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An Ex, A Dog, and Winter Wonderlands
What could be worse than a breakup right before Christmas? An old flame who broke you barging back into your life...
Vlad has his life together. Great job, great home set in a typical winter wonderland mountain resort, a loving dog, and amazing friends. On top of that, he loves Christmas. All's jolly until the universe conspires to ruin it for him: breaking up with his flaky boyfriend days before the holidays, his former best friend who broke Vlad's heart returning home, and enough snow to ruin all of Vlad's plans.
Vlad knows why Geo came home to Romania: to visit his family for Christmas. He wasn't supposed to meet Vlad at the airport, or spend a few days at Vlad's place while his parents are snowed in elsewhere. To protect himself, Vlad does his best to avoid any real connection, but old habits die hard and they find themselves entangled once more.
The last time Geo left him, Vlad almost failed to put the pieces back together. However close they get this time, it won't change the fact Geo has to return to his life in another country. Is a little holiday romance worth the heartbreak Vlad knows he'll have to face?
An Ex, a Dog, and Winter Wonderlands is a perfect read for those who love Christmas romances and second chances.
Vlad has his life together. Great job, great home set in a typical winter wonderland mountain resort, a loving dog, and amazing friends. On top of that, he loves Christmas. All's jolly until the universe conspires to ruin it for him: breaking up with his flaky boyfriend days before the holidays, his former best friend who broke Vlad's heart returning home, and enough snow to ruin all of Vlad's plans.
Vlad knows why Geo came home to Romania: to visit his family for Christmas. He wasn't supposed to meet Vlad at the airport, or spend a few days at Vlad's place while his parents are snowed in elsewhere. To protect himself, Vlad does his best to avoid any real connection, but old habits die hard and they find themselves entangled once more.
The last time Geo left him, Vlad almost failed to put the pieces back together. However close they get this time, it won't change the fact Geo has to return to his life in another country. Is a little holiday romance worth the heartbreak Vlad knows he'll have to face?
An Ex, a Dog, and Winter Wonderlands is a perfect read for those who love Christmas romances and second chances.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2017
17 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Alina Popescu
76 books180 followersI am a writer, traveler, blogger, and coffee addict. I started writing stories when I was 10 and kept doing it as a hobby till a few years ago. I prefer fantasy and sci-fi when it comes to writing and I am currently working on a vampire series, Bad Blood. Book I of the series, The Edge of hope, was published in April 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 3, 2018
Friends to lovers gay male romance featuring a dog, relatives, neighbors, food, and lots of cold and snow. Ending hints at potential HEA.
Typos: misuse of commas, missing words, plural of loaf (loaves, not loafs), numerals instead of numbers written out, use of "if" for "it."
Typos: misuse of commas, missing words, plural of loaf (loaves, not loafs), numerals instead of numbers written out, use of "if" for "it."
December 22, 2017
A lovely Christmas story from Alina Popescu. I've read a couple of her previous books and have enjoyed them all.
This story is based on friends Vlad and Geo reuniting after 7 years apart when Geo left for France to complete his masters but not until Vlad let's his best friend know his true feelings.
Vlad recovered from his heartbreak and depression with the love of family and friends.
Vlad is asked by Geo's mother to pick him up from the airport and events cause him to end up staying at Vlad's house. Feelings and emotions resurface but will things turn out differently this time?
Vlad is understandably wary about seeing Geo again after what happened 7 years previously but throughout most of their time together he seems to be trying to talk himself out of any relationship.
Geo has obviously grown during their time apart but we don't really get much from him about his past and how he's come to be who he is today. It is clear how much he cares for Vlad though, always seems to want to be as close as he can.
I like Denisa and Tic and Vlad's friends and neighbours. Very supportive and wanting the best for Vlad. Both of the MC's mothers are adorable and just how I can imagine older Romanian mothers acting.
It felt as though the story ended quite abruptly....we got some closure but mayyybe an epilogue to see Vlad thriving mentally and emotionally.
I enjoyed reading this story as I love pretty much all Christmas tales. I like the second chance/friends to lovers theme and the setting for the story is told so beautifully! Definitely somewhere I can imagine and would love to visit, my perfect place to live, right where Vlad is.
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review
This story is based on friends Vlad and Geo reuniting after 7 years apart when Geo left for France to complete his masters but not until Vlad let's his best friend know his true feelings.
Vlad recovered from his heartbreak and depression with the love of family and friends.
Vlad is asked by Geo's mother to pick him up from the airport and events cause him to end up staying at Vlad's house. Feelings and emotions resurface but will things turn out differently this time?
Vlad is understandably wary about seeing Geo again after what happened 7 years previously but throughout most of their time together he seems to be trying to talk himself out of any relationship.
Geo has obviously grown during their time apart but we don't really get much from him about his past and how he's come to be who he is today. It is clear how much he cares for Vlad though, always seems to want to be as close as he can.
I like Denisa and Tic and Vlad's friends and neighbours. Very supportive and wanting the best for Vlad. Both of the MC's mothers are adorable and just how I can imagine older Romanian mothers acting.
It felt as though the story ended quite abruptly....we got some closure but mayyybe an epilogue to see Vlad thriving mentally and emotionally.
I enjoyed reading this story as I love pretty much all Christmas tales. I like the second chance/friends to lovers theme and the setting for the story is told so beautifully! Definitely somewhere I can imagine and would love to visit, my perfect place to live, right where Vlad is.
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review
December 22, 2017
🎄👬💜🔥A good holiday friends to lovers story, I appreciated that the challenges of real life meant this couple would really have to work hard to have a relationship that lasted after the holidays were over. Some hotness, plenty of snow, cold nights by the fireplace and oodles of holiday food gave the story a cozy holiday flare. A great novella for cozying up by the fire and ignoring the dark, cold days outside!:-)
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 22, 2017
A second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance this is the perfect story for the season.
Somehow bittersweet and moving, it will let you wanting to know what will happen once the holidays are over. I particularly liked the cultural Romanian bits intertwined into the story, but the characters are also quite interesting and the writing is good.
Easy to read, and touching this is a story worthy of your time.
Somehow bittersweet and moving, it will let you wanting to know what will happen once the holidays are over. I particularly liked the cultural Romanian bits intertwined into the story, but the characters are also quite interesting and the writing is good.
Easy to read, and touching this is a story worthy of your time.
December 28, 2017
Loved it!!!
Oh my how I loved this story! Perfect read (at least for me) for the days between Christmas and New Year's, as this is a Christmas story happening in mountain city/resort in Romania.
The love story between Vlad and Geo, with all their ups and downs, catches you in its grip and doesn't let you go until you finish reading (not even then, really).
Best Christmas story I read in a while!
Congrats, Alina Popescu!
Oh my how I loved this story! Perfect read (at least for me) for the days between Christmas and New Year's, as this is a Christmas story happening in mountain city/resort in Romania.
The love story between Vlad and Geo, with all their ups and downs, catches you in its grip and doesn't let you go until you finish reading (not even then, really).
Best Christmas story I read in a while!
Congrats, Alina Popescu!
February 17, 2021
In some respects the story moved too fast. I would have loved for these guys to get to know each other again and take their relationship a bit slower but it was a good holiday read.
TAGS
-- holiday/Christmas -- friends to lovers -- second chance -- coming out -- forgiveness -- family -- friends -- and a dog -- loved the MCs... Vlad & Geo -- more of a HFN than an HEA -- need a better closure
December 29, 2017
Great writing, but same concept
This story was slightly different than the other ones I've read by Alina. However the concept is the same. Love not realized, hurt, being on your own, being miserable, then finding out the object of your affection feels like same way and making it work.
This story was slightly different than the other ones I've read by Alina. However the concept is the same. Love not realized, hurt, being on your own, being miserable, then finding out the object of your affection feels like same way and making it work.
January 2, 2018
2.5
For being gone for seven years Vlad really just jumped back with him way too fast. And the hanging up on the phone was a ridiculous thing.
For being gone for seven years Vlad really just jumped back with him way too fast. And the hanging up on the phone was a ridiculous thing.
December 29, 2017
Misunderstood
I so wanted a HEA and I got it! This was a stellar story from Ms. Popescu and one to be reread each holiday.
I so wanted a HEA and I got it! This was a stellar story from Ms. Popescu and one to be reread each holiday.
February 16, 2018
Lost love
This book was a very good book about a lost love but have now ,through strange workings, found each other. They reconnect and now know what true love is.
This book was a very good book about a lost love but have now ,through strange workings, found each other. They reconnect and now know what true love is.
April 20, 2024
Quiero a Panda y esa casa en la montaña en mi vida. 😭❤️🩹
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews