Texas Snow: A Christmas Novella

by Kelly Fox

His cabin was the last place I wanted to go.

Detective Rafferty put me behind bars, and I should hate him for it.
I mean…I do.
Mostly.
But there’s a fine line between grudge and obsession, and I’ve been walking it for the last year.
Now my protection detail’s blown on Christmas Eve, and the only man who can keep me alive is the one who ruined my life.

Texas Snow is a 29k word enemies-to-lovers story set in the Highland Lakes area of Central Texas during a freak Christmas snowstorm. Originally published in the Snowed In anthology, this expanded novella is for those who love a little action with their holiday cheer.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Novella, Forced Proximity, LGBT

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2025

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texas Snow by Kelly Fox is a MM, holiday novella. Although I have several of this author’s books on my to read list, this is the first one I actually read. I love the cover and couldn’t resist. This little story is sweet, swoony, suspenseful and steamy. And...I loved every page. It was first written for the Snowed In anthology but has since been expanded.



Detective Rafferty may have been the one to put Jesse Travis behind bars. But in the endless months watching him, learning about him, he got to know so much more about the son of the head of a crime family, their enforcer. He got to know the real man, who was kind and caring. It made him wonder what Jesse would have done with his life if he wasn’t born into the family he was.

Jesse Travis was going to prison and he knew who sent him there. So why did he spend as much time fantasizing about Rafferty as well as planning his revenge?

When Jesse agrees to a deal and is under the protection of the rangers, danger finds them and Jesse finds himself on the doorstep of the detective’s isolated cabin, needing help from the one person he shouldn’t ever trust. But, he might soon learn that he is the only person that he CAN trust, the only person he will ever feel truly safe with.



There was so much packed into this little story. It was so intense in some parts. But also so sweet and swoony. This was a different kind of holiday romance from the others I have read this season and I am so glad I picked it up. I will definitely be checking out some of her other books that are on my list.

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25**** stars


･ﾟ*.✫*ﾟ Nice, Kelly. Very nice. Snow in Texas. What an Image. I loved reading Raff and Jesse’s story. And I have half a mind now to move to Montenegro too.


A convict and the detective who brought him behind bars. It was hot.

“You collapsed one of my lungs,” I groused, even as I tracked the bulge in his sweatpants. “I know. I’m sorry.” He held up his hands. “Tell you what: as soon as I can go again, I’ll give you a nice, slow apology fuck.”

I held my elbow as I tapped my chin with a finger. “I find that acceptable. Though…”—I looked at the bed longingly—“I could use a little sleep.” “I could use a lot of sleep,” he admitted. “You willing to sleep with a criminal in your bed?”

Guess he was. 💀

*･☆ﾟ ━━━━━━ * .･☆ﾟ*･ﾟ━━━━━ ☆ *･ﾟ

⇢ side note: this novella has previously been published as a short story in the anthology “Snowed In” but has since then been re-edited and expanded.

[patrícia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review: Texas Snow: A Christmas Novella by Kelly Fox
MC:Rafferty & Jesse 3⭐

Yeah… nothing about this was right. I knew it and so did he.
And that made it hotter than anything else.

Tropes & tags
Enemies to Lovers
Detective/ Convicted
Snowed In » Forced Proximity
Christmas snowstorm
Highland Lakes area of Central Texas
Insta Love
Action/Suspense

Oh jfc, I’m in such a shitty mood — sorry, Rafferty and Jesse… I’m usually pretty forgiving with novellas, but this one was a bit too on the nose for me.

I had a hard time connecting with the story. How is it possible that a detective who put a criminal in jail and assaulted him in a courthouse ends up opening the door of his remote Texas cabin to that same man during a showdown… and immediately goes into full caregiver mode? And then they just proceed to fuck each other senseless.

“Only when the towel lay at my feet did he shift his focus to my erection”
“Seriously?” I asked, trying to catch up.
His eyes went onyx with desire. “As long as you’re into it.”
If you only knew.
“Oh, I’m into it.” I ran my hand through my wet hair, shaking out the limp curls. “It’s a little fucked up, but I don’t mind.”
“Good.”

The fucking-each-other-senseless part was pretty hot, so there’s that.

I’m usually fine with unrealistic stuff, but once you bring detectives and police procedure into it, my brain immediately switches to full CSI / NCIS / Criminal Minds / The Mentalist / True Detective mode — and then it all falls apart. It nags at me like an itch I can’t scratch. How does everyone know Jesse is being moved, and where to? He’s meant to be in witness protection. And Raff being that chill about Jesse turning up was wild. Like, “oh, funny seeing you here, come on in” 😅
The ending was okay, but way too insta-love for my taste.

I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.

❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: No
Other Person Drama: No
Sharing: No
Third-Act Breakup: Temporary
Role Dynamics: Strict roles
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Standalone / Novella
Ending: HEA
Angst Level: Low
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Strong
Pining: One-sided ( more like dirty fantasies)

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit I was humming and hawing a lot throughout this book.

I enjoyed the writing as such, but the scenario caused me quite a few problems.
As did the incredibly fast development of feelings.

For me, Rafferty and Jesse would have needed some far deeper conversations before descending into relationship vibes, and the ending is rather aspirational.

No doubt, this is quite hot, and it seems these two belong together, but there is probably a tad too much ‘suspend your belief’ for me to swallow.

Still, not a bad read!

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I haven't read the first version of this novella, the one included in the Snowed In Anthology. So this was a completely new read for me.

The story starts during a trial: Jesse Travis, a member of a criminal family, has been accused of murder. One of the witnesses in the trial is the Sheriff who investigated and arrested him, Rafferty. Jesse, after rejecting a deal from the Prosecutor office about immunity in exchange for everything he knows about the organization, is found guilty and sent to jail.

Rafferty never stopped thinking about Jesse because he was fascinated by the man. During his investigation, in fact, Rafferty realised that Jesse is not the ruthless assassin his family forced to be, but that he has a soft heart and a gentle soul.

After coming to terms that his family abandoned him and actually tried to unalive him in jail, Jesse signes a deal and enter the WITSEC. Things don't go well and, after almost drowning in a cold lake, Jesse turns up at Rafferty's door, frozen and injured.

Jesse and Rafferty spend several days trapped in the house while an unusual storm hits Texas and they have the chance to get to know each other better. Jesse is baffled to realise how easy it is talking to Raf, how he understands him without judging him for all the things he did in the past because of his family. For the first time in his life, Jesse feels utterly safe in Rafferty's physical and metaphorical arms.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Rafferty goes from being in control and quite filthy during their first intercourses to being less passionate and dominant when they meet again.
And I would have liked a confrontation between Jesse and his lawyer, who was very involved in the first part of the story and then he just disappeared.

This was a nice novella and I liked very much the contrast between Raf and Jesse, the two of them being at the opposite sides of the law. I also liked this author writing, I'm surely going to look at her other works.

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Jennifer Ervine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg…Jesse and Rafferty are so amazing together. This novella left me wanting more of their love. Even though Jesse is a criminal, he still just wants to be soft and cared for. Rafferty is a big, strong detective but I love the way he sees Jesse from the beginning. Their chemistry and banter are great!

[Brittany St Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved these two. I liked the tension you could feel in the beginning, and then everything they experienced after Rafferty opened his door. They allowed themselves to explore what they felt, and had their own little way of playing with the other. And when the time came, Rafferty showed Jesse who he is, and who he believes Jesse to be.

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this the first time I read it in an anthology, so hearing it was being released solo with an additional amount of words was so exciting. It’s a great little novella with a full story and a great romance. Love it.

[Sandy Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wild ride of forbidden romance set during a freak Texas snowstorm, featuring an ex-con derailed on his way to witness protection and the cop who put him in prison? Yes please!

You have to suspend disbelief at the coincidences that must align to have ex-con Jesse show up, iced over frozen and near hypothermic, on Detective Rafferty’s isolated cabin doorstep in a snowstorm. Just…go with it.

Ice melts. Passion ignites. Filthy, dirty, forbidden, irresistible sex abounds as these two haters give in to the fantasies each unwillingly had about each other as Rafferty stalked and hunted down Jesse as the murderer of a two-bit criminal who was thrown under the bus by his much worse criminal family to take the fall. Yes, he did it. But the man deserved it, and what Rafferty noticed most about Jesse all that time that he worked to catch him out was his kindness and decency to those weaker and less privileged than himself. The conundrum of criminal Jesse being a good human being has haunted him.

Jesse has jacked off to thoughts of Rafferty all through prison and isn’t sure if he wants to kill him or fuck him. Or…get fucked by him, even better. He hates the man…and can’t get him out of his mind.

All their dreams come true, but of course what happens in the isolated cabin can’t stay in the cabin, and if they want to claim some kind of future together, they’ll have to get creative…because Jesse’s enemies are gunning for him and are determined he won’t live to testify against them.

I do love a good impossible romance situation! This was a lot of fun. Two very alpha males who really might turn on each other at any time, finding their way together…sigh.

I did think the novella needed more emotional depth. When Jesse takes his deal, good people die, and he doesn’t seem to care. Rafferty doesn’t seem to care either, and though he didn’t know them, they were law officers (Marshals, I think), and the lack of any thought or sadness about what was lost for Jesse’s safety seemed a big hole in the narrative.

It also was too bad that Jesse’s lawyer connection Trent seemed to turn out to be a bad guy, but that’s dropped, never confronted, never resolved. What? And while we learn in summary the fate of Jesse’s awful father, it’s all off page…

I mean, if you’re going to expand the novella? EXPAND the novella and resolve all these strong threads. Maybe there’ll be more stories in this world?

HEA, convict and policeman who put him in prison. Romantic suspense. NO others, no OM drama or action, entirely safe for me. Both heroes have pasts; no former lovers are in our face at all. A good time was had by Jesse, Rafferty…and me.

[Book Hoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafferty is a detective in Austin, Texas. He was the man who put Jesse Travis away for life, but as he sat through the trial he saw that Jesse really didn’t fit the mold of the rest of the Travis family criminal enterprise. He was softer, and Rafferty was sure that Jesse never wanted this life his father forced him into and was not cut out for it. But when Jesse lunged at his as he was leaving the courtroom Rafferty put him down with one punch to the ribs. Still disturbed, Rafferty heads to the cabin up in Hill Country that he inherited from his grandfather every chance he gets.
Jesse was determined to keep his silence and serve his time, until his father started sending men on the inside to kill him. Six months into his sentence, his lawyer brings him a please deal to turn everyone else in and get right out of prison and into WitSec. He couldn’t know that it was a setup by his father to kill him once and for all. Escaping a vicious accident in the lake that took out his US Marshall bodyguards as well as his Uncle, Jesse heads to the only place he can get help, Rafferty’s Cabin.
This is a Christmas novella previously published in an anthology. A detective that’s tired of being a copy, a criminal who’s snarky and ready to bend over for him. Good reading

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was vaguely familiar as I was reading. And then I remembered the Snowed In anthology where the story originated. A little bit of polishing and adding more words didn't hurt this little gem. I read a lot of enemies to lovers. Not so much cop/convict. Jesse and Rafferty may just have changed my mind.
I do need to mention that the Witsec program has a 100% success rate. As long as people follow the rules, no contacting or going back home. So, no moles in the agency. Although it makes for interesting reading.
From the opening scene, Jesse's trial, this was an exciting, often edge of the seat, ride. But there also was a lot of suspend your disbelief here. A quick fall, really quick fall, into feelings. Welcoming a killer into your home and bed after you put him away. (OK, so maybe there's a reason I don't read cop/convict).
Even with the added words, this was a fast, mostly fun, read.Not even remotely possible, but the steam made up for the "Nah, that's not real life."
I received an advanced copy of this ebook from GRR and this is my review.

[SNik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standalone holiday novella. Enemies to lovers. Forced proximity. Quick read. Dual POV.

Detective Rafferty’s investigation may have been the reason Jesse ends up behind bars, but even though Jesse is a murderer there’s something about the man that Rafferty is drawn to. When Jesse needs help surviving he goes to the man he had dreamed about killing, and other things, only to get involved way too deep in the short time they spend together.

For a short story this story had depth and plenty of background for the characters which made it feel like a much longer love story. Jesse and Rafferty just “get” each other in a lot of ways that come instantly but felt real. With plenty of steam and two morally grey characters that seemed to have an unusually special connection this was a really entertaining read.

[Heather Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I previously read the original novella, and I loved it a lot. This newly expanded version just makes it that much better. A morally grey, swoony, exciting, Christmas romance.

A murderer and criminal captures the heart of the detective who arrested him. What’s not to love about that?!

Jesse has plenty of time in jail to think about the sexy detective that helped but him away - what he would do to him once he’s out. Sometimes naughty, but mostly vengeful.

He finally gets the chance, running for his life, and now, snowed in with Rafferty. It’s still touch and go as to whether or not he’ll take his revenge or just take him to bed.

Neither man is as black and white as they would appear on the surface, and people aren’t always who they are by their own choice.

I love the way they find common ground and choose trust and love.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novela was originally a short story in an Anthology I actually read but I'll be honest I have zero recollection of it 😂 I have no doubt that I enjoyed the short story though because I very much enjoyed this expanded version. A cop and a convict are snowed in and give into their attraction. Jesse and Raff have delicious chemistry and I couldn't get enough of Raff's comfort and dominance toward Jesse.

Favorite Qoutes :

“Okay, fine, but you can’t be both a criminal badass and the little spoon. You hafta pick one.” “Easy,” I said through a yawn. “You can be my big spoon anytime, Detective.” “Yeah, right.”

Should I be playing board games with the state’s star witness? Probably not, but then again, I shouldn’t know what his cum tastes like, so… Besides, it was Christmas.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

**********Contains Spoilers**********

I rated this novella 3.5 stars, so I rounded it up to 4 stars. I’ve been a fan of Kelly Fox’s for years and have read nearly her whole back catalogue. I enjoyed this novella but I would’ve liked it even more so if Jesse & Rafferty’s story was longer. Even with how Jesse and Rafferty knew each other and the situation they found themselves in I thought they just clicked, and I’m really glad that things worked out the way they did. I’m looking forward to reading more books from Kelly Fox in the future. I’d definitely recommend this novella and author to everyone.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This is a good guy/bad guy story. Rafferty is a detective and is responsible for, the bad guy, Jesse, going to prison. Both harbour an attraction to the other but don’t expect anything to come of it. However Jesse’s life is full of danger, and when that comes too close and he’s stranded in an unexpected snowstorm he makes his way to Rafferty’s cabin for help, and possibly revenge. When they can no longer deny their attraction life changes for both of them.
This story is full of heat, drama and suspense, and once I’d started, it kept me glued to my reader. I highly recommend this novella as a terrific quick read.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I first read it in the Snowed In anthology and wanted to read it as it has been expanded. The story starts with Rafferty, a police officer, investigating Jesse’s family for the death of a drug dealer. With Jesse going to jail, his case was considered closed. Fast forward a year and Jesse’s lawyer got him an immunity deal. After escaping being run off the road, he goes to Rafferty’s cabin. This starts their story of how they got together and that Jesse felt safe for the first time in his life. Loved the world building, chemistry and heat between them.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit I went into this book with skepticism--skepticism that the author could make me fall for and root for a jailbird (Jeff) and policeman (Rafferty) that is exactly what happened. A reminder that life, ethics, and morals are typically more gray than right/wrong, good/bad, or black/white. I love how Jesse had to go back to the main who put him in jail and these enemies became lovers. Expect lots of steam from this quick easy read, but do not be fooled--even thought is is short, it packs much into this short story, never shortchanging characters or storyline,

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced proximity, cop vs criminal, opposites attract

Jesse never wanted the life he was forced into by his mafia father.
Rafferty is the cop who put him in jail.
Jesse was tired of running from the men his father sent after him so he decided to cooperate with law enforcement.
Now he's out, still on the run, and he heads for the one person he knows for certain can help keep him alive, Rafferty.
They're trapped in a snowed in cabin with danger all around them.
I loved the snarky banter between them and how they were able to soften for each other.

[Bene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice Christmas novella. I liked the rhythm, the heat, the suspense and the forbidden aspect of this relationship between a cop and a criminal. I liked both main characters, they are great together, they just clicked. It's easy to read and entertaining, I would have liked to have a bit more depth into the characters, and some situations seemed far too unrealistic for my taste,

This is an expanded version of a previously published novella included in the Snowed In Anthology, that I haven't read.

I got an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sort of book isn't normally my cup of tea but I ended up enjoying it anyway. Fox does a great job of taking morally gray characters and getting the reader invested in their fate.

Is it over the top? Yes. Does it make complete sense? Not really, with a few of the plot points stretching believability but so what? It is fun and the chemistry between Rafferty and Travis is scorching, with some fun banter between them.

If you're looking for a fun "Xmas" tale, this might be the one for you.

[Crystal Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only gripe with this novella is that it could have been a full-length book. I really enjoyed Detective Rafferty and Jesse's story. I liked how they were secretyly attracted to each other despite Rafferty being a detective and Jesse a criminal, and it wasn't one of those instalove situations. They do get spicy fairly quickly but, hey, it's a novella. There's only so many pages. :) Loved the banter and spice.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s an interesting mixture of tropes on offer here, and a distinct blend of chemistry, peril, intrigue and instalove (ok, not quite instalove, but this is not a conventional or remotely logical connection). It’s a fun read, with enough willing suspension of disbelief, and even though these guys don’t feel even remotely plausible, they’re still somehow compelling.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texas Snow is such a fun, short holiday (ish) read. It’s based around Christmas time but I wouldn’t consider it a full on Christmas story. I read it when it was a part of the anthology and reread it once the fluffed up version was released and I remembered how much I enjoyed it the first time. It’s a high heat, bit of action, criminal/cop romance that is also stuffed with so much sweetness. I love short stories like this but also wish they were longer at the same time.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella moves at a fast pace so hold onto your hat!
A criminal.
A lawman.
Escaping death more than once.
Instant attraction.
Forced proximity.
Rehabilitating yourself.
On the run from hitmen.
Two characters who shouldn't mesh...but do.

I loved this and wish it were part of a series.
I could see this as a series on tv.

Thanks to Kelly and GRR for this great ARC.
What an experience it was!

[VicReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok but why did I enjoy this as much as I did.

totally unbelievable at times but I mean they were both secret softies so I could see it possibly.maybe. if I realllllly think hard about it.

My thing, WHY have Kyler be this whole thing, being so close together, not putting him down on the list, just for him to turn like that. I mean I get it from the drama and angst standpoint but that could have been done without.

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a novella. Would I like more of these guys, definitely. But I am here to tell you this is a smooth and genuinely chemistry filled novella. I loved big old detective Rafferty who could not resist his little criminal Jesse! We get quick banter and undeniable attraction from the start, but Jesse still gets in trouble.

[Kirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!! Bad boy sent to prison by a hot cop who end up together? What's not to completely drool over and adore!

Everything fell into place, but nothing was easy about how it all went down, yet it was so well done and absolutely believable.

I loved Jesse and Rafferty together. The goodness in Jesse and the understanding in Rafferty just made them perfect for each other.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author’s characters! The bad guys who are actually good guys and have a bit of an edge. I fell in love with Rafferty and Jesse pretty quickly and didn’t look back. Jesse gets his chance at life and manages to take down his criminal family’s enterprise. These two find a connection almost as rare as the Texas snow that traps them in a cabin for a couple of days.

[bookygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Snow is a cute Christmas novella between criminal Jesse,and Rafferty, the officer responsible for putting him away.
While a little insta-lust/love for my taste (but that is of course to be expected in a novella), the story was still very well written, spicy and sweet. Kelly Fox is a great author, and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read!