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Santa's Dark Secret
Who would have known a filthy Christmas wish would have resulted in a dark-haired, raunchy Santa coming down my chimney and giving me exactly what I wished for?
He gave me everything I wanted, right down to the sparkly pearl necklace and the wild, crazy ride on his North Pole, but this sexy Santa has a dark secret. For years he’s been watching me while I sleep, and he knows how much I can take.
I always thought Santa was about spreading joy at Christmas, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. This filthy Santa prefers to spread something else, and as long as he’s willing to give, I’m more than happy to take.
He pushes me to my limits, fulfilling my wildest Christmas fantasies, but just how long can I do this before I break my own heart? Do I wish him back every Christmas and spend each year longing for a man I can’t truly have, or is it time to finally let him go and watch him fly away on his big red sleigh once and for all?
He gave me everything I wanted, right down to the sparkly pearl necklace and the wild, crazy ride on his North Pole, but this sexy Santa has a dark secret. For years he’s been watching me while I sleep, and he knows how much I can take.
I always thought Santa was about spreading joy at Christmas, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. This filthy Santa prefers to spread something else, and as long as he’s willing to give, I’m more than happy to take.
He pushes me to my limits, fulfilling my wildest Christmas fantasies, but just how long can I do this before I break my own heart? Do I wish him back every Christmas and spend each year longing for a man I can’t truly have, or is it time to finally let him go and watch him fly away on his big red sleigh once and for all?
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2024
468 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
December 23, 2024
3.5 stars
This is one of my top authors, sadly for me this book fell short, I loved the storyline, but struggled to connect with the heroine.
This is one of my top authors, sadly for me this book fell short, I loved the storyline, but struggled to connect with the heroine.
December 22, 2025
The Claus Who Came for Her
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋😀😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
🎧 Audiobook Review: Santa’s Dark Secret
Author: Sheridan Anne
Genre: Dark Romance / Holiday Romance
Narrators: Lucas Dixon, Ash Kingsley
🦸🏼♀️ The Heroine: Mila
Mila’s life changed the night she was six years old and saw Santa Claus step out of her fireplace — not just Santa, but a mysterious boy trailing behind him. She’d already heard whispers that Santa wasn’t real, yet there he was, looking at her with a strange, knowing confidence that branded itself into her memory.
That moment became the fracture line between her and her mother, who dismissed her story outright. Shuffled off to live with her father and later orphaned in her twenties, Mila has endured loss after loss — including walking in on her boyfriend and best friend together. Now she’s a hardworking attorney at a prestigious New York firm, but despite her dedication, a promotion seems forever out of reach. She’s lonely, exhausted, and quietly craving something — or someone — to shake her world awake.
🦸🏻♂️ The Hero: Nick
Nick is Santa Claus — but not the jolly, cookie‑munching icon we all imagine. That was his father, Nick Sr., the legendary Santa of generations past. Nick, on the other hand, is the black sheep of the Santa lineage: darker, moodier, and far more prone to mischief than holiday cheer.
He’s also obsessed.
From the moment young Mila saw him — something no child should be able to do — he was captivated. Every year since, he’s returned to her, leaving her a charm and watching her grow from afar. His fascination deepened into desire, and while he’s supposed to be perfecting his Santa duties, he’s far more invested in Mila… and in the wicked fantasies he’s harbored about her for years.
📚 The Plot
Nick has been checking in on Mila far more often than the annual Christmas Eve visit. Once she turned twenty‑one, his interest sharpened into something more intimate, more possessive.
This year, Mila drunkenly tosses a wish into a fountain after a chaotic company holiday party — a wish full of heat, hunger, and the kind of fantasies she never expected anyone to hear. But she believes her secret Santa will deliver.
Nick hears it.
Nick wants it.
And Nick is absolutely ready to grant it.
What follows is a holiday encounter that blends magic, obsession, and scorching chemistry as Nick steps out of the shadows to give Mila exactly what she asked for.
🌟 Strengths
• The premise is wildly original — a dark, seductive Santa Claus is not something you see every day in romance.
• The steamy scenes are undeniably hot and written with bold confidence.
• Mila’s letters to Nick add a charming, intimate structure to the story, each wish revealing more of her heart and desires.
• The book leans into its uniqueness; Santa romances are rare, and this one fully commits to the concept.
💔 Limitations
• The story repeatedly mentions Nick watching Mila, but never shows those moments. For a stalker‑romance lover, that missing layer of tension and obsession feels like a missed opportunity.
• The smut outweighs the plot at times. A deeper paranormal angle — especially around the Santa mythology — could have added richness.
• Nick’s reluctance to be with Mila doesn’t quite track, especially when her letters make it clear she has no real ties holding her back.
• Mila’s personality shift near the end feels abrupt and makes her harder to root for.
🎙️ Narration
Told in dual POV with dual narrators, the audiobook shines.
• Ash Kingsley brings a fragile, expressive warmth to Mila, delivering an emotionally charged performance that fits the character beautifully.
• Lucas Dixon is perfectly cast as Nick — his deep, gravelly tone embodies the darker Santa vibe, and he handles the steamier dialogue with impressive skill.
💬 Final Assessment
A bold, spicy, and imaginative holiday romance that leans hard into its dark‑fantasy premise. While the plot could have been more developed and the character arcs more consistent, the originality, heat, and narration make it a memorable seasonal listen — especially for readers who enjoy their Santa with a sinful streak.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋😀😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
🎧 Audiobook Review: Santa’s Dark Secret
Author: Sheridan Anne
Genre: Dark Romance / Holiday Romance
Narrators: Lucas Dixon, Ash Kingsley
🦸🏼♀️ The Heroine: Mila
Mila’s life changed the night she was six years old and saw Santa Claus step out of her fireplace — not just Santa, but a mysterious boy trailing behind him. She’d already heard whispers that Santa wasn’t real, yet there he was, looking at her with a strange, knowing confidence that branded itself into her memory.
That moment became the fracture line between her and her mother, who dismissed her story outright. Shuffled off to live with her father and later orphaned in her twenties, Mila has endured loss after loss — including walking in on her boyfriend and best friend together. Now she’s a hardworking attorney at a prestigious New York firm, but despite her dedication, a promotion seems forever out of reach. She’s lonely, exhausted, and quietly craving something — or someone — to shake her world awake.
🦸🏻♂️ The Hero: Nick
Nick is Santa Claus — but not the jolly, cookie‑munching icon we all imagine. That was his father, Nick Sr., the legendary Santa of generations past. Nick, on the other hand, is the black sheep of the Santa lineage: darker, moodier, and far more prone to mischief than holiday cheer.
He’s also obsessed.
From the moment young Mila saw him — something no child should be able to do — he was captivated. Every year since, he’s returned to her, leaving her a charm and watching her grow from afar. His fascination deepened into desire, and while he’s supposed to be perfecting his Santa duties, he’s far more invested in Mila… and in the wicked fantasies he’s harbored about her for years.
📚 The Plot
Nick has been checking in on Mila far more often than the annual Christmas Eve visit. Once she turned twenty‑one, his interest sharpened into something more intimate, more possessive.
This year, Mila drunkenly tosses a wish into a fountain after a chaotic company holiday party — a wish full of heat, hunger, and the kind of fantasies she never expected anyone to hear. But she believes her secret Santa will deliver.
Nick hears it.
Nick wants it.
And Nick is absolutely ready to grant it.
What follows is a holiday encounter that blends magic, obsession, and scorching chemistry as Nick steps out of the shadows to give Mila exactly what she asked for.
🌟 Strengths
• The premise is wildly original — a dark, seductive Santa Claus is not something you see every day in romance.
• The steamy scenes are undeniably hot and written with bold confidence.
• Mila’s letters to Nick add a charming, intimate structure to the story, each wish revealing more of her heart and desires.
• The book leans into its uniqueness; Santa romances are rare, and this one fully commits to the concept.
💔 Limitations
• The story repeatedly mentions Nick watching Mila, but never shows those moments. For a stalker‑romance lover, that missing layer of tension and obsession feels like a missed opportunity.
• The smut outweighs the plot at times. A deeper paranormal angle — especially around the Santa mythology — could have added richness.
• Nick’s reluctance to be with Mila doesn’t quite track, especially when her letters make it clear she has no real ties holding her back.
• Mila’s personality shift near the end feels abrupt and makes her harder to root for.
🎙️ Narration
Told in dual POV with dual narrators, the audiobook shines.
• Ash Kingsley brings a fragile, expressive warmth to Mila, delivering an emotionally charged performance that fits the character beautifully.
• Lucas Dixon is perfectly cast as Nick — his deep, gravelly tone embodies the darker Santa vibe, and he handles the steamier dialogue with impressive skill.
💬 Final Assessment
A bold, spicy, and imaginative holiday romance that leans hard into its dark‑fantasy premise. While the plot could have been more developed and the character arcs more consistent, the originality, heat, and narration make it a memorable seasonal listen — especially for readers who enjoy their Santa with a sinful streak.
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December 19, 2024
What the hell happened?
1🌟
4🌶
This author is one of my favourites and she is an auto buy for me but this Novella frustrated me, I was so excited to be reading it as soon as it came out .
When I started the book I was hooked and enjoying the ride then everything went downhill when she made a wish and when it was granted she got angry at him .. someone make it make sense to me? So I can understand a little misunderstanding and maybe getting angry for like a week maybe even that would be stretching it . But no this woman got angry for a full year I mean seriously, this was just contradictory to her characters and what her inner monologues told us .. she spent a year angry with him for doing what she asked? No I couldn't take it 12 months is too long to be irrationally upset when she was supposedly so in love with him and wanted to be with him. And when she got her chance she went on to ignore him for a year... it doesn't make sense , self sabotaging, yet she had no life at all in new York, no friends, no job , Nick would have been better off with someone else. Anyway she apologises exactly 12 months later and the book ended.
So yeah, I'm ranting this book spoiled my Christmas mood , what happened, Sheridan Anne?
1🌟
4🌶
This author is one of my favourites and she is an auto buy for me but this Novella frustrated me, I was so excited to be reading it as soon as it came out .
When I started the book I was hooked and enjoying the ride then everything went downhill when she made a wish and when it was granted she got angry at him .. someone make it make sense to me? So I can understand a little misunderstanding and maybe getting angry for like a week maybe even that would be stretching it . But no this woman got angry for a full year I mean seriously, this was just contradictory to her characters and what her inner monologues told us .. she spent a year angry with him for doing what she asked? No I couldn't take it 12 months is too long to be irrationally upset when she was supposedly so in love with him and wanted to be with him. And when she got her chance she went on to ignore him for a year... it doesn't make sense , self sabotaging, yet she had no life at all in new York, no friends, no job , Nick would have been better off with someone else. Anyway she apologises exactly 12 months later and the book ended.
So yeah, I'm ranting this book spoiled my Christmas mood , what happened, Sheridan Anne?
December 17, 2024
This was a fun spicy dark Christmas read! I only wish it was longer!
- Dark Romance
- Christmas Fantasy
- "chance meet"
- Santa's Son
Mila is feeling lost & alone in NYC. After the loss of her parents over a short time frame, & finding her boyfriend in bed with her best friend - She is ready for a change. And that change may just come through her bedroom window once Christmas Eve.
Nick, Santa Claus' son, met Mila when they were both only children. Mila spotted him one Christmas Eve with his father and even though she should have not been able to see him - She spotted him straight away. For every Christmas after that, Nick left her a little present just from him till she was ready for him to make himself known.
Mila always got told what she saw was not real, so when Nick shows up in her bedroom one Christmas Eve, she is so excited to know she definitely did believe & Nick will appreciate her for never not believing.
As they have one magical lustful night, Mila goes on to make a Christmas wish every month for the next 12 months, in which Nick will grant at Christmas. But with the wish being that she gets to be with him forever be able to be granted?
3.5/5 stars with 4/5 steam.
**spoiler**
I did get frustrated with Mila. She had her last wish in which Nick granted her - Only to act like a spoilt brat & be mad at him FOR A WHOLE YEAR for granting her wish... I felt her character changed tune very quickly and unfortunately it knocked back half a star for me.
- Dark Romance
- Christmas Fantasy
- "chance meet"
- Santa's Son
Mila is feeling lost & alone in NYC. After the loss of her parents over a short time frame, & finding her boyfriend in bed with her best friend - She is ready for a change. And that change may just come through her bedroom window once Christmas Eve.
Nick, Santa Claus' son, met Mila when they were both only children. Mila spotted him one Christmas Eve with his father and even though she should have not been able to see him - She spotted him straight away. For every Christmas after that, Nick left her a little present just from him till she was ready for him to make himself known.
Mila always got told what she saw was not real, so when Nick shows up in her bedroom one Christmas Eve, she is so excited to know she definitely did believe & Nick will appreciate her for never not believing.
As they have one magical lustful night, Mila goes on to make a Christmas wish every month for the next 12 months, in which Nick will grant at Christmas. But with the wish being that she gets to be with him forever be able to be granted?
3.5/5 stars with 4/5 steam.
**spoiler**
I did get frustrated with Mila. She had her last wish in which Nick granted her - Only to act like a spoilt brat & be mad at him FOR A WHOLE YEAR for granting her wish... I felt her character changed tune very quickly and unfortunately it knocked back half a star for me.
December 22, 2025
Rating
5💎
3🌶️
Quick Summary
This dark Christmas read swept me off my feet with its enchanting touch of Christmas magic and sizzling chemistry. Nick and Mila had me spellbound from page one! Heartbreak, Christmas wishes, and every spicy scene left me grinning, gasping, and craving more.
Reading Thoughts
📓 Wow this book was nothing like I expected, and for a novella it was fantastic.
📓 The hint of magic in the air and some of the traditional Christmas story was woven in so well.
📓Nick’s obsession with Mila is sublime and the way she just craves him
📓It was heart breaking that they couldn’t be together and had me feeling all the feels
📓Without giving away spoilers, I loved Mila’s stubbornness which enabled her to grow with Nick and build something real.
📓The spice in this book had me sizzling and loved every spicy scene.
Words that linger
🍷 But unfortunately, for me, my boyfriend was involved in a tragic accident when he slipped and fell straight into my best friend’s vagina.
🍷“I’ve picture taken you in every way physically possible, Mila.”
🍷” I just… I so badly wish that I could be yours. To be with you every day. To have this every day.”
🍷 “Nick, I wish to be only yours. I wish to fully belong to you, to have your heart every single day of the rest of our lives. I wish to be where you are and start a life with you.”
🍷“ I’m fucking serious, Mila. You’ve got no idea how desperately I’ve craved everything you are this year. Walking away from your last December fucking destroyed me. I don’t know how I’m supposed to do it again.”
🍷 “All I can tell you is that I’ve been yours since before I can fucking remember.”
Tropes
🎅Christmas Eve
🎅He falls first
🎅Dark Romance
🎅Wishes come true 😝
5💎
3🌶️
Quick Summary
This dark Christmas read swept me off my feet with its enchanting touch of Christmas magic and sizzling chemistry. Nick and Mila had me spellbound from page one! Heartbreak, Christmas wishes, and every spicy scene left me grinning, gasping, and craving more.
Reading Thoughts
📓 Wow this book was nothing like I expected, and for a novella it was fantastic.
📓 The hint of magic in the air and some of the traditional Christmas story was woven in so well.
📓Nick’s obsession with Mila is sublime and the way she just craves him
📓It was heart breaking that they couldn’t be together and had me feeling all the feels
📓Without giving away spoilers, I loved Mila’s stubbornness which enabled her to grow with Nick and build something real.
📓The spice in this book had me sizzling and loved every spicy scene.
Words that linger
🍷 But unfortunately, for me, my boyfriend was involved in a tragic accident when he slipped and fell straight into my best friend’s vagina.
🍷“I’ve picture taken you in every way physically possible, Mila.”
🍷” I just… I so badly wish that I could be yours. To be with you every day. To have this every day.”
🍷 “Nick, I wish to be only yours. I wish to fully belong to you, to have your heart every single day of the rest of our lives. I wish to be where you are and start a life with you.”
🍷“ I’m fucking serious, Mila. You’ve got no idea how desperately I’ve craved everything you are this year. Walking away from your last December fucking destroyed me. I don’t know how I’m supposed to do it again.”
🍷 “All I can tell you is that I’ve been yours since before I can fucking remember.”
Tropes
🎅Christmas Eve
🎅He falls first
🎅Dark Romance
🎅Wishes come true 😝
January 29, 2026
I can't decide story-wise the star rating. For now let's leave it at a 3. As for the smut aspect... 10/10. It's a fast paced dark romance that I would say is more on the light grey side. The banter between MC's was fun and fantastic. There really isn't much plot to actually talk about. Unless you want to include her career life which isn't shown. She includes bits of it in her letters and how the rest of her life has just crumbled. Besides that she wants to escape from the dreadful life she has created for herself.
Mila is where this book falls flat. She comes off a bit too desperate after spending one night with him. Even though they have thought about each other for years. More so him since he checks up on her. Where for her its more fleeting. Nick even makes a remark that the only reason why he has been with other women was because she had been with other men. When I mean this man fell first hard, I mean to the extreme. Towards the end, she becomes unbearably irritating. One minute she is begging to be with Nick, the next second she spends WEEKS or months not speaking a word to him. Oh or ridiculing him by telling with detail his mother about their sex-scapades over dinner. Nick flat out explained multiple times she didn't know what she was asking for. She disregarded his concerns. When it happened, she went off the deep end. Her emotions went completely against everything she was projecting to the reader. Full on spoiled brat mode, incredibly childish reaction. So it creates this big confusion. What else did she think was going to happen? 100% put this in the guilty pleasure/purely for the smut category.
Mila is where this book falls flat. She comes off a bit too desperate after spending one night with him. Even though they have thought about each other for years. More so him since he checks up on her. Where for her its more fleeting. Nick even makes a remark that the only reason why he has been with other women was because she had been with other men. When I mean this man fell first hard, I mean to the extreme. Towards the end, she becomes unbearably irritating. One minute she is begging to be with Nick, the next second she spends WEEKS or months not speaking a word to him. Oh or ridiculing him by telling with detail his mother about their sex-scapades over dinner. Nick flat out explained multiple times she didn't know what she was asking for. She disregarded his concerns. When it happened, she went off the deep end. Her emotions went completely against everything she was projecting to the reader. Full on spoiled brat mode, incredibly childish reaction. So it creates this big confusion. What else did she think was going to happen? 100% put this in the guilty pleasure/purely for the smut category.
December 13, 2024
As usual, Sheridan doesn't disappoint! It was not as dark as her usual stuff, but I still loved it. Nick and Mila are great together. Mila is a whole ass mess and I love her for it!! I died laughing at her wishes and letters. Girl, I get it. When you get it good, you need it all the time. I didn't care so much for Nick, but that's because Mila stole the show for me. She really was the main character. Her thoughts and her frazzled nature were exactly what I needed to try and get me out of this funk. I love the ending and how they ended up together. Good short christmassy book 🎄🎄
December 8, 2025
I really craved for a christmassy dark romance, but unfortunately this one wasn't for me. 😭
the characters lacked depth for me personally. they didn't do anything apart from having sex.
the most issues I had was with mila. I was pissed at her at like 70% mark cos girl what the actual fuck do you want then ???? can't be bipolar like this, iykyk. actually infuriated me and proved the man right with your behaviour smh.
I also found it strange how mila said she and caroline, her coworker, weren't close yet they talked about f*cking guys and stuff like huh ?? people don't talk like that if they're not close.
the writing style was okay, it was quite surface level. easy to read though and definitely fast paced.
the plot was honestly non existent which I was sad about. there wasn't any actual plot to it apart from scenes upon scenes of sex. I get it, this is a smutty book, but I've read plenty with some plot to them as well!
the wishlists that mila wrote were also really repetitive. the same text was written down like 4 times.
I did find some letters to nick pretty funny lol.
the ending was really predictable, which I expected, I just wish the story had more depth to it or something else going on apart from sex because it got to the point where even that was extremely repetitive.
it just wasn't for me and I personally can't recommend this book.
the characters lacked depth for me personally. they didn't do anything apart from having sex.
the most issues I had was with mila. I was pissed at her at like 70% mark cos girl what the actual fuck do you want then ???? can't be bipolar like this, iykyk. actually infuriated me and proved the man right with your behaviour smh.
I also found it strange how mila said she and caroline, her coworker, weren't close yet they talked about f*cking guys and stuff like huh ?? people don't talk like that if they're not close.
the writing style was okay, it was quite surface level. easy to read though and definitely fast paced.
the plot was honestly non existent which I was sad about. there wasn't any actual plot to it apart from scenes upon scenes of sex. I get it, this is a smutty book, but I've read plenty with some plot to them as well!
the wishlists that mila wrote were also really repetitive. the same text was written down like 4 times.
I did find some letters to nick pretty funny lol.
the ending was really predictable, which I expected, I just wish the story had more depth to it or something else going on apart from sex because it got to the point where even that was extremely repetitive.
it just wasn't for me and I personally can't recommend this book.
December 12, 2025
This book feels like one of those ugly Christmas sweaters that’s so hideous, it actually makes you happy. Honestly, this was a great guilty pleasure read that you can finish in a few hours.
Here are a few tips if you’re thinking of picking it up:
1. Don’t take this book too seriously.
2. Just go with the dark romcom vibes.
3. Consider actually making a Christmas wishlist this year. 🤭👀
I genuinely don’t understand how anyone could write a serious review for this. Yes, this book is pretty bad in a lot of ways but I had the best time ever. I laughed so much and it honestly made me so happy. I loved this book. 🤣
Personally I wouldn’t really call this a dark romance. I get why it is considered as a DR, but it wasn’t really dark. What I did enjoy were the magical Christmas elements and the romcom vibes. Mostly, this book is just very smutty and very funny. The instant love trope was terrible but honestly? If I could find ten more books like this, I’d read them all this month. 🤣
This was a terrible read that I genuinely loved a little bit too much. I rated this book 3,5!⭐️
Here are a few tips if you’re thinking of picking it up:
1. Don’t take this book too seriously.
2. Just go with the dark romcom vibes.
3. Consider actually making a Christmas wishlist this year. 🤭👀
I genuinely don’t understand how anyone could write a serious review for this. Yes, this book is pretty bad in a lot of ways but I had the best time ever. I laughed so much and it honestly made me so happy. I loved this book. 🤣
Personally I wouldn’t really call this a dark romance. I get why it is considered as a DR, but it wasn’t really dark. What I did enjoy were the magical Christmas elements and the romcom vibes. Mostly, this book is just very smutty and very funny. The instant love trope was terrible but honestly? If I could find ten more books like this, I’d read them all this month. 🤣
This was a terrible read that I genuinely loved a little bit too much. I rated this book 3,5!⭐️
December 12, 2025
1⭐️ this was just SO BAD, trainwreck vibes. Red flags everywhere !!! Cringey writing - “Lady taco”. I better get the extra credit at book club for sacrificing my time on these pages
January 3, 2026
This was such a wild, fun, and crazy fictional read. Based on the Santa tale with the North Pole, elves, and reindeer, it had me laughing and my goodness, the spice! First off, the charm bracelet situation was brilliant, and I thought it was so sweet. I didn’t expect Mila would have to wait a whole year for Nick’s return. The dirty letters every month with wishes to Santa made me laugh so hard. Toward the end, I couldn’t believe how long they held out during the silent treatment. Honestly, it was a fun, quick read. A bit fast-paced for me, but I still enjoyed their story together.
If you love:
🔹Dark Festive Read
🔹Stalker
🔹Mutual Pining
🔹Forced Proximity
🔹North Pole
🔹Very Naughty Spice
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 190
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series or Stand Alone:
Tropes or Themes: Stalker, Mutual Pining, Forced Proximity, Kidnapping, MMC Obsessed, Christmas, Letters, Made Me Laugh, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Praise, Dub Con, Bondage, Impact Play, Toys and Backdoor Play
Mentions: Death Of Parents and Cheating Ex.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
If you love:
🔹Dark Festive Read
🔹Stalker
🔹Mutual Pining
🔹Forced Proximity
🔹North Pole
🔹Very Naughty Spice
Genre/Type: Dark Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 190
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series or Stand Alone:
Tropes or Themes: Stalker, Mutual Pining, Forced Proximity, Kidnapping, MMC Obsessed, Christmas, Letters, Made Me Laugh, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Praise, Dub Con, Bondage, Impact Play, Toys and Backdoor Play
Mentions: Death Of Parents and Cheating Ex.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
November 30, 2025
What did I just read?! This was the hottest Santa story ever.
Ever since she caught a peek at Santa and his son when she was little, all she wished for every single year was for him to come back. And every year he did and left her a little gift. But now he’s all grown up and took over as the big man himself. With Mila sending in a naughty wish list for Santa to fulfill, this year he will deliver more than just a charm.
Mila made the most epic wish list ever and he made sure he checked off every single box, thoroughly... Let’s be honest and admit the first list was great, no one would complain, but the second one? Yes, that one was perfection.
If this is Santa, I don’t need him to leave me any gifts, he can just sit under my tree. Santa’s Dark Secrets was a perfect smutty holiday read that delivers. I couldn’t put it down and the ending came way too quickly. This is already my holiday favorite and I will need to revisit it year after year.
Ever since she caught a peek at Santa and his son when she was little, all she wished for every single year was for him to come back. And every year he did and left her a little gift. But now he’s all grown up and took over as the big man himself. With Mila sending in a naughty wish list for Santa to fulfill, this year he will deliver more than just a charm.
Mila made the most epic wish list ever and he made sure he checked off every single box, thoroughly... Let’s be honest and admit the first list was great, no one would complain, but the second one? Yes, that one was perfection.
If this is Santa, I don’t need him to leave me any gifts, he can just sit under my tree. Santa’s Dark Secrets was a perfect smutty holiday read that delivers. I couldn’t put it down and the ending came way too quickly. This is already my holiday favorite and I will need to revisit it year after year.
December 30, 2024
Idk I wanted to ljke this one so much more, and the smut was very fun, but I needed more of that and less of the 12 month tantrum and cringy letters and such. The smut is where this story shined and I just sort of got through the rest.
January 4, 2026
⭐️4.5 🌶️3.5
🦌Holiday romance
🎅🏼Stalker vibes
🦌Naughty Santa
🎅🏼He falls first
🦌Forced proximity
🎅🏼Novella
Maybe I’m numb to it now, but this was marketed as a dark romance and really didn’t feel that dark. I thought it was adorable how he came to see her every Christmas Eve and waited for her to make a wish to see him. I wanted it to be slightly darker though, to see some of that pining as he watched her.
The spice was *chef’s kiss*. Loved the replicas…I may need one of my own.
I honestly wanted this to be a full length novel because I needed more of Nick’s POV, but this was the perfect story for a novella. It flowed so well and felt like a complete story. I especially appreciated the jumps in time via the letters and Nick’s view of the final year.
I’ll definitely be making some Christmas wishes into a fountain next year.
*this is a novella, so I don’t rate it the same as a full length novel*
🦌Holiday romance
🎅🏼Stalker vibes
🦌Naughty Santa
🎅🏼He falls first
🦌Forced proximity
🎅🏼Novella
Maybe I’m numb to it now, but this was marketed as a dark romance and really didn’t feel that dark. I thought it was adorable how he came to see her every Christmas Eve and waited for her to make a wish to see him. I wanted it to be slightly darker though, to see some of that pining as he watched her.
The spice was *chef’s kiss*. Loved the replicas…I may need one of my own.
I honestly wanted this to be a full length novel because I needed more of Nick’s POV, but this was the perfect story for a novella. It flowed so well and felt like a complete story. I especially appreciated the jumps in time via the letters and Nick’s view of the final year.
I’ll definitely be making some Christmas wishes into a fountain next year.
*this is a novella, so I don’t rate it the same as a full length novel*
December 26, 2024
I mean this book takes the “I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus” song to a whole new level but I mean sleigh queen. Raw dog Saint Nick to your hearts content.
February 4, 2025
I want Nick, he’s so hottt
And this was so damnsoicy, i loved it
And this was so damnsoicy, i loved it
December 9, 2025
This was a fun read. I enjoyed the chemistry between Mila and Nick. The spice was 🥵
December 18, 2025
I giggled in some and liked most of it
Read
December 29, 2025My friends that recommended this need Jesus, and therapy.
December 6, 2024
Sheridan never fails to amaze me with the worlds she writes. Long or short, sweet or smutty she gets it right everytime.
Mila and Nick are 2 half’s of a soul with the biggest roadblock between them. With only being able to see each other one night of the year, Nick takes fate into his own hands and snatches Mila away after her making some very naughty Christmas wishes that lands her right on his naughty list.
Loves this short (and sweetly smutty) Christmas novella!
Mila and Nick are 2 half’s of a soul with the biggest roadblock between them. With only being able to see each other one night of the year, Nick takes fate into his own hands and snatches Mila away after her making some very naughty Christmas wishes that lands her right on his naughty list.
Loves this short (and sweetly smutty) Christmas novella!
December 11, 2024
Put me on the naughty list…And I’d regret nothing. I’m not usually into holiday themed books, especially short books. But this one was so deliciously delightful! Sheridan can do no wrong no matter the size of the book or the theme. To my fellow dirty girlies and boys- pick this up, read it, enjoy the holidays, and may you be so good that Santa comes twice 😉
December 26, 2025
This book had so much potential, but for me there was a big imbalance between the plot and the smut.
I’m all for darker books and spice, but there needs to be some kind of balance. Either make it fully about the smut, or actually let the plot breathe. Too often it felt like the story was finally going somewhere interesting, only for it to suddenly derail into a sex scene that didn’t really belong there.
One of my biggest issues was the setup. From the blurb, I thought Mila didn’t know she was being watched. That idea genuinely intrigued me. I imagined her alone on Christmas Eve, unaware someone had entered her home. That would’ve been tense and unsettling in the best way. Instead, she already knows he’s stalking her, leaves out cookies and whiskey, and goes to bed in lingerie. That completely killed the tension for me.
There was a moment later on where the story finally leaned into a darker tone, and I actually started enjoying it. But then he’s chasing her while naked except for boots, she’s terrified and out of breath, and suddenly her internal monologue goes, “When the sex is good, a woman is willing to ignore every red flag.”
I genuinely had to pause there. One second she’s running for her life, the next she’s undressing. The tonal whiplash was wild.
After that, it turns into her staying with him because she has no other choice, and it just dragged for me. It felt like months of him acting like a horny teenager and her acting oddly childish. There could’ve been such an interesting exploration of fear, power, or emotional conflict, but it never really went there.
There was one moment I genuinely liked, when she opened up emotionally to Santa. I wish the book had leaned more into that kind of vulnerability instead of constantly defaulting back to sex.
Overall, I don’t think this book was for me. I can see why it has an audience, and I do think the writing itself is solid. The smut is well written, and there are moments of humour I enjoyed. I just wish the darker elements and the plot had been handled with more care and consistency.
I’m all for darker books and spice, but there needs to be some kind of balance. Either make it fully about the smut, or actually let the plot breathe. Too often it felt like the story was finally going somewhere interesting, only for it to suddenly derail into a sex scene that didn’t really belong there.
One of my biggest issues was the setup. From the blurb, I thought Mila didn’t know she was being watched. That idea genuinely intrigued me. I imagined her alone on Christmas Eve, unaware someone had entered her home. That would’ve been tense and unsettling in the best way. Instead, she already knows he’s stalking her, leaves out cookies and whiskey, and goes to bed in lingerie. That completely killed the tension for me.
There was a moment later on where the story finally leaned into a darker tone, and I actually started enjoying it. But then he’s chasing her while naked except for boots, she’s terrified and out of breath, and suddenly her internal monologue goes, “When the sex is good, a woman is willing to ignore every red flag.”
I genuinely had to pause there. One second she’s running for her life, the next she’s undressing. The tonal whiplash was wild.
After that, it turns into her staying with him because she has no other choice, and it just dragged for me. It felt like months of him acting like a horny teenager and her acting oddly childish. There could’ve been such an interesting exploration of fear, power, or emotional conflict, but it never really went there.
There was one moment I genuinely liked, when she opened up emotionally to Santa. I wish the book had leaned more into that kind of vulnerability instead of constantly defaulting back to sex.
Overall, I don’t think this book was for me. I can see why it has an audience, and I do think the writing itself is solid. The smut is well written, and there are moments of humour I enjoyed. I just wish the darker elements and the plot had been handled with more care and consistency.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
To be honest, this was not what I expected when I picked this novella up to support a new hole in the wall bookstore in Snohomish who put together a wonderful Christmas display to entice one and all. (Shout out to Eternal Endings!) It is definitely a different take on Santa Claus, although I think the kidnapping aspect is oversold. Yes, Santa is real…although the job has been taken over by his dark and brooding son Nick. Apparently, now that most people don’t have chimneys…he breaks in through their windows. Mila saw the real Santa and his son accidentally when she was a young girl and has been wishing for a visit every year since. Nick for his part has come back every year and left a little bracelet charm beside her bed every year…until Mila, at 23 has a terrible year and begins to wonder what the adult boy is like and makes some very steamy wishes for this year’s Christmas. These steamy wishes and ones that Nick is thrilled to fulfill.
Quite steamy and I really enjoyed the year of ridiculous letters. I was a bit confused as to how upset Mila gets over the kidnapping…I did think that dragged a bit, but overall a fun and creative spin on the holidays.
Quite steamy and I really enjoyed the year of ridiculous letters. I was a bit confused as to how upset Mila gets over the kidnapping…I did think that dragged a bit, but overall a fun and creative spin on the holidays.
December 11, 2025
This was a fun ride with some good humor in the mix! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
While sometimes things didn't make sense, I feel like I should let it slip because this is meant to be a more casual read -- elaboration under spoiler tag below. The characters are interesting enough, and I liked the creative wishes Mila put in LOL some of those gave me ideas...
Finished within a handful of hours, got an HEA so I'm happy.
**Spoiler bit:**
Mila was the reason I knocked off stars in this one.
I got thoroughly annoyed and confused by Mila getting angry for Nick taking her away from New York. She had no family, no friends, a job she hated and literally nothing tying her there except bad memories, yet she throws a fit and acts like a brat for a WHOLE year while Nick just waits on her? It seemed like forced 'angst' to me, threw me off the trajectory of their relationship.
I was pleasantly surprised by Nick's parents' involvement in the second half though, they were sweet people and I liked how Mila's place next to Nick made Nick Sr. soften up.
While sometimes things didn't make sense, I feel like I should let it slip because this is meant to be a more casual read -- elaboration under spoiler tag below. The characters are interesting enough, and I liked the creative wishes Mila put in LOL some of those gave me ideas...
Finished within a handful of hours, got an HEA so I'm happy.
**Spoiler bit:**
Mila was the reason I knocked off stars in this one.
I got thoroughly annoyed and confused by Mila getting angry for Nick taking her away from New York. She had no family, no friends, a job she hated and literally nothing tying her there except bad memories, yet she throws a fit and acts like a brat for a WHOLE year while Nick just waits on her? It seemed like forced 'angst' to me, threw me off the trajectory of their relationship.
I was pleasantly surprised by Nick's parents' involvement in the second half though, they were sweet people and I liked how Mila's place next to Nick made Nick Sr. soften up.
December 17, 2024
⭐️: 5
🌶️: 🥵
Omgg Sheridan Anne did not come to play with this one. I absolutely loved everything about this novella. It was short, funny, and spicy as hell! This may be my favorite of the holiday season so far.
The story centers around a woman who encounters a magnetic “Santa” figure over the years who turns out to be far more dangerous and enticing than anyone she’s met before. Their interaction spirals into an intense, forbidden romance filled with steamy encounters and suspenseful twists. Mila was so funny, I could not stop giggling at her commentary and Nick was the sexiest Santa who fulfilled ALL of her Christmas wishes 😅. Even thought his was a short read, the pacing was perfect and the story gave you just enough detail to keep you engaged and anticipating Santa’s next return.
Overall, please read this if you like dark holiday romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and want so much more. It gave… Santa I’ve been naughty but I want more than your coal this year 😂😭
🌶️: 🥵
Omgg Sheridan Anne did not come to play with this one. I absolutely loved everything about this novella. It was short, funny, and spicy as hell! This may be my favorite of the holiday season so far.
The story centers around a woman who encounters a magnetic “Santa” figure over the years who turns out to be far more dangerous and enticing than anyone she’s met before. Their interaction spirals into an intense, forbidden romance filled with steamy encounters and suspenseful twists. Mila was so funny, I could not stop giggling at her commentary and Nick was the sexiest Santa who fulfilled ALL of her Christmas wishes 😅. Even thought his was a short read, the pacing was perfect and the story gave you just enough detail to keep you engaged and anticipating Santa’s next return.
Overall, please read this if you like dark holiday romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and want so much more. It gave… Santa I’ve been naughty but I want more than your coal this year 😂😭
December 16, 2024
Sheridan Anne is one of my favorite authors! I have read it think almost everything by her!
Santa's dark secret was such a great novella with lots of emotions and a lot of spice!
I love Mila and felt so sad for her that she literally had no one! I mean she could have tried to find other friends but any time she did have a friend they stabbed her in the back so I dont blame her for wanting to so alone. She was also a very independent women.
Nick man did he love her with something fierce! He definitely made all her naughty wishes come true 😏
Go check this book out and everything else Sheridan has written you won't be disappointed!
Santa's dark secret was such a great novella with lots of emotions and a lot of spice!
I love Mila and felt so sad for her that she literally had no one! I mean she could have tried to find other friends but any time she did have a friend they stabbed her in the back so I dont blame her for wanting to so alone. She was also a very independent women.
Nick man did he love her with something fierce! He definitely made all her naughty wishes come true 😏
Go check this book out and everything else Sheridan has written you won't be disappointed!
December 6, 2025
3.75 stars (rounded up)
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The tension built up over the course of a year as Mila wrote letters to Nick for a whole year...only for her to act like a brat when he made all her wishes come true the following year. It felt really out of character and I understand her reasoning, but it just wasn't something I vibed with unfortunately. Once she stopped giving Nick the silent treatment, and got more comfortable in her new environment, I felt like the story got better.
Also, I'm not sure what the dark secret was...I think my "dark meter" is broken lol!
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The tension built up over the course of a year as Mila wrote letters to Nick for a whole year...only for her to act like a brat when he made all her wishes come true the following year. It felt really out of character and I understand her reasoning, but it just wasn't something I vibed with unfortunately. Once she stopped giving Nick the silent treatment, and got more comfortable in her new environment, I felt like the story got better.
Also, I'm not sure what the dark secret was...I think my "dark meter" is broken lol!
December 19, 2024
To those who are hoping for a Christmas miracle and needing someone to come hard down your chimney, I got you! Deck the halls, and jingle those balls, baby! Santa’s coming for you, and I hope you’re ready when he does!
this was a great Christmas read with a twist. I really enjoyed the whole story and concept of it. It's certainly not like any other Christmas book I've ever read. This will be on my list to read every December 🎄
Check triggers, your mental health matters 🫶
this was a great Christmas read with a twist. I really enjoyed the whole story and concept of it. It's certainly not like any other Christmas book I've ever read. This will be on my list to read every December 🎄
Check triggers, your mental health matters 🫶
December 22, 2025
This was a fun, smutty Christmas read that didn’t ask me to think too hard and sometimes that’s exactly the vibe. If you’re in the mood for holiday spice with a chase element, this one delivers. At first, it felt very instalove, which had me a little unsure, but then the story took a turn I genuinely didn’t see coming. Overall, this was a quick, entertaining read that felt more like a wild holiday snack than a full meal. No brain cells required, just a good time.
December 12, 2024
I didn’t know what to expect going in but I flipping loved this book. Sheridan has a way with words, she weaves a magical tale full of angst, Christmas cheer and spice, so much goodly spice (do not recommend reading at basketball training)
The concept was so unique and as I said, I flipping loved it … where do I get a Santa like Nick?
The concept was so unique and as I said, I flipping loved it … where do I get a Santa like Nick?
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