
*review copy provided by publisher*
September 2, 2016
Really sweet but too short. I would love to see where this relationship goes.
Read
December 20, 2015Far too short for the book this storyline promised. It could have been so delicious.
April 23, 2016
2.5 stars
December 16, 2013
2.5 stars
January 11, 2014
Very sweet little Christmas story.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews