Slay Bells

by J.N. Bamforth

This might be my bloodiest Christmas yet.

There’s a new Santa in town. With a slash of my axe and a stab of my knife, I’ll make all your Christmas nightmares come true.

Genres: Christmas, Dark Romance, Erotic Horror, Spicy

69 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2025

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I understand that there is a large audience for films like Terrifier, but, unfortunately, I'm not part of it. No judgement, but it's just not my style. And, even referencing the aforementioned title, this was basically a very similar idea to the one that was focused around Christmas. Part 3, I think? Not with Art the clown running around, but just replaced with someone else, The Angelmaker. I loved the moniker and his unique calling card, of sorts, but the story just coasted on the initial premise, never really having much beyond it. I thought the writing style was fantastic and, again, the concept was sound, but any semblance of a story felt like it was written around these very gory, splatterpunky killing scenes. Not much context or anything substantial. Just rushing from one victim to the next. And, again, I get the demand for such ideas, and fans of such will soak this up. But, for me, this needed to develop all of the very promising plot points to make it a better experience.

[Emilee Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deranged. Unhinged. Smutty. Gore. But make it festive! I read this in one sitting and I swear to you JN Bamforth keeps dropping these books and I keep gobbling them up all the while questioning my morals.

The spice is scorching and absolutely off the rails. But seriously Cole busted into a random house like “is somebody gonna match my freak?” and Nina was there willing and waiting. Seriously twisted, hilarious, and festively feral…The inner monologue of Cole was absolute perfection! Nina is a feisty little thing with total take charge energy. Together? Absolute chaotic perfection.

If you want deep plot, this ain’t it.
If you want dark, fast, smutty holiday gore? Welcome home, you little Christmas freak.

🌟OVERALL - HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I had a damn good time!

**HUGE THANK YOU to JN Bamforth for providing me with an ARC for an honest review**

[Анастасія ꒰⁠⑅⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠꒱⁠˖⁠♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

В принципі, пара ідеально підійшла.

[Mimi | M.K. Meadows Dark Romance Author🥀🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of J.N. Banforth’s books/novellas I can happily cross off of my TBR! The wait to read this was worth it, and I’m so happy to receive an ARC read for Slay Bells.
I now know what you’re talking about the MMC is named “The Angelmaker” and the use of Christmas ornaments. I get it now, but overall I couldn’t put this novella down and I loved reading it. If I could give this rating more than 5 stars, I would, because this was an amazing read and it was worth the wait to read an ARC of this.
Amazing job writing this novella, J.N.!!! I’m so exited to read more of your books/novellas🫶🏼

-Mimi

[Elorafae · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Cole! Are you kidding me!? I’m obsessed with him 😍 unhinged, twisted, fucked in the best way 😏, hilarious and deliciously dark 🤤

But then we have Nina… little fire cracker 👀 I see you girl! You take back what is yours and kick ass!!

They are literally the perfect pair in EVERY way 😍 and I won’t lie, if Angelmaker comes to my door 👀 then I’ll be a good lil angel for him too 🥵

If you want plot on top of plot with a sprinkle of smut, this ain’t for you… BUT if you are a smutty lil minx like myself… then this fast paced, dark and smutty Christmas novella is definitely for you!! It’s funny, twisted, festive and spicy, what more could you actually want? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Neusitas · Rating 3 out of 5]

6 / 10 ⭐️
Relato corto / Navidad / Slasher / Erótica / Dark Eomance / Pitch Black

Un asesino en serie acba en casa de una chica mientras su novia la está violando…

Relato muy cortito, muy spicy.
Es muy gore, empieza con el asesinato de una pareja mayor (con pelos y señales).
Revisad las advertencias antes de leerlo, entre otras lindeces hay necrofilia.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slay Bells by J.N. Bamforth?? Dark. Erotic. Horrifying. And somehow exactly what my little chaotic holiday heart needed. I opened it thinking “one chapter before I have to leave,” and suddenly I was 80% in, staring at my Kindle like… oh we’re REALLY doing this???

This novella grabs you by the throat, whispers “Merry Christmas” in a way that should absolutely not be hot, and then drags you through creepy, filthy, tense, feral chaos.

The vibes are unhinged. The spice is sinister. The tension is that perfect “girl no… but also girl YES” energy. It’s addictive in the way only dark erotic horror can be. It hooks you from page 1, that’s it—you’re mentally unwell in a festive way until the last page.

If you want a Christmas read that’s twisted, sexy, bloody, and straight-up deranged, this is the one. I devoured it. Zero crumbs. Honestly? I would go back for seconds.

Dark romance girlies, horror girlies, chaos girlies: your holiday treat has arrived, and as always check your TWs.🎄🪓😏

[Courts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about as far from a cozy Christmas read as you can get. No mulled wine, no mistletoe, no cozy warm fire, just graphic chaos with a festive setting soaked in something far less delightful. It is brutal, twisted and absolutely not for the faint-hearted.

At the centre of it all is Cole, a butcher with a smile as sharp as his blades and a presence that feels genuinely dangerous. He is unhinged and completely unpredictable. What makes it worse or better is that Nina our other lead does not shy away from it. She counters his madness with her own dark edge and the result is a dynamic that is intense and strangely addictive that you can’t look away.

What really stands out is the pacing. There is no soft introduction or gradual descent. You are dropped straight into the chaos from the first page. The story moves fast. The violence is detailed and graphic requiring a strong stomach but nothing about the detail felt pointless, the right amount was used.

Even at just 48 pages, it manages to leave an impact. The plot itself is fairly stripped back but the atmosphere, tension and energy carry it through. If anything, it left me frustrated only because I wanted more, I needed more background on Cole and how he became the Angel Maker. Hopefully we get a novella for the novella.

This is pitch black erotic horror, disturbing, bold and completely unafraid to cross lines. If you enjoyed Crawl Space or have a soft spot for that chaotic, unsettling horror energy like Art the Clown, you will probably get a kick out of this.

Definitely check the trigger warnings before going in…and honestly, that cover is brilliant.

[Beesbooks02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
🎶 Slay bells ring, are you listening 🎶

A dark, erotic christmas story that's gory and slightly horrific that you dont realise you’ve become hooked until you finish the book: Slay bells by J.N Bamforth is definitely that book. Slay Bells is the perfect book for the dark romance girlys who like something a little more sinister to go with their christmas.

"Nothing infuriates me more than suffering in the sweltering summer heat, those people that enjoy it are weird. Like, why would I wanna’ bake like a rotisserie chicken when I could sit here with a cosy blanket, a disgusting horror and plenty of snacks to feed a small village."

If you want a short christmas read to help you reach your reading goal, where the spice is unhinged, and the plot is definitely twisted and you want a little bit of chaos to boost your holiday spirit go and read Slay Bells.

⚠️please do check Trigger warnings⚠️

[MorallyDarkReadz · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Okay this little Christmas fever dream had me feral. I picked it up thinking I’d read a few pages and suddenly I’m sitting there like… oh so we’re doing this for the holidays. Slay Bells is dark, filthy, chaotic Christmas energy and I ate it up.

This novella grabs you instantly. It’s creepy and unhinged and somehow wildly addictive. The spice? Absolutely unholy. The tension is crazy. That girl no but girl YES energy had me kicking my feet. I devoured the whole thing like I had no self control.

The whole vibe is twisted and festive in the most chaotic way. Bloody, sexy, bizarre and so entertaining. I didn’t want it to end. Dark romance girlies and horror girlies this is your holiday treat. Merry Christmas and may your peppermint mocha be as unhinged as this story.

I would absolutely reread. Honestly I might need seconds.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark erotic horror for all my fellow sick and twisted girlies out there that you will absolutely DEVOUR!!

Terrifier meets Hannibal, all packed into a wonderful little novella by J.N Bamforth.
If you're on the hunt for a new masked psychopath to fall in love with, then look no further, because this book will have your jaw on the floor all while kicking your feet.

This story was sick and twisted, and I absolutely loved it!! It has everything my fellow dark readers could enjoy and I not only wanted more, but I NEEDED MORE!
If you're looking for a festive all smut, little plot with a masked man who will do anything to please you, read this right now!

Another day, another psychopath that has me seeing green instead of red!

4.5*/5 - rounded up!!
4/5 smut rating - *chefs kiss*
4/5 gore rating - we love a creative sexy slasher

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ ARC review ~
I was excited to read this one after how much i loved Crawl Space and it delivered. It’s a short pitch black story, involving a serial killer “the Angel Maker”.

You definitely need a good stomach for it, because it can be quite detailed / gory.

The storyline was good, fun even and the spice was very interesting (in a good way). Who knew christmas ornaments could be so useful?!

I was this wasn’t just a novella, because i am desperately craving the backstory of what turned him into the Angel Maker and i would’ve loved to see more of what kinda person Nina is.

Overall great novella!

[Marley Ghostfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It’s always the same with these people, every single f*ck*ng year. Please don’t hurt us. We’re innocent. Is that my kidney?"



What a ride. this short story is gory, spicy, festive, messy and fun (for those with a dark sense of humour that is...) It gave me a good giggle a few times. This novella is PERFECT for those of us who enjoy horror movies.

I HOPE there will be a second story about The MMC and FMC. I need to know what's next for them. That could be so fun!

[Misheru MOON · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC READ*

This was such a fun little novella.

It almost felt like Terrifier 3 but with good smut and a devilishly handsome serial killer.

Nina is such a mood and her view on summer is relatable.

‘Nothing infuriates me more than suffering in the sweltering summer, those people that enjoy it are weird. Like, why would I wanna’ bake like a rotisserie chicken when I could sit here with a cosy blanket, a disgusting horror and plenty of snacks to feed a small village.’

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this novella was great!! I absolutely love an unhinged filthy novella and this did not disappoint!

This was gory and unhinged in the best of ways, definitely not for the squeamish! The Terrifer vibes were immaculate🫶🏼

Super fast-paced chaotic Christmas novella, with moments that made me proper chuckle!

‘Well, put a candy cane in my ass and call me Santa.’ 🤭😂

Both characters were unhinged and twisted and I absolutely loved every second of it! Nina was also so relatable even if she was a lil messed up?🤭

Thank you so so much to J.N. Bamforth for the ARC🤍

!!Check your trigger warnings for this one!!

[Christina meza · Rating 5 out of 5]

It sounds like you truly loved "Slay Bells" by J.N. Bamforth! The mix of horror and Christmas themes creates a captivating atmosphere, particularly during the holidays. Short novels tend to deliver an impactful experience, and it seems this one nailed the balance of tension and spice perfectly. Definitely a five-star read! Make sure to check it out tomorrow; it's a fantastic choice for the Christmas season!

[Codii Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC READ

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was short but SO GOOD!! I wish it was so much longer but omg it was so fun to read!

The spice was so good and the story line was amazing, short but so good and detailed.
10/10 recommend

[Carly Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is a quick read but don’t let that fool you. I laughed and blushed. It’s dark erotic horror. Check the triggers. I want more of their story!!!! Even though I want more it was a sound novella, absolutely ate it up. That cover toooooo!!!!! Just loved it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a spicy little Novella. If you’re in the mood for some brutal & hot as hell spice, this one is for you. Perfect little palette cleanser.

This is a very spicy Christmasy delight. CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!

If you’re a fan of Art the clown, you will love this story.

[Nicki Thoirs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that escalated quickly! Unhinged, but I could not stop reading!

[Natasha Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly it's out there, but I think i enjoy the shock factor of this story. I'm glad it was so short, I don't think I could have handled 200 pages.

[Laura Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

At 48 pages, this novella is really short but boy does it pack a punch and leave an impact!
Once I started reading I did not want to stop!
With this being so short there’s less plot and more action/gore/spice.
If you’re quite partial to a masked serial killer and are looking for a quick spicy read with a lot of blood and gore thrown into the mix, then you should read this.

The MMC Cole is a serial killer who likes to strike during the festive period.
I really loved how unhinged he was. But also he was a real funny fucker and he had this cockiness about him which made me actually like him more. Cole is deranged but oh so funny with it too and in my opinion that just makes him hotter!
The FMC Nina is in a dead-end relationship and finds herself bored and lacking. Lucky for her, Cole has decided to choose her house as his next crime scene!
Nina was feisty and foul mouthed and I really liked that she had some fight in her.

I actually really enjoy the premise of this and I would happily read a full length book including both main characters.
That was the only downside for me with this (if you can call it that)… it did leave me wanting so much more!
I reckon Nina and Cole could have a pretty wicked story!

[Love.bites.xoxo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slay Bells is a sharp, sinister little Christmas horror novella that follows Nina, a woman barely holding herself together for the holidays, as she crosses paths with a man whose dark magnetic pull threatens to unravel everything she thinks she knows about herself. What begins as a struggle to simply get through the season becomes a twisted, intoxicating descent into obsession, violence, and forbidden temptation.

Fast, bloody, and wickedly fun, this story blends holiday cheer with razor edged tension, making it the perfect read for anyone who loves their festive season served with menace, heat, and a whole lot of havoc.

[Cane (FeelinNoCane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for something short, Spicy, and packed with gore? Welp this is for you, this was a fun and just what the doctor ordered. Definitely add to TBR.

Maybe we can convince the Author to give us a full book 😝.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

very quick filthy read. pitch black, erotic horror.
no matter how disgusting the stuff she writes is, there's always great banter and heavy spice.
love it.
thanks for the arc

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is truly holiday insanity in the most delightful, deranged way. It’s vicious, chaotic, gleefully messed up, and absolutely not meant for anyone with a weak stomach — but if you crave pitch-black erotic horror with characters who have zero moral compass, this one hits every unhinged note.

Cole, our festive-season butcher with charm as sharp as his knives, is an absolute menace in the most captivating way. He’s feral, magnetic, and completely untethered — and Nina meets his madness with a dark spark that makes their connection feel dangerously addictive. Their chemistry isn’t just hot… it’s wild, unrestrained, and wicked.

The pacing ? Instant chaos. No warm-up, no easing in — just a plunge straight into carnage and unholy tension. The gore is unapologetically vivid, the energy is electric, and the dynamic between them is so wrong it loops back around to being irresistible.

It’s grisly, twisted, and impossible to step away from.

Definitely not your cozy holiday romance, but absolutely the perfect ride if your seasonal reads involve bloodshed, feral desire, and characters who treat morality like a suggestion.

Instead of easing me in, this book steamrolled me — one minute I was casually starting it, and the next I was completely consumed, blinking at the pages like I’d been dragged into a festive fever dream I had zero intention of escaping. It’s hypnotic, chaotic, and the kind of story that hijacks your brain without warning.

This story takes hold instantly, murmurs a disturbingly cheerful holiday greeting in a tone that should not be attractive, and then pulls you headfirst into dark, filthy, pulse-spiking mayhem. The atmosphere is unhinged, the heat is sinister, and the tension sits exactly between “girl stop” and “girl keep going.”

At only 48 pages, it doesn’t waste a second. Minimal plot, maximum carnage, relentless spice.

If masked killers are your toxic little comfort trope, and you want a fast, filthy read drenched in blood, desire, and derangement, this is the one. Cole is a holiday nightmare with a wicked sense of humor and the kind of arrogance that somehow makes him even hotter. Nina, stuck in a dead-end life, brings attitude, grit, and a mouth on her that makes their dynamic even better.

Dark romance babes, horror addicts, chaos lovers — your festive treat has arrived.
(And yes… check the trigger warnings.)

[Sasha📚❤️‍🔥☠️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well ho, ho, ho is this one for my dark romance readers.. if you’re looking for something for the festive season that’s a short dark novella, then this is for you🎅🏼

Have you been naughty or nice? Doesn’t matter the Angelmaker is coming for you😈

Considering this is only a short novella, there’s a 2 page TW list which if that doesn’t tell you already there is plenty of🌶️ I know I don’t need to tell you, but please check these before reading as this is a very dark story!

So a quick brief and a setting of the scene..there’s a known serial killer that comes out on Christmas Eve and makes one ☠️ a year, this year though he mixes it up and fancies two, and this is where our Angelmaker meets Nina. If you like a masked man, then you’re in for a treat..I’ll give you a guess on what one it is 👀

Nina has a darkness to her that she’s kept hidden but the Angelmaker seeks out her darkness and is lured to her and gives her a Christmas she will never forget but, will the Angelmaker be Nina’s undoing? Get your copy to find out🩸🪓

I throughly enjoyed this J.N Bamforth has such great writing, and to be able to show this in a novella is creative brilliance! I sometimes struggle reading these because I need more depth to a story, but not with Slay Bells, it gave enough context for me to enjoy a little festive spice, and it certainly spread some joy😉 The only thing I’m gutted about is that it wasn’t longer and I would love there to be another book to continue the story🖤

[Casanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spiciness: 🌶🌶🌶
Darkness: 🔪🔪🔪

✏️ Genre: Erotic Horror
📁 Tropes and Kinks: Dub-Con, Choking, Anal, Praise Kink, Blood Play
🚩 Triggers: Body Mutilation, Sensory Issues (not a trigger but no where else to put), Improper Use of a Turkey Knife, Serial Killer, Gore

First of all before I start my review I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review the book for free, by allowing me to have an ARC of it. That being said all thoughts, feelings and opinions are my own.

I couldn't put this book down, I really couldn't. Slay Bells is a dark erotic horror and was somehow exactly what I needed right now. I have been in a huge slump for November and this was *chefs kiss* brought me right out of the slump. It was everything I needed and more. It was unhinged, feral and sooooo good. Our MMC is off the rails but also charismatic and charming and the FMC matches his energy in her own way. It was amazing.

If you want a christmasy read that's twisted, dark, short and spicyy this is the book for you. Perfect for the dark romance people if you ask me.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

ᴛʜᴇ ᴀɴɢᴇʟᴍᴀᴋᴇʀ ɪꜱ ʙʀɪɴɢɪɴɢ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʙᴜʀɪᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ʟɪꜰᴇ. ᴀ ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇꜱꜱ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴀꜰʀᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴡ ʜᴇ'ꜱ ʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴘᴜʟʟɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ꜱᴛʀᴀɪɢʜᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇ.

This was my first JN Bamforth read and it definitely won’t be my last!

If you’re looking for a cute, cosy, Christmas read…this is not it! This is an unhinged, spicy gore fest with an unconventional use of a Christmas decoration and even more unconventional use of a turkey carver.

Nina found exactly what she was looking for with Cole aka The Angelmaker 🥵 can we have a sequel 👀

Low plot, high spice, lots of gore all wrapped up in a blood stained bow for Christmas, just be sure to check the trigger warnings for this one because it is dark 🖤

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

🪓 Christmas Erotic Horror
🩸 Serial Killer MMC
🪓 Unhinged FMC
🩸 Terrifier Inspired

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#review #horror #christmas

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A fast-paced, festive novella that left me desperate for more!

Slay Bells is the perfect Christmas novella for readers who crave action, chemistry, and characters who leap off the page. Despite its short length, the author packs in a surprising amount of tension and richly layered character building. I felt connected to the FMC and MMC almost instantly their dynamic crackles with energy, and their individual personalities are so well-realised that I couldn’t help but root for them.

The plot is tight, fast-paced, and full of excitement, making it impossible to put down. I devoured this book in half an hour! By the time I hit the last page, I was already wishing for more. I genuinely pray there’s another book coming, because this duo deserves a full-length story and I’m absolutely ready to follow them into whatever chaos or romance comes next.

If you love holiday reads with danger, desire, and tortured souls, Slay Bells is a must-read and you will fall in love with the Angelmaker!