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Under the Yule Moon
Fleur keeps to the edges—of the forest, of the town, of other people. She likes it that way. Her magic is quiet, the kind practiced in herbs and tea leaves, in instinct and salt at the door.
Winnie runs the tavern the way she runs her life: steady, simple, alone, and she tells herself that’s enough.
But when a snowstorm brings Fleur to her door, that contentment begins to fade. The hearth breathes deeper, the walls seem to listen, and in the hush between them, something old and tender, begins to awaken.
As the Yule Moon rises, magic stirs, choices reveal themselves, and two women must decide what it means to stay—when every part of them is used to leaving.
A cozy, witchy romantasy about quiet magic, unexpected warmth, and love made not just by fate, but by choice.
Winnie runs the tavern the way she runs her life: steady, simple, alone, and she tells herself that’s enough.
But when a snowstorm brings Fleur to her door, that contentment begins to fade. The hearth breathes deeper, the walls seem to listen, and in the hush between them, something old and tender, begins to awaken.
As the Yule Moon rises, magic stirs, choices reveal themselves, and two women must decide what it means to stay—when every part of them is used to leaving.
A cozy, witchy romantasy about quiet magic, unexpected warmth, and love made not just by fate, but by choice.
Paperback
Published November 11, 2025
16 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Ryan
8 books124 followersHey, I’m Nicole Ryan. I write romance with heart, heat, and just enough emotional wreckage to keep things interesting. My books are for anyone who loves messy characters, slow burns, and maybe shedding a few tears when they least expect it.
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, mostly as an escape, and the one bright spot back then was hanging out with my grandma at the local paper where she worked as a copy editor. She believed in my stories before I did.
My debut, Second Chance Vacation, came out of the kind of grief that reshapes you after losing my youngest sister back in 2022. Since then, I’ve written Mostly Loathing You and The Very First Night, where love gets a second chance and time stops playing by the rules.
I’m a Libra, but let’s be honest, my Virgo moon is the one running the show. I spend an alarming amount of time convincing myself I need just one more book, blaming my moods on the moon or retrograde, and pulling tarot cards I probably wasn’t ready for. If there's a little magic in the air, I’m probably already halfway to plotting a book about it.
Thanks for being here. The story’s just getting started.
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, mostly as an escape, and the one bright spot back then was hanging out with my grandma at the local paper where she worked as a copy editor. She believed in my stories before I did.
My debut, Second Chance Vacation, came out of the kind of grief that reshapes you after losing my youngest sister back in 2022. Since then, I’ve written Mostly Loathing You and The Very First Night, where love gets a second chance and time stops playing by the rules.
I’m a Libra, but let’s be honest, my Virgo moon is the one running the show. I spend an alarming amount of time convincing myself I need just one more book, blaming my moods on the moon or retrograde, and pulling tarot cards I probably wasn’t ready for. If there's a little magic in the air, I’m probably already halfway to plotting a book about it.
Thanks for being here. The story’s just getting started.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 7, 2025
fleur and winnie dont know each other yet but a snow storm is coming forcing them to stay together...
fleur lives on the outskirts of the village thats how she likes it and so do the villagers.... when they need her they find her but mostly they avoid her... shes a quiet witch
winnie runs the local tavern, its been in her family for generations
fleur needs several things from the town so she sets off but the snow storm hits suddenly making visibility impossible and so she enters the tavern.... only winnie is there
is it fate ... only time will tell but the tavern seems to know
and though fleur is aware she isnt frightened of whats about to reveal itself
a short read that keeps you spellbound wanting to know whats going to happen next.... a tale as old as time itself
fleur lives on the outskirts of the village thats how she likes it and so do the villagers.... when they need her they find her but mostly they avoid her... shes a quiet witch
winnie runs the local tavern, its been in her family for generations
fleur needs several things from the town so she sets off but the snow storm hits suddenly making visibility impossible and so she enters the tavern.... only winnie is there
is it fate ... only time will tell but the tavern seems to know
and though fleur is aware she isnt frightened of whats about to reveal itself
a short read that keeps you spellbound wanting to know whats going to happen next.... a tale as old as time itself
October 7, 2025
UNDER THE YULE MOON IS NOW AVAILABLE TO SHELVE ON GOODREADS!
(i will die on the hill that when it comes to goodreads it feels like shelve not shelf ok, let me live)
(i will die on the hill that when it comes to goodreads it feels like shelve not shelf ok, let me live)
November 9, 2025
I will start this by saying that I think this book just wasn’t for me.
I think the story was good. It started well and it ended well but I think the middle was just boring. It had a very fall/witchy/homey vibe which was nice enough but maybe not my thing, I’m not sure. I think the writing was perhaps the turn off. It’s not that it wasn’t written well generally speaking, however, in an effect to “describe the feelings” instead of telling the reader we ended up having a series of descriptions that followed the same pattern.
‘Xyz felt abc. Not def. Not ghi. But jkl.’
“The forest feels…shifted. Not darker. Not dangerous. Just different”
This description style had to have happened about a dozen times. And it helped understand the magic in the tavern but the repetitiveness of that sentence structure and an almost forced “elevated” writing style was, I think for me, the main deterrent.
I usually love all of Nicole Ryan’s books thus far but this one was definitely not it for me. I can appreciate her branching out and I hope this is a big success for her. I appreciate having the advanced copy and I encourage others to try it out and see what you think!
I think the story was good. It started well and it ended well but I think the middle was just boring. It had a very fall/witchy/homey vibe which was nice enough but maybe not my thing, I’m not sure. I think the writing was perhaps the turn off. It’s not that it wasn’t written well generally speaking, however, in an effect to “describe the feelings” instead of telling the reader we ended up having a series of descriptions that followed the same pattern.
‘Xyz felt abc. Not def. Not ghi. But jkl.’
“The forest feels…shifted. Not darker. Not dangerous. Just different”
This description style had to have happened about a dozen times. And it helped understand the magic in the tavern but the repetitiveness of that sentence structure and an almost forced “elevated” writing style was, I think for me, the main deterrent.
I usually love all of Nicole Ryan’s books thus far but this one was definitely not it for me. I can appreciate her branching out and I hope this is a big success for her. I appreciate having the advanced copy and I encourage others to try it out and see what you think!
November 13, 2025
This was such a cozy snowed in fantasy. I loved the depth between the family ties, and we can’t forget our four legged familiar. A quick read, that I feel like I could have kept on reading. I loved these two so much and the chemistry was so good.
What to expect
Cozy fantasy
Sapphic
Snowed In
Winter Solstice
What to expect
Cozy fantasy
Sapphic
Snowed In
Winter Solstice
October 23, 2025
Welcome to fantasy, Nicole Ryan! I loved these little witches so much. Fleur and Winnie's story was beautifully crafted and full of adventure for just one, cold, snowy night. The seli-discovery, the longing, the deep reflection of their own destiny... one might say their story should've been longer. Can't wait to see more of this genre from you!
January 25, 2026
I've eaten better fruitcake than this book.
December 29, 2025
Cozy, sapphic read that I got during stuff your kindle day. Writing was lovely, and it's the perfect comforting story for the winter season.
November 10, 2025
(ARC) I wish I could say that I enjoyed this book. I can say that there are parts that I enjoyed. Specifically, the detail put into the spells and incantations was fantastic! I also greatly enjoyed the sections where the MCs were learning more about the tavern's secrets in general.
Unfortunately, I found it difficult for this book to keep my attention. It seems like something I would love based on the genres and related content (fantasy, romance, cozy, witches). I think it might be because there were long stretches where the characters were actively not interacting or the parts where you're in the characters' heads. I think for the right person, this book can be really enjoyable. For some reason, I just don't happen to be the right person.
Unfortunately, I found it difficult for this book to keep my attention. It seems like something I would love based on the genres and related content (fantasy, romance, cozy, witches). I think it might be because there were long stretches where the characters were actively not interacting or the parts where you're in the characters' heads. I think for the right person, this book can be really enjoyable. For some reason, I just don't happen to be the right person.
October 26, 2025
2.75 ⭐️ I was so excited for this book because it’s sapphic witches on Yule (and an author local to me) plus a cat familiar! I did really enjoy the storyline, but it was so hard to follow because the author was trying to be poetic in every sentence and it wasn’t needed. I think I counted over 100 times that “not this, but this” was used and I couldn’t pay attention to anything else unfortunately.
TLDR I liked the story, but didn’t like the writing style.
TLDR I liked the story, but didn’t like the writing style.
December 11, 2025
3.75
I picked this up on a whim because I wanted a holiday read that was not centered on Christmas, and the Yule aspect caught my eye. I was also really drawn to the cover because it looks so Yule like and warm and cozy.
I genuinely liked the atmosphere of this book. There’s this mix of cozy and comforting moments with a winter storm brewing outside, so it feels a little dark, a little witchy, and still warm. It is very sweet, and I ended up reading it in one day. I enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Winnie and Fleur, and I loved Jinx the familiar cat.
The writing is beautiful, soft, and lyrical, almost poetic, but there was a lot of repetitive dialogue and actions, especially in the first half while they were figuring out what was happening and who they were to each other. The book alternates between both of their points of view, but their voices are so similar that it was sometimes hard to tell whose POV you were in.
As much as I liked their relationship, the book is so cozy and atmospheric that the spice felt out of place to me. That might just be a me thing since I am not really into romance or spice in books, but it pulled me out of the vibe a little.
Overall it was a sweet, seasonal read with a darkly cozy, witchy atmosphere, and that was the part I enjoyed the most.
I picked this up on a whim because I wanted a holiday read that was not centered on Christmas, and the Yule aspect caught my eye. I was also really drawn to the cover because it looks so Yule like and warm and cozy.
I genuinely liked the atmosphere of this book. There’s this mix of cozy and comforting moments with a winter storm brewing outside, so it feels a little dark, a little witchy, and still warm. It is very sweet, and I ended up reading it in one day. I enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Winnie and Fleur, and I loved Jinx the familiar cat.
The writing is beautiful, soft, and lyrical, almost poetic, but there was a lot of repetitive dialogue and actions, especially in the first half while they were figuring out what was happening and who they were to each other. The book alternates between both of their points of view, but their voices are so similar that it was sometimes hard to tell whose POV you were in.
As much as I liked their relationship, the book is so cozy and atmospheric that the spice felt out of place to me. That might just be a me thing since I am not really into romance or spice in books, but it pulled me out of the vibe a little.
Overall it was a sweet, seasonal read with a darkly cozy, witchy atmosphere, and that was the part I enjoyed the most.
November 6, 2025
“… maybe that’s what magic does. Maybe it compresses what matters. Sharpens it. Burns off what doesn’t”
Fleur is a reclusive witch who finds herself needing to stay at a local, cosy tavern, run by Winnie. The two feel gently pulled towards one another, but is it fate, magic, or something else?
This is what I wish all cosy romances were- witchy, full of heart and folklore, and atmospheric.
The two main characters, Winnie and Fleur, are totally lovable. (Although I think the cat actually made me say ‘aw’ out loud a few times, so maybe the cat is my favourite - as per usual).
Their story is sweet, but it doesn’t lack depth. Self discovery and acceptance, fate and destiny vs. choice. The themes are really heartfelt.
I love everything about how magic is written here. As a living, breathing thing, as memory and instinct.
This ticked every box for me, except that I wasn’t ready for it to end, and I’m excited to read more fantasy from Nicole Ryan.
October 21, 2025
Under the Yule Moon by Nicole Ryan is Quiet Magic and Cozy Wonder
Under the Yule Moon is everything I love about Nicole Ryan’s writing, warm, emotional, and quietly powerful! The story feels like sitting beside a fire on a snowy night: soft and comforting, but still full of depth and heart. (I don’t know if I’ll ever sit by a fireplace and not look for sigils now. 😅)
It’s a gentle, beautifully written sapphic romance that proves you don’t need loud drama to tell a story that lingers.
Nicole has such a gift for weaving quiet moments into something meaningful, and this book is no exception. I’ve loved all of her books, but this one especially feels like a comfort read I’ll return to every winter.
5 out of 5 stars. Heartfelt, and magical, one of my favorites by an author whose work is incredible!!!
Under the Yule Moon is everything I love about Nicole Ryan’s writing, warm, emotional, and quietly powerful! The story feels like sitting beside a fire on a snowy night: soft and comforting, but still full of depth and heart. (I don’t know if I’ll ever sit by a fireplace and not look for sigils now. 😅)
It’s a gentle, beautifully written sapphic romance that proves you don’t need loud drama to tell a story that lingers.
Nicole has such a gift for weaving quiet moments into something meaningful, and this book is no exception. I’ve loved all of her books, but this one especially feels like a comfort read I’ll return to every winter.
5 out of 5 stars. Heartfelt, and magical, one of my favorites by an author whose work is incredible!!!
November 10, 2025
well-written, cozy, magical winter-tale
This was my first book by Nicole Ryan and I was impressed by the quality of her writing and her imagination. While Fleur, the witch, visits the town a blizzard comes up and she seeks shelter in Winnie‘s tavern. Slowly magic seeps into the story and as readers we are reeled in inexorably by secrets, layers of secrets, hidden in the tavern. The rise of magic was very well-written and highly enjoyable - the two main characters who are drawn together by fate were well-done.
I loved how the story skirted the edge of cozy and just stayed this side of it.
A winter-tale to be savored with tea and by candle-light.
I received an ARC from the publisher. The review is left voluntarily.
This was my first book by Nicole Ryan and I was impressed by the quality of her writing and her imagination. While Fleur, the witch, visits the town a blizzard comes up and she seeks shelter in Winnie‘s tavern. Slowly magic seeps into the story and as readers we are reeled in inexorably by secrets, layers of secrets, hidden in the tavern. The rise of magic was very well-written and highly enjoyable - the two main characters who are drawn together by fate were well-done.
I loved how the story skirted the edge of cozy and just stayed this side of it.
A winter-tale to be savored with tea and by candle-light.
I received an ARC from the publisher. The review is left voluntarily.
October 27, 2025
Fleur and Winnie are thrown into each other lives due to a crazy storm and a little bit of even crazier magic! I loved the pacing, and I especially loved the tension. It was beautifully done, and it really helped develop the characters, and it also helped raise the stakes even when we were in the quieter moments. You get such a good Idea of these two characters, and also get to discover them as they discover themselves. There Is also a cool amount of magic that pushes and pulls them In different directions until they figure out what Is going on! A mini mystery! Recommend for sure especially during this cozy fall.
Thanks so much to the author fo the ARC!
Thanks so much to the author fo the ARC!
November 14, 2025
This is a short, cozy, snowed-in sapphic witch story and while I did like the plot I think the writing could have been better. I enjoyed the history the women learned they shared and the way they were so sweet and companionable. I really liked the ending and how Fleur realized she didn't want to be anywhere else even thoughat first she thought she needed to be. The overall writing was just a bit too repetitive for me making it difficult to focus and actually finish the story. I think the writing style alone is the reason it took me a lot longer to finish such a short book.
Thank you to the Author for providing me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Thank you to the Author for providing me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
January 12, 2026
I picked up a free digital copy of this story during the recent stuff my Kindle day.
I really enjoyed this sweet, cozy, beautiful, saphic, witchy romance. Both FMCs were loveable and I enjoyed the easy pace of this short romance. Beautiful!!
"There’s no rush. No urgency. Only intention. And in that, there is magic."
Nicole Ryan, Under the Yule Moon
I really enjoyed this sweet, cozy, beautiful, saphic, witchy romance. Both FMCs were loveable and I enjoyed the easy pace of this short romance. Beautiful!!
"There’s no rush. No urgency. Only intention. And in that, there is magic."
Nicole Ryan, Under the Yule Moon
November 10, 2025
**ARC Copy**
I don't know what to say other than was beautiful. I'm a major grinch when it comes to the holidays because I was born on Christmas and it's a stolen holiday so I normally avoid seasonal books. I thought I'd make an exception for this book because it's yule related instead of Christmas and I'm happy I did. Perfect cozy read if you want something that feels a little haunting.
I don't know what to say other than was beautiful. I'm a major grinch when it comes to the holidays because I was born on Christmas and it's a stolen holiday so I normally avoid seasonal books. I thought I'd make an exception for this book because it's yule related instead of Christmas and I'm happy I did. Perfect cozy read if you want something that feels a little haunting.
November 11, 2025
Village witch Fleur likes living alone but when she travels into town for supplies and gets stuck at Winnie's tavern by a surprise blizzard the snow may not be the only thing keeping her there for the longest night of the year.
Cozy and just a little spooky winter story. Best read on a cold winter night with a cup of hot tea or mulled wine.
Cozy and just a little spooky winter story. Best read on a cold winter night with a cup of hot tea or mulled wine.
November 17, 2025
4.5
ARC review (thank you to the author for my copy)
Yay, sapphic witchcraft! This was cosy, with snowed-in trope, and the cutest familiar. I loved the romance, and the tavern setting. The one thing I wasn't sure on was the writing, there was too much repetition of a certain sentence structure for me. Other than that, I had a good time reading it and really liked the story!
ARC review (thank you to the author for my copy)
Yay, sapphic witchcraft! This was cosy, with snowed-in trope, and the cutest familiar. I loved the romance, and the tavern setting. The one thing I wasn't sure on was the writing, there was too much repetition of a certain sentence structure for me. Other than that, I had a good time reading it and really liked the story!
November 17, 2025
Grab a blanket, light a fire and enjoy this cozy winter novella!!
❄️ Sapphic
❄️ Cozy fantasy
❄️ Cat sidekick
❄️ Witchy
❄️ light spice
❄️ forced proximity
THANK you for this arc Nicole. This was such a cozy fantasy book. I loved the *fated* vibes of these two and their pull to each other. The cat was such a nice touch and I loved the found family vibes.
❄️ Sapphic
❄️ Cozy fantasy
❄️ Cat sidekick
❄️ Witchy
❄️ light spice
❄️ forced proximity
THANK you for this arc Nicole. This was such a cozy fantasy book. I loved the *fated* vibes of these two and their pull to each other. The cat was such a nice touch and I loved the found family vibes.
December 3, 2025
Under the Yule Moon is a cozy, sapphic fantasy novella between a witch and a bar owner. And when I say cozy, I mean it! Limited characters, one location, and takes place over a short time.
This was cute! The spicy was 🔥🔥, the snow was snowing, and the story was sweet. I wish there had been a little more oomph to the story, but overall a solid read.
This was cute! The spicy was 🔥🔥, the snow was snowing, and the story was sweet. I wish there had been a little more oomph to the story, but overall a solid read.
February 8, 2026
This was not life-changing, not terrible. Just... fine. The writing was incredibly repetitive with "not - but -" formatting, as well as "not x not y but z". To the point that it was taking me out of the story, which itself was a lovely little story about two women connected by a history they didn't know about.
October 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this arc! This was a beautifully well written love story wrapped in a neatly Yule bow!! The build up to the climax was very well done and the slow burn was perfectly completed with just the right amount of spice!! My only complaint was some of the repetitiveness.
November 8, 2025
Sapphic witches during Yule? Say less.
I really enjoyed the elements of witchcraft in this story. There were times when I was a bit lost due to a sudden scene change and times where the prose became repetitive. Otherwise, this is a quick, witchy read that had some beautiful
I really enjoyed the elements of witchcraft in this story. There were times when I was a bit lost due to a sudden scene change and times where the prose became repetitive. Otherwise, this is a quick, witchy read that had some beautiful
November 20, 2025
ARC Review - Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the book to read and review.
Under the Yule Moon was such a good read! It was cozy, low angst, with just a dash of uncertainty that kept you interested! I had no idea where this story would lead, and definitely enjoyed the journey!! Perfect to cuddle up and read on a long cold night, with a nice warm blanket and a cup of tea!
Under the Yule Moon was such a good read! It was cozy, low angst, with just a dash of uncertainty that kept you interested! I had no idea where this story would lead, and definitely enjoyed the journey!! Perfect to cuddle up and read on a long cold night, with a nice warm blanket and a cup of tea!
December 29, 2025
I found myself having to push through this one. I don't think the writing style was for me. It left me feeling lost and confused. I wanted to love it. There was so much potential because the ideas were great.
October 7, 2025
Nicole has done it again! I consumed this book SO ravenously. Once I started I absolutely could not put it down. This was the cozy, sapphic, healing love story I needed for this spooky season ❤️
November 9, 2025
Very short and so sweet! It was cozy and whimsical, and the perfect read for a cool fall day. Winnie and Fleur finding each other was so magical. I loved it so much.
November 11, 2025
This novella is an incredibly soft and comforting landing place. I just loved it. At times cozy, at times tense, and so full of heart. Very magical and perfect for stormy weather, or a holiday read!
November 11, 2025
Great short read about two women and their snowy adventure. A beautiful sapphic witchy romance on Yule with heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews