Audio Review: Snowed In by Teodora Kostova

Reviewed by Morgan

Title: Snowed In
Authors: Teodora Kostova
Narrators: Dan Rider
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 3 hours and 7 mins
Publisher: Teodora Kostova
Release Date: November 14, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Audible
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Nate has been in love with Quinn, his brother’s best friend, for as long as he can remember. But when he finally gets the chance to show Quinn how he feels, his heart gets broken in the most unexpected way.

Quinn doesn’t believe in miracles, especially not Christmas ones. When he decides to win Nate back he knows it won’t be easy. The last thing he expects is a health scare, a road trip and a vicious snow storm to work in his favor. In the end, a cabin in the woods turns out to be not only the shelter they desperately need, but also Quinn’s very own Christmas miracle.

Book Review: Nate, who starts the book at 20, has been in love with his brother’s best friend, Quinn, for years.  Quinn’s been in Chicago for the last two years at school and is now coming home for Christmas.  The four of them, Nate, Quinn, Nate’s brother Brandon and Brandon’s girlfriend all head to the mountains for some fun in the snow.

Nate has decided to “man up” and tell Quinn of his feelings.  Quinn, who reciprocates – wildly! And with I love yous – ends up leaving in the morning and disappears for the next two years!  Without any contact! (To either Brandon or Nate.)

When Brandon and Nate are about to head out again on a brotherly sojourn to Las Vegas, Quinn shows up with his heart in his hand and an explanation.

**

This is a blessedly short novella.  I say blessedly because, unfortunately, there just isn’t a strong enough plot here to support a story of any length.  Quinn’s reason for leaving Nate simply doesn’t stand up – at all.  His reason for leaving and why he had to stay away are one thing, his desire to do this alone another thing, and there is no real reason why he couldn’t share his plans in either case.  It makes no sense!

It felt like a plot device to keep the lovers apart and only that.

Nate, meanwhile, acts fairly immature the entire time, and isn’t a very likable character.  Quinn and Nate as a couple aren’t great either.  They are either yelling at one another or having sex – so there’s no real relationship building here.

Another thing that bothered me was the dialog.  It supposedly takes place in Denver and Las Vegas/LA, but the phrases and spelling are all very British.  The story could very well have taken place anywhere, so why not make it London?  It’s a minor pet peeve, but there you have it.

The writing was fine and it had some cute moments and some hot smexy times, but I was so annoyed by the separation and flimsy reasoning behind it that it spoiled the rest of the story for me.

Audio Review: Dan Rider did a really good job with this narration.  He’s new to me, but I’d look for more from him in the future – especially New Adult..  He made me interested in the story because he is so good at delivering the emotion.  He didn’t do much to differentiate Quinn from Nate from Brandon – but that’s a minor issue and I was always aware of who was speaking.  The sound quality is good and so is his tone and pacing.

I think listening to this is the best way to experience this story.

I’d give this a 2.5 of 5 stars for the story, 4.5 of 5 stars for the audio and overall a 3.5 of 5 stars for the audiobook.

Overall Impression: I liked it!

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*