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This Christmas: A Christmas Novella About Rekindling Love
Knox,
The stockings are hung, the lights are low,
The kids are gone so it’s time for show.
A hint of lace, a playful dare,
A "reindeer game"… one we can share.
A clue in your pocket, one more by the bed,
The last leads to where our fire once led.
Follow the trail, unwrap what you see,
And maybe you’ll find the gift is... me.
—Ana
This is an interconnected standalone romace. While it can be read alone, readers may enjoy starting with This Can't Be The End.
The stockings are hung, the lights are low,
The kids are gone so it’s time for show.
A hint of lace, a playful dare,
A "reindeer game"… one we can share.
A clue in your pocket, one more by the bed,
The last leads to where our fire once led.
Follow the trail, unwrap what you see,
And maybe you’ll find the gift is... me.
—Ana
This is an interconnected standalone romace. While it can be read alone, readers may enjoy starting with This Can't Be The End.
- GenresNovella
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2025
3 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Harper Rae James
6 books41 followersI write spicy, emotion-forward romance for readers who crave longing, second chances, and love that refuses to stay buried.
My stories live in the quiet space between almost and always, where feelings simmer, restraint fractures, and intimacy is earned. Expect mutual pining, he-falls-first energy, and heat that hits harder becasue it means something.
If you love slow burns with real payoff, characters who ache before they heal, and stories that linger long after the last page, you're in the right place.
New here?
Start with This Can’t Be The End— the book readers fall into first.
Readeing Order: This Can't Be the End-- This Time Around--This Christmas-- This Secret Between Us
My stories live in the quiet space between almost and always, where feelings simmer, restraint fractures, and intimacy is earned. Expect mutual pining, he-falls-first energy, and heat that hits harder becasue it means something.
If you love slow burns with real payoff, characters who ache before they heal, and stories that linger long after the last page, you're in the right place.
New here?
Start with This Can’t Be The End— the book readers fall into first.
Readeing Order: This Can't Be the End-- This Time Around--This Christmas-- This Secret Between Us
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 28, 2025
This Christmas is a beautiful, spicy novella about rekindling love! Ana and Knox from This Can't Be The End has a Christmas weekend getaway. For awhile, Knox and Ana have been so busy with jobs, kids, and other responsibilities that they haven't been able to make time to date or spend time alone. This Christmas is a beautiful example of a married couple rediscovering themselves and rekindling their love for each other with some spicy activities! I love this novella so much! 5⭐5🌶️
Thank you Harper for including me as an ARC reader!
Thank you Harper for including me as an ARC reader!
November 5, 2025
Holy spice batman! This was such a fun quick little read! I loved getting to see Ana and Knox rekindle their desire together. Seeing them be so playful and sexy while away from their kids for a short while was nice. Getting a teeny tiny update about Cash and Blake was nice! This was a nice little holiday novella with a little emotional love.
November 5, 2025
This novella is so on point. I definitely cried a few times. This novella hit home for me in more than one way. A young couple struggling to find time for each other after having kids and busy life. It’s not just about being together physically, sometimes it’s more about seeing each other as you did before marriage and kids. This novella NAILED THAT. Knox and Ana are truly the perfect couple. OH AND THE SPICE IS EVERYTHING. Knox and his lip ring. Yes please.
November 17, 2025
This Christmas by Harper Rae James
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this novella! Harper Rae James has a way of creating stories that pull you in from the very first page, and This Christmas was no exception. Getting to see Knox and Ana again felt like catching up with old friends. Life, kids, and responsibilities have kept them so busy that they’ve lost a little of that spark — and this story captures their journey of finding it again in the most beautiful way.
I adored how real their relationship felt. It’s not just picture-perfect romance; it’s two people who still love each other deeply, trying to reconnect and remember who they are as a couple. Their weekend Christmas getaway was the perfect setting for that rediscovery — full of warmth, heart, and yes, a little spice to turn up the holiday heat!
What I loved most is that it reminded me how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to make time for love. Harper writes those emotions so well — the longing, the laughter, and that quiet sense of hope that makes this story stick with you even after you’ve finished it.
This Christmas is sweet, steamy, and full of heart. It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves second-chance romances and stories that make you believe in rekindled love and Christmas magic all over again.
5⭐️ and 5🌶️ — absolutely perfect for the season!
Thank you so much, Harper, for letting me read this as an ARC. I can’t wait to see what comes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this novella! Harper Rae James has a way of creating stories that pull you in from the very first page, and This Christmas was no exception. Getting to see Knox and Ana again felt like catching up with old friends. Life, kids, and responsibilities have kept them so busy that they’ve lost a little of that spark — and this story captures their journey of finding it again in the most beautiful way.
I adored how real their relationship felt. It’s not just picture-perfect romance; it’s two people who still love each other deeply, trying to reconnect and remember who they are as a couple. Their weekend Christmas getaway was the perfect setting for that rediscovery — full of warmth, heart, and yes, a little spice to turn up the holiday heat!
What I loved most is that it reminded me how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to make time for love. Harper writes those emotions so well — the longing, the laughter, and that quiet sense of hope that makes this story stick with you even after you’ve finished it.
This Christmas is sweet, steamy, and full of heart. It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves second-chance romances and stories that make you believe in rekindled love and Christmas magic all over again.
5⭐️ and 5🌶️ — absolutely perfect for the season!
Thank you so much, Harper, for letting me read this as an ARC. I can’t wait to see what comes.
November 6, 2025
Book Characters…They’re just like us <3
What a spicy little novella. Getting to jump back into Knox and Ana’s story was so fun, and it definetly hit in the feels. I think every married couple can relate to this story in a way. Responsibilites, kids (if you choose to have them), jobs, bills, adulting, it gets in the way, and sometimes we lose our spark.
Something that this story did was recognize that the spark was dulling, and they found a way to rekindle it and have a healthy discussion regarding how much they both needed this little get away.
Knox is an amazing husband, realizing that while yes, he and Ana share household duties, and he is running a business, he let his show of love towards Ana fall to the waste side (Ana admits it for ehrself as well) and let’s be honest, that happens to most, if not all, married couples at some point in their relationship. The important part is recognizing it, and working to do better.
Both Ana and Knox made that vow to do better for each other, and I think that ultimately is the main takeaway from this story. It’s super short, and just like the first three, I devoured this one so quick. I hope we get to see more of this universe.
What a spicy little novella. Getting to jump back into Knox and Ana’s story was so fun, and it definetly hit in the feels. I think every married couple can relate to this story in a way. Responsibilites, kids (if you choose to have them), jobs, bills, adulting, it gets in the way, and sometimes we lose our spark.
Something that this story did was recognize that the spark was dulling, and they found a way to rekindle it and have a healthy discussion regarding how much they both needed this little get away.
Knox is an amazing husband, realizing that while yes, he and Ana share household duties, and he is running a business, he let his show of love towards Ana fall to the waste side (Ana admits it for ehrself as well) and let’s be honest, that happens to most, if not all, married couples at some point in their relationship. The important part is recognizing it, and working to do better.
Both Ana and Knox made that vow to do better for each other, and I think that ultimately is the main takeaway from this story. It’s super short, and just like the first three, I devoured this one so quick. I hope we get to see more of this universe.
October 23, 2025
This was a cute little Christmas novella. It was nice to go back the original couple, with Knox & Ana whom we know from the very beginning.
And it was fun little short story. It shown Knox and Ana finding their spark again in their marriage.
I loved the element of this book because it shows a married couple who are very much still in love and are happy with their life together, but yet are still missing each other even though they are around one another all the time.
They are just lost between work, kids and everyday things, so the romance has kind of took a backseat for them in their relationship.
Their relationship was fun and light! They took the time to find themselves again and their romance. And what better way to do it then with the Christmas magic season.
As always Harper Rae James delivers a very well written and entertaining story.
And it was fun little short story. It shown Knox and Ana finding their spark again in their marriage.
I loved the element of this book because it shows a married couple who are very much still in love and are happy with their life together, but yet are still missing each other even though they are around one another all the time.
They are just lost between work, kids and everyday things, so the romance has kind of took a backseat for them in their relationship.
Their relationship was fun and light! They took the time to find themselves again and their romance. And what better way to do it then with the Christmas magic season.
As always Harper Rae James delivers a very well written and entertaining story.
Want to read
October 27, 2025Dear readers,
This story will always hold a special place in my heart. Writing Knox and Ana’s Christmas story felt like coming home to the kind of love that’s steady, playful, and rooted in something real. It’s not about fixing what’s broken, but about celebrating what’s strong.
They’re not a marriage in trouble, they’re two people who deeply love each other, still choosing each other through every season. Writing their quiet moments, the inside jokes, the traditions, the warmth of being seen reminded me that love isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about never letting the little things fade.
If you’ve ever believed that the best kind of romance is the one that keeps growing long after “I do,” this story is for you.
Love,
Harper
This story will always hold a special place in my heart. Writing Knox and Ana’s Christmas story felt like coming home to the kind of love that’s steady, playful, and rooted in something real. It’s not about fixing what’s broken, but about celebrating what’s strong.
They’re not a marriage in trouble, they’re two people who deeply love each other, still choosing each other through every season. Writing their quiet moments, the inside jokes, the traditions, the warmth of being seen reminded me that love isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about never letting the little things fade.
If you’ve ever believed that the best kind of romance is the one that keeps growing long after “I do,” this story is for you.
Love,
Harper
November 3, 2025
Rating: 4 stars 🌟
Thank you to Harper Rae James for the ARC of this novella 🫶🏻
This was such a great quick read if you’re really needing the spicy holiday vibes!! I loved Ana and Knox’s story in This Can’t Be The End (definitely make sure to read that one first before jumping into this one) so I was so excited to get some more insight into their life years after that first book! This holiday novella is all about reinvigorating the spice in their relationship and overall reconnecting! Learning how to find yourself and your partner again, navigating having kids and work, and everyday life in general!
Definitely recommend, especially if you’re yearning for more of Ana and Knox’s love story ❤️🔥
Thank you to Harper Rae James for the ARC of this novella 🫶🏻
This was such a great quick read if you’re really needing the spicy holiday vibes!! I loved Ana and Knox’s story in This Can’t Be The End (definitely make sure to read that one first before jumping into this one) so I was so excited to get some more insight into their life years after that first book! This holiday novella is all about reinvigorating the spice in their relationship and overall reconnecting! Learning how to find yourself and your partner again, navigating having kids and work, and everyday life in general!
Definitely recommend, especially if you’re yearning for more of Ana and Knox’s love story ❤️🔥
November 5, 2025
This was such a fun flirty good time!! But it also held deep meaning that so many couples deal with and go through. Ana and Knox are married and have kids. Their lives are busy..
Knox: “sometimes my love for those things just doesn't compare to my unrelenting desire for sleep." (Those things being sexy time)
Ana: “I just want him to see me.
Not the mother of his kids. Just me.”
Because we still want to feel sexy and have our man be obsessed with us!
Ana decides to create a spicy Christmas game to play with Knox… but there are some fun rules. 😉
I loved this novella!! Harper finished out this series with a bang.
Knox: “sometimes my love for those things just doesn't compare to my unrelenting desire for sleep." (Those things being sexy time)
Ana: “I just want him to see me.
Not the mother of his kids. Just me.”
Because we still want to feel sexy and have our man be obsessed with us!
Ana decides to create a spicy Christmas game to play with Knox… but there are some fun rules. 😉
I loved this novella!! Harper finished out this series with a bang.
October 29, 2025
This was a cute, short and sweet novella. I did not read Knox and Ana’s first story but still was fine reading this separately. I thought the whole thing was fun and cute. There was a lot of spicy scenes throughout the whole story, but you still felt the actual connection between the characters and the love they have for each other. Ana and Knox are an adorable family couple that just needed a weekend away to rekindle their romance and remind themselves that they need to show their physical love more often even though they are crazy busy.
November 5, 2025
**I received an ARC copy of This Christmas in exchange for an honest review**
This Christmas is a steamy fun little novella that comes back to the OG couple of the Twist of Fate series, Knox and Ana.
Through out the entire novella you not only get some extra spicy romance elements but also holds so much powerful emotion and circumstances that couples with and without kids face daily.
This novella is not only one of the spiciest in the entire series, but a perfect ending to the story that is Knox and Ana.
This Christmas is a steamy fun little novella that comes back to the OG couple of the Twist of Fate series, Knox and Ana.
Through out the entire novella you not only get some extra spicy romance elements but also holds so much powerful emotion and circumstances that couples with and without kids face daily.
This novella is not only one of the spiciest in the entire series, but a perfect ending to the story that is Knox and Ana.
November 7, 2025
This christmas is one couples story of rekindling their passion & love for one another whilst getting a break from family life
I liked that this book didnt shy away from the reality having kids & holding down a full time job can take on a relationship
But also that sometimes you just need time as a couple to find that fire again and reignite the love between you
Its reminds you that no matter whats going on in your life making each other feel loved shouldnt fall to the wastside
I liked that this book didnt shy away from the reality having kids & holding down a full time job can take on a relationship
But also that sometimes you just need time as a couple to find that fire again and reignite the love between you
Its reminds you that no matter whats going on in your life making each other feel loved shouldnt fall to the wastside
December 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This Christmas was a quick, festive return to Knox and Ana and honestly, exactly what I wanted. Short, cozy, and packed with the spice Harper Rae James does so well.
Even as a shorter read, it still delivered that connection and heat I love from these two. It felt like slipping back into a familiar story for a little holiday bonus, with just enough Christmas magic and plenty of spice to keep things fun.
Perfect if you’re looking for a fast, spicy holiday read that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This Christmas was a quick, festive return to Knox and Ana and honestly, exactly what I wanted. Short, cozy, and packed with the spice Harper Rae James does so well.
Even as a shorter read, it still delivered that connection and heat I love from these two. It felt like slipping back into a familiar story for a little holiday bonus, with just enough Christmas magic and plenty of spice to keep things fun.
Perfect if you’re looking for a fast, spicy holiday read that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Read
October 22, 2025ARC review
This novella hit the spot. rekindling your love never was so good as this story. I thought it was interesting play hide and seek while guests in the cottage. just enough spice to keep interest.
This novella hit the spot. rekindling your love never was so good as this story. I thought it was interesting play hide and seek while guests in the cottage. just enough spice to keep interest.
October 25, 2025
ARC Review: This is a super cute steamy Christmas Novella. It definitely had me in my feels. I absolutely loved Ana and Knox and how they rekindled their marriage with a weekend away and lots of games. I definitely found myself laughing throughout the story.
November 5, 2025
This novella was beautifully written. I absolutely loved the continuing story of Knox and Ana. This book had me in the holiday spirit and also in my emotional feels. It was spicy from beginning to the end. What a terrific book.
November 6, 2025
There’s nothing like spicing up your married life with a little reindeer games.
Knox & Ana were in a lull. Kids, work, exhaustion… it can put a damper on your love life.
A getaway sparks tension, playfulness and passion in this spicy romance novella.
Loved this book SO MUCH.
Knox & Ana were in a lull. Kids, work, exhaustion… it can put a damper on your love life.
A getaway sparks tension, playfulness and passion in this spicy romance novella.
Loved this book SO MUCH.
December 7, 2025
This was so spicy but despite that, it had meaning and was so cute. Every couple who has kids I am sure felt what Ana and Knox is feeling. This was fun and I’m glad I was able to read it!
December 19, 2025
Loved it! Sweet & spicy
January 1, 2026
Review coming soon!
November 15, 2025
Just wrapped up my ARC of This Christmas by Harper Rae James ✨🎄 A sweet, intimate holiday novella about love, life, and rediscovering “us” when you’re buried in parenting and day-to-day stress. If you’ve ever felt the spark fade under routines or wondered how to get it back — this one spoke to me on that level. Grab your cocoa and cozy up with this reminder that love still matters.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews