What do you think?
Rate this book
Home for the Holidays
Elliot Rivera is the definition of forbidden.
Even in high school, when I first laid eyes on the mysterious boy, I knew better than to get involved. He screamed of broken promises and shattered hearts, and nowhere in my agenda did I have time for either.
Then again, I didn't have time for anything outside my already overwhelming schedule. Volleyball, advanced classes, and college prep were enough to fill my time, making me the wallflower who vowed only to watch but never touch.
And I did. For three years, I observed all that made Elliot the heartthrob he was, and slowly, my walls began to crumble.
Looking was no longer good enough to satiate my curiosity. I needed more. But not in the way I ended up getting it.
By a cruel twist of fate, our parents fell in love and got married. And for the past eight years, I’ve had to pretend like I’m perfectly fine with having him as a brother. Pretend like I didn’t dream about him paying me a not-so-innocent visit in the middle of the night.
But after all these years, we’re home for Thanksgiving, and as luck would have it, he may not be my sibling anymore.
So does that mean he’s still off limits? Or do I finally get a taste of forbidden fruit?
Even in high school, when I first laid eyes on the mysterious boy, I knew better than to get involved. He screamed of broken promises and shattered hearts, and nowhere in my agenda did I have time for either.
Then again, I didn't have time for anything outside my already overwhelming schedule. Volleyball, advanced classes, and college prep were enough to fill my time, making me the wallflower who vowed only to watch but never touch.
And I did. For three years, I observed all that made Elliot the heartthrob he was, and slowly, my walls began to crumble.
Looking was no longer good enough to satiate my curiosity. I needed more. But not in the way I ended up getting it.
By a cruel twist of fate, our parents fell in love and got married. And for the past eight years, I’ve had to pretend like I’m perfectly fine with having him as a brother. Pretend like I didn’t dream about him paying me a not-so-innocent visit in the middle of the night.
But after all these years, we’re home for Thanksgiving, and as luck would have it, he may not be my sibling anymore.
So does that mean he’s still off limits? Or do I finally get a taste of forbidden fruit?
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
136 people are currently reading
1548 people want to read
About the author
Lee Jacquot
24 books2,052 followersHey there! My name is Lee. I like to think of myself as a bibliophile who belongs to the Ravenclaw house.
I write romances that can sometimes be sweet and spicy or deadly and kinky. I'm a firm believer in happily ever afters and men who always make sure their woman is satisfied first.
When I'm not writing, I'm drowning myself in a good book, losing track of time on the Nintendo Switch with my kids, and laughing or yelling at one of my husbands practical jokes. (He likes to leave fake spiders and roaches around.)
Also, something important to note. I live off Chai and Dean Winchester.
Visit me on Instagram or TikTok to find out about upcoming releases and other fun things! @authorleejacquot
I write romances that can sometimes be sweet and spicy or deadly and kinky. I'm a firm believer in happily ever afters and men who always make sure their woman is satisfied first.
When I'm not writing, I'm drowning myself in a good book, losing track of time on the Nintendo Switch with my kids, and laughing or yelling at one of my husbands practical jokes. (He likes to leave fake spiders and roaches around.)
Also, something important to note. I live off Chai and Dean Winchester.
Visit me on Instagram or TikTok to find out about upcoming releases and other fun things! @authorleejacquot
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
December 14, 2023
curiosity killed the cat
December 8, 2023
WHEN IS THIS GNA BE ME LORD 😭
-----~~~-----
i trust mother Lee to cure my slump 🤧🤞🏻 br w ml lila 🥺✨❤
-----~~~-----
i trust mother Lee to cure my slump 🤧🤞🏻 br w ml lila 🥺✨❤
November 22, 2023
Home for the Holidays sadly missed the mark for me. I thought the author's prior missed opportunity in high school romance, Cupids Peak, was wonderful and unfortunately, I mentally compared them while reading, with this coming up short. Admittedly, I've never been a huge fan of step-sibling romance. But the H and h were, unknowingly, crushing on each other in high school and maybe on the cusp of something happening, when their parents started dating and then got married. Now their parents are divorcing and the family is spending one last Thanksgiving together. Except that mutual attraction is alive and well and will finally get its chance. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and neither appeared to be virgins (no history given, the h does have a brief thought that it had been a while for her).
The moments of tension between this H and h fell flat more than leaving me invested unfortunately. The lack of communication was frustrating and it really bothered me that the h barely spoke. I understand that she was awkward and afraid of being hurt, but I have a hard time believing in this possessive and deep, finally realized romance, when she couldn't verbalize her feelings and couldn't get a read on the H's feelings for much of the story. On the flip side, I also got frustrated with the H. He was supposedly head over heels for her, but then he'd let her inability to speak up deflate the moment. Yet he did other things that supported the idea that he always hoped they would have their time together. And then the Thanksgiving element was glossed over.
The kinkiness and steam are still present and a highlight of this author's stories, this time with somnophilia (agreed upon beforehand) getting the spotlight. A mutual self-love scene also plays out on page with a hint of voyeurism. The H's very into the h (and giving) and the h is happy to finally get what she's dreamed of when they get to the bedroom activities. The last couple of this author's books I've read though have disappointed me in terms of the relationship, even knowing these are quick hit reads where the relationship will come together easily. This couple's interactions were limited in high school and then in the eight years since. Then most of the book entails them circling each other and what could have been/will it be now so the idea of love felt like a reach, even for a sexy novella.
The ending is HEA with a two year out epilogue of them married, in love, and celebrating Thanksgiving again in a steamy way. The epilogue also summarizes the quickness of them coming together following them coming together and mentions a couple of cute relationship things. Other friends enjoyed this a lot more and I'm probably in the too critical minority, please don't let my annoyances discourage anyone from still giving this a chance!
The moments of tension between this H and h fell flat more than leaving me invested unfortunately. The lack of communication was frustrating and it really bothered me that the h barely spoke. I understand that she was awkward and afraid of being hurt, but I have a hard time believing in this possessive and deep, finally realized romance, when she couldn't verbalize her feelings and couldn't get a read on the H's feelings for much of the story. On the flip side, I also got frustrated with the H. He was supposedly head over heels for her, but then he'd let her inability to speak up deflate the moment. Yet he did other things that supported the idea that he always hoped they would have their time together. And then the Thanksgiving element was glossed over.
The kinkiness and steam are still present and a highlight of this author's stories, this time with somnophilia (agreed upon beforehand) getting the spotlight. A mutual self-love scene also plays out on page with a hint of voyeurism. The H's very into the h (and giving) and the h is happy to finally get what she's dreamed of when they get to the bedroom activities. The last couple of this author's books I've read though have disappointed me in terms of the relationship, even knowing these are quick hit reads where the relationship will come together easily. This couple's interactions were limited in high school and then in the eight years since. Then most of the book entails them circling each other and what could have been/will it be now so the idea of love felt like a reach, even for a sexy novella.
The ending is HEA with a two year out epilogue of them married, in love, and celebrating Thanksgiving again in a steamy way. The epilogue also summarizes the quickness of them coming together following them coming together and mentions a couple of cute relationship things. Other friends enjoyed this a lot more and I'm probably in the too critical minority, please don't let my annoyances discourage anyone from still giving this a chance!
November 24, 2023
Lee Jacquot is the QUEEN of spicy novellas…and this spicy thanksgiving treat is no different!
Let me start by saying I’m not a fan of step-sibling romances OR somonophilla - both of which are the main focus in this novella … and YET I ATE THIS UP LIKE IT WAS THE LAST PIECE OF PUMPKIN PIE!
i cant. Every tjme i think "eh i dont like this trope/kink" LEE PROVES ME WRONG. She is magical. so, even if you THINK you wouldnt vibe…JUST GIVE THIS A SHOT!!!
Adelina and Elliot became stepsiblings during their senior year of high school, and eight years later their parents are getting a divorce…but not before one final Thanksgiving together…and the feelings theyve been trying to ignore for a decade come to a head ;)
gods this was so ANGSTY AND HOT. The tension between them had me SQUEALING and i was just waiting for them to make a move.
ALSO we love a man who is a badboy mechanic.
A+ spice, A+ romance, and A+ vibes.
an all around AMAZING book!
Let me start by saying I’m not a fan of step-sibling romances OR somonophilla - both of which are the main focus in this novella … and YET I ATE THIS UP LIKE IT WAS THE LAST PIECE OF PUMPKIN PIE!
i cant. Every tjme i think "eh i dont like this trope/kink" LEE PROVES ME WRONG. She is magical. so, even if you THINK you wouldnt vibe…JUST GIVE THIS A SHOT!!!
Adelina and Elliot became stepsiblings during their senior year of high school, and eight years later their parents are getting a divorce…but not before one final Thanksgiving together…and the feelings theyve been trying to ignore for a decade come to a head ;)
gods this was so ANGSTY AND HOT. The tension between them had me SQUEALING and i was just waiting for them to make a move.
ALSO we love a man who is a badboy mechanic.
A+ spice, A+ romance, and A+ vibes.
an all around AMAZING book!
December 9, 2023
literally couldn’t put this down!!
March 3, 2024
~ She was mine even before I even knew her last name, and I happily broke a few noses to make it known. ~
hawt 🥵❤️
hawt 🥵❤️
December 4, 2023
“Because for me, sweetheart, it’s always been you. And when I didn’t think I’d have you, I needed the reminder. I wanted to look out this window and remember all the things you made me feel.”
Elliot Rivera is hot but his somnophilia kink is definitely not my thing.
Elliot Rivera is hot but his somnophilia kink is definitely not my thing.
November 20, 2023
Gathered for one last Thanksgiving before their parents divorce, Adelina Williams and Elliot Rivera are assaulted by memories of the past and what could have been.
I’ve never read anything by Lee Jacquot before, but this was a sweet and steamy holiday novella. If you’re looking for a palate cleanser or just a read you can devour quickly, this should hit the spot!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance
✨ Tropes: Forbidden
💋 Kinks: Somnophilia (Mild)
⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave you wanton.
🚩 Safety Squad: n/a
📣 Type: Home for the Holidays is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
I’ve never read anything by Lee Jacquot before, but this was a sweet and steamy holiday novella. If you’re looking for a palate cleanser or just a read you can devour quickly, this should hit the spot!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance
✨ Tropes: Forbidden
💋 Kinks: Somnophilia (Mild)
⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave you wanton.
🚩 Safety Squad: n/a
📣 Type: Home for the Holidays is a standalone.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
December 10, 2024
Holiday blush
OMG this one is smut and loooooved it! Story of step siblings and love the twist that father knew Elliot loved but made him pass up because the father was older and not many chances for love. The anticipation was great and scenes spicy- loved!
OMG this one is smut and loooooved it! Story of step siblings and love the twist that father knew Elliot loved but made him pass up because the father was older and not many chances for love. The anticipation was great and scenes spicy- loved!
November 14, 2023
This book was like a dirty dream of mine coming to life. AND I DON’T EVEN HAVE A STEPBROTHER.
Imagine that your crush turned step brother and you get snowed in after you come into town for thanksgiving, and all the dirty secrets come out to play. It’s always the same quiet ones they say…and they ARE NOT WRONG.
Just when I think Lee Jacquot couldn’t get any better SHE REACHES NEXT LEVELS.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Forbidden
Taboo
Step siblings
Somnophilia
Snowed in
Holiday novella (thanksgiving)
Imagine that your crush turned step brother and you get snowed in after you come into town for thanksgiving, and all the dirty secrets come out to play. It’s always the same quiet ones they say…and they ARE NOT WRONG.
Just when I think Lee Jacquot couldn’t get any better SHE REACHES NEXT LEVELS.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Forbidden
Taboo
Step siblings
Somnophilia
Snowed in
Holiday novella (thanksgiving)
November 20, 2023
4 stars
Ooh, this was a deliciously taboo story about the quiet, risk adverse good girl + the bad boy (that’s just code for fixing up cars) she had a crush on in high school… except then he became stepbrother.
The story picks up 10 years later, when their parents are getting divorced. I loved the yearning, the sexual tension that you could cut with a knife, and the steamy steams which were all 🥵 — especially the A+ dirty talk and consensual somnophilia 🥵🥵🥵.
Suspension of disbelief was definitely required at points (why haven’t they seen each other in 10 years…?) but I just went with it.
Ooh, this was a deliciously taboo story about the quiet, risk adverse good girl + the bad boy (that’s just code for fixing up cars) she had a crush on in high school… except then he became stepbrother.
The story picks up 10 years later, when their parents are getting divorced. I loved the yearning, the sexual tension that you could cut with a knife, and the steamy steams which were all 🥵 — especially the A+ dirty talk and consensual somnophilia 🥵🥵🥵.
Suspension of disbelief was definitely required at points (why haven’t they seen each other in 10 years…?) but I just went with it.
June 25, 2024
Elliot (26) and Adelina (26) met when they're freshmen and have been pining for each other until their senior year, but their parents met and fell in love, then eventually got married, which made them step-siblings.
Still, they were attracted to one another, and after eight years, their parents are now finalizing their divorce. Their family met one last time for Thanksgiving, and Elliot finally took this chance to tell Adelina how he feels and to make it known she's been his since the first time he saw her.
It was okay, but, gosh, the inner monologue almost drove me insane. Had they talked to one another when they were young, they wouldn't have wasted so much time. Granted, their step-sibling situation made it tricky, but still, actual conversations are better than miscommunication. 🤦♀️
Anyway, they finally acted on their attraction, and two years later, they're blissfully married.
Book info:
- Novella
- Step-siblings
- Holiday theme
- Slowburn
- Secret pining
- No cheating, opd, breakup
- h - celibate, H - no info but he said he waited for her, so not sure if he's a V or not
- HEA (2 yrs later, married)
Still, they were attracted to one another, and after eight years, their parents are now finalizing their divorce. Their family met one last time for Thanksgiving, and Elliot finally took this chance to tell Adelina how he feels and to make it known she's been his since the first time he saw her.
It was okay, but, gosh, the inner monologue almost drove me insane. Had they talked to one another when they were young, they wouldn't have wasted so much time. Granted, their step-sibling situation made it tricky, but still, actual conversations are better than miscommunication. 🤦♀️
Anyway, they finally acted on their attraction, and two years later, they're blissfully married.
Book info:
- Novella
- Step-siblings
- Holiday theme
- Slowburn
- Secret pining
- No cheating, opd, breakup
- h - celibate, H - no info but he said he waited for her, so not sure if he's a V or not
- HEA (2 yrs later, married)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2023
I mean....soon-to-be-ex-stepsiblings, kink: , second chance, mutual pining, possessive MC, and a holiday theme ALL in 100 pages? Lee Jacquot knew exactly what I wanted for Thanksgiving. 🥹
January 14, 2024
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 2,5 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |
Adelina has a crush for the new guy in school, Elliot.
But life had other plans, their parents got married, so they can't be with each other.
Now, after a few years, they may not be siblings any more, and they're going to spend the holidays home alone…
December 31, 2023
4⭐
can you pass the taboo salt? oh, sorry i meant the table salt.
this was everything i needed it to be - the perfect indulgent thanksgiving feast on paper. there was just enough sideplot, well-seasoned stuffing, and plenty of pumpkin spice. so to speak.
even though this book is short and sweet, i felt like i'd read a complete novel. it was satisfying, fleshed out, emotionally charged, and deeply entertaining. 100% recommend if you're looking for a fast, festive read.
can you pass the taboo salt? oh, sorry i meant the table salt.
this was everything i needed it to be - the perfect indulgent thanksgiving feast on paper. there was just enough sideplot, well-seasoned stuffing, and plenty of pumpkin spice. so to speak.
even though this book is short and sweet, i felt like i'd read a complete novel. it was satisfying, fleshed out, emotionally charged, and deeply entertaining. 100% recommend if you're looking for a fast, festive read.
March 25, 2024
Okay this was so hot y'all😩 I want a stepbrother/at home booty call too now🤭🥵
November 23, 2023
Soooo goood! I want more! This was a fun little read and super glad I picked it up.
November 28, 2023
3/5⭐️
Not my cup of tea
Not my cup of tea
December 7, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Because for me, sweetheart, it’s always been you. And when I didn’t think I’d have you, I needed the reminder. I wanted to look out this window and remember all the things you made me feel.”
Lee Jacquot’s spicy novellas are always a hit for me but this one may be my favorite so far.
I loved this fun, quick, read.
“Because for me, sweetheart, it’s always been you. And when I didn’t think I’d have you, I needed the reminder. I wanted to look out this window and remember all the things you made me feel.”
Lee Jacquot’s spicy novellas are always a hit for me but this one may be my favorite so far.
I loved this fun, quick, read.
November 23, 2023
Lee Jacquot eats these novellas UP.
December 22, 2023
came here for a smutty good time, had a smutty good time.
November 20, 2023
WHERE'S MY PERSONAL ELLIOT RIVERA WHERE????
I have only one complain about it,
these are too short.
4.5⭐
I have only one complain about it,
these are too short.
4.5⭐
December 11, 2023
I went into this blind and found it bland in comparison to The Four Leaf
November 25, 2023
Ok I’m gonna give this 3.75⭐️ and I feel gutted about that as I enjoyed the first 6 of the Holinight Novellas. I feel like this one and the previous one fell short. Sadly I didn’t enjoy them as much, and that’s evident as the first 6 I also went on to buy the paperback versions and have re-read multiple times.
The issues I had with this one are:
1- the FMC issue regarding the whole stepsibling romance was drawn out for too long considering the length of the book. Also given the age they were when their parents got together it didn’t feel quite as taboo as it was made out to be.
2- was the mums “knowing grin/smile” before she went upstairs a hint that she knew there was something going on?
3- there were several spelling and grammar mistakes and words in places that literally made no sense. Especially in the epilogue when describing the table??!!!
4- the epilogue as a whole made no sense and felt unfinished.
I guess I’m also just annoyed because of how much I enjoyed books 1-6 and that book 7 and now 8 just haven’t quite done it for me.
The issues I had with this one are:
1- the FMC issue regarding the whole stepsibling romance was drawn out for too long considering the length of the book. Also given the age they were when their parents got together it didn’t feel quite as taboo as it was made out to be.
2- was the mums “knowing grin/smile” before she went upstairs a hint that she knew there was something going on?
3- there were several spelling and grammar mistakes and words in places that literally made no sense. Especially in the epilogue when describing the table??!!!
4- the epilogue as a whole made no sense and felt unfinished.
I guess I’m also just annoyed because of how much I enjoyed books 1-6 and that book 7 and now 8 just haven’t quite done it for me.
November 29, 2023
- Forbidden
- Soon to be ex stepsiblings
This is a short, steamy forbidden romance novella and I honestly expected to love this one a lot more than I did. Not saying I didn’t like it, but it just felt like something was missing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🔥🔥
- Soon to be ex stepsiblings
This is a short, steamy forbidden romance novella and I honestly expected to love this one a lot more than I did. Not saying I didn’t like it, but it just felt like something was missing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🔥🔥
November 24, 2024
3/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
this was a fast little, thanksgiving themed read! i liked the taboo aspect with the stepbrother and stepsister and thought the spice was decent 😍
“adelina was always supposed to be mine, and now she will be.”
2/5🌶️
this was a fast little, thanksgiving themed read! i liked the taboo aspect with the stepbrother and stepsister and thought the spice was decent 😍
“adelina was always supposed to be mine, and now she will be.”
December 10, 2023
This was so hot?!?! I think I have found a new kink of mine and I love it here. The way Lee puts together a novella and leaves no stone unturned and me satisfied EVERYTIME needs to be studied FR.
December 26, 2023
I fell in love with a man who was once my crush, then turned stepbrother. He tore through my walls and snatched the heart from my chest.
Got a lil splash of somnophilia here and rawr
Got a lil splash of somnophilia here and rawr
January 2, 2024
We’ve been living the forbidden, miscommunication trope of life.
3.5*
Spicy step-siblings who will no longer be step-siblings when their parents divorce finally live out all their fantasies over thanksgiving. They are grown adults, but they lean heavy into the step-siblings living together trope in their spice. All in all an entertaining read if you want quick and spicy.
3.5*
Spicy step-siblings who will no longer be step-siblings when their parents divorce finally live out all their fantasies over thanksgiving. They are grown adults, but they lean heavy into the step-siblings living together trope in their spice. All in all an entertaining read if you want quick and spicy.
December 21, 2023
read Dec 21, 2023 - Dec 21, 2023: 2 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews