Icecapade by Josh Lanyon
Icecapade is a short (170ish pg) novella that I found a pleasure to read. It is about Noel Snow (ex thief now author) and Robert Cuffe (FBI). 10 years ago they had a one night fling, and it seems neither can forget about it. Robert shows up at Christmas, claiming that Noel committed a string of thefts that just occurred. Noel is just as adamant that he didn't. Matters aren't helped any by the fact that Noel has written a best selling series based on his crimes, with a bumbling FBI agent vaguely modeled after Robert.
Even though this is a short story, enough character development happens that I felt like I got to know both Noel and Robert. I wish they had their own novel! Josh Lanyon did a good job of focusing on the characters, and not so much on unnecessary scenic backgrounds or even people. Granted this takes place in December after a snow storm, but still...and the neighbors you are introduced to are fleshed out just enough to be believable for the short time they appear.
I had added Icecapade to my small list of comfort reads because I just felt good once I finished it. There wasn't an over-whelming amount of sex
(show spoiler)and characters you can fall in love with.
5/5