Naughty Elf: Aster

Santa's Naughty Elf Mates

by Lorelei M. Hart

Who put three cups of salt in the sugar cookies? Oh yeah, that would be me.

Being Santa’s head baker, I have one Make delicious cookies. And I do. Year after year. I bake the best cookies in the world… that is until someone puts the salt in the sugar bin and I accidently make the worst cookies ever. And to make matters worse, I served them to Santa after he had a rough day.

Santa is not impressed, and now instead of being part of the cookie village team, I’m being sent to Vermont where I’m stuck in a little junk store no one cares about. That is until a little boy begs his grams for me. I’m sure I’m doomed to be stuck on his shelf forever.

Naughty Aster is a sweet with knotty heat MM mpreg Christmas romance featuring a cookie baking elf who made one tiny mistake, a widowed wolf shifter raising his son the best he can, a little boy who saw that the tiny figurine at the antique store was so much more, presents, Christmas trees, a snowstorm, an adorable kitten, Santa doing what Santa does—delivering the best Christmas presents ever —true love, fated mates, and an adorable baby.

**Naughty Aster is part of the Santa's Naughty Elves multi-author shared world M/M Christmas Mpreg series, which can be read in any order. Why not read them all?

Genres: Romance, Omegaverse, Christmas, Magic, M M Romance, Paranormal, Holiday

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Lorelei M. Hart is the cowriting team of USA Today Bestselling Authors Kate Richards and Ever Coming. Friends for years, the duo decided to come together and write one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Mpreg.

Reviews

[Audi♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute. Tell me how an elf has a knot tho 🤣💀

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday Cheer Meter: 3/5
(Where 1 is as Christmassy as 'Die Hard' and 5 is more like 'Elf')

1st person, past tense, dual POV
Aster, alpha elf, Santa Chris's head baker
Wolfe, omega wolf shifter, digital creator

Ummmm, this was cute, quick, and fun, but a little superficial, especially as far as the romance was concerned. I know you can't expect an epic romance from something this length, but I was hoping for more schmoopy sweetness. This relied far too heavily on telling the reader that Aster and Wolfe are fated mates, rather than showing it and even then it was rather light on the fated mates 'feels', where the couple feels drawn together and just can't help falling in love. I'm not a huge fan of children in romance, but liked the set-up for this book. Noel was adorable, but almost outshone the couple

While the story stands alone for the most part, I didn't find the world building adequately conveyed. I'm assuming the entire series is a shared world, but this doesn't explain any of it - apparently there are different Santas? The punishment for even a minor infraction seems severe - being turned into a figurine - the North Pole doesn't seem like a very jolly place. Apparently there were rules surrounding the transformation, but they were only alluded to and there was some kind of romance involving Krampus that is mentioned repeatedly in passing as though we should know who the characters are but they much be the main couple from another book and it feels like it. It doesn't severely impact the the story, but the reader is left with a vague feeling of missing some context.

I'll probably check out a couple other books of a series, I see there are some author's whose writing I enjoy participating on the collaboration.

[Jamie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It looks like I have another unpopular opinion. I didn't like this one either. I'm not sure what threw me exactly, but maybe it was the elf being punished and made into a toy that then transforms into a human again, or the fact that the same elf is somehow supposed to be the alpha in the relationship but yet doesn't come across as that at all. I got more 'alpha' vibes off of the supposed omega.

Not to mention, this is instalove and I just didn't buy into it at all. This one was very OTT for me.

[molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't wanna talk about it

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I don’t know what to think. My son is here. You are a stranger to us.”
Aster nodded and looked toward the fire. He sidestepped closer to it and sighed. “How do your kind change that?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“How do I become not a stranger?”

I loved this book. It was such a fun read. I'm really loving this holiday series and its premise of a character being transformed into an inanimate object until they found- or rather were found by- their fated mate.

Aster loved his job as a baker, even in spite of the pressures of his promotion to head baker and in charge of the all-important Christmas cookies. When someone accidentally(?) refilled the sugar with salt, and Aster didn't catch it in time before it reached Santa, he not only lost his job but was transformed into a figurine on a secondhand store shelf. My heart really hurt for him, and couldn't have imagined how it must feel to be frozen there unable to move, speak to anyone, or even blink or turn his eyes for countless hours. I know this story has a happy ending and of course it'll be worth it to meet his fated one, but it just felt so cruel.

Omega wolf shifter Wolfe was raising his young son Noel alone after his mate was killed in an accident a few years before. Noel wanted an elf, and Aster was perfect, so Wolfe bought it for him for Christmas. Once home though, the statue somehow fell off the mantle and turned into a man- elf. I enjoyed Wolfe's reaction and their first interaction. They were really sweet together. Forced proximity, falling in love. I was all in. 5 stars.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the multi-author Santa's Naughty Elf Mates series. Each book is a standalone. This is the story of Aster and Wolfe. Aster is the head baker for Santa Christ at the North Pole. He is living his best life until a mistake happens. When salt is substituted for sugar in the big guys cookies. There is a harsh price to pay. One minute he is an alpha elf and the next he is a figurine. Wolfe is an omega wolf shifter that is working hard raising his five year old son by himself. Unexpectedly, a widow, both Wolfe and Noel are struggling to find their new normal. Noel picks Aster as his new gift from his dad. At home, Aster changes from figurine to elf. Only finding his fated mate would do that. With a snowstorm trapping him at the house, Aster, Noel and Wolfe get to know each other. Wolfe realizes that Aster is his mate as well. But how long will Aster stay with them? Neither fully understands what the new rules are. This is their story. This is a fun read. The book is well written and easy to read. A perfect story to get you into the holiday spirit.

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

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aster made a bunch of cookies like he did everyday as he was the head baker and loved his job, but one day Ernie tasted one and instead of sugar there was salt. He went running to stop Santa #1 from tasting the cookies but was too late and was told to go home, he went to the bakery and threw out all of the cookies. Later Santa told him that he was to be a figurine so he ended on a shelf in an antique store, Ernie finally found him and told Aster he was sorry for putting salt in the sugar container. Wolfe was raising Noel alone since his mate had died but one day Noel wanted to buy something but not a toy and went to the antique store he looked until he found Aster the figurine and that is what he wanted. Noel said that the elf belonged with them when at home put Aster on the mantle later when Wolfe looked into Aster’s eyes he became human. Wolfe was upset at Santa for what he had done to Aster worked out that they were mates, Noel accepted Aster they were mated. Aster was allowed to visit the North Pole with the family.

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

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this multi-author series I have read, and it was fabulous!! The North Pole (and all its wonders) was so delightful. Aster made a critical error and the punishment was severe. He was such a wonderful Alpha despite the circumstances he found himself to be in (completely out of his element and at the mercy of others). Wolfe and Noel, well what can I say except they had endured so much in such a relatively short time. Having lost a mate (and father) they were still thriving and had such strong spirits. Little Noel was such a joy with his energy and positivity.

I realize the other books in this series are written by different authors, but I hope they continue with the overall positivity this one clearly displayed! I can not recommend this read highly enough. I did receive a gift copy, but voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story with alpha elf Aster gaining omega wolf shifter Wolfe as his fated mate, along with adorable, precocious son Noel, all due to a prank and a mistake at the North Pole, courtesy of Santa. A few surprises occur when Aster unknowingly uses salt instead of sugar in his cookies, causing his banishment from the North Pole and his new existence as an elf (statue) on the shelf in a secondhand store. Little does he know how his life will change.

Entertaining read with lots of snow, cookie shaped pancakes, a snowy kitten, a very astute 5 year old, a displaced elf, and a lonely omega, all brought together to create a new family unit for Christmas. Great short holiday read to get in the mood early.

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

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you find out the rumors are true? Cute way to meet your mate. Aster, is doing well as Santa's head baker. He takes pride in his job and may be a bit of a workaholic with absoluely no life. He barely socializes and doesn't date. He says he's waiting for his fated. An unfortunate accident has him making cookies with salt instead of sugar and Santa is not pleased. Wolfe widowed omega wolf single Dad to Noel, missed his dead alpha, David. He was always fighting the constant lonliness. Aster, ends up a figureine elf and Noel makes a decision supported by Wolfe which changes all their lives and takes them on a fun adventure. Noel, is the sweetest kid.LMH, has created the sweetest characters and we are lucky to participate on their adventure. Great characters, fun pace nice friends.Great cover art. Nicely done1 I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute but the premise left a little to be desired for me. I feel like the relationship was cute and despite the instalove I liked Aster and Wolfe. It's a holiday novella, that's going to be sped up. But, the why's and how's of Aster ending up an elf on a shelf ;) didn't really make sense. And having immediately followed up this story with the next in the series this was just reaffirmed for me. It felt like there needs to be a meddling Santa that knows his elves and is manufacturing in a concerted way for them to meet their mates because it's ultimately how they'll be happier. Some sort of connecting element other than a manufactured "naughty" moment for the elf in question especially in a case like this where he was a wonderful part of the North Pole prior to one little error.

Ok nit picking aside this was cute and feel good. Wolfe and his son Noel are adorable and Aster fit with them. I'm always here for a happy holiday story.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Naughty Elf: Aster: M/M Mpreg Christmas Romance. Aster didn’t realize his mistake and it got him kicked out of the North Pole. He’s stuck as a figurine u til he finds his fated mate. Life was passing him by but he was happy being Santa’s baker. Now he’s sitting in a shelf. Wolfe is surprised when his son picks the elf figure but it fits, now when it turns human then he has issues. Wolfe knows Aster is his mate but he’s from a different world and will he want to stay with them? I loved the storyline and the characters. It’s a sweet story and I loved them Christmas theme. I woukd definitely recommend this book and the series.

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

[Sierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great premise but needs editing

I really enjoyed the premise of this story and the lighthearted feel. My only issue was that the story doesn't seem to be edited for continuity which makes it somewhat confusing to follow the storyline. (Possible spoilers) For instance, one chapter Aster goes back to the North Pole, makes peace with Santa and it is said that he visits his home to grab some stuff while he is there. But in subsequent chapters, it's noted that he wished he had some of his own possessions and he is worried Santa is going to skip Noel as retribution for Aster's actions. This was only one instance of this kind of error. Definitely can take the reader out of the world.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

Aww this was so sweet. At first I was like what?! How could Santa do that to Aster? But Santa knew what he was doing. A figurine though, that was new to me. Wolfe has done the best he can raising his young son, Noel, after his alpha passed away. When Noel chooses the elf figurine to come home with him after a trip to the antique store, little do he and his dad know that their lives would change forever. Aster and Wolfe are so cute together. I loved Noel's enthusiasm and energy. This was a lovely holiday story. I'm excited to read the rest of the books in this multi-author series.

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another figurine, another fated mate, & a kitten named snowball...

I love this series! The characters come to life, the scenes are so vivid, you can easily visualize everything. This story has it all: a friend trying to help, another figurine, a precocious little boy, fated mates, and a kitten named Snowball. I found this whole book thoroughly enchanting. There is humor, sledding, &lots of cookies. Ooh, and lots of sexy times that result in the inevitable. Santa and elf magic, too, with a little boy's faith. I know you will love this book as much as I did. Get. It. Now!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this story. The characters were cute and perfect for Christmastime. I liked how everything felt that magical aura. The storyline was perfect for Christmas. A new love is the best Christmas present. The problem for me is that the story seemed to drag. The romance part of the story started 67% in. I could not feel the passion between Wolfe and Aster. The chemistry would have been more realistic if the reader had hints of it in the beginning chapters.
I received a complimentary copy of this story and I freely left this review.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and I loved it! Aster is an elf that gets himself in a bit of trouble with Santa when a batch of his cookies goes horribly wrong! His punishment seems a bit harsh but it will lead him to his one true mate and a wonderful family. I love how Aster still gets to remain his elf-y self once true love makes him whole again. Wolfe is a wonderful father and his son Noel is one of the best parts of the story!.

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

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so loving this naughty elf series. Now with Aster...I don't think he was entirely naughty...just made a mistake and his punishment didn't really seem fair...but with the going theme with this series, these naughty elves have to be redeemed and find their true mate. Well I don't know if it was Santa's magic or just fate that Aster was found by Wolfe and his sweet little boy. This romance had me in the feels and was truly lovely. Wonderful HEA...highly recommend.

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

[Gemi Star · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confused

I’ve read Lorelai Hart books since 2021. The quality of writing has gone downhill rapidly. This book had multiple repeated paragraphs and constant spelling errors, and it's just not the same voice as it used to in 2021. I found out recently that Lorelai Hart is a combination of two writers, and it feels like they've given up over the last couple of years. This book is cute, but it’s not the quality that I’m used to from this author, and I find that pretty sad. It almost has the feel an AI written book.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aster is a North Pole Elf and he's a baker. One of his friends switches the sugar for salt and because he didn't catch the mistake he gave Santa cookies that were inedible. As his punishment he was changed into a figurine and sent to Vermont. The only thing to change that would be him to find his true mate. Wolfe was raising his son Noel on his own after losing his mate David. Noel finds an elf figurine and antique store and bring some home. Somehow he knew that he belonged to them.

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

[Jessica Kapellusch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

The story was so short that there wasn't much time to let things develop. Many times, I felt like the author was telling us what happened rather than telling a story... if that makes any sense to anyone besides me. That said, the story was still really cute, and Noel was adorable! It's worth reading for a little Christmas cheer!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I absolutely loved this story. Christmas magic, elves, shifters and fated mates all wrapped up in the sweetest story. I really enjoyed reading this and it was the perfect Christmas story.

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naughty Elf: Aster by Lorelei M. Hart is part of the multi-author series Santa's Naughty Elf Mates. This is the story of Aster and Wolfe. Wolfe's son Noel is also a big part of the story. I loved this story. It was sweet and very well written.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naughty Elf: Aster is part of the multi-author series Santa's Naughty Elf Mates and can be read as a standalone. This is a sweet, slow burn, cute story about Aster and Wolfe. Loved this story and the characters.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. A bit of matchmaking and a smart young boy bring Aster and Wolfe together. I liked how they became a family with the best of both worlds.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sent to earth as a figurine in a junk shop, Aster is left sitting there until a small boy comes in and begs his dad to buy him.
Once home eventually Aster becomes alive again and the romance blossoms between the dad and Aster.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was another cute addition to this multi-author series. I really enjoyed reading Aster and Wolfe's story as they became a family along with little Noel.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa's head baker, Aster, makes a huge mistake and is banished. Wolfe is busy raising his young son after losing his Alpha. These two would never meet without some Christmas magic. A super cute read.

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not so sure Aster is a naughty elf. He's one that gets the punishment though. He finds the perfect wolf shifter mate with an adorable son. This is such a sweet, perfect Christmas romance! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Akasha721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are the sweetest Christmas books ever! A little boy makes his father's dream come true for Christmas. Aster has what he thought was the worst Christmas, turn out to be the best!.

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