Frosted: A Christmas Story

by Teshelle Combs

Jackson Frost is…the worst. And his billionaire status doesn’t make him any less of a villain. But when he takes it too far, freezing over the rivers and lakes of his Colorado town, and a displaced mermaid shows up on his doorstep…Jack is in for the Christmas adventure of his awful little life.

Does the villain get the girl?
You bet he does.

This delightfully wicked short story is part of the Holiday Haters series. Meet holiday villains, indulge in their romantic misdemeanors, and get your laugh on.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 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

[Kristens_korner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea what I just read. He was a jacka... and she was bubbly and oblivious, and the whole thing made no sense. There wasn't even spice or humor to counterbalance the whole weird situation.

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I now wish this was a full on book. Like it was so cute and funny!!! It's a super easy read and cute story. For a second you gotta not fall in love with Jack grumpy attitude! It's like nothing he does gets Summer mad at him at all. I love it! I can't wait to read the rest of them!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of frosted, which is about Jack frost and his melting heart, as he falls for a funny an beautiful mermaid.
Really enjoyed it, was an easy read, lovethe cross over between all the holiday short stories.

[Lauren Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frosted is the perfect short holiday story. It’s a super quick easy read that was equally funny and heartwarming. The main character Jack is cold and perfectly juxtaposed by everything about the holiday season, his own sister, and most importantly the FMC who is precious. I read the book way too quickly and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Noelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this should have been a full fleshed out novel rather than a novella...

With it's short length...I hated Jack the entire time and didn't see any inkling that he had any redeeming qualities. Also, imo, there was ZERO chemistry between Jack and Summer...and it made no sense for an HFN let alone a HEA. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Maybe it's just the demi in me but...neither of these characters made me want to root for them or care about them...and they didn't show me any level of care for each other that gave me the chemistry/emotional connection for this pairing to make sense.

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I now wish this was a full on book. Like it was so cute and funny!!! It's a super easy read and cute story. For a second you gotta not fall in love with Jack grumpy attitude! It's like nothing he does gets Summer mad at him at all. I love it! I can't wait to read the rest of them!

[Mandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

So awful DNF @ 24% should’ve quit sooner 👀

[Jessica LC Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hilarious! Teshelle Combs brings her wicked sense of humor to the pages in this delightful Christmas comedic story!

The artwork is top notch, and helps bring the characters to life.

I look forward to reading the other three Holiday Haters stories, when said holidays arrive.

Definitely recommend!

[Elisha Ethridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another wonderful hated holidays book! It's hilarious and fun!! I won't give spoilers as you all know... but Jack frost.. and mermaids?! Read to find out ❤️

What you want to know
5/5 🌟 characters
5/5 🌟 world
5/5 🌟 story
💯/100 🌟 Must read!!

[Tabetha Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me miss Tess, you cannot do this to us again! There must be a whole bunch missing from my copy because there is no way it's really this short.
I need more, I love Jack and Summer!

[Molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad. Don’t judge me. Got it from the author at a book event. Deeply regret it.

[Lori Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a fun time with this one. A fun quick ,funny Christmas read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww this story is too sweet! 😍 It took grumpy/sunshine to the extreme and I’m so here for it! Jack is absolutely precious (sorry, not sorry) and Summer is just adorable! 🥰 Super cute, super sweet super short story and I am absolutely here for it! 🩵

[Sammi O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack is so grumpy i love it. Summer is a ray of sunshine and just what jack needs. Never feed them, they stay lol

[Brittany Miner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the Holiday Haters Club. In this series you’ll find your main characters who love to hate the holidays, but seem to find themselves getting the warm and fuzzies when that special someone waltzes, stumbles, crashes, etc into their lives.

The first book in the series follows Jack Frost who absolutely hates Christmas, and really everyone because they are all insufferable twats (according to Jack, of course). With a twist of fate, Jack finds himself entangled with a bright and bubbly mermaid, Summer. Can Summer warm Jack’s frozen heart, or will he ice her out like he’s done with everyone else?

If you love Grumpy/Sunshine Romantasy novels/novellas this needs to be on your TBR along with Suckered and Cracked from the Holiday Haters Series by the wonderfully talented Teshelle Combs!

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a morally grey character and a spunky counterpart? Look no further than Frosted! Jack and Summer are a match made in well, not heaven, but…. more in Christmas cheer, although I think Jack would say it might have been forced upon him! (We all know he's lying to cover his fragile masculinity) Teshelle is talented in the art of bringing two opposites together as she has done so many times before. This was a quick read right in time for the holiday season, and many will enjoy how smooth the writing is! Frosted was funny, fast-paced, and very enjoyable, just as all stories by Teshelle are. I always look forward to reading her work, especially when I need a laugh or a good pick-me-up. I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) and am leaving this review without sponsorship or promotion.

[Shernina Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Holiday Hater books so much! This was the first one I ever read and they just keep getting better. This short story was such an easy read with a lot of bang for the length! Jack is not the good guy at all! He is quite the opposite and no one can make him do anything he doesn’t want to do. Well, Summer arrives and her bubbly, happy, easy going vibes throws jacks emotions into a mental blizzard! Summer is literally the one thing Jack didn’t expect! Go read this now if you haven’t!
Smut is low, plot is thick! #teshellecombs #frosted #bookstagram #arcreader #bookaddict #booknerd #booklover

[apagankitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore the Holiday Haters series and I'm happy I got to go back to the first in the series. As usual, Combs leaves me wanting more. To be clear I want so much more out of these characters, specifically! There are so many hints to deeper stories and I want to know them! The icy grump meets sweet sunshine trope is delightful and Jack is definitely super sour and bitter on the surface, but has some sweet bits hiding inside. I only give 4 stars instead of 5 because I do have several questions. Ultimately, it's not a bad thing because I am sure that more will be revealed in upcoming books. Sooooo, hurry up with the next ones!

[J.M. Northup · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hilarious RomCom

What a great take on Jack Frost. Such an enjoyable read that brought humor and romance to a classic. The various elements made a unique story, and I hope the author expands upon it.

I loved the characters. I'm interested in learning more about the siblings. I sense there is a bigger story there with their magic, their parents, and their bond. Of course, I thought Summer was enchanting and a perfect match-up for the cantankerous demi-god. Certainly, there's more to their story and to how she's able to handle Jack while others can't seem to.

I recommend this short read. Just be aware - it's going to make you want more. It did for me!

[labibliofille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frosted was FANTASTIC! The story follows Jack Frost through a couple of days, just normal life for him….or is it? Suddenly there’s someone in his bathtub – how curious. Then they have they audacity to wear his designer sweater and socks?! Despicable. The sass from Jack countered by the innocent sweetness of Summer is quite the dichotomy.

I absolutely cannot wait for Teshelle to write more of their story in the future, or to read what the other incredible authors have written in their villainous stories.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of the story Frosted by Teshelle Combs, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.  What a hilarious, fast, and fun read!

4/5
Teshelle once again painted a scene and developed her characters accordingly-- my favorite part of her story building. Jack was one of the most easy to hate but also easy to love (if both can be possible) characters!

There's a bit of spice, though not too much!
Grumpy/Sunshine

[Sefri Kuehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this short retelling of Jack Frost!^^ Tess (once again) did an amazing job. She made Jack waaaaayyy more sassy, grumpy, and very prone to blaming us (the readers) for things that seemingly go wrong for him 😂 His (very luxurious) life gets turned around when a random mermaid seemingly shows up out of nowhere and decides to stay (making waffles for people convinces them to stay😂) I can’t wait to read more (soon hopefully)

[Alliyah Beisell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highlights: Christmas, grumpy/sunshine, rewrite of childhood stories
Favorite Character: Summer
Honorable Mentions: Coco
Character that grew on me: Jack
Favorite Scene: When Coco came back
Overall thoughts: Great short story, I love the ties to other fantasy stories.
Star Rating: 5 out 5
Why: World and character building in such a short book. The perfect grumpy/sunshine story
Predictions: Summer and Coco become besties and Coco has a better life with someone less mean.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Information

Frosted
By
Teshelle Combs.

Genre - Smut.

Pages - 67 pages.

Tropes -
Grumpy x sunshine.
Demigod x Mermaid.

Available on Kindle Unlimited - No but is currently free on Amazon.

Available Formats - Kindle Only.

Publishing Information - Published on 3rd May 2024.

Format in Which i Read - Kindle.

Where my copy come From - My won brought copy.

POVs - Only Jackson's

Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines - Single timeline.

1st or 3rd Person - 1st person.

HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - Open ending - HFN - Hey it's smut.

Series or Standalone - This is book 1 of the The Holiday Haters series, they are all standalones apart from book 5 - Frosted 2, Meet The Parents, which carries on from this book.

Trigger Warnings - Please check content warnings as although I did not find anything triggering everyone is individual.







My Initial Thoughts

I loved the cover of this book, and it is what drew me into pressing purchase. I'm not one to read the back of the books and love going into the story blind. I loved how this was written and how Jackson talks to you, those bits had me laughing so much.


Plot

There is no plot in this short story, well maybe a tiny one, its all smut and Jackson grumps.



Characters

The main characters are polar opposites, and the way they was with each other just had me laughing the whole time. Jackson is one grumpy demi-god who will absolutely blame eveything on everyone else, but it just made me laugh. Then you have the ever bubbly Summer who was just fantastic, she didn't half give him a run for his money.

Recommend


If you want a quick read that will have you laughing throughout, then this is for you.

Favourite Quotes

"God of Frost and Snow." Demi-god actually. But who's counting? I pointed at her "Frail mortal with fins."

"What are these hideous little dolls with the aggressive teeth supposed to be?"

"Are those my Dior socks on your feet, you sea demon."



Favourite Chapter/s

I didn't have a favourite chapter as there was only 10 but I absolutely loved the chapter names!


Summed up in one sentence

Some festive giggles with a very grumpy Demi-god and a very lively mermaid.

Overall Wrap up

I absolutely loved this! This book just gave me so much fun and laugher. Jack was amazing with his grumpy persona and I loved how it was written as if Jack was talking to you himself, and blaming you for everything that happens.



Stars.

4

Spice.

1.5

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson Frost is the absolute worst—and somehow, I adored him anyway. This holiday short is packed with humor, sharp innuendos, and characters that leap off the (very frosty) page. I laughed out loud, got properly annoyed with Jack’s antics, and still ended up loving every minute of it.

The dynamic between Jack and the mermaid? Chef’s kiss. It’s chaotic, festive, and a little bit spicy in the most unexpected way.

Perfect if you're into holiday villains, rom-com mischief, and just the right dash of redemption.

[Aly S · Rating 5 out of 5]

And I am here for it!!

Jack is a beautiful grump! He has criminal aspirations. He is against people and happiness, and all things Christmas. Oh, he is also a demigod.

He is plotting winter and ways to profit from it when he is accosted in his own home by the personification of Christmas joy in the form of a mermaid. Spice ensues.

This book warmed my black little heart!

[Shola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frosted is a short story about Jack Frost as a Christmas villain with a hatred for merriness. I was hooked from the very beginning as I do love the normal Jack Frost Christmas story. Combs created a fantastic multi faceted character who had me giggling throughout the book. Him and his unlikely companion are an absolute howl and I cannot wait to see what else they get up to!

[Doj Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a lot of me to actively laugh out loud while reading...
And this had me randomly giggling..
Jack is a cold and grumpy *scrooge* type character who makes his match in Summer.. the bubbly and warm mermaid who turns up in his house because of a snow storm Jack's created..

The story is lighthearted with sarcastic humour, and I loved it ❤️

Read Time 53 minutes
Ranking 5 stars

[Jessica Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories are so nice, especially when they're full of fun! Jack is a grumpy demi-god (heaven forbid you forget his title) and has the attitude to prove it. His mermaid intruder starts to *maybe* melt his icy exterior but will she get the things she wants? I love TC stories and this is no exception, especially with it being a quick one to read and enjoy!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute short story of Jack Frost and Summer a mermaid who shows up uninvited at his home. This is a quick read with a lot of banter. My only critique with these holiday shorts is that the characters often lack depth. I would have liked to see more in Summer than just the surface level ditzy girl schtick.