Cracked: An Easter Story

by Teshelle Combs

The Goddess of Spring And Earth is a high-powered attorney by day, slave to Odin by night, and nothing makes her happier than destroying prideful men. But when her boss demands she snatch a downtown property from the hands of a bright-eyed baker, Stella is caught in a classic romcom debacle. How can she crush the seductive sweetie under her red bottom heels by Easter if he smells like strawberries and tastes like cinnamon?

From the Holiday Haters Series, including Jack Frost’s A Christmas Story and our vampire prince Alexei’s A Valentine’s Story

59 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2024

About the author

Teshelle Combs is the award-winning author of books like The Underglow and the First Collection.

She's well known for her fantasy romance standalones like The First Dryad, The First Stone, The First Nymph, and The First Flame. (Read in any order, listed in order of writing).

Tropes include enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, arranged marriage, twists & turns, and more.

Find TC @booksarebrightstars on TikTok.

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad. Don’t judge me. Got it from the author at a book event. Deeply regret it. Would give it a zero if I could.

[DetailedbyDenise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amusing and steamy Easter read that you won't be able to put down. The protagonist, Stella, is a confident, sassy, and alluring attorney who works for Odin. Stella takes pleasure in destroying men's lives, and when she is assigned to take over a bakery from a man named Theo, she sees it as another opportunity to flex her power.

However, when she arrives at the bakery, she is met with a different kind of pleasure. Stella is taken aback by a new sense of satisfaction that she has never experienced before. It is refreshing to see a female protagonist like Stella, who isn't your typical skinny and beautiful heroine. She has a unique and complex personality that makes her stand out.

The supporting characters in the book are also well-developed and add depth and richness to the story. Each character has their quirks and eccentricities that make them memorable. The novella is also sprinkled with whimsical humor, which adds a fun and playful element to the book.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a fun, sexy, and entertaining read.

[Lauren Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracked by Teshelle Combs is yet another hilarious, perfectly crafted novella in the Holiday Haters series. Each of the previous two books in the series have been amazing and I definitely recommend reading them first. Similar to the other two novellas, cracked is filled with sass, angst, and tons of laughter. The biggest thing that sets Cracked apart from its predecessors, and one of my personal favorite things, Stella, the FMC. Stella is an iconic woman’s woman who knows who she is, what she wants, and how she’s going to get it. I would give a kidney to have her power for a day, 12 hours, 30 minutes, any amount of time; it’s incredible. My most favorite part of the novella is a secondary character who works for Stella, Grace. There is a word Grace uses that I accidentally picked up reading and cannot stop using with my cat. If that isn’t a measure of liking something, I don’t know what is. I cannot recommend Cracked enough; it is a disservice to miss this book no matter the time of year.

[Tabetha Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a review copy of this book, my review is honest and voluntary.

Ok, so to start, I fricken LOVE Stella! I wish I was as confident and Sassy, and Villainous as her! She is the Goddess that we all need to knock the men down a few pegs.
If you want a short easter-based rom com about a sassy female villain and a cinnamon roll baker, this is for you!
However, if you are easily butt-hurt by strong curvy women who put men in their place then I wouldn't recommend this. After all, you wouldn't want to anger Stella.

It's like a tradition now, I have to make some comment on how dang short these are. Tess writes such great stories and then tries to give us these shorts! Girl, we need more! (To clarify, this is a full story - nothing is missing with it being short. And I love this (thus 5*), I just always want to read more from her)

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fmc is a bada$$! Her strong demeanor and powerful personality keep you wanting more. Her driver I pictured as a flirt and fun little goth princess who is happy to help. The connection she feels with this overly happy baker. All of it just makes you wish the story didn't go by so fast! I wish there was more to this! The holiday villains are such a fun twist and the way TC writes makes you feel like a bada$$ with the fmc.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hilarious holiday short story from Teshelle Combs. Stella will rip your heart out and then berate you for getting blood on her shoes. She is one badass bitch.. I mean villain.. I mean goddess 😅.
Stella is assigned the task of acquiring a property that is currently a bakery. That just so happens to be run by Theo, sweet, delectable and adorable.
What follows is funny, toe curling spiciness and a tad bloody. Grab a cupcake and enjoy the ride.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again!
Another short and(literally) sweet story follows Stella, a lawyer by day and indebted to Odin by night. On her latest job, she meets Theo, who I believe is by far my favorite guy in this series (thus far) and is the absolute sweetest! A little Easter themed bakery story is just what I needed to sweeten my day!

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun story for novella readers. The Mc is wonderful. She is a curvy, take no nonsense villain with impeccable taste. This is the third novella of the villains series, and I have enjoyed them all!

[Sweetpea4me · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, sassy, and sexy Easter read. Stella is a arrogant man eating goddess. She is an attorney, working for Odin, and finds pleasure in destroying the lives of men. She is tasked to take a bakery from a man named Theo. When she arrives at the bakery she finds a different kind of pleasure.
I liked the fact Stella wasn't your average skinny fmc. Also loved the supporting characters as well. They each had their own quirks about them. There's also a little humor sprinkled in this DELICIOUS Tess novella.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella: Goddess of Spring and Earth has had enough of Odis and his shenanigans! She’s going rouge and no one can stop her. Although she has found a weakness for sweet treats and naughty delights with Baker and shop owner Theo. This is a hilarious Easter themed short story that will have you “cracking” up nonstop! I 100% recommend this and any of the other short stories written by Tess Combs, they are sure to have you obscenely giggling!!

[Kara Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Teshelle’s short stories!! They are fun reads for in between books.
Tess you did it again a short story that has you laughing and snorting as you read! The characters are so diverse but you feel a connection to each one! A strong independent MC that takes no shit from anyone. But has a sweet tooth for cute Theo! Grace and Clove are some of my favorite side characters!! I would really like to know Graces story! Read this book and crack up laughing along side the characters.

[Literary Dystopia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the Holiday Haters series! This is the third installment and I hope we get a crossover with Jack and Alexei cause that would be absolutely amazing! I loved everything about this novella! I love how feisty Stella is and how Grace brings her back down while also hyping her up! If you guys haven’t already you guys should read the Holiday Haters series! You don’t have to read them in order but it’s fun if you have read the others before reading this one! I think this one was my favorite out of the three!

[Chelsea (thatbookishteach) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very different from any other Tess story I’ve read, but it was a short and fun read! Theo was my favorite easily (and maybe the old man hippie Grace wanted to boink) 😂

[Jasmine Sergeant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the Holiday Haters series and I loved it!
Stella gives goddess energy and boy is it EMPOWERING, she takes no sh*t and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Grace is probably my favorite character throughout, her dedication to the goddess but her authentic attitude drew me in.

[Kristen Lefler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love the characters! Great read especially during Women’s Month. Stella and Grace are my absolute favorites

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer, got an ARC of it.

So great! I really just love this whole series! Stella is the queen we all strive to be. It's got some spicy so be warned if that's not your thing. If your thing is confident ladies taking charge of a cinnamon roll man, this is definitely something you should read!

Also, I need to know Grace's backstory like how in the world did she get here? Lol

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this edition of the holiday haters. Can I say Stella has now become my favorite of them all. She is a curvy goddess that leaves no man in her wake until she meets a cutie of a baker named Theo. Don’t even get me started on her assistant/driver Grace. I devoured this story just like Stella devours Theo’s baked goods.

[Jessica Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love a short story from Tess! Cracked has many moments where I laughed and loved the fiesty nature of Stella. Just remember, women are to be revered and loved deeply (in as many ways as possible)!

[Alicia Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella is one heck of a goddess! She is not one to be messed with. Theo is adorable. These little short stories are great and a fun mix up from longer stories that I’m used to reading

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love LOVED this short story! A curvy goddess, an innocent baker, match made in heaven! The dialogue was my favourite, Stella does not put up with crap! She is one badass MFC and I cannot wait to see more of her in next years story. This Holiday Haters collection is so freaking fun!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Tess for this ARC! I really enjoyed this short story, it was a quick read but had a lot of details that drew me in! The dialogue was definitely my favorite part and Stella being a literal goddess of course made it better! Clove and his ukulele was a fun touch as well.

[Jordynn Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Arc Review✨
The goddess of spring might be my new favorite character! I love her sass and attitude! I always end these holiday villains wanting so much more!!

[Melyssa Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess did it again! Adorable short story with just enough sass and spice to keep you hooked for the whole thing!

[Jessie griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!! I love this story! Stella makes you feel empowered and I love how she is a women with curves and proud of them. Having curves myself and being self conscious I love the idea of a female lead being proud to have curves. That’s aside this story is fantastic I love how it ties into the other holiday haters and I love the dynamic between Stella and Theo. I also am very fond of grace and her mind she cracks me up. I can’t wait for more holiday haters and i absolutely cannot wait for the whole story to come together. This short story will leave you wanting more and more. It will also make you laugh

[Tiffany Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a deviously feisty and curvy woman...err goddess? Stella is a naughty naughty goddess who doesn't play games. Shes in and out and gets the job done her way - mostly. Having a debt to the god Odin is getting old, but she does her part, until her "part" is interrupted by an interesting and unusual mortal - Theo. Having no care for men makes things easy, but he's different and willing to please. A sassy, spicy and stabby short read you don't want to miss!!

[Shola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored our first female villain of the holiday haters series. Stella is fierce and does exactly what she wants when she wants. Despite only being a short story TC created a powerful and witty FMC with a story linking to the other holiday haters books. Our FMC addresses the reader, drawing us into the story ourselves. I cannot wait to read the next one.

[Bobbie Gonyaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, spontaneous, sexy, and very unpredictable. I loved the unique characters in this book, and the dialect was superb.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power that Stella radiates throughout this book is empowering to women on its own. She knows what she wants and what she deserves and is not afraid to get it or k!ll for it lol.

This is the next installment of the Holiday Haters series and I enjoyed reading our Easter goddess and how she did not stand a chance against our brown eyed baker Theo with his English accent. Take a moment to read this cute and smexy short story about a powerful woman who will take a stand except for one tiny pastry of a problem lol.

[Sefri Kuehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for another hilarious story from the amazing Tess Combs! This time, we’re faced with Stella, a goddess who takes no shit from any man (except maybe from Odin), and accidentally(?) starts liking Cupcake boy during her mission that she’s on. Follow these 2 hilarious (and maybe a bit dangerous) characters (along with Grave) through this story, and wait impatiently with me for the next one^^

[Nikki Beardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a fun, sassy, girl power short story. I loved the dynamic between Stella and Grace. You wouldn’t expect Stella to have a soft spot for anyone, and yet she does. I think that, similar to the other Holiday Haters, there could be more here later and I would be excited to get to know the characters more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.