Trifles and Treasures

Hearts of Snow Lake #4

by Ashton Cade

Ben:

“I keep forgetting we went to high school together.” 

Damn, that hurt. I don’t know why, because I barely even talked to Adam. He was two years older than me—at that age, it might as well have been a decade—and we were in entirely different crowds. He was so much cooler than me. Probably still is from the looks of him. I couldn’t ever pull off that kind of scruffy beard or the casual, confident strut. At Adam’s core, he’s a rock star, and even if that dream never happened for him, he just exudes that “‘it”’ energy.

Despite never talking to him in high school, despite never making a move of any kind, despite my absolute certainty that I’d never talk to him ever again, I’ve never let this flame go out. And now he's back here in Snow Lake and all those feelings are back with a vengeance.

I don’t know what it is about this guy that sparks something in me—a need, a drive to be more. Enough to make him notice me. How pathetic is that?

But now that he has noticed me, I'm shaking. I don't know if I can face losing what I've always wanted.

Adam:

My mom's really sick, and I'm back in Snow Lake to take care of her—whether she wants me to or not. It's bringing up all kinds of memories, both good and bad—but at the same time, I can see that things have really changed.

In Des Moines, I’m a recluse who doesn’t date. Here in Snow Lake, the place I couldn't wait to get away from as an angsty teenager, it’s like I’m a different guy. A guy that could have friends, family connections, maybe even a relationship if I could get my head out of my ass. But that’s not really me, is it? It’s just a vacation version of me. It’s not real, and when it’s time for me to leave, none of the connections "Snow Lake Adam" made here will be either, so what’s the point?

Ben thinks I'm still that punk guitar player he had a crush on so many years ago. Little does he know I turned out pretty boring. The way he looks at me with stars in his eyes makes me want to both puff up and hide at the same time, so he doesn't find out I'm just a regular guy. Kind of a dud. But he's so sincere and kind. And super sexy.

I wonder what would have happened if I had met him back then. Would I have still messed up my life so badly?

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2019

Reviews

[Gustaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread December 2021:
Adam was still annoying me to no end, but there's something about this series... like putting on a warm blanket.

3,5 stars.

I love this series and I love Ben. But Adam was an ott drama Queen one too many times for my taste. Anyway, on to the next book.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

The fighting between the mc and his mother and the other mc just irritated me. Probably because of the various health issues in my family. This is not how to behave when you want to help someone. I'm sure they'll pull their heads out of their behinds. Too many hospital visits in my family to be comfortable with all the conflict surrounding someone who needs to heal. Also our family motto after surgery was always figure it out and do it your own damn self. So her son's actions, while probably are the more normal ones, just throw me. I know my family is not the norm when it comes to health problems and hospital stays.
This installment of Snow Lake just wasn't for me. I will continue with the series.

[Mrs.V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, I really do! But I won’t pretend that this is my favourite book so far, or that Adam and Ben are my favourite couple…
The story is nice and enjoyable and their romance goes more or less well, without major incidents, if not for Adam’s - frankly annoying - temper tantrums. He blows up at his mum (who’s not a saint, mind you, both of them need a good head-check), and at poor Ben, who, despite being caught between a rock and a hard place, does his best to keep everyone happy.
So yeah, not my favourite in the series, but I love Snow Lake all the same.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much fun and interesting and keeps you interested through the end and then you want more. haha it was really good and well written. i enjoyed it

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angst

A whole lot of jealousy leads to an enemies to lovers surviving through family, friends and their own mental thoughts butting in.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed

It had potential. I never felt any real chemistry with these characters. The story was ok not great low side of steam

[Patricia Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great, engaging, poignant, grab-you-by-the-feels, lovely, wonderful, and delightful slow burning enemies-to-lovers/second chance at first romance. It's the fourth entry in the marvelous Hearts of Snow Lake series, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to Visit Snow Lake Again! Fantastic Listen🎧📚🎧

Trifles & Treasures
Hearts of Snow Lake, Book 4
By: Ashton Cade
Narrated by: Cam Walker

Aston Cade delivers another wonderful novel in her “Hearts of Snow Lake” series. I am enjoying her writing style she creates original stories with interesting storylines and characters that are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. I love the small town charm and its charming residents and business owners. This book is Ben and Adam’s story, Margaret Stowe is Ben’s best customer and one of his closest friends who is a mother figure to him. She browsing new arrivals at his shop when she collapses and is rushed to the hospital. He knows her son Adam from school, he was a couple years ahead of him and he had the biggest crush on him, though Adam never noticed him. Adam left to become a rockstar and never looked back, never visited his mother either and Ben was not happy about that. He calls to tell him his mother is in the hospital not expecting much from him, surprisingly he comes right away. Adam does not know what Ben’s deal is so he was weary of him and a bit cold. He eventually warms up, his mothers intervening helped with that too. This is a great enemies to lovers second chance at love, the story is nicely plotted with plenty of drama, angst, heartfelt and emotional moments all leading to a wonderful romance.

🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Cam Walker is a talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. He continues to bring these characters and their story to life. He performs the voices for all the characters, gives each their own distinct voice which makes it easy to follow along and tell who is who. He is awesome at portraying the characters, taking each role and making it her own, grasping their persona and playing the role with perfection, sounding believable and just as I picture them to sound He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen🎧

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashton Cade's Trifles and Treasures, the fourth book in the Hearts of Snow Lake series, is amazing!

Ben gets a second chance with his high school crush, Adam, when Adam returns home to care for his sick mother. What follows is not just a romance, but also a second chance for Adam with his family, as he tries to make amends and solidify a real relationship.

The author excels at establishing the small town feel, with fun and unique characters. The gossip line is always on point, and of course everyone knows everyone else. In general, I love the writing, the characters, and the storyline.

The mother/son relationship is a large part of this story, as they struggle to see eye to eye. They love each other deeply but don't know how to talk to each other. With Ben being best friends with Adam's mom, it makes for some interesting revelations. Margaret has a huge presence in this novel. In general, I love her relationship with the townfolks and her spunkiness. However, I definitely wanted to smack her at times.

As for the romance, it's breathtaking when you read something this sweet. "...seeing you is always the best part of my day." Swoon. Total swoon moment.

These two men are super hot together. My favorite part of their relationship though is the way things have changed a lot since high school. Ben's crush was on a version of Adam that he never really knew and who doesn't exist anymore. I enjoy as they discover the current versions of one another.

Trifles and Treasures is a superb addition to the Hearts of Snow Lake series. If you love small town romances, you need to read this series.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first 3 books in this series and really loving them, especially the third, I went into this one with really high expectations and hopes that the love for the series would continue. However, Adam and Ben and the relationship they start to develop with each other as well as their individual relationships with Adam's mother left me feeling unsatisfied and horrified.

When Adam's mother suffers a stroke, Adam returns to help his mother recover and hopefully change her life habits around so she'll be around for years to come. But Adam's and Mrs. Stowe's relationship is anything but easy. Which causes these two to butt heads more than necessary and also causes them to say really hurtful things to each other.
Ben was abandoned by his mother and always viewed Mrs. Stowe as the mother he wished he had. She's his best friend, but when Adam returns Ben is soon placed in between the two as a sort of mediator. Soon he'll have to decide if his relationship with Mrs. Stowe and their fun antics are worth the budding relationship he's developing with his high school crush Adam.

I think one of the things that I really disliked about this book was that the whole strain in the relationship between Adam and his mom was because she was holding a grudge against her own son for following his dreams.
Then what really annoyed me was how 2 adult people (Adam and his mother) were constantly placing Ben in the middle of their ongoing feud. I mean come on, that's just flat out harsh and mean to have a man have to pick between the man he's had a crush on since high school and the woman he views as a mom...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌅 The population of Snow Lake increases by one delicious 🎸musician😉
💕 This is an always sweet, sometimes steamy series based around the residents of a small town on the Upper Peninsula and seemingly a haven for gay romance. This fourth book in the series focuses on a shop owner who's been content remaining in the friendly town helping his grandfather and running his own retail clothing business. His adolescent crush Adam returns to town and their initial butting heads morphs into other body parts meeting! Adam is the prodigal son whose return sparks complaints and animosity from his ailing mom. No fatted calf here and a good part of Adam and Ben's story revolves around their relationship with Margaret, who seems to delight in pitting them against each other.

Despite her games, the two surrender to attraction, resulting in some🔥steamy encounters, and Adam simultaneously comes to fall in love with the town he ran from as soon as he left school in search of success and fame. Adam is the character who faces the most obstacles and self revelations and, while Ben is the perfect friend, neighbor and boyfriend, I felt closer connection with Adam in his bewildered efforts to care for his unappreciative mom.

Though this was not my favorite in the series, like the others it was well-written and I enjoyed it. The story ends happily with just a salute to the probable next resident to be struck by Cupid's arrow💘.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Xanthe · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5**
It took me a little while to get into this addition to Hearts of Snow Lake. I didn't like Adam's character to start with. He came across as quite the jerk, was very abrupt and quick to anger with Ben and his mother. Ben seems the complete opposite and just wants to help however he can and has his friend's best interests at heart.
There's real underlying tension between Adam and his mum, who he has come back to Snow Lake for after she falls ill, and it becomes clear that things aren't quite right on both sides of the relationship but it takes a while to get any detail as to why that might be. They do have similar personalities though and are quite full of pride and independence and so clash regularly. This leaves Ben feeling in the middle of the two quite a lot, especially as he begins to build a relationship with Adam.
It took a long time for me to feel anything between the two men, even after they start spending time together. It got a little frustrating with how often things were blown out of proportion by Adam without taking time to listen to either his mum or Ben.
I did love the last few chapters as things come to light and are explained to each other as well as the reader. Everything started to come together and then felt the characters build a relationship that could last.
This isn't my favourite from the series but it still includes all of your favourite characters and I love getting to revisit Snow Lake again. Looking forward to book five!
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very frustrating beginning of this ARC for this reader. For me this was a very frustrating plot that didn't start making much sense to me until Chapter 10 to begin getting to the real meat of this story.
Ben is such a sweetheart and a very dear friend to Margaret, long absent Adam's mother. When Margaret suffers a serious illness Ben contacts Adam and urges Adam to return home. Adam left Snow Lake to pursue his dreams of becoming the next fabulous guitar player but his dreams were dashed. He's stayed away from his town and his mother for fear of ridicule about his gayness and failed ambitions.
The conflict between Adam and Margaret was such a conflicting read for me. Neither knew how to
communicate their love to the other. Both just pushed the other's buttons in ways only a relative can; both being too much alike. And into this mixed up relationship comes Ben. He's had a closeness to Margaret that Adam wants but Adam's personality is just too controlling. Ben is every thing Adam is not: intelligent, bright, full of life's exuberant energy. There was an attraction between these two men but Ben had to take matters into his own hands (sneakily some times behind Adam's back). Ben discovers a common ground with Adam in the love of music and from a concert attendance the ties begin to weave these two together. It was also great how all the previous books link into this story, bringing in the previous characters.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another couple, another entry into the Snow Lake series that follows the lives and the loves of the men who make it their home. This book starts out with Ben, owner of the local thrift shop, helping out his favorite customer and bff try to find new outfits. But, a medical emergency has him calling the woman’s estranged son. The same son who was a couple years ahead of him in high school and who he had a giant crush on. However, when Adam comes flying home to be at his mother’s side their relationship is cantankerous at best and Ben feels put in the middle. Margaret has been like a mom and confidante to Ben ever since he lost both his parents and only had his grandpa to raise him. But he feels displaced b/c Adam is intent on controlling the situation, and that includes his relationship with Margaret. Adam knows he and his mom are similar and maybe that is why they are at odds. But, at the heart of it is a son afraid to lose his mother so he thinks it has to be his way or nothing to keep her around. Snow Lake starts to work it’s small town magic though and maybe what both men, and a single older lady who loves being independent but needed at the same time, need is a chance to rediscover their relationships and find new balance. There are definitely hiccups along the way, but I think Ben and Adam are perfect for each other and they both deserve their HEA.

[Mary Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I was gifted an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

I LOVED it!
This is book #4 in the Hearts of Snow Lake series and it can be read as a standalone.
It is a lovely (second-chance at high school crush) romance story featuring a sweet thrift shop owner, a stubborn ex bad boy and his even more stubborn mother. Margaret is the reason Adam comes back to his little home town and meets Ben. The story is very enjoyable and unpredictable (apart from the HEA in the end). Even though there is lots of misunderstandings, arguments and some serious problems between Adam and his mother the story is super sweet and heartwarming, it proves that a good old conversation can solve problems and make life easier.

I really liked the love part of this book. Not only both MCs were totally lovable, but they had some history and it was a real pleasure to see them becoming friends and spending time together. Their road to a relationship was bumpy but believable and interesting (and HOT).

I am absolutely head over heels with this series, all books are just lovely and sweet. It is incredibly relaxing to be able to read an interesting book where there's a lot of stuff happening but I can be sure that there will be a very happy ending.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truffles and Treasures is the fourth book in the Hearts of Snow Lake series by author Ashton Cade. This book can be read as a stand alone and understood just fine. I have read the series from the beginning. I personally would say thus far this is my least favorite story. The angsty nature the author seems to try to be building is not working for me at all. It comes off as overly done and makes me not really like the character of Adam at all.
Adam, he wanted to make a name for himself. So, he left the town he felt persecuted in. He tried to make it as a big rock story and that failed now, he is in IT and doing pretty good. The thing he still is having trouble with is dealing with people. He takes things wrong, ends up having to apologize a lot. And He really is kind of a jerk. But Ben softens him up. Which is good.
Ben loves chocolate, loves his grandpa. He also loves Adam’s mom a lot. He had a crush on Adam in high school. He owns a second hand shop. He is also very caring and sweet. I loved Ben he was the kind of character that makes me smile.
Overall this was not the story for me. I was not overly fond of Adam he did redeem himself in the end, but this is one I would not reread again.

Four Twinkling Stars

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review.
When Margaret Stowe collapses in Ben store, he dreads the phone call he has to make in order to get her estranged Son to come back to Snow Lake. The man that shows up is not the boy he remembers. Every time he mentioned Margaret, Adam shuts him down with comments of it is his mother but she's is his best friend if he likes it or not he is  here to stay.
Adam it taking everything out on the Ben because he sees the relationship between his mother and the younger man, but there is also a pull towards Ben that Adam is tired of fighting but is he ready to throw in the towel to be with the young man? What is he really fighting, staying or going? Ashton cade did a amazing job of with this book, the fighting duo of Adam and Ben with a heaping help from Mrs. Stowe who has been in previous books as while as other characters. Snow Lake is a wonderful little town that is filled to the brim with support and love for the cummituny.

[Anna Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting to know the real person!

Adam has been away from his small hometown for a decade. When his mother had a mini stroke, he rushed to her side. Adjusting to the slower pace of life in a small town wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. But his mother doesn’t seem to want him there.

Ben has been best friends with Adam’s mom, Margaret, for a long time. There is just something in the woman that makes Ben protective of her. She is his favorite person in the world, aside from his grandfather. When Adam came into town and rudely dispatch Ben for being his mother’s friend, Ben saw red. Not a good start at all. Aside from that, Adam has been Ben’s crush for over twenty years, since they were in school.

But both love Margaret so somehow they have to compromise and be civil. And getting to know Adam has Ben seeing the kind of person he truly is! They start to get to know each other better, which leads to feelings and ultimately big decisions. This is a low-angst, sweet love story which is a trademark for a Snow Lake series’ book! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Ashton Cade has gifted us with another well written descriptive book, with characters that sucked me in immediately and had me engaged from the start. Ben and Adam are so likeable and have an immediate connection. Ben did crush on Adam 15 years ago in high school and when Adam returned home he felt an immediate draw to Ben.
Ben is bright, sincere, kind and full of life and energy. Adam is controlling, was a bit of a recluse and lived a life of complacency. When Adam rushes home to care for his mother, who happens to be Ben’s best friend, he and Ben have a very rocky start. Added to that, Adam has a very strained relationship with his mother.
Misunderstandings combined with things said in anger make for a rather bumpy road but Ben and Adam do finally work it all out, and the heat level rises accordingly!
I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next instalment in this wonderful series.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been enjoying this series but while this book was okay I have to say it was my least favourite so far. Adam was a hard person to like for a lot of the book and even once his reasoning became apparent and I started to have a bit of sympathy with him I still found him overbearing and quick to fly off the handle. And his reaction to his Mum's mini stroke was so ridiculous and over the top. I didn't feel like I got to know Ben at all, and as such I found it hard to feel any chemistry between the two of them.
But most of my dislike as reserved for Adam's mum, she was a character we'd met before, Henry and Billy's babysitter, but she was childish and hateful to her own child. I couldn't understand it.
So, yeah, not the best of the bunch. Oh, and the writer of this one kept getting Seb's name wrong, calling him Sam at least twice. That book came out a week before this one, you'd think the author could get the guy's name right...

[Jacey Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this latest book in the Snow Lake series!!! Adam left Snow Lake with dreams of being a famous musician...never to return again. When his mom is admitted into the hospital, he rushes back to the place he never thought he would be at again. Adam's plan was to stay long enough to ensure that his mom was going to be okay then he was out of there. He never bargained on Ben. Ben has always had a crush on Adam ever since high school, but meeting him now was kind of a let down at first. However as he got to know Adam, the more Ben started to fall for him. Will Adam see that maybe coming back home isn't as bad as he thought it could be....especially if Ben is a part of his life? What a cute story one that I will recommend to all. Can't wait for the next book in this series....well done!!!!

[Elle Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snow Lake series continues with Mrs. Stowe’s son Adam coming home and meeting the owner of the vintage store, Ben. While I adored the contributions Margaret made to the story, and the appearances by previous characters, it took me a bit longer to warm to these characters, specifically control-freak Adam. However, the story is a good exploration of difficulties that can arise in families from lack of communication. It also is a good commentary on how friendship does not need to be constrained by age or background. The trope is interesting as it is a second-chance romance from one character’s perspective but brand new from the other’s.

As these characters build their relationship, it is a lot of one-step-forward and two-steps-back, which strikes a chord of realism.

This is another good instalment in the series and I look forward to the next book.

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the magic of Snow Lake!   These MC's are immediately at odds over a women who is a surrogate mother to one and the biological mother to the other.  So much push and pull and conflict bring to light their attraction, but it doesn't inspire real communication.  These guys have quite the journey to find their way to each other.  

Adam and Ben are interesting characters and different than the other MC's that have graced the stories of the previous books.  They both have redeeming hearts and they do find their way.  I really loved Mrs. Stowe's influence and contributions to the story.   

This is the fourth book in the Hearts of Snow Lake series and i am looking forward to the next book!  

I was gifted this book from the LesCourt Author Services and i freely give my honest opinion and review.

[Mac Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest book in the Snow Lake series is very Hallmark movie, estranged son comes home to look after his sick Mother after leaving the small town to make a success of himself. He doesn’t bet on finding romance when he returns to Snow Lake but that’s exactly what he finds when he meets Ben. Although they get off to a rocky start, sparks fly between Ben and Adam and things soon start to heat up.
Adam goes through the emotional wringer in this book, having deal with his perceived failure, his Mother’s health and the disconnect he feels to his Mother he’s a bit of a mess. I did find him frustrating at first as I did his Mother, Ben seemed like a breath of fresh air for both of them but trouble was still stirring and Ashton Cade does a great job of building this up to the eventual explosion.
Loving this series, looking forward to the next book.

[Jennifer Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series and look forward to each book as I finish the one I just read

Ben is so sweet and kind and best friends with Margaret. Adam is Margaret’s son who comes back when Margaret falls ill.

Margaret is a different person than we got to know through previous books toward Adam. Adam and Margaret do not know how to communicate and hold past hurts against each other. Margaret treats Ben much better than Adam. As Ben and Adam get to know one another they develop a feelings for each other however everyone is keeping secrets and making it a game.

These two guys were perfect for each other. However Adam did get on my nerves during some of the book. This book was quite an enjoyable read. I’m loving this universe

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first story from Ashton Cade and I enjoyed it. Adam left Snow Lake without looking back so he could make it as a musician, but his plans hadn't turned out how he hoped. When he receives a call from Ben, informing him his mother is ill, he heads back to town to help her recover. Ben and Adam have complicated relationship, and while I found myself liking Ben and his personality, it took me awhile to warm to Adam. Throw in Adam's complicated relationship with is mother, especially after he sees how close Ben is to her, he lashes out in ways that are hurtful. But in the end, they opened up to each other and resolved their misunderstandings and hurt feelings to develop something strong between the two of them. A good read!!

[Lori Morse · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF!!

I have read thr series up until this book. I could not get past chapter 7. Ben is a whiny, sniveling baby. First of all Adam was 2 years ahead of Ben in high school as well as hanging out in different circles and Ben feels hurt that Adam doesn't remember him. Seriously who really remembers anyone that was 2 years behind them. Final straw was halfway through chapter 7 when they are in the diner. Adam brings Ben there to apologize and Ben sees it as a date, mind you they have had little to no interaction at this point. Ben mentions cheap concert tickets to Adam and Adam says he can't because he has to take care of his mother and Ben gets upset!! These men are in their thirties and the author has them acting like moody, brooding teenagers.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ben’s best customer, Margaret, has a turn, he rings her irascible son, Adam, to let him know. Mother and son don’t have the best relationship and Ben just seems to keep getting caught in the crossfire. I enjoyed this enemies-to-friends romance, most especially because it was a three-person play with Margaret playing a very substantial role. While the narration was told from Ben and Adam’s points of view, the hard lessons were entirely Adam’s to learn so I could easily forgive his surliness and anxiety. Ashton Cade neatly balanced light and fluffy with thoughtful, so that the plot was neither trite nor too angst-ridden. Cam Walker narrated well and I’ll definitely try other books by this author and audio narrator.

[Audrey Pott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The intensity of the story, mixed with the complexity of the characters was enough to have me hungry for more! Ashton does these storylines so well. Adam and Ben have a roller coaster ride of emotions, angst, snappy endearing dialogue and hot steamy sensual scenes. Adam and his mum Margaret were both strong minded people, with conflicting views and who had to learn to resolve those issues. I’m a huge fan of small town romances.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I honestly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next.

[Cammey Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, with a bit of angst, Ben and Adam’s story is a great installment in this series.

When Adam is called home because of his mother’s illness, he truly seems to have her best interests at heart. Adam’s mother, Margaret, has more of a health scare, but Adam is bent on changing her lifestyle.
Adam isn’t happy being back in Snow Lake, having left to pursue a music career only to end up a computer nerd.

Ben remembers Adam from school but Adam doesn’t reciprocate that memory. Ben’s teenage crush is back but he’s making his friend Margaret miserable.

Great continuation of the Snow Lake series.