Original Audiobook Listen November 2019:
What can I say about the story that I didn’t already cover in my original review? Nothing! It’s still just as beautiful and engaging as originally. So I think I’ll just talk about the narrators, Joel Leslie and Philip Alces. There again, what can I say that I haven’t touched on in the first 4 audio versions of Haven Hart? Nothing! They bring life not only to Snow and Christopher but to all the characters, good guys and bad guys. Between Davidson King’s visual storytelling style and Leslie & Alces narration, you can almost see the story unfold in front of you. I should add that although there have been bits & pieces from each entry that has carried over, I found Snow Storm to be the first one that really shows everything starting to come together to form the “big picture”, so definitely read/listen to Haven Hart Universe in order.
Original ebook Review April Book of the Month 2019:
Never underestimate Snow. The mother nature kind looks light and fluffy but can be anything but, well Davidson King’s Snow on the surface is light, fluffy, and a bit of pushover(at least what a certain bad guy thinks) but just like Mother Nature’s white stuff, Snow Manos can be deadly. Let’s be honest, there are times when its best if we get underestimated and Snow Storm is a prime example of just that. Never threaten the Manos family, Snow may not be the head of the family but he is the head’s husband and that makes him even more of a danger to cross.
Not sure which factor I loved most: Snow being underestimated or that Christopher knows his husband so perfectly he knew exactly what to say to him on the phone to get the ball rolling? Talk about a perfect pair and its this knowledge and chemistry that will always put Snow and Christopher on the top of my favorite Haven Hart couples.
Snow is such an amazingly creative fun, flirty, and fabulous character which in my honest opinion defines exactly what Haven Hart is all about, both the city and the series. Don’t get me wrong, Haven Hart Universe is not all rainbows and unicorns kind of rom-com happy happy. Oh no, it is anything but because there is danger always lurking and Snow Storm is the best example of that because Snow Manos brings happiness to everyone he meets but its not all he brings to the table. With this series entry you realize that he really is what brings everyone together, he is the cement that makes the bricks into a home, he is the Force that binds the Jedi together, and he is the love that makes the Manos and Black Organizations family(even if neither Christopher nor Black want to admit that is what they’ve become since meeting Snow??).
Speaking of Christopher, he is just as dangerously yummy as always. His love for his nephew, Simon, has been blatantly obvious from the very minute Simon brought Snow home with him way back in book 1, Snow Falling, and if you hadn’t already noticed that Christopher has become more than just a father figure you will clearly see he(and Snow) have become dads to the growing boy. I already mentioned how perfectly attuned Christopher is with Snow by knowing what clues to give his husband to help find them so I’ll just add that they may be well established couple but their passion for each other is still off the charts that will fry your e-reader if you’re not careful.
As for the secondary characters, well has there ever really been any “secondary” characters in this series? No because they all serve a purpose whether they get their own story or not, not a single one can be labeled “page filler”, each one brings a needed element to the journey. It is always nice to see where other couples are once they’ve had their story begun, the author letting her readers know there is still life after they get their HEA.
Snow Storm once again showcases Davidson King’s knack for storytelling, not just a writer but a true storyteller. She creates not only characters to read and plots to unravel but a whole community to discover and experience. If you haven’t been reading Haven Hart Universe yet, I highly recommend doing so because you are certainly missing out on quite a ride.
One final note: if you are wondering if this is a series best read in order than I have to say yes. Sure each one features a new couple, well Snow Storm revisits Snow & Christopher from book 1 but each entry does have its own central plot so I suppose technically each one is a standalone but I have to recommend reading in order. The characters, the friendships, the favors Snow cashes in, these factors just flow better knowing each pairings’ journey. If reading 5 books seems daunting, don’t worry because the time will fly by and before you know it, you’ll be kicking yourself for not savoring the moments but you just get so sucked in that you can’t put them down. I should probably add that for the first time EVER, I did a re-read in less than 2 weeks after my initial read and if that doesn’t express how amazing Snow Storm is then I’m not sure what does.