Enjoyed this, thanks!

How brilliant you write all their feelings, expressed through the simplicity of their movements, Mara! I loved the subtle details, the easy way they move around each other, the depth of their emotions all so very open and honest. So you know, like one does, I must now grow an extra hand just so I can high five you more

It's snowing where I live today, and I stumbled across this wonderful story. It's the perfect tale for a slippers-propped-up-on-the-ottoman-in-front-of-the-fire kind of day. I'm so diggin' the yearning/chemistry/affection you've infused into this. You've got such a lovely writing style - and I suddenly have an inexplicable hankering for hot cocoa! Off to rummage through the pantry. :)

Oh wow! Love it. So good to see my OTP all happy.

UGH... that UST is delicious. And what? Don’t kid. It’s not the end, right?
This was so good. I just love Han, a knowing look on his face, while Leia’s obviously overflowing with nervousness. Also, when he warms her hands with his, massaging the heat back into them, so reminiscent of their future first kiss. Love it!
This is magnificent and I’m so glad I found it!

Hi Mermaid 32, I've owed you a review on this story for months and I'm sorry it's so late in arriving!

I loved what you've written! You've really captured the tension between Han and Leia, and the balance of Leia's competing emotions in the build up to ESB, perfectly. I love stories set in this timeframe and this one is one of my favourites - there's a hopefulness there, particularly at the end of the story, that something will happen, even though we know that Ord Mantell will turn out to be a disaster. The banter/flirting between the two characters is excellent, very in-character and flows brilliantly.

Please, please write more! You're a very talented and creative writer and I'd love to read more Han/Leia stories from you!

This was incredible! Oh the UST! Sigh. I hope you do a follow up.

This is so wonderfully good! The beginning is really strong and pulled me straight away into Leia’s physical discomfort and mindset. The UST is delicious and I caught my own breath at several points! I particularly love the way you described her waiting for him to arrive and the moment just before Chewie arrives. You have a real feel for these two and the dialogue was so natural and right. Really looking forwards to reading more of your writing.

I don't know how this escaped me, but a little birdie told me it was here so I wen't a'lookin'.
And wow- a perfect balance between the naive and the knowing, the steps forward and quickly back. Great job!

I loved it! You have some really good stuff there with Han & Leia...so glad I found this story. I hope more is coming soon! :-)

“I am not a committee.” This made me chuckle, but I also like her reasoning. She wasn’t irritated at him, like she is in the movie, she was just physically uncomfortable. It’s perfect for pre-Ord Mantell! And she can feel his breath on her forehead...Mmmm.

Han massaging her hands...I like it when he does that!

Great dialogue throughout. I can’t believe this is your first fic! It’s super fun and wonderful Han and Leia. Can’t wait for the follow up Ord Mantell fic I know (KNOW) is coming! (hope?)

Okay listen SwimmerWriterGirl, this is beautiful and amazing. What a maiden voyage! This is such a faceted fic, by turns gentle- I love how you show the warmth and depth of care here-and taut- that UST, urgh!- and just the right kind of suspenseful: will Han go on the mission? Of course, he's totally in love with Leia, and yay! Except that the mission is Ord Mantell OH NO.

The characterization is really something special, too. I really buy Han's utilitarian kindness, wit and flirtation, and Leia's commitment to the cause warring with the growing distraction of not mere attraction (though that's clearly powerful here) but also being cared for; the possibility of love as a human joy. It all feels tremendously right, particularly at this point in their developing relationship.

Anyhow, amazing job. You are so great at this, and I can't wait to read more from you.

Aaah, I feel so lucky to be reading a story from YOU, Ms. Mermaid! Getting to see the way you see these characters in the form of a fic is awesome. Lol the committee line. :)

Forgive me for quoting you rather at length:

“Rehearsing her question silently, she uncrossed her arms and clasped her hands under her chin in an attempt to speed up the warming process. When that strategy proved unsuccessful, she resorted to what she had done so many times as a child when her fingers were freezing: she lifted them to her lips and blew on them. Finally ready to deliver her planned words, she looked up to see Han staring at her with a wide grin. He stepped closer to her, so close that she felt his warm breath on her forehead, and she forgot what she was going to say. He took her small hands in his much larger ones, and her face grew warm as he massaged her fingers, the gentle pressure sending waves of excitement through her body.”

This is so good! I love the time you take with all of this- going through both Leia’s attempts at warming her hands. It made me grin wide when as the audience I found Han doing the same (I imagine that in addition to being excited for the opportunity that presented herself, he also just found her effing adorable). Leia’s “is this really happening?” totally made my heart continue to beat faster.

Love the discussion of the gloves (very in-character for Han- the distinction between real gloves, which do the job in this weather, and what Leia is wearing), the bawdy Corellian folk song. I also headcanon Corellians as making their hot chocolate spicy, so I was especially delighted to see that here!

Really enjoyed the not interested in Mon quip, and that Leia turned and gave Han a kiss on the cheek! (!)

Of course we will be getting more, right?

Aw, this was super cute! You did a great job conveying Leia’s physical (freezing) and emotional (in lust?) states. I was grinning throughout. This line made me smile:
"Nah. I'm not interested in Mon." :) Great first fic!

Loved it! You've got the banter ("Casinos and nature's wonders with my favorite princess?" "Hot chocolate for your thoughts?") and love all Leia's thoughts, especially around the gloves. Ready for more!