Book Reviews

Book Blurb

For all the Courtland fans clamoring for the next generation…

Cold and sick, Seth Thompson must fight through a snowstorm to get home. Seth’s unconventional upbringing taught him to always reach out to strangers in need, and Iranian engineering student Bilal al-Mansoori is no exception. Being trapped together leads to an unexpected mutual attraction—and a feverishly hot night under the covers.

But Bilal needs more than simply a rescue from the weather—he’s trapped under lifetime of cultural pressures. His strict Muslim father and fellow Iranian students have no clue about his inner torment. His attraction to Seth isn’t a welcome discovery—instead he’s trapped between the existence he’s always known and the prospect of living and loving openly for the first time in his life.

(NOTE: This story stands-alone—no need to have read the prior Courtland books.)

 

Book Review

College, especially those final two years, can be nothing but work, work, work. So coming down with the flu right before midterms during fall semester can really shut you down. That's how Seth and Bilal meet, at the campus clinic, both of them barking their lungs out and running fevers. When Seth finds Bilal, a little later, slumped at a bus stop, having plodded along a mile past his dorm, and it's starting to snow, Seth invites him to his apartment to rest for a bit. A bit turns into two days, when they get snowed in.

Seth is in the arts department. Bilal is an engineering student. Bilal is Iranian, born in Oxford, England to a British mother and Iranian father. When his mom died in an accident, his father took him home to Iran to be near family. Seth's mother also died when he was young, but he was raised by his dad, his adoptive mom, and his other dad. It doesn't take very long for them to realize the huge differences that each of their respective cultures have imposed upon them. It also doesn't escape Seth's notice that Bilal is gay but very ashamed of that fact. Spending time together reiterates for Bilal that he doesn't feel Muslim and perhaps staying in America is where he should be.

I'll admit that I haven't read the 'Courtland Chronicles' by this author, as it indicates that this novella is separate from those and can be read as a stand alone. On the one hand, I agree, it's not necessary to read that series first. However, on the other hand, I feel as if there's backstory I'm missing and it didn't get adequately explained here. Regardless, I did enjoy this story, although I would've loved for it to be longer so I could get a better feel for the characters. I can recommend it as an easy read.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 25000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	15-September-2014
Price	$2.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-infromthecoldacourtlandnovella-1592943-145.html