Mr. Frosty Pants: A Gay Christmas Romance

By: Leta Blake

Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

Frosty former friends get a steamy second chance in this Christmas gay romance!

Can true love warm his frozen heart?

When Casey Stevens went away to college four years ago, he ghosted on his straight best friend, Joel Vreeland. He hoped time and distance would lessen the unrequited affection he felt, but all it did was make him miss Joel more. Home for the holidays, Casey hopes they might find a way to be friends again. But Joel’s frosty reception reminds Casey of just how hard he had to fight to be Joel’s friend in the first place. It’s going to take a Christmas miracle to get past that cool façade again. 

Joel isn’t as straight as Casey believes, and his years of pining for Casey have left him hurting and alone, caring for his abusive father and struggling to get by. Unable to trust anyone except his rescue dog - and with no reason to believe Casey is interested in him for more than a holiday fling - Joel’s icy heart might shatter before it can thaw. 

Can Casey and Joel’s love overcome mistrust, parental rejection, class differences, and four long years apart? Mr. Frosty Pants is a stand-alone, Christmas gay romance by Leta Blake featuring a virgin hero, childhood friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and steamy mm first times.

©2018 Leta Blake (P)2019 Leta Blake

A sweet ex-friends to lovers, second chance romance!

This was a sweet ex-friends to lovers second chance romance.
Casey Stevens ghosted his straight best friend when he went to college 4 years ago as he couldn't handle his unrequitted feeling for Joel.

But now he is back home for the Holidays and Joel's frosty demeanor towards him isn't helping when all he wants to do is rekindle their friendship.
Will a little Christmas magic help two former best friends unite and maybe find something more?

This was a super sweet holiday romance.
John Solo's narration was perfect and enjoyable as always.

Really great =D

So, this might be a holiday's story, but it's NOT a fluffy one. And it's fantastic :D

I love the slow building of trust in this story, I love how the characters change and grow during it. How they work to accept themselves and get over their family expectations and disappointments in order to be who they really want to be.

It's not an easy road, but it's one they walk fuelled by love... and isn't that wonderful? =D

The writing is great, which comes as not surprise at all, and yes, there are lots of angst, homophobia and self-esteem issues but we got to see the MCs rise above all of them, so yes, I really enjoyed the ride :P

John Solo does a great job with the narration.

What a beautiful, wonderful Christmas story!

If you're expecting a fluffy, slightly silly Christmas novella, this won't be it! This is a beautifully written love story, with well-designed MCs, with all their faults, insecurities and scars. The trope is one of my absolute favorites, second chances, and it's lovely to read how these two soulmates get to finally claim their love for each other overcoming all obstacles (including horrible families).
And, let's just talk about the steam in this book! It almost made my kindle melt, just as much as Joel and Casey (and Bruno) made my heart melt!
A well-deserved five stars for Ms. Blake, who can deliver magic with her stories like few others can.
John Solo is an incredible narrator and made listening to this audiobook an amazing experience!

Reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie

This was a fun holiday read. The characters had depth and a strong connection. I enjoyed the romance and the narration worked. The title had me expecting comedy, but what I got was a heartwarming Christmas romance that tugged on my heartstrings. Thoroughly enjoyed listening.

What a sweet story!!

I really wasn’t expecting to like this, tbh. In fact, although it isn’t long, I was a little worried at its being a fair bit longer than some of the other stories I’ve been reading lately. I thought I was going to find the whole “young love” thing boring or dumb and have a really hard time getting through to the end.

But my first surprise was when I realized I was actually completely identifying with the events in the story: in particular, leaving behind a small town and a love I thought would never be returned to go to university. And the similarities went on from there. Yes, of course, plenty of different details here and there (and way different ending in my case 😊), but still… I wasn’t expecting that.

My second surprise was reading (ok, hearing – audiobook!) words coming from the mouths of these two young characters that expressed things that have taken me many years to learn to be able to say or understand: things about trust, working through conflict, seeing past someone’s words to the (often incongruous) emotions that are generating them. And there’s some really advanced “relationship theory” in there, but never heavy.

The dialog is good, the unspoken dialog realistic, and the “intimate” scenes, although somewhat superhuman in my opinion, are very good. Although there’s a fair amount of “standard sex talk” (if that’s even a “thing”) I didn’t roll my eyes even once 😊. It felt appropriate. Character development was good too, I thought. I very sincerely did want to slap one or two of the characters around at times because they needed to get their head screwed on properly, just like in real life LOL

And lastly, the ending was very satisfying…complete. No pesky loose ends. Last surprise were some important, yet subtly expressed, messages about the importance of us all accepting one another, including within our families, despite our differences. A very enjoyable read!

Loved this audio more then the ebook last year!

I read this book last year, but only gave it 4star back then. But now that I read the second book and LOVED it, I thought I need to give it a second chance but now with audible. And how good that thought was!

I loved this audio! The voices were perfect, the story was awesome and I liked both character. I love when the voices in my head are similar to those when I listen to the audio. Casey and Joel were lovely together and their love story was really good, I liked listening to it. It was hot and cute at the same time. I think I blushed 1-2 times, the sex scenes were super erotic and hot! And John Solo's voice, damn! Amazing! I totally would re-listen to this. I did listened some scenes more then once!

Really liked this book and I'm glad I gave it a second chance, the audiobook is super good! Recommend it!

I enjoyed it this time more then last year!

great

sweet friends to lovers romance. really enjoyed these two characters. good narration by John solo

Plot is a little too drawn out, good narration kept me listening.

First off, I thought the narration was excellent, it really bought the story to life. However, I think the story is too drawn out, and there seems to be slightly repetitive events/interaction. They hooked up way too early in the story, so many plot points feel like fillers. Joel became too annoying after the second time he complains about Casey's money, and Casey comes off like a love sick child, almost ridiculous. I think the nastiness written into the character of Joel's dad is extra and unnecessarily offensive. Its sometimes difficult to listen to...and not in the "good" way.

meh. decent story, very predictable,

wouldn't buy again. just like most gay romance stories. will try other authors. hope you enjoy

Mr Cranky Pants

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! I could not turn this off. It is so so good. Mr. Frosty pants totally describes Joel! I love Casey’s dedication and love for Joel even though he is super cranky. Definitely check out this book! Heat level is high and low angst.

Mr Frosty is a very appropriate title

Joel is a real grump. The first half of the book can become bit miserable like him but his future bf gradually gets his head out of his arse and replace it with something more personal!
I loved the way it goes from miserable to something a lot more positive.

This was a great read, so REAL!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars!!! A wonderful Christmas story
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Rating: 4 (for the realness and tenderness I felt for the characters)
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 5 (Love John Solo!)

This was a great read, not fluffy or sappy, just REAL! I loved it, even more, the second time around!

I loved going back to Joel and Casey and loved the audio version! I highly recommend it!!

I was drawn in from the start by the depth of the characters. I could feel the hurt and confusion as Joel and Casey found each other again after years apart and a lot of miscommunication. I must say I hated Casey’s parents at many stages and it saddened me to read such bigotry and classism that sadly exists in real life. It’s a slow-burn romance with great heat that complements the story wonderfully and doesn’t detract from the story; it just fits!

Leta has created great characters that are on the verge of ‘finding themselves’ as well as each other. Although the book title is a little “gimmicky” I’ve got to say I love Mr. Frosty Pants and felt that he was very relatable and real. This is a perfect friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort read and a highly recommended Christmas listen with a heartfelt happily ever after!

Thanks for reading!

Heavy going and very slow paced.

I didn't enjoy this. It made me feel edgy and distracted. It is overloaded with introspection and heavy emotion.

Fairytale

Casey returns home for the holidays, not expecting what is to happen. His parents are their usual stuck up interfering selves. Trying to match up their son with the son of his father's boss! Not realising that Casey had already started something with his one true love, the man his parents despise.

Joel is a very reluctant participant in the relationship to begin with, greeting Casey's return with anger and hostility. He soon softens under Casey's refusal to give up.

Beautiful Christmas Story ❤️

I absolutely loved this and I have no hesitation in recommending it!
A beautiful Christmas Story of friends to lovers,of second chances.
This is the first time I have heard John Solo narrate an audiobook and I can't praise him highly enough. He has elevated an already gorgeous story into the stratosphere with his expert narration.
I don't want to give spoilers, I want to give listeners the chance to discover just how gorgeous this audiobook is.

Great feel-good Christmas romance

Having read and loved the book prior to this, I was thrilled to have seen it come up in the audible store. I bought it and totally loved the narrator's voice. It is such a beautiful storyline that could happen anywhere in the world, not just TN, USA.

If like like romantic stories, then this has to be for you. I loved everything about this book and I cannot find fault anywhere.

Shy romamce

This Audible was well read and the story was really nice. I loved how the 2 main characters who appear to be Snarky are actually shy and hurting.
Beautiful story, an HEA.

Good relaxing read

One of those books you can chill out and listen to while you chill out, easy to follow with a good story with a good start that meanders very well to a warm ending

Average

it was a struggle to finish, only ok the story needed something more it was all a bit meh. writing was awful.

We're all ready for a thaw!

We all know a Mr Frosty Pants but Joel Vreeland takes the biscuit. Ever since Casey Stevens went off to college and never looked back he turned into a grumpy old man before his time. So when Casey comes into his store he freaks out.

Casey was in love with Joel right through high school and never kept in touch with Joel just for self preservation.

They were both secretly fighting family predjudices and Casey wanted to shield Joel from that.

They both can't keep away from each other though, much to their parents horror. Joel's Dad is very ill after a stroke but can't keep his mouth shut, even for Joel who has done his best to look after him. Meanwhile Casey's parents are snobs who want better for him.

I loved Joels' snark with underlaying softness and Casey's upbeat "nothing you can say or do" will put me off attitude.

This was narrated by John Solo and I always enjoy his narration.

Leta Blake however is a new to me author and I must say I really enjoyed this story. Yay another author to look forward to reading more from.