I read this because Novak’s novel Up to Snow Good caught my attention and I realized this came first and introduced some of the characters in the second, so figured why not. Plus, when you add in it’s a short story/novella and it includes a protagonist of color, I grabbed it and blazed through it.
Snow Way in Hell is the story of Tarquin, a PhD pursuing academic, and his older brother, Max’s best friend, George, an Olympic snowboarder. Max drags them and a couple of asshat friends (thankfully they bail pretty quickly) on a three-day mess of a vacation.
Tarquin, who’s carried a torch for George for years, realizes George may also have feelings for him. After a couple of awkward, but hilarious incidents including lost luggage, a cum-stained t-shirt, and some forced proximity due to Max hooking up; they get together and it’s just hilariously perfect.
He was the first person I’d come out to when I was thirteen and struggling with the idea of being gay at an all-boys boarding school, terrified of being bullied and beaten up. He’d just given me a hug, half the bar of chocolate he’d been eating and then asked me which actors I fancied. He’d stood up for me over the years, even when I didn’t need standing up for, and happily covered himself in body paint and glitter when I’d mumbled something about going to Pride. He’d even attempted to be my wingman a couple of times in the early days, running up to cute guys in bars and pointing me out in an attempt to get me laid. He’d never been particularly successful, but his enthusiasm was endearing. (Loc. 371)
Novak always brings the adorable sweetness and low-angst to her stories. I loved the back story of George and Max’s friendship in boarding school, I mean Max just sounds like Nick from Heartstopper and I am here for it. Even if I didn’t know Max was the next protagonist, I would hope that he’d get a story of his own, hetero, bi, gay, whatever he ends up being, he was just so fun and clearly loves his best friend and brother to pieces.
From what I recall the sex scenes were well written and nothing put me off. The minor characters were okay, but with such a short novel it was all about Tarquin, George and Max. Novak made the right call in getting rid of the other friend and his girlfriend that Max brought along, they would’ve brought the entire story down and ruined so much of the magic.
Recommendation: Loved it. It’s a great set up for Up to Snow Good and I’m glad I read this one. Tarquin and George get a happily ever after, Tarquin after many years of pining and George after realizing just how perfect they are together. And Max, just made the story and I’m so glad I got to read his full story not long after this one.
Opening Line: “‘Tee. Tee. Tee!’ A familiar voice and a series of loud knocks on the bedroom door jolted me out of my thoughts.”
Closing Line: “‘I love you too.’ I kissed him again, rolling on top of him and losing myself in his body.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)
Additional Quotes from Snow Way in Hell
“My family had never really understood that I was happy on my own, that I didn’t need a huge crowd of people around me, and that I found those situations more anxiety inducing than anything else.” (Loc. 140)
“I wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch him, to cup his jaw in my hand and draw him in for a kiss. To tell him I would go to all those places with him because I couldn’t imagine anything better than getting lost in an old city with him.” (Loc. 531)
“Max looked smug for a second, then he rounded on me. I sighed internally, praying he wasn’t going to punch me. Except I suddenly found myself in one of Max’s crushing hugs, the sort that had been legendary at both school and university for their ability to leave you with bruised ribs.” (Loc. 743)
“I think he’s the absolute definition of a himbo: a strong idiot with a heart of gold.” (Loc. 781)