Ring Around the Posey

Hyde #3.5

by Layla Frost

The curvy goddess and the tattooed hottie . . . insta goodness so hot, it'll warm your cocoa!

Leaving behind Hyde Garage for Christmas in the mountains, I had one goal.
Survive my cousin's wedding.

When a night out introduced me to a gorgeously curvy woman with a voice made for sin, I was suddenly happy to stick around Winter Falls for a while. At least until I could persuade my pretty Posey to come to Boston with me.

But first...
I had to convince her I wasn't an a-hole.
No big deal.
Right?

Note: Ring Around the Posey was originally published as Eli and Posey in the Snowed Inn for Christmas Anthology that was an Amazon top 10 title and a USA Today Bestseller.

Although this story features an appearance from the Hyde crew, you don't have to read the Hyde Series to enjoy Eli and Posey's love story. But you totally should read it sometime. It's basically a Christmas present to yourself.

Warning: 18+. Contains adult language, situations, instalove, and enough heat to warm your cocoa.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Holiday, Drama

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2021

About the author

Growing up, Layla Frost used to hide under her blanket with a flashlight to read the Sweet Valley High books she pilfered from her older sister. It wasn’t long before she was reading hidden Harlequins during class at school. This snowballed into pulling all-nighters after the promise of “just one more chapter”.

Her love of reading, especially the romance genre, took root early and has grown immeasurably until it was time to write her own stories.

When she's not writing, Layla Frost is an insomniac with a deep love of iced coffee, tchotchkes, plants, and her hens. She's also the world's okayest mom, but her kids think she's cool... ish.

Reviews

[Isabella. R · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 To Being Snowed In Stars ⭐

Ring Around The Posey was a cute steamy Christmas novella and the perfect way to revisit the Hyde World. I only wish it was longer!

“What’s the saying about douchebag friends of a feather being assholes together?”

Attending a destination wedding in Winter Falls sees Eli wishing he stayed home. However one interaction with Posey (which doesn't go to plan) has Eli desperately wanting more.

Eli Becker may eventually steal Posey's heart but she stole the limelight with her sassiness and one liners. And finally a heroine that knows her self worth. Who wouldn't want to hang with her?

What's meant to be a festive fling turns into a snow in. It gives Eli the perfect amount of time to sex her up and convince Posey it could be forever.

If this is how he fucks me with his tongue, I don’t think I’m going to survive his dick.
But, like he said, what a way to go.

Cute, possessive, sexy and a little OTT loving. This author knows how to cram a whole lotta steam and very little pages!! Admittedly the epilogue was the perfect way to round out this romance otherwise I wouldn't have appreciated it as much.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella, with one of my favorite Hyde hotties, was panty melting delicious! I loved having Eli’s story and Posey was pure perfection for him. There’s just a touch of angst throughout but nothing too heavy. The storyline moves from one situation to the next in quick succession which kept me fully engaged. With characters that I fell hard and fast for, nuclear chemistry, and the right amount of humor, I was sad to see it end and hope we get another look at this couple in the future.




Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama; h not a virgin; H not made out to be a manwhore in this book; condoms used
Triggers no apparent triggers

[Jen ♥]

It's a novella, so everything happened in a blur. 😅

So, Posey and Eli met, sparks flew, but some miscommunication happened. Thankfully, her friend jumped in to help sort things out between them. They agreed to have a conversation until it led to something more. 🫣🌶️

Then they got snowed in because of the storm, and that ended up giving them more time to spend together. And before they knew it, they both fell fast and hard within a few days, and voila, HEA. 🤭


Book info:
- Novella
- Insta-lust then love
- Snowed in
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- No V (no info on their history)
- HFN (1 yt later, engaged)

[Radd Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eli Becker is in Winter Falls to attend a destination wedding from hell for his cousin Hutch. But his life suddenly becomes much more interesting when he has a chance meeting with Posey at a bar.

Posey Danson spends too much time in the studio with her audiobooks (she’s a narrator for romance novels). She needs a little excitement of her own rather than living vicariously through her characters. And Eli Becker is just the man to give her that.

There is a slight misunderstanding that almost puts a stop to all the goodness before it even happens. But ultimately a hacker BFF with some impressive skills and a major snowstorm give this couple a Christmas that is the first of many together.

**Posey is a curvy girl and I loved that she had confidence and knew she was pretty. In her words “I also knew I was pretty. Not pretty for a big girl. Not pretty despite being curvy. Just plain pretty. The same pretty as any other attractive woman of any other size.”

I read this as part of the Snowed Inn For Christmas anthology. I haven’t read previous books about the Hyde guys, but after this little novella I’m thinking I might have to go check them out.

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww this was cute and hot


A chance encounter in a bar, a misunderstanding, snowed in together and in love within a couple days.....what more could you ask for?
I loved the confident fluffy queen that was Posey.

[CriSsStina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ✨

- quick, short, spicy read, works perfectly as a palate cleanser
- the clichés quite got on my nerves, but the read was fine in the end
- it was a freebie, so it worked just fine as a quick and christmasy, spicy read
- extra points for the double pov

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick Insta love read

Eli isn't one of the Hyde men I'm super familiar with or his story. This being a short read didn't make me as involved in the story as the others. I enjoyed reading it but wasn't as immersed or drawn into it like the others. 2.5 stars, minimal heat, no real drama, fast love story In this book world! ✌

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two are so cute 😍

Eli is in town for his cousins wedding. Now he wants to stick around for a certain curvy goddess. Posey was good for just one night but it turns into a lot more when they get snowed in.

Loved their connection! Enjoyed seeing the couples from the previous books. Their reactions were so cute! Such a fun and spicy holiday read.

I only wish there was a scene with Posey narrating to Eli. I would have loved to see his reaction!! ❤️

[❀ Jess ( Semi hiatus )]

DNF @ 28%

Personal opinion;
I think I’m too sensitive to enjoy books that have the MC’s being made fun of/bullied for their appearance. The h considers herself to be confident but acts insecure and rude the second she makes up assumptions about what’s going on.


I’m not a fan when the h is “curvy/thicc” but she’s getting shit on for her weight from other characters. The H reassures her, defends her, shows her he’s into her - but if it’s a more generic slim “hot” h then the H is possessive and has jealous moments where he sees other men checking her out/oogling her.


There is nothing wrong with these types of stories since it plays on the insecurities people often have when it comes to weight but I’d like to read a story where there is a curvy h that doesn’t focus on the weight and she’s considered just as attractive as other women getting male attention. Where the H doesn’t have to defend her from bullies making her feel like crap about herself. Just give me the regular H throwing hands because some dude was hitting on his girl while he stepped away for a little bit, like in the other stories. 🤷🏻‍♀️


I’m sure Eli is great, just like the other biker H’s from this author. Love them all.
As for the h, I’d be curious to see if Demi has her own story cos she seems awesome.

[Krislyn Vergara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good, fast holiday read! I like how Eli and Posey are both confident individuals in who they are especially as Posey is plus sized and it is rare to find a plus sized main character confident in her appearance. Eli worshipped her and her body which is 🤌. Side note, I want Posey's smut mittens!

[Jeana Cheque · Rating 2 out of 5]

Novella about a hot guy who was a mechanic for upscale cars and custom jobs and a fluffy audiobook narrator. It was insta love and apparently all the guys at the shop suffer from the same affliction. They also got snowed in at her place. He punched one of the guys in his cousin's wedding party for making fun of her size.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy snowed in fun!

I haven’t read any of the other books in the series but that wasn’t necessary to still enjoy all the steamy, dual POV, holiday romance fun in this easy to read novella with great FMC fat rep!! Perfect for fans of authors like Mary Warren or Kayla Grosse.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a Christmas anthology and loved it. I loved the Hyde guys so that was a pleasant surprise.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, cute, steamy page-turner

I ripped through this one, enjoying the insta-love and steamy chemistry between Posey and Eli, in a resort ski destination.

It was easy to connect with these characters, and I loved seeing all the couples (associated with Hyde) embrace and support this connection.

Steamy, fun to read, and entertaining... I recommend this series and this author.

[BookishAnya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute Christmas read that didn’t fell like a novella at all. This has a really good ratio for smut and plot and a decent build up. I enjoyed both the MC’s too and thought it was perfectly paced. Would definitely recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.5

[Mindy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella
Hero and heroine fall almost instantly
Mildly steamy

Didn’t get to hear the heroine talk about what she does much and did not get to see the hero’s reaction to it.
HEA
No drama

[Alberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

short but sweet.

this book had everything I like about the series; wrapped in a nice sweet little small package. . . .

[Jamie Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Layla Frost. She’s a one-click author for me and everything she writes is pure gold.

[Catheryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and spicy love story.

Not really any Christmas vibes, apart from the snow. But cute nonetheless. I liked how sweet Eli was and how he was smitten from the beginning.

[SerialReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it after Christmas but that’s okay :)

[Marilicious · Rating 3 out of 5]

insta

[Ana Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn't care about anything in this book. Just okay.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eli is in Winter Falls for his cousin's wedding when he meets Posey. There is some confusion, but the attraction is immediate. But will she move to Boston?

[Maaike Nota · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was perfect and just what I needed for today. Happy, cute, very spicy and fast-paced novella. Posey being a strong and curvy woman and Eli a muscular tattooed tough guy end up getting snowed in and lucky them! ❄️🩷 I really want to read the other books about their friends as well now.

[platypus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well paced for a novella

Love a Christmas novella with plot and smut well balanced

Would reread

[Book Snob Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli from Hyde’s garage, repeat after me, Eli from Hyde’s garage….he has a book too…and he is just as sexy as the rest of the Hyde guys aka hot dudes. These two meet when he’s in town for a wedding, there was a bit of a misunderstanding, but luckily he has a fairy godmother in her bestie Demi, from Brynne Asher’s book in this anthology, Force of Nature. He is able to reconnect with her…and have lots and lots and lots of sexy times while snowed in with her.

Safe read, with a sexy tattooed alpha from the Hyde series aka hot dude garage, and his sassy sexy voiced pretty Posey. These two were insatiable for each other, and I loved it. Let’s talk about the Hyde series guys for a hot second, I freaking love that group of guys, the OTT growly ones, if you haven’t read that series yet, then do it. Just a heads up, but I already have dibs on Kase and Nox, #AFookinKaseAndKnoxSandwhich. We get to see the Hyde guys, and their women on a hilarious FaceTime call where Posey ask if there was something in the water because of all the hot guys🤣. I love Layla Frost and her sarcastic over-the-top humor, Posey was hilarious, and this was a great read.

#AFairyGodmother? #HydeGarage #HotDudeGarage #PrettyPosey #Insatiable #AFookinKaseAndKnoxSandwhich

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever realize that you completely lost track of a series that you enjoyed because your TBR is the size of a literal mountain? I mean The Mountain from GOT? yeah it's like that. And I forgot about this series but I'm glad I got a chance to binge it now.

Overall - fun slightly dangerous but also safe vibes. This has alpha MMCs, and cute FMCs who the MMCs are all in for from jump, and I enjoy that formula. ALOT.

Specific - Such a tasty little holiday treat. Love the positive fat rep, the alpha loving without being a a-hole. Well paced and fun, happy to see Eli get his HEA and see the crew at Hyde and Sweets you rock grow with every book.

[Shaina (ssmbookreview) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ing Around the Posey is book 5 in the Hyde series and is a novella. I kind of love that this series is both full length and novellas. It gives each character their story and how they come together and matches sort of the "role" each character has in the group.

Stuck at a mountain resort for his cousin's wedding weekend, Eli is in a local bar with the wedding party and sees Posey. Posey is enjoying some time with her friend Demi after a long week. Posey's job is doing romance audiobooks and has a voice known around town (according to her).

Eli approaches Posey and strikes up a conversation. Posey is intrigued by Eli's interest because he's fit and hot and Posey is a thicc girl (with two cc's per the book 😉). Posey confuses the jokes being made by the other groomsmen as Eli playing a joke and quickly leaves, leaving Eli confused.

Demi realizes that they had something and through some cyber skills, gets Eli and Posey back together at a spot in town. Despite trying to continue their conversation, Eli and Posey have another setback before Eli follows Posey home. And in a mountain town around the holidays, they are snowed in. After spending days snowed in, Eli knows that he doesn't want to let Posey go and proposes she move to Boston. Is it fast? Yes, but she can record anywhere. And Eli is all in. 🥰

And this is where once again a Hyde man shines, when Posey arrives at Hyde garage, Eli has a surprise for her. A recording studio ready for her to put her mark on so Posey can have everything setup just the way she wants.

Another wonderful novella from the Hyde series! Can’t wait for the next book!

[TheCuddleDungeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reread

I really enjoyed this novella. It gave me everything I wanted, in a quick read.

Eli and Posey are great together. Chad is a total douche and totally deserved to be punched,repeatedly. Iykyk.

This took place away from Hyde, and Boston for the most part, but the Hyde gang was very much a part of the story. Even though they weren’t physically present, they were there for more than one scene and actually spoke to Posey.

Because this was a novella, everything happened in about a week’s time. For the Hyde boys, this is pretty typical. Once they set their sights on you, they’re locked in and focused solely on you.

This was just a cute, fast read. Insta-lust on Eli’s part and he fell first. There was a bit of miscommunication between the two, but that was easily solved.

Overall, it’s a good short story. The spice is good. The characters are fleshed out. There’s no real loose ends. It’s a quick read. It’s just a good novella that takes care of one more of the Hyde guys.

I’m still holding out for a Why Choose featuring Key and Xavier. They deserve their happily ever after, too.