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Leap Through Eternity
Being evacuated from his apartment in the middle of the night because some idiot forgot his cookies in the oven isn’t the ideal way to meet a guy, but Mason’s hot neighbor Cole sure looks great in his underwear. The trouble is, Mason is the idiot who started the fire, and Cole doesn’t appreciate being lied to any more than he appreciates being driven out into the cold. It looks like their romance might end before it gets started, but Christmas is a time for second chances….
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package "Sleigh Ride".
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package "Sleigh Ride".
26 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2015
About the author
Sara Stark
51 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Sara Stark is a book enthusiast who also loves cats, winter and mythology. She lives in a small European country and is currently studying to get her degree in comparative literature. She drinks too much tea and is not a very patient person. In her free time she likes to wander around, explore new places and she gets lost way too often. She wants to travel the world one day. She sends a lot of letters. She is passionate about animal rights. She writes a lot and often and therefore she also learned how to type really quickly. Writing is her favorite thing to do.
Sara Stark is a book enthusiast who also loves cats, winter and mythology. She lives in a small European country and is currently studying to get her degree in comparative literature. She drinks too much tea and is not a very patient person. In her free time she likes to wander around, explore new places and she gets lost way too often. She wants to travel the world one day. She sends a lot of letters. She is passionate about animal rights. She writes a lot and often and therefore she also learned how to type really quickly. Writing is her favorite thing to do.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 12, 2015
This one was a little tough to read. Mason has so much inner dialog in the middle of conversations I would forget what the heck they were even talking about. More than once Cole would ask him a question and Mason would disappear in his head and a page later answer, by then the journey through his brain derailed me.
Cole and Mason went from attracted strangers to "mine" pretty quickly and the declarations of forever love came too soon to be believable to me. The characters and story had a lot of potential and a little polish and reining in of the Mason's stream of consciousness would have bumped this story up for me easily.
Cole and Mason went from attracted strangers to "mine" pretty quickly and the declarations of forever love came too soon to be believable to me. The characters and story had a lot of potential and a little polish and reining in of the Mason's stream of consciousness would have bumped this story up for me easily.
December 13, 2015
Some people just have the worst luck, and Mason is one of them. He loves the holidays, but this year nothing is the way it should be. His parents are on a cruise, his sister is going skiing with her husband and kids, and his brother is spending time with his girlfriend’s family. Mason tries to ignore the loneliness and decorates his apartment like always. It is when he bakes Christmas cookies at 1:00 a.m., only to fall asleep while waiting for them to finish, that disaster strikes. But sometimes something good can come out of disaster, and this entertaining, sweet story is all about the happy ending to an unhappy beginning.
Marcus feels awful when the cookies catch fire, and the entire apartment building needs to be evacuated while the firefighters make sure his kitchen doesn’t go up in flames as well. Hot neighbor Cole only wears his underwear and boots and is shivering in the cold. Mason isn’t good at communicating – or any human interaction, really – so he is surprised when Cole begins to talk to him. Of course, when Cole finds out “the idiot who forgot his cookies and set his oven aflame” is Mason, he no longer wants anything to do with Mason. Or so he thinks until an older neighbor reveals there may be another reason… And for the first time in his life, Mason takes a deep breath and jumps into the deep end.
If you like men who are not just a klutz but socially awkward, if you want to find out more about one such man’s rambling thoughts as he bumbles through a very hot encounter, and if you’re looking for a lighthearted, entertaining read with some very sweet moments, then you might like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Marcus feels awful when the cookies catch fire, and the entire apartment building needs to be evacuated while the firefighters make sure his kitchen doesn’t go up in flames as well. Hot neighbor Cole only wears his underwear and boots and is shivering in the cold. Mason isn’t good at communicating – or any human interaction, really – so he is surprised when Cole begins to talk to him. Of course, when Cole finds out “the idiot who forgot his cookies and set his oven aflame” is Mason, he no longer wants anything to do with Mason. Or so he thinks until an older neighbor reveals there may be another reason… And for the first time in his life, Mason takes a deep breath and jumps into the deep end.
If you like men who are not just a klutz but socially awkward, if you want to find out more about one such man’s rambling thoughts as he bumbles through a very hot encounter, and if you’re looking for a lighthearted, entertaining read with some very sweet moments, then you might like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 5, 2016
2.75 stars rounded up
It's Sunday, and I want to read something short and easy. This one fits the bill.
I thought Mason's clumsiness and his love for anything holiday/Christmas related was cute. I loved his rambling. BUT, I wasn't buying the relationship-status change from strangers meeting out in the cold to "you're mine" in a span of, what, hours? I guess I just don't have it in me to do the leap of faith *shrugs*. So this one is "okay" for me; not exceptional.
It's Sunday, and I want to read something short and easy. This one fits the bill.
I thought Mason's clumsiness and his love for anything holiday/Christmas related was cute. I loved his rambling. BUT, I wasn't buying the relationship-status change from strangers meeting out in the cold to "you're mine" in a span of, what, hours? I guess I just don't have it in me to do the leap of faith *shrugs*. So this one is "okay" for me; not exceptional.
December 28, 2015
2.5 stars - bumbling, cutely stumbling "idiot" and the mostly naked stud in briefs
I found bumbling, insecure Mason to be rather endearing, and his initial meeting with the mostly naked copy was nicely engaging. However, the later scenes between the two just left me flat and not very enticed.
I also see the author is new and I will add that this story is a good start - some of the early scenes were particularly enjoyable and have me interested enough to want to read more. I hope there will be additional works in the future.
I found bumbling, insecure Mason to be rather endearing, and his initial meeting with the mostly naked copy was nicely engaging. However, the later scenes between the two just left me flat and not very enticed.
I also see the author is new and I will add that this story is a good start - some of the early scenes were particularly enjoyable and have me interested enough to want to read more. I hope there will be additional works in the future.
December 28, 2025
A short, cute read; it's definitely entertaining and watching our main character being an absolute hot mess was great. Since It was such a short story I feel like their relationship was a little rushed, but no more than is expected. It didn't feel weird and Stark didn't end the book with them telling each other that they love each other forever and ever but it was a little close. Fade to black, no spice except a little making out, chock full of Christmas spirit.
December 10, 2024
2 Stars
A bit rambly and rough around the edges, this was still an overall sweet Christmas story about a total space cadet who accidentally sets his apartment on fire and winds up winning over a grump.
A bit rambly and rough around the edges, this was still an overall sweet Christmas story about a total space cadet who accidentally sets his apartment on fire and winds up winning over a grump.
August 21, 2016
Reviewed on The Blogger Girls.
When Mason can’t sleep one night, he decides to make cookies and watch a movie. Unfortunately, he totally forgets about the cookies and before he knows it, the cookies are on fire. Now forced out of his apartment along with all the other tenants until they clear the fire, Mason’s mortified especially when he meets his hot neighbor Cole, who’s none too happy with the person who caused the fire. Mason lies to cover up the fact he’s that person but when Cole finds out about the lie, he’s beyond angry. Mason feels horrible but the connection between them is so strong, Mason refuses to give up on what could be there. Will Cole be able to forgive Mason for his fib or will Cole hold enough of a grudge to ruin whatever they may have?
OMG, this was SUCH a cute story! I loved, loved, loved Mason as a character. It was adorable the way he reacted to Cole when they were standing outside waiting for the fire department to clear Mason’s apartment. I also liked how carefree Cole was considering he was a cop and just adored the fact Mason refused to let Cole push him away. I just wish this had been so much longer! I want to see these two after the holidays, will they still be together? Will Cole think Mason will lie about everything? Will they even still get along after the holidays? I WANT MORE!
Still, such a lovely story! Both Mason and Cole were great characters and even though it was a bit short, I loved the premise of it! As a side note, I don’t really understand why this story is titled so because unless I’m being dense, it had nothing to do with eternity or forever or anything that makes sense for why it’d be titled like that…
When Mason can’t sleep one night, he decides to make cookies and watch a movie. Unfortunately, he totally forgets about the cookies and before he knows it, the cookies are on fire. Now forced out of his apartment along with all the other tenants until they clear the fire, Mason’s mortified especially when he meets his hot neighbor Cole, who’s none too happy with the person who caused the fire. Mason lies to cover up the fact he’s that person but when Cole finds out about the lie, he’s beyond angry. Mason feels horrible but the connection between them is so strong, Mason refuses to give up on what could be there. Will Cole be able to forgive Mason for his fib or will Cole hold enough of a grudge to ruin whatever they may have?
OMG, this was SUCH a cute story! I loved, loved, loved Mason as a character. It was adorable the way he reacted to Cole when they were standing outside waiting for the fire department to clear Mason’s apartment. I also liked how carefree Cole was considering he was a cop and just adored the fact Mason refused to let Cole push him away. I just wish this had been so much longer! I want to see these two after the holidays, will they still be together? Will Cole think Mason will lie about everything? Will they even still get along after the holidays? I WANT MORE!
Still, such a lovely story! Both Mason and Cole were great characters and even though it was a bit short, I loved the premise of it! As a side note, I don’t really understand why this story is titled so because unless I’m being dense, it had nothing to do with eternity or forever or anything that makes sense for why it’d be titled like that…
December 16, 2015
“Mason couldn’t hold back anymore. He turned and wrapped his hands around Cole’s neck, pulling him closer. He was spending Christmas Eve with Cole, who thought he was beautiful, while it snowed outside. What else could he possibly wish for?”
4 leap worthy stars!! Unique and fun are two words I’d use to describe this cute story!!
Mason is a clutz and all alone on Christmas. Lonely, he decides to decorate his apartment and make Christmas cookies, normal stuff right?? Sure except he’s baking at 1am and he falls alseep only to be woken up because his apartment and building have to be evacuated. That is until he sees his hot neighbor outside standing in just his underwear and boots. Mason is super awkward and doesn’t know how to approach him. So Cole approaches him, and he’s intrigued. Until he finds out that Mason is the reason he’s standing outside in the cold in just his underwear. After that things get cute and super hot!
Definitely worth the read!! So cute and Mason is relatable in so many ways! I love the story and the way it all fell together.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
February 16, 2016
In lieu of writing reviews – I’m taking an extended break – I decided to leave this list showing some of the reasons for the stars I’ve given to the stories I’ve read.
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters or stories where I hated the characters but the author had me hooked. For stories that had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried. In short…. these ones rocked my world!!!
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters or stories where I hated the characters but the author had me hooked. For stories that had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried. In short…. these ones rocked my world!!!
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
June 9, 2016
I may have mentioned I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas stories but I try to read a few each holiday season hoping to knock out the Grinch within. This was one of the better ones I’ve read recently with realistic guys, snark and decent conflict.
It’s a fairly simple plot that the author did well with.
Mason is baking cookies when he forgets to check the oven and sets off the fire alarm, causing the residents of his apartment to vacate in the middle of winter. It’s outside in the cold that Mason meets his neighbor Cole who happens to be in his underwear. It’s an interesting meet cute that could’ve fallen flat but Stark managed to infuse the men with enough personality that there was chemistry between the two of them.
Mason and Cole flirt while outside, but Cole is not happy when he learns Mason is the idiot who set off the fire alarm. I liked the fact that Cole was genuinely pissed that Mason hadn’t come clean right away. I’d been expecting him to forgive him so they could hop into bed. That would’ve been the cliché way to go. Thankfully, that’s not what happened.
This was a cute story that made my Grinch shrink just a bit.
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015...
It’s a fairly simple plot that the author did well with.
Mason is baking cookies when he forgets to check the oven and sets off the fire alarm, causing the residents of his apartment to vacate in the middle of winter. It’s outside in the cold that Mason meets his neighbor Cole who happens to be in his underwear. It’s an interesting meet cute that could’ve fallen flat but Stark managed to infuse the men with enough personality that there was chemistry between the two of them.
Mason and Cole flirt while outside, but Cole is not happy when he learns Mason is the idiot who set off the fire alarm. I liked the fact that Cole was genuinely pissed that Mason hadn’t come clean right away. I’d been expecting him to forgive him so they could hop into bed. That would’ve been the cliché way to go. Thankfully, that’s not what happened.
This was a cute story that made my Grinch shrink just a bit.
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015...
December 29, 2015
Read for The Novel Approach.
I wanted to like this story because I love clumsy main characters. Maybe it’s because I’m a clumsy person myself and can connect to the character so much; however, with this story I just couldn’t. There’s not much to it, being only twenty-six pages long, but I just couldn’t care about the characters. The plot is decent enough as a story idea, but a bit of a stretch. I can’t see firemen not allowing someone to grab at least pants when a fire is just contained in one apartment. Especially when the weather is so cold. As for Mason, he tends to ramble, go off on tangents, and seems repetitive. I found it to be tiresome after a few pages.
Another thing I didn’t understand was the title. I love to discover how titles connect to the story, especially when they’re clever. I have gleeful little moments of “found it!” whenever I see it. However with this story, I just don’t get it. Maybe at the end a bit, I suppose, but the ending was overly sweet and romantic for two people who basically just met. Had their romance been dragged out longer, I may have bought it, but as it stands, it was just too much.
I wanted to like this story because I love clumsy main characters. Maybe it’s because I’m a clumsy person myself and can connect to the character so much; however, with this story I just couldn’t. There’s not much to it, being only twenty-six pages long, but I just couldn’t care about the characters. The plot is decent enough as a story idea, but a bit of a stretch. I can’t see firemen not allowing someone to grab at least pants when a fire is just contained in one apartment. Especially when the weather is so cold. As for Mason, he tends to ramble, go off on tangents, and seems repetitive. I found it to be tiresome after a few pages.
Another thing I didn’t understand was the title. I love to discover how titles connect to the story, especially when they’re clever. I have gleeful little moments of “found it!” whenever I see it. However with this story, I just don’t get it. Maybe at the end a bit, I suppose, but the ending was overly sweet and romantic for two people who basically just met. Had their romance been dragged out longer, I may have bought it, but as it stands, it was just too much.
January 19, 2016
This was a light Christmas story and it was a super sweet that was just right for the holidays. I love the interaction between Mason and Cole, although Mason does seem to be a little forgetful. There was some light humor in it which is always great.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2016
This was a cute little story with an funny premise. I really loved how the men met and how the story sort of threw some surprise twists at the reader.
Overall, it was a sweet holiday read that was very lighthearted and a good cleanser between heavier stories for me.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2015
Meeting for the first time when your the reason your neighbor is standing in th cold practically naked might not be the best. But Cole is forgiving and Mason's excitement might be catching so they can move on to better things.
April 13, 2016
2.5*
I like Mike's review of this - the start is quite endearing but the later scenes felt a bit flat and I didn't get a connection between the two.
A quick read in the style of the collection.
I like Mike's review of this - the start is quite endearing but the later scenes felt a bit flat and I didn't get a connection between the two.
A quick read in the style of the collection.
December 16, 2015
2.5 stars
December 29, 2015
I can't believe I paid money for this.
My third graders can write better-constructed sentences than are in this.
My third graders can write better-constructed sentences than are in this.
December 5, 2017
3,5* Mason is adorkable :))
December 14, 2015
Super adorable short story!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews