Jingle These Bells

by Melanie Schubert (Editor/Contributor), Angela Montoya (Editor/Contributor), Robin Alvarez (Contributor )

Slip beneath the mistletoe and into something a little more sinful with Jingle These Bells, a sizzling holiday anthology where desire crackles like a Yule log fire. Fifteen naughty and nice authors—some freshly unwrapped and others well-established—have teamed up to deliver steamy tales bound by one festive thread: the sound of jingle bells.

Wrapped in tinsel and temptation, these stories will set your stockings on fire and leave your heart thundering with seasonal delight. From tantalizing rendezvous with Santa, to bold encounters at office parties, this collection is a celebration of heat, heart and holiday magic. So pour the cocoa, cue the carols, and get ready to jingle all the way.

378 pages, ebook

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Melanie Schubert is a Croatian Australian who writes about badass anxious characters who do it scared. She is a host and a creator of the writing podcast: Of the Publishing Persuasion, together with her wildly talented and hilarious co-host Angela Montoya. She has written multiple musical productions for the New Zealand performing arts company Gobsmacked for large scale stage productions. She lives with her biscuit of a husband and one highly opinionated French Bulldog in Melbourne Australia, but a piece of her heart is always in Japan.

Reviews

[Thebiblioholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

IS THIS ON YOUR TBR THIS SEASON? CAUSE, IT SHOULD BE!

Firstly, I want to say that anthologies are amazing ways to discover new-to-you authors and also revisit authors you’ve read before. As an anthology, Jingle These Bells is it for me. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to confidently rate an anthology a solid 5 stars, but I finally found one in this holiday collection filled with a plethora of amazing stories from talented authors. Just imagine me holding this over my head, screaming at the top of Mount Everest. I'm still clearly coming off the 5-star high.

This had everything a romance fan could want. The stories bring plenty of spice for the holiday season that had me kicking my feet and giggling—all ranging from romantic comedy, second chance, romantasy, unhinged dark romance couples, stories of characters finding themselves, queer romance, why choose and to top it off… monster romance!

There were so many heartfelt, swoon-worthy moments, complete with happily ever afters, all wrapped up in a consistent jingle bell theme. Honestly, I could not pick a favorite because each story had something special.

I do have to mention this line that had me absolutely howling though—“He can fa la la la la me all night long as far as I’m concerned.” 🤣🤣 ICONIC.

I also loved seeing stories from different backgrounds being represented—it added so much depth and heart to the collection.

If you’re looking for a holiday read, pick this one up, PLEASE. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Major props to the team who collaborated on this—bless you, your ancestors, your family, your future descendants, your furry creatures, and everyone in between for gifting this to the world. SERIOUSLY. I hope you all have an amazing holiday season and that there are other themed anthologies in the works, because THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTE BANGER and I am so ready for more.

[Melanie Schubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

LEGENDARY HO HO HOS

[Cabiria Aquarius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday spicy short stories? Yes please.
These were so good! I went in expecting spice and it hadn’t and more … *giggle*.

However it also had heart and life lessons on not letting anything or anyone control you. On choosing what you want. Choosing love. Family. Love. Heart.

These stories had my on the edge of my seat- the spice 🌶️ levels varied however the heart and what I took from the stories and what went to my heart made it all the more better. I laughed, I wanted to slap a bastard or two and I wanted to dance, I wanted to learn how to fly.
These stories are beautiful.
I’m glad I had the chance to read them. Thank you writers and editors for creating this beautiful anthology!

[Misty Gunderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best spiciest anthology I've ever read! The Jingle Bells theme was woven through every single story, and there was truly something for everyone!

A Christmas Diddle for Catherine - Melanie Schubert

This story is a celebration of women and I loved every moment. The dynamic between girl friends, their importance in reflecting ourselves back to us, and calling us out on the hard stuff, and enriching our lives and enabling our growth throughout. I love the lens of a girl gal pal. I love the celebration of aging, body positivity body discovery, embracing change and sexuality, taking our pleasure into our own hands. Down with the patriarchy and the men who don't care about our hair or our pleasure.

Good Girl - Lucy Nightshade

Love a sapphic script flip

Christmas Traditions - Haleigh Wenger

Hot one time hookup office romance

Saturnalia Spellbound - Katya de Becerra

Dark academia full of magic, whimsy, and second chance romance.

Hot Toddy - Louise White

We love a Consent King. Made me feel like I was reading a Pierce Brown fanfic... much enjoyed!

The Spiced Gingerbread Man - S.M. Perez

Love the tradition and mystery of building a gingerbread man of your dreams

Lust and Latkes - Gabriel Torres

Jewish and gay representation, a second chance at love just in time for the holidays

A Date on Krampusnacht - Honey Hazzard

A dark Krampus miracle full of steamy punishments and rewards

Christmas Delivery - Amanda Aok

Ummmm, okay second chance high school sweethearts torn apart by a troubled childhood. This story was everything and I need more. This is a full novel here. I need backstory and a happily ever after. Chefs kiss!

Sleigh Yule Love Me - Casia Pickering

Hello best friends to lovers. Love this story and I'm gonna beat John up.

Coal-Hearted - Robin Alvarez

A Reverse Harem full of Nutcracker vibes

Holly Jolly Smutmas - Stevi Bakos

What a spicy love story. Just two sexually compatible freaks completely in love with one another.

Helping my Little Elf- Diane Billas

Magical Gender Neutral Elf

The Ugly Christmas Sweater - Kerrie Faye

This one was super cute! It's Baileys kind of second chance...second chance at love for two heartbroken has beens. Love

Dashing Through Me - Angela Montoya

Hot and spicy abominable snowman! Love!!!

[A.J. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jingle These Bells reads like a sampler platter of holiday heat, mixing Hallmark style set ups with sentient object stories and streaks of magical realism. Most of the characters are older, busy, working class adults who have given everything to jobs, partners or kids and quietly starved themselves of sex. The book’s clearest through line is that being sex starved is not a virtue. Neglecting your own pleasure is a sign of an imbalanced life, and things only start to click when these characters reclaim their sexuality on their own terms.

The stories get there in all sorts of ways. There are Santa fantasies with lines like “Santa is whoever you need Santa to be,” witchy reunions with exes, a gingerbread golem, and one very questionable dreidel. Some twists of magical or sentient holiday object land better than others, and a few pieces skip past the psychological fallout in order to reach the fun. What holds it together is the sense that the book is on the side of its characters. It never mocks people who want more. It insists they deserve it.

A nice structural touch is the way holiday magic is signaled by sound. Every time Christmas magic or holiday magic is about to happen, you hear the jingle of bells. The title motif becomes a little audio cue that something is about to tilt from ordinary life into fantasy.

The standout for me was a dual point of view romance between a bookshop owner and a very lumberjack style love interest. It is a warm, bookish, cold weather love story with just enough heat and a wealth of charming detail.

If you like your holiday reading queer inclusive, sensual and centered on adults finally putting their own desire first, Jingle These Bells is a lively anthology to curl up with on a winter night.

[Brandi Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC, and let me tell you—the smut was smutty in the best way possible. Every author brought their A-game, delivering stories that were hot, heartfelt, and full of personality. My best friend Stevi absolutely killed it (I might be biased, but she earned every bit of that five-star rating). Each story had its own unique spark—different voices, different styles—but all carried that delicious blend of heat and holiday chaos that makes anthologies like this so fun to binge.
The only downside? A lot of the stories were written in third person, and I loathe third person, but honestly, it didn’t take away from how fantastic the stories were. They were still emotional, sexy, and festive as hell. If you want a spicy little holiday escape, this anthology delivers from start to finish.

[Jennifer Elkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slip beneath the mistletoe and into a collection that delivers heat, heart, and a whole lot of holiday mischief. Jingle These Bells features 15 wildly imaginative stories - from deliciously naughty elves and Krampus encounters to second chances that turn into snow-swept seductions. You’ll find sapphic love, office flings, “why choose” romance, and plenty of steamy snowstorms to melt your winter chill.

Every single story is a gift worth unwrapping. My advice? Keep a fan and a cold drink close—you’re going to need both.

[Christine Letizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a spicy holiday anthology, this is the one. Sizzling is right! Jingle These Bells is a delightful romp next to the fireplace then under the tree -- and possibly on top of the presents. So much steamy fun in one book, it's hard to choose which story I love best, though a dog ending up in an ugly Christmas sweater is pretty adorable.

Each story in this holiday anthology wraps you up and snuggles you tight. I could see coming back for more year after year. So, if you're looking for something to warm you up this holiday season, jingle this book!

[Kristina Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This holiday short story collection was cleverly labeled on each story with jingle bells so you know the spice level. There's a wide range for people who want less or more spice. I also loved the diverse pairings and stories available. MM and WW (and WG - woman loving a gingerbread?). There was also a range from fantasy elements like fae as well as contemporary. It's bound to have several stories for everyone to enjoy.

[Diane Billas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab your hot cocoa and settle down in a comfy chair with this book! I love that there is a spice rating with jingle bells so there is a story for people who want less spice or more spice. It also made me happy that there were so many diverse pairings and stories; there are some with fantasy elements and some contemporary. Perfect collection to get you in the holiday mood.

[Meg Bozarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This holiday anthology will give you the most festive spice you didnt know you needed! These stories are so imaginative! This collection of 15 naughty authors provide an extraordinary reading experience that never gets dull.
The stories are so different, and like no other I have ever seen!

I highly reccommend!

[Kristy aka Brooksie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy on the naughty, this open-door spicy holiday-themed romance anthology doesn't hold back.

If you want to sit back with some steamy holiday short stories, this book is for you. Easy to pick up and finish a story and put down when you have time to fit in another one. Great for busy people who don't have time to read a longer book.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Holly Jolly Jingle Belle. These stories were a whole lot of, “yes please.” I loved the spice levels using bells. And the wide variety was awesome. I loved seeing how different each author was. Each story was great as they all had such different elements and ideas. This one made me want to cozy up with my husband in the bedroom and have dinner fun reading time. 😉

[Louise White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might be utterly biased, but I can’t say I’ve ever read such an awesome collection of festive stories! Spicy, heartfelt, creative AF, I had THE best time reading this anthology.
May there be many more to come!!!

[Angela Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho ho ho!!!!

[Katya de Becerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just know this is going to be GREAT! ;)

[Kerrie Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be a bit biased…but OH MY SNOWBALLS!!! Readers will enjoy the variety and spice lovingly wrapped into each of these stories! :)

[Robin Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby, it's cold outside! Can wait to cozy up with this book!

[Debbie Delano · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautifully super spicy collection of stories by 15 amazing authors that are sure to warm your heart and the rest of body inside and out.

[Francesca Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naughty, fun and christmas themed? Say less!

[Sarah Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent spicy anthology, and especially the Krampus story by Honey Hazzard? It’s a thing of beauty

[Sie · Rating 4 out of 5]

15 short and spicy stories, where Christmas magic fulfils dreams, desires, and fantasies.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing to do this holiday season is read Jingle These Bells!! This anthology is full of sweet and spicy love stories that’ll keep you warm this holiday season!
And maybe I’m biased, but you should read my short story in this anthology, Lust and Latkes! 🙂‍↕️

[Joslyn Rosado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun anthology, there’s a short story for everyone. I did skip two stories, that just didn’t interest me. There is little spice to a lot of spice. I think the most fun story was about the cookie dough that turns into a man. I’m a sucker for funny inanimate objects becoming sex gods. Thank you to the editors for the eARC.