Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:   Resolutions for an Arbitrary Holiday

AUTHOR:  Nell Iris

PUBLISHER:  JMS Books

RELEASE DATE:  December 30, 2020

LENGTH:  68 pages

BLURB:

Two strangers, a twisted ankle, an ancient stone ship, and a New Year’s Eve they’ll never forget.

Petter sneaks out of the New Year’s party he didn’t want to go to and treks to an old burial site he’s dying to see. Alone. Without telling anyone on a freezing December night. Without cell service … a huge problem when he twists his ankle.

Someone passes by Isak’s house on the path leading to the stone ship. When the person never returns, Isak worries and sets off to investigate. What he finds is Petter, a pack of sparklers, and an instant connection.

Under a starry sky, they learn they have a lot in common. Will the attraction burn hot and fizzle out like the fireworks going off over their heads when they return to the real world? Or will it deepen, grow, and turn into something real? Something everlasting like the stone ship?

REVIEW:

Petter is attending a New Year’s Eve party in a small seaside town in southern Sweden.  He really did not want to come but got pushed into by his long time friend.  When he’s finally had enough, he grabs a lantern, a bottle of booze, some sparklers and a lighter and heads off to climb up to an ancient site with a stone ship.  He’s always wanted to see it but his parents would never let him visit it properly.  Unfortunately he trips and sprains his ankle when he’s reached the top.  Of course he doesn’t have a phone signal, so he can’t call for help.  And honestly, except for the pain in his ankle and the slightly chilling wind, he’s enjoyed his trek.  He’s just not sure how he’ll get back down to his friends below.

Isak has seen someone head up the hill toward the stone ship.  But when he doesn’t seen anyone returning and it’s been some time, he decides to go check and make sure nothing is wrong.  He discovers Petter with his sprained ankle and his bad beverage choice and his celebratory sparklers 🙂   They sit and watch the fireworks and listen to the ocean and talk about why they should or shouldn’t make resolutions 😉  But the chill is getting worse and Petter’s ankle isn’t getting any better either.  So Isak helps Petter down the hill.  When they get to Isak’s house, he offers to help with his ankle and get something to ice it and elevate it for a while.

They fall into easy conversation.  Petter has never had a connection with someone like this before.  He finds Isak wildly attractive, but he’s not sure why Isak would bother with him.  But as the evening continues, and both men reveal their true selves, it’s obvious that there is something, a spark, between them.  The question is, will it still be there in the morning?

As usual, Nell Iris writes a truly beautiful short story that tugs at the heartstrings and provides hope for those who have been unlucky in love.  Petter and Isak have both done what’s expected of them and that in turn has led to them living somewhat unsatisfying lives.  But they are both on a new path – to be more of their authentic selves.  They’ve found a kindred spirit in one another with a serendipitous meeting because of a silly accident.  Isak’s story is a little bit sad, but he’s a strong guy who is going to be fine in the end.  Petter is finally getting his legs under him at nearly 30 and has finally decided it’s time for him to live his own life, not the one his parents insisted on 🙂  The lovely and evocative description of the small seaside town, Isak’s house and of course the stone ship overlooking the sea paint a clear picture of the setting for these men as they learn about one another.  It all seems rather breathtaking and I would love to visit this place someday.  For fans of a perfectly presented love story in a short format, I can’t think of any writer more up for that challenge than Nell Iris.  You won’t be disappointed.  Highly recommended.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon

JMS Books