One more enjoyable offering from the Rainbow Advent Calendar (http://alexjane.info/rainbow-advent-calendar-2022/). I wasn't sure about this novelette, because the summary isn't super informative and I'm not a big fan of stalker romance. But the cover looked cute, the story was free, and I felt I was losing nothing if I cracked it open. And hey, I ended up really liking it!

Nine months ago, Conrad booked a skiing holiday with his boyfriend and their friends group. Six months ago, his boyfriend cheated on him and a messy break-up ensued, with all the mutual friends siding with the boyfriend somehow. Conrad still goes on that trip with them, out of sheer stubbornness, spite, and, well, because he can't get a refund. He expects the trip to be miserable, but then he runs into a hot stranger in the airport and a whirlwind holiday romance begins. It's pretty wonderful, but some things soon begin to feel a little too... planned?

It's not *really* a stalker romance, rest assured. Arlo (the LI) did plan the "running into each other" thing but he was fully prepared to leave Conrad alone if Conrad didn't want to hang out. There are plenty of sweet moments, fun family holiday feels, and plenty of wish fulfillment against the backdrop of Swiss chalets in the mountains. My one regret is, predictably, that this is so short and condensed. I would love to see these guys' budding romance play out for a little longer, and maybe even to see the immediate aftermath of the holiday trip!