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Merry and Bright: A Callisto Christmas: A Christmas Alien Fake-dating Rom Com
Ali won't make it home for Christmas.
She can't get the time off work to travel back to Earth. The forensic lab already has a backlog, and with only two weeks til the big day it's not happening. Her parents decide to surprise her with a festive family visit instead. They want to see Callisto at Christmas, and meet her mystery man she's told them about. Only problem is Ali's man is fictional. Fabricated to appease her parents and stop them worrying.
What Ali needs is a boyfriend for Christmas.
This is a standalone Christmas Romance with fake dating, nerdy date nights, and some alien anatomy.
PLEASE This book is intended for readers 18+
[Finalised cover to be confirm]
She can't get the time off work to travel back to Earth. The forensic lab already has a backlog, and with only two weeks til the big day it's not happening. Her parents decide to surprise her with a festive family visit instead. They want to see Callisto at Christmas, and meet her mystery man she's told them about. Only problem is Ali's man is fictional. Fabricated to appease her parents and stop them worrying.
What Ali needs is a boyfriend for Christmas.
This is a standalone Christmas Romance with fake dating, nerdy date nights, and some alien anatomy.
PLEASE This book is intended for readers 18+
[Finalised cover to be confirm]
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
6 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Hynd
2 books19 followersJ.J.Hynd is a Londoner that ran away to the North. As a single parent with a short attention span, and even less free time, they write stories that are pace fast, ADHD friendly. They write about lovers in space, alien crime lords, murderous AIs, the occasional dinosaur, and barbarian kings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 23, 2025
Merry and Bright - out soon
I'm very happy to share this one. A Christmas esk romance by @J J Hynd | SciFiRomance Author . I'm honoured to have been able to read this through Wing&Words arcs @Wings & Words and can honestly give this a big, fat, illuminescent-blue 5 stars.
Ive read two of JJ Hynds books now and love the writing style and story telling. In this specific book, the characters are relatable, real and you have some empathy towards them. It's a lovely tale with a very happy ending (more ways than one). The interactions between the characters, even the side characters feels real and well placed. A big recommendation from me to grab this when it's released
I'm very happy to share this one. A Christmas esk romance by @J J Hynd | SciFiRomance Author . I'm honoured to have been able to read this through Wing&Words arcs @Wings & Words and can honestly give this a big, fat, illuminescent-blue 5 stars.
Ive read two of JJ Hynds books now and love the writing style and story telling. In this specific book, the characters are relatable, real and you have some empathy towards them. It's a lovely tale with a very happy ending (more ways than one). The interactions between the characters, even the side characters feels real and well placed. A big recommendation from me to grab this when it's released
November 18, 2025
Come on, who doesn’t love a bit of alien peen at Christmas 👽🎄
For Ali, it’s all work and no play being an analyst in a lab at the police dept. Until just before Christmas when her parents tell her they are coming to visit her in Callisto, unfortunately, she told then she had a boyfriend when in fact she had never found the time to engage in any social activities. Her boss jumps to her aid by arranging for her to meet Variso, he’s from Lumosis from their first meeting they start to learn about one another to fool her parents into thinking she really does have a boyfriend. As time goes on Ali, starts to have sincere feelings for Variso.
"𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,” 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧.
It’s a really quick Christmas love story complete with some fun elements, Christmas jaunts and alien smutmas! Totally, made me smile 😊
For Ali, it’s all work and no play being an analyst in a lab at the police dept. Until just before Christmas when her parents tell her they are coming to visit her in Callisto, unfortunately, she told then she had a boyfriend when in fact she had never found the time to engage in any social activities. Her boss jumps to her aid by arranging for her to meet Variso, he’s from Lumosis from their first meeting they start to learn about one another to fool her parents into thinking she really does have a boyfriend. As time goes on Ali, starts to have sincere feelings for Variso.
"𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,” 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧.
It’s a really quick Christmas love story complete with some fun elements, Christmas jaunts and alien smutmas! Totally, made me smile 😊
November 29, 2025
Merry & Bright: A Callisto Christmas
By JJ Hynd
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Releases December 1
Tropes:
❤️Fake dating
🎄Cosy Christmas
🛸Alien romance
👽Unusual anatomy
💕Nerdy date nights
👩🏻❤️👨🏻 He falls first
🗣️ Language barrier.
J.J. Hynd delivers the perfect dose of festive merriment and alien romance in Merry & Bright: A Callisto Christmas! This book releases on December 1st and is an absolute must-read for fans of quirky, cozy holiday romance.
The fake dating trope is one of my favorites, and it shines here with a unique, intergalactic twist. Ali needs a fake boyfriend to appease her visiting Earth parents, leading to charming language barrier mishaps and adorable, nerdy date nights on Callisto. The "he falls first" dynamic was executed perfectly and truly warmed my heart.
The atmosphere is everything you want in a Christmas book—cozy, fun, and full of holiday cheer, despite being set on Callisto! It’s a standalone romance that hits all the right notes for a heartwarming and entertaining read.
If you are looking for a quick, feel-good Christmas read that’s out of this world, pick this up! Highly recommend.
10/10 highly recommended to family and friends
By JJ Hynd
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Releases December 1
Tropes:
❤️Fake dating
🎄Cosy Christmas
🛸Alien romance
👽Unusual anatomy
💕Nerdy date nights
👩🏻❤️👨🏻 He falls first
🗣️ Language barrier.
J.J. Hynd delivers the perfect dose of festive merriment and alien romance in Merry & Bright: A Callisto Christmas! This book releases on December 1st and is an absolute must-read for fans of quirky, cozy holiday romance.
The fake dating trope is one of my favorites, and it shines here with a unique, intergalactic twist. Ali needs a fake boyfriend to appease her visiting Earth parents, leading to charming language barrier mishaps and adorable, nerdy date nights on Callisto. The "he falls first" dynamic was executed perfectly and truly warmed my heart.
The atmosphere is everything you want in a Christmas book—cozy, fun, and full of holiday cheer, despite being set on Callisto! It’s a standalone romance that hits all the right notes for a heartwarming and entertaining read.
If you are looking for a quick, feel-good Christmas read that’s out of this world, pick this up! Highly recommend.
10/10 highly recommended to family and friends
November 19, 2025
Thank you to JJ Hynd and Wings and Words for an ARC copy.
I throughly enjoyed this quick festive read. With just as much humour as romance, It certainly gave the warm feel good fuzzys. I just wish their was more to devour. JJ Hynd knows how to tell a beautiful tale within a short time frame and I'm here for it.
I throughly enjoyed this quick festive read. With just as much humour as romance, It certainly gave the warm feel good fuzzys. I just wish their was more to devour. JJ Hynd knows how to tell a beautiful tale within a short time frame and I'm here for it.
December 4, 2025
The idea behind this story was cute and I quite liked Varios. Some of the writing was choppy and it would take me out of the story.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: FMC works in police precinct, loneliness
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: FMC works in police precinct, loneliness
December 5, 2025
Ali lives on another planet, where aliens and humans live together. She lied to her parents and told them she has a boyfriend when really she is married to her work. When she finds out that they are coming to visit for Christmas, Varios, the hot IT alien at work steps up to be her fake boyfriend.
This is a fast paced, steamy novella and I loved it. I loved the style of writing and giggled away throughout. The aliens and their broken english was brilliant.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with an alien/human romance but it was very intriguing and had me hooked. There were a few steamy surprises that were hilarious. Christmas lights will never be the same again 😂
At 112 pages it only took about 2 hours to read, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a quick Christmas romance with a twist.
Overall I rate this 4 ⭐️ and 3 🌶️. Definitely recommend to everyone to give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
This is a fast paced, steamy novella and I loved it. I loved the style of writing and giggled away throughout. The aliens and their broken english was brilliant.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with an alien/human romance but it was very intriguing and had me hooked. There were a few steamy surprises that were hilarious. Christmas lights will never be the same again 😂
At 112 pages it only took about 2 hours to read, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a quick Christmas romance with a twist.
Overall I rate this 4 ⭐️ and 3 🌶️. Definitely recommend to everyone to give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Read
December 12, 2025Cute/spicy xmas alien mate
Perfect Christmas read! Festive and upbeat throughout the book yet also believable and relatable with family expectations during a holiday visit. My fav parts were the hilarious & spicy cultural misunderstandings- where he tries so hard he doesn't care about whether he looks stupid or not. The alien is so down bad for our FMC & I was so here for it. The way he made it hot AF too tho took me out, he watched some 🌽 lmao.
It's only like 190pgs but packs a helluva punch, fake dating to meet her visiting parents turns real... Alien looks, alien 🍆, funny shenanigans, spice, and HEA for our couple.
If I had to compare it to a book I've read B4, I'd say Ruby Dixon's Risdaverse.
Life's short, read whatever makes you happy fellow book lovers! Then tell me about it lol.
Perfect Christmas read! Festive and upbeat throughout the book yet also believable and relatable with family expectations during a holiday visit. My fav parts were the hilarious & spicy cultural misunderstandings- where he tries so hard he doesn't care about whether he looks stupid or not. The alien is so down bad for our FMC & I was so here for it. The way he made it hot AF too tho took me out, he watched some 🌽 lmao.
It's only like 190pgs but packs a helluva punch, fake dating to meet her visiting parents turns real... Alien looks, alien 🍆, funny shenanigans, spice, and HEA for our couple.
If I had to compare it to a book I've read B4, I'd say Ruby Dixon's Risdaverse.
Life's short, read whatever makes you happy fellow book lovers! Then tell me about it lol.
November 18, 2025
Review: Merry & Bright: A Callisto Christmas by JJ Hynd
Thank you to JJ Hynd and Wings & Words for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I loved it! 💚
Merry & Bright is a funny, fast-paced and delightfully spicy Christmas novella that brings festive chaos, swoony moments and a surprising amount of spice for its 94 pages. (Four scenes. Ninety-four pages. I’ll let the maths speak for itself.) It isn’t smut though imo, it’s well-placed spice and I was absolutely here for it.
Tropes:
• Instalove (we’re talking under a week)
• Fake dating at Christmas
• Secret pining
• He falls first, and harder
• Unusual anatomy and… festive emissions 🤭
Ali needs a fake boyfriend for Christmas and who better to step in than a leather-clad friend of a friend who happens to roll in on a motorcycle? Sparks fly, hearts engage and the whole thing unfolds with alien charm.
I devoured this in about an hour. It’s a fun, festive escape that absolutely delivers on humour, chemistry and Christmas cheer. One thing I absolutely love in an alien romance is communication barriers and this is something JJ got right with so much humour!
You won’t regret picking it up. 🎄
Thank you to JJ Hynd and Wings & Words for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I loved it! 💚
Merry & Bright is a funny, fast-paced and delightfully spicy Christmas novella that brings festive chaos, swoony moments and a surprising amount of spice for its 94 pages. (Four scenes. Ninety-four pages. I’ll let the maths speak for itself.) It isn’t smut though imo, it’s well-placed spice and I was absolutely here for it.
Tropes:
• Instalove (we’re talking under a week)
• Fake dating at Christmas
• Secret pining
• He falls first, and harder
• Unusual anatomy and… festive emissions 🤭
Ali needs a fake boyfriend for Christmas and who better to step in than a leather-clad friend of a friend who happens to roll in on a motorcycle? Sparks fly, hearts engage and the whole thing unfolds with alien charm.
I devoured this in about an hour. It’s a fun, festive escape that absolutely delivers on humour, chemistry and Christmas cheer. One thing I absolutely love in an alien romance is communication barriers and this is something JJ got right with so much humour!
You won’t regret picking it up. 🎄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
The dedication is everything!
I really enjoyed how even though fake dating is a well used trope, JJ’s approach to it was more interesting; a fake blind date leading to a fake relationship.
The language barrier was a fun addition, giving that sense of realism but also humour. The structure of the book itself was clever, it really brought that feeling of Christmas to life.
It gives a ‘they fall together’ vibe. Ali is curious about Varios & very much finds him attractive, & he is enamoured by her, wanting to be the perfect mate.
Ali’s parent feel so homely & cozy but they are hilarious too. They have that perfect parent feeling to them; slightly irritating to their child but extremely caring & loving.
JJ’s creativity with Varios & the spicy scenes were brilliant; a glowing, ribbed appendage & glowstick juice. Definitely a new one for me. I was living for it! It was fun & took festivity to a whole new level.
I also really loved the ‘I licked it so it’s mine’ use. Honestly, this was such a fun & enjoyable read! It was romantic & beautiful. I want more alien romance from JJ!
I really enjoyed how even though fake dating is a well used trope, JJ’s approach to it was more interesting; a fake blind date leading to a fake relationship.
The language barrier was a fun addition, giving that sense of realism but also humour. The structure of the book itself was clever, it really brought that feeling of Christmas to life.
It gives a ‘they fall together’ vibe. Ali is curious about Varios & very much finds him attractive, & he is enamoured by her, wanting to be the perfect mate.
Ali’s parent feel so homely & cozy but they are hilarious too. They have that perfect parent feeling to them; slightly irritating to their child but extremely caring & loving.
JJ’s creativity with Varios & the spicy scenes were brilliant; a glowing, ribbed appendage & glowstick juice. Definitely a new one for me. I was living for it! It was fun & took festivity to a whole new level.
I also really loved the ‘I licked it so it’s mine’ use. Honestly, this was such a fun & enjoyable read! It was romantic & beautiful. I want more alien romance from JJ!
November 19, 2025
What a wonderfully lighthearted christmassy read. I love JJs writing. this was nearly 100 pages and i didnt feel like i was missing anything. I do want more though!!!!
I really enjoyed the characters and i loved the mmc broken english...made me giggle but landed perfectly. "i am comfortable. I am seated" also.... Consent King!!!!
micro trope, he holds her chin. "You cum like a glowstick" priceless
Loved, Loved, Loved - highly recomend. Thankyou JJ for letting me read early. Reviewed voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the characters and i loved the mmc broken english...made me giggle but landed perfectly. "i am comfortable. I am seated" also.... Consent King!!!!
micro trope, he holds her chin. "You cum like a glowstick" priceless
Loved, Loved, Loved - highly recomend. Thankyou JJ for letting me read early. Reviewed voluntarily.
December 14, 2025
The perfect cozy spicy Christmas novel! Not your typical romance but perfect for when you fancy something different!!! About a 3.5/ 4 on the spice scale. Only deducted one star because I wanted it to be longer!
December 7, 2025
First of all thank you to Beth and wings and words and @JJ Hynd for allowing me to arc read this. What can I say I loved it and I wanted more, I loved the characters and I love JJ’s writing. It was one of the best short Christmas stories I ever read, I want it to carry on, wanted to know what happened between Ali and varios
December 15, 2025
Funny, fast paced and endearingly sweet, this was such a fun lil christmas novella! Confusion in interspecies communication is one of my favourite microtropes
December 2, 2025
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 2 🌶️🌶️.
All I can say is why was this so short?!?
I adored this spicy alien romance novella, it had inter species confusion hilarious moments, cute and tender gives you the fuzzies moments, and of course scorching hot spicy moments with interesting… anatomy!
I loved how the world was built up so amazing so fast and also our characters chemistry was off the charts!
This was so incredibly well done for a wee novella!
Please can we get a book on the planet Varios is from?
I bet it’s as beautiful as he is!
I would post my favorite highlights but most of them are not suitable for reviews. One of the safer ones included:
“Why is there an avian on the winter tree?”
“These socks are pleasing”
The acknowledgment saying thanks to Chloe for inspiring a certain scene? Yeah that definitely wasn’t me 😆🤭🎄
Thank you wings & words and author JJ for the opportunity to read in advance, I am leaving the review voluntarily and honestly!
All I can say is why was this so short?!?
I adored this spicy alien romance novella, it had inter species confusion hilarious moments, cute and tender gives you the fuzzies moments, and of course scorching hot spicy moments with interesting… anatomy!
I loved how the world was built up so amazing so fast and also our characters chemistry was off the charts!
This was so incredibly well done for a wee novella!
Please can we get a book on the planet Varios is from?
I bet it’s as beautiful as he is!
I would post my favorite highlights but most of them are not suitable for reviews. One of the safer ones included:
“Why is there an avian on the winter tree?”
“These socks are pleasing”
The acknowledgment saying thanks to Chloe for inspiring a certain scene? Yeah that definitely wasn’t me 😆🤭🎄
Thank you wings & words and author JJ for the opportunity to read in advance, I am leaving the review voluntarily and honestly!
November 30, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and it is a new favorite. It is a great fit for anyone who loves Hallmark Christmas movies but want a sci-fi twist. I laughed all the way through this book. The alien MMC is adorable and so easy to love. He is very literal which makes his interpretations of Christmas traditions incredibly entertaining. Combining that with the FMC's slightly inappropriate parents makes for a hilarious read.
To be honest, I was won over at the Star Trek and Xena references 😉
To be honest, I was won over at the Star Trek and Xena references 😉
December 1, 2025
a hot spicy, out of this world Novella wrapped in a christmas bow.. this is exactly what I needed for a palate cleanser!
December 8, 2025
Been in a reading slump for a few months and happy to say this dragged me straight back out. Such a good Novella. Couldn't put it down and can't wait to see what J.J will write next.
December 19, 2025
A Glow Stick Review!
The most perfect Christmas romance. Pacing, characters, spice scenes - chef’s kiss . Absolutely adored this book and will be reading it every Christmas !
The most perfect Christmas romance. Pacing, characters, spice scenes - chef’s kiss . Absolutely adored this book and will be reading it every Christmas !
November 25, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from wings & words and J J Hynde (thank you)This book was a quick fun spicy read. Excellent main characters and I loved the parents. Would definitely recommend and am going to look and see what else J J has written
November 23, 2025
Arc Review : these are my free and honest opinions.
I love an oblivious FMC. Like Ali is so smart yet can't suss out Varios's very real feelings for her. This was a good time and I loved the alien interpretations of holiday festivities! The characters are so loveable. I can't wait to explore more of this world in future books!
I love an oblivious FMC. Like Ali is so smart yet can't suss out Varios's very real feelings for her. This was a good time and I loved the alien interpretations of holiday festivities! The characters are so loveable. I can't wait to explore more of this world in future books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
It was my first SF romance and it was amazing and I loved and The characters are amazing, and I read it in a couple of days. I love j.j written it made me laugh at times and I love it.
December 18, 2025
"Out here I watch the stars and think of you."
"Of me...?"
"Every night."
🎄 Fake dating
👽 Language barrier
🎄 He falls first
👽 Cinnamon roll MMC
🎄 Only one bike
Workaholic Ali is blindsided by her parents' announcement that they're coming to spend christmas with her on the moon colony she lives on - and she needs a christmas "boyfriend" to sell the lies she's been telling them about her love life. Luckily, Ali's colleague has a dark horse, space bike riding, cinnamon roll of a stand in who fits the bill.
This is 112 pages of pure extra-terrestrial, festive delight. Literally the only thing I'd change is that I want another 300 pages of Varios being so incredibly down bad for his definitely-not-girlfriend Ali. I devoured this in one evening and it seriously delivered on everything I was looking for. Sweet, spicy, and with a crazy amount of world building for such a compact book. I genuinely had butterflies in my stomach reading some of the scenes - Varios was so unexpectedly tender - plus it gets spicy.
Even the side characters - Ali's hawaiian shirt wearing alien boss and her kooky parents - were really enjoyable and added nice dimension to the story. This was such a perfectly fun-but-festive read and I highly recommend adding it to your priority tbr before christmas. Thank you for my review copy J.J. (and please write more about them - I need it!)
"Of me...?"
"Every night."
🎄 Fake dating
👽 Language barrier
🎄 He falls first
👽 Cinnamon roll MMC
🎄 Only one bike
Workaholic Ali is blindsided by her parents' announcement that they're coming to spend christmas with her on the moon colony she lives on - and she needs a christmas "boyfriend" to sell the lies she's been telling them about her love life. Luckily, Ali's colleague has a dark horse, space bike riding, cinnamon roll of a stand in who fits the bill.
This is 112 pages of pure extra-terrestrial, festive delight. Literally the only thing I'd change is that I want another 300 pages of Varios being so incredibly down bad for his definitely-not-girlfriend Ali. I devoured this in one evening and it seriously delivered on everything I was looking for. Sweet, spicy, and with a crazy amount of world building for such a compact book. I genuinely had butterflies in my stomach reading some of the scenes - Varios was so unexpectedly tender - plus it gets spicy.
Even the side characters - Ali's hawaiian shirt wearing alien boss and her kooky parents - were really enjoyable and added nice dimension to the story. This was such a perfectly fun-but-festive read and I highly recommend adding it to your priority tbr before christmas. Thank you for my review copy J.J. (and please write more about them - I need it!)
November 26, 2025
Well wasn’t that just a little bit of bottled bioluminescent joy!
It was such a lovely short read, with all the essential things I really want from a Christmas romance;
- two sweeter than pavlova main characters
- enough yearning to carry you through the Yuletide season
- a decent sprinkle for spice for your Boxing Day spicy margs!
I love the fresh take on an alien romance. JJ does space so well, I wish I could live in their galaxy beyond our atmosphere. And the sweet pay off towards the end it’s the best kind of Christmas gift.
Add it to your TBR today!
Thanks JJ for the opportunity to read this fabulous Christmas Tale early 🎄♥️💚
It was such a lovely short read, with all the essential things I really want from a Christmas romance;
- two sweeter than pavlova main characters
- enough yearning to carry you through the Yuletide season
- a decent sprinkle for spice for your Boxing Day spicy margs!
I love the fresh take on an alien romance. JJ does space so well, I wish I could live in their galaxy beyond our atmosphere. And the sweet pay off towards the end it’s the best kind of Christmas gift.
Add it to your TBR today!
Thanks JJ for the opportunity to read this fabulous Christmas Tale early 🎄♥️💚
Read
December 7, 2025This was a fun fast-paced sci fi romance novella with a Christmas theme.
Ali is a crime analyst living in space and is a complete workaholic. She lies to her family by telling them she’s seeing someone so they’re less concerned about her life but her parents surprise her with their plan to visit her over the Christmas period.
Her colleague sets her up on a blind date for her fake boyfriend plan and it all starts from there.
This was really cute, cosy and festive. I always love when authors add cultural differences in alien romances and heartwarming miscommunications with translator devices.
I would have loved for this to be longer and for there to be more time for their relationship to progress but this was great for a novella! I’d love to see more books set in this world - Ali’s job sounded so interesting so I’d love to see spin offs with her colleagues.
Ali is a crime analyst living in space and is a complete workaholic. She lies to her family by telling them she’s seeing someone so they’re less concerned about her life but her parents surprise her with their plan to visit her over the Christmas period.
Her colleague sets her up on a blind date for her fake boyfriend plan and it all starts from there.
This was really cute, cosy and festive. I always love when authors add cultural differences in alien romances and heartwarming miscommunications with translator devices.
I would have loved for this to be longer and for there to be more time for their relationship to progress but this was great for a novella! I’d love to see more books set in this world - Ali’s job sounded so interesting so I’d love to see spin offs with her colleagues.
December 15, 2025
I loved this book I got to read it through wings and words arc read and it’s a lovely book reading community that welcomes all to join Beth is amazing she is on TikTok so you can check out her fabulous content. Back to this review Ali is a lovely character she’s curious about Varios when she gets introduced and it becomes clear Ali is in need of a boyfriend for a Christmas because Ali told her parents she has one , a lie that she now leads to fake dating opportunity and some spicy moments between them there are funny moments that I personally found funny Ali’s parents are lovable they are the kind of parents kids get annoyed by but love them for their personality and loving nature of being your parents. I could go on but i honestly recommend reading this book for you selfs you won’t be disappointed 🤓
November 24, 2025
My first foray into alien romance and this hits a spot I didn't know existed!
Ali and Varios are cute AF. The chemistry is evident from the get go!
Such a great quick read - packs a punch and although leaves you wanting more, it doesn't leave anything left unsaid. It gives you the warm and fuzzies and had me giddy at points!
Also, I now realise bioluminescence can be hot as hell. Lol.
Thank you to Beth and the rest of the Wings and Words team for giving me the opportunity to read this arc free, it was a real pleasure!
I am happily leaving this review voluntarily.
Ali and Varios are cute AF. The chemistry is evident from the get go!
Such a great quick read - packs a punch and although leaves you wanting more, it doesn't leave anything left unsaid. It gives you the warm and fuzzies and had me giddy at points!
Also, I now realise bioluminescence can be hot as hell. Lol.
Thank you to Beth and the rest of the Wings and Words team for giving me the opportunity to read this arc free, it was a real pleasure!
I am happily leaving this review voluntarily.
November 26, 2025
I just finished it and loved it. A few things in particular ...obviously, who doesn’t love a Christmas-light dick? Iconic.
I also adored that it ended with his POV and that he knew from the start 🤩 So sweet.
And the overly sex-positive parents? Hilarious. American parents could never!
The story has a great arc, a fun blend of dry humor, and cozy holiday imagery. A fantastic novella overall. Highly recommend.
I also adored that it ended with his POV and that he knew from the start 🤩 So sweet.
And the overly sex-positive parents? Hilarious. American parents could never!
The story has a great arc, a fun blend of dry humor, and cozy holiday imagery. A fantastic novella overall. Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
4.5 ⭐️and 3 🌶️
Absolutely loved this fun little Christmas alien romance. If you love a cheeky bit of fake dating, hot aliens who ride motorcycles and all things glowing…this one’s for you! My only complaint is that there wasn’t more of it to read, I would’ve loved to have read more chapters from Varios' perspective 😍. Big thank you to JJ for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC for free!
Absolutely loved this fun little Christmas alien romance. If you love a cheeky bit of fake dating, hot aliens who ride motorcycles and all things glowing…this one’s for you! My only complaint is that there wasn’t more of it to read, I would’ve loved to have read more chapters from Varios' perspective 😍. Big thank you to JJ for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC for free!
December 3, 2025
Although it was a short book, it managed to span around a week before Christmas. It was written from the FMCs POv except for the last chapter which was kind of like a prologue. The spice was sprinkled throughout but it wasn’t placed too soon in the book and wasn’t too overwhelming throughout. The way that the MMC was written was very realistic as well, often you have alien written as though they were humans but in this book he was written like an alien whose trying really hard to learn which was a nice and welcome change. I honestly wish this was a series and we got to know everyone else and their world a lot more. It was a great, happy ending read, which I managed to finish in one day because I just couldn’t put it down! I would definitely recommend.
December 4, 2025
4.5☆
One of the best quick holiday romances I've read. If you love holiday romance, motorcycles, handsome aliens, and fake dating, you need to pick this up. Fast-paced, humorous and entertaining.
Ali, a workaholic, book and science nerd, living on Callisto, needs a fake boyfriend for Christmas after learning her embarrassingly happy and demonstrative parents will be visiting for the holiday. Posing as the boyfriend she told her parents she had is Varios, an unexpectedly attractive being, whom Ali hadn't noticed at work until now. After being introduced she is noticing! This interspecies relationship is fun, tender, and glowingly spicy.
One of the best quick holiday romances I've read. If you love holiday romance, motorcycles, handsome aliens, and fake dating, you need to pick this up. Fast-paced, humorous and entertaining.
Ali, a workaholic, book and science nerd, living on Callisto, needs a fake boyfriend for Christmas after learning her embarrassingly happy and demonstrative parents will be visiting for the holiday. Posing as the boyfriend she told her parents she had is Varios, an unexpectedly attractive being, whom Ali hadn't noticed at work until now. After being introduced she is noticing! This interspecies relationship is fun, tender, and glowingly spicy.
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