This novella is a Christmas story where snow disrupts travel plans. Mack and Holly have to share a room and wait out the storm when they both just want to be home for Christmas. Needless to say there’s only one bed and they capitalise on that. Things are awkward when sharing with a stranger – but especially so if there’s a peephole into the room next door specifically for viewing the neighbours. And why would they both use the bathroom at the same time?!

Now, there are some parallels to a different sort of Christmas Story.

For starters there is no room at the inn. However there is somewhere that is not up to standard that they can have. There’s no straw but it lacks the comfort of other rooms.
They are helped by potentially 3 wise people – the Motel receptionist, the diner owner and the gas station owner (all siblings).
The gas station is the place to buy gifts from.
They are trying to make it home in time for the birth of a baby (Mack’s sister is pregnant).
The baby has no known father.

Maybe I’m seeing something that is not there. But even so.

There is of course an epilogue.
A year later they return to the same room to celebrate.