Very sweet, but also deeply touching, holiday story about two college fraternity brothers. Hank and Sloane have an interesting connection from the beginning which swings between almost-friends and almost-enemies. There is clearly an attraction of some sort, but Hank can’t seem to make up his mind on what he wants. Sloane is a patient person and doesn’t mind putting the effort into figuring out what makes Hank tick. A special holiday vacation turns into the trip of a lifetime in more ways than one. I was glad we got to hear from both of the characters in order to avoid having Hank come across as a jerk. The characters were extremely well-developed, and the story had so many wonderful layers to it.

BLURB

Sloane loves a good mystery. He grew up as the son of two psychiatrists, so he finds most people tediously easy to figure out. He finds his way to Pennsylvania State University, longing for a rural experience, and ends up being lured into joining a frat by Micah Springfield, the hippest guy on campus.

Nothing in Sloane’s classes is as intriguing as Hank Springfield, Micah’s brother and fellow frat house member. Hank looks like a tough guy—big muscles, tatts, and a beard—but his eyes are soft and sweet. He acts dumb, but he’s a philosophy major. He’s presumably straight, but then why does Sloane feel such crazy chemistry whenever Hank is around? And why does Hank hate Sloane so much?

When Sloane ends up stuck on campus over Christmas, Micah invites him to spend the holidays at their family farm in Amish country. It’s a chance to experience a true Americana Christmas–and further investigate the mystery that is Hank Springfield. Can Sloane unlock the secrets of this family and unwrap the heart hidden inside the beefcake?