Grumpy Santa

by Kat Baxter

Audrey

I’ve been in love with big, brooding Jared Sawyer ever since he hired me to work in his hardware store. He scowls a lot and growls more than he talks, but there’s something about him that makes me feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. After one explosive night in his arms, I’m even more certain we belong together. But then he never mentions the way he kissed and held me, or the naughty things he whispered in my ear.

How is it possible that what felt like forever was just a one and done?

Just when I’m sure that the only consequences of our night together are awkward silences at work, I find out Jared left me with more than a broken heart.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Erotica, Workplace Romance

76 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2023

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Kat Baxter writes fast-paced, sweet & STEAMY romantic comedies. Readers have dubbed her “The Queen of Adorkable.” and her books “laugh-out-loud funny,” and “hot enough to melt your kindle.” She lives in Texas with her family and a menagerie of animals. Kat is the pseudonym for a bestselling historical romance author.

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Reviews

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was an amazing boss employee romance. It was a short, well written story and I absolutely loved the unique way the story was presented. It was different from any other story I read by this author but I absolutely loved it, I actually think it was my favorite one. Audrey and Jared had the best chemistry and I loved their relationship. I couldn’t get enough of this story and I didn’t want it to end.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uh, What ?? . . .

Jared Sawyer and Audrey Briggs may drive you crazy. The two have wanted each other for 3 years, ever since Jared had hired her to work in his hardware store. They didn’t talk about their feelings or even indicate how they felt. But when emotions get away from them one time, they do what they have dreamed of doing. Then it’s business as usual the next day! If it wasn’t for the fact that Audrey fell and hurt her knee at work a few months later and Jared insists on taking her to the ER, they would never have discovered what that one night led to. (And why they got into her “monthly” irregularity when treating a knee injury, I cannot figure out! That totally doesn’t fit the story.)

So the ER did a blood test – why, I don’t know? – and discovered that Audrey is pregnant. Now it’s Jared’s turn to make a move. Will he want to actually have a relationship with her (and his child)? Marry her perhaps? And if not, how long will it take for her to tell him what she names her baby? (Sorry, I’m a communication proponent that can’t understand “life events” that don’t generate conversation. When two people become intimate, it is especially important to communicate and work things out together. Total “radio silence” the very next day and ongoing makes no sense at all.) Both of them are equally guilty of non-communication. These irregularities just made the story line feel very contrived and not believable.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowsa this book was absolutely fantastic and a fast read that will definitely have you hooked from the beginning until the end and the storyline flows throughout the book. Jared owns Bolts tge hardware store and Audrey has been working for him for 3 years now and both fight their feelings for each other until one night they end up with each other and 3 months later find out she's pregnant but will it destroy them? This book was smoking hot and steamy sex scenes were crazy hot .it's captivating and tantalizing and so much more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Albi (albireadingromance) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was ok, but I wanted SANTA SMUT. The cover fooled me 😢 😭 😿 😢 😭

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Safety and Spoilers

Safe. No ow/om drama. Both are virgins. I’m not sure why the h was a virgin, I think she just never met the right man. The H was a virgin because his manhood was too big and scared off two previous attempts he made. I was kind of disappointed with this reasoning. It definitely seemed like he wanted to be sexually active but was afraid of further rejection.
There were misunderstandings and miscommunication after their first time together and neither one was brave enough to clear the air until they were forced to.
No cheating and no abuse.

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute!!!!!!! Humorous!!!!!!!!! Sassy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

76 pages of laugh out loud miscommunication! Jared is Audrey's employer at his hardware store. Andrew Briggs from A VERY CHEEKY CHRISTMAS, is Audrey's older brother.

Even though Jared and Audrey had a one night stand, they tend to tip toe around each other. When Audrey falls and ends up in the Emergency Room, they receive some very surprising news. Now what?

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t a bad Holiday novella but it’s not great either. Also, lots of time jumping and a surprise baby. Just want to put that out there if that is not your thing.

[Vicenta Ramos Giner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro muy bello y me gusta mucho ¡¡me gusta un monton el protagonista de este libro tan bello es un hombre muy adorable!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[LiLu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read ~ I enjoyed reading this story. Get the Bonus Scene, it definitely adds to the story, in the sweetest way. She fell for him right away. He fell for her too, but neither one of them did anything about it for a few years. But once they did, after a slight pause, it was full speed ahead, with all those little things that should have been said. Loved the epilogue and Bonus Scenes.

[Geeky Girl Review Cafe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Kat's couples I've anxiously awaiting a story for, and it didn't disappoint!

I REALLY appreciated the PCOS representation. I feel like this is becoming more talked about and accepted, and I'm so thankful to see something so many of us deal with get out there.

This book was the perfect holiday snack-sized treat, filled with steam, sass, and of course a HEA.

The connections and pop-ins to other books and characters is always enjoyed in Kat's universe...so that narwhal reference made sense to me, woot!

Loved the boss/employee, grumpy/sunshine, curvy girl, and holiday romance vibes...felt like we got the best of so many tropes in this one.

[Ashley Carr, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jared and Audrey are meant to be together but their lack of communication drove me crazy!! They both have had a thing for each other since Jared hired Audrey, but neither has acted on it. They share one exquisite night together and then they go right back to not communicating. A few weeks later, Audrey gets hurt at work and Jared rushes her to the ER and they are in for a big surprise. Will these two start communicating?

[Johana · Rating 3 out of 5]

No tiene nada de navideño pero estuvo lindo. Le tomo una foto a la ecografía y la puso de fondo de pantalla🥺

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Quick romance, that is set round Christmas time.
Fall for boss , one night stand, Surprise Pregnancy

[Speed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

I usually love Ms. Baxter' s books and I was looking forward to Audrey and Jared's story, but the miscommunication trope is too much. I mean, at no point after, they did the deed and saw each other every day at work, did neither of them think to ask the other what the heck happened? Yeah, nope.

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This truly has absolutely nothing to do with the cover or the title but it was still good lol.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and cute :)

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spicy short novella, just in time for Christmas.

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!! This was a nice quick, short read. I absolutely love it.

Jared and Audrey have known each other for three years, she works for him. Jared knows Audrey's brother, Andrew A Very Cheeky Christmas: A LOL Instalove/Curvy Girl Romance. Audrey and Jared act like an old married couple, but they've never hooked up. One night when Audrey went out she didn't like how her date kept staring at her breast so instead of going home she went to the store and started doing inventory. When Audrey started working it was hot since Jared turned off the air conditioning, so she stripped out of her clothes. Jared is out with his friends and doesn't want to drive the distance to go home so he goes to the store, but when he walks in he hears voices and music. Then he sees women's clothing on the floor. He stomps in to find Audrey on the ladder in her underwear, when he strokes his erections she catches him. Audrey nearly falls off the ladder she is on, he catches her. They start making out, then he pleasures her and they make love. It's both of their first times they were both virgins. When Jared wake the next day he wanted to grab her favorite breakfast but Audrey is gone. They don't talk about that night until three months later. Jared has to take Audrey into the emergency room she fell and hurt her knee. The nurse asks her if she could be pregnant, Audrey tells them no. The nurse still wants to check plus they have other test they need to run. The nurse comes back and tells Audrey she is pregnant, and Jared knows he's the father. Jared tells the nurse he's the father when they do an ultrasound on Audrey. Jared takes Audrey and they head to his house. Audrey is so upset she starts to text her friends, Jared knows she's upset. When Audrey realizes they aren't headed to her house she asks him where they're going. He tells her to his house so that they can talk. Audrey notices Jared doesn't have any Christmas decoration up, when they walk inside she finds his Maine coon cat. Audrey can't believe he has a cat, but she then tells him she's not marring him. Jared tells her they need to talk about that night, he tells her when he woke up she was going. Audrey tells him she didn't want to make things awkward between them by him rejecting her so she left. Jared tells her he wasn't going to reject her he wanted to plan a further with her. Audrey can't believe he wants her and not just because she's pregnant with his child. Jared picks her up and carries her to his bedroom where they make love. Jared lets Audrey rest, then he goes to make himself a sandwich he talks to one of his friends GarrettIgnite My Heart. When Audrey wakes up they decide to decorate for Christmas so they pull out the decorations he has. Jared tells Audrey he wants her to move in with him so he can keep on eye on her and the baby. Audrey agrees, they wait to tell her parents for two weeks. When they arrive back at Jared's home with Audrey finally all moved in. When Audrey arrives home after a hard day of work, she finds the house all decorated with Christmas lights, and Jared in a Santa suit. Jared goes down on one knee and asks her to marry him, she tells him yes.

[A-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.

3.75/5 stars

Audrey has worked for Jared at his hardware store for three years. They have both been in love with each other about that whole time but neither say anything to each other. Jared has had a rough childhood and feels he would not make a good partner and Audrey is curvy and doesn’t think her hunky boss would be interested in her. Especially since he calls her knödel, a lumpy pastry. (He later tells her he calls her that because his granny made him knödels and they fix favorite and reminded him of love and home. That’s how she makes him feel.)
Very late one night they find each other at the store together, Audrey feeling bold makes a move on Jared and he’s ready. They have their first time together, dual virgins! Their sexy times were hot with dirty talk, praise kink, and face sitting. Each were very satisfied with their time together but during the night Audrey leaves wanting to avoid an awkward morning. Jared the next day follows her cues and weeks go by with neither of them talking about the special night together.
An injury at the store has Jared taking Audrey to the emergency room. There they find out she’s pregnant. She was always been told her severe PCOS would make it practically impossible to become pregnant. But pregnant she is and now she’s worried that Jared will do the right thing and offer to marry her. He’s a very nice man who helps everyone and never expects anything in return. She doesn’t want to be a burden or obligation, she wants love. Like her parents and her brothers have found.
They talk a little and soon figure out they both love each other. Epilogue, they go meet her family to tell them the good news. On her family they have a tradition to look for their narwhal, a mythical creature that is actually real and attainable. I loved how Jared tells her dad he wants to be her penguin or wolf or gibbon because they mate for life and narwhals don’t. So sweet!!
More sexy times after he has friends decorate their house for Christmas. Bonus downloadable epilogue picking up right after the end of the book with them enjoying sex with him dressed as Santa. They have a baby girl and Jared is already wrapped around her little finger.
I liked the way the book titles/sections were layed out. The book was sweet but my goodness these two were the most lackluster pair, until the very end. For a giant of a man Jared was very beta and Audrey was supposed to be sassy but didn’t feel that way. They were almost boring and their not communicating was nuts. Who acts like nothing happened after losing their virginity to another person. No shy looks, no blushing, no accidental touches, nothing!! Back to business as usual.
The last chapter and epilogues save the book.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

❗️SPOILERS❗️
___________________________________
❤️ "Audrey deserves a man who can pamper her and lavish her with romance. I’m not that man. But maybe I can learn."
___________________________________

I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review. This is written in dual POV, and broken down in sections from past, consequences and present time. I thought this was really a cute story, and it was a very quick read especially to get you into the holiday spirit.
___________________________________
❤️ “I call you that because the moment I met you, I felt that same sensation. The feeling of being where I belong. The feeling of home. You are my love."
___________________________________
✔️ Christmas 🎄
✔️ Plus size FMC
✔️ Virgins
✔️ Pregnancy 🤰

This story happens very fast pace, but it works. Audrey works at the local hardware store, which Jared owns. They've both been into one another for the last 3years but never acted on it. One night he finds her in the store after hours and they end up hooking up, both of them are virgins. After that night they never talk about it again, both of them thinking that the other wasn't interested.

___________________________________
❤️ "I fall asleep with her in my arms, convinced that this is a beginning of something perfect. Which just shows what an idiot I am. Because when I wake up in the morning, she’s gone. And she never says so much as a word about our night together."
___________________________________

Audrey is plus size and has PCOS, and she's been told most of her life that she'll never be able to get pregnant. Except after a fall at the store, and a trip to the emergency room, both of them find out she's pregnant. Audrey is afraid that at first he'll only want to be with her because she's pregnant but they quickly talk about their feelings and work out how they've always loved each other.

And even though it's short... the spice is on a decent level. Firstly, Jared was a virgin because he's packing an anaconda and girls were always scared, and I'm not saying I'm jealous of Audrey but.... I am. He also has a dirty mouth and Audrey has a praise kink 'cause she's such a good girl. And my favorite part is always when a MMC tells the big girl to "sit on my face." I mean, if he dies, he dies. And when a book ends like this ⬇️ just read it.
___________________________________
🎅 “Would it be weird if I ask you to keep the suit on while you fuck me?”
“Knödel, I will fuck you any way you want me to.”
___________________________________

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grumpy Santa
This is a short christmas Novella

This follows Jared and Audrey.. This book works with the saddle creek books because you will see characters texting Audrey that are from the other books and its kool to see their names in this book.. I have to say this is not my fav out of the saddle creek books..

This book you will a workplace, Grump hero, Double virgin trope, A hero who does not know how to show his feeling much but wants Audrey in his life and heroine who loves her boss Jared a lot..

This book is packed full of:
⦁ Boss Romance
⦁ Workplace Romance
⦁ One night stand turned more [Hero did not see it as a one night thing]
⦁ Both have feelings for each other but don't say anything
⦁ Double Virgin Trope
⦁ Some Steam
⦁ Open-door [In workplace]
⦁ Wee bit of Praise [Good girl trope]
⦁ Cute wee cat [Hero's cat]
⦁ Hero is the Grump
⦁ Heroine is the sunshine
⦁ Forced Proximity
⦁ Possessive Hero
⦁ Protective Hero
⦁ Grumpy hero/Curvy Women
⦁ Hero has a sweet nickname for the heroine [which means soul mate]
⦁ Dirty talker
⦁ Love at first sight
⦁ This book works with the saddle creek series because there is character crossovers

If you would like to read more about the saddle creek town and the books that work together then check out saddle creek series first and if you what to know more about Audrey and Jared's friends then check out their books too:
⦁ Savanna & Ren's book is called Getting Handsy with the Manicurist [Pink Collar Temp Agency series]
⦁ Harper & Johnny's book is called Lone star best friend [Saddle Creek TX: The Crawfords series]
⦁ Olive & Baker's book is called Sticky Sweet [Flithy Dirty summer series]
⦁ Felicity & Garrett's book is called Ignite my Heart [Saddle creek TX: The whitmores series]
⦁ Andrew & Maxine's book is called A very cheeky Christmas [The Naughty List series]
[Savanna, Harper and Olive are best friends with Audrey and Andrew is Audrey's brother]
[Felicity is Jared's cousin and Garrett is Jared's best friend]

I liked the relationship between Jared and Audrey and i am glad they got a happy ending..

[Serena Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

La portada tiene más vibras navideñas que la misma historia.




•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.




Grumpy santa de Kat Baxter

Argumento:

Audrey

He estado enamorada del gran y melancólico Jared Sawyer desde que me contrató para trabajar en su ferretería. Frunce mucho el ceño y gruñe más de lo que habla, pero hay algo en él que me hace sentir como si estuviera justo donde se supone que debo estar.

Después de una noche explosiva en sus brazos, estoy aún más segura de que pertenecemos el uno al otro. Pero nunca menciona la forma en que me besó y abrazó, ni las cosas malas que me susurró al oído.

¿Cómo es posible que lo que parecía ser un para siempre fuera solo una vez y hecho?

Justo cuando estoy segura de que las únicas consecuencias de nuestra noche juntos son silencios incómodos en el trabajo, descubro que Jared me dejó con más que un corazón roto.



Mi humilde opinión:

Romance corto, jefe/empleada, embarazado sorpresa, héroe gruñón, heroína curvilínea.

La historia de amor de Jared y Audrey estuvo pasable. Estaba el héroe gigante gruñón posesivo alfa y la heroína atrevida pero que se sonroja. Hubo steamy con algo de dulzura pero... era muy tonta la razón por la que mantuvieron en secreto su amor por tres años!? No me convenció esto de dos personas adultas que además trabajaban juntas y se veían todos los días, sobretodo cuando la atracción era mucha. Me pregunté cómo ninguno hizo nada antes. Solo ignoraron sus sentimientos. Y cuando finalmente ceden a sus deseos? Al día siguiente solo se comportan como si no pasó nada. Es que era todo muy tonto.

Me encanta y disfruto la mayoría de los romances de KB pero si bien este no estuvo mal esperaba más de ella, sobretodo en cuanto a vibras navideñas no solo en la portada!

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

Audrey has been working for Jared Sawyer for the past year three years and has been in love with him for just as long, she finally thought that all her dreams had come true the night that she spent in his arms but when he acts like nothing happened, she is broken hearted. But she has picked herself up and thought that she could forget the night that changed her life but when a work accident reveals that she has been left with more than just the memory of that night but also a lifelong reminder will that change everything all over again, a reminder that she been told could never happen for her. Could all of her dreams about to come true and could she have the life that she believed would never be hers or will Jared break her heart all over again?

Jared knew that he loved Audrey the day she walked in his hardware store but knew that he had no business loving her, she was everything that he wanted without knowing it and the night that she shared her body with him was the night that he thought his life had changed only he woke up alone he hid behind the grunts that he is well known for but when he discovers that the night they spent together has left them with a future it is one that he is gong to do all he can do to show her that they belong together and that he is a man worthy of her love. Will Jared be able to show her his heart in a way that he never has anyone else?

I honestly love this author; her characters always make me smile and then frown and then there is always that AWWW moment. This was a fantastic holiday read that I recommend. 4.5*

[Suelen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Papai Noel Rabugento

Eu estava curiosa sobre Audrey e Jared desde que eles apareceram em "Ignite My Heart" (Whitmores 2), então assim que terminei aquela leitura, peguei esse livro para ler.

Apesar de ter achado a história legal, me decepcionei um pouco com a forma que ela foi apresentada. Eu queria muito ver os dois se apaixonando e acompanhar o relacionamento deles, mas parecia mais um resumo com apresentações dos melhores momentos (e sem muitos detalhes). O livro já começou com eles descobrindo a gravidez (não é spoiler, porque já indica isso na sinopse). A coisa entre eles já tinha rolado (e desandado) há meses e a gente nem viu. Aí voltou pra mostrar a primeira vez deles, depois passou um tempinho e em seguida pulou para a parte depois da cena de abertura (já no presente). Quer dizer, vimos apenas pedaços do que aconteceu, fora de ordem (não que tenha ficado confuso) e muito pouco diálogo entre eles. Eles nem conversavam sobre o que tinha acontecido, só deixaram por isso mesmo e seguiram em frente. Dois inseguros, socorro!

Audrey e Jared são tão bons juntos e foi realmente uma pena não poder acompanhar o casal do jeito que eu gostaria. Como eu disse, foi uma história legal, mas esse estilo resumão não me agradou muito. Eu teria curtido muito mais se tivesse mais detalhes e se eu pudesse ter acompanhado melhor o romance deles.

[Mayras mini book reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grumpy Santa? For like two seconds. Cover is very misleading as most the story takes place in October and Christmas is only in the very end and we don’t even get to experience it through the MCs.
A surprise pregnancy will have me DNF a book so fast. This author reversed UNO that surprise pregnancy and put it right up front in a time jump story line. Bravo👏👏 you managed to keep me reading a story with a surprise pregnancy. However, the time jumps made this story feel all over the place and choppy. Even though we the reader know these two have been in love with each other for years, we don’t have on page moments to back that up. He got her tires and coffee 😒 . Both have their Vcard prior to their first hook up. Him because his member is so big it scared away previous potential lovers. We never find out the reason behind her. Yet this lady takes his supersized member with no issues on her first time 🧐 I don’t care if they were made for each other , there could of been physical reaction to it or maybe not have her be a virgin 🤷🏻‍♀️
Also, they are both adults, age isn’t specific but neither of them thought to use protection to avoid a pregnancy!
Spice level: 🌶️ The spice was eh. Some of the words used in the descriptions during the spice came straight from my ick list so I checked out once I saw them.
I did learn a new word though “frenulum” 👍.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey has been working at the hardware store that Jared owns for a few years in Saddle Creek. She has a mega crush on her boss. They spend one night together and then don’t talk about it, until months later, when she gets hurt, they make sure that she isn’t pregnant. However, things go mind blowing. Audrey has PCOS. I do too, so I really felt for her as it is usually very hard to get preggers when you have PCOS. Jared is a big grumpy hot dude. Audrey easily deals with her grumpy boss and he loves that about her. I really enjoyed finding out that Audrey is Andrew Briggs little sister. His book is the Cheeky one as his bum is famous or infamous. Lol. I enjoyed how Audrey talks to her girls- Olive, Savannah and the gang. They are a riot in the messagings. Audrey is already at the point where she will cry at the drop of a hat, etc. It is so cute once they admit their feelings for one another. I really love the Saddle Creek stories. I just wish they were a little longer. I can’t wait for the next book. There are few totally steamy and romantic scenes as well as at least one scene where you wanna smack Jared off the back of his head like in NCIS. Lol.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the sneak preview

I really liked the first chapter; it drew you in and made you want to find out more. The issues I had were there were very few build up scenes for the main characters. It flashes between past and present , but I didn't see any scenes where the characters have real chemistry. We are told from other characters that they do, but I didn't really feel it.

I also didn't feel like they were virgins like they were supposed to be. I am willing to let reality go for a lot of things, but you expect me to believe she decides to restock the shelves of a hardware store in her underwear and thinks no one will see her through the front windows? Then how they spoke to each other? It read more like a really bad adult movie than how people who are attracted to each other but have no idea how to do this talk to each other.

The last thing were continuity issues. Like Jared would have whole conversations with himself because on the page it said Jared said, Jared replied and so on. I feel like an editor should have caught that. These are small things, but it can really take away from the story if you have to reread paragraphs trying to figure out who is actually speaking to whom. Overall, it was short and had potential, but missed the mark for me.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, if I could give this book 10☆s I would!! Grumpy Santa is a hysterical, short, and steamy, instalove, OTT, grumpy-sunshine, curvy girl gets her boss romance. Audrey is a sassy, curvy girl who has been in love with her hunky, grumpy, burly boss, Jared, for 3 years. The story opens with her finding out she is pregnant from the one hot night she shared with him, when he took her virginity in the hardware store they work at. But these two seem to be the only two that can't admit how in love they are. Everyone else sees it. The chemistry was hot 🔥 hot 🔥 hot 🔥 and the banter absolutely hysterical. Once they both get their heads out of the sand, we get an amazing HEA. I loved all the other couples we see in the story. Kat is amazing with the overlapping stories and perspectives.

“All-knowing Jared,” Audrey repeats with a chortle. I’m ready to turn to her and remind her just how all knowing I am when it comes to her body and how and where to touch her.

These two just had me rolling. Steamy and quirky, only the way Kat can do!!!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick, flirty, sassy naughty Holiday Novella. Audrey has been secretly in love with her grumpy boss, Jared, since the day she went to work there. But he doesn’t seem to reciprocate her feelings so she keeps them to herself for her own personal pleasure. As for Jared, well he certainly lives up to his reputation of being a grump. He doesn’t mean to be, it’s just the way his words come out. Especially around Audrey, the sexy pixy who works for him. But he knows she’d never go for a man like him, so he keeps his "friends only” vibe with her. That is until one night he catches her in the back of the store, dancing around in a skimpy outfit. They spend one glorious night together, but come morning things are anything but good. Can even the holidays fix this grumpy couple's troubles?


Grumpy Santa is a quick paced, naughty holiday novella that this reader happily recommends. You’ll find yourself laughing and blushing at the antics and banter between Audry and Jared.


2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been in love with big, brooding Jared Sawyer since he hired me to work in his hardware store. He scowls a lot and growls more than he talks, but there’s something about him that makes me feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. After one explosive night in his arms, I’m even more certain we belong together. But then he never mentions the way he kissed and held me or the naughty things he whispered in my ear. How could what felt like forever be just a one and done? When I’m sure that the only consequences of our night together are awkward silences at work, I find out Jared left me with more than a broken heart.

I loved Audrey and Jared. They had been working together for three years and were afraid to go beyond the boss and employee relationship. All it took was a hot summer night after a disaster date for Audrey to change that. So, no spoilers ;) read this book! You will not be disappointed!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.