Book Review: The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow by Eva Healy (MM Fantasy Romance)

Title: The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow
Author: Eva Healy
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 12 May 2023
Pages: 121
Format: eBook - EPUB
Genre: MM Fantasy Romance
Source: ARC via NetGalley

Callum has lived almost his entire life in the secluded forests of the North, where his only company was his sickly mother and the animals in the area. As he grew up, rather than his mother tending to him, he was tending to her. One snowy evening, upon returning to their cabin after gathering firewood, Callum found his mother had passed. Callum is now completely alone.

After his mother's death, he simply goes through the motions, doing just enough, so he doesn’t freeze to death in the harsh winters and keep himself fed. Otherwise, though, Callum doesn’t see much point in life. However, his world is turned completely on its head when he finds an injured fox sparrow on his way back from gathering firewood. Desperate to save the creature, he takes it back to his cabin but, upon doing so, finds that the little bird can turn into a winged man named Aurear. Though this stranger is odd, to say the least, Callum is desperately drawn to him.

Having spent so long alone and in the cold, Callum can’t help but be drawn to Aurear’s warmth. But Aurear’s existence is an anomaly, and with this new creature flying around, it’s not long before bloody-thirsty eyes are turned toward Callum’s quiet home in the forest. Though he couldn’t save his mother, Callum is willing to risk everything to protect the warmth Aurear has given him.

 

At just 120 pages, The Mourning Dove and His Snow Sparrow was a quick, light read. Being only novella length, the story is perforce simple, without a lot of twists and turns, but it was still enjoyable and I still got caught up in the characters even in such a short space of time. The story includes some spicy bedroom scenes, but also had a lot of emotional drive, especially in the final few chapters. A nod must be given too to the gorgeous cover art. Overall, I am glad I decided to give this story a try and I recommend it to those looking for a quick one-night MM fantasy read that combines steamy sex scenes with plenty of heart. I am giving this book a solid 4.5 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.