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To Love a Psycho #4
Don't Shoot Me Santa (To Love a Psycho Book 4): MM Romantic Thriller Christmas Special
Only he decides who’s a good boy.
Two years after escaping the legacy of his infamous serial killer parents, Aaron Jones has finally built something close to peace. A quiet cottage on the windswept Isle of Wight, a rescue dog named Chaos, a job using his behavioural skills, and, of course, a lover, Dr Kenneth Lyons, criminal psychologist, protector, and the only man who’s ever known exactly how to unravel him.
Their love is laced with rules. Trust. And surrender. It’s fragile, hard-won, and impossibly addictive.
But peace was never built to last. Not for them.
When a teenage boy is found murdered beneath the town’s Christmas lights, Kenny is called in to consult. As more bodies appear, each one draped in seasonal ritual and tied with blood-red ribbons, Aaron is dragged back into the darkness they both swore they’d left behind.
To protect the life they’ve built, Aaron agrees to every request Kenny makes. Even if it means offering more of himself and leaning deeper into the darker side of their love, where obedience is devotion, and surrender is the safest place he’s ever known.
But as the killer’s ritual unfolds, Kenny’s profile starts to mirror their own past too closely. And Aaron must face what he’s become under Kenny’s hands… and what he’s willing to do to keep him.
Because in the season of giving, some obsessions come wrapped in blood-red ribbons.
And only Santa decides who’s a good boy.
Darkly seductive, frostbitten and laced with psychological heat, Don’t Shoot Me, Santa is the festive fourth book in the MM romantic psychological thriller series, To Love a Psycho. Whilst it can be read as a Christmas standalone, it would be better experienced as part of the full series.
Two years after escaping the legacy of his infamous serial killer parents, Aaron Jones has finally built something close to peace. A quiet cottage on the windswept Isle of Wight, a rescue dog named Chaos, a job using his behavioural skills, and, of course, a lover, Dr Kenneth Lyons, criminal psychologist, protector, and the only man who’s ever known exactly how to unravel him.
Their love is laced with rules. Trust. And surrender. It’s fragile, hard-won, and impossibly addictive.
But peace was never built to last. Not for them.
When a teenage boy is found murdered beneath the town’s Christmas lights, Kenny is called in to consult. As more bodies appear, each one draped in seasonal ritual and tied with blood-red ribbons, Aaron is dragged back into the darkness they both swore they’d left behind.
To protect the life they’ve built, Aaron agrees to every request Kenny makes. Even if it means offering more of himself and leaning deeper into the darker side of their love, where obedience is devotion, and surrender is the safest place he’s ever known.
But as the killer’s ritual unfolds, Kenny’s profile starts to mirror their own past too closely. And Aaron must face what he’s become under Kenny’s hands… and what he’s willing to do to keep him.
Because in the season of giving, some obsessions come wrapped in blood-red ribbons.
And only Santa decides who’s a good boy.
Darkly seductive, frostbitten and laced with psychological heat, Don’t Shoot Me, Santa is the festive fourth book in the MM romantic psychological thriller series, To Love a Psycho. Whilst it can be read as a Christmas standalone, it would be better experienced as part of the full series.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published October 24, 2025
12 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
C.F. White
37 books229 followersBrought up in a relatively small town in Hertfordshire, C F White managed to do what most other residents try to do and fail—leave.
She eventually settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job and creating a life, a home and a family.
She writes gritty British based stories about imperfect men falling in love against the odds and has been accused of sprinkling a bit of humour into them from time to time too.
She eventually settled for pie and mash, cockles and winkles and a bit of Knees Up Mother Brown to live in the East End of London; securing a job and creating a life, a home and a family.
She writes gritty British based stories about imperfect men falling in love against the odds and has been accused of sprinkling a bit of humour into them from time to time too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
November 5, 2025
Another interesting installment in the Kenny and Aaron saga...although I did skip the epilogue as advised by the author if I wanted to leave them in a nice place and not see what's in store for them next!
The crime was interesting and I didn't even know half of the things that came up about Santa, but then again I'm not religious and I'm not a big Santa fan so I guess it's understandable.
I did like seeing Aaron and Jack being more friendly with each other though, it's definitely a weird friendship but I hope it grows into something stronger.
How unlucky can Aaron get though?! He's constantly haunted by Roisin and he doesn't even live on the mainland anymore. I'm kinda anxious about what might be coming next because I feel like he's suffered enough and I want him and Kenny to actually have a happy life 😂
*****
I received an ARC of this book from CF White, and this is my honest review
The crime was interesting and I didn't even know half of the things that came up about Santa, but then again I'm not religious and I'm not a big Santa fan so I guess it's understandable.
I did like seeing Aaron and Jack being more friendly with each other though, it's definitely a weird friendship but I hope it grows into something stronger.
How unlucky can Aaron get though?! He's constantly haunted by Roisin and he doesn't even live on the mainland anymore. I'm kinda anxious about what might be coming next because I feel like he's suffered enough and I want him and Kenny to actually have a happy life 😂
*****
I received an ARC of this book from CF White, and this is my honest review
November 5, 2025
Fans of C.F. White's To Love a Psycho series are going to devour Don't Shoot Me Santa! You'll need to read this entire series in order.
These characters are intense and complex, and White does an amazing job exploring all of their issues. It's great that in the fourth book of the series White continues to shed light on these interesting men, as well as deepening ther relationship and romance. I hope there's no end in sight.
The mystery in Don't Shoot Me Santa is just as creative as the previous books in the series, and kept me guessing till the end.
Fans of dark stories will eat this series up, and if you haven't tried it yet I highly recommend getting started with Dream a Little Dream. And if you don't love the dark stuff, try C.F. White's Flying Into Love standalone romance series for something on the lighter side.
an advanced reader copy of Don't Shoot Me Santa was provided by the author for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
These characters are intense and complex, and White does an amazing job exploring all of their issues. It's great that in the fourth book of the series White continues to shed light on these interesting men, as well as deepening ther relationship and romance. I hope there's no end in sight.
The mystery in Don't Shoot Me Santa is just as creative as the previous books in the series, and kept me guessing till the end.
Fans of dark stories will eat this series up, and if you haven't tried it yet I highly recommend getting started with Dream a Little Dream. And if you don't love the dark stuff, try C.F. White's Flying Into Love standalone romance series for something on the lighter side.
an advanced reader copy of Don't Shoot Me Santa was provided by the author for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
October 21, 2025
He looked at him. Really looked. A single breath passing between them. Then he kissed him. Not deep. Not filthy. Lips on lips. Barely any pressure. But enough for Aaron to feel it. Not in his mouth. In his chest. In that fragile, too quiet place inside him where need and fear blurred together.
The book I didn’t know I needed.
Who am I kidding… of course I needed this book! I need 10 more books with Kenny and Aaron and it still wouldn’t be enough!
I was already aware that this book would wreck me before I even started.
I mean the blurb “Only he decides who’s a good boy”. So much potential for interpretation!
Kenny lingered a moment longer, drifting his gaze over Aaron’s face, then he leaned in, close enough for his lips to brush the shell of Aaron’s ear, and breathed it out, smooth as silk. “Good boy.” Aaron nearly fucking came. Two words, spoken with that quiet authority Kenny used when he wanted Aaron wrecked without ever laying a finger on him.
The book is set two years after the last book ended. I never was quite satisfied with the ending, because while I was happy with them at peace, it didn’t feel like it was their end.
Kenny is teaching again and with a new job came new potential for trouble.
Aaron is still on the way to figure out where his life will lead. He’s twentytwo. I think how he acts and struggles felt very real to his age.
I love how they both interact. How they talk and joke. How they push each other’s buttons.
And also how they simply have normal every day couple issues, like leaving clothes somewhere.
“With me, you don’t have to perform. You don’t have to be brave. You’re allowed to be angry. Messy. Quiet. Soft. You’re allowed to be anything.”
Kenny also introduced a very interesting new thing to their relationship. It fit perfectly to them, and I hope Kenny also monitors Aaron's water intake closely after that record breaking…
Tonight, he’d give Aaron what he needed. Not what he thought he wanted. And especially because Aaron hadn’t learned the difference yet.
Well they couldn’t escape all murders as a serial killer appears in their new hometown. They get sucked into the investigation. Of course it keeps you guessing throughout the book. It took me just as long to figure it out as it took for them.
Beside that, it is also a Christmas book. We have cinnamon, Christmas trees, and gift exchanges. I’m not an overly christmassy person, but something about the book gave me a really wholesome feeling and made me want to experience all that right away myself! I’ll definitely reread the book in December!
I love all the psychological talk. I still don’t know the authors background and how accurate it all is, but the way CF White describes all those details and how she (and Kenny) dives deep into a killers mind is just amazing! There are sometimes a bit lengthy discussions and I love every word of it. I find myself sometimes skimming those parts in other books. They couldn’t be long enough here. I don’t think I can even comprehend how much research and thought CF White has to put into those passages and every word needs to be savored.
“To feel safe,” Kenny said, “you have to let go of something. Not because you’re giving up. Or because you’re weak. But because real surrender is trust. And when you hand that part of yourself to me, when you choose to, what you’re really saying is, ‘I trust you not to break me.’ And I don’t take that lightly. Not for a second.”
But not only the psychological things in the book.
There are so many amazing and beautiful descriptions in the book. You can feel the touches. Every breath, every skipped heartbeat. Painful, and beautiful, and sometimes both at the same time.
There are very few books and authors that can actually make me forget to breathe while reading. And while I love and enjoy everything CF White wrote so far, there is something just special about Aaron and Kenny. Their relationship has a place so deep in my heart I never know if my heart breaks of joy or pain.
For as long as Kenny had breath in his body, he would worship every fractured shard of the boy who’d been born in blood and taught to call violence love. Not just love him but adore him. Kneel for him. Fight for him.
I guess I didn’t really talk about the plot of the book, and maybe I’m a bit rambling as well…
But for some reason everything else I wrote to describe the plot more felt too spoilery, and I think you should go in it as blind as it is save for you. (Mind the trigger warnings! As much feeling you get from the beautiful things, you also get from the bad things).
As some last words: if you haven’t read books 1-3 yet: Why? Go read them! And then read this book. And then hope with an aching heart for another book in the series.
Also be prepared to buy and light cinnamon scented candles.
“I fall in love with you more every day, and I have no fucking idea what to do with that.” Kenny stilled as his heart jolted. Pulled taut. Swelled. It was pride, yes. Of course. A sliver of smugness, naturally. But mostly? It was aching, aching joy.
November 8, 2025
I love CF White’s deeply intimate style of writing, there is no distant sharing of perspective even though it’s written in third person, micro emotions bleed out, vivid descriptive metaphorical language is used to enunciate the moment.
This story is beautifully laid out as juxtaposition between safety and terror - Kenny and Aaron strengthening their foundations shifting towards building safe spaces to thrive in and the killer on the loose who’s made a grotesque parody of the bones and bricks of the holiday.
Kenny and Aaron make you swoon and you’re edged right alongside them - this is a slowwww edgy precipice of of precisely built burn. This co-exists with the danger Will Robinson feeling permeating the mystery of the killer and peeling back of the history and utter sadness of the loss of a human being’s life. Kenny’s brilliance grips you as does Aaron’s passion and fire, the soft push at your heart for the animals needing care and the horror of what’s unfolding in the darkness in small towns.
That culmination was eerie, chaotic, fast but Aaron and Kenny remind you this is a romance at the heart of it, ahhhh i swooned.
This story is beautifully laid out as juxtaposition between safety and terror - Kenny and Aaron strengthening their foundations shifting towards building safe spaces to thrive in and the killer on the loose who’s made a grotesque parody of the bones and bricks of the holiday.
Kenny and Aaron make you swoon and you’re edged right alongside them - this is a slowwww edgy precipice of of precisely built burn. This co-exists with the danger Will Robinson feeling permeating the mystery of the killer and peeling back of the history and utter sadness of the loss of a human being’s life. Kenny’s brilliance grips you as does Aaron’s passion and fire, the soft push at your heart for the animals needing care and the horror of what’s unfolding in the darkness in small towns.
That culmination was eerie, chaotic, fast but Aaron and Kenny remind you this is a romance at the heart of it, ahhhh i swooned.
January 6, 2026
I’m not sure!
On the one hand, I enjoyed the story, the crime-solving, and their new environment. I enjoyed the new characters and checking in with old ones. It was a gritty, realistic seasonal story compared to the fluffy ones I’m used to. Their relationship is still strong, and the ending was happy.
I went ahead and read the epilogue, and until I did, I was of the opinion that the author should maybe leave Aaron alone now and just have them both solving other crimes. But Roisin changed her focus from Aaron to Kenny, and I won’t lie, it got me intrigued to see how she’ll try and get to him.
My only gripe with this one is that I think I’ve had my fill of psychoanalysing Aaron. I’m not sure there’s anything left to say about him, surely? It felt a little repetitive, and yes, he won’t be mysteriously better all of a sudden, but I think we get that by now.
So, although I did enjoy the story, I’m hoping the next book might lay off that a bit and stick to the crime-solving.
On the one hand, I enjoyed the story, the crime-solving, and their new environment. I enjoyed the new characters and checking in with old ones. It was a gritty, realistic seasonal story compared to the fluffy ones I’m used to. Their relationship is still strong, and the ending was happy.
I went ahead and read the epilogue, and until I did, I was of the opinion that the author should maybe leave Aaron alone now and just have them both solving other crimes. But Roisin changed her focus from Aaron to Kenny, and I won’t lie, it got me intrigued to see how she’ll try and get to him.
My only gripe with this one is that I think I’ve had my fill of psychoanalysing Aaron. I’m not sure there’s anything left to say about him, surely? It felt a little repetitive, and yes, he won’t be mysteriously better all of a sudden, but I think we get that by now.
So, although I did enjoy the story, I’m hoping the next book might lay off that a bit and stick to the crime-solving.
November 15, 2025
Review for (To Love a Psycho-4) Don't Shoot me Santa by C.F. White
I can't say enough about this series, To Love a Psycho. I feel honored to have been given the chance to read all of this series. To the pain that Aaron Jones goes through with the legacy of his serial killer parents, but in the end, it brought him the man he fell in love with, Dr. Kenneth Lyons. Kenneth knows what to do to help him when he falls into dark moments or depression due to his past. I loved the way C.F. White wrote this story about these two men. This is one of those books that I start and can't stop reading till I am done. My family has learned to leave Mommy/Partner alone till she is done reading lol. I loved the unfolding of the new story, the murder that this story covers. Another painful time in others' lives. I can't say enough about C.F. White's writing. You won't be sorry if you give this series a chance; I know I wasn't.
Nicole Harvey
I can't say enough about this series, To Love a Psycho. I feel honored to have been given the chance to read all of this series. To the pain that Aaron Jones goes through with the legacy of his serial killer parents, but in the end, it brought him the man he fell in love with, Dr. Kenneth Lyons. Kenneth knows what to do to help him when he falls into dark moments or depression due to his past. I loved the way C.F. White wrote this story about these two men. This is one of those books that I start and can't stop reading till I am done. My family has learned to leave Mommy/Partner alone till she is done reading lol. I loved the unfolding of the new story, the murder that this story covers. Another painful time in others' lives. I can't say enough about C.F. White's writing. You won't be sorry if you give this series a chance; I know I wasn't.
Nicole Harvey
October 23, 2025
Don't Shoot Me Santa, the fourth book in the "To Love a Psycho" series by CF White, is a compelling mix of dark thriller and heart wrenching romance. It's an unforgettable and incredibly satisfying story that pulls you in from the very beginning and doesn't let go. This isn't your typical holiday tale, but a romantic psychological thriller that goes far beyond a light and fluffy Christmas special.
CF's writing is gritty, straightforward, and incredibly descriptive. She expertly conveys the weight of each scene and the characters' raw emotions, refusing to pull any punches. I love this about her work. It makes for a complex and at times disturbing read, that keeps you on edge with its twists and turns. The story's tragic elements are so heartbreaking. It left me with so many mixed emotions. It's strength is the believable and on going relationship between the main characters. Their love is continually tested, creating such a messy dynamic. CF sums up Kenny and Aaron's complex relationship so well, the trauma bonding, and possessive protection is perfectly written, the way it balances hurt and comfort is superbly done.
As their connection deepens, the foreshadowing from the first three books becomes evident, suggesting that they were always meant to be, and this is what their relationship was always building up to. The depth of their love is immense, and their romantic scenes are incredibly moving, making it impossible not to become even more invested in their story.
I must congratulate CF, this really is an excellent piece of writing. If you're a fan of character driven suspense and deep, dangerous romance, this is for you. It's not merely a holiday special but a magnificent continuation of Kenny and Aaron's love. It demonstrates CF's talent as a writer, especially of thrillers with a deep emotional core. I am desperate for what comes next.
CF's writing is gritty, straightforward, and incredibly descriptive. She expertly conveys the weight of each scene and the characters' raw emotions, refusing to pull any punches. I love this about her work. It makes for a complex and at times disturbing read, that keeps you on edge with its twists and turns. The story's tragic elements are so heartbreaking. It left me with so many mixed emotions. It's strength is the believable and on going relationship between the main characters. Their love is continually tested, creating such a messy dynamic. CF sums up Kenny and Aaron's complex relationship so well, the trauma bonding, and possessive protection is perfectly written, the way it balances hurt and comfort is superbly done.
As their connection deepens, the foreshadowing from the first three books becomes evident, suggesting that they were always meant to be, and this is what their relationship was always building up to. The depth of their love is immense, and their romantic scenes are incredibly moving, making it impossible not to become even more invested in their story.
I must congratulate CF, this really is an excellent piece of writing. If you're a fan of character driven suspense and deep, dangerous romance, this is for you. It's not merely a holiday special but a magnificent continuation of Kenny and Aaron's love. It demonstrates CF's talent as a writer, especially of thrillers with a deep emotional core. I am desperate for what comes next.
November 5, 2025
It was so good to have more time with Aaron and Kenny. These two deserve to live a peaceful, quiet life after everything they've been through. But clearly, the world wants to mess with them a little more.
I love the two of them together. How they get each other, how every word and action is thoughtful and meaningful. I love how Aaron is at ease with Kenny and how much Kenny loves and adores him.
This is a darker Christmas tale, filled with murder and mystery. It's well worth a read. Besides the crime aspects, there's a deep look into Aaron and Kenny's relationship and how it's developed since the events of the trilogy. Their love for each other is beautiful. In the easy times, and in the hard ones, they are there for each other.
I'd love more of them, please!
I love the two of them together. How they get each other, how every word and action is thoughtful and meaningful. I love how Aaron is at ease with Kenny and how much Kenny loves and adores him.
This is a darker Christmas tale, filled with murder and mystery. It's well worth a read. Besides the crime aspects, there's a deep look into Aaron and Kenny's relationship and how it's developed since the events of the trilogy. Their love for each other is beautiful. In the easy times, and in the hard ones, they are there for each other.
I'd love more of them, please!
January 6, 2026
So glad I found this author.
So far, each book, Aaron and Kenny's relationship progresses and bodies pile up. Of course, Kenny is brilliant and perfectly profiles the killer but not before one or both of them is in danger. Their dynamic has changed a bit in this one as they are now an established couple living together. Still obsessed with each other. I enjoyed it.
But I am not sure that men can have that many orgasms in one night lol.
So far, each book, Aaron and Kenny's relationship progresses and bodies pile up. Of course, Kenny is brilliant and perfectly profiles the killer but not before one or both of them is in danger. Their dynamic has changed a bit in this one as they are now an established couple living together. Still obsessed with each other. I enjoyed it.
But I am not sure that men can have that many orgasms in one night lol.
October 14, 2025
📕Completely satisfying continuation of a stunning series
📗Much more than a romance
📘Dark, intriguing, frightening
📙Visceral, challenging
📕Took me from blissful comfort to rage and everything in between
This series is going to be the death of me, in the best possible way. Kenny and Aaron are easily one of my favourite couples I have ever read about. I don’t say that lightly. I have read some marvelous books and yet… There is something so nuanced and deep about their relationship that I’m completely obsessed with it.
This book is a continuation of the series “To Love a Psycho.” Book one “Dream a Little Dream” introduced Dr. Kenneth Lyons and his student, Aaron Jones. The sparks flew when they met and they were entrenched in a dark mystery that was unravelling around them.
If you like police procedurals, behavioural science or true crime you’ll love this series. Dr. Lyons is a consultant, brilliant and often loses himself completely in his work. The one thing that seems to drive him to distraction is the man he shouldn’t want: Aaron.
There are ties that bind these two men far beyond their initial attraction. The author has woven a tale here that you won’t see coming. It’s clever, complex, disturbing and you’ll be drawn in as soon as you’ve read the first few pages.
Don’t Shoot me Santa is set a few years after these two souls found each other for the first time. They have overcome many challenges, faced difficult decisions, loss and yet still managed to get out the other end with each other.
The problem is that death and violence seem to follow Aaron and Kenny wherever they land. Even an island home, shielded by the rugged barrier of nature, and a protective rescue dog named Chaos isn’t enough to protect them from the darkness that is embedded in their lives. Scars remain, permanently etched into their existence even though they are battling to carve out a safe place - somewhere they can exist and flourish.
A new case touches the edges of their lives and Kenny is asked to assist. He won’t do the work without Aaron’s blessing. Aaron won’t take Kenny away from a world that needs his skill. And they are plunged back into the dark waters of crime that they’ve been battling to escape from.
The writing in this series is beautiful. C.F. White is the kind of writer who makes me pause when I’m reading to sit with a stunning thought. Sometimes, I have to read a paragraph again because it pinpointed an emotion that I’ve never seen articulated before. Sometimes, I stop simply to let the weight of a scene sink in.
Kenny and Aaron aren’t just characters in this book. They were more than characters on a page in book one and the attention to detail and clear love that White has for them makes them engaging and authentic. I find myself fully believing that these two men exist somewhere in the world. The author has given each character room to grow, room to make mistakes, room to challenge and room to crumble under the pressures of what they have faced.
Through it all, they come back to one another - Kenny calm, controlled, precise - Aaron all sharp edges and untamed energy. They smoulder, they love, they set boundaries that they break; they are holding on to each other, so they don’t get snatched away by the darkness around them.
This series will shock you; it will take your breath away. The story of Dr. Kenneth Lyons and Aaron Jones has taken me on a ride from blissful comfort to anger while traversing a mine field of danger, fear, trust, unapologetically hot encounters and willingness to take chances.
"A boy made in the fire who'd refused to become smoke."
📗Much more than a romance
📘Dark, intriguing, frightening
📙Visceral, challenging
📕Took me from blissful comfort to rage and everything in between
This series is going to be the death of me, in the best possible way. Kenny and Aaron are easily one of my favourite couples I have ever read about. I don’t say that lightly. I have read some marvelous books and yet… There is something so nuanced and deep about their relationship that I’m completely obsessed with it.
This book is a continuation of the series “To Love a Psycho.” Book one “Dream a Little Dream” introduced Dr. Kenneth Lyons and his student, Aaron Jones. The sparks flew when they met and they were entrenched in a dark mystery that was unravelling around them.
If you like police procedurals, behavioural science or true crime you’ll love this series. Dr. Lyons is a consultant, brilliant and often loses himself completely in his work. The one thing that seems to drive him to distraction is the man he shouldn’t want: Aaron.
There are ties that bind these two men far beyond their initial attraction. The author has woven a tale here that you won’t see coming. It’s clever, complex, disturbing and you’ll be drawn in as soon as you’ve read the first few pages.
Don’t Shoot me Santa is set a few years after these two souls found each other for the first time. They have overcome many challenges, faced difficult decisions, loss and yet still managed to get out the other end with each other.
The problem is that death and violence seem to follow Aaron and Kenny wherever they land. Even an island home, shielded by the rugged barrier of nature, and a protective rescue dog named Chaos isn’t enough to protect them from the darkness that is embedded in their lives. Scars remain, permanently etched into their existence even though they are battling to carve out a safe place - somewhere they can exist and flourish.
A new case touches the edges of their lives and Kenny is asked to assist. He won’t do the work without Aaron’s blessing. Aaron won’t take Kenny away from a world that needs his skill. And they are plunged back into the dark waters of crime that they’ve been battling to escape from.
The writing in this series is beautiful. C.F. White is the kind of writer who makes me pause when I’m reading to sit with a stunning thought. Sometimes, I have to read a paragraph again because it pinpointed an emotion that I’ve never seen articulated before. Sometimes, I stop simply to let the weight of a scene sink in.
Kenny and Aaron aren’t just characters in this book. They were more than characters on a page in book one and the attention to detail and clear love that White has for them makes them engaging and authentic. I find myself fully believing that these two men exist somewhere in the world. The author has given each character room to grow, room to make mistakes, room to challenge and room to crumble under the pressures of what they have faced.
Through it all, they come back to one another - Kenny calm, controlled, precise - Aaron all sharp edges and untamed energy. They smoulder, they love, they set boundaries that they break; they are holding on to each other, so they don’t get snatched away by the darkness around them.
This series will shock you; it will take your breath away. The story of Dr. Kenneth Lyons and Aaron Jones has taken me on a ride from blissful comfort to anger while traversing a mine field of danger, fear, trust, unapologetically hot encounters and willingness to take chances.
"A boy made in the fire who'd refused to become smoke."
November 9, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Don’t Shoot Me, Santa — C.F. White
ARC provided via GRR — thank you for the opportunity to read and review.
This book is twisted holiday comfort — if your definition of comfort involves serial killers, psychological unraveling, devotion that borders on worship, and a D/s dynamic rooted in survival, trust, and something far darker than love alone.
Two years after clawing their way out of the trauma shadowing their lives, Aaron and Kenny have built something fragile but real. A quiet life. A home. A dog. Rules that protect them, bind them, ground them. A relationship that is equal parts surrender and safety, power and gentleness. It's messy, it’s dark, and it’s theirs.
And then the peace fractures.
Bodies begin showing up under Christmas lights, staged like offerings. Ribbons. Ritual. A killer who feels too familiar. And suddenly the safety they fought for becomes another battlefield.
What I adored about this book is how deeply it leans into the emotional honesty of their dynamic. Aaron isn’t just giving control — he’s choosing it. Craving the structure, the praise, the belonging he finds in surrender. Kenny isn’t just dominant — he’s terrified. Protective to the point of self-destruction. Every command is a shield. Every rule is a vow.
Their intimacy in this book? It’s not just spicy — it’s psychological. It’s healing and damaging all at once.
Tender. Brutal. Vulnerable. Controlled.
Not everyone will understand their dynamic — but if you do, this hits hard.
And then there’s the suspense — violent, ritualistic killings tainted with holiday cheer, and a case that drags them back into the darkness they promised they’d outrun. The tension simmers as the murders escalate, and the question becomes not just who’s doing this, but how far will Aaron and Kenny go to protect what they’ve built?
Spoiler: the answer is as far as it takes.
This series thrives in the space where love becomes obsession and survival becomes devotion.
And here, that devotion is wrapped in tinsel, blood, and obedience. Merry Christmas 🎁🔪
Tropes & Themes:
Dark MM romance
D/s dynamic built on trauma, trust, & chosen surrender
“I’ll burn the world for you” devotion
Former student/professor history
Serial killer case tied to the past
Found peace threatened by old shadows
Holiday murder mystery (yes, and it works)
Tone: Dark, tender, psychologically intense, ritualistic thriller
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5 — power exchange, obedience, praise, discipline, edging, emotional vulnerability > pure heat
CW/TW: D/s dynamic; power exchange tied to trauma; serial killer themes; graphic murder staging; stalking; trauma; emotional manipulation; religious abuse; homophobia; childhood abuse; confinement/restraint; obsession; gaslighting; sexual predation themes; psychological dominance and surrender
This isn’t a “holiday romance” — it’s a blood-red ribbon around a love story that refuses to be normal, or safe, or anything but theirs.
Twisted, tender, unwell, addictive — and I devoured it.
And yes, Aaron is absolutely Kenny’s good boy. 🎄🖤
Don’t Shoot Me, Santa — C.F. White
ARC provided via GRR — thank you for the opportunity to read and review.
This book is twisted holiday comfort — if your definition of comfort involves serial killers, psychological unraveling, devotion that borders on worship, and a D/s dynamic rooted in survival, trust, and something far darker than love alone.
Two years after clawing their way out of the trauma shadowing their lives, Aaron and Kenny have built something fragile but real. A quiet life. A home. A dog. Rules that protect them, bind them, ground them. A relationship that is equal parts surrender and safety, power and gentleness. It's messy, it’s dark, and it’s theirs.
And then the peace fractures.
Bodies begin showing up under Christmas lights, staged like offerings. Ribbons. Ritual. A killer who feels too familiar. And suddenly the safety they fought for becomes another battlefield.
What I adored about this book is how deeply it leans into the emotional honesty of their dynamic. Aaron isn’t just giving control — he’s choosing it. Craving the structure, the praise, the belonging he finds in surrender. Kenny isn’t just dominant — he’s terrified. Protective to the point of self-destruction. Every command is a shield. Every rule is a vow.
Their intimacy in this book? It’s not just spicy — it’s psychological. It’s healing and damaging all at once.
Tender. Brutal. Vulnerable. Controlled.
Not everyone will understand their dynamic — but if you do, this hits hard.
And then there’s the suspense — violent, ritualistic killings tainted with holiday cheer, and a case that drags them back into the darkness they promised they’d outrun. The tension simmers as the murders escalate, and the question becomes not just who’s doing this, but how far will Aaron and Kenny go to protect what they’ve built?
Spoiler: the answer is as far as it takes.
This series thrives in the space where love becomes obsession and survival becomes devotion.
And here, that devotion is wrapped in tinsel, blood, and obedience. Merry Christmas 🎁🔪
Tropes & Themes:
Dark MM romance
D/s dynamic built on trauma, trust, & chosen surrender
“I’ll burn the world for you” devotion
Former student/professor history
Serial killer case tied to the past
Found peace threatened by old shadows
Holiday murder mystery (yes, and it works)
Tone: Dark, tender, psychologically intense, ritualistic thriller
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5 — power exchange, obedience, praise, discipline, edging, emotional vulnerability > pure heat
CW/TW: D/s dynamic; power exchange tied to trauma; serial killer themes; graphic murder staging; stalking; trauma; emotional manipulation; religious abuse; homophobia; childhood abuse; confinement/restraint; obsession; gaslighting; sexual predation themes; psychological dominance and surrender
This isn’t a “holiday romance” — it’s a blood-red ribbon around a love story that refuses to be normal, or safe, or anything but theirs.
Twisted, tender, unwell, addictive — and I devoured it.
And yes, Aaron is absolutely Kenny’s good boy. 🎄🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
This is better than true crime podcasts, seriously! I love this books! Now, I want to take psychology classes because it’s fascinating to see how they helped Aaron be more self-aware and cognizant of Kenny’s behaviors, the reasons behind them, and the whole “I know what you’re thinking” with these two is very real. And in the middle of this awesomeness, we get sentences like this “to be felt back” or “Because loving Aaron meant every choice had consequences now. Even the ones he hadn’t made yet”. Now, I’ll argue with anyone who tells me that this right here isn’t a beautiful example of true, honest, deep, abiding love, a love that is chosen, and worked for, and treasured every single day. And the tragic twist of the holiday murders. Why is a murder more gruesome because it’s close to Christmas? What’s the deal? If it’s close to my birthday, it’ll be the worse ever, and with all the billions of people running around, murder happens on someone’s birthday all the time, so why is it so much worse when it’s Christmas? I loved how the bad guy dressed them festively and saw himself as the real Santa, the original one that saw, truly saw people, and how it’s a parallel in a way with Kenny and Aaron’s relationship. The (most likely intended) parallels between the bad guys and the good guys throughout all the books is something that brings the point even closer to home. What separates non-criminals from criminals? Is therapy or prison a better choice? Do we need more police or more therapists or both? Once again, this is a study of human nature, of criminal minds, of the paths we can take, how the choices we make affect us, and others, sometimes even strangers. Sprinkle in the amazing love story between Kenny and Aaron, and you’ve got this book. And during Christmas, a time that society randomly decided to make the happiest time of year (for some, for others it’s the worse), and this makes you think about what truly matters, how we can lend a helping hand anytime of year, and how our choices shape lives. Incredible, as usual. And now I’m bummed there aren’t any more. I’ll go hunt down some more amazing books by this author or something, because now, I’m in withdrawal from incredible books, and I get grumpy if I’m not well read. I highly recommend this whole series, and make sure you read these books with an open mind, because they can shape your life for the better.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 16, 2025
I received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
4.7*
I think I’ve called every book in this series fantastic, and I’m not gonna stop now. 😆 What a great dive into the minds of Aaron and Kenny. They are desperate for each other, adoring, snarky, flawed, and real. We can see the progress, the comfort, and the trust as it all builds. I loved those particular chapters, the culmination of which is a sex marathon that had me 🤯 and needing a water break just like they did. Sheeeeesh. 🔥 So many scenes in this book are charged up with A&K electricity that it’s impossible to choose favorites.
The mystery plot is compelling and wrenching. The deaths of queer characters always hit hard. It’s something I usually try to avoid. I wrestled a bit with the subject, but ultimately the author hammers into how our social safety net programs fail queer youth, just as they fail the victims in this book and failed Aaron in his past. Queer youth are at higher risk of practically every social harm, from abuse to unstable housing to addiction to violence. We have to talk about the problems to bring about change, and this book has certainly made me more thoughtful on the subject. ❤️🩹
I liked the first chapter from the killer’s POV. It’s creepy, with elements of rational thinking muddied by compulsion. Also, I enjoyed the misdirections, which is unusual for me to say, but each one is an opportunity for Kenny to explain his profiling. Aaron loves that and so do I. On the subject of Aaron, I love him working with shelter dogs. 🥺 It fits so perfectly into his character and the plotting of the book. What an inspired idea.
My only quibble: early in the book, we are given a detail about a side character that I fixated on because it’s such a familiar serial K trope. Looking back, I think it distracted me too much.
I saw the warning about the epilogue, raised my eyebrows, turned the page, glanced at the first line, snapped my Kindle shut, and started shouting, “OH SHIIIII, SHE CREEPY AF, YOU IN TROUBLE GIRL!” 😫🙈 I tried to backpedal and dwell in the warmth of that last chapter, but existential dread crept in. Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted by the prospect of more A&K, but every time we get one of *her* chapters it makes my skin crawl. We’ve had this happen before, but it’s still a hell of a way to end a book. ☠️😂
4.7*
I think I’ve called every book in this series fantastic, and I’m not gonna stop now. 😆 What a great dive into the minds of Aaron and Kenny. They are desperate for each other, adoring, snarky, flawed, and real. We can see the progress, the comfort, and the trust as it all builds. I loved those particular chapters, the culmination of which is a sex marathon that had me 🤯 and needing a water break just like they did. Sheeeeesh. 🔥 So many scenes in this book are charged up with A&K electricity that it’s impossible to choose favorites.
The mystery plot is compelling and wrenching. The deaths of queer characters always hit hard. It’s something I usually try to avoid. I wrestled a bit with the subject, but ultimately the author hammers into how our social safety net programs fail queer youth, just as they fail the victims in this book and failed Aaron in his past. Queer youth are at higher risk of practically every social harm, from abuse to unstable housing to addiction to violence. We have to talk about the problems to bring about change, and this book has certainly made me more thoughtful on the subject. ❤️🩹
I liked the first chapter from the killer’s POV. It’s creepy, with elements of rational thinking muddied by compulsion. Also, I enjoyed the misdirections, which is unusual for me to say, but each one is an opportunity for Kenny to explain his profiling. Aaron loves that and so do I. On the subject of Aaron, I love him working with shelter dogs. 🥺 It fits so perfectly into his character and the plotting of the book. What an inspired idea.
My only quibble: early in the book, we are given a detail about a side character that I fixated on because it’s such a familiar serial K trope. Looking back, I think it distracted me too much.
I saw the warning about the epilogue, raised my eyebrows, turned the page, glanced at the first line, snapped my Kindle shut, and started shouting, “OH SHIIIII, SHE CREEPY AF, YOU IN TROUBLE GIRL!” 😫🙈 I tried to backpedal and dwell in the warmth of that last chapter, but existential dread crept in. Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted by the prospect of more A&K, but every time we get one of *her* chapters it makes my skin crawl. We’ve had this happen before, but it’s still a hell of a way to end a book. ☠️😂
November 12, 2025
I can’t say I wasn’t warned! In her Author’s Note C.F. White says Don’t Shoot Me Santa won’t be your average fluffy Christmas romance.
Given all that Kenny and Aaron have been through (this is book 4 in the To Love a Psycho series) I wouldn’t have expected anything less!
Happily encamped on the Isle of Wright for the past two years, Kenny is teaching at a local college and Aaron seems to have found his calling, using his own psych degree to work with dogs at the local shelter.
“Good boy” has been a big part of their dynamic with the controlling side of Kenny edging Aaron for days, determined to give him what he needs, not was his prickly partner insists he wants. It works for them, because Aaron is a willing player in this game between the two of them.
And then death comes calling and the local police ask for Kenny’s help establishing a profile of the killer - someone targeting marginalized youth while cosplaying a judgmental version of Santa Claus.
This is so good.
Poor Aaron can’t escape his past, the trauma inflicted by his parents always lingering in the background. His and Kenny’s growth as a couple, how they communicate and accept each other, is top tier. They’re formidable and it was so satisfying seeing Aaron react in ways book 1 Aaron never would have.
Don’t get me started on Aaron’s problematic new boss. Ugh, he was the worst!
The mystery is well done, and the social commentary was spot on. It’s heartbreaking to see the toll these crimes on Aaron, triggering memories of his own time in the system.
And characters from past books make welcome cameos. (I’d love to join the Aaron/Jack/Fraser WhatsApp chat.)
Amid the darkness, the couple emerges stronger than ever. The promise of a new beginning, solidified over Hallmark movies and a solemn Christmas Eve service is simply beautiful.
This series just keeps getting better. Here’s hoping for at least one more book - if only to get closure on that epilogue!
Given all that Kenny and Aaron have been through (this is book 4 in the To Love a Psycho series) I wouldn’t have expected anything less!
Happily encamped on the Isle of Wright for the past two years, Kenny is teaching at a local college and Aaron seems to have found his calling, using his own psych degree to work with dogs at the local shelter.
“Good boy” has been a big part of their dynamic with the controlling side of Kenny edging Aaron for days, determined to give him what he needs, not was his prickly partner insists he wants. It works for them, because Aaron is a willing player in this game between the two of them.
And then death comes calling and the local police ask for Kenny’s help establishing a profile of the killer - someone targeting marginalized youth while cosplaying a judgmental version of Santa Claus.
This is so good.
Poor Aaron can’t escape his past, the trauma inflicted by his parents always lingering in the background. His and Kenny’s growth as a couple, how they communicate and accept each other, is top tier. They’re formidable and it was so satisfying seeing Aaron react in ways book 1 Aaron never would have.
Don’t get me started on Aaron’s problematic new boss. Ugh, he was the worst!
The mystery is well done, and the social commentary was spot on. It’s heartbreaking to see the toll these crimes on Aaron, triggering memories of his own time in the system.
And characters from past books make welcome cameos. (I’d love to join the Aaron/Jack/Fraser WhatsApp chat.)
Amid the darkness, the couple emerges stronger than ever. The promise of a new beginning, solidified over Hallmark movies and a solemn Christmas Eve service is simply beautiful.
This series just keeps getting better. Here’s hoping for at least one more book - if only to get closure on that epilogue!
November 7, 2025
Romantic, psychological, and chillingly suspenseful!
Two years after surviving the horrors that bound them, Aaron Jones and Dr. Kenneth Lyons are learning what it means to live in the aftermath; to trust, to rebuild, and to love without fear.
Aaron and Kenny are not archetypes, they are human, complex, and profoundly flawed. Their relationship is messy and magnetic, often painful but always authentic.
But peace is a fragile illusion, and when a new string of ritualistic murders surfaces beneath the glow of Christmas lights, old wounds reopen. What follows is a tense, emotionally charged journey through guilt, desire, and the lingering ghosts of trauma.
The juxtaposition of the festive season with the creeping dread of psychological horror is masterful. White turns Christmas into a backdrop of haunting contrasts: snowfall and blood, laughter and grief, light and the shadows that never quite fade.
Every scene carries a quiet, lingering menace that keeps you on edge while never losing sight of the emotional heart at the story’s core.
The murders are terrifying, not just because of their brutality, but because of how methodical, symbolic, and psychologically manipulative they become. You never quite trust what is real, and the tension doesn’t let up.
The Christmas setting is a bold choice, but it pays off. The contrast between festive lights and shadowy ritual, the cold wind off the sea, the undercurrent of dread in every snow-glossed evening adds a sense of haunted magic.
This is not simply a dark romance or a thriller, it’s a study in survival, trust, and the resilience of love in the face of the unthinkable. C.F. White once again proves her command of character-driven suspense and emotional storytelling.
Exquisitely written, darkly affecting, and emotionally resonant, a haunting triumph of storytelling.
Perfect for readers who crave love stories with depth, danger, and a touch of madness.
The festive fourth book in the psychological thriller series, To Love a Psycho. Whilst it can be read as a Christmas standalone, it would be better experienced as part of the full series:
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2025
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
It makes me sad to say this but I was not a fan of most of this book.
The murder mystery broke my heart into 7 million tiny pieces from page 1. Street kids are a failing in the system and it makes me feral that cities would rather line their pockets than figure something out for kids surviving sh!t that most people will never ever face in their entire lifetime.
I just would have loved it if this book had more dimension to it when it came to the case.
Because Aaron was representative of what can go right, killer parents and f'd up time in the system notwithstanding.
And though I loved Kenny and Aaron's "career & charitable causes" energy as they continued to get settled in their new home on the Isle of Wight, when you take away all the mewling about sex or lack thereof, and their intimacy power plays, the murdered kids felt like periphery, even though Kenny and Aaron were tied to the case.
I Was not a fan of
Aaron's brattiness in this.
His snark gave me the ick, especially at crime scenes when the Detective Sergeant was doing their job and needed Kenny's help to profile a killer.
I
Understand
That he's a complicated character,
but I was fed up fast,
and I very much missed the vibe of Books 1-3 in this series
when being a biting menace was in consort with the expanding and interesting pathology report.
There's still more to come though, and I'm hoping that whatever Roisin gets up to next will make Book 4 a dynamic return to everything I'd enjoyed about the first three books in this series.
It makes me sad to say this but I was not a fan of most of this book.
The murder mystery broke my heart into 7 million tiny pieces from page 1. Street kids are a failing in the system and it makes me feral that cities would rather line their pockets than figure something out for kids surviving sh!t that most people will never ever face in their entire lifetime.
I just would have loved it if this book had more dimension to it when it came to the case.
Because Aaron was representative of what can go right, killer parents and f'd up time in the system notwithstanding.
And though I loved Kenny and Aaron's "career & charitable causes" energy as they continued to get settled in their new home on the Isle of Wight, when you take away all the mewling about sex or lack thereof, and their intimacy power plays, the murdered kids felt like periphery, even though Kenny and Aaron were tied to the case.
I Was not a fan of
Aaron's brattiness in this.
His snark gave me the ick, especially at crime scenes when the Detective Sergeant was doing their job and needed Kenny's help to profile a killer.
I
Understand
That he's a complicated character,
but I was fed up fast,
and I very much missed the vibe of Books 1-3 in this series
when being a biting menace was in consort with the expanding and interesting pathology report.
There's still more to come though, and I'm hoping that whatever Roisin gets up to next will make Book 4 a dynamic return to everything I'd enjoyed about the first three books in this series.
November 6, 2025
Suppose you’ve read the first three books of this series. In that case, you know already that Aaron is the son of serial killers, his head makes overtime, he’s been through hell and trauma, and Dr. Kenneth Lyons is a professor in Forensic Psychology, a highly skilled profiler, and the most dedicated boyfriend.
But most of all, they love each other deeply!
Aaron is chaos, Kenneth/Kenny is the one who can ease his mind.
They found their sanctuary at a cottage on the Isle of Wight. Leaving behind all the horror they’ve been through. Kenny is the man Aaron surrenders to. Oh boy, watching them together, with Kenny holding the reins, it was everything!! This goes deep, deeper, deepest. Their dynamic was unique. Kenny worships Aaron, he is his main focus, he lives for making Aaron happy, giving him structure, to make him feel safe, at peace, and sometimes even miserable by edging him (lol) but always with a deeper purpose.
“So you’ve been profiling me.”
“I’ve been loving you.”
One day Kenneth got a call, a teenage boy had been killed, and the police needed Kenneth’s expertise.
Kenny and Aaron dive back into the world they left.
Oh my, this story was something else. The way everything was analysed. So good! All super entertaining!
Well, this one was another winner, an intelligent story, deeply emotional, heartbreaking, with their intense relationship and lives, and the murder cases.
If you’re familiar with this author’s work you’ll know you got a well-developed gem before you!
But most of all, they love each other deeply!
Aaron is chaos, Kenneth/Kenny is the one who can ease his mind.
They found their sanctuary at a cottage on the Isle of Wight. Leaving behind all the horror they’ve been through. Kenny is the man Aaron surrenders to. Oh boy, watching them together, with Kenny holding the reins, it was everything!! This goes deep, deeper, deepest. Their dynamic was unique. Kenny worships Aaron, he is his main focus, he lives for making Aaron happy, giving him structure, to make him feel safe, at peace, and sometimes even miserable by edging him (lol) but always with a deeper purpose.
“So you’ve been profiling me.”
“I’ve been loving you.”
One day Kenneth got a call, a teenage boy had been killed, and the police needed Kenneth’s expertise.
Kenny and Aaron dive back into the world they left.
Oh my, this story was something else. The way everything was analysed. So good! All super entertaining!
Well, this one was another winner, an intelligent story, deeply emotional, heartbreaking, with their intense relationship and lives, and the murder cases.
If you’re familiar with this author’s work you’ll know you got a well-developed gem before you!
December 27, 2025
A story set at Christmas but not a Christmas story
Aaron and Kenny are back, and CF White manages to chill the pages when Father Christmas shows his true colours.
This fourth book in the To Love a Psycho series focuses more on Aaron and Kenny's relationship, overshadowing the terrible tragedies happening on the island that's their home and should also be their refuge. Seeing them settled and happier than they ever were at the murder college was the payoff I needed but, of course, CF was never going to let them off that easily.
I was completely drawn into their world, the intimate scenes at home together, the dynamic between them still as it was but with even more intensity. The animal shelter Aaron works at, an appropriate choice for the a boy who's seen the worst of people and of life, just like the poor creatures he ever so patiently tries to help. Kenny in professor mode, whether in the classroom, helping the police or working at home.
The love between them is palpable, as is the absolute commitment from each of them, and it's ironic that Aaron has never been safer than now, with Kenny, but there's always that undercurrent of fear that fresh horrors and old wounds will always surround them.
I made my choice and read the epilogue. Then wished I hadn't. Then decided that at least I now know there's got to be another book. Fuck. Poor Aaron. That boy cannot catch a break.
Aaron and Kenny are back, and CF White manages to chill the pages when Father Christmas shows his true colours.
This fourth book in the To Love a Psycho series focuses more on Aaron and Kenny's relationship, overshadowing the terrible tragedies happening on the island that's their home and should also be their refuge. Seeing them settled and happier than they ever were at the murder college was the payoff I needed but, of course, CF was never going to let them off that easily.
I was completely drawn into their world, the intimate scenes at home together, the dynamic between them still as it was but with even more intensity. The animal shelter Aaron works at, an appropriate choice for the a boy who's seen the worst of people and of life, just like the poor creatures he ever so patiently tries to help. Kenny in professor mode, whether in the classroom, helping the police or working at home.
The love between them is palpable, as is the absolute commitment from each of them, and it's ironic that Aaron has never been safer than now, with Kenny, but there's always that undercurrent of fear that fresh horrors and old wounds will always surround them.
I made my choice and read the epilogue. Then wished I hadn't. Then decided that at least I now know there's got to be another book. Fuck. Poor Aaron. That boy cannot catch a break.
October 31, 2025
Fourth in series (To Love a Psycho), can be read as a standalone but might be better if read in order. Established couple. Age gap. Hurt/comfort. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
Aaron and Kenny have been living on the Isle of Wight for the last two years, Kenny teaching A levels and Aaron working at a dog shelter. While still navigating their relationship with plans of forever, Kenny is asked to consult on a possible serial killer, but Aaron is always his first priority.
There is a balanced amount of darkness from the murder investigations and the hopeful strengthening of Aaron and Kenny's relationship in this story. The deep commitment and fears of both Aaron and Kenny are thoroughly laid bare and there is so much depth to their feelings, the desperate love they have and the willingness to do anything to be together. The serial killer on the loose adds the edge of danger as well as harkens back to Aaron’s past which is still haunting him, and it looks like the author plans to continue with this couple so maybe they can get free of some of their past. A compelling story with complicated characters, a killer that has to be stopped, and two men that are still building a complex and meaningful relationship. 4.5 rounded up
Aaron and Kenny have been living on the Isle of Wight for the last two years, Kenny teaching A levels and Aaron working at a dog shelter. While still navigating their relationship with plans of forever, Kenny is asked to consult on a possible serial killer, but Aaron is always his first priority.
There is a balanced amount of darkness from the murder investigations and the hopeful strengthening of Aaron and Kenny's relationship in this story. The deep commitment and fears of both Aaron and Kenny are thoroughly laid bare and there is so much depth to their feelings, the desperate love they have and the willingness to do anything to be together. The serial killer on the loose adds the edge of danger as well as harkens back to Aaron’s past which is still haunting him, and it looks like the author plans to continue with this couple so maybe they can get free of some of their past. A compelling story with complicated characters, a killer that has to be stopped, and two men that are still building a complex and meaningful relationship. 4.5 rounded up
November 1, 2025
Don't Shoot Me Santa, the fourth installment in CF White’s To Love a Psycho series, is anything but your average holiday read. This gripping romantic psychological thriller dives deep into the shadows of love, trauma, and survival, delivering a story that’s both haunting and heartbreakingly beautiful. At the heart of the novel is the complex, messy, and utterly captivating relationship between Kenny and Aaron. Their love is forged in fire—tested by trauma, possessive protection, and a bond that defies easy definition. It’s clear now that Kenny and Aaron were always meant to find their way back to each other, and this story feels like the culmination of everything they’ve endured. Their journey is not just about surviving—it’s about finding love in the darkest places.
CF White has once again proven her talent for crafting character-driven suspense with a powerful emotional core. Don't Shoot Me Santa isn’t just a holiday special—it’s a stunning continuation of a love story that refuses to be tamed. If you crave thrillers that dig deep into the psyche and romance that burns with intensity, this book—and this series—is an absolute must-read.
CF White has once again proven her talent for crafting character-driven suspense with a powerful emotional core. Don't Shoot Me Santa isn’t just a holiday special—it’s a stunning continuation of a love story that refuses to be tamed. If you crave thrillers that dig deep into the psyche and romance that burns with intensity, this book—and this series—is an absolute must-read.
November 9, 2025
I loved Kenny and Aaron’s Christmas story, and catching up with them two years after the events of the last book in the series. I liked how life has settled for them, yet not, and how neither of them can stand back and not get involved. I enjoyed trying to work out who the culprit was amid some very clever red herrings, and how everything ties back into the series.
The bad guy in this story was seriously creepy and deranged. I love how all the pieces came together, almost too late. I was on the edge of my seat as everything unfolded, hoping Kenny and Aaron would survive Christmas.
I loved the psychological part of the story, with Kenny and Aaron’s relationship, and also figuring out the profile of the unsub. I love how far Kenny and Aaron have come both together, and separately, although realistically the triggers are still there. I liked the life they’ve built together, and how they’re still in touch with their friends on the mainland.
I also liked the role Chaos and Lucky play in the story, and the hint at the end that there’s more of this series to come.
The bad guy in this story was seriously creepy and deranged. I love how all the pieces came together, almost too late. I was on the edge of my seat as everything unfolded, hoping Kenny and Aaron would survive Christmas.
I loved the psychological part of the story, with Kenny and Aaron’s relationship, and also figuring out the profile of the unsub. I love how far Kenny and Aaron have come both together, and separately, although realistically the triggers are still there. I liked the life they’ve built together, and how they’re still in touch with their friends on the mainland.
I also liked the role Chaos and Lucky play in the story, and the hint at the end that there’s more of this series to come.
November 11, 2025
Dr. Kenneth Lyons and Aaron Jones are back. The two men and their dog Chaos have built an amazing life together on the Isle of Wight. Kenny teaches at a local school while Aaron works for the local dog shelter. Kenny knows just how to unravel Aaron but he wants more and Aaron has it in him to give him that more. Then a body is found and Kenny is asked to consult on the case. And just like that they are drawn back into the dark side.
Kenny and Aaron are multi-faceted individuals. It is amazing to see many of their layers gradually revealed and explored. The two are perfect for each other, but they have suffered so much, and still, they carry on with the help of each other. Once again, CF White has penned an incredible tale which takes us deep into the psyche of not only Kenny and Aaron but also some unsavory characters nearby. Once again we are ensnared by the story and intrigued by the plot. Excellent.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Kenny and Aaron are multi-faceted individuals. It is amazing to see many of their layers gradually revealed and explored. The two are perfect for each other, but they have suffered so much, and still, they carry on with the help of each other. Once again, CF White has penned an incredible tale which takes us deep into the psyche of not only Kenny and Aaron but also some unsavory characters nearby. Once again we are ensnared by the story and intrigued by the plot. Excellent.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 13, 2025
When you read three books about a couple, you get an impression that you know them quite well and know what to expect. If you're thinking that about a CF White couple... well, you're wrong.
I read every single Aaron and Kenny book with a baited breath and possibly a slight obsession, but nothing prepared me for the marshmallowy goodness dipped in trauma, recovery, boundless love and understanding this book served me on a silver platter. Seeing them both in a steady(ish) setting, delving deeper and deeper into their connection was art on page!
The crime part of the story was a great addition to the plot and the balance between both sides of the story was, as always, great and thought out in detail.
If you already know Aaron and Kenny, you NEED this part of the story in your life yesterday. If you don't? Do yourself a favor and go read book #1. PSA: Bring ice cream, tissues and a warm burrito-grade blanket. Aaron would back me up on that one ;)
I read every single Aaron and Kenny book with a baited breath and possibly a slight obsession, but nothing prepared me for the marshmallowy goodness dipped in trauma, recovery, boundless love and understanding this book served me on a silver platter. Seeing them both in a steady(ish) setting, delving deeper and deeper into their connection was art on page!
The crime part of the story was a great addition to the plot and the balance between both sides of the story was, as always, great and thought out in detail.
If you already know Aaron and Kenny, you NEED this part of the story in your life yesterday. If you don't? Do yourself a favor and go read book #1. PSA: Bring ice cream, tissues and a warm burrito-grade blanket. Aaron would back me up on that one ;)
November 1, 2025
Don't Shoot Me, Santa is the fourth book in the To Love a Psycho series. It has a Christmas theme, but it's very superficial because it deals with dark topics, as is usual in the series.
We return to Kenny and Aaron, now settled on the Isle of Wight, living their lives there. But we didn't know Aaron completely, his trauma and how he dealt with it. And especially Kenny, who is one of the best boyfriends in the world.
A wave of Christmas-themed murders ravages the island, and the local police ask Kenny for help in profiling the killer. And this is where Aaron's trauma is unleashed.
I love this series, I'll never tire of reading anything about Aaron and Kenny. I usually solve the mystery myself, but in this series I'm unable to do so.
Unforgettable characters, wonderful writing, solid plot, mystery with an unpredictable resolution. It has it all.
+ I want to thank the author for the ARC. This is my voluntary and honest opinion+
We return to Kenny and Aaron, now settled on the Isle of Wight, living their lives there. But we didn't know Aaron completely, his trauma and how he dealt with it. And especially Kenny, who is one of the best boyfriends in the world.
A wave of Christmas-themed murders ravages the island, and the local police ask Kenny for help in profiling the killer. And this is where Aaron's trauma is unleashed.
I love this series, I'll never tire of reading anything about Aaron and Kenny. I usually solve the mystery myself, but in this series I'm unable to do so.
Unforgettable characters, wonderful writing, solid plot, mystery with an unpredictable resolution. It has it all.
+ I want to thank the author for the ARC. This is my voluntary and honest opinion+
December 25, 2025
“𝙄 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚.”
DON’T SHOOT ME, SANTA continues Aaron and Kenny’s journey, part of the To Love a Psycho universe.
Aaron and Kenny are settling into their life together. A little cottage, a relationship that works for them, and a dog named Chaos. Fitting, because their lives are about to turn into chaos once again when a serial killer playing Santa arrives in town, deciding who is good and who is naughty.
Aaron gets put through the wringer, once again, but Kenny is there the whole time, “reprogramming” him to make him realize he is worth the love that Kenny is giving him. Even in his own way, Aaron helps Kenny see he is worthy of love. I love seeing their relationship grow and blossom.
I love these two and hope there are more books with them as the main couple.
Take a chance if you vibe with…
♡ MM
♡ Established Couple
♡ Dark
♡ Holiday
♡ Serial Killer
🍁🍁🍁🍁.5
DON’T SHOOT ME, SANTA continues Aaron and Kenny’s journey, part of the To Love a Psycho universe.
Aaron and Kenny are settling into their life together. A little cottage, a relationship that works for them, and a dog named Chaos. Fitting, because their lives are about to turn into chaos once again when a serial killer playing Santa arrives in town, deciding who is good and who is naughty.
Aaron gets put through the wringer, once again, but Kenny is there the whole time, “reprogramming” him to make him realize he is worth the love that Kenny is giving him. Even in his own way, Aaron helps Kenny see he is worthy of love. I love seeing their relationship grow and blossom.
I love these two and hope there are more books with them as the main couple.
Take a chance if you vibe with…
♡ MM
♡ Established Couple
♡ Dark
♡ Holiday
♡ Serial Killer
🍁🍁🍁🍁.5
October 21, 2025
Tropes:
Christmas Thriller 🎄
Praise Kink 🙌🏻
Possessive Protective Partner 🧑🤝🧑
Sex as Healing ❤️🩹
Trauma Bonding 🥹
Exploring Power Dynamics ⚖️
Criminal Psychology 👨🏻⚕️
Age Gap 👨❤️👨
Hurt Comfort 🫶🏻
Christmas Thriller 🎅🏻
🌟My Review🌟
I appreciate and love my lighthearted, feel-good romances, but I also have an affinity for psychological thriller mystery romances, and I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in captivating stories like the one found in this series. So far, all the books have been truly exceptional, the narrative is meticulously detailed and well thought out, making it extremely engaging. I love the characters, the mystery, and the suspense, all of which are incredibly well written. If you enjoy psychological thriller mystery romances, I highly recommend this series.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Christmas Thriller 🎄
Praise Kink 🙌🏻
Possessive Protective Partner 🧑🤝🧑
Sex as Healing ❤️🩹
Trauma Bonding 🥹
Exploring Power Dynamics ⚖️
Criminal Psychology 👨🏻⚕️
Age Gap 👨❤️👨
Hurt Comfort 🫶🏻
Christmas Thriller 🎅🏻
🌟My Review🌟
I appreciate and love my lighthearted, feel-good romances, but I also have an affinity for psychological thriller mystery romances, and I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in captivating stories like the one found in this series. So far, all the books have been truly exceptional, the narrative is meticulously detailed and well thought out, making it extremely engaging. I love the characters, the mystery, and the suspense, all of which are incredibly well written. If you enjoy psychological thriller mystery romances, I highly recommend this series.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
November 8, 2025
I can’t get enough of Aaron and Kenny.
I loved how their connection, their bond, their love continues to change and evolve and take root. Aaron is finally starting to really trust Kenny, to open up to him in a way that both thrills and scares him in equal measure. He fears he’s lost his prickles, that they’ve got soft, but they haven’t. It’s just that Kenny is the perfect man for HIS prickles and knows how to handle them.
Of course they do not seem able to get away from murder and mayhem for too long, and Aaron’s past seems to resurface in the most improbable ways and places, but they stay strong.
This book, like the previous ones in the series, is a journey inside the mind: the twisted ones, the broken and scared ones, the nurturing and healing ones. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s such a wondrous road to follow!
I loved how their connection, their bond, their love continues to change and evolve and take root. Aaron is finally starting to really trust Kenny, to open up to him in a way that both thrills and scares him in equal measure. He fears he’s lost his prickles, that they’ve got soft, but they haven’t. It’s just that Kenny is the perfect man for HIS prickles and knows how to handle them.
Of course they do not seem able to get away from murder and mayhem for too long, and Aaron’s past seems to resurface in the most improbable ways and places, but they stay strong.
This book, like the previous ones in the series, is a journey inside the mind: the twisted ones, the broken and scared ones, the nurturing and healing ones. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s such a wondrous road to follow!
November 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this book It was great to see how Aaron and Kenny's relationship has progressed. However, I must say that I will never think of Santa quite the same way again. I used to think of him as a sweet and jolly old guy but this book gives new meaning to Santa knows if you've been bad or good. Kenny is working as a professor at a local college, and Aaron is working at a dog shelter on the Isle of Wight. All is going well until Kenny is called by the local police to consult about a homeless teenager who was found dead and posed in a Santa suit. Kenny soon realizes that they are dealing with a serial killer. I enjoyed all the twist and turns of the story, and the author kept me guessing who the killer was. This book highlights how people can twist religion and how a parent's bitterness can warp their child. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book about Kenny and Aaron.
January 7, 2026
Finally done with this one. It went ok once I looked past the MCs bedroom dynamics. It's a shame but I feel like Kenny is taking on this role of reading Aaron and knowing what he wants/needs and it feels weird and not natural. Like leave the profiling out of the bedroom, please. But I think this is on me as I had formed my own idea of where the series was going and it didn't pan out. In my head, I saw them being this amazing duo, solving crimes and having this wholesome relationship with some bickering and lots of banter to balance out Aaron's (and Kenny's as well) past but that's not what it's about. I know lots of people who will love this dynamic but unfortunately it's not for me.
It's still a good book, the writing is really good as always, so I focused more on the mystery. I will keep on reading these but will probably skip some bits and imagine their dynamics are different.
It's still a good book, the writing is really good as always, so I focused more on the mystery. I will keep on reading these but will probably skip some bits and imagine their dynamics are different.
October 17, 2025
I just love coming back to these two. This felt so much shorter than it actually is, mostly because I inhaled it.
Kenny and Aaron are settled into life on the island. Both working, both enjoying the quiet. Until there’s a murder. Kenny’s asked to help, and we love seeing his mind at work (Aaron does too, just… differently 😉).
But the case shakes their peace, especially since Aaron might be somehow involved. No, he didn’t do anything... but the past never stays buried for long.
Their relationship dynamic also evolves beautifully here. It feels natural, necessary even, and adds real depth to the relationship.
Overall, an excellent continuation of their story. Please, please let there be more books 🙏🙏🙏
This is my honest review in exchange for an ARC provided by the author.
Kenny and Aaron are settled into life on the island. Both working, both enjoying the quiet. Until there’s a murder. Kenny’s asked to help, and we love seeing his mind at work (Aaron does too, just… differently 😉).
But the case shakes their peace, especially since Aaron might be somehow involved. No, he didn’t do anything... but the past never stays buried for long.
Their relationship dynamic also evolves beautifully here. It feels natural, necessary even, and adds real depth to the relationship.
Overall, an excellent continuation of their story. Please, please let there be more books 🙏🙏🙏
This is my honest review in exchange for an ARC provided by the author.
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