Checking His List: A Spicy Christmas Short Story

by Kit Winterlyn

10 Items. 10 Days. 1 Naughty

Kiss a stranger ✓Skinny dip in snowSteal a Christmas ornamentRevealing Santa hat photoAdult cookies for SantaCar sex (Christmas music required)Nude snow angelsEggnog body shotsCrash a Christmas partyPrivate present unwrappingWhen I found Nate's list at a café, I should've walked away. I'm a librarian. I alphabetize my spices. I've never broken a rule in my life.

But his eyes were warm, his smile was dangerous, and when he asked me to help complete his list, I said yes.

Now we're stealing, trespassing, and doing things that would make Santa blush. It's temporary—just ten days of holiday rebellion before we go back to real life.

Except real life was boring. And Nate makes me feel fearless.

The problem? I'm falling for him, and our agreement ends on Christmas.

***All of the stories in this collection can be read in any order and are not connected by anything other than theme***

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2025

Reviews

[keoni💌✨🌙🌷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

emma is a reserved, librarian who has just had a bad breakup with her ex. nate is a workaholic who needs a little bit of christmas mischief this year. when emma finds a christmas checklist on the floor with scandalous items written on, she finds herself bumping into the man who wrote them. she takes a leap of faith and agrees to help him check off one item, a kiss with a stranger. after a passionate kiss she agrees to help nate tick off the rest of his list. the list starts off as fun, temporary and no strings, but as they get to the end of the list they both realise they have a promise for something more… something that could last longer then just christmas!

what a lovely, short christmas read filled with spice, chemistry and tension. i went into this book already knowing i loved the premise and it did NOT disappoint. i just wish it could have been longer!

it was so sweet how nate was constantly checking that emma was comfortable at all times and willing to change the list he wrote to adapt to how emma was feeling. their bond grew so quickly by filling the time between items on the list with talking about their childhood, their dreams, favourite movies and cute memories from growing up.

lovely story of a woman opening herself up to possibilities she never would have before finding the list and falling for the man that wrote it and helped her come out of her shell.

tropes-
~christmas romance
~strangers to lovers
~spicy !!

i received an arc copy for free from BookSirens and kit winterlyn. thank you 🤍

[Reiner Block · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all it's a good book from one of the better authors. But I missing more descriptions of the main characters, mostly physically.

One discrepancy was of the charts.

First they learn that his family will be back two days early from vacation. Because Emma has an early shift next day he brings her home early in the morning and because his family will be back that day they agree to meet at Emma's place in the evening.

After the list task is finished in the evening they agree that he will spend the night at her apartment. Therefore, he's about to text his mother that he would spend the night with a friend, to prevent her from sending a search party.

They talk and come to the conclusion that she's his girlfriend and not just a friend.

And than a horrible discrepancy comes.

Suddenly the family is coming back the day after tomorrow? He already told Emma what happened that day with his family. And why would he feel the need to text his mother when the family is not at the cabin?

[Jo Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHECKING HIS LIST by KIT WINTERLYN ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Checking His List is a novella in the 4 book ROMANCING CHRISTMAS series.


When Emma finds an unusual ‘naughty list’ lying abandoned on a café floor she’s intrigued, the list sites ten ‘cheeky’ directives, to be completed before Christmas. Even more intriguing is the man who claims the list belongs to him and invites her to complete the list with him…..

————————————


‘Checking His List’ is a holiday romance with plenty of seasonal spice, and not for the faint hearted. It’s an interesting premise, would you be willing to come out of your comfort zone and bare all to a stranger?? I liked this well written, interesting story.

At around 90 pages, I read an ebook of this book, with an interesting cover and well edited, this is a great Novella.

🎄Christmas Romance
🎄Strangers To Lovers
🎄 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[J.L. Danic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This spicy little holiday novella was such a fun surprise! When Emma stumbles across Nate’s Naughty List—with tasks like “Kissing a Stranger Under a Mistletoe" and “Making a Nude Snow Angel"—she agrees to team up with him to finish all 10 items in 10days. No strings…. Or so they think.

Their time together at his family's cabin is cute, cozy and unexpectedly heartfelt. The chemistry, the banter and slow shift from playful partners to something deeper—I was hooked. By the end I was fully cheering for an official happily-ever-after.

A cute, steamy, feel-good Christmas romance, perfect for anyone who loves holiday fun with a sexy twist!

Thank you, Kit Winterlyn, for trusting me to meet Emma and Nate before the rest of the world. It has truly been a pleasure.

~ J.L. Danic

[Cassi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checking His List was such a fun, flirty, and spicy little holiday escape. Kit Winterlyn knows how to turn a short story into something that feels complete, addictive, and full of heat. I loved the setup, the instant chemistry, and the way the tension just snapped in all the right places.

For a short story, it packs everything you want — Christmas vibes, playful banter, and a hero who knows exactly what (and who) he wants. And the spice? Definitely checks out. 🔥

It’s the perfect “read in one sitting” kind of story that leaves you smiling and maybe a little flushed. Cute, steamy, and festive — another win from Kit Winterlyn.

[Missy curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness- probably my favorite so far from Kit Winterlyn! Sexy stranger “workaholic” Nate drops a Naughty list and librarian Emma happens to pick it up and shockingly agrees to #1- Kiss a Stranger under the Mistletoe. Short but fun read as Emma decides whether or not to let her librarian hair down and live a little bit. Nate wants to complete his list in 10 days creating an epic adventure and make memories, but Emma has always been a rule follower. Can she step out of her comfort zone? Curl up with a blanket, mug of hot chocolate and check out this spicy read and maybe create some memories of your own! 🌶️🌶️

[Just JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Talk about this being the most wonderful time of the year, lol. This book celebrates new experiences with new people in a steamy, whirlwind romance that has me wanting to make a list of my own. Emma and Nate may have met by happenstance, but what sets them on the course to become the holiday couple to envy is an adventurous thrill ride as they check off the 10 naughty items on the Christmas List. Sit down and buckle up because these two are going places!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nicole Mott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a fun spicy holiday read that will have you laughing...then this is perfect! I was definitely entertained while reading this short novella. It was a fun quick read with equal parts spice and laughs. The FMC and the MMC have such adorable and mischievous chemistry between them. I felt like I was right there with them completing their naughty Christmas list full of chaos. With just a little more editing done to some of the writing, this would have definitely been a 5 start read for me. I had a lot of fun reading this story.

[Holly_Mac_Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checking his List by Kit Winterlyn is a delightful cozy holiday novella that blends, sweetness, humor, and plenty of spice. A shy reserve librarian who gets coaxed out of her shell by a driven workaholic architect. Their chemistry is instant playful thanks to a naughty Christmas list, full of festive tension. If you’re in the mood for a quick stem holiday romance that bounces cute moments with spicy scenes this novel is an excellent pick.

[Ruthie Mckinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making a list, checking it twice. Meet Emma, a librarian who lives a quiet life and Nate a architect whose lookin to spice up his Christmas. In a chance meeting the 2 strangers decide to heat up Christmas.
Checking his list is quick cute story. I enjoyed it, it was a fun read. It’s has it all, spice, romance and bit of comedy. Some of the spicy scenes were a bit repetitive but overall solid book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, steamy, a little spicy, I loved Emma and Nate’s story. When she finds the naughty list that he ‘accidentally’ dropped, you just know that this is going be a more sweet than spicy story.
It moves quickly, progresses well, and I adored them together. A great story, perfect for a little escape.

[thisgirliereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Checking His List is a Christmas novella that is full of Christmas surprises. Emma finds Nate’s Christmas list on the floor and that’s where this Christmas miracle begins as strangers become lovers on the lead up to Christmas. If you a looking for a short and spicy read to enjoy between all the Christmas chaos then this may be the book for you.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!!! Its my favorite one of the 3 I've read so far! Emma and Nate are so adorable together. Plus the list is was a fun icebreaker to say the least. It was crazy, hectic, and maybe a bit illegal. I loved it!

[Karly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC of this and I LOVED it. What an amazing meet cute story (with a little spice too)! Short, sweet and well written.

[Becky Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

It starts with a naughty list and ends in happily ever after.

[Jessica Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was adorable! I loved the theme and all the. Crazy naughty. Briana’s items! So fun to read!

[Natisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg Exactly what I needed to get me in the holiday spirit hehe.
If you’re a romcom reader and need some Christmas spice and a big cuddle this book is for you.

[dalareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

ouu que bonita historiaaaa! cuando lo sabes, lo sabes <3

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was also a cute holiday romance novella.

The first encounter was so natural and out of the blue.

Two strangers got to know each other by going down the checklist and checking each item off.

Nate constantly asks Emma if she is comfortable doing the tasks on the list and is willing to change it based on her feelings. Their bond gets stronger as they spend more time together - they even shared their dreams, childhood experiences, and more.