Snowed In With the Orc: A Small Town Holiday Romance

Monsters and Mistletoe

by Jilli Waters

All I wanted for Christmas was cocoa.
Instead, I got kidnapped by an orc Santa.

Visiting my sister for the winter holidays should be a joyous time. But all the tinsel, gingerbread, and mistletoe gives me a headache. Sitting out the festivities of the town's Winter Solstice Festival leads me to take a cat nap in the truck.

Next thing I know, a growling orc--in a Santa hat!--is driving this truck through a blizzard!

Now we're trapped at his place. Which wouldn't be so bad, if only his gaze didn't make me melt like Frosty. Too bad there's only one bed, and the temperature keeps dropping.

Snowed In With the Orc is a short, fluffy, steamy novella that is part of the Monsters and Mistletoe shared author series. It features one grumpy orc and one grumpy, sassy woman, forced proximity, let's snuggle for warmth, a magical ornament, and a cozy small town (if she ever makes it back).

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2025

About the author

I write swoony, sweet & spicy small-town romances full of sassy heroines and the hunks that fall for them.

Find my newsletter at: http://www.jilliwaters.com
Free novella at: https://BookHip.com/HPHQNVT

Reviews

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a sweet and steamy, small town, forced proximity, Christmas romance between Leif, the grumpy male search-and-rescue operative orc lead, and Addy, the female human lead in town visiting her sister. I enjoyed Addy’s optimism and enthusiasm. I enjoyed Leif’s compassionate heart hidden under a gruff exterior. I enjoyed the expedited relationship development and the steamy intimate scenes. I enjoyed the sweet happy ending. I chuckled at the antics of hedgehogs and others around the lead characters.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something magical about holiday romances—the twinkling lights, the snow-dusted hopefulness, the promise of warmth after a cold stretch. But Snowed In With the Orc by Jilli Winters isn’t just magical. It’s hilarious, heart-squeezing, and downright impossible to put down.

Addy wanted one thing for Christmas: cocoa. Just a mug of warm, liquid comfort. Instead, she wakes up in the biggest “oops” moment imaginable—kidnapped (accidentally!) by an orc in a Santa hat. And somehow, that’s when the holiday spirit finally kicks in.

From the very beginning, Addy feels like that friend you adore: a bit chaotic, wildly optimistic, and always tripping into trouble she never meant to find. She’s only in town to visit her sister for the holidays, and honestly? All the festive cheer gives her more of a migraine than a warm fuzzy feeling. So when she ducks away from the celebration to nap in a truck, we get it. Completely.

But that one sleepy decision sends her colliding—literally—with Leif. The grumpy, growly, “please stop talking to me” orc who just wants to survive playing Santa for one more holiday season. He hates crowds. He hates the attention. And honestly, he hates the Santa hat… but he wears it anyway because he’s got the kind of quiet, soft heart only a true grump hero can hide.

Thrown together in a snowstorm, trapped in one cabin, forced to share one bed while the wind howls outside… It’s the perfect setup for sparks, heat, and some seriously swoony tension. And Jilli Winters delivers all of it with charm, laughter, and surprising depth.

What makes this book shine is how emotionally grounding it is beneath the fun. Addy’s optimism brings light into Leif’s quieter, lonelier world, and Leif’s steadiness gives Addy a sense of safety she didn’t know she was searching for. Their connection is tender, slow-building, and beautifully mutual.

If you love:
✨ grumpy/sunshine
✨ forced proximity
✨ holiday hijinks
✨ monstrous yet lovable heroes
✨ laugh-out-loud banter with genuine heart

…then you’ll fall head over heels for this story.

Snowed In With the Orc is cozy, spicy, sweet, and just the right amount of chaotic—like your favorite holiday treat with an unexpected kick. It’s a winter escape wrapped in warmth, wrapped in humor, wrapped in… well, orc-sized arms.

And honestly? Getting kidnapped by an orc Santa never sounded so good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another insta-love Christmas romance that I enjoyed. With the help of well-meaning matchmaker sister and friend, Addy and Leif somehow find themselves trapped together in his cabin during a ferocious blizzard. The fated mates that they are, it doesn't take long for them to feel their burning attraction and irresistible connection to one another. And just in the nick of time, right when they're beginning to feel the fierce longing for a lifelong companion and the sting of loneliness of going through life without one.

The plot is fairly simple, but quite satisfying for a romantic at heart like me. The spicy scenes are of course a pleasure to read, and the sense of family and community the story brings to the fore is heartwarming. This is the first book in the series that I've read, and now I wish to dive into the other books too so i can learn how the other fated couples named in the story found their HEA!

I am a grateful recipient of a free review copy of this book. This review is offered voluntarily.

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowed in withthe Orc by Jilli Waters reminds me of a spicy Hallmark holiday romance with a bit of magic, hedgehogs, and insta love! Addy is visitinChristmas. pregnant sister and Orc brother-in- law for christmas. She meets grumpy but hunky Leif who is playing Santa at the local Solstice celebration and the two are instantly ssitting. Addy falls asleep in the back of what she thinks is her brother in law's truck and awakens to find she's actotally in Leif's during a blizzard! They get snowboarding in his cabin with 4 hedgehogs and a huge bag of "toys", leading to a lot of hot romance.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic short Christmas story with a sweet and steamy plot. Leif has been alone for a while since his family died. Addy is visiting her sister and can't help but fall for the big green Orc. The chemistry is there, and it doesn't take long for the bond to form between Leif and Addy. This is a great short read that has a perfect HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, Easy Christmas Romance

Both Leif and Addy are lonely and hoping to meet someone special. Fortunately for them some Christmas magic, accidental kidnapping, and a snowstorm help them find each other! Add in a family of hedgehogs and a sack of sex toys and this story becomes both hilarious and sexy!!

A great, low angst Christmas, fun Christmas read.

[Bordelinedino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, short, insta-love Christmas Novella.

This was so sweet. Addy and Leif were so perfect together.

From the accidental kidnapping, the big bag of d*ldos and the Quills, it was a great mix of humour, heat and Fated mate sentiment.

Its a great addition to the Monster and Mistletoe series plus Toothsome Monsters.

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leif and Addy have chemistry from the very beginning of them meeting . Their story is so sweet and cute with hedgehogs thrown in. The way these two came together made for such a fun story to read you can't help but laugh and Leif and his grunts and the way Addy matched him in every single way. I loved this story from the very beginning. It was so well-written. This is a must read!!!

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa’s Special Toys

I throughly enjoyed the hottest Orc romance I’ve read in a while. Leif the Orc works for search and rescue and is very lonely. He doesn’t realize how lonely until he meets Addy during the winter solstice. A blizzard forces them together with a family of hedgehogs and a confiscated bag of diddly toys. It was hilarious and hot!

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun addition to this mulit-author series and I loved seeing the chemistry between Leif and Addy grow into so much more. These two were so well matched and how their interactions unfolded had me giggling away. And when you throw in hedgehogs, some magic, forced proximity and a spicy insta-love romance, you've got an entertaining page turner. Good fun!

[Jennifer D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story!!!
It was so cute, funny, steamy and sweet!!!
Leif was adorably gruff and grumpy…. His ‘accidental bag of toys’ is hysterical 😉🤭🤗
Abby is so cute and sassy, teasing Leif and taking charge!
The found family aspect of this story is beautiful to😍😍😍.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was perfect for a quick afternoon read, cuddled up on the sofa with some hot chocolate. I loved Addy, she would be the greatest best friend ever! Great Christmas feels, beautiful snow, hot cocoa and an even hotter Orc! So much fun.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the main characters first met at the town's Solstice party you know their chemistry is going to be off the charts, soon sassy Addy is accidentally kidnapped by the grumpy orc Lief and the real fun begins.

While waiting out a blizzard at Lief's cabin—love a nice snowed in trope—there is romantic tension, spicy encounters, as well as tender and humourous moments that kept me turning the pages and rooting for them to accept what is building quickly between them.

The story is short enough to be devoured in one sitting, great for a cozy night bundled up reading.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how a little mistake has Leif and Addy falling in love. That they are mates is a bonus. The hedgehogs were cute.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Jilli Waters! How could you go wrong with some monster loving? I mean small town, holiday romance, an orc? Come on! Jilli is a great writer and there is multiple different types of genres she writes. Any type you are looking for you can find!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addy and Leif. I really enjoyed this story. I’m a big fan of orc romances and I love the holidays so it was a perfect fit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so fricken sweet, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a quick read filled with laughs and holiday magic. What’s not to love?

*ARC Review

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addy has come to be with her sister Penny for the Christmas 🎄 holiday. She is concerned with her sister being in this area with the creatures that live there. That is until she meets Santa 🎅 Orc aka Leif.
Leif doesn’t like being the Santa. He doesn’t like crowds. He just wants to be home but he is a good sport and plays his part. One simple question starts this story and it is the common one asked by Santa 🎅. Have you been a good girl this year?
Addy answered with the first thought that came to mind. No I haven’t been a good girl. Then tip it off with falling asleep in the wrong truck 🛻 . Only to end up with Santa at the edge of town in a snowstorm. Things heat up from there.
Add in some cute hedgehogs 🦔 to make things adorable and this story is a catch.