A Dark Romance Christmas

by Leanne Alyse

Quinn O'Brady never likes going home for the holidays, interactions with her family are uncomfortable and that's not to even touch on the trauma associated with her home town. When someone from her past starts to come for revenge from a teenage mistake, she'll have to navigate what's best for herself and her feelings for the man who's trying to destroy her life. Holidays, fires, and murder, oh my, and all Quinn wants to do is go back home to New York.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Emmy Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m loving the Literal romance series, it’s super fun, a little bit sweet and definitely dark. That first scene was so intensely dark and so super hot of our mmc Beckett! But you’ll have to read it to find out. She’s a city girl going back to her hometown where she experienced major trauma, and meeting the brother of her late best friend does not help matters. He wants something from her, and she’s not willing to give it… when he charms his way into her heart, how long can she hold back? Honestly though this book and a really intense start but unfortunately got a little underwhelming later on. I enjoyed the plot I just wish it was a little darker. I however loved both characters, both were unique and had amazing chemistry. The whole journal idea, and Lilias journal was overplayed int he first half but then it just got forgotten about and we never knew what was in it??? Also quite some plot gaps and confusions. However despite these little things, the story still was good, and I enjoyed how it wrapped up. I give it a 3.5/

[Casandra Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful yet emotional story. I really felt the pain the main characters were experiencing. I understood the struggle they felt. The urge to love on from the past and look forward to a better life out of their little small town. Wanting more for your life.

I especially enjoyed the passion of the story, the bond with family, the way justice was taken into their own hands. I understand that so much. I would definitely re read this and love to read many more books by this author 🖤

[Rebeckah Klemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I could not put the book down! Second, we need to know what was in the journal!!
4.5/5 I will 100% recommend. If you're expecting something super dark and / or twisted, this is not it. It was definitely more of a good starter book if you're looking to get into darker romance. It was the perfect balance of fun, sweet, dark, and adventurous. I can't wait to check out Leanne's other books!

[Nakkita Encinias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, intriguing story! It is a perfect introduction into darker romance! I loved reading about Quinn and Beckett, and I definitely will go back and read Reily and Liams story! I do wish we found out what was in the journal but I like Quinn honering her promise!

[rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the opportunity to arc read for this book and I loved it. I would love to read more about Beckett and Quinn.
It did leave me wondering about the journal. It was such a huge deal and then suddenly it was just dropped and never brought up again nor what was in it.
I’m not a fan of slow burn, so I absolutely loved how fast paced and to the point it was.
I loved the relationship between Quinn and Beckett and how far they were willing to go for each other. It definitely left me wanting more, but in a good way. I would love to read more of Quinn and Beckett

[Kate Birchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read! Twists and turns to keep you flipping pages, needing to know what’s next. Spice, because a book must have it! And the love, which really, was one of my biggest takeaways. “You don’t keep score with people you love.”

[Brytne Noyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett is 🥵🥵 at first you don’t know whether to be scared of him or turned on by him! 😅 but in all seriousness this book is sooooo good! I couldn’t find a single thing that was wrong with it, the relationship between the main characters grows just how I like it! I will be getting the physical copy of this book when it comes out! And the spicy scenes had me in a chokehold mixing Christmas and spicy and you’ve already won my heart 😆

[Megan Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's killing me not knowing what's in that journal!!! it was good a book, to me though seemed like it needed something more. would I recommend it yes I would.

[Ashley Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dark Romance Christmas delivers exactly what the title promises—a sinful, snowy blend of shadows, spice, and holiday chaos. Leanne Alyse leans hard into the dark-romance vibes, giving us a story that’s equal parts twisted tension and holiday warmth.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between the leads—there’s an addictive push-and-pull that keeps the pages moving. The atmosphere is also a standout: cold winter nights, dangerous secrets, and a festive backdrop that somehow makes everything feel even more intense.

That said, I found myself wanting a little more depth in certain moments. Some emotional beats felt rushed, and a few plot threads wrapped up quicker than expected. I also wish the ending had been expanded just a bit—it was good, but not quite as satisfying as it could’ve been with a little more development.

Still, if you’re in the mood for a fast, shadowy holiday read with spice, suspense, and just enough softness to melt the ice, this book delivers. It’s a fun, dark-tinged Christmas escape, even if it doesn’t hit every emotional note perfectly.

[Christine Fancher · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you're looking for a dark and twisted relationship that is dripping with toxicity this is it. there were elements to this book i enjoyed and some that I did not. overall it was a fun and spicy read, but some things felt rushed and confusing. I would have loved to know what was actually in the friends journal for sure. the amount of acceptance for so many unacceptable things was baffling to me and hard to always take seriously. I LOVED Quinns dad. he was my favorite character, and id have liked to know more about him. I think there were elements that could have gone deeper and been explained more. this book was definitely made more for those dark twisted elements though and that's what it gave!

[Jess ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute dark romance with just the right holiday twist. Best friend’s brother, revenge on his mind, and you’re home for the holidays—what could go wrong? He pulls you into his web, and honestly… you’re more than willing to stay tangled there.

The plot kept me hooked, the tension was fun and flirty with a darker edge, and it scratched that morally gray itch without going too heavy. This was my last Christmas read of the season, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end it—with a little sweetness and a little darkness mixed together perfectly. 🎄🖤

[Rachelle Whynott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok but I want to know what’s in the journal! This book was really good. The first scene was spicy and grabs your attention right away. The characters are intriguing and likable. The cover of this book really doesn’t do the inside of the book justice. I think most would look at it and not find it appealing visually and probably not pick it up but they’d be missing out.

I received this book as an arc and I’m leaving my honest review

[Ashley Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book that you read when you want to dip your toes into dark romance if you like drama, a little bit of mystery a little bit of thriller you’re gonna enjoy this one it is spicy! This was my introduction to the author.
More like 3.5 star it had some stuff I felt needed added to round out the story especially the journal they were obsessed with in the beginning more on the lovers story of when they pined for each other as teens and so on.

[Heaven Stapleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. The first scene gets you hooked. The characters are well written and you feel their emotions well. Between the spicy scenes and the back and forth of should I be scared for Quinn keeps you hooked. I think most readers would probably not pick it up due to judging the cover art but they would miss out on a good read.

[Heather Shower · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fiery, gripping start with irresistible chemistry between Quinn and Beckett. I wanted a darker edge and more closure on the journal, but it’s still a spicy, fast-moving intro to dark romance that kept me turning pages.

[NIKKI Courville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. It kept my interest and was def Dark romance. I would reccomend this to anyone.

[Jill W · Rating 4 out of 5]

i got this book as an arc read. I like the chemistry between some of the characters. personally, it wasn't for me. it's a fun, quick little Christmas read, and I do recommend it

[Amanda Riojas-Bonis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think A Dark Romance Christmas does what it promises — using the holiday season not to sugar-coat romance, but to amplify conflict, emotion, and transformation. It’s not a “Hallmark Christmas” story; rather it’s a gritty, raw take on what holidays can mean for someone with a difficult past: confronting demons, seeking closure, and possibly finding love under harsh circumstances.

The dynamic between Quinn and whichever “man from her past” is involved isn’t just about attraction — it’s entangled with history, guilt, redemption. That complexity often makes dark romances emotionally compelling.

[Spring932 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected going into this ARC. Wish it was a little longer and some of the side stories were developed more.
I loved where the story was going but it seemed to end abruptly. I wanted more back story