The Guy of Christmas Past: a hot and heartwarming Christmas romance novella

by Rachel Rowan

When Sam Thorne turns up at her friend’s stately home in the snowbound Yorkshire countryside, she’s expecting the usual lavish Christmas party. But the house is empty, except for him, the last guy she expected to see. And the one she stupidly hoped to.

Musician Lewis Smith is penniless, heartbroken, and homeless. So when his aunt, housekeeper at the enormous Rakely House, tells him the mansion will be empty, it seems the perfect place to hide out over Christmas. Until she turns up and catches him where he shouldn’t be.

Sam remembers the old Lewis, the mysterious guest she spoke to for hours last Christmas, bright, optimistic, and deeply in love. But he’s not that man anymore. He’s not even who he’s pretending to be now—a friend of the family. And the other difference? He’s very much single.

The snow is falling, the heating’s broken, there’s little to do but chat and keep warm by the fireside. But as things begin to heat up, will Lewis’s secrets prevent this Christmas present turning into Christmas future?

A cosy, open door Christmas romance novella.

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

Rachel Rowan lives in England, with her husband, children, rescue cat, and an embarrassing amount of undone housework. She writes smart, steamy romcoms with lots of heat, humour, heart, and all the things she loves, such as:

-Witty banter
-Slow burn
-Mutual pining
-Stolen glances
-Hand-flexing tension
-Steam!
-Ardent declarations
-And always, always, a happy ending!

Rachel Rowan’s Entitled Love novellas weave the stately homes and witty banter of regency romance into contemporary steamy romcoms.

Join her mailing list for news and free bonus content: www.rachelrowan.com

Reviews

[Shannai · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

There's nothing more that I love at Christmastime, than knowing I have an Entitled Love novella to read, and this was the perfect fix! The characters in an Entitled Love novella tend to start out awkward and introverted, and this was no different, and I love it when two people are snowed in together, and forced to spend time with each other!

Thank you kindly Rachel for the e-arc! ❤️

[Carrie West · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Hating people is…unpleasant, miserable work and no good for anyone. But you can still hate what was done to you. You can still hate having lost what you did.”
-Samantha

Woah, woah, woah. No one warned me this story would make me cry. I demand compensation!!!

My heart was a bit worried at the beginning. Two strangers forgotten on Christmas? Sounds like heartache waiting to happen. As the story came together, it was clear two were going to be in love. Then the present. Really Rachel? You are so not my friend right now. I was crying at my desk reading that scene. Good thing I was the only one there.

[Patty Baumeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Book Review
The Guy of Christmas Past
A Novella Written By Rachel Rowan
Fiction - Romance
Published December 2025
138 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


This is a Christmas romance that will tug at your heartstrings. Two lost souls find each other on December 23. Both are struggling and unsure what to do with their lives. Spending time together on the day before Christmas Eve talking, lifting each other up, and getting to know one another brings focus to both their lives.

I was rooting for the two main characters, Sam and Lewis, as I read their story.

“Just two people who happened to be in the same place, making the most of an awkward situation.”

[Marmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entitled love series is one of my favorites, ever. Another sweet and spicy story. She puts so much depth and humor in these short stories. I wish all novellas were this lovely and well rounded.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Guy of Christmas Past is a cozy, spicy, forced proximity Christmas romance. If you are familiar with the author, then you will understand that it is an Entitled Love novella.

The story centers around Lewis Smith and Sam(antha) Thorne. Lewis is a struggling musician. Broke, and nowhere to go for the holidays, his aunt Portia offers to let him stay at the Orton estate where she works as the housekeeper. With no one else staying at the property, he intends to keep a low profile through the holidays.

Sam, a friend of Jessica Orton, headed to the Orton estate as she was invited to their holiday party. Unfortunately she never got the message that it was cancelled. Before turning around to make the long journey back home, she is excited to see footprints in the snow as she really needs to pee! She knocks on the door and is shocked to find Lewis. He was one of the main reasons she made the trip. Sam remembered meeting Lewis at a party the previous year and he made quite the impression on her. She hoped to meet him again.

While at first Lewis doesn't remember her, Sam is encouraged to stay overnight and drive home during daylight hours. The two therefore spend an extended amount of time together. The talk, they build a fire, they sled... and they connect.

This was an enjoyable holiday read. The author quickly captured my attention and kept me engaged throughout the story. The characters were well developed and relatable. They had great chemistry. I loved their open dialogue, and appreciated the style in which the book was written, giving readers insight into each character's POV. I continue to be a fan of Rowan's work and definitely encourage you to check out not only this novella but her other published works as well.

[Sarah Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful christmassy tale. Now if you've read ' The debutantes disaster' by the same author there are delightful nods to their names and their friends names in this tale. They were the Ortons in the 1700's but this book is a modern day tale.
A very enjoyable story with an extremely Christmas feel. Two people( who have only met once and are really stranger's to each other having only met once) end up at their friends stately home which is empty. I don't like to give spoilers but they gradually get to know each other, it turns out they met at a party at the same house the year before.
Yes there is some wonderfully steamy parts to this tale, a warning of you are easily offended. However it's not gratuitous but rather enhances the story.
I loved reading this book, it's written from both our characters perspectives within each page at times which enhances the tale for me. As opposed to a chapter each, I enjoyed the perspective changing rapidly as we read their thoughts in real time.
So a great Christmas book to warm you from the inside. Well worth a read.

[tash.bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This novella was perfect to kick off my holiday TBR! The characters were well developed, the plot was engaging, there was emotion, there was tension, there was some heat, the pacing was perfect, and there was a lovely and satisfying HEA.
Sam and Lewis met at a Christmas party a year ago. They're about to unknowingly start the holidays together again, but this time it's a party of 2. Sam is an interesting and adorably quirky character. She comes from money but is humble, and wants to make an impact in the world. Lewis is a broody and struggling musician. He's heartbroken, homeless, and keeping some secrets. I adored his character! These two come from different worlds, but are drawn to each other.
It's a charming, wintery, Christmassy slow burn set in the Yorkshire countryside - what's not to love?!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lewis is a musician down on his luck, unemployed and homeless. His aunt has gone away for Christmas and so has the wealthy family she works for. She suggests that Lewis stay at the family's home over the holiday season. Samantha received a party invitation from her friend Jess, the daughter of the wealthy family. However, when she arrives she only finds Lewis there having missed a message to say the party was cancelled. They were both here this time last year and Sam had been hoping to see Lewis again remembering the time they spent with each other then. Lewis had been too drunk last year so doesn't remember her. But as they spend time together now, Lewis starts to recall the talk they had then and both realise that there is a strong mutual attraction between them. Alone in the house together the relationship develops. A spicy, emotional story.

[Dana Sessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story to get you more into the Christmas spirit! Rachel Rowan has written such a wonderful holiday read that will keep you wanting more and more. The characters were brought to life on the page well and you could feel tension back and forth which did not make me want to put the book down! I definitely would recommend this book - especially if you are a Rachel Rowan fan. It does not disappoint but rather adds to the holiday magic.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight from beginning to end. You can always count on Rachel Rowan to deliver a well-developed, witty, heartfelt, and sensual novella. “Snowed in” is my favorite plot device for a holiday novella, and Sam and Lewis’s story was a master class in building tension and emotional connection, all set against an atmospheric backdrop of a quiet estate in the English countryside. I loved every minute of it!

[David B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely short Christmas read

This novella hit the spot for a sweet, slightly spicy Christmas read. The chemistry between these two is perfect and I love the way each of them struggled with their own insecurities while building up the other. Can be read as a stand alone but better if you've read others in the series.

[Ms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just perfect for a Twixmas afternoon. I was able to lose myself for an afternoon in the development of Lewis and Samantha's relationship.
Thank you Rachel for the chance to read this novella in return for my thoughts on the story.
I am now looking forward to reading all the other stories based around this friendship and family group.

[happytobehere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brava!

Simply an excellent novella and addition to the Entitled Love series. Great character and plot development. Spicy scenes that seem tailor-made for the protagonists.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This was very cute and Christmassy!

Not my favourite of the series but it was still so festive and cute.