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Holiday Court Monsters #1

Gnome in Your Home

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Everyone knows Christmas is the one time of the year when parents are stressed beyond their limits. Adding to their pain is a popular gnome called Christmas Gnome in Your Home to let “Santa” know if kids have been nice or naughty.

For Olivia moving the gnome around her home is a nightmare.

What happens when the Christmas Gnome in Your Home comes to life, granting her kid’s Christmas wish?

If you’re Olivia, it turns into a psycho stalker named Axeel, who claims to be the King of the Christmas Gnomes.

Will she survive his corny jokes, obsessive attention and unhinged monster behavior?
Can Axeel convince her to let Daddy Gnome deck her halls with his balls?

Read to find out!

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2024

35 people are currently reading
148 people want to read

About the author

E.M. Dark

6 books43 followers
EM Dark is a Black Latina indie romance author who loves to write dark and spicy literary stories. She loves to write about weird, feral, unhinged, morally grey, BIPOC characters that make you laugh. She lives in Tennessee with her family and is married to the love of her life, a supportive husband.

When she isn't writing, you can find her watching her kid play hockey, binge-watching anime, coloring, drawing chibi characters, or cuddled up with her furbabies Dulce and Oreo, reading a dark romance book or manga.

EM Dark is thankful for the opportunity to share her stories that feature BIPOC characters with you.

EM loves hearing from her readers! You can reach her on social media or at authoremiliadark@gmail.com

Instagram: authoremdark
TikTok: authoremdark


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5 stars
99 (33%)
4 stars
104 (35%)
3 stars
62 (21%)
2 stars
14 (4%)
1 star
14 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,799 reviews499 followers
December 1, 2024
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the accidental wish making in this book and the stalker MMC that came into her life. Olivia was kind, lonely, and frazzled from working too many jobs and being a single parent. Axeel was entitled, protective, and possessive - determined to get Olivia no matter what. I liked the touch her and die vibes. I thought there wasn’t enough getting to know one another and some of the writing was stilted.

Spice: 4/5

Triggers: graphic violence including dismemberment, murder, stalking, addiction (side character, off page), overdose (off page), domestic violence (off page), sexual assault, forced masturbation, voyeurism, choking, mentions of flesh eating, mentions of human trafficking
Profile Image for Amanda_X.
42 reviews9 followers
November 29, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. This was a fun super 🌶️ Christmas novella! As EM says the smut is the plot and it did not disappoint. I loved all of the holiday inspired elements of spicy time, especially the marshmallow fluff ;) If you are looking for a quick fun spicy holiday read, this is it!
Profile Image for Diana Slaughter.
40 reviews118 followers
December 1, 2024
Loved this book! Loved the hero gnome, loved how he worshipped his woman, and loved the banter between the female main character and the female gnome! Would definitely recommend..
Profile Image for Sammi Hansen.
213 reviews12 followers
December 2, 2024
Loved this dark but dark Christmas book. Please read your TW! There are some funny one liners in there that had me cackling!

I can’t wait to see what the next one will be!
Profile Image for Leahsbookjourney .
128 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2024
“Yummy! You taste like marshmallow fluff with a hint of sugar cookies,” this quite though!!! lol
I just say as a first time ARC reader I was blown away by the way you created this story. And how it resembles the elf on the shelf but in an adult version 🙌🏽 I enjoyed more so how the story line between Olivia and Axel evolved! It was spicy very spicy but it was just the right amount at the right time in this novella! You did a beautiful job and I enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Lola Jansen.
390 reviews9 followers
November 12, 2024
Omg this book is amazing 😍

It’s funny, dark, spicy, romantic and weird (in a good way) mixed with a perfect dose of Christmas spirit!
I really like Olivia and her struggles feel very realistic. It made me giggle quite a bit when she talked about her book boyfriends and the spicy books she reads, but when she got her very own rich, morally grey gnome king she isn’t quite sure what to think of it🤣
Axeel is the literal embodiment of the typical book boyfriend but with a twist, he’s a lot… sweeter (iykyk) 😂

The smut started pretty early on too, there weren’t endless chapters of plot beforehand, just straight to point, exactly how I like it!

It also had a very healthy dose of heavy topics and trigger warnings and Is the perfect balance between funny, smutty and dark.


All in all I immensely enjoyed this book! Perfect read for the holiday season!
Profile Image for Gracie.
Author 45 books61 followers
December 21, 2024
3.5 Stars

Olivia is an overworked, stressed out mother of two and a widow. But even when her husband was alive, he abused her emotionally and physically, so she’s not missing him much.

Then a Christmas wish brings her Gnome in Your Home, Kate to life. Olivia thinks she’s going crazy, especially when Kate tells her that she will very soon be meeting her gift, the King of Christmas Gnomes.

Axeel is just as obsessive, possessive, touch her and cease to exist stalkerish as the next dark romance MMC, except he wants Olivia’s consent, safeword and all. He is too fine with his pointy ears, tats, silver hair and jingle balls. The fact that he loves every one of Olivia’s generous curves and wants only to take care of all her needs makes him super swoon-worthy.

I enjoyed this cute and quick smutty Christmas novella that made me want a gnome in MY home. Despite its sweetness though, check your triggers, because there is a list.
Profile Image for Brandy McCoy.
163 reviews
October 25, 2024
“He tastes so good. I could eat him! If more men had dicks that tasted as sweet as his, they would receive more blow jobs.”

I absolutely loved this book! Em did an amazing job with her first novella. This is a dark spicy Christmas novella loosely based on elf on the shelf. It’s a quick and easy read but also so entertaining and different! Let me just say his balls jingle 😂! I loved it! I would recommend for sure!

She has created the most creative world that has left it open for more! And I am here for it and cannot wait to see what she has in her brain for the next book!
Profile Image for Meg Bozarth.
86 reviews8 followers
October 31, 2024
Such a great read! Read in less than an hour! I wish it was longer because I loved it so much!

A great read to read this time of year!

Author Em Dark jam packs this story with just the right amount of spice! But what I loved most about the book is how much I laughed out loud while reading!

I am a huge fan of Em Dark’s writing! A fun, spicy, read that I highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Yvonne.
293 reviews23 followers
November 29, 2024
Gnome in Your Home" by EM Dark
Oh my gosh, this book had me howling! The spicy scenes? Hotter than my oven on Thanksgiving morning... and way more satisfying. Kate is an absolute gem; her humor had me snorting like a reindeer on caffeine. Seriously, if you’re not reading this over the holidays, what are you even doing? Hanging out with a boring elf? Upgrade to this gnome!
Profile Image for Aubrie Lane.
64 reviews20 followers
December 30, 2024
This book was the spiciest, most unhinged, and downright hilarious Christmas novella! If you’re looking for a short, wildly spicy, and delightfully silly read, this is absolutely the book for you. It’s all about a good time, not a long time. I giggled my way through the entire story, it’s such a quick and spicy ride. Who knew ornaments could take on a whole new meaning?

The concept of a household Christmas gnome coming to life to become your ideal daddy? Pure genius! The unhinged world it creates is so ridiculously fun. If you need a break from reality, this book is the perfect escape.
Profile Image for thebeespot72.
1,713 reviews185 followers
December 14, 2024
“Gnome in Your Home” is a take on the Elf on the Shelf. But indeed, it is for readers who have enjoyed reading that book about the door, pillow, or stuffed bear. If you know what I’m referring to, I think you’d like “Gnome in Your Home” as a holiday read.

Due to some horrible circumstances, Olivia, a recently single mom, makes a wish on the Gnome in her home one evening while moving it for her kids. Surprisingly, the Gnome comes alive and grants her the wish, which happens to be the King of these Christmas Gnomes.

I loved the King and how he treated Olivia and her children. Yes, his character has some darkish behaviors, but that aside, he’s a winner, especially during all those steamy scenes. And the kid's Gnome is a sassy little thing that tells it like it is, which Olivia needed. I enjoyed the short little read.
Profile Image for Vixxen.
30 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2024
This Novella was so perfect! You will laugh, question yourself but enjoy every minute of this engaging fun read! I can't wait to read more of this! REN!! Give me more, I NEED more!
Profile Image for Angie Campbell.
19 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2024
This book is a quick and fun read. I couldn’t stop laughing at so many things said. It was a little spicy which I loved. Looking forward to reading the second one!
Profile Image for Dawn.
16 reviews
October 31, 2024
This Novella was the Christmas spice,you all didn't know you needed. The Marshmallow fluff, haha. Hehe!
I will now, not be able to look at gnomes the same. Haha! Love it. Definitely worth the read.
Profile Image for Rileyreads11_.
353 reviews19 followers
November 19, 2024
I am obsessed with this book and a gnome can come in my home anyday!!!

I loved everything this book represented and how strong the FMC was for everything she has been through and how daddy gnome took care of her!!

5/5✨
Profile Image for Amanda.
68 reviews9 followers
December 5, 2024
Boy was this book spicy! My oh my! I absolutely loved every minute of it though. EM Dark you hit this novella out of the park!
Profile Image for April Bonner.
16 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2024
Laugh out loud funny. A short cute read. Check your TW's. There is a morally grey MMC and he sounds really tasty LMAO 😉 IYKYK! Comes out Dec 1, 2024. It's well worth the read.
Profile Image for Sarah.
52 reviews4 followers
October 30, 2024
I got the privilege of being an ARC reader for this book, if you want a fun spicy dark Christmas read this book is for you! While I wish there was a little more details I enjoyed this book.
49 reviews14 followers
December 5, 2024
If you are looking for a dark spicy christmas novella, look no further! I started this book last night and finished it this morning! It a super quick and funny read that had me laughing out loud the whole time! This book follows Olivia who is a single mom to 2 kids who is working hard to make ends meet! She is searching for her kids gnome (like an elf on a shelf but it's a gnome) she finds it and makes a wish that she doesn't think anyone else will hear... Needless to say her whole life changed! Please read this book! I will be reading it every year for the holiday season! #christmas #spicybooks #tbr @authoremdark Thank you so much for writing this book!
Profile Image for Vanessa Ouellette.
196 reviews21 followers
December 27, 2024
A whimsical Christmas novella about a single mom who's granted a Christmas wish of a "man" of her dreams who just so happens to be a Christmas Elf King who takes care of his Queen & her kids. This is a sweet, spicy tale that will have you looking at pudding & marshmallow fluff in a whole new light.
Profile Image for Mariah📕🖤.
163 reviews55 followers
December 1, 2024
What a fun & spicy read for Christmas time. Funny quirky lines but some dark aspects in this made it an overall great read! Can’t wait to post about it on my TT!!
Profile Image for AllieTurnsPages_.
111 reviews24 followers
November 30, 2024
*Will you let me cum in your chimney ? You can roast my nuts anytime. Let Daddy Gnome come in YOUR home*

*Soon, my little Pudding you will jingle me bells. Oh, how glorious it will be when I deck your halls with my balls*

He’s dangerous , but a big ole softy for her? ✔️ Yes please, gets me everytime! This is a super quick, cute but smutty as they come Novella. need a quick read right in time for the holidays? let this one get you in the mood, no pun intended🤪
Profile Image for Jessica.
127 reviews5 followers
December 17, 2024
Short, spicy and flavorful!

I had so many laugh out loud moments reading this book!

What starts off as a flippant wish made in the presence of the Christmas Gnome (think elf on the shelf) turns into our FMC getting then male of her dream.

Olivia is a single mom with the world on her shoulder asks aloud for a rich, possessive, morally gray man with a big ___!

Well she gets lore than she bargains for wish Axeel, King of Christmas a gnome!
He’s been secretly watching her and showering her with affection!

The banter is funny, the way the FMC and the female gnome argue had me cackling!
Profile Image for Chelsea K Rinehart.
154 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2024
Em Dark suppressed my expectations with this book by far, Thank you for letting me ARC/BETA read. This book gave me all the giggles I needed plus made me blush with the spice, especially cause I started the read at work on my lunch break, I had all the ladies begging to know what I was reading, they were fanning themselves with some of the quotes I pulled from this book too! I love it and I want more!

Thank you for the giggles and the blushing Em, this book is chefs kiss!
Profile Image for Marley.
279 reviews127 followers
December 20, 2024
“Yummy! You taste like marshmallow fluff with a hint of sugar cookies."

Ha! That was cute⬆️
This book is like elf on the shelf for adults. It was a spicy, Christmassy novella with TWs and I liked it.

3.5⭐️
Profile Image for Nioka Comstock .
30 reviews3 followers
January 1, 2025
This is a quick read but full of cute and funny and spicy and all the fun stuff!! So grateful to have been able to read this!!
Profile Image for Carla.
Author 7 books26 followers
November 21, 2024
Trust me....you are going to want to read this sexy and witty holiday romance!

Olivia is a single mom literally working her fingers to the bones with 1 full time job and 2 part time jobs. She doesn't have a lot of time to properly take care of herself and is struggling to provide for her two kids.
She lives in an apartment complex where the owner's nephew is obsessed with Olivia and is always forcing himself on to her.

But then there's the incredibly sexy Axeel who is the King of Christmas. He exudes Christmas from his Christmas tattoos to a candy cane tongue to his "jewels" which are literal jingle bells. He has sent his snarky gnome assistant, Kate to help take some of the stress off Kate when it comes to moving their Christmas gnome every day and sending letters back and forth between her and Axeel.

But Axeel has always been watching Olivia and claimed her as his own. What happens if nothing short of sweets, funny and possessively delicious snack of a book that is for sure going to bring you a little extra holiday cheer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews

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