Sometimes, your girlfriend dumps you in Switzerland. If you’re lucky, it’ll be right before Christmas. To be specific, it just might be the day before you were set to go skiing in the Swiss Alps. As a Christmas present from said girlfriend. And maybe Nicole didn’t expect me to still go skiing in the Swiss Alps without her, but you know what? You only live once. I will never in my life be able to afford a day like this again.
And sure, it’s possible I’ve never touched a pair of skis before, but I’m an adaptable person.
Hi there! I'm a lover of romance of all stripes, and a writer of queer contemporary HEAs, including a forthcoming three-book series published by Forever. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my wife, our kiddo, a cat who loves me a little too much sometimes, and a three-legged dog who's a real dummy with a heart of gold. I love tea and frequently eat too much ice cream and hate myself a little afterwards.
Hi friends! This is a short story loosely related to my Moonie's novellas, telling the story of Kiki the KJ when she visits Switzerland with her girlfriend and...proceeds to get dumped right before Christmas. And what happens when she tries to go on their planned skiing trip anyway, by herself, even if she's, you know, never actually skied before. It's fine. Everything is fine.
I Didn't Sign Up for This is a f/f, cis/trans, low-angst short story that was originally published in The Bookish Box's Winter Anthology. It's a bit over 11k words, and I had a lot of fun writing it. I hope Kiki & Maya make you smile.
This was the cutest short story! Kiki’s predicament on the ski slopes made me smile. Maya couldn’t have been a better rescuer! This just the start of their romance and I would absolutely read a whole book about what happens once they get back to Portland.
Characters: Kiki is a karaoke jockey and Grubhub delivery driver. Maya is a brown trans outdoor recreation company social media manager who wears glasses. This is set in the Swiss Alps.
Shorter than the three main novellas, but they’ve done it again! I started this wondering how much I’d like it but by the end was so invested in KiKi and Maya. I love Anita Kelly’s ability to take a small place and time and make something intimate and special with it.
How does Kelly write so well at all these different lengths?! I'm in awe. There isn't even (slight spoiler) but the sexual tension is there, the possibility is there, the respect and hope for something amazing is there, and I'm in love.
I wouldn't change a thing, while also wanting to read a full novel featuring these two lovely people. Perfect book, perfect time - five stars.
Perfect! I loved this short story, even though it took me a minute to realize who Kiki was. She's the KJ from Moonie's, and it was great to see her away from the bar, out on the slopes of Switzerland. This took me back to the panicked feeling I had, finding myself at the top of a ski slope I wasn't prepared for. I wish I'd had someone like Maya to help me through that!!
Romance novella where our heroine Kiki has just gotten dumped over the holidays by her richie rich girlfriend, who gifted her with a day of skiing and then just totally disappeared, and Kiki's panicked decision to try skiing anyway with the help of hot trans skiing goddess and total stranger Maya. The whole thing takes place on a blue circle slope, and it was adorable and fun, and leaves open the possibility for more, which you definitely want for Kiki since her stupid ex left her in a Swiss ski chalet for four days, and also Maya confirmed that Kiki should just boink a bunch of hot people THAT'LL SHOW HER.
listen listen i knew going in that it would be five stars because it's a sapphic romance with a trans love interest, I love the moonlighters series and it takes place in the ALPS and they go skiing (fellow Alps gang make some noise)
but it was so cute!! this is the hot chocolate after a hard skiing day that warms your heart! yes it was short but I am weak for someone in need (yes I realise know that those seats may feel like death traps who people who have never skied)
I'm a sucker for a "how they met" romance short story, and this sapphic short was perfect. Kiki (cis) just got dumped in the middle of her Christmas vacation abroad with her girlfriend. Maya (trans) rescues Kiki from her possibly ill-advised decision to go skiing for the first time by herself anyway. I loved how Kelly handled the fact that Kiki just got dumped and is in a weird place alongside the truth that sometimes when you meet somebody, you meet somebody, even if the timing is bizarre. Good stuff!
This was absolute perfection! The perfect palate cleanser. My only issue with it is that now, I want a full novel lol Maya was just absolutely amazing and kind to Kiki. I also really want to try one of her pizzas 🍕 Though this was a novella, had me squealing and laughing so much. Definitely check it out!
Favorite lines: But the longer I’m up here in the thin air, surrounded by the purest scenery I’ve ever seen, the more it feels like we’re in some kind of magical safe haven. A safe haven where, sure, it’s possible I could die or at the very least, pull about five muscles, but where I can say anything I want and Maya will probably go with it.
I truly feel it's a crime that this was not a full novella like the rest of the series because the chemistry between these two characters was on point? The premise already gives both characters plenty to do and there are so few trans fem love interest, we were robbed of some top-tier Kelly romance because, while this short story really works on its own, it's just a hint of romantic potential and I am very greedy.
While this was very short, I really enjoyed it. Kiki is dumped by her girlfriend in Switzerland and decides to continue with the plan to go skiing, even if she has never done it before. Luckily, she meets Maya who helps her learn how to ski and go down one of the harder trails. I really enjoyed Kiki and Maya’s story. Yes this is only the beginning and we don’t see them as an actually couple yet, but I still love how it progressed and really hope we see these two again in future Moonlighters books.
What a charming novelette (I think this is the correct term). As someone who has (but not recently) skied a lot, I will admit to some anxiety in the opening pages regarding Kiki's decisions. However, the actual skiing and breaks were lovely, as were the descriptions of the setting, and I like how the friendship and potential relationship unfolded. I loved the Goo Goo Dolls reference, and did find myself softly singing "Iris."
They must know the secret code to my heart and brain because whatever they write is pure gold! I loved this so much and could have read so much more about Maya and Kiki. I love them both so much!! Thank you, Anita!