Snowed Over by Angie Stanton

Snowed Over by Angie Stanton
Published: October 12, 2012 by Vanguard Management, Inc.
Received: Purchased e-book from B&N

To college student, Katie Brandt, ‘Home for the Holidays’ sounds like hell. When her parents separated, their holiday traditions shattered like a dropped ornament. What could be worse than celebrating Christmas with her suddenly single mom and mom’s new boyfriend?

Alex Walker, an engaged 20-year-old, dreads going home for his own reasons. He has a daunting task ahead of him and wishes he could skip the holidays altogether. So when a friend of a friend needs a ride north, Alex finds that having beautiful Katie seated by his side proves to be just the distraction he needs.

A simple ride home for Christmas turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex find themselves stranded, and a vacant cabin becomes a haven from the storm.
Under different circumstances, time alone with Alex would be the ultimate Christmas gift, but Katie knows Alex is engaged and she must hide her growing attraction.

However, Alex harbors a secret that just might change this holiday from the worst Christmas ever, to the best. [goodreads]

I picked up this e-book, expecting a light feel-good contemporary for the holiday season, and that is exactly what I received.  This Christmas novella didn't waste any time with the story, it immediately set the scene for what should have been a disastrous Christmas for both Katie and Alex, but instead turned it into an unforgettable holiday.

These two characters start out on their road trip home for the holidays as strangers, but as the storm outside rages on, it creates an obstacle in their plans that neither one saw coming.  As they're forced to stop and spend the night in a deserted cabin, for who knows how long, both of these characters bring forward their hesitations on going home and find a lot more than just warmth in the fireplace.

This particular story is great to cozy up with on a cold winter day with a mug full of steaming hot chocolate.  Though the outcome of the story is predictable, it's still one worth experiencing.  My only regret: I wanted more!  Since it's a novella, the story is kept short and as the reader we only see a glimpse of their lives.  It left me wondering what happened later.  Though the ending was wrapped up nicely with a pretty bow on top, I still wanted to know what lies ahead in their future. 

I recommend this story to anyone who's in need of a cute feel-good YA contemporary set during the holidays.  Just make sure you have plenty of hot chocolate and warm blankets near by to keep you warm!