Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Frost And Raine
AUTHOR: K.L. Noone
PUBLISHER: JMS Books
LENGTH: 138 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 13, 2021
BLURB:
A Frost spirit who runs a coffee shop. A Cupid who works as a divorce lawyer. And magic in the air …
Raine’s never been a conventional Cupid. He likes organization, his job as a successful lawyer, and black coffee, and he dislikes messiness, physical and emotional. He tries hard not to use his powers, because he’d rather not manipulate anyone’s desires, and he’s not planning to fall in love himself — and he wouldn’t trust it if someone fell in love with him. But the owner of Raine’s favorite coffee shop is endlessly patient, kind even in the face of sarcasm, and an artist with flavors and window decorations … and he could even challenge Raine’s resolutions about love.
Don enjoys his life. Even though he’s a Frost, he finds comfort in giving people warmth: good coffee, a cozy refuge from the rain, holiday decorations, and overall cheer. But one gorgeous Cupid seems immune to Don’s cheerfulness — and he keeps coming back, day after day. Fortunately, Don’s always liked a challenge, and now he’s determined to make Raine smile at least once … and he’s discovering that Raine’s sarcasm hides a generous and lonely heart, keeping the world at bay.
And if Don and Raine can learn to trust each other — with new coffee flavors, with their hopes for the future, and with their hearts — the Frost and the Cupid just might find their own magical happy ending.
REVIEW:
Frost and Raine is a light, mildly magical tale about two non-human, magical types: Don is a Frost while Raine is a Cupid. Don is an “unintentional hipster” who owns a coffee shop in Seattle. This bearded, dependable guy has a penchant for plaid, naturally. I’m not quite clear on what abilities he’s afforded as a Frost other than to make things ice cold. He has his eye on one of his regular customers, a high-profile divorce lawyer of the rich and famous named Raine. Always bedecked in an elegant suit, Raine’s intelligent and organized, sometimes melancholy or contemplative, and usually scowling. Don calls him “brittle and pointy”. His occupation makes him a big disappointment to his family of Cupids who expected him to be something more appropriate like a matchmaker or marriage counselor.
Raine comes into Uncommon Grounds every morning, and then even more frequently, to get his black, plain, strong coffee. Before he knows what’s happening, he’s walking away sipping coffee laced with blueberry, ginger, whiskey or prickly pear. They share breezy banter and “quicksilver spiky conversation” and Raine helps Don organize his business files. There are many sweet aww moments as the months tick by. I’ve read many books that I’ve described as a slow-dance romance; this one has them all beat. Don and Raine get to know each other over nine or ten months before they have their first date! As a Cupid, Raine could easily conjure up instant lust between him and Don since he’s literally made of desire. Unfortunately, the morning after their first time together (it was hot!), Poor Raine decides they need to take a break. He knows he can make someone desire him without trying, so he’s worried he may have unwittingly influenced Don to be attracted to him without Don realizing it.
During the forced separation of a month or two, Raine comes into the coffee shop sporadically. Don still takes care of Raine and shows his love with his creative coffee concoctions, having them delivered to the object of his desire. So, the men fall in love one text and one coffee at a time while they long to be together.
This book features some very light kink. Before they even make it to the bedroom, the men work out that Raine has a strong need to belong to someone and desires correction from his lover. Don has a strong pull to take care of Raine, so they fumble along together in a gentle D/s dynamic. It’s Don’s first time in a Dom role so there’s a lot of “Are you okay?” and “Are you sure?” Raine seemed to get a little irritated; I know I did.
Frost and Raine is a sweet love story that I recommend.
RATING: 
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