The Last Noelle: A Holiday Horrors Short Story

by Caren Hahn

Welcome to Holiday Horrors, a multi-author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you'll question whether Christmas is about Santa's Sleigh... or Santa's Slay. What holiday nightmares keep you up at night?

Noelle is looking forward to spending a cozy Christmas Eve with her family. But when she runs out of gas in the coastal town of Ellis Cove, she has to rely on the kindness of strangers—and one of them has something to hide.

When Noelle stumbles upon a dark secret, it’s not just her holiday in danger. She may not make it out of Ellis Cove alive.

Don't forget to check out all of the Holiday Horrors collection!

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

About the author

CAREN HAHN is an award-winning fantasy and suspense author best known for the Owl Creek, small town suspense series, and Hatched, a dragon adventure series. She discovered at a young age that the only thing more thrilling than reading fictional adventures was writing them herself, though it took the disruption from a global pandemic before she was driven to share her stories with the world.

Caren has a passion for writing intense stories without explicit content so they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a classic example of how looks can be deceiving, and how sometimes trusting the wrong person can put you in a compromising… sometimes deadly situation. I connected with Noel and was rooting for her during her tumultuous ordeal. Her road trip to visit family for the Christmas holidays went left when she gets low on gas. When she runs into brothers Jenner & Brody, her night gets way more horrific!

Enjoyed this story, it was well written & never lost my attention. I would definitely be diving more into the small town life of Ellis Cove, and reading this side of dark next.

Publication 🗓️ : 12.05.25

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good suspenseful short story. From the start it gives you a feeling and from there it intensifies. The pacing was quick and steady. The characters kept me thinking. The twist was fantasticly executed. For a short story this held up great.

Thank you Caren Hahn for the eARC. This review is that of my own.

[KwentongKuneho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much action. I was so out of breath (literally) when I reached the end of the book. I kept holding my t every now and then without me realizing it. That was a real suspense!

I love how there was a contrast between the brothers’ and the cousins’ relationship. Boy, how I’m amazed at Brody’s discipline and patience. Ohhh, and I loved that ending.

Thanks for this, Caren!

[Astera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Noelle by Caren Hahn

I devoured this short story!
The Last Noelle was full of suspense and twists that I did not see coming.

The FMC Noelle is driving home on Christmas Eve, and on the last leg of her trip she starts running out of the gas in the middle of the night. She finds an old gas station that looks open and that’s where her journey makes a turn for the worse.

If you’re looking for a short read about the holiday season that has a dark edge, I definitely would recommend The Last Noelle by Caren Hahn!

Thank you Caren Hahn for the ARC copy, I’m excited to read more about Ellis Cove!

This is the first story I have read for the Holiday Horrors collection of short stories and I’m already looking forward to its release!

[Susan Blissett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good, short Christmas thriller! Noelle is going to visit her aunt late at night on 23rd December in the hope of arriving before Christmas Eve. When she is a couple of hours away, she starts to run out of gas for her car and pulls into a gas station. From then on, things take a nasty turn. I was engaged throughout with this dark Christmas tale and was keen to find out what would happen to Noelle. The ending was also enjoyable and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book.

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

⛽ Arc Review 🎄

I consumed this book in one sit down. It's full of twists and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly enjoyed my time with Noelle and Brody. I would absolutely read another book about these two.

[Lisa Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great thriller short story. The pacing was great and the twists kept me hooked. Noelle is a very believable heroine and she and Brody work great together. I would absolutely read a full length novel featuring them.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Noelle was a great quick story. I enjoyed reading it and looking forward to reading the others. The characters were believable and the story held its pace.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Noelle by Caren Hahn was aa holiday horrors short.

It was suspenseful, short and had me on the edge the entire time. From the start it grips you and doesn't let you go, it just intensifies.

The pacing was quick and steady building. The characters kept me thinking. The twist was expertly executed. It really makes you think that looks are deceiving and you never really know who to trust.

I recommend this to anyone who loves a goof suspense/ thriller/ horror and wants to get into the holiday spirit.

Thank you Caren Hahn for the eARC.

[Laura Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up for GoodReads. This was creepy! Noelle was heading home to visit her aunt for Christmas for the first time in years. She was thinking a lot about her cousin, who was murdered some time before. She couldn't figure out why Natalie was on her mind.

About an hour away from her aunt's, she got the low gas alert on her car. She ended up stopping at a small gas station as it was the only place that was open.

Caryn brought all the intrigue and mystery into the book. She was able to describe the setting perfectly, which added some spookiness. I will be reading more from her!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

dark and gripping read

“The Last Noelle” is truly a holiday nightmare—in the best way possible. Caren Hahn delivers a chilling tale packed with danger, deception, and escalating dread. This installment in the Holiday Horrors Series hooks you fast and keeps you teetering on edge as the tension sharpens. A perfectly dark and gripping read for anyone who loves their holiday stories with a sinister twist.

[Jenn Honkofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story, although the timeline jumps around a little, it was easy to keep up with because Caren gives cues before it changes. Definitely an exciting read. Lots of ups and downs and back and forth.

[Lori Albertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Noelle by Caren Hahn is a throwback to traditional horror stories. I was enthralled with it from the beginning. Pulling for Noelle propelled me through this story. This is a truly great horror story!

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! WOW!!!! WOW!!!! I love how all the details just came together at the end!!!!

[J.C. Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful short story!

[Katrina Baxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 1 sitting, couldn't put it down! Great twists in a short read that make you want to keep reading.

[Ashlee Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me intrigued the entire read! I didn't know what was going to happen and when! I definitely recommend reading this. I'm glad that there was a final girl in this!

[Stacey Persin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Noelle is a well written, fast-paced story. Caren Hahn crafts a Christmas Eve thriller that delivers escalating tension with a high-stakes, unputdownable narrative and a satisfying ending.

[Jessica Kayama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story! I honestly wish it was a full novel as I really enjoyed the characters!! Thank you for allowing me to have an ARC for this!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story very much! I would recommend this for sure!

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! I rarely read novellas, but it was fun to read a thriller that cuts to the chase and just brings intensity.

[LaRae Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frightening!!

This book definitely got my attention right away! I was immediately on edge! A short read that I was able to finish in one sitting! Simply awesome story!