A Very Merry Smutmas: A holiday monster romance with mistletoe, mischief, and one very grumpy blacksmith.

by Tansy Applewood

A cozy monster romance with lingerie garlands, enchanted mistletoe, and one very grumpy blacksmith who swore he wouldn’t stay for the holidays…

Junie Bellamy makes naughty holiday ornaments that glow, chime, and sometimes moan if you shake them right. She’s flirty, curvy, and very good at making Christmas sparkle—until one particular ornament misfires, courtesy of gnome leader Letty’s annual Smutmas matchmaking scheme. And this year? Junie is the chosen target.

Dain Ironbrook, Forgeborne and furiously hot, only comes to Wren’s Hollow once a year to sell his ironwork at the Winter Market. He doesn’t do cozy. He doesn’t do cheer. And he definitely doesn’t do gnome-invented holiday nonsense called Smutmas.

Too bad the gnomes have other plans.

From the Smutmas Eve Reading at the Hollow Hearth (where nothing is sacred), to the Twelve Positions of Smutmas raffle, to enchanted mistletoe that refuses to let them go, Junie and Dain are caught in a storm of cocoa-fueled meddling. One soulbond spark becomes impossible to ignore—especially when his forge heat collides with her sparklewitch magic.


– Grumpy/sunshine holiday chaos
– Soulbond sparks under enchanted mistletoe
– Gnome matchmaking gone feral
– A forge-hot blacksmith who worships once he falls
– A sparklewitch who makes Christmas very spicy
– Cameos from your favorite Wren’s Hollow couples (and future ones, too!)

Cozy, spicy, and festive, A Very Merry Smutmas proves one in Wren’s Hollow, no one escapes Letty’s Naughty List.

Genres: Christmas, Fantasy Romance

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Merry Smutmas is a delightfully cheeky holiday romance that combines humor, steamy moments, and just the right touch of festive chaos. Tansy Applewood knows how to balance mischief and romance, crafting a story that’s as fun as it is flirtatious.

The chemistry between the characters sizzles, especially with the grumpy blacksmith’s reluctant charm, and the holiday setting adds a cozy, whimsical layer to the story. The monster romance element is playful and original, giving the tale a unique twist that keeps it from feeling like a typical seasonal romance.

The plot moves quickly, keeping readers engaged from start to finish, though some scenes lean heavily on humor or steamy banter over deeper character development. Still, the story’s energy, festive spirit, and entertaining twists make up for it.

Overall, A Very Merry Smutmas is a fun, sexy, and festive read that delivers laughs, romance, and holiday mischief in equal measure. A solid four-star romp for anyone looking for a cheeky, festive escape.

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Hollow Hearth cozy fantasy romance! The gnomes are at it again, and they are a LOT so I do recommend reading at least one of the other books in this collection just to get a better feel for the world outside of Smutmas.

This is a very cute romance, with a little tension up front and a lot of slowly accepting the relationship through public displays as demanded by Letty. A little open door spice is the perfect icing on top of this holiday pudding.

This world is a funny, weird, silly place to visit. It always puts a smile on my face and I am eagerly awaiting the next one, which will feature a monster who’s an all buttoned up headmaster, and a chaotic camp counsellor.

Thank you to the author for facilitating me with a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

[Niomi King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm welcome back to Wrens hollow for the gnomes merry smutmas holidays 🤗
Once again, Gran is a legend, and Letty is her magical, marvelous, mischievous self.
(I live for letty, may she forever be my inspiration for all things that give sassy razzle dazzle energy)

After thoroughly enjoying Ros and Santos's story, i knew i would happily fall down the Wrens hollow gnome hole. 🫶🏼

The return follows Junie, a glitter wielding spell caster and dane the mighty hot forge master 🔥 who are thrust together with a little of that Letty meddling for a smutmas union.

Fabulous, I recommend them all. Thank you once again, Tansy and booksirens, for the ARC.

***The above review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced in any way.

[Roxie's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

" A Fun Monster Holiday series "

This story is so much fun to read. It's Funny, Exciting, and steamy hot!
Junie is a sparkle Witch. She opens a booth at Wren's Hollow Winter market. Wren's Hollow is Quirky and charming. It is the home of humans, paranormals and monsters. While she is setting up her booth. Letty the queen of the gnomes show up. Letty is also the towns matchmaker. This year she sets sight on Junie, and Dain the new Forgeborne monster in town. Letty announced the commencement of Smutmas. Letty is the naughtiest Gnome around. She sets out to match Junie, and Dain! Will Letty and fate prove Junie,and Dain belong together?

[Bookwyrm_in_KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an adorable grumpy/sunshine holiday novella. Junie is a sparkle witch, AKA a human glitter bomb. She's selling enchanted holiday ornaments at the winter faire and her booth is right next to the forge booth of the brooding and gorgeous Dain.

No visit to Wren's Hollow is complete without gnome shenanigans and this time is no exception. Letty and the rest of the gnomes cause all sorts of risque mischief over the faire/festival that bring Junie and Dain together as a soulbonded couple.

Smutmas is festive, spicy and full of gnome mischief and I loved being able to advance read.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letty is back with cocoa and shenanigans while leading the residents of Wren's Hollow in their celebration of Smutmas in this sweet and spicy monster romance holiday novella. Full found family vibes, mischievous gnomes, and abundant laughter as Junie and Dain complete the Twelve Positions of Smutmas!

I love the world building and magic system of Wren's Hollow, along with the unforgettable characters, and am looking forward to reading more in this series. This book is the perfect cozy weekend read!

I received and early copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella might be shorter, but there's as much Letty, chaos & general gnome-infestation as the previous 2 books.

There was less spice/smut it was more chilled if you can ever call it that. It focused more on belonging & finding your place rather than monsters getting it on.

I would like my own personal Letty, looking forward to the next book & impatiently waiting for the Gideon book.

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

[Jen Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to BookSirens and Tandy Applewood for this eARC! I’ve loved the books in this series, and this was a short and sweet novella with a little holiday spice and zany moments we know and love in these books! I would have liked a little more steam, but this was fun and quirky, and I liked Dani and Junie together. Super cute and a sweet opposites attract kind of love!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable and refreshing read!!

it was perfect, just in time for a quick Christmas cozy read - it was sweet, light and sweet. As this is the 3rd book in a series, I'll be going back to read the first two books (these aren't needed to be read in order, bit of an anthology).

it was a great palate cleanser from all the fantasy reads I've been involved in lately - very refreshing and fun!!


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

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Such a fun read and kept imagining if we could buy such fun ornaments! :D Loved Junie and Dain, such opposites yet so well together in the end. Another great short read in keeping with the coming Holiday.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Merry Smutmas Book 3 in The Hollow Heart Series by Tansy Applewood is sweet, steamy, funny and a delightful novella. I loved these characters and the worldbuilding is amazing. Highly recommend and looking forward to more!

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

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender and Cozy
Junie and Dain have side-by-side booths at the winter market - and faith, plus the gnomes, have decides that they are the latest Smutmas couple. This story is lyrically written and sweetly set up, with plenty of charm and tenderness throughout. I enjoyed this sweet (a tiny bit of spice) read filled with warmth and heart.

[Nicole Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick holiday novella to get into the Christmas spirit. Ironically, it's not very smutty (they have sex once about 80% in and it's written kind of poetically?). It wasn't what I was expecting, but maybe that was on me for not reading the excerpt. It was more of a cozy Christmas read. I don't necessarily recommend it, but I'm not mad that I read it.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and adorable and I needed this book to complete a yearly reading challenge!! Books like this are why Christmas is my favorite time of year! All cutesy, hilarious, and hallmark worthy stories. Junie and Dain's story was predictable but cute!

[Carly Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book the rating I am due to the writing style. It’s unique and I do like unique. However this was not a story for me and that’s ok. I think some others may really enjoy this. It made me smile and it was cute. It just was not my kind of read, still glad I read it.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy. This novella was a sweet holiday story with a little bit of spice. Kind of wanted a little bit more from Junie and Dain! Love all of the characters from Wren's Hollow crew!!! Cannot wait to dive into the headmaster's story next year!!!

[Demi P. Sewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author, and she does not disappoint! I think the prose in these stories is so well-written and magical. I often highlight so much on my Kindle! 💕 This story is about Junie and Dain and how they become soulbonded. It's a bit faster-paced than "How to Ruin a Librarian," but the smutty gnomes and Letty are still in full effect! IYKYK. You also get a glimpse at the start of another coupling as well!

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

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Hot Insanity

Loved this so much!! Better than a dozen Hallmark movies. Hot cocoa a must!! Tinsel optional. Spontaneous giggles will happen.

[Bee Snyder · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got to 18% and DNF

I love a good monster romance and the premise sounded great but the writing is confusing and the jumping between scenes feels a little like whiplash..