Slaying for Santa

by Sarah J.D.

Bell Bishop doesn’t kneel for just anyone, but one night of hate-fuelled heat changes everything, and surrendering to him might be the mistake that ruins them both this Christmas.

Spending Christmas with my best friend’s brother is a bad idea, but I made a promise, and now I’m standing in Kitson Hall’s mansion, wishing I’d broken it. We might be older, but nothing’s changed. We still trade insults, push each other’s buttons, and pretend we don’t notice the sparks. Only this time, our hate burns hotter, and our lust turns lethal.

Most men flinch at the darkness I crave, but not Kit. Dressed in red and armed with a filthy streak, he proves he’s every bit my equal, and every bit my undoing each time he wants me to call him Santa.

But distractions turn deadly when his five-year-old daughter is kidnapped, turning Christmas into a manhunt. To bring her home, I’ll have to expose my secret pastime. Because this time, I’m not just killing for justice.
I’m Slaying for Santa.

Fans of S.T. Abby, H.D. Carlton, and K.A. Knight will love this BDSM filled short Christmas romance.

One-click today to dive into this danger-filled age gap, with off the charts heat, and sinful passion as single dad alphahole Kitson Hall claims the dark and quirky Bell Bishop this Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Dark Romance, Holiday, Dark, Enemies To Lovers, Erotica, Serial Killer

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2025

About the author

Sarah JD, also known as Sarah Jane Duncan, is a dark romance author living in Australia with Mr Duncan who stole her off the market back in high school.
Sarah can be found in her writing room plotting out her next smut filled romance filled with angst, violence, and themes so dark you should probably question why you love it so much.

Sarah writes about strong females who have to fight against the odds to find their power, their voice, and their truth. Her heroines possess the strength that only comes from being a survivor, and through their trauma, battles and struggles, they learn to trust again, and find love.

There’s nothing easy about their stories. They are hard, gritty, and painfully heartbreaking at times. But what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? And when you throw in a swoon worthy guy, or an alphahole that you just want to slap, but also fall to your knees and obey, it’s the recipe for a rollercoaster ride.

So buckle up. Read the warnings. And let yourself get lost in the dark stories Sarah creates.

Reviews

[Leticia🌻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Slaying for Santa is a steamy holiday/enemies to lovers/dark romance featuring Bell, who is traveling to spend the holiday season with her best friend, Tillie. As she arrives at her destination, she receives a text from Tillie informing her that her flight to Australia has been cancelled due to snow storm in Europe. Tillie assures her that her older brother, Kit, is expecting her and she can stay with Kit while she waits for Tillie. The last time Bell saw Kit was when she was a teenager; now Kit lives in a mansion with his 5-year-old daughter.

The attraction between Bell and Kit is instant and it grows when they find out that they have the same kinks. In the middle of the night, Kit's daughter is kidnapped. While Kit gathers his team to help with the rescue of his daughter; Bell comes up with her own plan to rescue Kit's daughter.

Overall, Slaying for Santa is a great story. The author did a fantastic job creating all the characters; the main characters had their own traumas that they are working through. I am hoping the author makes this a series featuring the characters we met in this story.

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

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just know with a Sarah JD read that is going to be filthy 🤭

Bell, is off to meet her best friend, Tillie for Christmas except she is stuck in a snow storm in Europe. The house Bell is supposed to be staying at is owned my Tillie’s older brother Kit, him and Bell have a long standing hate of each other or so they thought 🌶️ However, Kit’s daughter ends up in trouble and Bell being Bell throws herself in the deep end to save her. Obviously, there is more to this story, along with some deleting and more 🌶️ or 🌶️🌶️ 🥵

𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚. "𝙄
𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩."
"𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙠𝙚?"

I totally loved Bell’s quip ‘Slaying for Santa’ and it works so well into the storyline. Suffice to say this is a quick Christmas read that gets you hot in all the right places, with a dash of 🔪 and maybe a splash of🩸or two. Though…I kind of wanted Bell to enjoy all the ‘team’, and definitely need some more of Ghost 😋

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bell is Lana Myers in a different font, and I fear that I'm obsessed 🖤

[Brittany Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author and wow 😮. This book has things in it that I haven’t read in a book before but I loved it. The FMC Bell and MMC Ki had great chemistry together, the banter was great had me laughing. The kinks were definitely different but worked well with the story, it was a fast easy read it gave heartbreak, spice and packed with action. I’m excited to read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kayla Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Santa's never been so hot! I loved Bell. She was different and owned it.

Add this story to your Christmas wish list!!

[Reenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah JD, this is a very NAUGHTY book! Filthy! I loved it. And to have a great plot to it too. You have nailed it. I also lived the fact that its not too Christmas orientated. I love the touch, but it does not over power the plot. Its just a perfect touch. My first ever Sarah JD book was Sinning for Santa, and now I got to read Slauing for Santa as an ARC almost a year on.
If you want a dark romance, Christmas fix without feeling like you've just landed in Santa's village, this is definitely a book for you.

[Adrianna Scarzella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I need a shower for my mf brain omg. I thought it was going to be a bad ass dark Christmas romance to get me into the Christmas spirit but geez that was awful. I did not connect with the characters and overall it was WAY to much spice for me. Absolutely no romance between the two characters and them having sex was the main plot. I mean Kit daughter got kidnapped probably because they fucked for 5 chapters before he realized she was missing, like wtf?

[Tessa J Thorstenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a holiday read that’s anything but traditional, Slaying for Santa by Sarah J.D. delivers a sleigh-full of spice, sass, and depth. This short Christmas novel packs a punch with Bell and Kitson—two broken souls who find healing, heat, and at times, hilarity in each other.

🔥 What to Expect:

A sizzling age-gap romance between a broody, damaged man and his sister’s bold, whip-smart best friend

Banter so sharp it could cut through wrapping paper

A Santa suit that leads to more than just festive cheer

A kidnapping subplot that adds suspense and grit

Raw, honest portrayals of trauma and sobriety struggles

Enough spice to melt the North Pole

Bell and Kitson’s chemistry is explosive, but what makes this story stand out is how their shared pain creates a foundation for connection. Their pasts aren’t just backstory—they shape every interaction, every moment of vulnerability, and every fiery exchange. Sarah J.D. doesn’t shy away from the dark corners of their lives, and that emotional honesty makes the steamy scenes even more powerful.

This book will make you laugh, clutch your pearls, and maybe even fan yourself with a candy cane. It’s chaotic, cathartic, and completely unforgettable.

🎁 Final Thoughts: Slaying for Santa is not your grandma’s Christmas romance. It’s a spicy, emotionally charged novella that proves healing can come wrapped in unaliving, sarcasm, and a Santa suit.

[Ashley Nicole Calle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agh 4/5 ⭐️

This was my first time reading anything by this author, and wow consider me fully sold.

Dark, spicy, fast-paced, and way more fun than I expected. Bell and Kit’s chemistry was instant, sharp, and unhinged in the best way. Their banter actually made me laugh out loud, and the tension stayed deliciously high from start to finish.

This book packs a lot into a shorter read action, heat, emotional moments, and kink that felt different but worked perfectly with the story instead of overpowering it. Nothing felt random or thrown in just for shock value. It all had purpose, and it all hit.

I loved that it wasn’t just spice for the sake of spice, there was heart, stakes, and a surprising amount of depth woven into the chaos. It was fast, intense, and ridiculously easy to inhale in one sitting.

If you like dark holiday romance with bite, banter, and zero wasted pages, this one absolutely delivers. Safe to say this won’t be my last book by this author.

[Abby Culp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy moly. This book had some things in it that haven’t been part of anything I’ve read so far. I knew it was all there. The author does a good job of letting you know. The chemistry between Bell and Kit is off the charts. This is a quick read that does not wait to start the action. My heart broke for the little girl and the horrible person she had as a mother. I was a little confused about the ages of the main characters but I can look past that. At one point it mentions Kit being 30 and Bell is 10 years younger…but you’re meant to believe they have a longer past than Bell only being 20. But again, not a big deal for me. I can insert my own ages in there and still enjoy the read. The author has a way of making you feel like you’re there. This is not my first book by this author and will not be my last. It’s filthy, dirty, kinky, and so much more. Recommend this one.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book of Sarah JD and will be looking for another. This story has it all - teasing, drama, mystery, friendships and LOTS of hot! The book is well written - no "errors" like a ton of books. Great characters, great story - I loved Bell and Kit together and add in Libbi -over the top! I only gave 4 stars as this book is a little too dark for me (didn't think that was possible). Please read triggers first.

[Mrs Reads Between The Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately Sarah JD’s Slaying For Santa did not work for me. I didn’t feel connected with Bell or Kit, and the storyline failed to hook me; although… the smut and banter are incredible.

*Please read trigger and content warnings.*

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

[Brave · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was super interesting and I really enjoyed that. The spicy scenes weren't really for me though, and I almost DNF'd because of it so read those trigger warnings.

[TheCasualCrypt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slaying for Santa was an unexpected delight for me—dark, spicy, fast-paced, and emotionally charged in all the right ways. This one comes in hot right out of the gate, with intense spice, a surge of suspense, and a satisfying happy-for-now ending that fits the vibe perfectly.

I strongly recommend checking the trigger warnings beforehand; the intimate scenes are extremely intense/kinky, and themes of sobriety play a significant role throughout the story. I really appreciated how the FMC remained confident and self-aware in her scars and trauma. She leans into who she is instead of shrinking from it, which made her feel grounded and compelling.

That said, when it came time to showcase her full “badass” potential, I found myself wanting more action from her rather than watching her sobriety teeter in those pivotal moments. I also found some of the language used during the spicier scenes a bit cringe—just occasionally enough to pull me out—but overall, the heat delivers very well.

At its core, this one feels like a story about two people confronting feelings they’ve ignored for far too long, finally realizing they’ve found someone who can match their chaos and their desires without fear. I loved that dynamic.

My only real critique is that I wanted more of the FMC’s kills and competence on the page. When her big moment comes, she falters and the MMC steps in, which slightly undercut her otherwise strong characterization.

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It’s dark, intriguing, spicy, and absolutely worth picking up. Not perfect, but easily a solid 4.8 stars from me.

[Kate Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delicious christmas treat from one of my faves certainly had my spine tingling. These two were just perfect for each other.

For someone who doesn't appreciate the whole S/M dynamic for the most part, this one was just too delicious to pass up. Who knew I had a kink and had been spoiled away from it by others' not writing it as well as Sarah?

𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇**𝒌 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒘𝒉**𝒆, 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒓.

Every bit of this book was delicious. I'm not a fan of single dad, but HELLO. This had my ovaries clenching in the most beautiful way.

“𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.”

This was pure smut with an actual plot. Who knew?!
Brilliant writing. These characters were made for each other, and it made the reading experience all the better.

Rating: 5 ⭐
Spice: 4 🌶️

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy, best friends brother, Christmas, childhood trauma, what more can you ask for.

I could not put this book down. It was so well written, it had everything you could want. Even Santa 🧑‍🎄

[Mandy Brocklehurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bloody loved it. Dark dirty and depraved. It had it all. A fantastic plot with lots of smexy time. My heart was in my mouth at times and it couldn’t put it down. Kit and Bell were an inferno. So bloody good. Another brilliant read from Sarah. A must read if you like all the depraved things.

[Emily Doll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was more plot than I was expecting, and I was really happy to discover that. This book opens with an interesting and dramatic situation of a recovering addict going "home" to spend her Christmas with her best friend and her BFs older brother, whom she's always struggled with, and walks right into a highly traumatic situation at the home when he friend is stranded elsewhere not making it home, and ending up spending some one on one time with said friends older brother after his ex is carted away in handcuffs and he's left cleaning up the last crash out she's had in his home all in front of their 5 year old daughter. This leads to Bell helping comfort the little girl and ending up in a close proximity kitchen situation with Kit as they confront new emotions they've never experienced with one another after being enemies their entire lives, and ultimately ending up in his bedroom as our first play scene together. And boy, is it an intense play scene. This book doesn't mess around as these two navigate an intimate and aggressive free for all with one another, diving into personal pleasures that both struggle to find responding partners, and have found that the other seems to play right into their true desires. It leads to shocking revelations between them and newfound feelings they never anticipated considering their history with one another.

The spice in this book hits fast, hard, and dirty. It isn't sweet, and it's definitely messy. To say it's a... Fistful of fun would be right on track, lol. Our two mains have traumatic and painful pasts of abuse and parental pains that run deep. Together, they seem to quiet the demons and soften the scars, finding an oddly soothing balance in a pleasure dynamic both of them need to be satisfied. Because of this intense first interaction, I almost forgot there was an entire kidnap plot of Kit's daughter to unfold, and when they wake up the next morning after their intense session with one another, and find her missing, this plot takes a dramatic turn. One I was thankful to see.

Our story starts moving fast and aggressive when Kit calls in his old recon buddies, and they put their special skills to the test to try and desperately locate his little girl. All while Bell is trying to find her place amongst the panic and keeping a dark secret of her own that all the boys are missing... She's a serial killer of a special kind. When Bell decides to take it upon herself to hunt down Kit's attackers and dive straight into the den of serpents, she is faced with several issues she didn't anticipate that come on the heels of her messy execution that lands her in several bad spots during her rescue mission, but truly shows she is a female force to be reckoned with at all costs and will do whatever it takes to save the 5 year old little girl that belongs to the man she seems so deeply tied to suddenly.

Overall, this book was heavily entertaining. It didn't have a heavy Christmas vibe outside of some Santa roll playing and a black Christmas tree situation, but the Santa thing was well used. There were some moments that had me choke up, mostly in regards to Bells sobriety and a situation that happens when she's captured that just breaks your heart for her but it's mostly level toned throughout. Kit and Bells chemistry was fun, as well as their banter, although her dialog in regards to her own sexual preferences at times were a little cringy but stayed with her character identity overall. There was a scene at the end that I wasn't a fan of. It held some reason for happening to intensify the feeling of being chosen fully but also just seemed placed for the sake of extra spice that seemed awkward more than not. There is a lot of aggression in the spice at times but balanced well for our characters.

It was a fun read in the end. The action and suspense was my favorite part and although it started with heavy spice right away, I was happy that the majority of the book was more focused on the high emotion situation and the action of how that transpires more than nonstop spice, which I was worried would be our main plotline carry but was not. It was a good time.

[Nivetha Balakumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ “Cute, chaotic, and mildly irritating… like me on a bad hair day.”

Okay, so 'Slaying for Santa' was honestly giving “it’s fine, babes, relax” energy. Not horrible. Not amazing. Just sitting there like a polite guest at a family function who ate two samosas and dipped.

Stuff I actually liked:

The chemistry is cute in a “ugh fine, I ship it” way.

That scene where Kit drags her in by the nape and kisses her like she’s the last cookie on the plate? Yeah… that one had me giggling. Don’t look at me.

The pacing doesn’t drag. Thank god.

The festive chaos works. Christmas + romance + drama = serotonin injection.

So yes, fun. But now let me gently roast this book the way I roast people I love.

Where this book tripped on its own shoelaces:

1. Emotional scenes? Ma’am, where?

There’s this part where they’re supposed to talk about Actual Feelings™ and instead the book goes:

“Well, if you change your mind”… kiss… hair pull… vibes… fade to Christmas glow

HELLO????

Can we have a conversation BEFORE we start eating each other?

2. Some banter felt like filler episodes.

That “day three we are” scene?

Babes. Sweethearts.

It was cute for ONE page. Not three. I was sitting there like, “okay children, can we move on before Santa files a noise complaint?”

3. Characters are good… but feel half-seasoned.

Like Kit has his intense moments — the man grips her hair, pulls her close, says “I’ll never get enough of you” like he’s auditioning to be someone’s Roman Empire.

And then suddenly he’s bland for a few chapters. Sir, pick a personality and stick with it.

Bell? She’s sweet but also giving “girl, you need therapy and a nap” energy. I wanted more depth, more conflict, more spice in her personality instead of just… vibes.

4. Repetition had me rolling my eyes.

Every few pages:

“His warm smile washed over him.”

“He tugged her close.”

“He’ll never get enough of her.”

We KNOW, babe. You’ve told me 47 times. Even I don’t need this much reassurance.

5. Spice was cute but pacing was chaos.

Emotional moment → horny → emotional → horny again

All in the same paragraph.

Pick a lane, my loves. Indecision is not a personality trait.

Final verdict: This is the book you read when you want fluff, kissing, Christmas chaos, and zero brain activity.

Not a masterpiece, not a disaster — just a pleasantly chaotic December snack.

3 stars.

Cute enough to enjoy.

Cringey enough to make faces.

Chaotic enough to match my life.

If you want festive smooching with minimal emotional labor, go ahead.

If you want depth, arcs, or anything that makes you go “wow”… babes, look elsewhere.

A little more charater depth and surely it could reach higher.

I received an advanced reader copy and leaving this review willingly.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute filth, I L.O.V.E. it!!! ❤️‍🔥

what. in. the. actual. smut. 👀

This is sexiest, darkest Christmas book I read this season.
It will live rent-free in my mind for the rest of my life.

I salute the new queen of smut: Sarah J.D. 👑

My favorite quotes:

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!

Shit. He really is a filthy fucker. Who knew?

Always the one they want to fuck. Never the one they want to keep.

What it is about:
a dark Christmas romance where single dad Kit and Bell engage in BDSM encounters until his daughter’s kidnapping forces Bell to reveal her deadly secret

What I loved:
🎄the premise a dark enemies-to-lovers single dad age gap Christmas romance, a festive & filthy treat
🔥the content warnings IYKYK
♾️the combination of smut and darkness
🌍this book is the Rolodex of kinks and it took quite a few of my "first" 👀
🐈‍⬛her magical pussy, because booooooooooy - was he mesmerized from the start!
🦸how his team came together for the rescue mission
🤬his OTT jealousy during the sharing session they had with his best mate Wes
🔪how she goes above-and-beyond for his 5-year old daughter

What I struggled with:
N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
No, that's a lie... I wanted it not to end! 🔚
I want a epilogue! I want a epilogue to the epilogue!
Scratch that. I NEED it!!!

What you need to know:
📚part of the Festive & Filthy Treat series (first book)
🫂dual POV
🔪enemies-to-lovers
🤣hilarious banter
👶single dad alphahole x serial killer FMC
❄️she is a former addict, sober for 920 days
🪻he calls her Bell, Belladonna (which she hates 🤣), Bellicent
🐈‍⬛she calls him Kit, Kitson, Kitty, Kitty Kat
⛓️she is pierced
🎭OW drama (ex-wife)
❤️HEA

For the safety squad:
🌶️OTT spicy: spitting, nipple play, anal, double penetration, breath play, extreme deep throating, sexual sadism, sexual masochism, brutal fisting, somnophilia, biting, rough play, partner sharing (not why choose), erotic electrostimulation (mention of), piss play (mention of),...
🦺trigger warnings: child abuse (past), substance abuse & recovery, trafficking (not glorified), kidnapping, killing & graphic violence, suicide attempt (past), patricide (past), incest (mention of, not MCs), marital rape (past, not MCs)...

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for stories where the FMC can hold her own or outshine her male counterpart, and Bell certainly fits the bill. When she agrees to spend Christmas with her best friend, Tillie, she has no idea she’ll end up spending alone time with Tillie’s infuriating brother, Kit, after a blizzard traps Tillie at an airport halfway across the world. Bell and Kit have never played nice; their snark is legendary, and they know exactly how to get under each other’s skin. What really hooked me, though, was the book’s quiet reminder that being different isn’t just okay, it’s powerful. Bell embodies that truth in her unapologetic, say-it-how-it-is way. And the fun twist? Kit has finally learned to appreciate those differences… and maybe discovered a few quirks of his own. He’s definitely not your “vanilla” hero, and Bell is the perfect match for his particular brand of heat. Now, fair warning: if BDSM, especially the S/M side of things, isn’t your jam, a few scenes might make you wince or clutch your pearls and look away in horror. But everything between them is fully consensual, and their chemistry is hotter than hell. However, just when you think the story is all spice and bickering, things take a sharp turn with the kidnapping of Kit’s daughter, Libi. I loved that Bell was just as determined to bring Libi home as Kit, though charging in solo (even with her… let’s call it “specialized training”) seemed a tad questionable to me. And yes, I was a little bummed that she ultimately needed rescuing too, which totally undermined that badass image. Still, this is a fast-paced, spicy enemies-to-lovers romp with a kidnapping subplot and some wildly creative holiday-themed kink, including a Santa suit scene I will not be forgetting anytime soon.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ennamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually starts off pretty well. Right into the action which I don't mind if done well.


When I read certain words, I kind of got the ick.

Delulu? Really? In a book? We're using street language now?

And what's with the 'ahhh?' It was weird to read.


As much as I curse like a sailor myself, I can't see the word 'fucking' anymore.

It has lost all its meaning in this book because it's been mentioned so much.


Overall, I actually loved those book, aside from the few little flaws it has.


Bell is a hardcore FMC who is flawed and is not your typical damsel in distress. Which is actually great to read.

I love that she is a certain someone (without giving too much away) and still actually has a heart.

Het story would be fantastic for a prequel of this book, which I would eat up.


Kit is cursing like a sailor (so am I) which did got on my nerves, but he is actually very loveable!

He is the best dad to his little girl and will stop at nothing to make sure she's safe and lives the life she deserves.

There's nothing this little girl can't ask for that he won't get her.

He goes through great lengths for the people he loves.

Plus, of je really looks like a ginger Santa, I'm not mad about his looks either.


I love how they both work through their trauma. And how Bell went through great lengths to try and get Libi back. On her own... Without asking or waiting for help.

Too bad it cost her years of her life and she has to start all over again.


It was also refreshing that she wasn't violated in an intimate way, if you catch my meaning.


Overall, I would recommend this book, just read over the cringey stuff and you actually have yourself a good story.


Thank you BookSirens for this arc.

[Arely · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎶 Santa baby 🎶
This was everything the author promised and so much more. Calling it a “holiday read” feels almost disrespectful.. this is its own chaotic, twisted, deliciously dark category, and I was absolutely here for it.

Bell comes into town just trying to visit her best friend, only to get the call no one wants during a snowstorm: she’s stuck. Snowed in. Not arriving anytime soon. Which leaves Bell stranded in a house with her best friend’s older brother, Kit; the man she’s had a long, messy, snark-filled history with. They never got along, never missed an opportunity to talk smack, and never hid how much they claimed to dislike each other.

But being stuck together? Forced proximity with that kind of tension? It makes them both wonder if they actually read each other all wrong. And honestly.. watching that shift was so satisfying. The banter, the bite, the heat… immaculate.
And then the story takes a turn. When the unimaginable happens to Kit’s daughter, Bell doesn’t hesitate for even a second. She jumps into action like her heart is wired to protect, and that moment changed everything.. for the characters and for me as a reader.

It was raw, emotional, and showed exactly why Bell is impossible not to love despite (and because of) her chaos.
The humor, the unhinged banter, the very dark smut, the emotional gut punches—Sarah J.D. balanced it all flawlessly.

My heart broke when the nine hundred and twenty days dropped to zero, but watching Bell find unexpected connection and support from someone she once considered an enemy made this story unforgettable.

A wild, wicked, twisted holiday ride that I devoured in one sitting.

Absolutely loved it. 🎄🔥

arc provided and review is voluntarily my own

[Dani-Lynn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸🩸 - 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮

🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Kit & Bell

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
𝓼𝓮𝔁𝓾𝓪𝓵 𝓼𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓶
𝓫𝓻𝓾𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓯𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰
𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓲𝓪
𝓮𝔁𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓶𝓮 𝓭𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰
𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
This book is absolutely filled to the rim with all the Christmas smut you will ask Santa for. Packed in this less than 200 page book, you will devour yourself in a smutty storyline full of kidnappings, slicing action, and a good ole dose of fisting action. Kit and Bell are a romance made of trauma and are absolutely made for each other.

*spoilers*

Bell is in her way to spend Christmas with her best friend Tillie but upon arrival comes across police cars in front of the house as Tillie’s brother Kit is having a dispute with his ex about their daughter. Tillie insists that she stay until they can get there due to a blizzard, provide company for her brother. At the same time, the news is reporting about the Seduction Slayer who has been going around town like a serial killer.

Bell is a strong female lead who has a dark past that she survived from and she has built a wall to protect herself ever since. Not allowing herself to become close to anyone. But after finding out that they match each other’s kinks, they have a night of some of the most grotesque and smutty scenes in which they devour each other with the most obscene intentions. Their spice matched each other perfectly as they both had a darker side of them they liked to unleash in the sheets.

The next morning, Kit is making breakfast and goes to wake up his daughter when they find out that she’s not in her bedroom. After checking security cameras, they discover hooded figures that came in and kidnapped her, having a connection to his ex wife. Now I won’t go into full details the extent of what’s to come because there’s a tie-in to the local Slayer and a whole lot of blood to shed. I loved how the ending took place as it did end with a HEA without a cliffy. Absolutely filthy with the amount of smut in this book… perfect for readers like myself that prefer the need for a shower after reading.

Absolutely check all the TWs before proceeding with this one. The level of smut is particularly high especially with them matching each other’s freaky kinks. Smut for the holidays comes in full effect with this Christmas themed novella you will not want to miss.

[Melanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slaying for Santa

In highschool, Bell was the freaky goth girl once voted as "Most likely to become a serial killer", but highschool was long gone. These days, she was somewhat more evolved; no more 'likely' about it. And she was back home with plans to spend Christmas with her best friend Tillie and her neice Abbi. Oh... and Kit; Tillie's obnoxious, argumentative big brother and the last person Bell's wants to spend Christmas with.

So when Tillie gets snowed in on the otherside of the world, Bell is left helping Kit to clean up drama caused by his ex wife, finding herself seeing Kitson Hall, a whole new way. A decidedly filthy, depraved kind of way.

Like Bell however, Kit has his enemies and his secrets, some that are more aligned with Bell's usual line of work, so when a predator sneak into Kits home that night, both Kit & Bell are out for blood.

You might think that sounds like too much plot.... it's not. But it IS a general review safe summary, of this dark & spicy delight that explores some of the darker corners of romance, in a space where pain and pleasure dance on as delicate a fine line, as love & hate.

Kit & Bell make for a sexy practically enemies to lovers story with a deserved HEA. There are elements of trauma content and trauma bonding among this story and breif recounts of past traumatic events, but it is also wrapped up in a supportive, found family kind of environment, where the future has definite hope.

5☆ Plot
🌶🌶🌶🌶
🩸🔪💉
Mature content
Wicked Aussie Author with sassy characters

Definitely read the content warnings, your mental health matters.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slaying for Santa by Sarah J.D. is the kind of spicy holiday romance that sneaks up on you — one minute you’re laughing at the snark and holiday chaos, and the next, you’re fanning yourself because, well… let’s just say this Santa definitely made the naughty list. 🎄🔥

This book is pure, peppermint-scented fun wrapped around a story with surprising depth. It’s got humor, heat, and heart in equal measure — with a heroine who’s smart, bold, and doesn’t take any nonsense, and a leading man who turns “holiday spirit” into something delightfully sinful. Their chemistry absolutely crackles, and every banter-filled exchange feels like foreplay wrapped in Christmas lights.

Sarah J.D. balances the spice with story beautifully. It’s not just about the heat (though the 🌶 scenes are very, very merry); it’s also about connection, trust, and finding a little bit of light — and love — in the chaos of the season. There’s a playful wink in the writing, but also a warmth that keeps it from tipping into pure parody.

My only small critique is that a few emotional beats fly by faster than I wanted — I could have used just a little more time to feel those moments between the fun and the fire. Still, it doesn’t take away from how wildly entertaining and downright addictive this read is.

Slaying for Santa is for readers who want their holiday stories a little naughty, a little nice, and completely unforgettable. It’s the perfect blend of festive mischief, found-family vibes, and sizzling romance — a cup of hot cocoa spiked with pure desire.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bell is spending Christmas with her best friend’s brother, a single dad she has butted heads with for years. Having grown up under unimaginable circumstances, she has had to build shields to protect herself from others, including some less than healthy s*xual habits, as well as a passion for unaliving serial offenders. When she arrives at her friend’s brother’s home, expecting to meet her friend, she finds out that her friend is going to be delayed a few days, meaning it will just be her, Kitty Kat, and his daughter in the home.

Kitson has forced himself to push down his attraction for Bell for years, but now that she is there, and willing, he can’t resist, especially when he realizes how perfectly compatible they are. After spending a night succumbing to unimaginable passion, he tries to convince her to pursue a relationship moving forward, when they realize that his daughter is missing. Bringing in his team to help track down the men who took her, they formulate a plan to go in and get his daughter, only to realize Bell has left on her own.

I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens and really enjoyed it. It was unhinged in the best possible way, and I loved how Bell made absolutely no apologies for her proclivities or behaviour. When we Kit and Bell realize exactly how perfectly matched they are, their collision is inevitable, and having her willing to sacrifice everything to save his daughter made them end game. Add a little santa k!nk into the mix and you’ve got yourself a delightfully dark holiday read.

[Ria Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas ... but not as you know it

Oh, Lordy, Lordy, Sarah JD you are one fithy minded woman! SLAYING FOR SANTA was one steamy, kinky, dar, Christmas story ... and I loved every single word. Talk about needing a fan to cool me down! Damn woman!

Bell Bishop and Kitson "Kit" Hall aren't exactly friends, but neither are they enemies. When Bell arrives at Kit's home for Christmas she's expecting to see Tillie, her best friend and his sister, but Tillie has been stranded in Germany due to weather. So it's Christmas alone with Kit and his daughter Libi ... this will be interesting.

Even though there is a ten year age gap between them, and a love/hate relationship, Bell and Kit are drawn to each other and their chemistry is off the charts insane. Their banter is witty, sarcastic, and full of bite, and I couldn't get enough. Their heat is deliciously kinky ... Sarah certainly knows how to get the blood flowing and the temperature rising. Bell and Kit are a volcano erupting. The Santa suit (IFYKY) yes please!

This story is so much more than just a steamy connection. It is raw and honest, compassionate, has struggles with sobriety, and show people's vulnrabilities. The plot is interwoven with danger and suspense, there's definitely some slaying, and some unforgettable moments. This is not your ordinary Christmas story ... and one you won't want to put down.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS

[Kaylee’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I loved the dark romance twist added to this Christmas novella. I also loved that this is an age gap, single dad and brothers best friend romance. I also really enjoyed the fact that our FMC Bell is a serial killer that hunts predators.

Bell has a lot of trauma that runs deep. She experienced a number of traumatic events as a child including the fact that she took her own father’s life. She has both the physical and mental battle scars as a result and hunts those that inflict the same pain and fear on other women and children. She is a proper badass that doesn’t really show emotion but as we progress further in this book that starts to change. I loved the dynamic between her and Kit, the fact that she acts like a brat with him and also the fact that their sexual fantasies match each other.

Kit is definitely a very protective person by nature due to his own trauma however his daughter is the one person in the world he would burn the world for. He has former military training however he is now a hitman with his own team. He has a bit of a Santa kink as well which I found funny. He is incredibly dominant and this dynamic worked so well through the story.

These two had amazing chemistry, the spicy time between them was definitely hot but above all else they both care for his daughter and will match each others crazy to protect her. I had such a fun time with this one and binge read it in one sitting.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to get an ARC for Slaying for Santa by Sarah JD. This is a new author for me, but I love a good Christmasy dark romance. And this novella was everything I could have wanted.

I absolutely loved the chemistry of the two main characters. For a novella that’s only about 200 pages, they were reasonably well developed and nuanced, and they played so well together. Their relationship and banter were just incredible. There is a single parent trope here, which isn’t my favorite, but these characters were worth it.

The writing as whole was thoroughly enjoyable. There were a couple of moments where some of the phrasing didn’t seem quite authentic to me, but I think that may just be personal preference or maybe even because the author is Australian. I still found myself highlighting multiple quotes throughout. The story was written with this frank, fun, dark humor vibe that was just perfect for me.
This is absolutely an adult story. There is explicit content. I gave this 4 🌶️, and every bit of that spice was unhinged and delectable. There is a laundry list of kinks and trigger that should absolutely be checked before reading, but they all worked for me.

I gave this 4.25 stars. I enjoyed every moment of this read. I would absolutely recommend this to others. I just might have to add to my list of holiday stories to make an annual tradition.