Ho Ho Ho, Le Tueur de Noël: gay romance (Meurtre et Gui t. 2)

Murder and Mistletoe #2

by K.A. Merikan, Émeline FD (Translator)

« J'adore Noël. Alors chaque année, je tue quelqu'un. Pour me faire plaisir. »

Nico

Êtes-vous déjà tombé amoureux d'un homme alors qu'il pointait son arme sur vous ? Eh bien, moi, oui. Petit problème ? Je suis en plein milieu de ma tradition meurtrière de Noël, et il est un témoin.

Mais ce n'est pas sa faute si j'étais trop excité et que je n'ai pas vérifié si j'étais seul. Je ne peux pas le tuer à cause de ma propre erreur. Pas avec ses yeux verts rêveurs, emplis de peur et de rage refoulée.

Ce que je peux faire, c'est l'emmener avec moi pour le garder en sécurité pendant que je réfléchis à la manière de lui faire comprendre que même si mes méthodes sont cruelles, mes intentions sont pures.

Ou comment le faire tomber amoureux de moi.

Celui des deux qui arrivera en premier.

Blake

Mon dix-huitième anniversaire était censé être le plus beau jour de ma vie protégée. J'allais enfin devenir indépendant et hériter de la moitié de la fortune familiale. Au lieu de cela, j'ai été kidnappé.

J'étais sur le point d'être découpé en morceaux quand… un miracle de Noël sous la forme d'un maniaque de l’homicide costaud m'a sauvé.

Seulement voilà, je suis coincé dans son sous-sol et je me fais bombarder d'amour par un homme en quête d’attention psychopathe. Il mange des sandwichs à la dinde à chaque petit-déjeuner, adore fabriquer des décorations de Noël avec des dents humaines et laisse ses pulsions violentes briller comme un sapin de Noël.

Je ne devrais pas le trouver sexy.

Je ne voudrais pas céder à ses tendances meurtrières.

Et je ne devrais certainement pas vouloir qu'il soit mon premier.

Mais je suis traqué et j'ai peut-être besoin d'un monstre pour me protéger.

(Et il fait vraiment de très bons gâteaux aux fruits)

★★★★★★★★★★

« Ho Ho Ho Le Tueur de Noël » est une romance sombre M/M autonome dans laquelle un tueur en série obsédé par Noël tombe amoureux d'un pauvre petit garçon riche qui se trouve également être son podcasteur de vrais crimes préféré.

Thèmes et tropes : Différence de taille, tueur en série, méfiance, petite ville, solitude, héros possessif, grincheux/soleil, humour noir, enlèvement, premier amour, moralement gris, garçon riche protégé, psychopathe, relation chat noir/homme affectueux, syndrome de Stockholm, trahison, première fois, les contraires s'attirent, coincés ensemble, poisson hors de l'eau, NOËL, sombre secret, mec en détresse, introverti

Nombre de mots :~86 000 mots

Avertissements : Enlèvement, violence, gore, langage grossier et scènes torrides et explicites

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2025

About the author

(Goodreads profile run by Kat)

K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.

K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.

e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com

More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan

Reviews

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Serial killers deserve love too, guys… at least, that’s what the Merikan’s have been brainwashing me to believe all these years. And I think it’s working, because MC serial killer Nico, and his child-like passion for all things Christmas and killing, was a grisly god-dang delight to read this holiday season.

To be clear, this M/M holiday series is demented and addictive in all the best ways, but it is not for the faint of heart.

The morally grey characters are playing it fast and loose with personal boundaries and societal norms and expectations. There is on page torture and murder and kidnapping, and there is most definitely Stockholm syndrome afoot, as Blake, a true-crime podcaster and hugely sheltered 18-year-old rich kid, finds himself at the hands of the infamous Christmas Killer (Nico) on his first night out on the town, freshly legal and ready to mingle.

Their relationship is fast moving, extreme, and definitely unhealthy; full of fiery passion and mutual need, yes, but also full of psychosis and a boatload of trust issues to overcome, as they both battle to accept one another’s darkest natures and deepest desires. They’re totally fucked up, but it somehow works, making this an absolute banger of a unique Christmas read again for the Merikan’s.

Amongst the gore and depravity, there are also plenty of sweet and steamy moments, full of trauma-bonding (at least for Blake), as Nico brings his unbridled love of Christmas and killing to the forefront of their very unconventional courtship.

This dark romance—with the epic title, the exciting blend of holiday cheer (bloody and not), dark humour, and steamy first times—was all things fun and outlandish and kind of fascinating to read, in all its stab-happy insanity. I really hope there’s more to come in the series next holiday season, because I can’t get enough of these murder-y, Christmas loving MCs and the unsuspecting men that fall victim to their love-bombing.

[Teru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho ho ho, merry Christmas to you all 🫡 That was a fun ride, I didn't expect to enjoy myself so much! Time to turn off brain and logic, and to enjoy a serial killer smutty romance and some Christmas cheer, cheese, and cringe.

Oh but Nico, the serial killer, is actually such a sweet guy 🥹 he deserves everything. He makes snowglobes ❤️ albeit with human teeth shavings inside, but everybody needs a hobby right 🥰 He owns a Christmas-themed shop...yes, there is a basement where he kills and tortures his victims, but that's just being efficient ☺️

Okay seriously, I really liked Nico. Blake was, at times, very frustrating and hypocritical and a pampered little brat, but I tolerated him.

The sex was HOT, that's for sure 🔥

And that's probably everything I have to say about this because it's just not meant to be taken seriously.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this is meant to be silly fun, but I JUST FUCKING CAN'T WITH TRYING TO IMAGINE THAT YOU WANNA FUCK A MAN WHO USES CHRISTMAS SHEETS WITH ENTHUSIASM 365 DAYS A YEAR, AND EATS TURKEY errrrrr'day BECAUSE ✨CHRISTMAS✨.....


(for context, I think Turkey is the worst)

I'm glad it was explained why he was obsessed with Christmas at least, because GOD DAMN.

I got the Christmas ick so hard, and even though the Christmas killer (Nico) was such a cutie patootie with his good intention murdering and teeth filled snow globes His Christmas obsession was my downfall. It's a me thing, I fear I have Christmas trauma and I should stop trying with Christmas books.
bloody grinch mgee over here (me) sorry friends.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️

♫ 𝚂𝙾𝙽𝙶 𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙲𝙷 ⇾ 𝚂𝙴𝙿𝙷𝙸𝚁𝙾𝚃𝙷 𝙱𝚈 𝙿𝙸𝙴𝚁𝙲𝙴𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚂𝙺𝙸𝙴𝚂 ♫
// I don’t want head bitch, I want amnesia //

Is his Christmas obsession strange? Sure. Is he a murderer who likes creepy crafts a bit too much? Yes. But is he also the most caring boyfriend I could ask for? Pretty much.

I’m not ready for the holiday season or Mariah Carey on every radio station, but this unhinged mix of Christmas cheer and murdering is perfect to keep me in my spooky season a little longer.

He’s dressed in a fitted black top and dark jeans, but I end up focusing on his balaclava which features… ears. Cute, round teddy bear ears.

A golden retriever serial killer? Yessssss. Nico was crazy and wild, a big murder-y Christmas-obsessed puppy, super sweet with Blake, possessive and with a twinkle of danger in his eyes.

“I want to be deep inside you, make you squirm and moan my name. I want to make you come first so you squeeze your muscles tightly around me. And then I want to come inside you and leave you dripping.”

I should have expected it, but the CNC/primal scene was a pleasant surprise. I loved the game, the chase, how dominating Nico was in the moment and how caring and cuddly he was after. KA Merikan write the best smut hands down.

He wants to be here, on his knees, in my shabby cabin, worshiping the cock of the Christmas Killer. I have him now. He’s mine.

Ho Ho Homicidal Maniac was another crazy fun time in this unconventional holiday themed series, and I can’t wait for more murder husbands.

I feel a connection with you. A bond I made over the muzzle of a gun when you pointed it at me when you saw me. And it doesn’t matter if you want me. You still have me.”

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Serial killer MC
- Small town
- Christmas
- Size difference
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Black cat/golden retriever
- Abduction
- Violence & gore
- Stockholm Syndrome
- Strict top/bottom
- Virgin MC
- First kiss
- Intergluteal frotting
- Primal play/CNC role play
- Mask/balaclava kink
- Semi-public sex

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite possibly the most wholesome, Christmas obsessed character I've ever read - but even better, he's a vigilante serial killer!!!

Nico is a few mince pies short of a Christmas picnic BUT his love for all things Christmas was so adorable and endearing! Also, the way he decides that poor Blake is his forever and he wants to give him the perfect Christmas forever... I really loved his character so much and the effort he put in to wooing Blake was top tier 😂

Blake was feisty and prickly, the awkward and naive cloud of doom next to Nico's glitter and fairy lights, but they weirdly fit together so well. I genuinely want to read more about their expanding business too.

Loved the vengeance, weirdly loved the murder trophies - so creative 😂, and I loved how Blake slowly realised that year round Christmas is where he belonged. I'm also craving baked goods now too but I'm an awful baker!

*****
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book started right in the middle of the criminal action. I do want to say that after the beginning I had a little bit of a hard time staying invested. I'm not saying it's the book. It totally could have been me, but it also could have been the book. Just wanted to put that out there in case anyone else is feeling the same way. Because I did enjoy this book, especially towards the end.

I also felt that once Nico showed some emotions other than jolly happiness, I felt much more invested in his character. He became more well rounded to me.

Blake and Nico really were so cute together and a great fit for one another. I don't think they could have asked for a better partner.

I also was really satisfied with the trip to Aspen and how that all went down.

I received an ARC of this book from GRR and this is my honest opinion.

[Fiza · ia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ✰

Idk why i read a cozy book in such hot weather but whatEVA

This was strong on Stockholm Syndrome but tbh if my kidnapper is giving me hot chocolate, cookies and his hand-knitted sweaters i will be on my own knees who cares if he's a serial killer 😌🖕 (and obv he kills bad people. As he should 💅🏻🎀)

“I’m sorry if I hurt you in any way. You didn’t deserve my silence. I wish you… everything. Just everything. That’s what you deserve. I understand your choice.”

But it took blake some time to reach my level ofcourse but glad he did ✨

[Bree | breesoleilreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this story is so crazy but it just works? I may be biased bc it has all the tropes I love size difference, touch starved and needy mc, sweet himbo mc and wild shenanigans and adventures (there was even a bit of somno in there 😴) This book was ridiculously over the top but I enjoyed it all the same. I never tell people to suspend their disbelief with books like these bc books are books and they are created worlds! This one is whacky, unhinged, crazy and hot 🥵 I loved it all.

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was as fun as I expected. Blake is bothjust too horny and extremely reluctant to fall for Nico. And Nico is just both the sweetest person ever -Christmas obsession included - and a serial killer. Blake tries hard to avoid developing feelings and to keep his distance. But Nico just makes it difficult because he is obsessed with Blake. The killer and the true crime podcaster, so many uncomfortable moments, so many endearing moments, a few delulu ones, and a bit of murder and mayhem. And quite a few hoooot moments, as is on brand with K. A. Merikan.
Fun, kind of wholesome in a deranged way. Love the epilogue.

[Ninni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Serial killer Nico aka the Christmas Killer, accidently rescues young podcaster Blake from being killed. The problem is - Blake saw his face so it's no option letting him walk away. I loved Nico but Blake - not so much. Started skimming towards the end cause I never felt like they connected. My rating 2 ⭐⭐

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes: captive/captor, forced proximity, age Gap, serial killer, grumpy/sunshine, size difference
Feels: 2/5
Steam*: 2.5/5
Kinks: rough sex, marking
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: murder, violence and Gore, abduction with intent to SA (by minor character), bad parents, dead parents, unsafe sex, third act break up

3 Stars

Blake is 18 and he's been sheltered and homeschooled since he was 12 and his parents died. His brother Carl who is 15 years older than him has raised him and isolated him from others under the guise of being protective. When Blake turns 18, he decides to go out and try to get laid for the first time. On his first night out, he gets his drink spiked and wakes up about to be a victim of rape and murder. Only, a serial killer who goes by the name of Christmas killer has just offed the guy who abducted Blake. Now Blake is a witness, so Nico takes Blake with him until he can figure out what to do with him.

Nico doesn't kill indiscriminately. He's 27, and was raised by his grandfather who was the Christmas killer before Nico took over the mantle. His grandfather taught him things and Nico has his own code, where he only kills people that deserve it, and she doesn't kill often, he just does it around Christmas as a once a year treat. Nico is actually a friendly guy who loves Christmas and likes being helpful to those around him. He doesn't want to harm Blake. Plus Nico kind of falls instantly in love with Blake, because he feels seen by him and Blake is actually a true crime podcaster that Nico follows and has kind of crushed upon from afar for a while now.

Since Nico investigates his victims before killing them, Nico has found out that the guy he killed was paid to abduct Blake and kill him. So Blake is not safe to return home until they figure out and stop whoever's after him. In the meantime they spend time together and Nico tries to convince Blake to date him. Blake is afraid to piss off a serial killer so he plays along. But the lines get murky about what's pretend and whether the connection between them is real. But Blake can't see a future with someone who's a serial killer, so that's an obstacle.

This book was interesting. Nico was a quirky character, a very likable serial killer lol. You don't see a golden retriever serial killer often. Nico was totally out of pocket and it was funny. He literally thought that going to visit his captive in his cell was a date. Him thinking it was impolite to violate his prisoner's privacy by filming him, but it was totally fine to have him locked up in his murder basement.

I don't really think the romance worked for most of this book though. Their reunion after the third at break up was nice and they got a good happily ever after I guess. But to me this was a dark romance that was suffering from a lack of romance for far too long. Blake legitimately did not have feelings for Nico for the majority of the book, we kept seeing his inner thoughts and you just had to believe him and it really hurt the romance. I know you can't expect a captive to so quickly love a serial killer who is kidnapped them, but at some point you have to build that if you're writing a romance novel. I made a note for myself at around the 77% mark about his head space and how they're legitimately was not enough time left in the book for feelings to develop on Lakeside, and for trust and a realistic future to be built.

I feel like the authors wrote Blake inconsistently. I assume Blake is supposed to be in denial kind of, but I got whiplash from him genuinely expressing that he is not feeling romantic things about Nico and doesn't trust him, and then the next scene he's expressing the depth of his trust for Nico. Same goes to thoughts about their future, he thinks they have no future one minute and then he's hoping and planning for a future the next. And it's just back and forth.

I have no problem with dark romance in general, but this story is a bit uncomfortable because of the unequal footing that they're on. You can have dark romance without it being oppressive and suffocating of one person's will. The unequal footing continued for well over 50% of the book. And then after that it was a different kind of imbalance, an emotional one where Nico felt more than Blake did.

Also, minor thing I've learned about myself. I would prefer authors use a euphemism for the word anus. I read that word too many times in this book. LOL


Some notable moments:

"How fucked up is it that this is my first experience? What if it imprints on me, and I’ll only get hard in high-adrenaline situations? That’s what therapy’s for, I suppose."

"And yet here I am, in his car, sulking that he hasn’t called me sweetie once since the whole assassin drama."



*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay this is actually super cute. idk exactly how a serial killer can be cute, but it is what it is.
there’s a little too much christmas for my liking but that’s really a me issue.

i read an arc and this is my honest opinion

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I have two big things in my life that make me happy. Christmas and murder."

When Nico (the Christmas Killer) saves Blake from another murderer, he can't let him go. After all, Blake has seen his face, and watched him unalive the first killer. And Blake is just Nico's type, dressed up as a sexy elf. Nico relocates Blake to his secret murder-basement-lair and attempts to love-bomb him into falling for Nico and Christmas. Imagine if a murderous Cindy-Lou Who kidnapped the Grinch and tries to convince him to love Christmas as much as she does and you've got the basic plot of this book. But when it turns out that Blake is still in danger (and not from Nico's awful taste in Christmas sweaters), they must learn to trust and appreciate each other. Could this be true love?
Tropes include: touch him and literally die, only one bed, actual forced proximity, roleplaying, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, and murder as foreplay.

"I don't know if this is Stockholm Syndrome, or if there's something very wrong with me, but denying that I have these feelings seems as futile as sending a letter to Santa without a stamp."

A holiday serial killer book each Christmas is the perfect present from K.A. Merikan to all of us! Ho Ho Homicidal Maniac is the second in the Murder and Mistletoe series. I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 but book 2 can be read completely as a stand alone if you prefer. There have been a few copy-cat books recently with deranged serial killers acting like imbeciles and I have not been a fan. It was very refreshing to read a book with an actual plot, coherent characters and little moments of realism and charm. I read this book in one sitting and really liked it. Nico's little sulky moments were so endearing 🥰🥰🥰.

"He loves it. He wants to be here, on his knees, in my shabby cabin, worshipping the cock of the Christmas Killer. I have him now. He's mine."

Rating: 4 stars
Angst: 3.5/5
Steam: 3.5/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 3

Point of view: Dual, 1st person

TROPES & TAGS
Dark romance (but not really?)
Captor x Captive (not for long)
Mild grumpy x sunshine
Himbo serial killer
Good serial killer
Christmas themed
Size difference
Virgin Mc
Asmrtist
SPICE AND KINKS
CNC
Blowjobs
Mild primal play (ig)
Anal
Sex in a semi public place
• Dynamic: strict top & bottom roles

TW/CW
Kidnapping
Mc being neglected through childhood without him knowing
Betrayal by family
Murder attempts
Rape attempts (mentions only)
Violence
Gore

THOUGHTS such a fucking fun readddd. I thought this was gonna be a mindless read but gosh this had materials in it. Never liked a serial killer so much. And Nico might just be the first captive that had brains and mostly logical thinking process. There were many instances, when I was like why is he being so logical? It’s a book he’s supposed to fall in love. I liked it a lot. 10/10 smashhhh. And the spiceeee mannnnn. That was also really good.

[Lily Loves 📚]

I don’t know why but the recent Merikan books just haven’t kept my attention. This is just not doing it for me. I wish it was but I’m bored at 33%.

ARC provided for review

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[timtam (semi-slump) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ✨ what a way to kick off the season 🎄🎅 cute and possessive 👏

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hysterical.

[Ditte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. Idk, it had some funny moments and a couple of hot scenes but mostly it was just, well, fine.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like some murder and mayhem to end my holiday reading season! More dark fluff from K.A. Merikan, I enjoyed this one just a little more than the first book. I adored Nico, the murdery, Christmas-loving man who just wants someone to love him so he can live every day in Christmassy bliss. (His earnestness reminded me a bit of Jag from Primal.) Blake, the true-crime podcaster who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time is both shocked and awed by Nico. Can he love a vigilante serial killer who wants nothing to love him when he has never known someone to care about him before and when that person could possible turn on him in the future.

Some gore, violence and discussion of homicides are interspersed with some very Christmassy moments and dare I say sweetness. While Blake was a bit bland, the two make a good team.

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn’t really work for me. Unfortunately, this happens from time to time with these authors. Despite the fact that they are my number one favourite mm authors, there are occasionally books that just don’t work for me, and they tend to be ones that are still really well received by other fans. Such as this book, and Where the Devil Says Goodnight. I must have very particular tastes.

With this one, I just found Blake really annoying. He was so hot and cold. He took so long to decide how he felt about Nico, and kept hurting him. When Nico said he was just using him for sex I was not surprised at all. That is how Blake was behaving. I understand that Nico is a serial killer, and it’s realistic for someone to not want to accept that they have feelings for a serial killer. But I’m not here for realistic. 😂 But even if I was, I would have just preferred for the book to be longer. It took Blake 85% of the book to accept his feelings, and then we barely got to see them happily together. We got little glimpses of the intense depth of feelings I love seeing in KA Merikan’s books, but it felt like just the beginning.

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

Kudos to the author for writing the most bonkers thing I've ever read. This was kind of a tough ask -- tonally whiplashing between Deadpool-style wink-wink, deluded sappy sunshine, and super-dark possessive serial killer; with writing that was quite rough in places, and sex scenes that felt more perfunctory than hot -- but it was diverting to see how the author spun out this hilariously extra premise. Really more of a 2-star read for my tastes, but bumping up to reward creativity, if not execution.

I got an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.

[lauraღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

He might not be biting, but I’m being devoured.

2.5 stars. Or like 2.75? This was just as much of a silly, goofy, fun time as the first book, but I didn't like it quite as much. I also didn't dislike it, but yeah, I didn't find the characters quite as endearing as I did in the first book. It was still a cute time! In this, we have Blake, a rich kid who's obsessed with true crime and serial killers, and has a podcast dedicated to them. His first time at a bar, he gets abducted by a creep, but luckily, he's saved by a hot guy... who happens to also be a serial killer. One that he's talked about on his show. One who's obsessed with Christmas. And who is now obsessed with Blake. Kidnapping and Stockholm syndrome ensue!

So yeah, this isn't meant to be taken super seriously, and for what it is, I had a good time. Nico's obsession with everything Christmas related is very over-the-top, but intentionally so. And it's pretty funny. I liked all the scenes in his Christmas store, and how much genuine joy he got from the holidays, and spreading cheer to people. Like the first book, this didn't sugarcoat the psychopathy; it leans into Blake's genuine fear and how genuinely dangerous Nico can be. Which made it feel more balanced than if it had just been silly and fun the whole way through. And I like that it took Blake a good long while to actually start liking and trusting Nico, though he was attracted to him right off the bat. I loved all of his escape attempts, and how petulant and offended Nico would get that Blake wasn't immediately charmed by him, lol. The first half where there was a lot of push and pull, Blake attempting to manipulate Nico, Nico trying to love on him and get Blake to appreciate the Christmas spirit... that was cute. The larger plot deals with Blake and Nico figuring out who is trying to kill Blake. Nico is, of course, determined to protect him from anyone who dares touch him. And yeah, it's cute and wacky and sexy. Not meant to be taken very seriously. I had a good time, but overall, it was just okay. I found some of the language and word usage to be kinda clunky, and there were a bunch of punctuation and capitalisation errors that I was dying to fix.

Still, it was a cute, bonkers little holiday romance, if you're in the mood for something bloody with a little suspense, alongside your festive vibes.

[patrícia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This was fun in a murdery Merikan way🎄,completely OTT, a bit creepy but at the same time so so lame. Imagine a Rom Com with a lot of gory murder, betrayal and hot sex. That’s Ho Ho Homicidal Maniac 🖤🩸🥹

They are both a bit silly and annoying at first, it took a while to connect with them and see their relationship as something more than the initial insta Love/lust. I was counting on Nico being a homicidal golden retriever, like husband material that also kills bad guys, and he was, but also too childish?! I wasn’t counting on Blake being so annoying, push one moment and pulling the next, but them again maybe it’s my moral compass that’s defected and I think he should just accept everything right away 😅 The plot was kind of predictable, and that cut the excitement of discovering the real bad guy, who is not the serial killer! The end was a was anticlimactic, we didn’t get any torture and suffering from the killer… It was… bloody disappointing honestly… and we got almost no answers…

I loved the last chapters and the epilogue… I’m sad I only got to connect with them so late in the book. There’s too much doubt and mistrust until the very end and that killed it for me.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

To start off: I loved this book. It’s exactly as wacky as the blurb makes it sound, and it was an absolute delight to devour. It’s the second book in the Murder and Mistletoe series, and fully enjoyable as a standalone. I loved the alternating POV, because Nico’s brain was a wild ride. He’s quixotic, and a bit naive. His plan to win over Blake is amateur-hour, at first. It’s all emotion and no logic, with exuberant displays that do not engender trust. One thing that helps is that Blake is naive, too, and they’re both lonely. The forced proximity of Blake’s captivity feeds their mutual need for companionship, so much so that Blake’s conflicted about seeking help. He believes he should, but the thought of returning to his mostly empty home is daunting. Also, he’s intrigued by learning all the inside info Nico reveals about the Christmas Killer.

Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.

[Showarst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho Ho Homicidal Maniac by K.A. Merikan was so freaking awesome! I loved Nico and Blake a lot. How can Nico be a golden retriever who adores everything about Christmas and also just happens to murder people a couple of times a year as a serial killer? The juxtaposition made me laugh because he was so darn lovable when he was not in murder mode. I can completely understand Blake’s hesitation about dating a serial killer no matter how much in common they may seem to have. However, he did get on my nerves slightly when he was pushing Nico away. I think that is a testament to how stinkin’ sweet Nico was. I was so happy that Blake made the effort to make Nico feel special near the end. He needed that. The epilogue was perfect and I immediately picked up the bonus chapter. I enjoyed the murder Christmas story last year, but this one was even better. I know that I will be rereading this one!

I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Meet our twenty-seven years old serial killer Nico. He’s crazy about Christmas and seriously deranged.

“I might be a serial killer, but I have standards.“

It wasn’t Blake’s lucky day. This rich lonely podcaster turned eighteen, went for the first time to a gay club with a fake ID, and ended up not once but twice in the cellar of a serial killer. Yeah, happy eighteenth birthday!

Nico is lusting over Blake, he wants to devour him but has to wait until Blake is more settled in his prison. Blake is breaking his head on how to behave so Nico will let him go, or find a way to escape.

“I’m giving my first-ever kiss to a homicidal maniac” Poor Blake, there are more firsts to give away. So sad he’s also touched-starved.

Blake’s mind and body work overtime, pushing and pulling. Okay, Nico is a bloody killer. He’s deranged, but he also keeps Blake safe and is very attentive, aaaaand he’s hot as hell.

“I will never feel safe until the flakes of his teeth float in Nico’s new snow globe.”

Serial killer number one has a little nasty tale!

While it’s a kind of darkish Christmas story, it’s generously sweet, and scorching at times. I loved the concept, of an innocent young guy and a ruthless, super sweet, Christmas-crazy, serial killer.
There’s more but I’m not gonna spoil those things! Read it yourself!

Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[leisce ᓚᘏᗢ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so I definitely see the appeal in this case, but the Stockholm Syndrome trope just wasn't for me. Perfect read for Christmas Eve.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun as hell omg.

I loved Nico - big murdery golden retriever who loves Christmas??? Stop. He was so gentle and soft which was such a 180 from his darker persona. He was so sincere in him trying to make things okay for Blake given the circumstances lmao BUT he really was all in when Blake was plotting against him for majority of the time. Even when Blake was not fully on board, Nico was still willing to keep him safe and go after/find the person who was trying to get Blake killed.

For me, Blake took a little long to get with the program but also, like, I totally get that any person would also probably have the same reservations he did lol but I did truly love their dynamic and how their morbid interests aligned. I also like that this was turned into a more vigilante story.

Overall, this was a very fun read. Probably going to reread around Christmas bc tis the season! But yeah, Nico was surprisingly the sweet one in this relationship and fit the whole “jump.” “How high?” Kind of dynamic very well. Blake was going through a lot, and I’m glad after everything he has someone like Nico who is 1000% on his side.


Other tropes of interest that I don’t have shelves for: size difference, mask kink, primal play, CNC, first times

*i received an arc from GRR an this is my honest review.

[Hunter Hawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so good and so much fun!

this is the first book i’ve read with some stockholm syndrome kidnapping action, and i honestly loved it. i think nico is so so so sweet, and i think blake deserves all of the love that he gives him. i love how much nico loves blake, even after he betrays him.

it’s so sweet to see blake learn how to trust nico and realize that he loves every part of him, and that nico truly is made up of the two sides of himself that he shows to blake. it’s also so sweet to see nico finally get loved completely by someone who knows everything about him, including the fact that he is the christmas killer.

nico is such a great character. i love his golden retriever energy and how much he loves christmas, and he is sooooo hot during the spicy scenes. i love the dichotomy he has between his bubbly side and his serial killer side. the christmas dates that he plans are absolutely adorable, and i love how much effort he puts into making blake feel safe and comfortable (even when he is his captive). blake is also such a fun character. he’s been pretty sheltered and it’s so cute to see him get so many first experiences with nico. i love his declaration of love for nico at the end soooo much. it was literally adorable and everything that nico deserved.

i thought the plot in this book was pretty good too. the twist was good and surprised me, and the ending of the book was so cathartic. i love when bad people in these dark romance books get what is coming to them.

overall, such a fun festive book. i had a great time reading it.