A Fated for the Holidays Novella

Read November 16-17, 2025

Rating (4 stars)

Free to read in KU https://a.co/d/icvkszp

If food were a melody…

Take a quick journey & visit the delightful little town of Magnolia Springs. A place where food, community, and magic thrive side by side.

This sweet little novella kicks off by introducing us to Meagan as she helps her friends and neighbors prepare for their annual pre-Thanksgiving feast. It positively drips with cozy vibes & quirky friends. Meagan is a woman who lives to cook, and food is clearly her love language. But something is missing from her life. She loves to feed her friends & neighbors, but it seems like she’s gotten to a point where she’s trying to pour from an empty cup. There was a line in the book that summed it up rather eloquently: “Everyone takes a piece of her and calls it generosity.” It serves as a gentle reminder to take a moment to “feed” ourselves.

As a stranger to Magnolia Springs, Silas is a desperate man with a deep well of emptiness in his soul. And it’s not a figurative thing, it’s a real & deep hunger brought about by a curse. He’s a bear-shifter, forced to steer clear of people for fear that his bear will emerge, driven by hunger, bringing death to anyone near.

And here’s where this cozy little story makes a sharp left turn and shifts (pun unappologetically intended) into a steamy fated-mate romance. Witnessing Meagan’s determined and quiet strength as she coaxes Silas into trusting her, himself, and his inner bear was poignant. She feeds & soothes him, body and soul, with a mix of warm food and tender touch. Although ‘fated’ & fast their love was a beautiful thing.

Bound on Thanksgiving is part (at the time of this review) of a four-pack of novellas all set in the quirky Magnolia Springs, but you don’t have to read the others for this story to make sense. I would have liked a little more intro or background on the town and its residents (why is no one surprised by a bear shifter in their midst?) but I can’t hold it against the book without reading the others too.

There were a few points where the tale got a bit repetitive, descriptions and food metaphors looping around for a second helping, but it’s minor. I will say, the author’s love of food and nurturing is clear and made me wanna get wrist deep in a new recipe or two. If you’re looking for a steamy cuppa love and redemption, this one will hit the spot.