Santa's Hit List

by Quinn Hawthorne

Santa’s Hit List targets those unlucky enough to remain on the Naughty List five years in a row—the worst of the worst—and I’m his latest prize.

Bound in ribbons and at the mercy of his sadistic reindeer shifters, every day brings a new twisted trial in their Twelve Days of Terror.

With Christmas Eve fast approaching, I have two choices: endure their brutal reindeer games or become a grotesque warning of what happens when you stay on the Naughty List.

In this North Pole, survival is the only gift worth earning.

Note: There is NO romance in this novella. This is a why-choose horror comedy erotica with seriously triggering themes. Please read the content warning at the beginning of the book. Your mental health matters.

Genres: Christmas, Dark Romance, Holiday, Dark, Horror, Novella, Why Choose

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

Reviews

[angie_bookrecs · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

4/5⭐️
4/5🌶
2/5🖤

Well just call me Little Ho, because I also want to be gangbanged by some psycho shifters(and Santa)

Dasher is by far my favorite unhinged fucker.

When Valerie shifted? It wasn't only the Krampus Team that died😂😂

The spice?
The group scene?
The shifter scene?
Hot.As.Fuck!!

This was a great little novella.
Perfect for getting into the Christmas mood.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a dark Christmas submissively smutty fest 🦌

Our FMC, Valerie finds herself on the naughty list subsequently she’s marked for demise. What takes place is the reindeer shifters chasing and attempting to break her by some violent, degrading means to gain either her death or submission. There are little twists here and there, not giving it away.

This was a quick read, some parts were tongue in cheek, others a tad 5&M, so ensure you read the trigger warnings. The only reason for 4 stars was for me certain parts didn’t carry over to the next chapter very well, that being said I did enjoy the darkness around Santa and his reindeers.

𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝒸𝑒𝒾𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝓎 𝓋𝑜𝓁𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌

[Aries Will Never Finish Their TBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶
📌 nondescript/ The North Pole

Santa's Hit List opens with a news anchor reading the latest Naughty List. The reminder is that it's never too late to change, you can always be a part of his Nice List before Christmas.

Unless you're one of the unfortunate people who find themselves on his Naughty List five years in a row.

That's where we find Valerie- on the Naughty List and defiant enough to not try to repent like her fellow village community try to get her to do.

Resigned to her fate, she then has to try and play12 days of Reindeer Games in order to survive, or she will become another warning to citizens everywhere of what happens when you're on Santa's Naughty List for five consecutive years.

Will she survive? Or will she be another grotesque reminder that The Elf On The Shelf is reporting everything back to the fat man?

~~~~~~
Read the TW's for the love of all things holy. There's nearly 3 pages of TW's so it's NOT for the faint of heart. This is a smutty horror story full of pain and gore. Not everyone likes gore for Christmas, but luckily P2 is my favorite Christmas movie, so i was fine with it.

I rated it 4 ⭐️ because it became a bit repetitive and predictable.

4 🌶 because the first half lacked imagination in the spice department and was repetitive. It wasn't really until Santa became involved that we start to see some deviation from the norm.

(Tiny spoiler ahead)
Also I feel like it ended on a cliffhanger. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? IS THERE A SEQUEL?? If not a sequel is there a bonus scene from when they all get back???

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously unhinged and deranged.

Think reindeer games, only smuttier.
I could stop laughing at some parts of this book and each chapter(game) was even crazier than the last!

[Shasta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a big oh 5 star book for me. I knew after reading the blurb HAD to read it. The author did a phenomenal job!

Santa's Hit List targets those unlucky enough to remain on the Naughty List five years in a row and Valerie is the latest prize. Valerie isn't sure what to do at first but knows reindeer shifters will soon be chasing her. There are ominous feelings and Christmas bells keep following her everywhere she goes.

The Krampus team, composed of all the typical reindeer names, starts their chase of Valerie and boy oh boy does chaos ensue. I don't want to spoil anything but know they were out of this world and full of fun, nasty, and surprising moments!

[addictedtodarkromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little nervous going into this book. I kept seeing it pop up on my feed and it had great reviews so I finally gave it a go and I'm glad I did!

If you go into this book thinking it's your typical kind of story then you may be thrown off. There aren't any romantic, caring, possessive MMCs in this one - it's more of a "you're probably going to be unalived by the tests we're going to put through and I will like that... and if not today then hopefully tomorrow". There are some parts that I thought were funny but it won't be everyone's kind of humour, you def have to suspend belief and go with the flow (Rudolph's nose isn't the thing that glows red in this book 😉).

Valerie was on the naughty list for 5 years in a row. Because of this she is kidnapped and forced to endure the deadly 12 days of reindeer games. No one thinks she will be able to survive as no one has before.

I thought this was a very creative story; using the reindeer and Santa as her tormentors and how each trial was delivered. Some were more torturous than others but Valerie was a shifter and this helped her survive. She was very brave, courageous and a fighter and she never gave up! The reindeer were mostly cruel and cold and I really enjoyed it when Santa was finally brought into the story 🔥!

I liked how one of the elves was female and the name of their team was Krumpus, I thought it was very fitting!

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice/Heat Intensity: 5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Darkness: 5 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: FF & MFMMMMM, RH, Multiple 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone Novella
Title: Santa's Hit List
Ending Type: I think it's a HEA


*Holiday Themed
*The MCs were not sweet & romantic but it is erotic! (Santa seemed a tiny bit on the kinder side compared to the reindeer)
*Very long list of TW's


⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be extremely offensive or triggering to some - Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+

*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Toni Amey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reindeer shifters ??? … say no more!!!
This book was the perfect dark romance Christmas novella. Definitely a must read to anyone who enjoyed lots of spice and some hilarious moments 🤣
Valerie was put through the ultimate test with the Krampus Crew and Santa, and goodness those tests were wild! I don’t wanna spoil anything away with this review but I do wanna say that I loved every second of it and never wanted it to end. If you come across this book or someone recommends it, don’t even hesitate… just read it, you won’t regret it!!!

[Randinicole_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

this had tons of potential. it just didn’t make sense really 😂 like the plot was bonkers. most of it was bonkers but the spice and the scenes were good. the plot just needed to be worked a bit to make sense & flow better.

[Jennifer Sanchez · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars really. 🫣

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the town of Red Pines, the holiday spirit has a sinister twist. For those who repeatedly land on Santa's Naughty List, punishment is more than coal—it’s survival against the merciless Krampus Team. Valerie is on her fifth and final strike, making her the ultimate target in Santa’s twisted game. She's in for twelve brutal days of pain and pleasure testing her body and mind by Rudolph’s cruel leadership, Vixen’s icy cunning, and Blitzen’s overwhelming strength, and the rest of the Krampus Team. Each trial is both a punishment and a performance, blending psychological torment with physical cruelty and forced pleasures. From electrified mazes to humiliating rituals, Valerie’s endurance is tested at every turn. The Team’s sadistic creativity ensures that no moment is free of pain or degradation, yet Valerie’s resilience and wit keep her alive, earning the grudging respect of her tormentors as she keeps surviving each of the increasing torments. Ultra-hot and steamy Christmastime dark horror erotica tale of endurance, power, and transformation that explores the limits of survival and the price of submission. For those on the Naughty List, Christmas isn’t a celebration, it’s an erotic reckoning! So much Christmas kinkery to ring your bell - the trigger warnings will be a veritable wish list for those with a naughty disposition!

[Jessica Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time reading something like this, i usually read dark romance.

This is NOT a love story, this is a brutal fuxk fest with LOTS of triggers please read them before deciding to read this.

This story follows Valerie, if you are on the naughty list for 5 years in a row Santa sends his reindeer shifters after you. Valerie is their next unlucky victim who gets to partake in their 12 days of terror after being on the naughty list for the 5th year in a row.

I loved this book! I laughed at times, i was rooting for Valerie, it gave me a new perspective of Santa and his reindeers 🌶️👀 4/5 ⭐️ 4/5🌶️🌶️ this is very dark, graphic and smutty!

Some of my favorite moments- Finding out what else glows on Rudolph’s body 👀, finding out how naughty Santa can get 👀🌶️, the group scenes with the reindeer, so much smut I loved it!

My only critique is that the transitions between chapters was a bit rough and it tended to use some of the same few words/dialect between the characters during the spicy scenes which felt repetitive.


ARC review

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read! Super smutty! Absolutely addictive! Quinn knew how to get me in the Christmas spirit. 10/10!! Oh and sign me up for Santa’s next hit list cause whew! Does that make me crazy… oh well!

[Cindy thismomreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recommend this book from a friend who made it sound so very intriguing! Beyond that, reading blurb and warnings I dove head first into it. Going in mostly blind-worked well for me!

Make sure you check the TWs, as needed, outlined by the author-this is a dark Christmas romance-heavy on the smut and light on the romantic notions. It was quick, easy and an overall fun read, with a satisfying ending.

I really enjoyed this one, it was creative, unique and had an interesting spin on what happens when you make it on the naughty list 5 years in a row in this small town- the Krampus Team comes for you!

Valerie, the main character-is great! Sassy, feisty and so strong. She accepts her fate, but with no plan to cower or ask for mercy. She is determined to figure out how fight back and survive! It think she had such a great character arc-learning a lot about herself as her limits were tested when things got….creative.
I also enjoyed getting to know each of the the Krampus Team of reindeer shifters-all with their own personalities. Yes, I did have a favourite and was pleasantly surprised there was a female member as well. When Santa finally entered the story-I loved it!

This was on the darker side, slightly unhinged ‘romance’ that brought all the spice. With minimal, but purposeful plot (for the sake of all the wonderful smut) It even had a few Christmas puns and OTT adventures, that had me chuckling. I swear I will never think of Santa’s reindeer’s the same way again.

I will say there were a couple times that the flow to the next chapter didn’t perfectly line up, and had some repetition-but it didn’t really take away from the overall enjoyment of the story.

I absolutely recommend this if you looking for an entertaining, HOT, dark Christmas novella!!
Also, the dedication….that needs its own shout out. It was on point!!

4.25⭐️


**thank you to the author and Booksprout for a copy of this book. This review and its opinions are my own**

[Annabelle Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s been a ton of buzz around this book, and honestly, I can see why. It comes with more trigger warnings than I have items on my shopping list—and that’s no small feat. It’s also why I jumped at the chance to be an ARC reader. I wanted something wild, and I got exactly that.

This book is steamy, bold, and completely unrestrained. It’s one hot scene after another, constantly pushing boundaries. While most of it kept me glued to the page, there were definitely moments where I was less than thrilled. (Think drinking a thick glass of milk just because—you know, that kind of gross.)

And then there’s the squirrel. Oh, the squirrel. I’m still not sure what that was about. Was it supposed to be funny? Shocking? Charming? It felt more like one of those “You had to be there” jokes, except I was there, and I still didn’t get it. Honestly, I just blinked a few times and moved on.

As for the ending… maddening, to say the least. But in a way, I think it was supposed to be. It left me frustrated and still thinking about it long after I finished. Love it or hate it, that kind of ending does its job.

This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s provocative, messy, and sometimes a little too much—but if you’re ready for a wild, unapologetically sexy ride, you’ll have a good time. Just maybe skip the milk and brace yourself for a squirrel cameo.

[SmutMistress · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
4 ⭐️ 4.8 🌶️

Quinn Hawthorne’s Santa’s Hit List isn’t your Hallmark Christmas special—it’s a blood-soaked sleigh ride through the North Pole’s darkest corners. Valerie, a squirrel shifter with a naughty streak, learns the hard way that five years on the Naughty List lands you as Santa’s new chew toy. Captured by reindeer shifters who are more nightmare than Rudolph, she’s thrust into the Twelve Days of Terror, a holiday tradition straight from hell.

This why-choose horror comedy erotica is packed with twisted games, shocking spice, and dark humor that’ll leave you gasping and grimacing in equal measure. Hawthorne doesn’t just push boundaries—she tramples them in snow-stained boots, delivering a relentless, gut-punching thrill ride. Valerie’s survival is a bloody spectacle, with each chapter leaving you questioning your sanity for not looking away.

Grim, grotesque, and weirdly addictive, this novella isn’t for the faint of heart—or anyone expecting mistletoe and romance. But if you like your Christmas stories spiked with terror and served with a side of sass, Santa’s Hit List will have you begging for more…or mercy.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Santa’s Hit List

This was a new twist on Santa and his reindeer. I’m never going to be able to look at reindeer the same again. 🥵

These are not the reindeer we know and remember from our childhood. These reindeer are violent, sexxsy, sadistic and brutal. They will torture you with everything they have, including themselves.

Valerie lands on Santa’s naughty list and his band of reindeer shifters have 12 days to break her. But Valerie is far more formidable than they ever anticipated. Each day that passes the punishment gets harsher and the more she starts to crave it.

I loved her absolute determination to prove them wrong about her. She WONT break. She’s stronger than that

This is such a nuclear spicy wild ride.

[Moony Luve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa’s hit list
Quinn Hawthorne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Remember, folks, it's never too late to do better.”
Think, hunger games, but X-mas, and the games are lots and lots of smeex. Still life or death, but lotsssss of smeexx.
The 12 days of Christmas have a whole new meaning to me now 🙈😂
Day 11. are you KIDDING ME!?
Day 11 had me going 😳😳😳
Chipmunk cheeks. I could not even 😂 I
💀ed slightly at day 11 😂 it was epic. I did not see it coming at all.
It had me hooked early and it held my attention.
It’s a great book!
“Welcome to Day 1, Little Ho,” Rudolph said, his grin widening. “Let’s deck those halls properly.”

[Glennyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be sure to check your Trigger Warnings!!!!
You've been warned! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book is undeniably dark. This enticingly risqué Christmas novella had me captivated from start to finish, leaving me breathless and on the edge of my seat. I found myself unable to put it down, devouring Santa's Hit List in record time. Our fearless Valerie, finds herself on the notorious naughty list, and the time for reckoning has arrived. She faces hard choice’s: fighting for her survival amid treacherous circumstances or risk everything and succumb to her fate. Packed with heat and enchanting shifters, this tale is an exhilarating way to kick off the holiday season.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn Hawthorne wrote a holiday story just for my dark, Scrooge-like heart during this time of year. It was a quick read, about 156 pages, and though it had dark themes, it was also filled with humor. I didn’t know what to expect with reindeer shifters, but I now realize I like them. The author does lay out the T/Ws at the front end of the book. If you’re all good, then it’s go-time.

There were a lot of “wows,” “did he just do that,” “did she just do that,” did THEY do that.” And there’s good ole Santa. Can you tell I liked it because I did?

[brynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

the way i enjoyed this book SO much 🤭 this book had me cackling the whole time it was so dark and twisted. it fed my little black soul 🖤 never thought id love reindeer shifters and a dark twist on santa but i ate it up. i was so hooked on this book i literally couldn’t put it down and read it all in one sitting it was that good😍 i will never look at santa the same 🎅🏻🧎🏻‍♀️ or COOKIES AND MILK???? girl that’s part had me on the floor i wasn’t expecting that 🥲 this book definitely got me into the christmas spirit 🤭

[Crystal Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix horror, erotica, and The 12 Days of Christmas? THIS BOOK!

I will never look at Christmas the same way again. lol… Candy canes, cookies and milk, the freaking elf on the shelf, and the reindeer! Oh my oh my!

Valerie has been on the naughty list for 5 consecutive years so Santa sends in his mercenaries, the reindeer shifters. Their job is to unalive Valerie, but she refuses to give up without a fight.

I ate up this short story and enjoyed it. Maybe that makes me a little twisted.

4⭐️
3🌶️

[chelovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC read and the TWs were pretty long. This is not for the faint of heart or anyone who gets triggered easily. I love dark books and this is not your average Christmas warm and fuzzy book! I do wish it ended differently, I kind of felt like it left me hanging and wanting to know what happened when “they,” returned. But otherwise, I gobbled this up. I took it slow to make sure there were no typos or anything of that sort. I found nothing wrong and the editor and author did a wonderful job! Great “horror” erotica read for Christmas if that’s your jam!!!

[ZoetReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can i say than OMG 😍 this book is SPICY in the WTF kind of way but so good, this is not a romance, its dark and twisted with the intent on ☠️ but our girl is a survivor and endure everything they give her the ending was sweet and SPICY overall i really enjoyed this book that book dedication does not lie 😂

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those reads that left me thinking “ho, ho, holy Santa - what the hell did I just read!?!?”

While this is a Christmas novella it won't inspire Christmas cheer. It definitely falls into the erotic horror category for sure. So, if you are looking for some dark, twisted, horror filled, holiday fudgery- then this is absolutely a read for you.

It did changed how I look at a several Christmas things:
🎅🏼 Being on the naughty list. It’s more terrifying than ever. (A small twisted part of me wonders if it would actually be that bad thought? 😏)
🩸 Reindeer games are no longer cute or innocent.
🎅🏼 Milk and cookies for Santa.
These are just a few - trust me there are many, many more 😬

Will you be brave enough to take on Santa, his reindeer, and their twelve days of terror?

It should go without saying but be sure to check TW/CW. I read it and thought I was ready. But I found myself cringing and squirming multiple times.

[Brittany Broder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spice level on this book is great! The more trigger warnings for me the better. If you are looking for a good plot to follow, this isn't the book for you. Plot is underdeveloped.

Spicy scenes have amazing details and are not rushed through. I would have loved to have character descriptions, it would have made it so much better. Instead I envisioned actual reindeer and a jolly old guy and it was not it for me.

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

[Bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you talk about the lack of realism in a Reindeer shifter book? Probably not. But little things like how she survived 12 days without food and water is a bit ridiculous.

If you're on the naughty list for 5 years in a row then you have to survive 12 days of trials or die. That's the only plot. The rest is just smut

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

HO HO HO

This is my first Quinn Hawthorne book. I got an ARC copy and I enjoyed it. I did think it was a little slow in spots and rushed in others. But overall it was a really good read. I can honestly say I've never read anything like this before.

[Eazy Breezy ☕️ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven’t came across many books I truly don’t like but this book was a disaster. There was so much repetition. No real context to why anything was happening. It was purely just a book with sex.
I understand the point is to be punished for being on the naughty list but why did she randomly get chosen to be their play thing and not beheaded or something like the other naughty list people?
Why did a couple of the reindeer take a softer interest in her but no clues as to why.
WHY DID SANTA CHOOSE HER?! Are they just going to use and abuse her for the rest of her life?
I read the words humiliated and approval so many times I want them out of my universe.
All in all, as harsh as it sound.. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone. I was left with a ton of questions and very unsatisfied by the end. :(

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 dirty and f*ucked up and I loved every second of it. These characters are not gray they are black, just like my soul. *chef's kiss*.

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

[Viktimka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas smut, I guess that’s what describes it best.
I think I can’t never again look at his raindeers