Blurb
Ben:
“I keep forgetting we went to high school together.”
Damn, that hurt. I don’t know why, because I barely even talked to Adam. He was two years older than me—at that age, it might as well have been a decade—and we were in entirely different crowds. He was so much cooler than me. Probably still is from the looks of him. I couldn’t ever pull off that kind of scruffy beard or the casual, confident strut. At Adam’s core, he’s a rock star, and even if that dream never happened for him, he just exudes that “‘it”’ energy.
Despite never talking to him in high school, despite never making a move of any kind, despite my absolute certainty that I’d never talk to him ever again, I’ve never let this flame go out. And now he's back here in Snow Lake and all those feelings are back with a vengeance.
I don’t know what it is about this guy that sparks something in me—a need, a drive to be more. Enough to make him notice me. How pathetic is that?
But now that he has noticed me, I'm shaking. I don't know if I can face losing what I've always wanted.
Adam:
My mom's really sick, and I'm back in Snow Lake to take care of her—whether she wants me to or not. It's bringing up all kinds of memories, both good and bad—but at the same time, I can see that things have really changed.
In Des Moines, I’m a recluse who doesn’t date. Here in Snow Lake, the place I couldn't wait to get away from as an angsty teenager, it’s like I’m a different guy. A guy that could have friends, family connections, maybe even a relationship if I could get my head out of my ass. But that’s not really me, is it? It’s just a vacation version of me. It’s not real, and when it’s time for me to leave, none of the connections "Snow Lake Adam" made here will be either, so what’s the point?
Ben thinks I'm still that punk guitar player he had a crush on so many years ago. Little does he know I turned out pretty boring. The way he looks at me with stars in his eyes makes me want to both puff up and hide at the same time, so he doesn't find out I'm just a regular guy. Kind of a dud. But he's so sincere and kind. And super sexy.
I wonder what would have happened if I had met him back then. Would I have still messed up my life so badly?
“I keep forgetting we went to high school together.”
Damn, that hurt. I don’t know why, because I barely even talked to Adam. He was two years older than me—at that age, it might as well have been a decade—and we were in entirely different crowds. He was so much cooler than me. Probably still is from the looks of him. I couldn’t ever pull off that kind of scruffy beard or the casual, confident strut. At Adam’s core, he’s a rock star, and even if that dream never happened for him, he just exudes that “‘it”’ energy.
Despite never talking to him in high school, despite never making a move of any kind, despite my absolute certainty that I’d never talk to him ever again, I’ve never let this flame go out. And now he's back here in Snow Lake and all those feelings are back with a vengeance.
I don’t know what it is about this guy that sparks something in me—a need, a drive to be more. Enough to make him notice me. How pathetic is that?
But now that he has noticed me, I'm shaking. I don't know if I can face losing what I've always wanted.
Adam:
My mom's really sick, and I'm back in Snow Lake to take care of her—whether she wants me to or not. It's bringing up all kinds of memories, both good and bad—but at the same time, I can see that things have really changed.
In Des Moines, I’m a recluse who doesn’t date. Here in Snow Lake, the place I couldn't wait to get away from as an angsty teenager, it’s like I’m a different guy. A guy that could have friends, family connections, maybe even a relationship if I could get my head out of my ass. But that’s not really me, is it? It’s just a vacation version of me. It’s not real, and when it’s time for me to leave, none of the connections "Snow Lake Adam" made here will be either, so what’s the point?
Ben thinks I'm still that punk guitar player he had a crush on so many years ago. Little does he know I turned out pretty boring. The way he looks at me with stars in his eyes makes me want to both puff up and hide at the same time, so he doesn't find out I'm just a regular guy. Kind of a dud. But he's so sincere and kind. And super sexy.
I wonder what would have happened if I had met him back then. Would I have still messed up my life so badly?
Review
My Rating - 5 Stars!
Ashton Cade's Trifles and Treasures, the fourth book in the Hearts of Snow Lake series, is amazing!
Ben gets a second chance with his high school crush, Adam, when Adam returns home to care for his sick mother. What follows is not just a romance, but also a second chance for Adam with his family, as he tries to make amends and solidify a real relationship.
The author excels at establishing the small town feel, with fun and unique characters. The gossip line is always on point, and of course everyone knows everyone else. In general, I love the writing, the characters, and the storyline.
The mother/son relationship is a large part of this story, as they struggle to see eye to eye. They love each other deeply but don't know how to talk to each other. With Ben being best friends with Adam's mom, it makes for some interesting revelations. Margaret has a huge presence in this novel. In general, I love her relationship with the townfolks and her spunkiness. However, I definitely wanted to smack her at times.
As for the romance, it's breathtaking when you read something this sweet. "...seeing you is always the best part of my day." Swoon. Total swoon moment.
These two men are super hot together. My favorite part of their relationship though is the way things have changed a lot since high school. Ben's crush was on a version of Adam that he never really knew and who doesn't exist anymore. I enjoy as they discover the current versions of one another.
Trifles and Treasures is a superb addition to the Hearts of Snow Lake series. If you love small town romances, you need to read this series.
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