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Taboo & Tinsel
Staying in a winter wonderland for Christmas sounds like the perfect escape…
…until it turns into an epic disaster of mistletoe and madness.
A one-night fling with a sexy and skilled older man is the perfect beginning, but reality soon crashes down on me when my fling turns out to be my step-uncle. A retired, professional football player who has a serious case of the bah-humbugs…and just so happens to be a family rival.
Things go from bad to worse when a winter storm ruins any chances of my family joining me at the picturesque inn. Now I’m stuck with my step-uncle and our forbidden tension that burns as bright as the star on top of the family Christmas tree.
**If your Hallmark movies turned morally grey, this quick read would be the result!
one-night stand, grumpy vs sunshine, age gap, forced proximity, forbidden love
…until it turns into an epic disaster of mistletoe and madness.
A one-night fling with a sexy and skilled older man is the perfect beginning, but reality soon crashes down on me when my fling turns out to be my step-uncle. A retired, professional football player who has a serious case of the bah-humbugs…and just so happens to be a family rival.
Things go from bad to worse when a winter storm ruins any chances of my family joining me at the picturesque inn. Now I’m stuck with my step-uncle and our forbidden tension that burns as bright as the star on top of the family Christmas tree.
**If your Hallmark movies turned morally grey, this quick read would be the result!
one-night stand, grumpy vs sunshine, age gap, forced proximity, forbidden love
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2023
70 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Moore
112 books1,909 followersE. M. Moore is a USA Today Bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. She's drawn to write within the teen and college-aged years where her characters get knocked on their asses, torn inside out, and put back together again by their first loves. Whether it's in a fantastical setting where human guards protect the creatures of the night or a realistic high school backdrop where social cliques rule the halls, the emotions are the same. Dark. Twisty. Angsty. Raw.
When Erin's not writing, you can find her dreaming up vacations for her family, watching murder mystery shows, or dancing in her kitchen while she pretends to cook.
To keep up with her and her books, you can like E. M. Moore on Facebook! (Just copy and paste the following link into your browser.) https://www.facebook.com/EMMooreBooks/
When Erin's not writing, you can find her dreaming up vacations for her family, watching murder mystery shows, or dancing in her kitchen while she pretends to cook.
To keep up with her and her books, you can like E. M. Moore on Facebook! (Just copy and paste the following link into your browser.) https://www.facebook.com/EMMooreBooks/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 1, 2023
3⭐️
This was a nice little smutty Christmas story. Cameron and Lilianne were both good characters.
There just wasn’t enough detail about their characters for me 🤷
This was a nice little smutty Christmas story. Cameron and Lilianne were both good characters.
There just wasn’t enough detail about their characters for me 🤷
November 28, 2023
"The heart wants what it wants"
This little novella was perfection! Normally, I read a lot of age gaps, some even with the daddy k!nk, but this had all kinds of forbidden-ness that I loved and could not get enough of.
From page one, we are enamored with Lilianne and when she meets the scruffy, sexy older man, its a no brainer. Quick hook up? Yes please! Do we need names? It's not like she'll ever see him again, right? And goodness does he deliver. There's also something about when a man calls you "Baby girl." Just get the mop now, because I am a puddle!
When Lilianne and Cameron realize that they do know each other and are in a roundabout way related, but not by blood, you could have heard a pin drop at the airport. And that in itself is a miraculous task.
Making a deal of sorts, they agree to never speak of it again. Only, when Lilianne's parents don't show up and all of the Christmas planning goes out the window... Tension rises. Longing glances are made. Verbal hits turn into f0replay. Before we know it, they decide they both like the way "Uncle Cameron" sounds as she rides his hand.
This Hallmark meets steamy, taboo novella is filled to the brim with an amazing story as well as the sexy times that keep you turning page after page. I was not ready for it to end as I could have read about these characters all day.
Definitely a must read for the Holidays, especially if you need a quick romance read. I loved this one and I would read it again if the author decided to ever expand it into a full length novel. ;-)
*Overall 5/5
*Heat? 5/5
*Fast burn
*Lilianne's first person POV (Would have loved Cameron's too)
*Ends on HEA
"I've left my feminism at the door again, but I'm fine with that. I'll pick it back up when I leave this house."
This little novella was perfection! Normally, I read a lot of age gaps, some even with the daddy k!nk, but this had all kinds of forbidden-ness that I loved and could not get enough of.
From page one, we are enamored with Lilianne and when she meets the scruffy, sexy older man, its a no brainer. Quick hook up? Yes please! Do we need names? It's not like she'll ever see him again, right? And goodness does he deliver. There's also something about when a man calls you "Baby girl." Just get the mop now, because I am a puddle!
When Lilianne and Cameron realize that they do know each other and are in a roundabout way related, but not by blood, you could have heard a pin drop at the airport. And that in itself is a miraculous task.
Making a deal of sorts, they agree to never speak of it again. Only, when Lilianne's parents don't show up and all of the Christmas planning goes out the window... Tension rises. Longing glances are made. Verbal hits turn into f0replay. Before we know it, they decide they both like the way "Uncle Cameron" sounds as she rides his hand.
This Hallmark meets steamy, taboo novella is filled to the brim with an amazing story as well as the sexy times that keep you turning page after page. I was not ready for it to end as I could have read about these characters all day.
Definitely a must read for the Holidays, especially if you need a quick romance read. I loved this one and I would read it again if the author decided to ever expand it into a full length novel. ;-)
*Overall 5/5
*Heat? 5/5
*Fast burn
*Lilianne's first person POV (Would have loved Cameron's too)
*Ends on HEA
"I've left my feminism at the door again, but I'm fine with that. I'll pick it back up when I leave this house."
December 10, 2023
Eh it wasn't the greatest to be honest. There really isn't an ending. Just that they'll figure it out.
April 22, 2024
Like an X rated Hallmark movie
Grumpy/sunshine Christmas romance with a dash of taboo to spice up the story. The perfect holiday read. A winter warmer or a summer chill out novella.
Grumpy/sunshine Christmas romance with a dash of taboo to spice up the story. The perfect holiday read. A winter warmer or a summer chill out novella.
December 13, 2023
Forbidden love meets Hallmark
I wanted a cute and fun Christmas read, and I wasn't left in the least bit disappointed.
I was recommended this book when I asked some friends for a Hallmark Romance in book form, and this page-turner was all of that and more.
Broken guy meets book nerd, and fairytale romance on a rollercoaster follows. I couldn't put it down!
If you want a fun and spicy quick read, I highly recommend!
The only downside? I want more! I want to know how they got around the obstacles that will follow theo HEA. I want to know what happens when her family finally meet him, how things changed at the Inn... I want another book with these two! 😍
I wanted a cute and fun Christmas read, and I wasn't left in the least bit disappointed.
I was recommended this book when I asked some friends for a Hallmark Romance in book form, and this page-turner was all of that and more.
Broken guy meets book nerd, and fairytale romance on a rollercoaster follows. I couldn't put it down!
If you want a fun and spicy quick read, I highly recommend!
The only downside? I want more! I want to know how they got around the obstacles that will follow theo HEA. I want to know what happens when her family finally meet him, how things changed at the Inn... I want another book with these two! 😍
December 11, 2023
Perfect Holiday/Pull You Out of a Reading Slump Book!
I was in such a slump and had DNFd at least 3 books this month and this pulled me out. I’m officially obsessed with this author. Love her writing style and the characters! Woo! 10/10 recommend!
I was in such a slump and had DNFd at least 3 books this month and this pulled me out. I’m officially obsessed with this author. Love her writing style and the characters! Woo! 10/10 recommend!
January 22, 2024
Spicy Forbidden
Really liked the story line! I love a good forbidden romance. The only thing that made me not give a higher rating is that she literally said Uncle Cam on repeat. Every. Single. Time. Every time she addressed him she said uncle Cam. Even though they had little just met and technically it’s her step uncle.
Really liked the story line! I love a good forbidden romance. The only thing that made me not give a higher rating is that she literally said Uncle Cam on repeat. Every. Single. Time. Every time she addressed him she said uncle Cam. Even though they had little just met and technically it’s her step uncle.
December 25, 2024
Delightfully naughty and taboo
December 17, 2023
O.M.G!!!! What was that!!!! That might just be the hottest book I've read this year! I honestly don't understand who Taboo & Tinsel is just a novella, it feels more than that like I've just read the second or third book in the series! There was sooo much sizzlingly hot moments that despite it currently being very cold where I am it feels like it should be summer!
I loved Cam and Lillianne, it was a unexpected story that left me with so many questions most of them being what would happen when her parents turned up considering Cam is her step-uncle only related through marriage but nonetheless very forbidden. They are just perfect for each other, they bring out the best and give each other so much joy, sharing their love of christmas even though for Cam its buried deep down. Not to fear though cause Lillianne is young and has the stamina for the enormous shovel she needs to use to uncover the gooey centre he has!
I think I will definitely speaking to the author about this book because I need more!!! I need this to be longer, and I just need this to be a full length novel, it'll be such a nice sweet light romance for a change but I NEED IT! If the blurb and my review doesn't make you want to read it nothing will and I cannot recommend this short spicy read anymore! Read it! It will make your christmas!
I loved Cam and Lillianne, it was a unexpected story that left me with so many questions most of them being what would happen when her parents turned up considering Cam is her step-uncle only related through marriage but nonetheless very forbidden. They are just perfect for each other, they bring out the best and give each other so much joy, sharing their love of christmas even though for Cam its buried deep down. Not to fear though cause Lillianne is young and has the stamina for the enormous shovel she needs to use to uncover the gooey centre he has!
I think I will definitely speaking to the author about this book because I need more!!! I need this to be longer, and I just need this to be a full length novel, it'll be such a nice sweet light romance for a change but I NEED IT! If the blurb and my review doesn't make you want to read it nothing will and I cannot recommend this short spicy read anymore! Read it! It will make your christmas!
December 11, 2023
short & spicy
This story is what I imagine an R-rated Hallmark movie would be…
The characters were enjoyable and the banter was hilarious. It wasn’t quite as ✨taboo✨ as I was expecting and their relationship wasn’t quite the barrier it usually is in a step-uncle romance. Regardless they still had some very steamy moments together and Cam has quite the mouth on him 😮💨
If you are looking for a quick steamy holiday read with a sprinkle of taboo then check this one out!
𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳
➵ step-uncle
➵ insta lust
➵ spicy rom coms
➵ d!rty talk
➵ age gap
➵ forced proximity
➵ grumpy/sunshine
➵ forbidden love
➵ small town vibes
𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 4/5⭐️ | 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 4/5🌶️ | 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 3/5🔥
This story is what I imagine an R-rated Hallmark movie would be…
The characters were enjoyable and the banter was hilarious. It wasn’t quite as ✨taboo✨ as I was expecting and their relationship wasn’t quite the barrier it usually is in a step-uncle romance. Regardless they still had some very steamy moments together and Cam has quite the mouth on him 😮💨
If you are looking for a quick steamy holiday read with a sprinkle of taboo then check this one out!
𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳
➵ step-uncle
➵ insta lust
➵ spicy rom coms
➵ d!rty talk
➵ age gap
➵ forced proximity
➵ grumpy/sunshine
➵ forbidden love
➵ small town vibes
𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 4/5⭐️ | 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 4/5🌶️ | 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 3/5🔥
December 6, 2023
Hallmark Christmas vibes but make it taboo!
I absolutely adored this novella! It's quick enough to read in just a few hours and is perfect for this time of year when it's getting chilly outside and the Christmas decorations are up. Even though this was a quick read, E.M.M. was able to give the reader enough backstory to know what type of characters we are now living vicariously through.
The plot was super cute - even through the taboo aspect and the spice was perfect! The way these two characters came together and kinda saved Christmas at the Inn was just precious.
This was a first read from this author (thanks Booktok!) and I cannot wait to read more from her!
I absolutely adored this novella! It's quick enough to read in just a few hours and is perfect for this time of year when it's getting chilly outside and the Christmas decorations are up. Even though this was a quick read, E.M.M. was able to give the reader enough backstory to know what type of characters we are now living vicariously through.
The plot was super cute - even through the taboo aspect and the spice was perfect! The way these two characters came together and kinda saved Christmas at the Inn was just precious.
This was a first read from this author (thanks Booktok!) and I cannot wait to read more from her!
December 26, 2023
This was a taboo step uncle book that I was all here for!
It was hot and heartwarming and really got me in the Christmas mood!
In a case of mistaken identity Lilianne and Cam meet unexpectedly and have to quickly deal with the fallout from their experience, by jumping right back in! Cam is a super grumpy older guy who Lillianne ends up quickly thawing out.
Ultimately a cute love story that has a taboo twist but they’ve never met before and aren’t blood related, obviously not everyone’s cup of tea but I didn’t have a problem with it!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one and would really recommend!
It was hot and heartwarming and really got me in the Christmas mood!
In a case of mistaken identity Lilianne and Cam meet unexpectedly and have to quickly deal with the fallout from their experience, by jumping right back in! Cam is a super grumpy older guy who Lillianne ends up quickly thawing out.
Ultimately a cute love story that has a taboo twist but they’ve never met before and aren’t blood related, obviously not everyone’s cup of tea but I didn’t have a problem with it!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one and would really recommend!
January 3, 2024
Feel-good hallmark vibes with a touch of forbidden! Short and spicy, what more could I ask for?
I would have loved a litttttle more angst with the forbiddenness. But, I am all about an unconventional ending and liked that it was kinda open ended, not really a HEA. Maybe we will see more of them? ;)
Overall, good book and I always enjoy E.M. Moore's writing!
****Spoiler Thoughts****
Cameron and Lillianne don't really get caught... and I feel like I am missing that from the forbidden aspect. I mean yes, it's kinda wrong but they're not actually related ya know? So having someone else *judge* them would have been the icing on the cake for me.
*********************
I would have loved a litttttle more angst with the forbiddenness. But, I am all about an unconventional ending and liked that it was kinda open ended, not really a HEA. Maybe we will see more of them? ;)
Overall, good book and I always enjoy E.M. Moore's writing!
****Spoiler Thoughts****
Cameron and Lillianne don't really get caught... and I feel like I am missing that from the forbidden aspect. I mean yes, it's kinda wrong but they're not actually related ya know? So having someone else *judge* them would have been the icing on the cake for me.
*********************
December 14, 2023
I was so bummed by this book because I didn’t realize it didn’t really have an ending. Their lives are so different and locationally distant and there is no conclusion as to how they are going to make it work?! I felt like I got left on read. Also, I kinda wish her parents found out about Cameron or even met him or talked to him. They were supposed to come visit and meet each other and the parents just go oh well and not at least apologize to HIM when it’s his place they were going to stay at? Jeez
January 1, 2024
This story is what I imagine an R-rated Hallmark movie would be…
The characters were enjoyable and the banter was hilarious. It wasn’t quite as ✨taboo✨ as I was expecting and their relationship wasn’t quite the barrier it usually is in a step-uncle romance. Regardless they still had some very steamy moments together and Cam has quite the mouth on him 😮💨
If you are looking for a quick steamy holiday read with a sprinkle of taboo then check this one out!
The characters were enjoyable and the banter was hilarious. It wasn’t quite as ✨taboo✨ as I was expecting and their relationship wasn’t quite the barrier it usually is in a step-uncle romance. Regardless they still had some very steamy moments together and Cam has quite the mouth on him 😮💨
If you are looking for a quick steamy holiday read with a sprinkle of taboo then check this one out!
February 6, 2024
Ho-ho-holy hollyberries, Santa!
If you’re here for the taboo spice, you found it! And it is 🔥🔥FIRE🔥🔥
The book is light on plot, just enough to cleanse the palette between spicy scenes and give the reader the illusion that they’re not actually reading straight up porn with the cutest HEA ever.
Seriously the declaration? Swoon.
Not a lot to say except this one will be making its way onto my physical bookshelf in my permanent collection.
If you’re here for the taboo spice, you found it! And it is 🔥🔥FIRE🔥🔥
The book is light on plot, just enough to cleanse the palette between spicy scenes and give the reader the illusion that they’re not actually reading straight up porn with the cutest HEA ever.
Seriously the declaration? Swoon.
Not a lot to say except this one will be making its way onto my physical bookshelf in my permanent collection.
December 1, 2023
It’s like a Hallmark Christmas movie… only spicy.
The grumpy older owner of Christmas town’s inn and the college TA step niece he’s never seen both walk into a bar… and then out to the backseat of a truck together. Taboo & Tinsel is a Hallmark Christmas movie with some taboo romance thrown into it!
If you’re looking for a short spicy taboo Christmas read that’ll melt your heart and includes small town Christmas elements this is definitely the book for you!
The grumpy older owner of Christmas town’s inn and the college TA step niece he’s never seen both walk into a bar… and then out to the backseat of a truck together. Taboo & Tinsel is a Hallmark Christmas movie with some taboo romance thrown into it!
If you’re looking for a short spicy taboo Christmas read that’ll melt your heart and includes small town Christmas elements this is definitely the book for you!
December 7, 2023
All the things you love about a Hallmark movie but far beyond just the kiss at the end! Well and add in the taboo twist and you have Taboo & Tinsel. This was a great little novella that kept me turning the pages. It has been a hot minute since I have read anything by E.M. Moore but this book just reminded me when I need to bump her to the top of my TBR.
December 8, 2023
Cam and Lillianne
I didn’t understand novellas meant no real HEA. So that was a bummer. They weren’t related but her likes her to call him uncle Cam- weird. It has spicy time lots of that at weird times and places and no real anything else. He introduces her as his neice, just weird to me.
I didn’t understand novellas meant no real HEA. So that was a bummer. They weren’t related but her likes her to call him uncle Cam- weird. It has spicy time lots of that at weird times and places and no real anything else. He introduces her as his neice, just weird to me.
December 10, 2023
Lillianne & Cameron
I really enjoyed the meet cute for these two in this slightly forbidden winter romance. Cam is super grumpy in that hot broody bad boy way which instantly attracts Lillianne. He seems to be missing the Christmas spirit and we get to watch her breathe life back into this man. These two weren’t super spicy but they were sneaking around quite a bit.
I really enjoyed the meet cute for these two in this slightly forbidden winter romance. Cam is super grumpy in that hot broody bad boy way which instantly attracts Lillianne. He seems to be missing the Christmas spirit and we get to watch her breathe life back into this man. These two weren’t super spicy but they were sneaking around quite a bit.
January 16, 2024
My new favorite Christmas read. Honestly this was so cute but equally hot and wonderful. I wanted to crawl inside and stay there with them but the length was also perfect for a mom trying to balance a little smutty Christmas read while wrapping presents and doing all the other five thousand Christmasy activities.
December 28, 2024
This was a quick steamy read. It was good for a short Christmas novella but I don’t think there was need to mention ‘Uncle’ so much. Cameron is Lili’s estranged step Uncle. She hasn’t met him until they have a one nignt stand. He hasn’t been a part of the family so Uncle is a stretch. I think it was mentioned 76 times to be more taboo but I don’t think it really counts.
January 6, 2025
Hot and spicy holiday read with a touch of taboo. This was a sweet grumpy-sunshine story that almost felt like a Hallmark movie. The plot was fun and spice was great. I REALLY WISH we got a slightly longer epilogue but it’s safe to assume these two people get their HEA together. I look forward to trying some more books by this author.
November 30, 2023
Eh, it was alright. I recognize that with novellas you can't always get into the nitty gritty of the background, but I felt the author did a good job of giving us a good idea of where both the FMC and MMC were coming from. Truthfully, I think my rating just went down every time the FMC called him "Uncle Cam." Like, I get it.. I'm reading something with "taboo" in the title but could you not make it even WEIRDER by having her call him "Uncle"?!?!?!
December 6, 2023
Short & Sassy
I love the FMC’s sassy comebacks and the banter that she and her grumpy MMC have! The Christmas Inn setting is just perfect, and I loved reading this little story. Definitely a quick holiday pick-me-up!
I love the FMC’s sassy comebacks and the banter that she and her grumpy MMC have! The Christmas Inn setting is just perfect, and I loved reading this little story. Definitely a quick holiday pick-me-up!
December 9, 2023
Wow
Lilianne and Cameron. . . Super adorably cute! 😍 I loved it! I do, however, wish that we could have seen what happened when her parents found out. Either way, it was such a beautiful short story!
Thanks a bunch to E.M. Moore and team for this amazing book!
Lilianne and Cameron. . . Super adorably cute! 😍 I loved it! I do, however, wish that we could have seen what happened when her parents found out. Either way, it was such a beautiful short story!
Thanks a bunch to E.M. Moore and team for this amazing book!
December 11, 2023
Not too shabby
To be honest, I love how fast it was read especially since I have been in a slump trying to read again. It was stramy and forbidden but love conquers all...doesn't it. Lol I enjoyed it to say the least.
To be honest, I love how fast it was read especially since I have been in a slump trying to read again. It was stramy and forbidden but love conquers all...doesn't it. Lol I enjoyed it to say the least.
December 15, 2023
Pretty cute
The constant uncle thing was about much but I liked them together either way. And I. The end she just calls him Cameron so eventually it stops being awkward. But that's just me I still really enjoyed this story.
The constant uncle thing was about much but I liked them together either way. And I. The end she just calls him Cameron so eventually it stops being awkward. But that's just me I still really enjoyed this story.
December 17, 2023
Some cute Christmas stuff but it was mostly a lot of cringe with depressing and unlikable characters. The h is annoying, whiny, and combative. The H is depressing. We don’t want an old man drinking alone in a bar bc he can’t let go of the good ole days as a H. This whole thing was not hot.
December 22, 2023
Christmas & Taboo
I loved every moment of this story. Read it in one seating. Who would think Uncle Cam would appeal to me so much. And the spice? Don't even get me started 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 I would honestly love to see the two again and more what happens!
I loved every moment of this story. Read it in one seating. Who would think Uncle Cam would appeal to me so much. And the spice? Don't even get me started 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 I would honestly love to see the two again and more what happens!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews