Click Me Under the Mistletoe: A Spicy Holiday Short Story

by Kit Winterlyn

Rule #1 in my photography Don't sleep with the clients.

Oops.

In my defense, Miles West wasn't supposed to be six-foot-two of pure temptation wrapped in an ugly Christmas sweater. He was just supposed to be my last booking before the holiday. Some single guy with a weird request to document his "sad Christmas" to spite his nosy family.

But somewhere between staging photos of him decorating a pathetic miniature tree and a full-blown flour fight in his kitchen, professional boundaries got very... blurry.

Now I'm juggling holiday photoshoots by day and Miles by night, turning "Forever Alone" into something that feels dangerously like something else. And for a woman who specializes in capturing other people's perfect moments, I'm suddenly starring in my own holiday romance—lens cap optional.

***All books in this series can be read in any order.***

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

Reviews

[Samantha Schramuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:
The perfect start to the holiday season 🎄📸
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Click Me Under the Mistletoe is more than just a short christmas romance. It’s a novella within a 4 part series. This story is filled with character development, witty banter, and enough spice to light your holiday fire.
I really enjoyed that this story not only gave us fun, spicy scenes but also gave us a blossoming love story between two strangers. I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down, I can not wait to devour the other books in the series!

Thank you to author Kit Winterlyn for allowing me to be part of your ARC team!

[Makenna Valdez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super cute, cozy holiday read. I loved the idea of this and it had more depth than I thought it would for it being just a short novella. It was a strong 4 star read for me throughout, until the very end I felt like some of the writing was copy & pasted from the previous chapters. I found that kind of odd? That’s where it lost a star for me. But, I do think that this was everything I wanted from it; short & sweet, cutesy and spicy!

Thank you, Kit, for the ARC opportunity!! I definitely plan on reading more of your work.

[Gayla Storz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Click Me Under the Mistletoe novella was a short, cute and spicy story. It has a great storyline that you won’t put down till you’re finished.

[J.L. Danic · Rating 5 out of 5]

📣ARC REVIEW📣

This novella was exactly what I wanted for a cozy-but-spicy holiday escape! The story follows a hardworking photographerwho takes on what she thinks will be a typical family holiday gig, she end s up snapping a spoof Christmas photoshoot for a thoughtful architect trying to give his family a laugh. What she doesn't expect is the chemistry that crackles between them from the very first shutter click.

Both of them are in their thirties and exhausted by family pressure to “find someone". Neither realize that the person they've been searching for may have walked into their life by accident. But can they get their schedules to align during the busy holiday season?? UGH!!

It's sexy, festive and full of charm. A quick, satisfying read that left me smiling from start to finish and I adored it!

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

~ J.L. Danic

[Sam Beaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles West is tired of the family teasing about his perpetual single status. This Christmas, he decides to embrace the joke by hiring local photographer Zoe Strider for a quirky singleton’s photoshoot—the perfect image for his annual Christmas card.

From the moment they meet, sparks fly. What starts as a professional collaboration quickly melts into playful banter and an intimate cookie-baking sessions, escalating the sexual tension to a fever pitch. For Zoe, this client is about to make her break her cardinal rule: never mix business with pleasure.

Miles and Zoe’s chemistry is electric, making them impossible not to root for. If you’re looking for a short, sizzling, and captivating holiday read, this is the perfect gift to yourself.

❄️ Forbidden Love
❄️ Holiday Romance
❄️ Steamy Read
❄️ Insta Love

[Jo Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

CLICK ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE by KIT WINTERLYN ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Click Me Under The Mistletoe is a novella in the 4 book ROMANCING CHRISTMAS series.

————————————


When Zoe Strider arrives for what she assumes is a cosy, family holiday shoot, she’s not expecting to be met by a handsome stranger looking for quirky, singleton shots. As the pair work together, they discover that they may have more in common than they first thought….

——————————
At just 58 pages, with an interesting cover and excellent editing this is a cosy, seasonal Christmas novella, perfect to get you in the mood for the festive season.

🎄 Open Door Romance
🎄 Seasonal Romance
🎄 🔥🔥🔥
🎄 Christmas Novella

[Cassi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Click Me Under the Mistletoe was such a cute, spicy, and modern holiday read. Kit Winterlyn has this way of taking a short story and giving it that perfect mix of flirtation, tension, and straight-up heat. The “click” between these two characters? Immediate. The chemistry? Off the charts. And the holiday vibes made it even sweeter.

I loved how effortless the banter felt — fun, playful, and a little teasing in the best way. For a short story, it still gives you everything: a spark of romance, a dash of Christmas magic, and just enough spice to warm the whole scene up.

It’s quick, addictive, and exactly the kind of festive pick-me-up I love this time of year. Another great holiday treat from Kit Winterlyn.

[Nicole Mott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short spicy read that was great for the holiday season. The forever alone photo session was a lot of fun to read. I was definitely picturing all the poses in my head and giggling. I enjoyed the book but what lost some stars for me was some of the writing didn't stay consistent. The start of chapter 1 talked about the FMC wearing black jeans and a sweater, then later on it talked about her wearing a skirt. Small details like that wouldn't stay the same a few paragraphs later. For me, with a little more editing, it definitely would have been a 5 start read. Still definitely worth reading for a quick holiday novella!

[Ashley Stanford Cone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A festive and spicy delight to kick off the holiday season!

Click Me Under the Mistletoe started off strong, delivering instant chemistry that had me hooked and considering a career change.

Loved the instant and easy chemistry between the leads, and how quickly they went from strangers to so much more. Great mix of heartwarming and hot that made me want more!

Kit Winterlyn, thanks for the opportunity to be an ARC reader! Can’t wait to read more!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet and spicy story is about Zoe, a photographer hired for a ‘family of 4’ Christmas photo, and Miles, said single person who actually hired her for ‘Sad single photos’…

It started out funny, evolved into something sweet before moving to spicy.
I loved seeing their relationship form - low angst transition from ‘casual’ to long term.

As with all other stories I’ve read from this author, pretty open ended, and giving indications of a sweet HEA.

[thisgirliereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short Christmas spicy book, it was an easy read with likeable characters that worked well together in a plot that was enjoyable and easy to follow. I am still intrigued by the candy cane scene despite finishing the book yesterday day. If you want a short spicy Christmas book that takes less than an hour to read then this is the book for you.

[Sarah Catron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really perfect mix of sweet and spicy for such a short read! I loved the meet cute between the characters and how they just instantly “clicked” 😉 (yes I threw in a camera pun there because I had to) there was funny banter, heartfelt moments, and some delicious spice! All around a great holiday romance.

* An ARC copy was provided to me by the author. All opinions are my own.

[Karly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC of this and I LOVED it. Such a well written short Christmas romance - good balance between steamy and romance. A cute storyline too - I liked that it wasn’t just a steamy novella, there was character development and a storyline. Would have loved for them to have a longer story!

[Missy curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story with just the right amount of spice. I can relate to the singleness at the holidays esp in my early 20s but love the trope and photo settings. I can imagine what the finals shots looked like too! Would love a full blown book!

[Holly_Mac_Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Click Me Under The Mistletoe by Kit Winterlyn is such a cute spicy quick read! If you need a short story with spice and just something to make you smile I definitely recommend this book. It has such a cute little romance story with some steam! Definitely recommend for the Holiday season 🩷

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC, and it did not disappoint. Great spicy, holiday read. I love the chemistry between Miles and Zoe. If you like a quick spicy read you should check this one out along with the other short stories in this series.

[Josephine Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew Christmas could be so hot!
Click Me Under The Mistletoe is the perfect spicy little Christmas read to heat up your holiday! It is a quick read, a little sweetness and a lot of spice! If you're looking for something to cleanse the pallet this is it!

[carinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: This was such a fun read!! I love that it wasn’t your typical Christmas rom com and was a fresh concept!! The chemistry between the men and fmc was amazing and I love their “professional” banter

[mamaqueleeromance (Sofia Gajewski) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such a short book, it was an amazing read. I’m impressed!
I laughed out loud many times while imagining the situations. The way they talked to each other “professionally” was really well done.
It’s the perfect read while waiting for your partner to arrive 🤭.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Click me under the mistletoe was a strong, fun, short festive read with plenty of spice to melt the ice and warm your cold winter

Although this book did have some inconsistencies and needed polishing up abit

[Shaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, short holiday romance. I loved getting to see some relationship development in a spicy novella, not just spice.

[Becky Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

starts with a photo shoot.......cozy story.

[Jessica Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was short sweet spicy and totally adorable. All the funny sad Christmas shots made me giggle. I loved their dynamic and how easily they came together. When you know you know!!

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this one was hilarious!!! Well how it started was. I was just as shocked as Zoe. I couldn't stop laughing because it was so ridiculous. I did very much enjoy the short story.

[Jordan Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

MILES WEST & ZOE STRIDER

SHORT N SWEET CHRISTMAS NOVELLA

THE BANTER, THE CHEMISTRY THE SPICE 5/5

REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SHORT WOULD LOVE FOR IT TO BE LONGER BUT OVERALL IT WAS VERY ENJOYABLE

2 WORD! CANDY CANE! YUM!