His Boss for Christmas

by Alessandra Hazard

Peter Hayes has everything a man can wish for: a successful career as a lawyer, wealth, good looks, people falling at his feet—and Justin, to do all the grunt work for him. Justin is ("Not your slave!") his personal associate. Until the day he suddenly isn't, and Peter's perfect life stops making sense. His associate wants a personal life? He wants to find his soulmate? Unacceptable. Peter can't believe Justin believes in that nonsense. Soulmates don't exist.

Or do they?

A short MM romance novella. ~13,500 words.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Christmas, Paranormal, Fantasy

67 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2024

About the author

MM Romance Author

Reviews

[Jay H (Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Just your typical Alessandra Hazard book featuring opposites-attract tropes, a boss-employee dynamic, and a possessive love interest. Enjoyable but ultimately forgettable.

[Mug · Rating 4 out of 5]

peter is a trash boss and cares about nobody but himself and i’m struggling to find that bs cute even a little bit rn, but i still enjoyed this regardless?? huh, guess i’m a sucker💀💀 that one moment when peter realizes justin likes him and likes him enough to give up that certain thing for him went crazyyy….but peter gave off mad selfish vibes the whole time that made everything he said/did seem like he’s only doing it for his own benefit plus he’s a meanie….BOO! justin, baby, sweetie…you have the backbone of a worm🤣🤣 looking forward to the divorce announcement next christmas!

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a fun lil novella for what it was. nothing special or memorable, but it had its moments. it lowkey reminded me of just a bit bossy bc of the office setting + boss/assistant + power dynamic, except nate and raffaele made more of an impression to me as characters (though i can’t really compare the two when just a bit bossy was over 300 pages and had more time to be fleshed out i guess) but i thought the soulmates concept and paranormal aspect of the story with magic/witches were an interesting addition and wouldn’t mind if this expanded into a series. 👀

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐, rounding it down, it's too awkward for me.

This story seems so utterly underdeveloped. We fall into this semi-magic world we know nothing about and the spell that is cast brings the main characters together in the most unconvincing way possible.

🟢 Boss/assistant (law firm)
🟣 Age gap 27/39
🟡 Apparently both bisexual
🟢 Magic soulmate spell
🔵 Underdeveloped
🌶️ Some smut; kissing, oral, penetrative; t/b

In essence this story had all the good elements : a handsome, arrogant boss and a law firm owner Peter and a young, ginger, pretty assistant Justin who's tolerating his ego and has been in love with him for ages - we don't get his POV, so we don't know that until the very end.

A spell is cast for people to gravitate towards their soulmates and the way these soulmates find each other, really, it could have been just about anyone. There's no clear sign this is the person, only the feeling that you're not as anxious and interested in others when this person is around. Pretty bland for a soulmate spell.

I wasn't convinced even in the slightest and also, main characters had awful dialogues and even when they had sex, almost no natural chemistry was felt. It was just - should I fuck you or not? Maybe I should and get it over with. Oops, still not over it.

“Shut up and suck my cock, dear. We’re running on a tight schedule.”



The only scene in the story that worked for me was when Peter held Justin's chin in the office and realized Justin actually wants him. It was sexy, it was sensual and they should've worked with that and developed it further with this intense sense and acknowledging of the soul bond, but that's not what happened.


I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. Have been since the last book in the #Straight Guys series.
What's happening with this author? I want the old Alessandra Hazard back.

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, no notes.


Okay not true. Exactly.

This was hilarious. It read like a “Suits” fanfic with paranormal attributes that came out of nowhere. It all made very little sense and there is basically no worldbuilding. BUT I LITERALLY DIDN’T CARE!!! It was goooood! Fabulous short story!


Thanks, Pauline, babes, for this very entertaining hour. 🤣💖 I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT!!

“I’ve changed my mind,” Peter said. “I’ll need to fuck you once to get over this useless attraction.”

Justin blinked at him owlishly before flushing. […] “Wow,” he choked out. “That was weird, even for you.”

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was craaazy 🤣

If you’re able to not question anything that’s going on here, you’ll ride the pure-vibes-no-sense waves just like Kati and I did and have a blast 🤣

That moment when we both realised we didn’t even read the blurb and were completely blindsided by the PNR elements was actually fucking hilarious 🤣 Love you girl! 🫶

So yeah, a fun little short story snack, but don’t ask me the MCs names tomorrow lol

3,5⭐️

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 2 out of 5]

MM Romance
Boss/Assistant
2 Stars ⭐️


I usually like this author but this was so damn lackluster. I finished it a few hours ago and can’t remember either main character’s name. I just expect so much more from this author so this was really disappointing however I do think if this world and concept was expanded upon it could be something I’d enjoy but in this state? Just boring. 🥱

[Ninni · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Alessandra but this was not one of her best.

[Smutty Sully · Rating 1 out of 5]

Damn it, this was bad.
Yes, yes it was.

Why do I read books like this?
And yet it was happening. Again, and again, and again.

Take the most basic office romance plotline (meanie boss who pretends to hate his assistant, assistant who talks back to his boss) add in some random PNR, add in some stilted and awkward dialogue, and boring sex scenes.

I've read and enjoyed some of Hazard's books before, but this was a big nothing burger.

“You’re my associate. You’re here to do the boring work that’s beneath me. I’ll take over the case once we’re at the negotiation table. Until then, you do the grunt work. Your work is mine, because you’re mine.”

“Why not?” Justin almost whined, blinking at him dazedly. His lips looked very red. And shiny. They’d look so good around his cock.

“You’re the asshole who just had his tongue down my throat and is now trying to pretend it didn’t happen. I felt your erection against mine, Peter. You can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”

“I trust you the way I trust no one else in this firm. I need you by my side. It’s not the same without you.”

Justin blinked at him owlishly before flushing. Like that of all redheads, his blush was very obvious. And pretty. His cheeks were almost as red as his mouth now.

Watching his face was the biggest turn on of Peter’s life. Get a life, Peter!

I’ll fuck you so good you won’t be able to live without my cock in you.

Tags: Christmas novella, office romance, age-gap (27 & 39), PNR elements, soulmates, boss/employee, ginger, office fucking, wearing other MC's clothing, butt bite, brief intercrural, barebacking, hickeys, BJ.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this enough for what it was (a short holiday novella) but would’ve loved a tad bit more development of the characters and overall story. I even felt like we were shockingly skimped on the smut.🤨😔 Alessandra, how could you!!! No but seriously this was fun, cute and I would’ve loved a full story of these two. I’m an outlier when it comes to the paranormal aspect here - I thought it worked!🤭 All I want for New Years is a full length contemporary Alessandra Hazard book. 🙏🏻

[NitaBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I opened my email this morning and discovered Alessandra Hazard had a new novella out , I practically did a little happy dance!

Peter Hayes is a hot shot corporate lawyer / Senior Partner of Hayes and Turner, emanating with Big Dick Energy. Justin is his snarky in the best way associate.

Ooh was not expecting this supernatural plot twist! A soulmate love spell unleashed .

This is a quick fix but addicts of Alessandra Hazard will consume with great vigour and delight.

Edited - on reflection, this really isn’t a 5 star read but my excitement overtook me. This book has so much potential but it needs more. It does feel rushed and put together, possibly due to her writers block and maybe stressed about needing to put something out? This book definitely should not be your first foray in the world of Alessandra Hazard books.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

What you'd expect from this author. It's super short, so even less substance than usual, but enjoyable for what it was.

[taylor :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but i wanted a little something else

[Leah Weidner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas came early!

Thank you for this novella - it was a wonderful Christmas surprise from my favorite author! What a quick fun read!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy arrogant boss and the employee who loves him anyway. Plus Christmas! Plus Alessandra Hazard level of hotness! Plus no stupid drama! These boys own their dysfunctionalness and roll with it 🎄❤️

Merry Christmas all!

[Monikat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt phoned in. There was absolutely no reason for Justin to fall for a douche like Peter with zero redeeming qualities to become a partner in love. This rubbed me all the way wrong.

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: age gap, grumpy/sunshine, boss / employee
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 2.75/5
Kinks: marking
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM paranormal
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: asshole mmc

3.75 Stars

Peter is 39 and he is a very successful lawyer, managing partner at his firm. He is grumpy, aloof, and all business. A major workaholic. Justin is his assistant, who is implied to be much younger and at the start of his career. Justin has been his assistant for 2 years, he's indispensable to him. Justin is snarky and claps back when Peter lashes out unreasonably. In this reality, which is exist. And it's very close to Christmas time. A spell was cast accidentally that is making everyone in the surrounding area be able to sense their soulmate, and feel a burning desire to seek that person out. Peter feels above it all, resentful of the distraction. But then Peter starts to feel the pull to seek out something that's missing, to seek out his soulmate. And Justin expresses an interest in finding his soulmate. Peter is confronted with the possibility of losing Justin's attention, having to share it, and he hates that idea. As they spend time apart and then together again, they begin to suspect that they might be soulmates.

This wasn't a perfect story. Peter was very unlikable. I felt like Peter wouldn't make a good long-term partner, he is such a walking selfish narcissist red flag. I feel like his soulmate could do better, I'm not convinced that Peter would behave better long-term with his soulmate. I didn't like it that Peter was basically committing business fraud, and billing Justin's time as if it were his hours. And there wasn't a ton to the story because it was a very short novella. But there was decent character development and chemistry considering the short nature of the story. So I'm applying Novella standards to this. Giving it a bit of a pass. I was excited to have a new read from this author. I was actually reading another book and I paused reading it to read this.


Some notable moments:

"Unlocking the screen, Peter brought up his most recent contacts and tapped on Justin’s name. Justin picked up on the third ring. “No,” he said, sounding half-asleep. “I won’t come back to work. You gave me permission to sleep in my bed. I’m in my bed, in my favorite Batman pajamas, and you aren’t allowed to ruin it with a work emergency.”"

"He shifted his grip, turning it into a caress of Justin’s cheek, perversely enjoying the shiver it elicited. “Look at you. If your soulmate walked into this room right now, you wouldn’t even look at them. You wouldn’t care. All you’d see is me.” Me, me, mine. “God, I fucking hate you right now,” Justin breathed out, his eyelids growing heavy as he turned his head and nuzzled into Peter’s hand like a touch-starved thing."

"To Peter’s credit, he managed to keep his hands off his associate for the first three hours. It wasn’t easy, when Justin looked positively delicious and kept blushing every time their eyes met. Those flustered looks slowly but surely eroded Peter’s self-control, and soon enough, he found himself shoving Justin onto his desk, crushing their mouths together, and all but climbing on top of him. He needed to get inside him again."



*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[mm_smut_reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see Alessandra Hazard: I read.
A quick and nice read for Christmas

[Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

short story
boss/employee
pining
soulmates

[Shernell Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can something so cheesy be so erotic

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Bumfuck, Iowa a real place because I swear to God I've heard this used more with Iowa than any other state?

Peter's kind of a dick.

"Focus on your job as my associate. Nothing else matters. Your ‘soulmate’ doesn’t matter.”

But he's also unintentionally sweet.

“If I have to have something as trite as a soulmate, you’re the only person who doesn’t feel wrong.”

Also, if I offered to blow a guy and he said, “Go ahead, dear.” I'd abort mission.

Who says 'dear' in sexual situations? Peter's only 39 but he's written like an octogenarian.

Justin isn't a big enough personality in this, for a main MC. He's just vaguely in the background, gagging for it.

Too short, oddly sweet for a Hazard romance but I still liked it.

Even though the paranormal elements were very WTF💀

[Heather]

This wasn't what I generally expect from this author. The writing was quite stilted and I didn't get much in the way of feels. I'm glad I borrowed it on KU first.

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that no one was expecting a surprise novella from the lovely Ms. Hazard, I wasn't expecting too much from this quick, 75 page tale.

And truly, I wouldn't expect much. It's almost Christmas, and Justin is Peter's personal associate at a huge law firm. He's basically the only one who can stand Peter and Peter is, of course, a hard ass that treats his employees like shit.

But in this world, there's also witches and the supernatural. It's funny how that was just...there. Like oh okay this hardened lawyer who is very good at what he does...also is grumpy about some witches messing up a spell and causing everyone to be able to feel a pull towards their soulmate for a few weeks.

Honestly this felt like it could be an introduction to a new series (which, Ms. Hazard IS starting a new series, so maybeee...) and this could just be a taste of it.

This is a pretty standard Hazard dynamic - Peter the dominant alpha type, Justin the younger, softer more submissive type - but I am not one to complain. I'm perfectly happy with her strict top/bottom roles she has in her books 99% of the time and don't want or need a change in it. I can always rely on this author for that sexy dynamic of the bigger, sometimes older, dominant top.

But all that to say, there's nothing new about these two and it's just a fun, quick read with some surprise supernatural element that helps in bringing these two together. We get a hot sex scene but that's all this short novella really has time for.

The "I love you" comes *super* fast, but again...it's a novella. At least these two have known each other for 2 years, but...this is only from Peter's POV and he's in denial about his feelings for Justin until the end, so...him giving into it all and the fact that Justin just might be his soulmate is very quick.

So yeah, there's nothing particularly amazing about this quick novella, but there's nothing bad about it either. Standard Alessandra Hazard stories are always a good time in my book. Just needed more - this totally had the potential to be a full length book if the author wanted it to be. But since she did boss/assistant before maybe she thought this would be redundant as a full length book.

So yeah, definitely pick up this delightful surprise by this author for a quick Christmas read, and I can't wait for her upcoming Straight Guys book and the first book of her new series 😘

[Leia Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Two MCs with no depth. One of them is a cold, overbearing and abusive boss. This storyline is becoming way too familiar for this author. And it feels like there had to be a magic spell that forced these two to be together, because I can’t imagine why else Justin would choose to be with Peter.

[❀Laiz❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y ahora... ¿Cómo sigo con mi vida sabiendo que estos dos están por ahí viviendo su felices por siempre y yo no sé todos los detalles? 🤣🥰

[Juno ʕ •ᴥ•ʔゝ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot, pero demasiado corto. Yo quería MÁS. Un poco rara la trama, por cierto.

[❥ Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I’m a simple creature 🤷🏻‍♀️ Alessandra Hazard’s formula + grumpy boss/assistant just works for me

[Lily Loves 📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short with not enough substance. Not much about Christmas either, it’s just the time of year.

[BiblioFan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so bad that it wasn’t even fun to make fun of.

[Odette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idk, it was a short story I get it but the plot of a couple nowadays working on an office and being aware of witches and soul mate spells just make the story feel forced specially cuz the only mention of Christmas was the time