The Naughty List: A Spicy Holiday Romance Novella

by C.G. Murray

She’s making a list. He’s checking it twice. Being naughty never felt so nice.

What better way to get over your cheating ex than by downing boozy hot chocolates and writing a list of everything you’ve always wanted to try in the bedroom? Bailey, alone in a small town for the holidays until the rest of her family joins her, does just that, desperate not to let breaking up with her boyfriend ruin her Christmas. She never imagined her longtime crush would show up and volunteer to help her cross off everything on her naughty list.

Finding his best friend’s little sister’s list of fantasies was the last thing Liam expected after being invited to join their family’s Christmas getaway. While in the US filming his hit TV show he’s kept his feelings for Bailey hidden for years, but now that he’s back in England all bets are off.

When bad weather means Bailey’s family can’t join them, Liam’s determined to make sure she still has a great Christmas. While the list has brought them closer physically, she’s still holding him at arm’s length. Convincing Bailey they could be good together for more than just the holidays might take a Christmas miracle, but Liam’s not giving up without a fight.

The Naughty List is a novella perfect for those looking for a quick, spicy read during the holiday season. It can be read as a standalone, but there will be more books set in the small town of Pine Grove featuring different couples.

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

Reviews

[Michelle Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Naughty List: A Spicy Holiday Romance Novella follows Bailey, whose relationship implodes just days before Christmas as she’s about to head out of town to celebrate with family. Once she arrives at the holiday rental, she decides to wallow a bit—and creates an x-rated bucket list for her newly single life. Things get interesting the next morning when she realizes her brother’s best friend, who happens to be her longtime crush, has found the list and is more than willing to help her check off a few items.

This was the perfect quick, spicy holiday read. The story strikes a great balance between plot and heat, with a solid setup and just the right number of cozy, Hallmark-style moments mixed in.

[Hannah Hartridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this novella in one sitting—it’s fast-paced, spicy, and absolutely brimming with festive charm.

Bailey, fresh off catching her boyfriend cheating, drunkenly scribbles down a saucy bucket list of everything she wants to experience. Enter Liam—her brother’s best friend, long-time crush, and the man who just so happens to stumble across that list. When he joins Bailey at her family’s Christmas retreat (minus the family, who couldn’t make the trip), the stage is set for tension, longing, and a whole lot of holiday heat.

Bailey and Liam’s relationship is warm in all the right ways—and not just because of the Naughty List. They cook together, laugh together, and share the kind of easy companionship that feels like the foundation of something lasting. Their chemistry is fiery, built on years of unspoken longing, but what makes it even better is the tug-of-war in their minds. Both respect Evan (Bailey’s brother), and neither wants to cause drama, but as the saying goes: the heart wants what it wants. And in this case? Bailey and Liam were endgame. Period.
The balance between smut and romance is spot-on—equal parts steamy and swoony.

Set in the Lakes at Christmas, the atmosphere is pure magic. From snowman competitions to wandering the Christmas market, the backdrop is as cozy and enchanting as the romance itself. It’s festive, fun, and makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket with hot chocolate while reading.

This novella is everything I want in a holiday romance: spice, sweetness, laughter, and heart. Bailey and Liam’s story is passionate yet tender, playful yet deeply emotional. It’s the kind of book that leaves you grinning, blushing, and maybe even wishing you had your own Naughty List tucked away for someone special to find.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

❄️ Spicy Rating: 3🌶

❄️ The Naughty List by C.G. Murray ❄️
Liam & Bailey

❄️ My Rating: 4⭐️
❄️ Spicy Christmas Romance
❄️ Novella - 129 Pages
❄️ Brother's Best Friend
❄️ Spicy Bucket List
❄️ Mutual Pining/Secret Crush

This book is written in British English.

What a fun and spicy novella. I found this book on Amazon when I searched The Naughty List to see what other books there were with that same title. I am so glad I found this one. It's funny. It's sweet. It's cute. It's spicy. Spicy scenes were written so well. They were very unique. The writing is very good. What a delicious book and what a sweet love story. Definitely must read this Christmas season.

I am very excited for what sounds like there will be more of Pine Grove. Small Town Romance Pine Grove: Book 1 coming in 2026.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it’s January, but I couldn’t decide what to read next so I went with this holiday novella. It was quick easy British forced proximity holiday read (I’m super immature, but jumper made my chuckle every time).

Bailey finds out her bf was cheating before heading out to a converted barn her mother booked for a Christmas family vacation. One drunken night she writes out a “naughty list” while wallowing on the phone with her friend back home. In true fun fashion, her brother’s best friend surprises her, finds the list and they end up snowed in together.

Was it the steamiest list I’ve ever read, nope, but it was fun to see how Liam worked it into their festive activities. They actually left the barn and went into town, which sounded super cozy and cute.

If you see this next year I hope you give it a chance because it really was just a lovely escape for a couple hours.

[Jade Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect mix of romcom shenanigans and holiday spice, wrapped up in a quick and cosy read! Loved it.

[Readwithri.xo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, short and spicy festive read! I read this in one sitting!

⭐️4.25
🌶️2.5
-naughty list inc public play, eating her out, spanking
-bro’s bf
-mutual pining
-secret tattoo
-spicy

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little holiday novella. I liked both characters, and I definitely thought the MMC was down bad. No negative thoughts about it.