Jason O’Reilly is sexy as hell, treats Noah like he’s precious, and seems determined to make this the romantic getaway they’d apparently dreamed of together. But Noah’s more concerned that he’s trapped alone with Jason in the middle of a blizzard while his slowly-returning memories bring hints of secrets and betrayal.
Noah’s not sure what’s the truth and what’s a lie. But as he learns who he is—and who Jason is to him—he’s forced to reevaluate everything he believes about himself, about loyalty . . . and about love.
Before reading: Amnesia and a stranded trope?
*cackles wildly*
Want!
After reading: Damn, no matter how hard I try, I just can't escape the Santa jizz. ;P
Debut novel by Elyse Springer, Whiteout has more to offer than just Jizzmas (thankfully). I went in expecting a lot of snow, a guy with amnesia possibly regaining his memory, some romance and more snow.
And we do get that.
But it's more than just a standard amnesia trope. (Gah, do I enjoy the amnesia trope)
Noah Landers wakes up not remembering who his is after hitting his head while on his Christmas Colorado vacation. His older lover, Jason O'Reilly, attends to injured and memory lost Noah's every need as best as he can while they are stuck in their vacation cabin. Following medical orders from a doctor on the phone, Jason lets Noah work through his thoughts and see if his retrograde amnesia will sort itself out as Noah heals.
The thing is, something is off to Noah. In the back of his consciousness, something is ringing false. Who can he trust while he is stuck in the woods, and has rely on a man he feels a connection to but isn't sure if he can trust.
Springer creates a mystery, slowly piecing along the puzzle of Noah Landers. Can we trust Jason with the crumbs of info Noah gets out of him? Can we trust Noah? With all these questions, the lovers have a shared chemistry that can't be faked. The author doesn't have her men jump directly into the sack for the couple of days of being stranded. The sexual tension builds as well as the intrigue.
Whiteout is separated in two parts, Part 1 set in a small Colorado cabin - 60% and Part 2 is back in NYC. Part 1 is the entire mystery of Noah, which I solved somewhere around 25% of the story. But I couldn't stop from reading to see their individual reactions. Even with the sugar and Jizzmas feels that Jason slathered in that cabin. I know there are Christmas tradition people out there, but I was leery along with Noah with some of the demonstrations.
Expect sweet romance that got to be borderline sugar coma for parts of Part 1.
And when it ends, well that's when the true work begins for Noah. (You can kinda guess how part 1 closes out)
Part 2 was well matched for part 1, despite being slightly shorter in length. It made me appreciate and adore the schoompy sugar of part 1. No more mystery. Now we get to read the men in their habitat. Kudos to the author writing a great portrayal of NYC (including Brooklyn). It definitely read like winter in NYC.
What I didn't except was the love affair with Broadway.
That passion along with the hurt/comfort aspect, second chances and learning who the real Noah is with him for the second time around was exciting to read. The author had a great balance with main and secondary characters (glad to see Noah's friends will lead in the other three books in the series) They were really great friends. And flashbacks go either way for me when I read a flashback heavy romance. Springer did a great job with using them without the main plot getting lost.
This was definitely plot heavy without making the story too angsty to read. With solid characters, realistic angst (part 2) and reading how a certain someone redeems himself...how could I not be hooked. I don't have much issues with Whiteout, the editing, pacing were great. The sugar was a tad heavy but after reflecting back, it's just the kind of guy Jason is. The revenge angle...personally I could have done without it but it's necessary for the plot.
When you read the novel, you'll see. ;)
Great couple, great characters and a sweet plot with droplets of hurt/comfort to break it up.
Recommended for fans of second chances with a side helping of amnesia.
I'll be reading more from this author for sure.
A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.
Don't miss the Whiteout tour stop here
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