In Case of Emergency: A Tender MM Holiday Romance About Unexpected Love and Second Chances

What if your fake emergency contact turned into your real person—especially when you least expected it?

Keira Andrews’ In Case of Emergency, part of the Love at the Holidays series, is a cozy, heartfelt gay Christmas romance about the quiet, powerful moments that change everything. Suppose you’re a fan of slow-burn MM romance, emotionally grounded storytelling, and love that blooms in the least expected places. In that case, this novella will tug at your heartstrings and wrap you in warmth like your favorite holiday sweater.

It’s a story about two men reconnecting through a lie that starts small—and grows into something that could change their lives. Set against the backdrop of snowy sidewalks, family holidays, and deep personal longing, In Case of Emergency is both emotionally satisfying and brimming with festive charm.

One call, one lie, and a chance at something real

Zach is having a bad day. A very bad day. A freak accident lands him in the hospital, and when asked for his emergency contact, he blurts out a name he hasn’t said in years: Drew. His former college friend. His once-upon-a-time maybe-crush. The guy he hasn’t spoken to in a decade.

And then Drew shows up.

What begins as a lie snowballs into a full-on holiday reunion, complete with snow, awkward confessions, and a not-so-subtle fake dating scenario that neither man can quite walk away from. They navigate old wounds, the awkwardness of rekindled connection, and the soft, slow realization that the feelings they left behind never really faded.

The best part? It’s all written with Keira Andrews’ signature blend of emotional realism, chemistry, and quiet yearning that makes even the smallest moment feel monumental.

Themes & Characters: Past Tension, Present Longing, and Future Hope

Zach: guarded, lonely, and in need of something real

Zach is the kind of character you want to root for immediately. He’s sharp-witted and fiercely independent but also deeply afraid of being seen for who he really is—especially by Drew. His vulnerability isn’t loud. It’s tucked between jokes and half-truths. Watching him slowly open up is one of the most rewarding emotional arcs in the book.

Drew: steady, warm, and carrying old heartbreak

Drew might have once been the golden boy, but life hasn’t been easy. He shows up for Zach out of instinct but stays because the connection is still there—stronger than ever. He’s thoughtful, patient, and emotionally generous in the way we all wish our first Love could be. Through his eyes, we see Zach differently, not just as a friend from the past but as someone worth fighting for.

Together, they have a spark that’s been buried for years. But once it lights again, it doesn’t burn—it glows. Softly. Steadily. Until both of them can’t ignore it anymore.

Holiday Romance Tropes That Truly Work

• Fake emergency contact / unexpected reunion
• Friends-to-lovers with unresolved tension
• MM Christmas romance with emotional healing
• Slow burn with soft, satisfying heat
• Quiet moments that turn into life-altering shifts
• Holiday setting that enhances, not overshadows, the romance

Who Will Love In Case of Emergency?

• Readers who adore soft MM holiday romances with genuine emotional stakes
• Fans of reunion stories and the ache of past Love rekindled
• Anyone who loves quiet, character-driven romance with subtle heat
• Fans of Keira Andrews’ emotionally layered writing
• People who want holiday novellas that focus on connection over clichés
• Lovers of gentle second chances, with all the feels and none of the drama-for-drama’s-sake

Final Thoughts

\In Case of Emergency isn’t about grand gestures or over-the-top declarations—it’s about the small, tender moments that slowly stitch two people back together. It’s for readers who believe Love doesn’t always come in fireworks—sometimes it’s a late-night call, an awkward dinner, a quiet look that says, I still remember you.

If you’re in the mood for a romance that’s soft, warm, and healing—with just enough holiday sparkle—this novella is the perfect emotional hug for your winter reading list.

Because sometimes, the person you call in an emergency is the one you should’ve never let go of.