The magic of Christmas with our beloved Racoons

Synopsis

In the heart of snowy Iowa, as the holiday season descends upon the University of Cedar Rapids, the campus is abuzz with Christmas cheer. But for your favorite UCR Raccoons, life isn’t all merry and bright: the clock is ticking down to a team Christmas party at the de la Pena mansion.

Told through multiple points of view, this enchanting tale weaves together the hopes, dreams, and struggles of the players as they navigate the magic of Christmas.

As the team prepares for their holiday party, they discover that the true meaning of Christmas isn’t found in victories on the ice, but in the bonds they have cultivated with their teammates.

From going in to labor at a llama farm, to shopping for the perfect ring to pop the big question, this novella dives into the lives that have intertwined throughout the Raccoon’s series, and the warmth of a team that becomes a family.

Perfect for a cozy winter read, “Snowflakes and Slapshots” captures the spirit of the season and the heart of college hockey.

My review

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But the Racoons are more stressed than ever, each for their own reasons. From an imminent pregnancy coming to end, to the search of the perfect ring, or an unexpected revelation, or even wanting to make the impossible possible, the clock for sure is ticking!
But Christmas is mainly about being together with your absolute loved ones, being your partner, your family, or the family you choose for, when a team because so much more than just ‘play mates’.

I always love reading how main characters I fell in love with are doing after ‘the end’. Because even if things end on a wonderful way in the book, it doesn’t mean the story is over, as life just goes on and many other things can happen.

And we don’t always need a complete book (well, actually we do, but I am being kind here 😊) to catch up with the main characters, thus a novella is the perfect solution! And with this amazing, wonderful author, I had very high expectations, but also the fear that I just wanted MORE! 

But what a delight reading the ‘afters’ of characters that are real, going through so much, but also so loveable and just so high on my personal ideal boyfriend – material – list! And yes, I was also envious of my female friends in the book, because being so adored by someone, I still have to find that myself…

In this lovely novella, we see how love can make you want to do all that is possible, and even the impossible for your loved one.
And that truly warmed my heart, to see that mutual devotion. 
However, we also see that life isn’t always easy, and that all the characters are facing some kind of trouble. And doubts and some level of fear can also (re)surface.

Yet there is also proof how love can make you change your mind about things, because finding the right person, having that perfect kind of love can make you change ideas. And it helps that whatever choice there is to be made,  you’ll have someone in your corner, not pushing you in one direction or another.

Of course there are still many heated moments in this book, as is rather mandatory in Las her marvellous stories. And here we see not only that the passion is still very much alive (and causing some awkward situations – or at least, if I were them, I would be embarrassed 😊) and also the unselfishness in giving…

I just devoured this novella, wanting to read more, but I also didn’t want to devour it, because it would be over just too quickly! Las once again had me completely captivated and I wanted once again to be part of the wonderful Raccoons – family!