The Holiday Trap
The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish
Published in 2022
Main Couple: There are two! Greta & Carys + Truman & Ash
The Story: “The Holiday” but the characters are “parent trapped” into it by a friend. After a public humiliation (Greta) and a bag breakup (Truman), Greta and Truman switch houses and lives on a journey to self discovery and good sex.
The Sex: There are two scenes between Greta and Carys and only one between Truman and Ash. That being said, I adored the way both of these couples engaged in enthusiastic consent with their partner. There were so many questions being answered. All instances of intimacy were passionate and all parties were present with the other. Neither of these couples is into any overt kink. I also appreciated the openness to avenues for pleasure that Carys presents Greta in their first intimate moment. Expanding our awareness of what’s possible for us allows us to: 1. Have a preference. 2. Support the preferences of our partners. The check ins were another thumbs up for me. There are moments when we try something and it doesn’t work, if we aren’t checking in with our partner, we might miss their “I’m not into it” signals. If there is one thing I wish, is for more description. The mechanics of what was happening were stated, but I wanted more description for what the POV character was feeling.
Favorite Lines:
There are SO many instances of consent being asked between these people. I wanted to just share ALL the check ins that Carys gives to Greta during their first time in Chapter 8:
-May I?
-What do you want?
-Do you want me to go down on you or use a vibrator? A strap-on? Dildo? What are you in the mood for?
-Do you want to stop?
-Do you mean you get off on being told what to do?
-Okay, how about I propose something and you tell me what you think?
-What if I take my clothes off-…And lie on the bed. And use this [magic wand] on myself. And you lie on top of me so you can reach it too?
-Can I touch you?
“God, you feel like magic,” Carys murmured. | “You feel like magic,” Greta tried to reply, but it came out a lust-slurred garble. Chapter 18 Made me giggle. There should be laughter during sex.
“Truman felt like he was unspooling into a supernova of pleasure, but of him lost among the stars.” Chapter 19 There was some great poetry like this. The emotional connection in the scenes are undeniable.
Least Favorite Lines:
“It was soft - so soft Greta was melting in honeyed sweetener. Then Carys was pressing against her also soft, but with an urgency that made her clit throb and her nipples tingle. | “Fuck, you really are soft.” Chapter 8 It’s not that I don’t think women should be positively portrayed as soft. It’s that she uses the same word in 3 sentences.
“His lips were just as sot as Truman had imagined.” Chapter 14 I think after the above description, this one made me feel like it was a lazy use of the adjective. But I do believe men can/should be soft and that their lips can be soft. I would’ve liked to see some synonyms.
Final Thoughts: This story made my heart so happy. The diverse cast of characters in New Orleans helped to juxtapose the small town in Maine. I appreciated that the characters in New Orleans had a variety of gender identities. So many different pronouns. I complete acceptance of it. None of it was “big deal.” Carys friends were introduced the same way. Without a pause for genders. The pronouns were used in the course of the story. Ex. “And this is Helen. They don’t usually throw things at guests.” Chapter 8 Each character was described with their race. I like seeing this. It’s a reminder that not every character is “default” white. While we primarily talk about the sexy parts of these books, I have to shout out the personal mental and emotional journeys that Greta and Truman go through. Self discovery of any kind isn’t easy. I think this was a great example of how to grow yourself in order to be capable of being a good partner.
Spice Level: 2/5
Kinks Explored: No kinks.
Voices Heard: Love the gay and lesbian stories being told in tandem! What a diverse group of supporting characters. There’s a racial, gender, religious, and orientation smorgasbord. Only a shame that the main couples are all white.
Did I like it? Adored it!!!!