Ever since Rise of the Guardians introduced me to a certain icy troublemaker, I’ve had a soft spot for Jack Frost. Which is mildly ironic, considering I live in New England and spend half the year battling his real-life counterpart. And somehow, despite all that time in the cold, I had never read a Jack Frost retelling… until now.

And wow. The Flame in the Frost was absolutely worth the wait.

This is a Norse-inspired take on Jack Frost, layered with magic, curses, shapeshifters, fated mates, and political upheaval. It’s like a snowstorm of tropes: sharp, sweeping, and impossible to ignore.

The world-building? Incredible. Olivia Boothe introduces us to the Seven Northern Kingdoms, and even though we primarily explore just one in this installment, you can feel the vastness of the world waiting beyond the edges. It’s rich without being overwhelming, detailed without dragging, exactly what you want in a fantasy like this.

The writing pulled me in completely. I was deep in this story, so much so that having to stop reading for real-life responsibilities (rude, honestly) felt like being yanked out of another world mid-scene. The pacing is spot on, and the dual POV structure flows beautifully, with each perspective picking up right where the last left off. It creates this seamless, addictive rhythm that makes “just one more chapter” an outright lie.

And the characters, Jack and Sylvi. I loved them. Truly. But also, the emotional torment they endure?? I cannot. The constant interruptions, the obstacles, the sheer amount of suffering, it had me internally screaming more times than I can count. You get so invested in them that every setback feels personal.

And then… that ending.

WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. ****.

I’m still recovering. I don’t know how Olivia Boothe thought that ending was acceptable. The emotional damage? Astronomical. The audacity? Impressive. The need for the next book? Immediate and non-negotiable.

If you love icy magic, aching romance, and stories that will absolutely wreck you before leaving you begging for more, read this book. Just… maybe prepare yourself first.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my early copy of A Flame in the Frost. When I started this, I thought it would just be a cozy Jack Frost retelling, but it ended up being so much more. The world building and plot were so complex and rich. I didn’t want to put this book down. This book made me realize that I love friends to lovers as much as I love enemies to lovers. The tension and yearning were top notch and I loved these characters. I’m really excited for the continuation of Sylvi and Jack’s story.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I did not want to put it down once I started reading. Easily able to give this book five stars.

The Flame in the Frost is one of those rare fantasy reads that fully immerses you from the very first page and never lets go. Olivia Boothe crafts a world that feels both magical and familiar, weaving in subtle but effective nods to Christmas lore and the myth of Jack Frost in a way that feels fresh rather than predictable.

The world-building is easily one of the strongest elements of the novel. Boothe creates a setting that is rich, atmospheric, and layered with meaning. The parallels to winter folklore, especially the reinterpretation of Jack Frost, add a nostalgic yet original twist that keeps the story engaging throughout.

What truly elevates the novel, though, is the emotional tension. The slow-burning yearning is executed perfectly—it builds naturally, never feeling forced, and makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. Every interaction carries weight, and that emotional pull keeps readers invested from beginning to end.

The relationships are another highlight. The dynamic between Jack, Sylvi, and Ravin adds depth and warmth to the story. Their friendship feels genuine and grounding amidst the magical elements, providing moments of connection that balance the tension beautifully.

Overall, this is a captivating, fast-paced fantasy with strong emotional beats, compelling relationships, and a uniquely crafted world. If you enjoy atmospheric fantasy with slow-burn tension and meaningful character bonds, The Flame in the Frost is absolutely worth the read.

Oh wow, I loved this book, and I can't wait for the next instalment.

I have been getting a little fed up with this genre lately. The market is saturated with so many half hearted attempts, and it is difficult to find the few quality examples amongst them.

This book was just what I was hoping for. Well written, well thought out, lovely world building and intriguing characters. It was also the ideal length.

I am not really a massive fan of sexually explicit content in books, probably because in most instances it feels completely unnecessary and doesn't really add anything to the story. However, in this book it really works, and is relevant to the plot.

This review will also be posted on my Instagram and Goodreads pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my ARC of The Flame in the Frost!

This book deserves all the hype. It had me in an absolute chokehold.

I was initially skeptical of the friends-to-lovers trope (I’m usually an enemies-to-lovers reader), but The Flame in the Frost completely changed my mind. Starting with characters who are already lifelong best friends adds an immediate depth, and the tension and yearning hit right away. The character development was perfect and devastating in the best way. Did I mention yearning? Ooof, so good!

It was a unique start (in a refreshing way) in that there didn't need to be a big build up to the meeting of the main characters since they were already friends, but rather felt like I was parachuted in to the characters' lives at the exact right time.

The world-building is a bit dense at first, and I appreciated the addition of the glossary. Once I started figuring it all out I was hooked on the political intrigue. The writing is vivid and immersive, with rich descriptions that made everything play out like a movie in my head.

I could not put this down, and you should definitely pick it up.

This was phenomenal, I predict this book will be huge!

We have:
Friends to Lovers
Dual POV
Arranged marriage (not to each other)
Yearning x10
Cliffhanger
Slow Burn

Normally, I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers, but I think this book has converted me! I think the yearning with friends to lovers just hits differently.

Olivia has a way of writing that made me so invested in the characters. I felt their angst, felt their heartbreak, their betrayal. I was cursing the MMC, using some colourful language!

Be warned, it is a slow burn, but that made the spice when it happened even better!

It does end on a corker of a cliffhanger. It makes me so excited to read the next instalment. It can't come quick enough!

First of all thank you NetGalley for gifting me this ARC.

This book is why I love reading ARC's as I have found a new must read author I may never have found otherwise. Her writing blew me away.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fantastic read. I absolutely fell in love with this world and its characters—especially Sylvi, our fierce FMC and Captain of the Guard, who has quietly been in love with her best friend for years. That best friend? Jack, Prince of Skarsgard and heir to the Frostbound Court. The tension, the longing, the history between them—it all felt so real and earned.

As long-buried lies begin to surface, the story unravels forgotten histories, hidden enemies, and transformations neither Sylvi nor Jack fully understand—especially as his powers begin to change in unexpected ways. Watching them navigate loyalty, destiny, and their evolving bond had me completely hooked. The question of whether they’ll find their way to each other before it’s too late kept me turning pages nonstop.

The writing is mature and immersive, with rich world-building that pulled me in from the start. This was such a surprising gem of a read, and I genuinely can’t wait to dive into more of Olivia Boothe’s work.

A dark romantasy retelling featuring Jack Frost as the MMC? Best friends to fated mates? Say no more. This was refreshing, emotional, and utterly compellIng. Bring on book two in this fabulous series.

💜 Yearning
💜 Friends to Lovers
💜 Dual POV
💜 Political Intrigue
💜 World Building
💜 Badass FMC
💜 Christmas/Jack Frost Vibes

When I first received this e-ARC from NetGalley, I was expecting to be reading a bit of a cozy romantasy that would have me giggling and kicking my feet. Well I did all of that, but I got so much more.

This tells the story in dual POV with both Jack and Sylvi, who completely have my heart.
We start with Sylvi would I LOVED as a character, she was badass when it mattered and soft when needed.
Jack has me SAT. His protectiveness of Sylvi is a perfect balance without going into an eye rolling torture of cringy.
I found myself so invested and almost screaming for them as I was rooting for them so hard.
Aside from the main two, I felt like I loved many of the characters as well. Everyone was well written and felt like they were truly part of the story, something that isn’t executed well in many books recently, but this was great!

I feel like recently there has been a definitely lack of world building in books I’ve read - so I was very much enjoying having it in this book, it felt complex and rich without being confusing.
The nod Norse elements while having a Christmassy feel was perfect. I felt at first when I was reading that this would have been a perfect Fantasy book to read in the winter months, but as I went on this hardly mattered any more as I was hooked into the story.

The ending? Well now I have so many questions that I literally REQUIRE answers to. I’m UNWELL after the cliffhanger, and i’m going to need news on a next book ASAP.

This has probably been hands down the best ARC I’ve read in a long time - I will be recommending this to all my bookish friends!