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Magical Holiday Matchmaker #1
Christmas At Last
Christmas comes early this year for those who wait…
Franz, Sigurður, Adem, and Yiannis have been waiting decades to see if the urban legend about a matchmaker that specializes in monster matches will come through for them. They did the ritual. They trusted the process. And nothing has happened. They're almost out of hope when their number is up, and it's the worst timing for the best thing in their life to happen.
Mary used to love Christmas. That was before her ex dumped her due to her chronic illness not fitting his cookie cutter life plan. Now she has to live in his shadow, literally. She can look out her window and see the house they were supposed to grow a family in. It would be easier to pretend her heart hadn't been shattered if he'd leave her alone.
After the most hectic day, Mary trudges home with an ancient book to curl up with by the fire. Only she gets more than she bargained for when she opens the book and four hunky monsters appear. Has the opportunity for love come too late? Or will these five hearts find more than Christmas cheer this season?
Author This book was previously published as Holiday Horrors. After listening to reader feedback, I've changed the name to better meet reader expectation. No one wants to be disappointed!
Magical Holiday Christmas At LastHowling Good New YearMy Bloody ValentineNever Have I Ever (Snowed In charity anthology controbution)
Franz, Sigurður, Adem, and Yiannis have been waiting decades to see if the urban legend about a matchmaker that specializes in monster matches will come through for them. They did the ritual. They trusted the process. And nothing has happened. They're almost out of hope when their number is up, and it's the worst timing for the best thing in their life to happen.
Mary used to love Christmas. That was before her ex dumped her due to her chronic illness not fitting his cookie cutter life plan. Now she has to live in his shadow, literally. She can look out her window and see the house they were supposed to grow a family in. It would be easier to pretend her heart hadn't been shattered if he'd leave her alone.
After the most hectic day, Mary trudges home with an ancient book to curl up with by the fire. Only she gets more than she bargained for when she opens the book and four hunky monsters appear. Has the opportunity for love come too late? Or will these five hearts find more than Christmas cheer this season?
Author This book was previously published as Holiday Horrors. After listening to reader feedback, I've changed the name to better meet reader expectation. No one wants to be disappointed!
Magical Holiday Christmas At LastHowling Good New YearMy Bloody ValentineNever Have I Ever (Snowed In charity anthology controbution)
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2023
119 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 29, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Not sure what I expected tbh. Definitely wasn’t a monster romance that’s for sure! I loved the body positivity and love shared between the group! Not a fan of Christmas things but I got this book on the free stuff your kindle day. I’m just glad everyone had a happy ending ☺️
Not sure what I expected tbh. Definitely wasn’t a monster romance that’s for sure! I loved the body positivity and love shared between the group! Not a fan of Christmas things but I got this book on the free stuff your kindle day. I’m just glad everyone had a happy ending ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2025
Four monsters—Franz, Sigurður, Adem, and Yiannis—have waited decades for their perfect match through an ancient ritual. Just when hope seems lost, their match finally appears—at the most chaotic time possible.
Mary once loved Christmas, but her ex’s betrayal left her heartbroken and stuck living in his shadow. After a tough day, she brings home an antique book for comfort, only to unleash more than words—four charming monsters arrive in her life.
Together, they discover love and holiday magic, creating their own Christmas miracle.
This year, this was one of the first Christmas books I read, just enough to get me into the season, and wow, I was both shocked and delighted at the same time. As usual, I didn’t really read the blurb, so when four irresistible monsters appeared, saying I was shocked would be an understatement—but yum.
The book effortlessly gets you into the holiday mood, and yes, expect smut—there’s plenty, and it’s definitely interesting. Each character has their unique charm, but I especially loved their dynamics with each other, and Mary is their everything.
While there aren’t many specific holiday events, apart from the competition they’re preparing for, the story is straightforward and easy to read. I finished it surprisingly quickly.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a bit of holiday spirit, with a dash of fantasy and a special kind of romance. And now I'm off to read the sequel to this book, set 60 years later.
Mary once loved Christmas, but her ex’s betrayal left her heartbroken and stuck living in his shadow. After a tough day, she brings home an antique book for comfort, only to unleash more than words—four charming monsters arrive in her life.
Together, they discover love and holiday magic, creating their own Christmas miracle.
This year, this was one of the first Christmas books I read, just enough to get me into the season, and wow, I was both shocked and delighted at the same time. As usual, I didn’t really read the blurb, so when four irresistible monsters appeared, saying I was shocked would be an understatement—but yum.
The book effortlessly gets you into the holiday mood, and yes, expect smut—there’s plenty, and it’s definitely interesting. Each character has their unique charm, but I especially loved their dynamics with each other, and Mary is their everything.
While there aren’t many specific holiday events, apart from the competition they’re preparing for, the story is straightforward and easy to read. I finished it surprisingly quickly.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a bit of holiday spirit, with a dash of fantasy and a special kind of romance. And now I'm off to read the sequel to this book, set 60 years later.
February 21, 2024
This was exactly want I needed to read in between my darker reads. I love all the demons! Mary was a great curvy MFC. The added ex boyfriend drama was well played and not much of the story making it just right.
February 29, 2024
Mary is heartbroken that her ex broke up with her because of her medical condition. But things with him are not good because he's changed and is mean to her now. They both work at the same place and he's become down right antagonistic towards her for no reason. So when she brings an old book home to read and opens it, she gets the surprise of her life. 4 monsters pop out and she's not expecting what happens next with them.
They have been waiting for their mate but didn't expect the matchmaker to mate them with a human, so they aren't sure this is going to work out. One of the men is Krampus and another is Yule Cat- a cat shifter. The others are different monsters but as they get to know her and they tell her who and what they are and how they came to her, she's starting to realize that maybe she might find her happily ever after if she can make things work with all of them and finally get rid of her ex. They can all shift between their monster side and human looking sides so that they don't scare the neighbors, just don't get them mad.
When Mary Finds out that the guys have tried to enter a gingerbread baking competition back home at Christmasland and have always come in last because they really can't bake, she offers to help them because she loves to bake. This competition brings them all closer and shows them all what it would be like to be in each others lives.
These guys are great. They might be monsters but they treat her better than she has ever been treated and they have loving hearts. At times this was super spicy as you can imagine with 4 guys but it was also super sweet. This was such a fun read.
They have been waiting for their mate but didn't expect the matchmaker to mate them with a human, so they aren't sure this is going to work out. One of the men is Krampus and another is Yule Cat- a cat shifter. The others are different monsters but as they get to know her and they tell her who and what they are and how they came to her, she's starting to realize that maybe she might find her happily ever after if she can make things work with all of them and finally get rid of her ex. They can all shift between their monster side and human looking sides so that they don't scare the neighbors, just don't get them mad.
When Mary Finds out that the guys have tried to enter a gingerbread baking competition back home at Christmasland and have always come in last because they really can't bake, she offers to help them because she loves to bake. This competition brings them all closer and shows them all what it would be like to be in each others lives.
These guys are great. They might be monsters but they treat her better than she has ever been treated and they have loving hearts. At times this was super spicy as you can imagine with 4 guys but it was also super sweet. This was such a fun read.
March 29, 2025
This was a book that I got on AMZ when it was free and I had zero expectations · I found it in my kindle library and opened to procrasti-read (avoiding books I was supposed to read and weren't ready for or into).
Reading the blurbs, I still wasn't sure what to expect. but figured what was
the harm.
Turns out that I loved this book!
I agree with the author that it should not be in the horror section; it should be in the YES PLEASE section
The MFC 's life before this book was the true horror. I am so happy for her and the four beings and how they found each other in the nick of time.
There were cute Christmas-themed play on word chapter titles, a dastardly ex, four yummy why choose mates, humor, Christmas baking, and full steam ahead to HEA.
The story's characters were not without struggles and hurts but the story was low angst. A pleasure to read.
Now that this author is on my radar, I need to see what else has been written. I have already discovered that I have book 2 of this series (lucky me). Curious if a certain frost demon got his own book.
Reading the blurbs, I still wasn't sure what to expect. but figured what was
the harm.
Turns out that I loved this book!
I agree with the author that it should not be in the horror section; it should be in the YES PLEASE section
The MFC 's life before this book was the true horror. I am so happy for her and the four beings and how they found each other in the nick of time.
There were cute Christmas-themed play on word chapter titles, a dastardly ex, four yummy why choose mates, humor, Christmas baking, and full steam ahead to HEA.
The story's characters were not without struggles and hurts but the story was low angst. A pleasure to read.
Now that this author is on my radar, I need to see what else has been written. I have already discovered that I have book 2 of this series (lucky me). Curious if a certain frost demon got his own book.
January 1, 2025
It was fine up until the end. The main character has endometriosis and is infertile, the guys are also infertile. They've all made peace with it and there is no talk of kids. But....then they get a very literal magic cure at the end.
And sure, to the author's small credit, the characters are more horrified than excited and decide not to use it then but maybe in a few years. But...from the bonus story, they do use it. Like why even put this at all if the characters' reactions to hey, you can have kids!!!! is nausea. (Also, a very serious side-eye to the makers of the cure to give a "gift" like this without discussing it with them first and for just assuming everyone's story needs kids.)
And sure, to the author's small credit, the characters are more horrified than excited and decide not to use it then but maybe in a few years. But...from the bonus story, they do use it. Like why even put this at all if the characters' reactions to hey, you can have kids!!!! is nausea. (Also, a very serious side-eye to the makers of the cure to give a "gift" like this without discussing it with them first and for just assuming everyone's story needs kids.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2024
4/5 stars
I don’t have much to say about this book. Just that this was sadly the first Christmas book I have read, and it is the next year past Christmas… this book made me feel so happy, and I am so happy with the way that it turned out. I think I want to read the little extra book that is like 60 years in the future, but we shall see.
I honestly can’t believe I have already read three books so far this year and we are only three days into 2024. I am hoping that this is a good sign for my reading goal!!
I don’t have much to say about this book. Just that this was sadly the first Christmas book I have read, and it is the next year past Christmas… this book made me feel so happy, and I am so happy with the way that it turned out. I think I want to read the little extra book that is like 60 years in the future, but we shall see.
I honestly can’t believe I have already read three books so far this year and we are only three days into 2024. I am hoping that this is a good sign for my reading goal!!
September 11, 2024
My foray back into romance novels. I got this during stuff your kindle day because I wanted to try out the genre again. The relationships were a little fast moving, but there was body positivity and some focus on what the characters enjoyed outside of the relationships. I’m a Christmas nut so I enjoyed that aspect of it. There was a lesson about loving yourself for what you are instead of what you can physically provide. While I did enjoy it, it was linear and not a lot of interconnecting plot points to give the world more substance. I am willing to continue reading romance books though.
December 24, 2025
Broken Book Therapist Reviews
This was mostly adorable- she has a tox!c ex that causes significant drama, and one of the guys has personal turmoil to work through, but the guys are so good to and for her, and she is good to and for them. Each of the guys has connections with one another that is fun to watch their love, plus each has special identites and peen fun that are truly magical. It is largely spicy scenes surrounding such a fun gingerbread baking contest, but it is a fun Christmas novella to squeeze in before the holidays.
This was mostly adorable- she has a tox!c ex that causes significant drama, and one of the guys has personal turmoil to work through, but the guys are so good to and for her, and she is good to and for them. Each of the guys has connections with one another that is fun to watch their love, plus each has special identites and peen fun that are truly magical. It is largely spicy scenes surrounding such a fun gingerbread baking contest, but it is a fun Christmas novella to squeeze in before the holidays.
January 12, 2024
Super spicy monster "why choose" romance. Issues with grammar and syntax that I found a bit distracting, and a vagueness to the plot that left room for more. However, I had a fun time with it. If you like monster smut and cheesy holiday romances, this is worth the read.
Check triggers (non-exhaustive list): Discussions of child abuse, stalking, endometriosis and infertily, fatphobia
I found them to be mostly mild, but definitely do not read if you hate the "magic heals infertility" trope (or skip the epilogue).
Check triggers (non-exhaustive list): Discussions of child abuse, stalking, endometriosis and infertily, fatphobia
I found them to be mostly mild, but definitely do not read if you hate the "magic heals infertility" trope (or skip the epilogue).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2024
The puns!!
One of the best parts of this series is the absolutely best punny chapter titles. They give me so much joy. I loved the book and just am so.. I don't even know what the words are. I just loved it. I read the second of the series first so now I'm off to read the third and then "stalk" the Author to read all the everythings!!
One of the best parts of this series is the absolutely best punny chapter titles. They give me so much joy. I loved the book and just am so.. I don't even know what the words are. I just loved it. I read the second of the series first so now I'm off to read the third and then "stalk" the Author to read all the everythings!!
December 2, 2024
Love these Christmas monsters
What a cute take on a RH romance - using lesser-known Christmas myth monsters. The Krampus is pretty well known, but the Yule Cat and the others, not so much. But this was fun. The characters are great and the story is steamy and fun with some kind of scary and emotional parts too.
Loved the bonus epilogue (by e-mail) too!
What a cute take on a RH romance - using lesser-known Christmas myth monsters. The Krampus is pretty well known, but the Yule Cat and the others, not so much. But this was fun. The characters are great and the story is steamy and fun with some kind of scary and emotional parts too.
Loved the bonus epilogue (by e-mail) too!
December 15, 2024
Mary, Franz, Sigurour, Adem and Yiannis seem like they should not work well together in a relationship but somehow they make it work and eventually grow accustomed to the idea of being in a why choose relationship! Enjoyed following along with this story and it’s always Christmas! Looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us!
December 20, 2024
I’m stunned that the author was able to cram 5 interesting backstories and perspectives into 195 spaces of Christmas cheer and spice, and make it sweet and believable, but they totally pulled it off. The book is a cozy treat and light enough to improve your mood without giving you a toothache.
December 23, 2024
Oh my!!!
It's cute and monsters and fabulous SPICE!!! 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It's definitely different than what I thought it would be, but that's because I jumped into it blind. Loved it!!!
It's cute and monsters and fabulous SPICE!!! 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It's definitely different than what I thought it would be, but that's because I jumped into it blind. Loved it!!!
December 31, 2024
I thought this was a cute reverse harem christmas story. It was a reverse harem monster smut story. Luckily the characters can turn into humans so not too weird for my taste (no judgement here). The spice was spicing which I enjoyed and the story was simple and felt quite christmassy.
December 28, 2023
Cute and cozy but also sexy.
March 29, 2024
No idea where I found this book but it was perfectly delightful - definitely want to read more from this author!
September 4, 2024
Perfect for Christmas
This is such a cute Christmas story. I literally laughed out loud multiple times! It's definitely a super fun read.
This is such a cute Christmas story. I literally laughed out loud multiple times! It's definitely a super fun read.
November 6, 2024
DNF. Also, by my own mistake, I didn’t realize this book had spice. It also swore a tremendous amount of times that didn’t feel natural or necessary to the story line.
December 14, 2024
Really enjoyed this.
Great premise with the mythological Christmas creatures. The spice was hot. And there was even some lovely character development (which is not easy in a novella!)
Great premise with the mythological Christmas creatures. The spice was hot. And there was even some lovely character development (which is not easy in a novella!)
January 19, 2025
Startschwierigkeiten, da der Anfang ziemlich langweilig war. Erst mit den anatomischen Besonderheiten der MCs wurde es interessanter. Alles in allem ganz süß, aber nichts behaltenswertes.
December 4, 2025
Loved it
December 14, 2025
Needs a proofread.
January 7, 2025
this was so cutsies
January 30, 2025
Christmas at Last by @sydneystjamesauthor is SO FUN! It really embraces “Christmas” culture from around the world with the inclusion of different holiday figures.
Mary is literally living every monster romance reader’s dream when she opens a mysterious ancient book and accidentally summons 4 hot Christmas monsters claiming that she’s their mate 😏
The guys have such a great dynamic because while they function as lovers, there is also a sense of brotherhood and a tiny bit of family drama between them.
What to expect-
🎁MMMMF
🎁Monster Romance
🎁Bonding over Omegaverse Romance books
🎁Non-Human *anatomy*
🎁Holiday Figures
🎁Mates
🎁Fast Burn
🎁Gingerbread house competition shenanigans
Mary is literally living every monster romance reader’s dream when she opens a mysterious ancient book and accidentally summons 4 hot Christmas monsters claiming that she’s their mate 😏
The guys have such a great dynamic because while they function as lovers, there is also a sense of brotherhood and a tiny bit of family drama between them.
What to expect-
🎁MMMMF
🎁Monster Romance
🎁Bonding over Omegaverse Romance books
🎁Non-Human *anatomy*
🎁Holiday Figures
🎁Mates
🎁Fast Burn
🎁Gingerbread house competition shenanigans
December 20, 2023
Mrs. Smith wandered into town and shows up at the hardware store where Mary is covering for the owner Jimmy. Mrs. Smith has dementia and when she sees Mary, she shoves an ancient book into her arms while berating her for making her hold on to so long. The girls from the bakery offer to walk Mrs. Smith home and get her settled so Mary can go home.
She'd given Mrs. Smith her coat since the woman didn't have hers and then began the trek through the unplowed snow to her cottage. She arrives freezing, and more than ready to curl up before the fire with hot chocolate and the book Mrs. Smith gave her.
She's more than curious about the title, Matchmaker's Handbook, and didn't expect the latch on the book to open. When it does and she opens it, a plumb of black smoke shoots up from it. When it clears there are three, massive creatures and an oversized cat in her living room. She kind of identifies one of the creatures as Krampus, and the cat as the Yule Cat, the other's she doesn't know.
After the initial shock, Franz tries to come to terms with the fact Sigurður just called the woman their mate. Mary hasn't told them her name, but she wants to know who and what the other men...er creatures are.
They've barely gotten through the introductions and explanations when they are interrupted by pounding on the door.
It seems Mary's ex, Chad Ashby, has decided to pay her a visit. He's been coming around more and acting more aggressive since his wife took their children and left him.
I totally loved the reaction of the new entities in her life and how they start to win her over. Not your conventional Christmas story but fun, exciting, romantic and sizzling with a couple of surprises.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
She'd given Mrs. Smith her coat since the woman didn't have hers and then began the trek through the unplowed snow to her cottage. She arrives freezing, and more than ready to curl up before the fire with hot chocolate and the book Mrs. Smith gave her.
She's more than curious about the title, Matchmaker's Handbook, and didn't expect the latch on the book to open. When it does and she opens it, a plumb of black smoke shoots up from it. When it clears there are three, massive creatures and an oversized cat in her living room. She kind of identifies one of the creatures as Krampus, and the cat as the Yule Cat, the other's she doesn't know.
After the initial shock, Franz tries to come to terms with the fact Sigurður just called the woman their mate. Mary hasn't told them her name, but she wants to know who and what the other men...er creatures are.
They've barely gotten through the introductions and explanations when they are interrupted by pounding on the door.
It seems Mary's ex, Chad Ashby, has decided to pay her a visit. He's been coming around more and acting more aggressive since his wife took their children and left him.
I totally loved the reaction of the new entities in her life and how they start to win her over. Not your conventional Christmas story but fun, exciting, romantic and sizzling with a couple of surprises.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews