Snowfall (Novella) by Mary Ann Rivers
Published: October 28, 2014 by Loveswept
Source: Purchased ebook
Mary Ann Rivers delivers the moving story of a woman who must confront a life-changing event, and the man who helps her view the world in a different light—just in time for Christmas.
When Jenny Wright becomes involved in an online romance with someone she knows only as “C,” she can’t get enough of their erotic conversation. Flirting online helps Jenny temporarily escape confronting the innumerable changes to her life as she slowly loses her vision. It’s easier having a relationship with someone behind a computer screen, someone with whom she doesn’t have to share every intimate detail of her life.
Jenny’s occupational therapist, Evan Carlisle-Ford, is helping her prepare for the challenges ahead. But the forthright, trustworthy man can no longer ignore his growing attraction to his fiercely intelligent client. His only option is to end their professional relationship . . . and embrace a romantic one.
Now Jenny must choose between the safe, anonymous “C”—or the flesh-and-blood Evan, whose heated kisses can melt snow faster than it can fall. And after receiving an unexpected present for Christmas, Jenny just may find the courage to let down her defenses and trust—in herself, and in the possibility of lasting love. [goodreads]
This holiday romance novella packed a very emotional punch, finding it hard to believe this story comes in only a condensed form. While reading it, I felt like I was encountering a full length novel based on its attention to detail and slow, steady pace. Mary Ann Rivers is the queen of writing novellas, developing a very well-rounded story, in just a shorter form.
Jenny is a scientist who believes in facts. She's lived a very healthy, happy life, enjoying each day as it comes. Suddenly the world she used to be able to see so clearly begins to morph into the shadows, creating a darkness where so much light has once been. Jenny is losing her sight. While undergoing therapy, that she was very reluctant about at first, she meets Evan. His charms take a while to surface as their attraction grows between him being her occupational therapist, and her trying to grasp her new reality. The once full of life Jenny has retreated inside herself, shutting out the world, as her vision starts to shut itself out too. The only safe interaction Jenny encounters is the online relationship she's built with an anonymous "C". Here she can hide away from the troubles she's facing and disguise her problems to a complete stranger.
But as her visits with Evan continue, he begins to show her a new way to see the world. Little by little she's pulled out from the darkness and starts to witness a new light that's been cast on her life now. The slow build between Jenny and Evan, filled with very emotional tension, kept the story vivid, creating a page-turner effect. Though I knew Jenny's online relationship with "C" was purposeful at that moment, I felt that her new relationship with Evan had a longer lasting stamina that Jenny should definitely not ignore.
If you're looking for a very well-rounded, emotionally charged story to devour in one sitting, I definitely recommend Mary Ann River's Snowfall. The development of Jenny's character as she faces her struggles head on both touched me and inspired me. The tender relationship with Evan was so sweet and endearing, it left a sense of authenticity that could not be ignored. There's a richness to this novella, one that's a rarity in this market of holiday romances, that needs to be read.
