Book Reviews

Book Blurb

A lasting connection needs more than simply surviving a winter together—they’ll have to outsmart danger, let down their defenses and open their hearts.

Owen
I’ve got a fresh lease on life—after kicking cancer’s ass I’m roaring through my bucket list. I left my life as an investment banker behind hoping to find my next challenge in Alaska, volunteering alongside park rangers and fulfilling my childhood dreams of snowy winters and rustic life. Of course, those dreams did tend to feature big strapping mountain men in vivid detail… men like Ranger Quilleran Ramsey.

As the snowbound weeks pass and we give in to temptation, I can’t help but wonder if our seasonal romance can last until spring?

Quill
I’d rather be anywhere than dealing with newbie volunteers. The only thing I need less than a green volunteer “partner” is the flirty attentions of Owen Han, the buff city boy who doesn’t look ready to last a week, let alone a whole Alaskan winter. We’re all wrong for each other, if only my traitorous body didn’t enjoy the flirting more than it should.

We’ll have to trust each other to ensure the harsh elements and omnipresent dangers don’t destroy what happiness we’ve found in the moment, and maybe even give us a chance at a future together.

 

First edition published by Carina Press, September 2019.

 

Book Review

Third in the 'Frozen Hearts' series – this can be read as a standalone. The blurb sums up the plot fairly well – Owen is working through his bucket list after successfully completing treatment for cancer. One of the items on his list is to spend a winter as volunteer staff in Alaska’s park system. Quill, a twenty-year veteran of the park’s volunteer system and permanent ranger, is facing one of his first winters without his friend Hattie after she was promoted and moved to be closer to her family. Quill doesn’t like change. Quill doesn’t like outgoing volunteers. Quill is a bit of a crabby pants. When Owen is assigned to Quill’s district, Owen is thrilled at the opportunity to get to know Quill better. Quill wants very little to do with Owen, but gradually, Owen pulls Quill out of his shell.

This was an enjoyable third installment to the Frozen Hearts series. Owen is a very likeable and fun character – outgoing, enthusiastic, willing to step forward and help. The kind of friend we’d all like to be and would love to have.

Quill… is not as likeable and it took me a while to warm up to his character. Yes, change is hard and having your best friend leave after six years to pursue a life of her own is a major change, but you don’t treat a volunteer like dirt because you’re unhappy. Especially when it sounds like the volunteers are kind of necessary and this is something he’s done over his twenty years.

As the romance between Quill and Owen moves forward and they get to know each other, I was NOT thrilled about characters who decide what is best for the other person’s life goals and objectives. I’m purposely being oblique to avoid spoilers, but this aspect annoyed me somewhat.

I also had some concerns about the incident requiring CPR, a trip to ICU, and a week later the main characters are having sex. According to the first responders and EMTs I’ve taken CPR training with, the dislocated sternum and potentially cracked ribs are going to hinder any romantic inclination a person may have. Breathing is going to hurt. Yes, I understand the need for some life altering drama, but… this didn’t work for me.

So I bounced off Quills character, I questioned some of the medical accuracy, I enjoyed Owen a great deal, and the whole “volunteer in Alaska” aspect was quite interesting. Overall, an engaging third book.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The first edition of this book was provided by Carina Press for the purpose of a review. This review was first published on Gay Book Reviews.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 317 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	24-February-2025
Price	$5.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Heat-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DF3B9JTQ