A socially anxious writer hiding out in a tiny Nova Scotia town.A sunshiney handyman spreading Christmas cheer to his town-sized found family.One snowstorm, a cozy B&B, a harbour full of lights, and a love that finally feels like home. A low-angst, grumpy/sunshine MM Christmas romance with snowed-in forced proximity, quirky small-town charm, and a heart-warming found family. Sometimes the best love stories come from sheltering in unexpected harbours.Evander Winslow isn't here for Christmas cheer. He's here to escape. A socially anxious, big-city writer from Toronto, he books a quiet room at Whispering Pines, a seaside bed-and-breakfast in the small town of Mintlaw, Nova Scotia. His only plan? Disappear into his notebooks and finish his historical novel. Romance? Not a chance.Ryan MacNeil, the B&B's sunshiney cook/handyman, is still lonely under the life he's built surrounded by the found family he holds dear. He's got a schedule full of holiday events, a kitchen that smells like Fat Archies cookies, and a knack for nudging even the shyest guest into joining the fun. When Ryan feels drawn to the handsome new guest, he tells himself that he's just trying to spread holiday cheer to someone who needs it. That's all, right? It'd be foolish to develop feelings for a visitor with baggage.A warm community welcome and Ryan's charm start to thaw Evander's guarded heart. Mintlaw has a way of pulling people in. When a nor'easter hits, they are snowed-in together for movie marathons, game nights, and a shared obsession with maritime history. After the storm lifts, Mintlaw's twinkling boardwalks and a harbour glowing with Christmas lights quietly suggest how good forever could be.Evander must decide whether he's ready to let go of the past and embrace a love he never saw coming. Will Evander have the courage to choose the home he's found here, anchored in Mintlaw and in Ryan? A cozy, clean, low-angst MM Christmas romance featuring grumpy/sunshine, social-anxiety rep, snowed-in forced proximity, found family, a quirky Canadian small town, no third-act breakup, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Renée McLean writes contemporary romance with a hint of history sneaking in when she isn't looking. Renée was born in a small town, speaks French, and illustrates her own book covers. She has yet to find an off switch for her imagination. Her characters won't stop talking, her plot bunnies multiply like actual bunnies, and her to-write list grows longer every year despite her best efforts. It's gotten crowded in there. Her solution? Write cozy-adjacent romances which balance comfort with depth. Her happy endings are guaranteed (even if the path there occasionally gets slightly stormy). Renée believes in crafting love stories that brighten the world.For book releases and behind-the-scenes tidbits, join her newsletter at www.reneemcleanbooks.com
