Grumpy Billionaire Santa

by Aria McDow

One orgasmic night. One colossal mistake. Now I’m wearing the ring of my damaged billionaire boss.

I was supposed to be invisible—just a movie set gopher with a headset and clipboard.

Asher Callahan is Hollywood royalty. Cold. Commanding. Still haunted by his late wife. A single dad who terrifies everyone on set… except his twelve-year-old daughter.

The first time I calm her panic attack, he sees me. The second time, he kisses me. The third time, I wake up alone in his bed—with his walls back up.

When scandal threatens his career, he hands me a ring and a “Be my fiancée.”

Now I’m living in his mansion, pretending to be the woman who tamed him—and falling hard for the man who touches me like I’m his salvation.

But Asher’s hiding a secret that could destroy his entire family. And when it explodes in the worst possible way, I’ll have to decide if love is worth the wreckage.

One fake engagement. One devastating heartbreak. And a Christmas that changes everything.

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*Readers, don’t let the title fool you—this isn’t holiday fluff. It’s an angst-laced, emotionally charged ride you’ll want to binge year-round. Get your copy now, and fall in love Hollywood-style!*
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Bonus Treat for Romance Lovers! Want to linger a little longer in Asher Callahan’s world? Grab the companion adult coloring book—Grumpy Billionaire Color the Season of the Magic of Love—available now as a separate purchase. It’s filled with scene-inspired illustrations, swoony quotes, and holiday spice—because sometimes you need to color your way out of the angst, around the heartbreak, and straight into the magic.

Genres: Holiday, Billionaires

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

About the author

Aria McDow is an author bringing contemporary romances to readers who love stories featuring hot as all get-out men who have just that right mix of power, charisma, and hidden vulnerability, and sassy, smart women who turn their worlds upside down. Aria is an angst junkie who believes in true love. Whether a billionaire, professor, or grumpy boss, every book is guaranteed a happy ending and readers will enjoy a rich, bumpy ride to get there. Aria lives in Virginia and started her own love affair with romance books when she read them clandestinely in middle school.

She enjoys travel, drawing and hanging upside from rollercoasters. The best part of life is being retired from the military and having time to create as well as enjoy her family, especially her new grandbaby.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent fake engagement, single dad x nanny, grumpy x sunshine Christmas romance — full of warmth, humour, and holiday charm!

Thank you to BookSirens and Aria McDow for the ARC — my thoughts are completely honest and my own.

I adored the characters, loved the mix of heartfelt family moments and laugh-out-loud banter, and thought the chemistry was spot-on. It’s my first festive romance of the year, and it couldn’t have been a better start!

I’ll definitely be reading more by Aria McDow — this was such a sweet, feel-good story that left me smiling long after I finished.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivian knows her live needs more in it, but working at the legal office has been her lifeline. Ok she's not important she just brings and fetches but it's a job. When she's asked by her best friend to fill in for her on the film set, she immediately says yes. Asher knows this film is bleeding money. But finally his daughter has a part, and he knows how important it is to her. They're both still grieving the loss of his wife her mom. But trying hard to keep moving forward. He's shocked when he sees his daughter freeze in rehearsals, and who's the woman talking to her. He can't believe how she's calming his daughter, that should be him not a stranger. Yet he sees the moment his daughter calms and just like that is in the zone, nailing her lines. Both main characters are dealing with their past. But there's something there, but neither want to admit it. This is a great festive, heartwarming story. But will it end with a festive hea.

[Kaylee · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has good bones of a story. But I felt like there was so many different story lines going on it was hard to keep up. A lot of the plots, in my opinion, weren't necessarily resolved. They were just glossed over majorly so we could start the next plot point. I got whiplash with how much was going on within the story. it felt as though the author was almost trope hungry. the book was also feeling like the author had to meet a certain number for word count. so a lot of what happened in certain chapters didnt feel like it pertained to the story or if it did it was repetitive. I thought some chapters should've have happened before other chapters.

All in all did I think it was a good book? it had potential. But the down fall was jumping around to so many different plots and were ultimately glossed over or unresolved.

Would I read the book again? no.

Would I read the 2nd book in the series after reading this? No.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Billionaire Santa is an entertaining holiday romance that brings together executive producer Asher Callahan and Vivian Marley who is only on his A Winter Wish movie set helping a friend out as a replacement gopher.

Brought together by chance and circumstance those vagaries will soon lead them into a fake engagement, drama, family dynamics, personal vulnerabilities, secrets, passion, and emotion in a nicely written narrative supported by characters who bring the reader into their world.

I enjoyed the story which was an engaging contemporary romance, and captivating read. HEA

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

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes when you are reading what you think is a light and fluffy romance novel, you come across something unexpected. This is that book. Asher and Vivian’s story is complicated. It’s about love, yes. It’s about a little piece of Hollywood. It’s also about grief. And distance. But most of all, it’s about forgiveness and choosing to love, every day. I’m really impressed with this book and I think it’s a good read.

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

[Rick Molitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the same old grumpy billionaire, single dad, Nanny, Opposites attract romance. The story is better. Both Asher and Vivian have trust issues. They are both suffering from things in their pasts. There is a lot of angst. It is two people that are trying to figure out how to help and protect each other without being overprotective. Sable, the daughter, steals the show. Be ready to stay up late reading.

[Steph Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Aria McDow throws you straight into the thick of it from page one! Grumpy single-dad director meets the "I know my mind" FMC on the set of a Christmas movie, and the sparks fly immediately.

The author builds a foundation for their romance by exploring their personal traumas—the MMC's recent widowhood and the FMC's experience raising her siblings after a tragedy. Their journey to balance grief, moving on, and new challenges is the heart of the story. I particularly loved the dual POV, which offered rich emotional access to both characters. The plot moves well, providing just the right amount of angst and tension.

My main note is that the story felt a little rushed—it’s a quick read that could have benefited from a slightly longer length to more fully explore certain points, especially the resolution of the final conflict, which felt a bit too neat.

Content Warnings include themes of grief (loss of a spouse), cheating (not the MMCs), fake engagement, and harassment.

Verdict: 3.5⭐ . Definitely worth a read for a sweet HEA!

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

[Perrin Larton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh...I picked this book up thinking it would be a typical billionaire book. Nanny/housekeeper/secretary hooking up with the billionaire, cute ending, yadda, yadda. Not even close!

This book explores the sad pasts of both movie director Asher and law clerk/secretary Vivian. So much emotion for both of them. Misunderstandings, jealousy, you name it. Then there is Asher's daughter, Sable...I love her.

A wonderful read and such a great and different story.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about grief, healing, romance, and distance. Vivian and Asher face these challenges, all unfolding around Hollywood. Their journey is emotional and involves choices and the pursuit of healing.






I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Aria McDow! Bring together two grumpy, or I’d say jaded, people and you just never know what you’ll get! Luckily for us readers, we get two complex characters and one hot read! There is so much to this story, but everything is handled so well and it didn’t feel overwhelming.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Juhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Billionaire Santa by Aria McDow is the second book of the Grumpy Santas series. Vivian and Asher's story is another great book from Aria McDow! I really enjoyed the story and felt it unfolded at a great pace. It was such a wonderful read.

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

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Blog

Asher and Vivian meet on set when she is hired to help with his daughter. Right from the start their attraction is instantly heated. Unfortunately, jealousy causes some complications. This story was emotional as well as intriguing. I could not get enough of this book.

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

[Sharon Dubuque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Asher is a billionaire from a te h company, but turned film producer. He was married and has a child. At the set he meets a very forward woman with big green eyes who puts him in his place. He is mesmerized. He hires her to help with his daughter for she is on set for the first time and need help with her lines. This is a great story…

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivian didn't know that filling in for her friend on a movie set would change her life . Being a single dad to a teenager is hard when they push you away but maybe Vivian can help them both fix what's been broken and also fill the void in her as well. So emotionally good.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pearl Trumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Billionaire Santa : A Fake Engagement

An exciting twist to a Santa story. Adventures with lots of twists and turns with strong emotions building between all the characters makes it so easy to imagine under all the circumstances.
Absolutely a story to get lost in with a cup of tea or a glass of wine

[Tami Schafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable

I enjoy The story. I did get a little confused here and there on timeline, it Felt inconsistent at times and made me second-guess there are a couple of other times where it said one thing and then it ended at something else so that was a little confusing as well but overall I really did enjoy the story

[JACQUELINE CURTIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprises galore!!!

This has a lot of surprises as it goes along. The runner that gets a different job the end of her first day and just goes on from there. You have to read and enjoy.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a roller coaster ride! The ups and downs of emotions will have your head spinning. Still not sure why this book was so long, but it is worth reading. Could have used some better editing though. That’s the only reason it wasn’t five stars for me.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this grumpy single dad romance. Really liked Vivian's character and how strong she was. Had some predictable parts but there was something I didn't see coming.

[Spice Chaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 Stars) Asher + Vivian

It was a nice and quick story to read. I got confused with some of the time spaces but completed the book.

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallmark worthy

I love the energy and love in this book. If you are looking for a loving fuzzy feeling while falling in love with the cast, look no further. This book is for you.

[Tammy]

DNG - This story just did not grab me for some reason. Did not feel connected to the characters or how the story evolved. Just not for me do did not finish

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALERT!! This romance book is going to have you telling ALL of your friends that they need Asher and Vivian in their kindle right this very minute. So, if you LOVE HOT romance that has your toes curling then Aria has the most amazing read waiting here for you.