Winter Heart

Book – Winter Heart (Seasons of Love #4)
Author – B.G. Thomas
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 400

Cover – Stunning!
POV – 3rd person, dual
Would I read it again – Yes!

Genre – LGBT, Romance, Friendship, Family, Self-Discovery


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY DREAMSPINNER PRESS, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine


Wow! All I can say is that B.G. Thomas absolutely knocked this one out the park, yet again.

I've been waiting for Wyatt's story since book 1 and this didn't disappoint. With all the Fabulous Four having been single for so many years, at one point or another, and now in relationships, it's amazing to see how they all gather round to help Wyatt, as his relationship with Howard crumbles. Not just helping him with the general issues, but also by dealing with the holiday seasons and making sure his emotional needs are met.

Quite honestly, I cried so many, many, many times! I mean, the testing, the ritual and so many more things – the snow storm! The hospital! – had me bubbling like a baby. And Howard really is the puki'o of the entire series!

And, Oh. My. God! Hodor! Hodor!

I loved all the new characters, as well as the old ones that I already love with my whole heart. Geoff was incredible! Gods, I loved him. I wish we could see more of him. In fact, can we go back to Spring, have a whole other Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter book series with Geoff, Blue, Nikko and Logan...or, Hell, anyone! I would be happy if this series never ended.

Oh, Cauley! He broke my heart so many times, despite being a minor character and hardly in the story at all. Howard made me so mad that I was clenching my teeth, grumbling and sobbing for Wyatt over everything he'd ever done and confessed to. He was such a skeasy bastard and it drove me up the wall. But I am soooo happy that Wyatt got his closure in the end. He might have used and taken advantage of the innocence Wyatt showed in those early days, but the one good thing he ever did was introduce Wyatt to the Men's Festival.

The entire medical issue is totally understandable; I had a horrible experience of 2 years worth of pain and a horrendous surgery for my gall bladder, so I winced through every minute of the hospital scenes.

The fact that that majority of Wyatt's story is true (as mentioned in the Author's Note at the end) was utterly heartbreaking, but only spoke of just why it was so touching and moving to read. The realism wasn't just in my imagination, which only made the whole thing more incredible.

~

Favourite Quote

““Well you did tell a customer to kiss your ass,” Sloan said.
“My rosy red ass.” Wyatt crossed his arms. “Because she called me a fag! And I told her that I was more man than she was ever going to have and more woman than she would ever be.””

“I think it would make my happy if I came back as a snowflake and I could fall on your face.”

“Wyatt smiled.
Somehow, he was feeling hope.
Somehow he was feeling he just might be ready to fly.”

“Love does come. Love worthy of any of us.” ~ from A Note from the Author

~

Series Review

Often, when I come across a review in this genre, the books are all the same. Not in a bad way, but in a thematic way. By the time you get to book two and then every successive one, you discover that somehow, all of the main characters in all the books know each other. Then, within the plot, you discover that there is a theme within the series – each book has the same location, the same drama issue (usually a small crime, homosexuality or a disastrous love life) that weaves the books together.

This series – Seasons of Love – has none of that!

Not only is each book wholly original in concept and execution, but each of the characters are far from the carbon copy same-person-different-name that you often find. The characters all begin book 1 knowing each other as only a group of best friends can; intimately and with a deep affection.

For me, that was the real jewel of the series. Not only did sex take a back seat to the plot – which was perfect! – but the friendship between Sloan, Scott, Asher and Wyatt is the real treasure. The love these men have for each other, the friendship they share, the support system they have become for each other is really something quite magical. No matter whether there were romances or how powerful they were as stories and journeys of self-discovery, it really was the strong bond between the men and their friendship that moved me the most.

With diverse characters who are all equally strange, brilliant and beautiful in their own ways; a change of location that suits each character and their individual story; the struggles that they all face, there is really only one commonality. All the men are facing a personal crisis that includes self doubt and a religious journey that is very much individual and important to their overall mental health.

The first book will hook you. The second will make you fall in love. The third will make you think and question everything. The fourth will give you tingles.

No matter what, you will never regret starting this series.

~

“My excitement and anticipation for this fourth book were unparalleled – seriously. When I heard it was coming out, I was jumping up and down to snag a copy. I know, that’s a lot to live up to. And in many ways, this book exceeded my expectations – but there were a few things that irked me a bit, bringing it down from a 5. But let’s start with the amazingness, first.

Wyatt. Oh how amazing and loving and caring Wyatt is. I don’t remember him being so like-able during the first three installments, in fact, I remember him being just the opposite in some ways. But as a character, more than any of the other Fabulous Four (plus 4) – he was so well developed and created, it was impressive. Wyatt’s story shares so much more about who he is as a person, how he got to where he is in life, how important and loving his friendships actually are, and his place amongst it all. And I absolutely loved each moment of learning more about him. And let’s not forget the other part of this pair, Kevin. While we didn’t get as deep with him as Wyatt, for obvious reasons, his character and kindness were unmatched – and a pleasure to learn about. Not to mention, a perfect fit for Wyatt.

A few things to note in this winter book: there was a lot of nature-based religion conversations, which were lovely – but thought it could bear warning in case that’s something that you’re sensitive about. In addition, the thing that irked me more than anything else throughout the book, was the constant re-thinking/reiterating every single thing that was said and done. For example, Wyatt and Kevin have a conversation – then immediately after, Wyatt has to break down every sentence and overlay a reasoning or past association with it. I liked learning the associations, but abhorred re-reading the exact paragraphs I read on the pages prior. It felt like as a reader, I wasn’t being trusted to follow along… and I was! Perhaps it was more annoying because I read this book almost all at once – either way, it greatly affected my experience and the pacing.

That being said, if you’ve read the other three books, you MUST read this final installment. There are some special guests from some of Thomas’s other series which always makes me smile, and honestly, the characters in this book at the best yet – by far. It’s a great conclusion to the series and worth the wait!

Review Copy of Winter Heart provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest Review.

Reviewed by Mel from Alpha Book Club

I love this series. There are four books, one for each season, but they do stand alone fairly well. You will understand the characters better though, and why Wyatt is feeling so down if you do read them in order and they are worth the read. I have been waiting for Winter Heart forever. Well at least a good year, and it was well worth the wait.

Wyatt is a short, small bear of a man. His Faery name is Little Bear. He is a Pagan and its close to the Winter Solstice and without Howard he has no one to celebrate it with. His friends celebrate Christmas and are of other religious beliefs. Howards has drummed it into his head that no one loves him, that they only tolerated Wyatt for Howard, he soon finds out how many friends he has as they all help him celebrate and particiapet in his ritual. I loved this ritual. It was beautifully written and I could feel the Magick as it happened.

The story wasn't what I had expected at all, it was more! There is a lot of angst. and there are tons of sad spots so keep a tissue close. Lots of twists too. There was so much going on it seemed like one bad thing after another for poor Wyatt but god mixed with it.

I liked the songs and jokes that really made Wyatt's character pop. I love B G Thomas and he really outdid himself with this story.

If you like angst, believe in Magick, the fates, fated love,like stories of true friendship, don't mind other religions or religious talk,Like Pagan rituals, lots of twists and some sweet, loving man-sex this is for you! I highly recommend this series!