The Knotty Clause

Horned Holidays #4

by Honey Phillips

Can a single mother create some holiday magic for a reclusive alien warrior?

Lured by the promise of steady work, Gemma accepts a job at a remote mining claim, only to find that both she and her young son are virtual slaves to the greedy mine boss. When a desperate attempt to escape finds them caught in an unexpected snowstorm, she thinks all is lost - until a very large and very not-human male appears and rescues them.

Their savior is gruff, reclusive, and unexpectedly kind. He offers them a refuge - as long as they don’t intrude on his privacy. He even draws up a contract, but the longer they stay with him, the more Gemma wants to break every one of his rules.

Ever since his ship crashed on K.R.S. Three, Yede has concealed himself in his mountaintop hideaway. A life alone with his memories is better than risking more heartbreak - until he rescues a fragile, tempting human woman and her determined little boy from a snowstorm. Now the icy walls around his heart - and other important parts - are beginning to thaw. Can he find the courage to take a second chance on love, despite the risks?

This sweet and steamy holiday romance features a clever and resourceful heroine, a not-as-reluctant-as-he-seems hero, an irresistible little boy, and all the warmth of the holiday season. Not to mention enough long, sweet, lickable... candy canes to satisfy your every craving! (Intended for mature audiences.)

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Science Fiction, Novella, Ebooks, Holiday, Science Fiction Romance

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2024

Reviews

[Zero · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the distant future (for us), humans left Earth and crash landed on a planet with an anomaly that incapacitates navigation systems. Many years later, the humans have almost completely forgotten about their more technologically-advanced history and their lives are similar to the pre-industrial age on earth. Unbeknownst to the humans, other peoples in the universe have crash landed on the planet as well.

I love the concept for this series. And I also like the play on winter folklore: Krampus, St. Nicholas, Jack Frost, and Yeti.

The story was interesting, the romance worked for a novella, and the characters were written well. Definitely a fun Christmas book if one's looking for something very different.

[Sara Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! I read it in one sitting! Seriously sexy and our alien hero is dreamy! Fur! Yes please!!! Kind heart, big feet, protective, sexy, and somewhat a sweet mess… yes and more yes!!! This book put me in the holiday mood! I love how Ms Honey writes our hero with challenges to overcome… and how our heroine is patient, loving, and knows how to win over an aliens heart!! 💕 Definitely a stocking stuffer book to share with all your friends!!! They will love it! 😍.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I love you,” he said softly. “I’ve been alone for so long that I’d forgotten what it was like to be a part of a family. But now that I’ve found it, I’ll do anything to protect it.”
…
The Knotty Clause is the newest installment of the Horned Holidays series. I binged the first three books last year and I was so excited to see a new addition get released. This book is full of so much holiday love that it’ll melt your heart! This gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!

I think this is my favorite in the series. I absolutely loved Yede and Gemma’s story (and little Liam too!). Yede is a total grump who has built up walls around himself due to his past, but Gemma and her son slowly break them down. Their love flowed so naturally and I liked that Gemma let him process his feelings and didn’t pressure him. The “she fell first, he falls harder” trope was strong with this book! Plus he naturally took on a father figure role for Liam. My heart! 😭🥺

There’s quite a bit of suspense in this book that had me worried for the MC’s. Gemma makes so many sacrifices to ensure her son is safe and that he can have a better life. And once they are with Yede he won’t let anything take away his new family.

Finally, I loved the bridge to the other books at the end! It’s a quick scene, but helps to tie the whole series together! Overall I love this story and I think it was sweet, cozy, spicy, but with enough emotion and suspense to make this a well rounded story!

[Kathleen Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday joy.

This story pivots off of holiday stories from the last few years. This book reminds us that family is the heart of the season and ultimately the center of our happiness. Fear is a liar and a robber that will steal that joy. Great story

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

His name is Yede, y'all!! And he has white fur and horns. I loved this. It was so sweet and abit spicy. With a heartbroken hero, a determined single mama, and a sweet little boy. HP writes the most wholesome but spicy scifi romances. Happy reading!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lured by the promise of steady work, Gemma accepts a job at a remote mining claim, only to find that both she and her young son are virtual slaves to the greedy mine boss. When a desperate attempt to escape finds them caught in an unexpected snowstorm, she thinks all is lost - until a very large and very not-human male appears and rescues them.
Their savior is gruff, reclusive, and unexpectedly kind. He offers them a refuge - as long as they don’t intrude on his privacy. He even draws up a contract, but the longer they stay with him, the more Gemma wants to break every one of his rules.
Ever since his ship crashed on K.R.S. Three, Yede has concealed himself in his mountaintop hideaway. A life alone with his memories is better than risking more heartbreak - until he rescues a fragile, tempting human woman and her determined little boy from a snowstorm. Now the icy walls around his heart - and other important parts - are beginning to thaw. Can he find the courage to take a second chance on love, despite the risks?
This sweet and steamy holiday romance features a clever and resourceful heroine, a not-as-reluctant-as-he-seems hero, an irresistible little boy, and all the warmth of the holiday season. Not to mention enough long, sweet, lickable... candy canes to satisfy your every craving! (Intended for mature audiences.)

Heather's Notes
I like these stories. They are very low angst which is always nice. The are also very stand alone. There is only one short interaction with one of the characters in the other books. It is at the end and not need for the story, but I am glad it was added.

[JML · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romantic holiday treat!💖🔥🌟

I love and look ward to Honey Phillips adding to this Christmas \ Yule tide series every year. As always this story did not disappoint. Yede a soldier & scout has been stranded on this planet for 3 years. He last everything in the last war he fought in his parent and his little brother. So he decided there was nothing to go back to . He built his home in the mountains King what nature provided and the remains of his ship. Yede believed that this solitude is what he deserved because he failed his family. On a very cold winters night in the middle of a raging storm his life will change forever. Gemma and her found son Liam are trapped in the mines working hard to badly make ends meet. When her husband pasted she need to find away to provide for her son and the promotion of the mine made it sound like the opportunity to get back on her feet and make an honest living. Too bad it was all a lie it it turned out to be horrible luv it conditions as well as back breaking work. She needed to escape and said s her son from the same fate. Little did she know that her escape out into a wild winter storm would bring her the salvation, warmth love and family she had only dreamed about! You have to read about love lost, love found and the beauty of finding purpose and family. Its the perfect holiday tale that will leave you warm and fuzzy inside with a smile on your face! Highly recommend🔥💖🌟🔥💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🌟🔥💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🔥🌟💖🌟🔥🌟🔥💖🔥🌟💖🌟🔥💖🔥🌟💖🔥

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knotty Clause is a sweet and emotional book four SciFi Romance from the author’s Horned Holiday series and a delightfully engaging story.
MFC Gemma was enticed into thinking she was going to have steady work and a better life for her six year old son Liam when she joined the mining camp on K.R.S. Three.
The reality was much different and with plans in place for escape she and Liam have to brave a snow storm to leave the cruelty they have been barely surviving behind.
MMC Yede lives in isolation in his mountain hideaway after his ship crashed on the planet three years prior. After his proximity alerts go off he heads out into the storm to reconnoiter, and finds Gemma and Liam.
Honor bound to offer Gemma and her son refuge until the storm passes one cannot wait to find out how this change in living arrangements is going to affect the gruff loner.
With lovely writing a wonderful story soon unfolds that will warm the heart and pull forth many a smile as Yede finds a new warmth invading his home, and one he isn’t sure that he wants to ever leave.
Personal vulnerabilities to overcome, family dynamics, a little danger, and lots of newly found love and spice made this story the most enjoyable of reads!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back on K.R.S. Three and another alien has found himself stranded there. Truthfully, the being stranded part isn't a terrible hardship for Yede since he blames himself for something very much out of his control and thinks he deserves the solitude (and loneliness) of this planet. Then Gemma and her son walk into his life (more like stumble up his mountain in a snowstorm, but who's counting, amirite?) and suddenly Yede's lonely home is filled with life and laughter.

On Gemma's end, she was trying to make a better life for her and her son, but things took a turn. Not willing to let Liam be forced into the mine, Gemma gathers Liam up and escapes up the mountain. In a snowstorm. Which sucks, but a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do. Fortunately for them, Yede was there to save the day. Sure he was gruff and hermit-y, but it didn't take much to thaw the big guy's demeanor and soon THINGS were happening. Both romantic things and family things.

A whole lot of snow, more than a little danger, an isolated home (that's pretty darn cool), some holiday cheer, a male who needs to deal with his past if he wants to have a future, and a lady who knows a good thing when she catches sight of his horns. GOOD STUFF!

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Although he knew it was foolish, his conscience wouldn’t let him ignore someone in need.'

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. The story was exciting and suspenseful from the start as Gemma had been lured in with the offer of a good job, food, and a roof over her head, only to be worked like a slave, half starved, and living in a shack with her six-yea-old son Liam. But when the mine owner wants to put the boy to work and cuts their rations, she takes her son and makes a run for it.

Yede's ship crashed and he remained in his exile alone for the last three years. When he saw two heat signatures, and knew that the distrusting humans wouldn't survive long in the storm and would try to help.

I loved all three of them. I like that she accepted his help even though she recognized he wasn't human at first sight. (Not that she had much choice, but some heroines don't make good choices, and she did it willingly.) Liam's reaction upon first seeing Yede, and how he responded in return was one of my favorite scenes- sweet and simple.

I loved how they bonded and grew close- both Yede and Gemma as a couple, and with Liam as a family. A very sweet holiday romance. 5 stars.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Horned Holidays series and I am glad to say it lived up to my expectations after the first three. I loved getting to know Yede and Gemma as well as Gemma's son Liam in this story and thought they made a cute family. I was happy with how everything worked out for all the characters in this story and thought the epilogue was really nice, including the drop in from Krampusarian from Krampus and the Crone. I look forward to reading many more books by this author in the future and maybe even another in this series.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A damaged warrior, Yede and a single mother, Gemma. Gemma is stuck at a mining camp with little to eat and a shack barely enough to keep the cold wind out. When the owner decides to put her very young son to work in the mines as well, she decides to make a run for it. Soon she finds herself and her son Liam on a moutain with a winter blizzard in full force. Yede sees the intruders but decides to go help them against his better judgement. They would surely die without his help. After having them, he tries to keep space between them. After loosing his family in a fight that he was not there for, he believes he should be alone forever. Having Gemma and Liam reminds him of his loss, but they keep pulling him into their little bubble until he can no long imagine a life without them.
Holiday themed around the longest night, seems similar to Christmas. Action, drama, steamy, a little danger and HEA. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read!!! There is nothing better then being able to open a book and it is a story that is totally different then what you have read recently.
Gemma is a woman who has been through a very tough time barely hanging on and putting everything on the line for her son, but the more she hopes for something better the worse it seems to get for her. Her plan to escape and save her son from a very tough situation that would more than likely kill him they find themselves in a dire situation in a storm.

Yede is a very lonely man and one stormy night finds himself saving a woman and her child, and now the lonely home he had was now filled with laughter and love.

The way these two people come together makes for a sweet story, and you can't put it down.

I highly recommend this book.

[Jd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yede

Yede is an alien who has been stranded on a planet for three years, but views it as penance. He feels guilt that he was not there when his parents and brother died. Despite feeling his isolation is deserved, he is lonely. The reader is not privy to how long ago his family died. It can be inferred that it was some time ago, after the war ended. It makes you wonder why he was so lost in that grief.
In drops Gemma and her son, Instant family.
The romance seemed more like to desperate people who stumbled upon each other. It was not like fated mates. She was kind of clingy and didn't want to respect his need for space.
What didn't make sense was him claiming the mountain. He is an alien and has been there for only three years.
Out of all four of the books in this series, this was my least favorite. It seemed rushed.

[Donna Zug · Rating 5 out of 5]

The day to day danger of this planet, harsh working and living conditions, barely enough food even though it was awful and now the supervisor says her 6 year old child is old enough to work in the mines. Gemma knows she needs to escape. It's winter but facing that is better than staying.
Yefe's ship crashed three years ago. He's repurposed parts of his ship and a cave to make an acceptable living area. And he's convinced himself he's ok being alone. Then his perimeter alarm goes off and he heads out to check. He finds Gemma and her son, they won't survive much longer in the storm.
What a start to this amazing story full of danger, manipulation, growth, healing, feeling safe and steam. And I love a sweet HEA.

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey Phillip’s The Knotty Clause is the newest addition to the Horned Holidays series. Gemma was lured to work at a mine with promises of a decent wage, a small home and plenty of food, none of which she gets. Threatened that her five year old son must work, too, they run away in a blizzard, nearly freezing in the snow. Then a tall, furry, horned male comes out of the blizzard and saves them, taking them to his home in the mountains. He’s been alone and grieving for his murdered family for years, so it takes him a bit to warm up to his human refugees who are lively and warm hearted. Wonder found family HEA!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aria Maze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey Phillips delivers every single time!

I was wanting a short sweet holiday book and I got exactly that! A bit of tension and so much sweetness.

Yede has secluded himself after he crashed onto a plant deciding not to try and go back to his home planet because he has no reason to. After three years of seclusion he sees a woman and a small child huddled together for warmth and offers them shelter. This begins the cutest little family ever!

Gemma was the perfect amount of patient and demanding. She understood there was more than meets the eye and was a great mother to Liam. She had so much strength to leave the horrible conditions she was forced to endure to give her son a better life and it all paid off.

And I want to visit a hot spring, now.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma is betrayed after she was promised work and a stable home for herself and her young son. She is despite to escape the constant hardship and suffering with her son, trades her mother’s necklace for a map and flees into the cold snowy winter seeking refuge.
Thankfully she and her young son will be saved by a protective yet guarded lone warrior.
Yede has closed himself off, he lost his family and has not fully dealt with that pain.
Rescuing Gemma and her son bring emotions and memories to the surface he was not ready to deal with.
Together they will find healing and build a strong bond.
Great feel good winter read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How could he make her feel so safe and so excited at the same time?”

“There’s never been a male he could admire, that he could learn from. You’ve given him something he’s never had before.”

A heartwarming story just in time for the holidays!! A perfect blend of sweetness and steam. Yede is a wonderful cinnamon roll hero who literally saves Gemma and her 6 yr old son Liam from freezing after they escape from an unscrupulous mine boss and into a snowstorm. They brighten his home and his life and he gets a real family and is saved by their love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 44%. I liked the beginning and was invested in where the story was going. But once it became less based on character motivations and more about hitting specific beats in romance, I grew bored. I didn't believe how quickly these two were moving, especially given their history. When Yede, the MMC, has a nightmare about Gemma and her kid and is suddenly shutting off from them (so cliched) and then three pages later sleeping with Gemma, I was done. None of that made sense for the character the author had given us up to that point.

The most enjoyable part was Yede's developing relationship with Gemma's son.

[La'Jacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories are reminders!!!!

As always, Honey makes it soooo hard not to love the MMC. She has this ability to make the FMC see what the MMC tries to hide.

Yede is not so much damaged as he is ravaged with the pain of being alone. No family and no career, he is marooned on Earthnand decides to just isolate and wither away. Gemma, on the other hand, has too much life and wanted more and better not just for her but for Liam.

In the midst of a snowstorm, love takes root in the depth of memeori3s and reminds Yede that loving again is a must to thrive and proves to Gemma that Liam not only has a future free of their horrific past but a home with a loving a dedicated father.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, emotional and engaging holiday romance. Gemma and her son Liam are really getting the back end of every situation they encounter. Her 'steady' work turned out to be more of a slavery situation and their escape led them right into a snowstorm. Thankfully, it's not all doom and gloom when Yede, a reclusive alien, saves them. His guilt over his past had him isolating for self punishment but the laughter and love now filling his home win over his frozen heart. I was really hooked on this story, beginning to end and couldn't put it down. Good fun!

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this heartfelt story. Gamma seems to know what Yede needs even if he doesn't know himself. She is very patient and compassionate. I loved the "contract".
Liam brings an extra heart into the story. Yede was able to give him something he never had in his life.
The flow was very good. You get lulled into the story quickly.
I love the HEA. Steam to the eventual romance. This is a standalone story perfect for reading in front of the fireplace in the winter.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynkris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved this book! Yede and Gemma are so sweet together. And Liam is such a sweetie. I look forward every year to Honey Phillips Christmas stories and this book is the reason why! She is a Master story teller who crafts book filled with wonderful characters and "real" situations that keep me glued to my seat because I HAVE to know what's next. I love the healing and growing the characters do. But most of all I love how I feel after reading her books...I am satisfied and happy. 5 joyous, happy Christmas stars!

[Melanie Milburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fine Winter’s Tale

Gemma and her son, Liam, are escaping an evil mine boss on a blustery winter’s night, when they are rescued from a snowstorm by Yede. He is a furry and gruff alien with horns. He takes them out of the brutal cold and gives them shelter in his home, reclaimed from his crashed ship and adapted using found materials.
As they spend more time together, and they learn more about each others customs, winter magic is in the air and so is love. Things get pretty hot in there!

[DoodleBug · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know most readers like reading the same thing over and over (and over) again, but it gets so boring after a while. This book was so short, there was zero development. InstaLove, InstaFamily. Almost no real conflict. Everything fell neatly into place. Pretty much like every other story in this series, just with less development.

The first one was good. But reading the same book filled with the same characters and situations again and again and again? It gets old.

Nothing against the author. She's just giving people what they want to read. More power to her.

[Jannie Cv · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Horned Holidays!
I adore Gemma! She is such a strong character, so protective of her son. She makes some unreasonable decisions, but sometimes it’s worth taking a wild chance. Yede: what a perfectly satisfactory, lonely alien male! I love seeing how he softens his stance as he gets to know Gemma and Liam. This is a delightful romance with a new family developing, evildoers to overcome, and a holiday to celebrate. It couldn’t be more satisfying!

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Knotty Clause” by Honey Phillips

A heartwarming holiday alien romance blending sweetness and steam. Gemma’s fierce love for her son and Yede’s transformation from a stoic loner to a loving protector create a tender, feel-good story. Packed with family bonding, suspense, and festive cheer, it’s a perfect holiday read. Fans of cozy alien romances with strong heroines will adore this tale!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needing work Gemma accepts work at a remote mining camp with her son. Turns out the job is little more than slave labor. She decides to escape and is caught in a snowstorm. Yede a white fur covered alien rescues her and her son. He is gruff but kind and soon Gemma finds herself falling for him. Sweet alien romance with steam of course.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.