One locked booth. One tempting coworker. One unforgettable holiday mistake. Sloane Whitfield has exactly one holiday party stay for one drink, fake a few smiles, and avoid mingling. But when she’s trapped in a tech-glitched mistletoe booth with Theo Navarro—the quiet, insanely hot IT guy—her exit plan evaporates fast.
The Mistle-Tech booth won’t open until they “complete a romantic interaction,” and Theo? He’s very interested in following protocol.
What starts as awkward banter turns into sizzling tension and a dirty holiday memory she’ll never forget.
This isn’t a love story. It’s a one-night, no-strings, heat-level-one holiday fling. Perfect for readers who want their festive fun short, steamy, and unapologetically spicy.
Book 1 in the Naughty & Nice series—where every holiday comes with a side of heat.
This spicy romance short story contains open-door scenes and emotional themes, intended for readers 18+.
Another great bite sized holiday Rom-Com from Luna Mabini. Festive, sweet, charming, funny and perfectly spicy. Definitely need to read more from this author.
Rating: 3.5 Stars The characters in "The Mistletoe Situation" by Luna Mabini are not only funny but also incredibly relatable, embodying the quirks and nuances that many of us recognize in our own lives, particularly in a workplace setting. Their interactions are filled with wit and charm, showcasing a chemistry that feels authentic and engaging. This dynamic between the characters adds a layer of enjoyment to the narrative, making readers feel invested in their relationships and personal journeys.
The setting of the office coworkers' holiday party, which takes place at one of the coworker's flats, is a familiar backdrop that many can visualize. However, it could have been enhanced with more vivid descriptions to truly immerse readers in the atmosphere. Imagine the twinkling lights strung haphazardly across the living room, the faint smell of pine from a hastily decorated Christmas tree, and the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. Such details would not only enrich the scene but also help evoke the warmth and camaraderie that typically characterize holiday gatherings.
The writing style throughout the story is commendable, with a blend of humor and realism that captures the essence of holiday cheer and the awkwardness that often accompanies office parties. However, there are moments where the wording feels repetitive or even cringy, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the narrative. A more varied vocabulary and fresh phrasing could elevate the reading experience, ensuring that the humor remains sharp and engaging without falling into predictable patterns.
In terms of plot, the story is well-developed and entertaining, with a solid foundation that keeps readers hooked. Yet, it would have greatly benefited from a longer length. Expanding the narrative could provide deeper insights into the connection between Sloane and Theo. For instance, exploring their initial meeting at work, the gradual buildup of their relationship, and the moments leading up to the pivotal mistletoe situation would add depth to their characters and enhance the emotional stakes of the story.
The concept of the mistletoe tech is particularly intriguing, offering a unique twist that adds an element of fun and tension to the plot. However, delving deeper into how this technology operates and its effects on both Sloane and Theo could significantly heighten the storyline. Providing more context about the mechanics of the mistletoe tech and its implications for their budding romance would enrich the narrative and allow readers to fully appreciate the stakes involved.
Overall, "The Mistletoe Situation" is a short and semi-steamy read, rated between 1 to 2 peppers on the spice scale. It combines humor, realism, and relatability in a delightful way, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a quick holiday romance during the festive season. With a bit more detail and depth, this story could transform from a charming quick read into a fully realized romantic journey that resonates long after the last page is turned.
The Mistletoe Situation by Luna Mabini (2025) Naughty & Nice #1 41-page Kindle Ebook story pages 4-38
Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Short Story, Romance
Featuring: Fling Trope, Coworkers, Party, Close Proximity Trope, Locked Door Trope, Voyeurism, Sex - On Camera, Blurb for Up Next in the Naughty & Nice Steamy Holiday Fling Series: 🎁* The Tenth Gift*—Book 2, The Boo’d Up Short Story Series, Bibliography with taglines for Luna Mabini
Rating as a movie: NC-17/X for strong sexual content
Songs for the soundtrack: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey
Books and Authors mentioned: American Pie by Adam Herz
My rating: ⭐️⭐️🥃🛗💡🎄
My thoughts: I lost count of how many times I had to read passages just to make the scenes click in my head. This is not as naughty as publicized, but Book 2 sounds better so I'm going to continue.
Recommend to others: I'm not sure, but it's short enough to try.
Naughty & Nice 1. The Mistletoe Situation (2025) 2. The Tenth Gift (2025) 3. Once Upon a Holiday (2025)
Memorable Quotes: Then again, I didn’t imagine getting locked inside a frosted glass romance booth with my work crush and playing truth or dare until things got… Well. Out of hand. But here we are. On the floor. Lipstick ruined. Pride slightly dented. And very off-book. This wasn’t supposed to happen. So, here’s how we got here…
"So, please welcome the very experimental debut of Mistle-tech. It is not just a mistletoe booth. It is a romantic engagement experience."
Luna Mabini’s The Mistletoe Situation delivers exactly what it promises. This is a fun and unapologetically steamy story about two coworkers who both secretly have crushes on each other. When they get locked inside a frosted glass romance booth and begin playing truth or dare, things quickly escalate in the best possible way.
It is playful, spicy, and delightfully unhinged in all the right ways. Perfect for readers who want a fast, hot holiday romance packed with tension and chemistry.
Quick AND dirty. This is not a story. This is an interlude between two co-workers in a situation where they can address, or undress, the elephant in the room. This author pulls you into that room and lets you watch the action. If you're lucky you get to experience it alongside the characters. I've read only one other book that's written this way. I hope it's the new normal!
It’s a fast paced rom-com with minimal spice. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I would’ve rated it higher if there was a little more story between Sloane and Theo.
I didn’t really enjoy this book that much and I hate to say it because it had so much potential, it was going so well but the smut felt so rushed and unnatural and it just didn’t feel right to me.
Cute mini holiday read! I picked this short story up as a holiday palette cleanser in between my heavier reads and it was the perfect little spicy touch to the holiday reads. Nothing like A little forced proximity with mutual crushes to get the season going. Great read!
It was good for what it was! It is really short so I think it did well in that short length, and I thought the capsule was sort of funny. We don't get a lot about each character - but enough for vibes!
This novella was so cute. What would you do if your friend pushed you in a pod with your work crush, and the only way out is through a romantic reaction? I loved this book so much!!
Two secret work crushes, Sloane & Theo are talked into giving the work Holiday mistletoe machine a try & find themselves in a steamy, no holds barred game of truth or dare that brings both of their unsaid desires come true. 🥵🔥
Just perfect, steamy, little short story! I thought it was super cute and I really liked the characters. Concept was cute and definitely had a nice holiday feel.
This was just what I wanted for the holiday season! A short read that was cute and had spice. This was my first book by this author and I can't wait to read more!
⚠️ CW: Sexual content 🔥 Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 💭 Thoughts:The Mistletoe Situation is a fast-paced, steamy holiday romance. The chemistry and quick plot keep you turning pages. The main characters, Sloane and Theo, felt underdeveloped due to the story's length. You will enjoy it if you are looking for a short, spicy Christmas read.