Books › By Your Side
By Your Side
352 pages
A cozy, snowed-in romance that wraps you in the warmth of unexpected connection and the relief of finally being seen.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket while a snowstorm rages outside. It delivers the ultimate cozy, forced-proximity fantasy, trapping you in an intimate, quiet space where two opposites are forced to drop their guards. The pacing is brisk and effortless, driven by sharp, playful banter that slowly gives way to genuine vulnerability. While the romance is undeniably sweet and swoon-worthy, there is a tender undercurrent exploring the exhausting reality of masking anxiety to appear perfect. The prose is accessible and dialogue-heavy, keeping the emotional stakes grounded and relatable. It is a perfect comfort read for anyone who delights in the quiet thrill of being truly seen by the last person they expected.
- Mood
- cozy
- snowed-in
- intimate
- hopeful
- Tone
- earnest
- sweet
- vulnerable
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- forced proximity · hidden anxiety · opposites attract · vulnerability and masking · looking past reputations
- The writing
- The prose is breezy, accessible, and dialogue-driven, creating an effortless and engaging reading experience.
- The arc
- The protagonist shifts from a state of panicked masking and isolation to finding comfort and courage in unexpected vulnerability.
- Who it's for
- Readers looking for a sweet, comforting romance that balances lighthearted banter with gentle, relatable mental health representation.
Content notes
- anxiety and panic attacks
- claustrophobia
About the book
Autumn Collins doesn’t let anyone get close.
She can’t tell anyone about her anxiety, especially not Jeff—he’d never be her boyfriend if he knew.
But then she gets trapped in the library, instead of making it up the mountain to a bonfire with Jeff and her friends.
And she isn’t alone: Dax Miller got locked in, too.
With tattoos and a juvie record and a constant scowl, Dax isn’t exactly helping Autumn feel any better. She’s sure Jeff will realize that he left her behind and come racing back to rescue her, any minute now.
Only he doesn’t come. No one does—instead, a snowstorm blows into town and the temperature plummets. Autumn tries to stay calm. As she and Dax trade secrets, forage for vending machine food, and huddle together for warmth, Autumn realizes she may not survive the weekend if she doesn’t let Dax get close. And to her surprise, she may want him to.
Description from Open Library.
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