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Substitute Santa
A stand-in Santa. A determined elf. And a mall Christmas Village on the brink of disaster.
The holidays are full of surprises, and polar bear shifter Wade just got hit with a he needs to take over as the mall’s Santa.
Wade is used to the peace and quiet of his woodworking shop, not the non-stop chaos of the Christmas Village. (How many times can one guy listen to the same Christmas carol?) At least it’s only for a few days … but the second he meets harried elf Mira, his fated mate, he knows he wants this part to last a lifetime.
Mira needs her holiday bonus to help her aging parents, so she’ll put up with anything—even spending weeks in a costume that makes her stick out like a sore thumb. Even the personal enmity of the Christmas Village’s finicky, overbearing manager. Even—shudder—all-day carol-oke.
The one bright spot in her day is Wade, who is sweet, funny, and devastatingly handsome. Mira can’t help being swept off her feet.
But between all her worries and all her boss’s ill-conceived publicity stunts, can she and Wade actually make it to a merry Christmas?
The holidays are full of surprises, and polar bear shifter Wade just got hit with a he needs to take over as the mall’s Santa.
Wade is used to the peace and quiet of his woodworking shop, not the non-stop chaos of the Christmas Village. (How many times can one guy listen to the same Christmas carol?) At least it’s only for a few days … but the second he meets harried elf Mira, his fated mate, he knows he wants this part to last a lifetime.
Mira needs her holiday bonus to help her aging parents, so she’ll put up with anything—even spending weeks in a costume that makes her stick out like a sore thumb. Even the personal enmity of the Christmas Village’s finicky, overbearing manager. Even—shudder—all-day carol-oke.
The one bright spot in her day is Wade, who is sweet, funny, and devastatingly handsome. Mira can’t help being swept off her feet.
But between all her worries and all her boss’s ill-conceived publicity stunts, can she and Wade actually make it to a merry Christmas?
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2024
150 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Chant
326 books1,509 followersZoe Chant loves writing paranormal romance. Over a cup of tea (or something stronger) she whips up sexy tales of hunky heroes and adventurous heroines to tantalize and satisfy her readers. Sizzling hot romance, no cliffhangers!
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 16, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up
Meh. It was ok. Sounded cuter than it actually was. The instant love was a little over the top and off putting. I skimmed a lot. I really have outgrown this type of book and honestly shouldn’t have picked it up but I love Christmas books and don’t mind romance and stuff like this in them (if done right) when I normally don’t read that type of book anymore. Maybe if it had been longer and fleshed out a little more? Idk. I borrowed this through KU so at least all I did was waste a little time.
Meh. It was ok. Sounded cuter than it actually was. The instant love was a little over the top and off putting. I skimmed a lot. I really have outgrown this type of book and honestly shouldn’t have picked it up but I love Christmas books and don’t mind romance and stuff like this in them (if done right) when I normally don’t read that type of book anymore. Maybe if it had been longer and fleshed out a little more? Idk. I borrowed this through KU so at least all I did was waste a little time.
November 10, 2024
Christmas magic and love
I loved, loved this shifter-human, fated mates holiday romance. The story had a good balance of humor, heartwarming love, real life issues, and light spice. Reading it made so me happy and I smiled the entire way through the story. Wade is a polar bear shifter who agrees to be a replacement Santa in a Christmas village for his brother who won a trip to Hawaii. Mira is a romance movie podcaster and for extra money she is working as an elf at the same Christmas village. Wade knows Mira is his fated mate the moment he meets her eyes. But to get to their HEA they’ll have to deal with a hectic schedule, micromanaging boss, and shifter secrets. This well written holiday story included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow and a captivating storyline. 4.5 stars.
I loved, loved this shifter-human, fated mates holiday romance. The story had a good balance of humor, heartwarming love, real life issues, and light spice. Reading it made so me happy and I smiled the entire way through the story. Wade is a polar bear shifter who agrees to be a replacement Santa in a Christmas village for his brother who won a trip to Hawaii. Mira is a romance movie podcaster and for extra money she is working as an elf at the same Christmas village. Wade knows Mira is his fated mate the moment he meets her eyes. But to get to their HEA they’ll have to deal with a hectic schedule, micromanaging boss, and shifter secrets. This well written holiday story included engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow and a captivating storyline. 4.5 stars.
November 28, 2024
So much good writing crammed into a short-ish book!
I really enjoyed this one immensely.
The premise: An outdoor mall with a Christmas Village is the setting. A young woman Mira, is trying to earn enough extra money to help her parents by working as an elf. A shifter who usually plays Santa and loves it, wins a one week trip to Hawaii over the holidays, so he convinces his brother Wade to sub for him. Wade and Mira are fated mates. Christmas Village is managed by turdswallop who is mismanaging everything. Chaos reigns supreme.
While this story had some very serious moments, it also contained a few laughs, as well as a sweet love story. While not squeaky clean, I think it might get a PG or PG13 tops rating if it was a movie.
The story flowed very well and had a lot of heart.
I really enjoyed this one immensely.
The premise: An outdoor mall with a Christmas Village is the setting. A young woman Mira, is trying to earn enough extra money to help her parents by working as an elf. A shifter who usually plays Santa and loves it, wins a one week trip to Hawaii over the holidays, so he convinces his brother Wade to sub for him. Wade and Mira are fated mates. Christmas Village is managed by turdswallop who is mismanaging everything. Chaos reigns supreme.
While this story had some very serious moments, it also contained a few laughs, as well as a sweet love story. While not squeaky clean, I think it might get a PG or PG13 tops rating if it was a movie.
The story flowed very well and had a lot of heart.
December 22, 2024
Spell check n editing isues
I didn't even make it through their lunch on the first day(about 25pages) and my frustration over all the issues had me wanting to throw my kindle. Reread your work or ask a friend. When the gender of one kid changes 3 times in the space of 3 sentences there's a problem. Then you have the word closet instead of closest ...frustration mounts quickly! But that's not all it just gets worse. Putting out a badly edited book is worse than a missed deadline. I'm glad I got this book through unlimited if I'd paid for it I would want a refund!
Can't say much about the story because the issues keep breaking my focus. I just want to try to fix the issues.
I didn't even make it through their lunch on the first day(about 25pages) and my frustration over all the issues had me wanting to throw my kindle. Reread your work or ask a friend. When the gender of one kid changes 3 times in the space of 3 sentences there's a problem. Then you have the word closet instead of closest ...frustration mounts quickly! But that's not all it just gets worse. Putting out a badly edited book is worse than a missed deadline. I'm glad I got this book through unlimited if I'd paid for it I would want a refund!
Can't say much about the story because the issues keep breaking my focus. I just want to try to fix the issues.
December 3, 2024
Sweet Christmas shifter romance!
Wade is talked into taking over his brother's seasonal job as Santa. When he gets there, he meets his mate, Mira. But Mira is dealing with the manager of the Christmas Village who is out to get her. Can Wade support her without getting on the bad side of the manager as well? Read this sweet Christmas shifter romance to find out.
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some kisses and sexy suggestions but no details. The characters are vivid and endearing. I would love to see more stories set in the Christmas Village! Enjoy!
Wade is talked into taking over his brother's seasonal job as Santa. When he gets there, he meets his mate, Mira. But Mira is dealing with the manager of the Christmas Village who is out to get her. Can Wade support her without getting on the bad side of the manager as well? Read this sweet Christmas shifter romance to find out.
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some kisses and sexy suggestions but no details. The characters are vivid and endearing. I would love to see more stories set in the Christmas Village! Enjoy!
December 30, 2024
Awesome Book!!!
I absolutely loved reading Substitute Santa!!!! All about Mira Allenby a woman who is a podcaster, playing an elf at Xmas village & Wade Moore the substitute Santa who is a woodworker by day and polar bear shifter always. Wade gets dragooned into playing Santa for his younger brother Petey. Petey is Santa, however after winning an all expense paid trip to Hawaii, he needs somebody to fill in while he’s away for two weeks. Read about Mira & Wade as they navigate working the Xmas village and putting their personal feeling aside till after Xmas eve. Lots of emotion, as Wade has found his one true mate, including some toe curling! Definite Read!!!!
I absolutely loved reading Substitute Santa!!!! All about Mira Allenby a woman who is a podcaster, playing an elf at Xmas village & Wade Moore the substitute Santa who is a woodworker by day and polar bear shifter always. Wade gets dragooned into playing Santa for his younger brother Petey. Petey is Santa, however after winning an all expense paid trip to Hawaii, he needs somebody to fill in while he’s away for two weeks. Read about Mira & Wade as they navigate working the Xmas village and putting their personal feeling aside till after Xmas eve. Lots of emotion, as Wade has found his one true mate, including some toe curling! Definite Read!!!!
December 21, 2024
Mira
A great cute meet at Christmas time.
This could be a series or even once a year series.
It's set in a small town so we could get the next book being his brother or a elf and add more locals in and friends for each book . Or a series at only Christmas time being this book is about the team that work in the village at Christmas time with the santa we could have love story's for the young elves and his brother back as Santa or a bear. Maybe add a unicorn shifter ?I
A fun read
A great cute meet at Christmas time.
This could be a series or even once a year series.
It's set in a small town so we could get the next book being his brother or a elf and add more locals in and friends for each book . Or a series at only Christmas time being this book is about the team that work in the village at Christmas time with the santa we could have love story's for the young elves and his brother back as Santa or a bear. Maybe add a unicorn shifter ?I
A fun read
December 22, 2024
A fantastic holiday story
This story will certainly help you get into the holiday spirit! I'm sure that most people have some memories of Santa during the holidays, some great, and some not so much. In this story, there's a Santa, an Angel, a definite Grinch, and maybe a Polar Bear Santa? Who knows, but it will certainly entertain you with all of the love for the holidays.
I would definitely recommend this book and outstanding author.
This story will certainly help you get into the holiday spirit! I'm sure that most people have some memories of Santa during the holidays, some great, and some not so much. In this story, there's a Santa, an Angel, a definite Grinch, and maybe a Polar Bear Santa? Who knows, but it will certainly entertain you with all of the love for the holidays.
I would definitely recommend this book and outstanding author.
December 1, 2025
Brilliant
Substitute Santa by Zoe Chant. Petey usually played Santa at Honey Brook Outdoor Mall but this year he had won a trip to Hawaii so persuaded his brother Wade to do it for him. As Wade approached the area for Santa he saw Mira, one of the elves and immediately knew she was his fated mate. Now Wade had to get to know her and work out how to tell her he was a polar bear shifter and he would love her for ever and play Santa to scores of kids.
Substitute Santa by Zoe Chant. Petey usually played Santa at Honey Brook Outdoor Mall but this year he had won a trip to Hawaii so persuaded his brother Wade to do it for him. As Wade approached the area for Santa he saw Mira, one of the elves and immediately knew she was his fated mate. Now Wade had to get to know her and work out how to tell her he was a polar bear shifter and he would love her for ever and play Santa to scores of kids.
December 5, 2024
I thought this book had a very interesting concept and well-defined characters. I enjoyed the setting and appreciated how the relationship formed, but I do feel like the last portion of the book kind of fell flat. It lost the tension and build up that had previously been established and just felt like an idyllic atmosphere whereas the rest of the novel felt more real.
December 11, 2024
another perfect Zoe book
Another puuurrrfect Zoe book
It was super gushy mushy gooey sweet at the end . But still a good story . No way anyone would believe a polar bear with body heat and smell and hot breathe was an extremely well made realistic animatronic. So that was over the top . But it’s a fantasy after all
Another puuurrrfect Zoe book
It was super gushy mushy gooey sweet at the end . But still a good story . No way anyone would believe a polar bear with body heat and smell and hot breathe was an extremely well made realistic animatronic. So that was over the top . But it’s a fantasy after all
December 19, 2024
Fiction / Christmas / Shifter / Paranormal / Romance / Fated Mates
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 🌶/5
This was a super cute Christmas story. I enjoyed how Mira and Wade got to know each other without the "fated" link being mentioned. I think it made it feel more authentic. Overall a cozy Christmas read.
There was 1 sex scene so do not read if you are looking for closed-door romance.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 🌶/5
This was a super cute Christmas story. I enjoyed how Mira and Wade got to know each other without the "fated" link being mentioned. I think it made it feel more authentic. Overall a cozy Christmas read.
There was 1 sex scene so do not read if you are looking for closed-door romance.
January 7, 2025
Another Holiday saved
Ms. Chant never fails to provide an awesome, heartwarming, magical story about love- and this one might be the best so far. I love Mira and Wade, but as individuals and as a couple. I adore their resilience and steadfastness, and how they support each other against adversity.
Ms. Chant never fails to provide an awesome, heartwarming, magical story about love- and this one might be the best so far. I love Mira and Wade, but as individuals and as a couple. I adore their resilience and steadfastness, and how they support each other against adversity.
January 11, 2025
What a sweet Christmas shifter story. Wade ends up playing Santa so his baby brother can go on his Hawaii trip he won.
Mira's working as an elf in a non-elf costume to earn bonus money to help her parents get into a retirement community.
Wade goes above and beyond to help Mira get to the end of Christmas season to get her bonus.
Mira's working as an elf in a non-elf costume to earn bonus money to help her parents get into a retirement community.
Wade goes above and beyond to help Mira get to the end of Christmas season to get her bonus.
January 26, 2025
Wonderful
This was a super sweet holiday read. I love Wade and Mira. I enjoy ex the fact that they bith had the Christmas spirit and that there was actual villain instead of one it them hating Christmas like mist of the stories five come across lately. Very enjoyable holiday read.
This was a super sweet holiday read. I love Wade and Mira. I enjoy ex the fact that they bith had the Christmas spirit and that there was actual villain instead of one it them hating Christmas like mist of the stories five come across lately. Very enjoyable holiday read.
November 11, 2024
WOW!! Fantastic Book!!
Well written story and well developed characters. Zoe Chant does it again! This book has all the bad and good feelings of the season! I couldn't put it down and read it in a few hours. Loved it!!!
Well written story and well developed characters. Zoe Chant does it again! This book has all the bad and good feelings of the season! I couldn't put it down and read it in a few hours. Loved it!!!
November 12, 2024
Nice Christmas love story…I laughed out loud when the Substitute Santa experienced his first little girl’s visit!!
Sweet story including a grinchy grumpy boss you’ll love to hate and a darling new couple just getting to know each other.
Sweet story including a grinchy grumpy boss you’ll love to hate and a darling new couple just getting to know each other.
November 14, 2024
A polar bear in Southern California
Wade is a polar bear shifter. When he is asked to be Santa at a mall to help his brother, he agrees. Mira is Santa's elf. They are meant for each other.
Wade is a polar bear shifter. When he is asked to be Santa at a mall to help his brother, he agrees. Mira is Santa's elf. They are meant for each other.
November 18, 2024
Heartwarming Story
Aww, I felt so warm and fuzzy after reading this. Wade and Mira are just absolutely wonderful together as they try to get through the chaos of the Christmas holiday. I couldn't put it down and I greedily want more.
Aww, I felt so warm and fuzzy after reading this. Wade and Mira are just absolutely wonderful together as they try to get through the chaos of the Christmas holiday. I couldn't put it down and I greedily want more.
November 23, 2024
wasn’t for me
This book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t like the characters and didn’t enjoy the story. Can’t really pinpoint what it was but just something off with it all. Maybe good for someone else.
This book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t like the characters and didn’t enjoy the story. Can’t really pinpoint what it was but just something off with it all. Maybe good for someone else.
November 26, 2024
Fun and cute
Wade and Mira's story is a cute little romance set in a Christmas village. They team up together to thwart the crazy schemes of the manager, Mr Nash. I was laughing at the crazy antics of Mr Nash.
Wade and Mira's story is a cute little romance set in a Christmas village. They team up together to thwart the crazy schemes of the manager, Mr Nash. I was laughing at the crazy antics of Mr Nash.
November 29, 2024
delightful Christmas tale
Wade and Mira save the Christmas Village and find love along the way. Short, and sweet, without a sugar hangover. Would describe as a partially closed door - suggestions of sex but no full details.
Wade and Mira save the Christmas Village and find love along the way. Short, and sweet, without a sugar hangover. Would describe as a partially closed door - suggestions of sex but no full details.
December 3, 2024
Jag är ingen större fan av shifter genren men den här lät gullig trots allt.. Och det är den faktiskt också, även om det är klart udda att huvudpersonen är isbjörn, så är det inte creepy. Lite småsöt är den men inget man måste läsa direkt
December 5, 2024
Pleasantly Surprised
Saw description read it to my husband. Agreed sounds interesting.. Not what I expected. Fun̈ light , entertaining. Nice male lead.. Polar bear worked great.
Thanks
Saw description read it to my husband. Agreed sounds interesting.. Not what I expected. Fun̈ light , entertaining. Nice male lead.. Polar bear worked great.
Thanks
December 7, 2024
Cute holiday story
I thought it was a cute holiday story with a grinch. Who brings reindeer indoors? Not the brightest bulb in the bunch for sure! I enjoy a nice holiday story and this story worked for that.
I thought it was a cute holiday story with a grinch. Who brings reindeer indoors? Not the brightest bulb in the bunch for sure! I enjoy a nice holiday story and this story worked for that.
December 23, 2024
always a joy
Feel good Christmas story. Chant never disappoints. Easy read in it writing style but high on charm and likeable characters. Despite multitudes of fated mate stories, each one always feels fresh.
Feel good Christmas story. Chant never disappoints. Easy read in it writing style but high on charm and likeable characters. Despite multitudes of fated mate stories, each one always feels fresh.
January 22, 2025
Substitute Santa
Wade and Mira's adventure is a great Christmas story,love story and a HEA all rolled into one. It will draw the reader and it will be hard to stop reading until you get to the end. Enjoy this more than once!
Wade and Mira's adventure is a great Christmas story,love story and a HEA all rolled into one. It will draw the reader and it will be hard to stop reading until you get to the end. Enjoy this more than once!
May 1, 2025
Substitute Santa
This story took me by surprise. I knew it would be entertaining, but WOW! I felt like I was in this story and enjoyed it immensely. Recommend this story, " Substitute Santa." Thank you, Zoe Chant for your beautiful story.
This story took me by surprise. I knew it would be entertaining, but WOW! I felt like I was in this story and enjoyed it immensely. Recommend this story, " Substitute Santa." Thank you, Zoe Chant for your beautiful story.
December 22, 2025
I really liked this story for Xmas reading! Loved the characters... like who wouldn't like the shape shifting polar bear. Flowed nicely and kept you wondering what was next. Light comedy and a happy ending. YEAH!
November 13, 2024
Christmas 3.5 stars ⭐
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews