A Winter's Kiss: A Spicy Christmas Romantasy Short

by Clare Dugmore

Felicity usually loves Christmas, but this year, her perpetual singleness casts a shadow over the holiday cheer.

To shake off her gloom, she agrees to babysit her niece and nephew, Mia and William, while her sister Emily gets some much-needed Christmas shopping done.

Building a snowman with the kids brings a smile to Felicity's face, but it’s a temporary distraction from the loneliness she feels. When she confides in her sister, Emily teases, “If only Frosty the Snowman could come to life like in the children’s song.”

Later that night, Felicity is startled awake by a strange noise outside. Expecting to find a stray animal rummaging through the rubbish, she's stunned when she sees the snowman she and the kids built earlier moving.

With Emily's teasing words echoing in her mind, Felicity rushes outside, unable to resist the impossible notion that Frosty might have come to life.

Under the winter moonlight, Felicity watches in awe as the snowman sheds his frosty exterior, revealing a breathtakingly handsome snow-elf named Talvi, summoned from the faerie realm by a surge of festive magic.

Felicity’s first thought is to find Talvi some clothes before the neighbours catch sight of his chiselled, naked form. Her second thought is just how irresistibly sexy this snow-elf is.

Inviting him inside, the two warm up over mugs of hot chocolate. Felicity muses that maybe Emily's joke was more than just that—perhaps Talvi has been sent to melt away her loneliness.

Rather than being put off by her theory, Talvi smiles and reveals that in the faerie realm during Yule, there's a tradition for keeping warm—a tradition he'd love to share with her.

Despite his icy origins, things quickly heat up as Felicity leads Talvi to her bedroom, where she soon discovers that his ability to control his body temperature makes for some very tantalising experiences under the covers.

Genres: Amazon

49 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2025

About the author

For Clare, storytelling has always been a sacred space — a place of wonder, connection, and escape. Now, as an author, they strive to offer readers that same refuge through stories infused with magic, romance, and quiet resistance.

A queer, neurodivergent creative, Clare writes with an open heart and a justice-driven lens, often centering marginalized voices and themes of chosen family, healing, and hope. Their work is rooted in a gentle faith — one that finds God in softness, starlight, and the radical act of compassion.

Clare lives in the West Midlands, UK, with their spouse and two children. When not building fantastical worlds or devouring books, they can be found gaming, binge-watching cozy series, or crafting handmade magic.

Looking ahead, Clare is focused on cultivating a vibrant, values-led creative community. Through their stories and the Kindred Book Club (https://claredugmore.com/kindred-book...) — a platform to uplift indie authors and support meaningful causes — they aim to spark joy, amplify diverse voices, and remind readers that they're never alone.

Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to my newsletter (https://claredugmore.com/letters-from...) for heartfelt updates, writing news, and bookish magic.

Reviews

[Anna Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good

If you are looking for a quick read with some spice you should give this one a try. There is also fae in this book too.

[Mandy Enchantedbookduo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 💎
2 🌶️

This is a very short spicy read about a fae that travelled to human realm. He has been sent to keep Felicity company. It was sweet and spicy.

Great for a quick cozy holiday read.

[Kayleigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what else to expect from something so short..

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loneliness creeps in to Felicity's life as Christmas nears, and while spending the day with her niece and nephew helps, she still wishes to find someone to spend her days with. A wish and some festive magic bring the snowman she and the kids made to life. Talvi sheds off the snow to reveal a gorgeous snow elf who knows just how to heat up Felicity's night.

A Winter's Kiss is the perfect title for this short spicy romantasy. It's quick but steamy enough to melt away all your chills. The part with Felicity and the kids is sweet and fun, bringing in the festive feeling. Yet when Talvi emerges from the lopsided snowman, things get sweet in a whole different way. Felicity gets a night she'll never forget and made me wish for my very own sexy snow elf.

[Kirsty Gudmundsson · Rating 2 out of 5]

☃️A Winter's Kiss by Clare Dugmore☃️

⭐️⭐️

Built a snowman for the kids. Slept with him later.

Tropes:

Snowman Turned Prince Snow Elf
Short Romantasy
Holiday Novella

Felicity loves Christmas, but this year she is feeling rather lonely. Babysitting her niece and nephew and building a snowman offers a momentary distraction — until a half-joking wish turns literal and the snowman comes to life.

Enter Talvi: a naked snow-elf from the faerie realm, conveniently summoned by Christmas magic and designed to fix Felicity’s loneliness in the most intimate way.

Perfect if you're looking for a short romantasy holiday novella.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with what to rate this book at. I am giving it a 2.5 stars. It's a fast little read with some spice but the spicy scenes are not really all that spicy. Like not a lot of details to bring you into the spice. Also it's about a sister that is lonely at Christmas time and she watches her niece and nephew and they build a snowman together. Them making this snowman brings magic and brings the prince into their realm. His touch is "icy" as his magic is more cold. I felt like this could have used more depth to get it better rating or if you want it more "spice", then make it spicy.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a great cleanser for all of the romantasy I have been reading ...

I surprisingly enjoyed this holiday romance, loving the way that the author was able to bring us such a magical spin in it as well.

I liked Talvin and Emily ... but had so many questions that need answers based on the subplot of the story.

Maybe a Part 2? 🤞🏽

[Coral Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute steamy short read

I really enjoyed this book! It was a super short read great spice scene and warm ending. I’d definitely read it if you’ve got a few hours free

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect, exactly what I wanted!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, spicy fluff.

[Haley Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice was great, but left unsatisfied & with questions 😅🥲

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny Christmas Read

I needed something short and quick for my mood reading for Christmas and this was funny. I was a little thrown off by the ending though.

[Kendra Job · Rating 3 out of 5]

starts off cute then quickly turns spicy once the kids leave 😂

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

The kids "broke up from school" on page 1

Needs an editor. DNF on page 1 when the kids "broke up from school". I may read smut, but I have standards.

[Ana]

DNF @ 5%

Was not for me.