Elise was very much so effed over by life, as was Krampus. Their meeting was well done, and so was a lot of the spice. I didn’t love how naive he was, especially given that he was an ancient demigod. The love story was also very rushed - especially for Elise, who hadn’t even considered dating since her spouse passed over a year prior. Instalove has its place, but I don’t think that is in romance novella about a widow.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: grief, depression, MMC shot with arrow (not severe), children being sacrificed (off page), mild gore, toxic family dynamic
I picked this one up because I'm a little bit obsessed with Krampus this winter. I ended up devouring it in less than 30minutes and loving every moment. I really enjoy that the Krampus isn't the monster I've always believed him to be. It's refreshing seeing the monsters in a new light and Krampus is a perfect example of just that. I really enjoyed the relationship between him and Elise they have this innocent sweet romance the I just loved.
This is my first book by the author and I'm hooked she's created a captivating steamy romance that captured my heart and soul. With engaging characters that I was able to connect with. I've already read the next story highly recommend if you enjoy monster romance. The author has a beautiful way of telling a story.
This was an adorable tale of life after loss and finding happiness!
I loved Elise’s little corner of the world where she and her husband had made a life living off the land. The imagery was great and so picturesque.
After tragedy had struck it was lovely that she found the Krampus and they could change their lives and be happy together.
There was some monster spice and all that goes along with it, but for me it was more a wholesome love story. Very cute and a different take on the story of Krampus!
I recieved this as an arc for an honest review. Absolutely loved this take on krampus. Loved that he ended up being a sweet misunderstood monster. My only complaint is I wish there was more. Beautiful story telling with amazing spice, what more is needed in a fast read. Looking forward to seeing what more this author produces.
Gleeful Goblin Review: Super short story that manages to pack ALL THE FEELS AND ALSO STEAMY TIMES into a bit size book. One of the more sweet and earnest but filthy versions of Krampus I've read (love that for me and everyone else) and has a wonderful HEA of course. But it's so fun getting there! I just about snorted water out of my nose when I read this scene in the best way: "My day in my tree stand is long, and cold. After several hours of not seeing anything but a squirrel, I’m about to head home and eat some lunch. That is until a branch snaps in the brush ahead. The dark fur of a large animal shifts through the gaps in the pines. A bear maybe? I notch my arrow and pull back on my bow string. Once my hands are steady, I loose the arrow. A loud roar echoes through the woods and sends the birds flying. I expect the beast to run, but instead it steps into the clearing. A large, two legged, hoofed beast with dark gray fur and long horns makes itself visible. On its back is an enormous burlap sack. And sticking out of its shoulder is my arrow. I’m dressed in camo. I’m sitting in a tree. I am just hoping and praying that whatever that thing is, it doesn’t see me. Its eyes scan the woods, looking for the source of its pain. Eventually, its gaze settles on me. I take a deep shuddering breath as it makes its way toward where I sit. My tree stand is fifteen feet off the ground. The beast's horns nearly touch the bottom of the tree stand when it’s at full standing height. It has to be at least twelve feet tall without the added height of the horns. It reaches up and grabs ahold of me, and pulls me down out of the stand. A small squeak escapes me. Truthfully, I wouldn’t discourage death if it came for me right now. If this beast wants to devour me, so be it. Maybe I could be with Michael again. “You. Shot. Me,” the beast growls. “I’m…sorry,” I say, taking in his features. His face is dark gray and lacks the fur covering the rest of his massive body. He has large honey yellow eyes that seem to see right through me. His broad nose reminds me of a goat's, but his mouth looks more human–with the exception of the razor sharp teeth." MY WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE KRAMPUS....**whispers**....and that's not the only big thing contained here. 5/5 Stars
A sweet Christmas and cozy story, what if the Krampus that we all think is cruel and unfeeling is a sweet creature, somewhat innocent, and above all misunderstood? We start with Elise who recently lost her husband in an accident, she lives alone in a beautiful cabin in the woods away from civilization, day hunting for food she shoots an arrow at the wrong creature nothing more and nothing less than the famous Krampus who was on his way to his brother at the North Pole to fulfill his duties which he never agreed to perform only follows orders from his brother and his mother.
Who would think that Krampus Tavlass does not know the art of sex, our FMC will be the one to show him those ways. Both protagonists are looking for companionship in the loneliness they both face, above all to feel understood and loved in this life. It is a very beautiful story, I love it has everything plus the spice does not disappoint you especially has that sweet touch between them.
Thank you for the opportunity to be on this ARC team, I am voluntarily and honestly leaving my opinion. . . .
Oh my gosh I loved this book. A Christmas themed Monster romance, focused on Krampus. He is one of my favorites, and I love this take on him (side note: if you liked this take and enjoy stories that aren’t romance related, check out Krampus by Brom). There is talk of spousal death, but other than that it is pretty much trigger free. It was a quick, smutty, Christmassy read, and I am totally here for it!
❤️Tropes❤️ 💋 monster romance 💋 secret cinnamon roll 💋 one bed
Elise is living out in the country, and living off the land. Pretty much off the grid, she goes hunting to try and get more meat in her stores for winter. Only what she shot with her arrow wasn’t a bear like she originally thought. Krampus was reluctantly doing his job, going to kidnap all the naughty children, part of an agreement between his mother and the people of earth. Only he is so, so tired of doing it. He’s never wanted to do it, and the centuries have worn him down. Then he was accidentally shot by an arrow, but this human doesn’t seem scared of him. How can this be?
What if Krampus isn’t as cruel as people think, what if he just needs someone to love and care for him. This lovely novelette had me laughing, crying and enjoying all the spic in it. It definitely left me needing more from this cute couple. Elise a widow who is still living off the grid is running out of meat in her freezer, she decided to go hunting, but what happens when she shoots something she didn’t expect to see. Tavlass aka Krampus is supposed to be returning to the North Pole but gets stoped by an arrow. When he wants to change his ways and just live a happy normal life, could his family try to ruin that. Tavlasss is such a misunderstood person who just needs to be taught about certain things, that he’s clueless about. Can Elise teach him everything she knows, can they have a happy ever after. Also krampus reading LOTR’s is something I need more of!!!!
Thank you so much for allowing me to ARC read this, I enjoyed it so much 🩵🩵
When Elise mistakes a creature in the woods for her next meal, she accidentally lands an arrow in a monster. Talvaas, better known as Krampus, is tired of stealing naughty children for the underworld. An arrow to the shoulder lands him in the presence of a human who doesn't fear him. He may look monsterous, but he's actually kind and lonely. Elise shares his pain, and the two decide to go back to her cabin, and Talvaas can do something good this holiday by helping the lonely widow. Neither expect the magic of the season and their shared feelings to bring them closer together.
This was such a cute and spicy Krampus novella. I liked how it wasn't focused on the holiday particularly. Elise doesn't even know it's Christmas when she sees Talvaas. They're two lonely souls united by proximity, grief on her part, and curiosity on his. It was a quick read at 62 pages, but definitely had the holiday vibes I was craving. Get you a Krampus this Christmas!
I received this book as an arc for a honest review When two misunderstood and lonely souls connect as one it should be as beautiful as Elise and Talvaas connection!
If you want a quick read to help reach your reading goals by end of the year - grab this novella! I devoured this book in under an hour!
I will say I enjoyed this spin on Krampus that he isn't this terrible monster that everyone takes him to be! I would love if she turned this is relationship into a full story vs a short novella it has all the potential!
CAN WE ALSO APPRECIATE THIS COVER!!!!!!!!!! Great book that feeds into our monster smut of love
Syrupy sweet Christmas fluff with your favorite holiday demon: Krampus.
Elise has had a hard year and it takes a turn for the strange when she finds a demon during a hunting trip. Turns out, Krampus is not a fan of his job of kidnapping children, and is actually quite the sweetheart.
Elise and Krampus get to know one another over the course of several days/weeks and seem to be a wonderful match. He wants to stop being the bad part of Christmas, but there are others in his life who want him to leave Elise and go back to his lonely ways.
"Once Upon a Krampus: A Christmas Monster Romance, is a cute novella story of misunderstood Krampus and lonely Elise coming together and naming one another happy. I really enjoyed Krampus's back story, the reason behind why he is the stealer of children. Having the whole family apart of the story gave the story a little more depth, and I'm glad that information was factored in.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline. Although I didn't get the overall, I love this feels, I really did enjoy the story. Krampud deserves love too!
Krampus is in truth a cinnamon roll sweety! And Santa Clause's brother. And old St. Nick was a dangerous threatening a-hole! That part I did know: never trust a guy in red velvet and white ermine, that's just too creepy! It is the reason why small children scream their bloody heads off in the mall every year.
This book was very cute, had a nice little upfront twist, and for a novelette very good on the back story and world. Definitely worth the read especially if you like monster holiday romance.
I received this book as a ARC, but all opinions are my own, This book was a great story, one to read inbetween a series or something it was a good short read, and the spicy was top tier, i needed a good little Christmas story to read for the season and this was a good one. If you like the thought of krampus being seen in a different light this is the story for you, and the writing was so great to have been a short story.
An adorable, quick read with a fresh take on the cranky, furry, child-abducting monster known as Krampus. Story is about Elise whose husband passed away and she finds herself alone- Krampus shows up and changes everything. Out hunting she accidentally shoots him with an arrow!
Shocked that Krampus is real, she quickly finds herself thinking that he is a quite misunderstood. He is a softy that melts her heart. The sexy scenes in this little novella are top tier!!!!
This was an interesting read for sure. It was very sweet and adorable in moments but very awkward as well. Krampus doesn't want to be Krampus anymore but still goes out to fulfill his duties when he has a run in with a human. She takes him in and they form a sort of relationship as they are both lonely and in their loneliness they find love. Overall it was cute just not what I was expecting but still enjoyable.
I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. This was a short sweet read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m used to the slightly darker portrayals of Krampus, but this book showed a softer side to him that I was really drawn to. The spice levels were fantastic. My only complaint was that I enjoyed it so much that the end of the story came to quickly for me. I truly would have liked to have stayed in this world created by KD Fraser for a bit longer.
*ARC Review* This was a good short read with spice. If you know the story of Krampus this book shows him in a whole new light and has you falling in love with him. He is forced to up hold a deal that his family had made but he wants more. He doesn’t think there is any hope for anything more until he happens to meet a human named Elise. They are both lonely and in their loneliness they find love and happiness.
This was my first monster smut romance... and I don't know what I expected, but it was not a corkscrew! lol This story is smutty yes, but it's also sweet. Elise is widowed and left alone in the woods in her off the grid cabin. One day while hunting for a deer to fill her freezer, she accidentally shoots Krampus. That accident leads to a whirlwind of a relationship. To find out what happens in the end, you must read the book!
I was sent this book by the author for an honest review. This was a cute fast read. I finished it in one sitting. Elise is a widower who lives off grid. One day while deer hunting she shoots an arrow and accidentally hits Krampus. All the cute stuff ensues from there. I enjoyed reading this and I would recommend this to monster lovers of all kinds!
I was given this ARC by the author for my honest review.
This book was so good! I am not typically into “monster smut” but like honestly I forgot Krampus was a monster. This is very much a grown up (winky face) version of Beauty and the Beast. Definitely read more like a smutty Hallmark romance. I enjoyed this novella.
Book review: Once Upon a Krampus by @authorkdfraser. This is a unique take on Krampus! Instead of a monster, he’s super sweet to Elise. It’s a fast read, but I couldn’t stop reading once I started it. Elise finds him in the forest, and he wants to live a different life than being the one who harms children. She lets him stay with her and the sparks fly. The spice in this is great and well done. I am just sad it was so short because I wanted more. Can’t wait to read more from this author! Thank you to the author for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was fortunate enough to be an ARC reader for this book. And I’m so glad I was, it is soo good! You get a cute love story, with shmexy scenes and get to see a side of Krampus that most wouldn’t think existed. It’s definitely going to be a reread for me and I’m going to tell my friends to read. If you give it a chance I’m almost positive you won’t regret it.
A super cute, quick read with a fresh take on the cranky, furry, child-abducting monster. Like a cup of hot cocoa it's just right to warm you up for the holiday season. A dash of spice but mostly a pleasant romance story with a few moments that had me chuckling out loud. (disclaimer; I received an advance review copy)
This was the cutest segue into monster romance, I'm a enemies to lovers type reader that wanted a little something different for the holidays and this checked the boxes. A quick read full of holiday spice and a giant cinnamon roll man/beast. It wasn't all sugar plums though, there was enough strife to keep me grounded. 🤣 Fun read.