This book was pretty cute, though definitely also very spicy. The main characters are incredibly sweet together.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of reading this right after finishing a very literary story so jumping right into such a smutty book that fully embraces tropes and cliches was a bit jarring, I'm still trying to give it a fair rating for what this book has to offer and what it's trying to be. I may readjust my rating after I've thought about it for a few days.

The writing isn't bad; the descriptions are vivid though there is an extreme abundance of similes, maybe too many, but it felt fun anyway the whole way through.

These two also seemingly fell really hard and really fast. Which was... interesting. They were extremely vulnerable and invested in each other in an incredibly short period of time which felt a little difficult for me to buy as a reader, but I also understand that this is supposed to be a fanciful, indulgent love story so I can understand the sweet and simple approach. My only other criticism is that these characters are supposed to be in their 40's I think and their maturity seemed maybe slightly stunted, but the story would have still worked fine if they characters were in their 20's so it didn't bother me too much.

I recommend this for anyone looking for a steamy and uncomplicated queer story. And definitely anyone whose a fan of gay bears.

Before receiving this audio ARC I had already read this book when it originally released as an ebook. But just like the first time around I loved it. The narrator Ryan West did an amazing job bringing Royal and Stone to life. I love and will read anything A.E. Via puts out there and have yet to be disappointed.
Sidenote - I do listen to my audio at 3x speed and this was still an easy audiobto follow along with and understand the narrator throughout the whole book.

This was a sweet, short story that’s perfect for wintertime. I’ll be listening again come holiday season. Cozy vibes, heart-wrenching backstories, and steamy connections— this book would pair great with a night in and a hot drink. The very different MMCs totally complimented one another and made a beautiful couple.

Ryan West’s narration was engaging and very pleasant to listen to. His audiobook performance definitely added t the story.

Cold Winter Nights was fine, a bit too insta love for my tastes and kind of cringe. It did have some cute moments but just wasn’t my jam.

DNF at 56%

This was too insta-love and fast paced for me. What do you mean "What they felt for each other transcended what was on the surface"? After a few day of knowing each other? And at this point they've only had a few conversations, I could count it on one hand.
I also didn't like the way things were described, like when Stone talks about how sensitive his beard is. I made me cringe a lot and I couldn't believe in how fast their relationship developed.
And I really hated how Stone was all lonely and hadn't been with anyone for 8 years and all of the sudden he found his new soulmate and instantly lusted over him.
Just not the book for me.

This was the perfect short audiobook for a car ride or doing chores at home. I loved the small town, opposites attract, wonderful townspeople and beautiful descriptions. The MCs were perfect for each other. The only thing that kept this from being a five star read is it was a touch too insta-lovey for me. I think this has taken the place as my favorite A E Via book! Thank you to Tantor Media for allowing me to be an early listener. All thoughts are my own.

It was cute. I just wish the beginning was a little more fleshed out. Would have been a good slow burn. But will read more from this author.

3/5⭐
4/5🎧

Stone vive en soledad en el pueblo nevado de Windeville, Maine. El leñador es un hombre de pocas palabras y aún menos sonrisas. No ha hablado mucho desde que su esposo falleció hace ocho años.

Royal, es un ejecutivo de finanzas de Manhattan agotado, que acaba de dejar su trabajo estresante tras un susto médico, sin saber qué le depara el futuro ni qué tipo de vida desea.

Me gustó la representación de personajes en sus 40 y 50, el entorno del pueblo chico y las vibras decembrinas.

No me gustó mucho que sentí que el romance se desarrollo demasiado rápido lo que lo hizo poco creíble, tampoco me gustaron las comparaciones con la relación anterior de Stone. Los personajes se sintieron un poco caricaturescos.

El audiolibro es narrado por Ryan West, y hace un buen trabajo, me gustó especialmente como narró el personaje de Royal.

Royal and Stone might seem like an unlikely pair but with the help of a little snow and a small town their romance just clicks. This audiobook was perfectly narrated and was a joy to listen to. This was my first book by this author but it will not be my last.

A small town steamy romance set in the mountains, Cold Winter nights was an easy listen with decent narration.
However, it was super cheesy, and I probably laughed more than I blushed.
"His beard was always his most sensitive part" was a particularly cringe moment, and then every time his beard was mentioned thereafter, I couldn't help but giggle to myself.
I enjoyed the book for what it was, and maybe if it was longer, and had more of a storyline other than two men who bond over soup and then immediately get hot and heavy I may have enjoyed it more.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me access to the audio version of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Beau, a skilled craftsman in a small town in Maine, became widowed 8 years ago from his childhood sweetheart. He had closed himself up ever since.

Royal, a burnt out financier from Manhattan, has quit the city life and moved to the same small town.

This was a short but good novel. 4 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a great quick read. Royal and Beau are super cute and their love story is a perfect hallmark movie where a big city boy comes to the small town to find the man of his dreams.
The narrator was great and narrated both main characters so that it felt like a duet.