Second Christmas

Haunted for the Holidays

by Holly Knightley

We all have personal demons, but Cookie Marlowe’s demon is real.

Cookie Marlowe was just a little girl when she glimpsed something she shouldn’t have and since then she’s hated Christmas. When a trip home for the holidays forces Cookie to confront the very thing that has made her holidays a humbug, her nightmare becomes real. She’s determined to find her Christmas spirit at any cost, but it may cost her everything.

Second Christmas is the second book in the Haunted for the Holidays series. If you like books you can finish in one sitting that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then you will love this page turner.

Each novella is a standalone and can be read in any order.

Buy Second Christmas today and find out if you can change your past.

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Holiday

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2025

Reviews

[Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

"his lips oozing over his teeth like slimy cocoons, his gums retreating from yellowed teeth. That was all the confirmation that I needed; his wicked grin told me everything. It was his way of trapping me within my own fears, forever a scared little girl in the same Christmas snow globe."



☠️ be careful what you wish for..Cookie got what she wished for..and more.
☠️ The Christmas setting provides a “holiday twist” rather than a purely cheerful vibe: there’s dread, ghosts, past trauma. Suspense/horror elements.
☠️ The tension between wanting to embrace the holiday season (Christmas spirit) and the fear/hatred of it because of past trauma.
☠️ reads like Goosebumps for adults. Short, intense read that pulled me in right away and with a nice twist. I think I like this more than the Groundskeeper's daughter. I also like the Labyrinth references 👍🔮




I received an advanced reader copy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly has frightened me with tea cups and mirrors and toy clowns, and now.....

Even Christmas tree aren't safe!!

Second Christmas is Holly Knightley's new novella and it hits the creepy Christmas vibe right on the head. If you are a horror loving book reader and need a seasonal read this holiday season look no further than Cookie, and her journey to find her Christmas spirit.

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the chance to read prior to it's November 15th release. Check out that cover- it's haunting and PERFECT.

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

'A shadow is a shadow and can’t exist in the light, but this man was in my room. He was real.' (Pg 9)

Holiday Psychological Thriller | Paranormal/ Supernatural Horror | Suspense | Standalone in a Series

'I’d felt his cold breath on my cheeks, saw it as it escaped his lips in hazy phantoms that danced the Nutcracker Suite over my chin before vanishing.' (Pg 7)

It's a little nightmarishly terrifying! Can't get the visual of the scene Cookie experienced as a child out of my head. Shiver. Sleep paralysis scares me, paired with what she saw... umm no, thank you!

'It was so strange how something can scare you and excite you at the same time.' (Pg 54)

Love the iconic references in this. The metaphors and similies are almost comical, but some dialogue was a little corny.

'This must be how a moth feels—enticed to the flame—drawn to the heat of the moment, drawn to the danger of it all.' (Pg 54)

The twists were interesting and, indeed, quite a psychological introspection!

eBook voluntary review.

[Rainbow Goth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

I was truly captivated by this book. To my surprise, I found myself enjoying it far more than I initially anticipated. This installment is the second in a series, and although I haven't read the first book, I am now eager to dive into it. Fortunately, this story stands on its own beautifully, making it easy to follow along without prior knowledge of the previous work.

The storyline unfolded in unexpectedly clever ways. I entered the narrative without clear expectations, but it quickly proved to be a delightful surprise. The characters were richly developed and multifaceted, which is often a challenge in shorter novellas. Each character felt authentic and relatable, adding depth to the tale. The events were filled with gripping twists and turns that kept me hooked; I truly didn’t see several plot developments coming.

I can confidently say that this book makes for the perfect Creepmas read, weaving a tapestry of suspense that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

I received an ARC of this book and would like to express my gratitude to the author, publishers, and Booksirens for this opportunity. This review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings.

[Becky Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good spooky ghosty horror book, and I love Christmas. This book was a perfect blend of them all.

If you love gore you'll love this novella.

I would have liked a smidge more filler but overall loved the story.

Solid 4 stars from me.

Thank you to Book Sirens and Holly Knightley for allowing me to read this ARC

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect, Twisty , didn’t see that coming Novella!!
Cookie is being raised by her stepbrother, at ten years old she goes to a tree farm with him to pick out a real tree for the first time for Christmas. while in the bathroom at the tree farm, she has a disturbing encounter with a creepy shadow man…. Over the years he continues to haunt her . Now as an adult she is determined to get rid of her demons from her childhood…

First pov
Race against the clock
Holiday Story
Novella

[PlotTwist&Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look. I picked this up thinking, ooh, holiday story, maybe a cute twist on trauma healing with cocoa and kisses. But no. Holly Knightley said, “You know what sounds fun? Let’s emotionally waterboard a grown woman using Christmas trees, a cursed bathroom, and a man who shows up in her bedroom like the Nightmare Before Netflix.”

And I was hooked.
Like—shut-up-and-pass-me-a-panic-cookie hooked. 🍪

Cookie Marlowe (yes, that’s her real name, I’ll let you sit with that) hates Christmas. But not in a cute “I don’t like carols” way. No, this is deep, childhood-trauma-meets-sleep-paralysis-demon-with-silver-eyes kind of hate. Our girl made a pinky swear to her brother that she’d never scare him again, and instead she just kept getting haunted by her possibly imaginary holiday stalker who peels his face off every Christmas like it’s a cursed advent calendar.

But wait—it gets better.
Because when grown-up Cookie finally returns home, she runs smack into a hot lumberjack-looking man who has the same face as her childhood boogeyman… and things get weird. Like, “Is he real?” weird. “Am I in a trauma loop?” weird. “Do I like him or do I need an exorcism?” weird.

And somehow, Knightley makes it funny. The wit is sharp, the humor is dry, and Cookie’s internal monologue is unhinged in the best way. She’s sarcastic, unfiltered, and deeply traumatized—which honestly just makes her more relatable.

Is it horror?
Is it grief therapy with tinsel?
Is it a darkly comic hallucination with a Hallmark subplot?

Yes. And it works.

Knightley masterfully mixes nostalgia, tension, and absurdity. The pacing lingers when it needs to and races when it’s time to panic. Some scenes are genuinely skin-crawling (those shadow hands in the bathroom? NO THANK YOU), while others are bittersweet and tender.

But don’t get it twisted—this isn’t about romance. This is about reclaiming yourself after fear took up residence in your childhood bedroom. And that, dear reader, is way scarier than any ghost in a red plaid coat.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Groundskeepers Daughter I just had to read this one 🫣

Cookie, loves Christmas until she doesn’t and that’s because upon visiting a tree farm she has a scary episode in the bathrooms. This transposes into her nightmares making her hate every Christmas afterwards. Except, the one where she faces her fears but are they her fears alone? I can’t give you anymore than this 🙊

ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔱𝔢 ℭ𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔪𝔞𝔰. 𝔖𝔬 𝔪𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔰𝔬, 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔰𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔭𝔲𝔱 𝔦𝔱 𝔬𝔫 𝔪𝔶 𝔱𝔬𝔪𝔟𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫 ℑ 𝔡𝔦𝔢.

Honestly, I loved this paranormal Christmas read. I had no idea where it was going and I was totally 🤯 Not sure if I want Santa to come this year after reading this 🤣

[Sariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had not began this novella on a Sunday at 11pm, I would have been able to devour this thrill ride in one sitting. This novella was a perfect blend of Christmas cheer and horror with no unnecessary fluff and filler. I am so pleasantly happy that i was able to receive this as an arc thank you to the author, publisher, and booksirens. It was such an easy read that you don’t want to put it down but will be very pleased with how the story is wrapped up. The characters and location were exactly what this story needed and I will 100% be reading more from Holly Knightley.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Second Christmas by Holly Knightley from the author through Booksirens. This is the second novella in the series. I hadn't read book 1 prior to this one. It was perfect as a standalone.

The novella is set around Cookie Marlowe, a young girl desperate to have her perfect Christmas following her step father's death.

Totally enthralled by this one sit read. Beautifully written and desperately heartbreaking. The ending wrapped up perfectly to this novella.

Looking forward to reading more from. This author very soon

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect blend of creepy atmosphere and holiday horror. You get the creepy vibes from very early and it's wonderfully off-kilter for a festive read. I loved the tension that built throughout, but it was a bit on the gory side, which I could have done with a little less of tbh.

But it hit my mood perfectly and if you're looking for Christmas spirit with horror this one delivers as a delightfully spooky read!

Thank you BookSirens for the gifted eARC.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy (ebook) for this short story through Book sirens, with the request to leave an honest review.

This short story made my hair stand on end. The narrative got me completely, immediately after I started reading.

And Cookies story was so captivating, that I forgot to think ahead, I only followed the story, my progress in sync with what Cookie did, thought, wanted, instead of way ahead as my brain usually can't stop plotting, making assumptions and mostly getting to the right conclusion before the story does.

Despite this was a short story, it felt complete, wrapped up. It was terrifying at times when my visualization was too vivid to be nice, but hey, it's horror after all.

The only thing I stumbled upon is that the dividing line between the living and the dead was not very clear. Somewhere in the story there was a turning point, but that felt off to me.
But... Maybe I was too busy reading & following Cookie, that I missed a clue or 2🫣

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

eBook
Fiction / Ghosts / Horror / Psychological Thrillers / Supernatural / Suspense / Thrillers
⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

Oh, this was a haunting Christmas read. It pulled me in and held me hostage to the end! The author is so creative. The twists and turns Holly takes you down in this haunting holiday tale are fantastic. My only issue was that there was a little too much blood for me. I love a suspenseful story, not so much the gore.

[Claressa Hallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC through BookSirens and am providing a spoiler-free review in return.

I really enjoyed the wild ride this short story took me on! I didn't see the twists and turns coming, so that was really enjoyable. The FMC was well developed and I felt invested in her story. The ending went a little quick for me, I would have preferred a bit more explanation but overall this was a well written novella and I'd read more of Holly Knightley's work.

[Lynn Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a Christmas horror short that’s fast paced from the start and had me hooked almost immediately. I read the whole thing in about an hour and a half.

It’s got a bit of that Final Destination ‘fate will find a way’ energy, mixed with ghosts, past trauma and a creeping sense of dread that builds beautifully as it goes. There are a couple of nice twists too, and it delivers both chills and unease in equal measure.

It’s only around 100 pages, but it packs a good creepy punch in that short space - every page adds to the tension and atmosphere.

The festive references are everywhere - sometimes creepy, sometimes funny. “The cold nipping at my nose & chin, the smell of dried fruit wafting off him like he rubbed an orange under his armpits as a holistic deodorant” had me chuckling. And the Labyrinth nods? 👌

I’ll admit though, the romance element was… odd. I’m never going to be falling for a man who’s haunted my nightmares, so that bit didn’t quite land for me.

The ending did feel a little rushed. I’d have loved a touch more explanation and a bit more depth there, but overall this was such a fun, creepy little read. Perfect if you like your Christmas stories dark, ghostly and a bit weird.

Thanks to Book Sirens & Holly Knightley for the free advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own & review is fully voluntary.

[Vintage Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Holly Knightley has done it again. For those of us who instantly gobble up anything she writes (and honestly, why wouldn't you?), her latest offering, Second Christmas, confirms her standing as a master storyteller. She never fails to deliver, but this time, she hasn't just delivered—she's outdone herself. This isn't just a great Knightley novel; I believe this is easily one of the best ones she has written yet.

​What makes this book such a standout? First, the genre shift is pure genius. I love that she embraced the dark side of the holiday season and gave us a genuine, bone-chilling Christmas horror novel. The blending of festive atmosphere with escalating dread is executed perfectly, making every cozy setting feel inherently unsafe. It's the literary equivalent of spiking the eggnog with pure terror, and I sincerely hope she dives deeper into this niche—maybe a sinister Valentine's Day or a gruesome Easter tale next?

​But the true brilliance of Second Christmas lies in its narrative sleight of hand. Knightley lulls you into a false sense of security, or at least a false sense of prediction, before pulling the rug out completely. I consider myself pretty sharp when it comes to literary surprises, but I have to admit, I did not see the twist in the story coming at all. When the reveal hit, I was completely shocked 🤯. It’s a twist that doesn't just change the ending; it recontextualizes the entire journey.

​If you are looking for a holiday read that subverts expectations and keeps you guessing until the very last page, look no further. Second Christmas is the ultimate holiday gift for those who prefer a little gore beneath the mistletoe.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the questions I ask before assigning a 5-star rating to a book is: Did it stay with me? And golly, this book is a stick-to-your-ribs, nostalgia like you never had, root for the FMC, kind of book!

All Holly wants is the Christmas she never had. One with a tree in the living room, all warm and cozy, celebrating the day with her brother and maybe a parent or two. What she gets - constant nightmares of the "shadow man", a thing that visits her in the night, clawing his way toward her.

When she meets him in real life, she's not sure if she should be afraid, but she's oddly drawn to him. Until her brother reveals the terrible secret. Thank goodness this was a novella, because I could not have waited any longer to find out the ending!

Based on this story, I'm going back through my TBR to find more books by Holly Knightly.

Thanks to BookSirens for getting me ready for Creepmas by sending me an advance ebook!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Copy of this novella from Book Sirens for an honest review.

I'm really torn on what star rating to give this as there were some parts i really enjoyed and some that I wasn't sure about. I would definitely say this was a 3.5 for me.

While I liked how fast paced the story moved, I found the first few chapters left me wanting more. I wanted more background on Cookie's family and the setting in which she lived, pre-Christmas.

The second half of the book really picked up for me and I was totally turned on my head by the storyline. But again I wanted more. There's that saying, "Leave 'em wanting more" and I definitely felt that. Because of this I would like to check out Holly's other novels as the writing was well done with lots of Christmas references to make this a quirky, eerie read for the holidays.

[Christina Frøkjær · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Festive Fright You Won't Forget!

Holly Knightly's Second Christmas is the perfect book to curl up with for a fast-paced, heart-pounding holiday escape! This novella masterfully blends the cozy atmosphere of Christmas with a genuinely terrifying supernatural threat, making for a reading experience that's both festive and frightening.

The protagonist, Cookie Marlowe, is instantly relatable. Who among us doesn't have a holiday hang-up? But Cookie's is far more serious, rooted in a childhood glimpse of a real, personal demon. Watching her confront the very thing that has ruined her Christmases is a gripping journey. Her determination to reclaim her holiday spirit, even as her "humbug" transforms into a nightmare, keeps you completely invested in her fate. The stakes feel incredibly high, making you wonder what she'll have to sacrifice to finally be free.

As the second book in the Haunted for the Holidays series, it lives up to the promise of a thrilling, one-sitting read. The pacing is relentless—you'll be glued to the pages from the eerie opening to the final, satisfying twist. If you're looking for a holiday story that ditches the sugar-sweet tropes for genuine suspense and an edge-of-your-seat plot, Second Christmas is the answer.

It's a chilling and wonderfully inventive take on the Christmas spirit. Highly recommended for horror and suspense fans who want a quick, spooky fix this holiday season!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy Christmas vibes done right

Second Christmas is a quick, spooky read that’s perfect for curling up with on a chilly evening. Cookie Marlowe is such a relatable character—tough, a little damaged, and determined to face her fears (even when those fears might be more than just in her head!) I loved the mix of holiday nostalgia and supernatural tension. It definitely dives into some dark themes, but they fit the story and give it real emotional weight. The pacing kept me hooked straight through.

It’s a fast, and festive thriller with a haunting twist that makes you think twice about holiday “spirits.” I’d definitely pick up another from this series!

Shoutout to the publisher and BookSirens for the advanced copy.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookie does not like Christmas; in fact she despises the holiday. She dislikes the holiday for a very frightening reason: a heartfelt wish from a distraught young girl turns into a nightmare reality. As I read this story I could not but feel the extraordinary sadness that Cookie felt with the repeated tragedies. Once she was able to acknowledge something was wrong, she was quick to find a solution. When she tried the first change to her story and it did not work, I was devastated. At first I thought continuing to try was futile. But when something changed in the scenario, I began to have hope there might be a different ending. I will not give spoilers so you will have to read this novella to find out the outcome.

[Leslie Walbolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books by Holly Knightley. This one is just as good if not better than the others. Second Christmas follows Cookie Marlowe and her quest to lose the Christmas monster that has been visiting her nightly in her room since her stepfather passed away. What started off as what I thought would be a heart felt story quickly turned into something I did not see coming. What Cookie Marlowe believes is her “reality” turns out to not be. She’s reliving her own demise every Christmas. Is she able to rewrite the ending? How is she able to do so when she has a hard time believing what is real. As always, I love Holly’s writing style. At one point I had to read a few lines more than once because it blew my mind. Once you start this one, you will want finish it in on sitting.

Thank you BookSirens and Holly Knightley for giving me an opportunity to review this book as an ARC

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Haunted for Holidays series, but it is not a sequel to the first book. At first I was hesitant to read it, but I am so glad I did. When I picked it up, I could hardly put it down because the plot moves very quickly and there is no room for boredom or a drawn-out plot.

The main protagonist of the story is Cookie Marlowe, who has had nightmares and visions of a man kneeling next to her bed since childhood. A few years later, Cookie is ready to deal with her nightmares when one day she sees the man who has been haunting her at night. But Cookie is not ready for what comes next, and everything she believed in may not be as it really seems.

The book is short, about 100 pages, which is actually more than enough. Everything that is important is summarized, nothing is superficial, and the book itself is very well written. Simple and readable. This book also reminded me that not every book has to end with Happily Ever After. Although I was hoping for a better ending, this one was more than perfect. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Holly's other books.

Big thanks to Holly Knightley and BookSirens for allowing me to read this book. My review is voluntary and has not been influenced by anyone.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have demons, but Cookie Marlowe’s is literally out for blood..........and holiday cheer. 🎄😈

“Second Christmas” is a deliciously creepy little holiday treat that I devoured in one sitting. It���s got that perfect mix of festive nostalgia, supernatural chills, and emotional gut-punches that make you pause mid-page and go, “Wait, what just happened!?”

The pacing? Snappy. The tension? Chef’s kiss. The ending? Let’s just say I’m still side-eyeing my Christmas decorations.

I’m already snooping around to see if any of this author’s other books are up for request because… I need more.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not see that twist coming!

Once again, Holly Knightley proves her talent with writing a terrifying tale. This one is about a child. Her stepfather died, then her mother left her and her brother so at Christmas, she asked Santa Clause for a family that would love her. There are twists and turns and weird things happening throughout this story. This is type of horror I absolutely adore. Not the slashers, not the blood and gore, but the psychological terror, which is exactly where Holly Knightley excels. I cannot praise this story highly enough!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say except that I loved this book! I never thought I would like a story that combines Christmas and a slasher story mixed into 1.

Cookie Marlowe keeps having a recurring "nightmare" around Christmas of a man with a crack in his face and he's terrorising her.......can Cookie figure out what's going on and why everything that's happening relates to Kips Tree Farm.

I wasn't expecting the twist.

I received an advanced review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a weird obsession with holiday horror stories. Especially ones around Christmas, as the thought of something scary is almost taboo.
I went into this with an open mind, and was so happy with the outcome of this story.
Cookie has a fear of the local Christmas tree farm since she was young. But as an adult, she tries to recover from this fear and move on. The story flows with ease and you are kept guessing till the end of the story.
Perfect character development and structure. A must read for anyone who loves holiday horror and ghost stories.

[Alex Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell. This was both not what I expected and absolutely what I didn’t think I needed. I did not see the twists that this story took. I couldn’t put the book down. I was intrigued to find out all the hints given. I have to reread it and see if I can spot all the signs earlier. The story flowed seamlessly. And although it’s a quick read you feel like you know the characters. This is definitely dark themed and will probably trigger some people so be sure to check the warnings. But in a way this book is perfect for spooky season, or for a darker theme at Christmas time.

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a thrilling short read with an unexpected twist. Holly has a very comfortable and easy writing style and she described Het characters and settings perfectly. Second Christmas is a lovely read if you want to step away from the usual romantic autumn/winter/Christmas novels that do the rounds this time of year. I'm looking forward to read the other novella in the series.

[Kaely Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly did it again. I was blown away by how awesome this read was. Short and sweet, I didn't want to stop!! The twists and turns, I'm still in shock. So, freaking good and I love that it was backgrounded by Christmas themes. I plan on reading more of her work for sure!!!!

Highly recommend to anyone who loves spooky thrilling novels or novellas.

** I was honored to have read this ARC through Book Sirens. These thoughts and feelings are my own. **