Zhoel: All I Want for Christmas is an Alien

Kirenai Fated Mates #8

by Tamsin Ley

A small-town Christmas. An alien visitor. A completely unexpected romance. When Zhoel lands on Earth, he’s expecting to negotiate a business deal that will open the galaxy to human tourism. What he doesn’t expect is to be dropped into the middle of a holiday festival—and directly into the path of Lila Carson, a determined, down-to-earth woman with a big family.
Lila has enough on her plate trying to keep her family’s trucking company afloat during the busiest time of the year. The last thing she needs is responsibility for an alien. But Zhoel’s cluelessness about small-town life is endearing, and his timely proposal could save her family. Amid falling snow and sparkling lights, their professional agreement quietly transforms into a personal connection. Yet with Zhoel’s time on Earth running out and forces beyond their control threatening their future, love might not be enough to save the day.
Warm, witty, and brimming with heart, this interstellar holiday romance delivers emotional stakes, laugh-out-loud moments, and an alien encounter you won’t forget

Genres: Science Fiction, Holiday, Amazon

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

Steamy Sci-Fi with a Pinch of Pixie Dust
USA Today Best-selling author Tamsin Ley builds worlds full of sexy heroes who don’t know they need a mate - that is, until they meet the woman they can’t resist. Sign up for her newsletter to learn more, plus receive exclusive, subscriber-only content!
https://www.tamsinley.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not this authors best work

I rated this a 2 because of the extremely weak plot. The characters weren’t developed so I didn’t have any empathy with them. The writing was simplistic, and the plot boring. No surprises, nothing special about any of it. Worst of all, it was just plain syrupy. Having an HEA was great but there was no conflict, no big problems to solve to finally get to the happy ending. I was disappointed in this work. The author usually writes much better.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun addition to the series and a fab holiday romance. Zhoel got more than he bargained for when he hit up this small town at the holiday season ;) Lila is struggling with a family business in trouble. It's more difficult with the holidays fast approaching - and Zhoel sure gets sucked into all things Christmas. Lol! I really like how he was open to their cultural differences and made every effort to participate as much as possible. While Lila didn't have time for romance, her matchmaking Gma was on the job ;P Expect to get caught up in this feel-good romance that showcases family, acceptance, holiday traditions and a hot HEA. So fun and definitely the perfect time to dive into this engaging romance :D

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas & Inter-Planetary Negotiations

Zhoel lands on Earth with business on his mind, but is ambushed by a matchmaking grandma & a small-town Christmas. It never occurs to him there will not be any room at an inn! So he must become a houseguest & be involved with the kids & join a White Elephant party… Try to explain THAT to an alien!

Lila is stressed because the family business is not doing well. However, just like a Hallmark movie, the sweetness of Christmas draws Zhoel and Lila together. But Lila is needed at home & they literally live on different planets! It’s an impossible situation!

Do you believe the magic of Christmas can fix this?

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - All that you need is in this wonderful Christmas Intergalactic Dating Agency story that I'd devoured. This feel-good romance story is about Lila who runs her struggling family’s trucking company, Carson Trucking, and Zhoel who arrived in Bloomington a small town to promote his business and possible match making in a small town for his people. Walking to his contact which is the trucking company Zhoel gets lost in the downtown festivities and asks for directions to his contact Pearl. What happens when he arrives to their house is an enjoyable story that I'd received a copy and volunteer to read and review.

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book to read. Just my kind. Couldn't put it down. He comes to earth to do one thing he thought wouldn't be so hard to do. But lands right in the middle of a lot more than he can almost handle. She is trying to fix something in big trouble for the family and has no time for romance. He is trying to learn about the holiday and fit in. Then the fun starts. Especially when someone else gets involved in the matchmaking. Can you imagine him coming to earth and knowing nothing about the holiday and then trying to help. Loved it. What a fun, exciting, surprising, laugh out loud book. I highly recommend this. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zhoel, a handsome blue alien, Kirenian, lands on earth after being transported by the intergalactic transporter. He is here on urgent business and time is if the urgency because his visa is a short one. His business is with the trucking company run by Lila’s family. Although earth is aware of aliens and they are a part of the landscape of earth now, he still draws attention. This story explores his growing knowledge of Earth customs with humour. The story of Zhoel and Lila unfurls with laughter, fun, angst and heartwarming enjoyment.

[Patricia A · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alien who wants to study culture?

With every other alien romance strictly focused on the love story, it's quite refreshing to read one interested in the exchange of cultures. And if anyone is interested, the two purposes do coexist very comfortably, thank you so much. I like that enough I hope when aliens do arrive on earth, some come for precisely that reason. It would be a crime if all that appeared here was crime, warriors, and weapons. Give peace a chance. Great Read.

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed Tamsin Ley’s holiday book called Zhoel. Zhoel comes to earth to negotiate with a family transportation business so he can coordinate interstellar travel and culture using an app. Lila’s crafty grandmother sees an opportunity to do some matchmaking. In pursuit of the business merger, Zhoel and Lila share wonderful holiday traditions, such as a white elephant exchange and ice skating on the town pond. There’s a wonderful HEA, too!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how Zhoel embraced the culture that was so different from his own and made every effort to participate and enjoy the strangeness of small town life, the "rituals" of the season, and navigate the intricacies of familes. Lila's strength is her belief in and her dedication to her family. But Zhoel's differences sneak in under her guard and she finds herself falling for the alien. Will they find their happiness?

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, feel-good girl meets alien Christmas tale just in time for the holidays. The Lila is a smalltown girl dreaming of seeing the world and Zhoel is an alien dreaming of his fated mate. Great characters that have me rooting for them and cheering for them when they achieve their HEA. This one has the Hallmark vibe but way steamier. A super fun read. Enjoy!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eighth story in the Kirenai Fated Mates/Intergalactic Dating Agency, Zhoel and Lila Carson meet when he ends up in the middle of a holiday festival. A well written story with a very good storyline and strong characters that held my interest. I enjoyed seeing them get a happy ending. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this author, she has great storylines, that are well written and entertaining. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lila is busy enough with her family’s business and now there’s an unexpected visitor. Not just anyone, an alien. Now she feels responsible for him as he knows nothing about humans. What a delightful story to please everyone.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't quite buy the connection between the two love interests in this story. It was cute and light and fluffy, but I think I expected a bit more. The resolution seemed to all happen a bit too quick and easy.

[Roseanne Storch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zhoel had a very festive theme that I enjoy this time of year. This story was cute and happy, I loved it!!

[Sarah Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think Hallmark movie but with aliens.

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

Holiday tradition mixed with a little sci-fi. What lead to a misunderstanding turned into a nice holiday romance. I enjoyed it.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story. The romance was sweet. Christmas made a nice setting.

[KateZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read - done in one day.
The story was a nice feel good Christmas tale with not too much angst and just enough spice.

[Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

The sex was too weird for me.

[More Books Than Time · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some very dirty spots lowered from a 2-3 star read to 1.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story that reminded me just a bit of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Except Nana Pearl’s invited the guy under false pretences while playing matchmaker for her granddaughter. Zhoel is a total sweetheart (especially with Lila’s nephew!), and Lila is so devoted to her family. I really enjoyed watching these two overcome their obstacles and fall in love.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How long does it take to fall in love? Not long at all for Zhoel and Lila. You’d be surprised all that can happen in just three days. Emotions sky rockets, but it doesn’t take much to plummet when doubt creeps in.