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Deadly Holiday Kiss

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Mistletoe, murder, and an unforgettable Christmas Eve.

One night. One target. Two killers.

When Ethan and Harlee meet at a Christmas gala, sparks fly—until both realize they’ve got their eyes on the same target.

Driven by different motives, they enter a twisted competition where the lines between rivalry and desire blur as time runs out, both eager to finish what they started.

But only one can claim the ultimate prize…
Who will it be?

Deadly Holiday Kiss is a darkish Christmas-themed novella. The story contains explicit content, including a variety of topics that may not be suitable for some readers. Recommended for 18+.

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2024

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84 people want to read

About the author

Avery Conner

4 books37 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for ya.vl.
295 reviews88 followers
December 19, 2024
5/5⭐️
Ну це було дуже коротко, гаряче і ідеально 😻😻😻дуже сподобалось 🥰
Profile Image for Shelby Seal(Allen).
353 reviews17 followers
December 8, 2024
Oh. My. Goddess. Deadly Holiday Kiss is one of the cutest dark holiday novellas! 😍 (as cute as murder for hire at a holiday party can be lol) I mean come on, hitman vs. hobby killer? I'm OBSESSED.

Harlee and Ethan truly have the makings of such a fun full story! I loved her dominating personality and his quippy remarks! Then, to get a lil' snippet of Evelyn and Noah?? That just made my heart SING with joy! The scream I scrumpt! If you haven't read the Set of White Wings books I highly recommend!

Back to my main characters though, let's talk about that candy cane scene. 👀 absolutely NOT what I was expecting when I heard improper use of candy cane! In fact, it was BETTER! The spice in this quick story just hit so right. Avery you've done it again, now I need more of this dynamic duo! ✨🎄
Profile Image for Malin - Vitterbok.
32 reviews11 followers
December 28, 2025
4.5 ⭐️

This was an excellent holiday novella! It was fun, dark, witty, and hot. Everything I want in 100 pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Harlee was the perfect FMC, and combined with Ethan’s obsession it turned out to be the most delicious flirty tension between the two.

Their little competition about who would get the kill was hilarious, and I think I might have fallen in love with Harlee.

You and me both Ethan, you and me both.
Profile Image for BookVibes.
15 reviews4 followers
December 11, 2024
Deadly Holiday Kiss is high on my list of favorite novellas! It was a swift read, so if you are looking for some last-minute books to try and achieve your end-of-the-year Goodreads goals, I highly recommend you add this one!

I am sure if you have read some of my past reviews you will see a lot of novellas can struggle with getting the right amount of details in their books, so amazing work on the author's part with her book Deadly Holiday Kiss because this Novella was only 81 PAGES LONG and had fantastic details! The only thing I wish there was a bit more of is a character description for our MMC Ethan, but the lack of the details for his character wasn't a huge deal because then I could just picture him any way I wanted to. But this is the only constructive criticism comment I even have about this book.

It flowed very well, the settings didn't change a lot so it gave more focus on the plot and the characters, and like most novellas, it went straight to the point! There are only two spicy scenes, but being a huge fan of dark romance, these scenes were not anything crazy or unhinged in my opinion, one scene I won't go into detail about might be a little much but for some readers, but my desensitized brain barely reacted to it, so just be sure to check out that trigger list to make sure you are comfortable with those kinks.

Ethan was a fun new MMC to add to your morally grey book boyfriend list, and I also felt good about our MFC Harlee, they were easy to connect to and easy to enjoy reading the bickering and banter between them.

This book ends with an opening for a second book to follow in this series so I hope you, my review readers, will be able to see my review of the second book as well because I very much enjoyed this one all around!
Profile Image for Aussie.
1,499 reviews37 followers
December 27, 2024
"One night. One target. Two killers.  When Ethan and Harlee meet at a Christmas gala, sparks fly—until both realize they’ve got their eyes on the same target.  Driven by different motives, they enter a twisted competition where the lines between rivalry and desire blur as time runs out, both eager to finish what they started.  But only one can claim the ultimate prize… Who will it be?"

"For all the girlies out there who'd rather unwrap a morally grey book boyfriend than presents this Christmas."

This book was so good! i couldnt put it down! The banter was amazing ! I love the spicy scences and there was some things i didnt see coming either . I adore Harlee and Ethan...  Perfect for christmas read and i cant wait till i read more of Avery's books as they are just amazing
Profile Image for Kaitlin Johnson.
Author 1 book10 followers
December 16, 2024
I already reviewed this book from my “professional account”

This novella was so much fun. I loved the authors writing style and how much detail she was able to pack in such a short book without being overwhelming!
Profile Image for Morte.
27 reviews23 followers
December 22, 2024
• Assassin x Killer
• Christmas Novella
• Delves into Darker Topics
• Plenty of Spice

Deadly Holiday Kiss was an entertaining read, but it definitely didn't wow me. This might be a me issue, because I have this more often with Novella's. The story felt like it lacked some background information, some more oompf to the story. With characters this interesting, I would have liked for them to have had their own book.

That being said, the writing style and pace were really nice! It was easy to read and the pace kept me entertained from beginning to end. Some spicy scenes felt a bit ill-placed, but it was still a quick fun read.
Profile Image for ❁ Ashton ❀.
176 reviews69 followers
December 4, 2024
A hitman vs hobby killer met while attempting to unalive the same man. That has to be the cutest start of a love story... In the dark romance way, that is 🖤

💋 Christmas Eve
🎄 Professional Killer MMC
💋 Serial Killer FMC
🎄 Masked
💋 Graphic Murder
🎄 Race to Kill
💋 Spicy
🎄 Improper use of candy canes
...& more

Harlee, a well known artist and a total badass.. She was sassy, feisty and she had constantly thrown me off guard with her quick reactions to her sticky situations...Ethan can't be letting his guard down around her... Ethan, a professional killer was instantly attracted to Harlee, he was protective, very witty and confident, ticked all the boxes for the book boyfriend even if he was a stalker.. We can look past that😂.. Their sassy interactions, the passion and their chemistry was everythinggggg! I know there is so much more to Ethan's past and i am so looking forward to their next book..

Avery, I am so glad i found you! I am obsessed with your writing, the intensity of each story and i adore the way you make me connect to each character. 🤍

Also, I LOVED having a small scene of Evelyn and Noah!! Thank you for bringing them back!! I don't think you realise how excited and happy that made me!! I loved Noahlyn! I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them so that was PERFECT!! (If you haven't already, please check out their story - Set Of White Wings series! A hitman, Noah is tasked to kill Evelyn, a retired hitman). The two books lives in my head read free..

The candy cane scene... That is all ✨5/5✨

✨ Thank you Avery Conner for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨
Profile Image for Megan Glatt.
197 reviews4 followers
December 6, 2024
AHHHHH this book was amazing and I am SO excited about it!!! 🎄

Ok let's dive in with as little spoilers as possible because it's too good! This spicy little Christmas novella has hitman x hitwoman who are hunting the same target, and find themselves tangled up in eachother 🖤

Harlee, our MFC, who is smart and cunning while also being drop dead gorgeous. Harlee is a famous painter who definitely has a flare for being extra creative with her canvases... being a hitwoman shes got lots of talents. Enter Ethan, the MMC, who is the hitman with an eye for our girl Harlee. Ethan is strong, possessive and pretty intense. Ethan will stop at nothing to not only have Harlee but also make sure he does his job.

These two are intense, their banter is amazing and the spice between them is just pheeewww so so good. Candy Canes will definitely never be the same for me now without giving me hot flashes 🥵

As always, Avery my girl, you nailed it. I loved the special little cameo we got. You always make my heart swoon with your books & thank youuuu for letting me read your work early! 🫶🏼
Profile Image for Nikki.
135 reviews10 followers
December 6, 2024
Short, sweet and spicy. Avery did a good job with this and it was such a good start to the eventual love story! Ethan is a hitman and Harlee is a hobby unaliver that don't realize they are after the same target when they meet at the Christmas Gala. Ethan already knew about Harlee as he had admired her from afar (if you can call stalking admiring lol) and he was determined to have some fun with her. Harlee was only interested in a little fun and nothing more. A crazy turn of events has them enter a competition when they realize they are both after the same man for different reasons. Who is gonna get the prize? That hallway scene 🥵😮‍💨 when Ethan pulled his "piece" had me feral, that was so far my favorite thing to read this year! Oh and I am pretty sure I will never see a candy cane the same again.
Profile Image for L.
430 reviews4 followers
December 21, 2024
Harlee is an artist who might use the blood of men who are violent towards women in her art work. Ethan is an ex-military contract unaliver. Ethan has crossed her path before but she has no idea who he is until they end up with the same target at a holiday party and their weird’s match in the best way.

I haven’t read anything quite like this before and I was fun. I have read a lot of dark spice and honestly I had to google in this one, some new stuff for me (though I maintain that she would definitely get a UTI in real life, the scene was very unique). Great spice even in such a short book. Doesn’t seem like they’re the best about crime scene contamination but whatever, it was a holiday novella I guess we’ll do a little extra suspension of disbelief. Can’t wait to read more.
Profile Image for Christina (Bloodycrimsonreads).
384 reviews109 followers
December 2, 2024
I haven’t laughed like this in a long time while reading. It was so fun and witty. The banter was always back and forth, the push and pull was tension-filled. For such a quick read, I’m actually impressed by how good of a time I had. Then again, Avery always delivers so I shouldn’t be surprised. The spicy scenes were interesting, I did not see *that* coming. I giggled like a madwoman, it was kinda hot…?! The whole situation was. I’m eager to read more eventually, Harlee and Ethan were a delight.

So, if you want to read about two k1llers aiming for the same prey, making a competition out of it while navigating their mutual attraction, on a Christmas Eve night, look no further!
Profile Image for Tori.
29 reviews14 followers
December 6, 2024
ARC review
Title: Deadly Holiday Kiss
Author: Avery Connor

Thank you again to Avery for the chance to be an ARC reader on her third book.

I loved this Christmas novella giving us a glimpse into what might lay ahead for Ethan & Harlee in the next book.

It’s a short & spicy murderous Christmas romp with an unusual use for candy canes 😉 and I loved that there were small cameo appearances by Evelyn & Noah from Avery’s previous books.

As always I’d recommend reading the trigger warnings before diving in as there is a list of things that some people may find distressing.
Profile Image for kall.isreading.
135 reviews6 followers
December 9, 2024
☆ eARC review
rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
spice : 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶
-

phew, this one was fast and hot and left me wanting more!

without giving much away, I'll say this had me hooked from the very start. It was fast paced, the MMC and FMC were both very intriguing, dominating, and dangerously sexy.
so tell me, what happens when an assassin and a hobby killer have the same target? cause this one will surprise you ! 🥵

thank you for this fun holiday read! I really enjoyed your writing, and I can't wait to see what else is in store for Harlee and Ethan ✨️
Profile Image for kayleighsBookCorner.
79 reviews24 followers
December 16, 2024
🌶🌶🌶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What do you get when a hitman and a hobby killer cross? A cute spicy murder novella of course. This was my first book by Avery Conner, and she didn't disappoint. Let's just say, if murder books aren't your thing, then you're still going to want to read this for that CANDY CANE scene 🥵

The main characters, Ethan and Harlee were easy to connect too and their bickering and banter was just fantastic

Definitely checkout the trigger warnings before going in, but also, add this to your TBR, it was fantastic
Profile Image for ronja.
90 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2024
Nice little holiday treat for people who love their books to be from the darker side.

It's fun, spicy and dark but christmas-y. And with professional hitman vs. hobby killer situation there is banter and some "friendly" competition when their... missions overlap.

Ethan is down bad for her, to the point he did some sta- I mean "admiring from afar" as he says before they even officially met.

Harlee is fun, definitely would love to see more of her. Successful artist who doesn't let anything or anyone between her and her goals.

Profile Image for Kelly Rose.
98 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2024
Avery KILLED IT with this spicy Christmas novella!! Such a perfect quick read and perfectly spicy dark romance. Another read where there is both the FMC and MMC are unalivers! Seriously y’all need to read this book and all of her other ones because she’s amazing and they are amazing and ahh I died of happiness when Evelyn and Noah made a little appearance is this one!! Can’t wait to know what the future holds for Harlee and Ethan
Profile Image for Sierra loves Reading.
266 reviews15 followers
December 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
✅TW’s
This is the first book I have read from Avery Conner and I really enjoyed it. I am so happy I was able to read this book. It is so good. It’s a short novella I read quickly.
I love books where both main characters are k!llers. I also loved how this book took place at Christmas time. That candy can scene has me by a chokehold. I can’t wait to see more books on this series.
Tropes-
-Christmas Eve
-k!ller MC’s
-masked
-spicy
-improper use of candy canes
Profile Image for jessi_reading_corner .
149 reviews4 followers
December 4, 2024
Wow. Absolutely incredible.
It was only a short story, but don't let that take it from you, it was incredible. Straight in there no messing about. It was hot and steamy in all the right places, yet still had a plot.

The candy cane scene! IYKYK!! 🍬 🥵🥵🥵

Such a good read, I can't wait to hear more from Halee and Ethan. Those two would make a great team, so efficient and deadly. Loved this book!
Profile Image for Bianca Pluym.
513 reviews13 followers
December 5, 2024
The first thing that comes to mind when writing this review is: what a special and original way there is in this book when using a Candy Cane.
I seriously enjoyed this book.
In addition to dark elements and spice, it contains humor and the main characters are well matched.
The dynamic between Harlee and Ethan is fantastic.
Profile Image for Anna Claire.
190 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2024
holy shit- first & foremost thank you SO much to Avery Conner for selecting me for an ARC!!!!🫶🏻🫶🏻 and in other news, I LOVED THIS!!!!! A baby dark rom com with 2 ~cereal enders~ with the perfect amount of fight to match each other????? HELL YEAH BABYYYYY I was gigglin & kickin my feet lemme tell ya & those spice scenes????? MY OH MY GIMMMIIEEE MORE OF HARLEE & ETHANNNN😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨
7 reviews
December 6, 2024
This is a cute, dark holiday novella perfect for anyone craving a quick Christmas read with a spice. Sparks fly between Ethan and Harlee as they compete for the same target, blending rivalry, romance, and a candy cane 😉. It’s a fun mix of chemistry, competition, and a little holiday chaos. A spicy holiday treat for anyone looking for a quick and entertaining read!
Profile Image for Steph.
87 reviews2 followers
December 12, 2024
Oh my!! I absolutely devoured this holiday read. This was my first book by Avery Conner and it was so good and hot. 🥵
The banter and the spice was everything! The candy cane scene had me speechless!
I loved Harlee and Ethan together. I hope there is more to come with these two! 😍


Check TW/CW before reading ❤️
Profile Image for Amy .
213 reviews16 followers
January 15, 2025
Deadly Holiday Kiss is a dark, spicy, short novella. Don't let the size fool you though, Avery crammed all the goodness into this one!! FMC and MMC both unalivers..same target..hot!!! It is a sexy read that will leave you wanting more! You'll even find some humor and maybe things you have never thought of before 🥵🤫.
Profile Image for ⋆˚࿔emily𝜗𝜚˚⋆.
15 reviews30 followers
December 2, 2024
This was such a fun quick dark/spicy Christmas theme read! The banter between the fmc and mmc 😙🤌🏼 i loved it! 💋🤌🏼

If you’re looking for a quick christmas dark read then this book is definitely for you! Just check out the trigger warning list if you have any 🖤🖤
Profile Image for Ashley.
455 reviews16 followers
December 3, 2024
Short story that follows a night with Harlee and Ethan. It was good but short enough I can't go into much detail without giving away too much. If you are wanting a short holiday read that's not your typical Christmas romance this book should hit the spot.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
290 reviews8 followers
December 4, 2024
Short but oh so sweet.. Okay not so sweet but you get the picture 😉

I adored this holiday novella I loved seeing Harlee in charge being the goddess she is!
Ethan is such a good boy for her 😅

(Also loved the cameo)
118 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2024
Deadly Holiday Kiss is a Christmas themed dark romcom novella. It's a pretty short read. It had major Butcher & Blackbird vibes. If you liked Butcher and Blackbird, you'll enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the banter between the MMC and the FMC.
Profile Image for Kayla Sims.
91 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was a very small novella, it was short, but entertaining. The candy cane scene.Shocked me, and I learned a new term.
I've read a few books with kind of a similar the storyline, and this one had me intrigued the entire time
134 reviews4 followers
December 14, 2024
Really enjoy this quick novella! It was stalker/assassin vibes! What harlee does with her victims blood is cool but also disturbing lol. She is also the one that called the shots in the bedroom. Once again an author has made me realize i will never Look at a candy cane again the same....
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