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Merry Little Secrets
Lucy had it all-
A successful career in public relations at a local vineyard. A wonderful boyfriend who gives her everything she could ever want. An incredible older brother who would take a bullet for her.
When her world is turned upside down, Lucy heads to the family lodge to have a
weekend of serenity. Nothing but her wine, good music, and peace and quiet.
The last thing she expected was a surprise visit from Sam, her brother's best friend and
the man who'd shattered her heart all those years ago to be home, and ready to win her
back at all costs.
Find out in this spicy holiday novella if Sam and Lucy will be able to rekindle what was
lost, or if the pain of the past is too much to overcome.
A successful career in public relations at a local vineyard. A wonderful boyfriend who gives her everything she could ever want. An incredible older brother who would take a bullet for her.
When her world is turned upside down, Lucy heads to the family lodge to have a
weekend of serenity. Nothing but her wine, good music, and peace and quiet.
The last thing she expected was a surprise visit from Sam, her brother's best friend and
the man who'd shattered her heart all those years ago to be home, and ready to win her
back at all costs.
Find out in this spicy holiday novella if Sam and Lucy will be able to rekindle what was
lost, or if the pain of the past is too much to overcome.
- GenresChristmas
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2025
12 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Ramos
6 books162 followersAlicia is a dark romance author was born and raised in Buffalo NY and spent most of her days as a child reading books and enjoying the outdoors. As the oldest of 5, she enjoys spending time with her family including her Daughter and Australian shepherd.
When she isn't writing you can find her enjoying nature or curling up to a good book. Alicia enjoys being part of the community and being involved with causes such as mental health and domestic violence awareness.
Despite being a fiery Saggitarius she is calm at heart, opting to dig out her telescope and look for worlds far away or lay on the grass letting music speak to her. She travels frequently using her sense of adventure and love of history to research and find inspiration for her writing.
Her hope in writing is for her readers to not only find entertainment but in some cases to find healing and spread awareness within its pages.
When she isn't writing you can find her enjoying nature or curling up to a good book. Alicia enjoys being part of the community and being involved with causes such as mental health and domestic violence awareness.
Despite being a fiery Saggitarius she is calm at heart, opting to dig out her telescope and look for worlds far away or lay on the grass letting music speak to her. She travels frequently using her sense of adventure and love of history to research and find inspiration for her writing.
Her hope in writing is for her readers to not only find entertainment but in some cases to find healing and spread awareness within its pages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
December 11, 2025
✨️ARC REVIEW ✨️
Merry Little Secrets was everything you want in a Christmas, Novella! I loved Lucy and Sam's story so much that I need more! I really felt the characters. The beginning was an emotional rollercoaster. Lucy loses her job, and then when she comes home early, she finds her husband cheating.! She packed a bag and headed to her family lodge . What she didn't expect was to find her first love that shattered her heart years ago to be her rescue after her car crashed. He never stopped loving her and tries to win her back! Dual POV and second chance definitely worth the read!
Thank you, Alicia Ramos, for this ARC. I really enjoyed reading in exchange for my opinion.
Merry Little Secrets was everything you want in a Christmas, Novella! I loved Lucy and Sam's story so much that I need more! I really felt the characters. The beginning was an emotional rollercoaster. Lucy loses her job, and then when she comes home early, she finds her husband cheating.! She packed a bag and headed to her family lodge . What she didn't expect was to find her first love that shattered her heart years ago to be her rescue after her car crashed. He never stopped loving her and tries to win her back! Dual POV and second chance definitely worth the read!
Thank you, Alicia Ramos, for this ARC. I really enjoyed reading in exchange for my opinion.
December 6, 2025
This little novella packed a lot of heart… and spice. 🌶️
Thank you to the author, Alicia Ramos, for giving me an ARC copy of her book, in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, Alicia Ramos, for giving me an ARC copy of her book, in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2025
ARC Reader
Dual POV
3 🌶️🌶️🌶️
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check trigger warnings
I enjoyed this novella, it went pretty fast and I definitely want more. A few times I got a bit confused in the conversations between them and couldn’t figure out who was saying what(but that could be my own fault).
Lucy and Sam were pretty broken humans and I’m excited for the rest of their story.
Short, sad, sweet and spicy.
I recommend giving it a read for the Christmas season ♥️♥️♥️💚💚💚
Dual POV
3 🌶️🌶️🌶️
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check trigger warnings
I enjoyed this novella, it went pretty fast and I definitely want more. A few times I got a bit confused in the conversations between them and couldn’t figure out who was saying what(but that could be my own fault).
Lucy and Sam were pretty broken humans and I’m excited for the rest of their story.
Short, sad, sweet and spicy.
I recommend giving it a read for the Christmas season ♥️♥️♥️💚💚💚
December 9, 2025
Lucy loses her job and her boyfriend in the same brutal night after catching Jack in the act of cheating. She flees with her heart raging and crashes her car and is forced to call the last person she ever wanted to see again: Sam. The man who took her first time and disappeared. Except he didn’t. Jack stole every letter Sam and her brother sent. Years of love just erased. Now Sam is back, carrying dark scars from the Marines and secrets born in captivity. The tension between them? Explosive. The betrayal? Unforgivable. And Christmas is closing in fast. This story has everything—heartbreak, second-chance heat, hidden truths, revenge brewing, and a cabin full of emotions ready to ignite. I’m hooked, breathless, and desperate for more. Huge thanks to Alicia for the ARC—this book won’t let you go!
December 23, 2025
The characters were Real genuine people dealing with their own struggles. One hid it better, while the other though was hiding it but Everyone Knew.
They were Not right for each other in their earlier years. One person always knows what they want verses the other is cautious/ scared
Now, they are Perfect for one another
You have your protected,Hot, possessive lover and he knows what is good for her.
She couldn't stand him (If you know, you know) but she needed to let loose. Enjoy herself, be in the moments, involving laughter, bed sheet playing, sex rooms, and an man who was her protector.
Smut 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and others were 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️💋💋💯💯
They needed each other in the end and it was cute.
The signing of consent for the sex room, well damn and the end of it, Oh lord, if you know you know. Was very pleasurable to read.
They were Not right for each other in their earlier years. One person always knows what they want verses the other is cautious/ scared
Now, they are Perfect for one another
You have your protected,Hot, possessive lover and he knows what is good for her.
She couldn't stand him (If you know, you know) but she needed to let loose. Enjoy herself, be in the moments, involving laughter, bed sheet playing, sex rooms, and an man who was her protector.
Smut 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and others were 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️💋💋💯💯
They needed each other in the end and it was cute.
The signing of consent for the sex room, well damn and the end of it, Oh lord, if you know you know. Was very pleasurable to read.
December 6, 2025
Recieved this as an arc.
I've read a lot of novellas, ones that packed a lot in but unfortunately this one just seemed rushed, it seemed to jump from one thing to another making me question if I had missed something so had to go back a few pages to dis over I hadn't it was just poorly written from one scene to another. This took me twice as long to read with all the back and forth. I feel like the plot was good because I'm a sucker for a 2nd chance romance but it was all a bit all over the place for me, felt like the author was trying to cram too much in.
I've read a lot of novellas, ones that packed a lot in but unfortunately this one just seemed rushed, it seemed to jump from one thing to another making me question if I had missed something so had to go back a few pages to dis over I hadn't it was just poorly written from one scene to another. This took me twice as long to read with all the back and forth. I feel like the plot was good because I'm a sucker for a 2nd chance romance but it was all a bit all over the place for me, felt like the author was trying to cram too much in.
December 25, 2025
Military and ex girlfriend type of book!! First read trigger warning because there some for both side. But it a sweet and steamy Christmas book! Lucy is just trying to make it after all that has happened in her life. And Sam is just trying to survive everything he went through the military. I find it sweet that Sam even though he messed up, tried to do everything to make Lucy happy because he knew what was going on. It gives you more of the realistic side of trying to help someone while also getting help. Loved it!
December 8, 2025
A quick holiday read with plenty of spice and emotion. Sam has been through some things while away at war but he never stopped loving Lucy. Lucy is scared to be hurt again, but she can’t help fall in love again. I loved Sam’s protectiveness. I was a little confused a few times in the description of what was going on, but that was probably just me. The spice was super hot and full of praise and kinks. I really enjoyed the story.
December 10, 2025
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Ooo my i just absolutely love this novella!! It was fast read and packed with spice 🌶️🌶️. I loved the chemistry between Lucy and Sam!! Chocolate mingled with candy apple if you know you know!! Loved that!!
“Find out in this spicy holiday novella if Sam and Lucy will be able to rekindle what was lost, or if the pain of the past is too much to overcome.”
“Find out in this spicy holiday novella if Sam and Lucy will be able to rekindle what was lost, or if the pain of the past is too much to overcome.”
December 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a good spicy Christmas book with a great plot to it. The characters were easy to love. I do wish I could have had more background on Lucy’s past relationship and more on what Sam went through. Other than that, it was good. The spice was the perfect amount. I am secretly hoping for another book so I can see where their story goes! Side note: the recipes included were a nice touch!
December 17, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
A quick read with a whole lot of smut! Sam and Lucy find themselves in a cabin for the weekend and get to explore some of their kinks together. You won’t look at hot chocolate the same way after you read this haha. There’s a recipe of it at the end of the book too if you’re interested in making some *winks*
A quick read with a whole lot of smut! Sam and Lucy find themselves in a cabin for the weekend and get to explore some of their kinks together. You won’t look at hot chocolate the same way after you read this haha. There’s a recipe of it at the end of the book too if you’re interested in making some *winks*
December 5, 2025
3.25⭐️
I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!
review coming soon...
maybe it was not a great idea to read this one after my last read😬🫣🫣
I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!
review coming soon...
maybe it was not a great idea to read this one after my last read😬🫣🫣
December 7, 2025
Stars 6/5 ✨✨✨✨✨✨ Spice 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Lucy not only looses her job in one day but she also returns home to witness that her long term boyfriend Jack is cheating on her. She packs up everything that she can take away easy and quick, gets in her car with the music getting louder (to show Jack that she is there) and then leaves.
But what happens next is unexpected she has a car crash and rings her brother Marco, who is tied up with work so sends Sam to the rescue. That is where things get a little complicated because she has words that must be said to Sam, he just up and left her after taking her first time, no words and no explanation, just a see you latter I'm outs.
Well that is what she thinks happens, but that isn't quite how it happened though thanks to Jack, he took away all the letters that were sent from not only Sam but also her brother, learning this changes things just a little bit.
Sam has some secrets about his time away in the marines, which she will slowly learn. One of them I don't think anyone could imagine when you are taken hostage. What will that leave for them, they both still have feelings that is obvious with all the tension and an anger that comes.
She uses time out at the cabin, to concentrate on her and have some space. Which after everything that has happened so close to Christmas, is something that she really needs. While also wondering why they kept all the letters that were written to her (minus her brothers ones which still haven't been found).
Sam hasn't been back for a short time either! like WOW he has been back for 2 years, in hiding, but why? Why hide when the one you love is still out there? What will happen with Jack after everything that he has done.
I am lost without words that is all I am going to say about "what happens" which is more just in the first couple of chapters that really does hook you in. I'm already at 53% and I need to know what happens, and I am sure that today I will finish the book. That will be another read that doesn't even take me 24 hours total in time to read.
This story is all that you expect, Christmas seasons, spice, romance, tension and so much more. It is a quick, easy but hooking read that you won't be able to put down. You'll be like WOW I need more, which I really do need more of Lucy and Sam's story, I want to see where it goes. I want to know what the boys do to Jack as payback for everything.
A massive thank you to Alicia for giving me the chance to arc read for her. I'm really glad that I have been given the chance for this, and I need more!
Lucy not only looses her job in one day but she also returns home to witness that her long term boyfriend Jack is cheating on her. She packs up everything that she can take away easy and quick, gets in her car with the music getting louder (to show Jack that she is there) and then leaves.
But what happens next is unexpected she has a car crash and rings her brother Marco, who is tied up with work so sends Sam to the rescue. That is where things get a little complicated because she has words that must be said to Sam, he just up and left her after taking her first time, no words and no explanation, just a see you latter I'm outs.
Well that is what she thinks happens, but that isn't quite how it happened though thanks to Jack, he took away all the letters that were sent from not only Sam but also her brother, learning this changes things just a little bit.
Sam has some secrets about his time away in the marines, which she will slowly learn. One of them I don't think anyone could imagine when you are taken hostage. What will that leave for them, they both still have feelings that is obvious with all the tension and an anger that comes.
She uses time out at the cabin, to concentrate on her and have some space. Which after everything that has happened so close to Christmas, is something that she really needs. While also wondering why they kept all the letters that were written to her (minus her brothers ones which still haven't been found).
Sam hasn't been back for a short time either! like WOW he has been back for 2 years, in hiding, but why? Why hide when the one you love is still out there? What will happen with Jack after everything that he has done.
I am lost without words that is all I am going to say about "what happens" which is more just in the first couple of chapters that really does hook you in. I'm already at 53% and I need to know what happens, and I am sure that today I will finish the book. That will be another read that doesn't even take me 24 hours total in time to read.
This story is all that you expect, Christmas seasons, spice, romance, tension and so much more. It is a quick, easy but hooking read that you won't be able to put down. You'll be like WOW I need more, which I really do need more of Lucy and Sam's story, I want to see where it goes. I want to know what the boys do to Jack as payback for everything.
A massive thank you to Alicia for giving me the chance to arc read for her. I'm really glad that I have been given the chance for this, and I need more!
December 14, 2025
** ARC READ REVIEW **
Absolutely FANTASTIC!! This book truly hides its little secrets well behind its innocent cover!!
🥰❤️🔥📖🎄📖❤️🔥🥰
Getting a second chance at romance with a former college beau who disappeared and has now returned as gorgeous forner Marine...? YES!!
Though the course of getting back to true love definitely isn't smooth for Lucy (FMC)...losing her job and coming home to find her current boyfriend (Jack) getting his holiday jollies with another woman then ending up in a freak accident as she tries to escape the heartbreak all in the same day...?
Not exactly Christmas magic...until a handsome and familiar hero comes to her rescue...
...but misery doesn't love company as questions from the past remain unanswered and wounds are reopened...
As an escape, Lucy then retreats to her family's mountain lodge to nurse her already broken heart and to avoid fanning the flames of love that never truly died...
Though Sam (MMC) isn't giving up that easily; he sees the opportunity he's been hoping for and to finally make things right, he then follows his heart...and Lucy...to the lodge...
A weekend snowed in together alone during a storm is the perfect time not only to reconnect but also for a sexy Santa and a curious elf to play...
🥰❤️🔥📖🎄📖❤️🔥🥰
What to Expect and Trigger Warnings:
❤️🔥 Temperature Play
🎄 Food Play
❤️🔥 Implements
🎄 Rough S*x (and Dirty Talk)
❤️🔥 Bondage and Blindfolds
🎄 Dual Pleasure
❤️🔥 Breath Play
🎄 Role-Playing (Holiday Themed)
❤️🔥 Exhibitionism
More Serious Trigger Warnings:
⚠️ PTSD (triggers, symptoms, silent shutdown, unable to talk about feelings)
⚠️ Mentions of War
⚠️ Therapy Sessions
*Note: MMC is a former Marine who suffered trauma during service*
Special thanks to Alicia Ramos for this wonderful and incredible opportunity!!
Dramatic, funny, and loaded with spice; this book is an absolute PERFECT holiday MUST read...
(...and don't worry, reading it won't land you on Santa's Naughty List... 😉)
An irresistible page-turner from beginning to end...be sure to check out "Merry Little Secrets" by Alicia Ramos!!
🥰❤️🔥📖🎄📖❤️🔥🥰
Absolutely FANTASTIC!! This book truly hides its little secrets well behind its innocent cover!!
🥰❤️🔥📖🎄📖❤️🔥🥰
Getting a second chance at romance with a former college beau who disappeared and has now returned as gorgeous forner Marine...? YES!!
Though the course of getting back to true love definitely isn't smooth for Lucy (FMC)...losing her job and coming home to find her current boyfriend (Jack) getting his holiday jollies with another woman then ending up in a freak accident as she tries to escape the heartbreak all in the same day...?
Not exactly Christmas magic...until a handsome and familiar hero comes to her rescue...
...but misery doesn't love company as questions from the past remain unanswered and wounds are reopened...
As an escape, Lucy then retreats to her family's mountain lodge to nurse her already broken heart and to avoid fanning the flames of love that never truly died...
Though Sam (MMC) isn't giving up that easily; he sees the opportunity he's been hoping for and to finally make things right, he then follows his heart...and Lucy...to the lodge...
A weekend snowed in together alone during a storm is the perfect time not only to reconnect but also for a sexy Santa and a curious elf to play...
🥰❤️🔥📖🎄📖❤️🔥🥰
What to Expect and Trigger Warnings:
❤️🔥 Temperature Play
🎄 Food Play
❤️🔥 Implements
🎄 Rough S*x (and Dirty Talk)
❤️🔥 Bondage and Blindfolds
🎄 Dual Pleasure
❤️🔥 Breath Play
🎄 Role-Playing (Holiday Themed)
❤️🔥 Exhibitionism
More Serious Trigger Warnings:
⚠️ PTSD (triggers, symptoms, silent shutdown, unable to talk about feelings)
⚠️ Mentions of War
⚠️ Therapy Sessions
*Note: MMC is a former Marine who suffered trauma during service*
Special thanks to Alicia Ramos for this wonderful and incredible opportunity!!
Dramatic, funny, and loaded with spice; this book is an absolute PERFECT holiday MUST read...
(...and don't worry, reading it won't land you on Santa's Naughty List... 😉)
An irresistible page-turner from beginning to end...be sure to check out "Merry Little Secrets" by Alicia Ramos!!
🥰❤️🔥📖🎄📖❤️🔥🥰
December 7, 2025
*Received this book as an ARC!*
“Lucy Coleman was the real reason my feet would never touch war-torn ground again…I had joined the Marines because I wanted her to be proud of the man she loved, but all I became was a shell of myself.” -Sam
I really enjoyed this one! And was very excited to see there will be an addition to their story coming in the future! I feel like there is so many questions I have and so much more I wanted to see about their story! I was hopeful to get a glimpse into their future and see them both find healing, so I look forward to getting to see that. There were moments throughout the book that I was a little confused about if I had missed something or things kind of abruptly ended/changed, I think the author had a lot of great ideas and a full length story maybe would have given those ideas the details they deserved.
“My chest clenched with hurt as the knife went straight through my heart. Realization had finally sunk in. I was nothing, and it was time to go.” -Lucy
This short book had so much beautiful moments, feelings, raw real life experience (including insight PTSD from war, addiction, cheating, and domestic violence), comedic relief, and of course spice!
“We had a long way to go, both of us. I knew if we put the effort into healing, to stand on our own while growing together, nothing could stop us.”
“Lucy Coleman was the real reason my feet would never touch war-torn ground again…I had joined the Marines because I wanted her to be proud of the man she loved, but all I became was a shell of myself.” -Sam
I really enjoyed this one! And was very excited to see there will be an addition to their story coming in the future! I feel like there is so many questions I have and so much more I wanted to see about their story! I was hopeful to get a glimpse into their future and see them both find healing, so I look forward to getting to see that. There were moments throughout the book that I was a little confused about if I had missed something or things kind of abruptly ended/changed, I think the author had a lot of great ideas and a full length story maybe would have given those ideas the details they deserved.
“My chest clenched with hurt as the knife went straight through my heart. Realization had finally sunk in. I was nothing, and it was time to go.” -Lucy
This short book had so much beautiful moments, feelings, raw real life experience (including insight PTSD from war, addiction, cheating, and domestic violence), comedic relief, and of course spice!
“We had a long way to go, both of us. I knew if we put the effort into healing, to stand on our own while growing together, nothing could stop us.”
December 7, 2025
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This holiday novella delivered second-chance romance vibes in the best way.
Lucy’s life looks perfect on the outside—her dream PR job at a vineyard, a steady boyfriend, and an older brother who’s always been her protector. But when everything falls apart, she escapes to her family’s lodge for a quiet weekend of wine, music, and solitude.
Then Sam shows up.
Her brother’s best friend.
Her first love.
Her biggest heartbreak.
From the moment he walks through that door, the tension snaps back into place—raw, emotional, and impossible to ignore. Sam is determined to right the wrongs of the past, and Lucy is torn between the pain he caused and the love she never really let go of.
The chemistry is electric, the emotional payoff is satisfying, and the snowy, secluded setting makes every moment feel intimate and cinematic. It’s the perfect blend of angst, warmth, and spice as Lucy and Sam navigate old wounds, buried truths, and the question of whether love can truly survive time and heartbreak.
A cozy, steamy, feel-good holiday read that leaves you rooting for forgiveness, healing, and the kind of love that finds its way back—even after years apart. 🎄❤️🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This holiday novella delivered second-chance romance vibes in the best way.
Lucy’s life looks perfect on the outside—her dream PR job at a vineyard, a steady boyfriend, and an older brother who’s always been her protector. But when everything falls apart, she escapes to her family’s lodge for a quiet weekend of wine, music, and solitude.
Then Sam shows up.
Her brother’s best friend.
Her first love.
Her biggest heartbreak.
From the moment he walks through that door, the tension snaps back into place—raw, emotional, and impossible to ignore. Sam is determined to right the wrongs of the past, and Lucy is torn between the pain he caused and the love she never really let go of.
The chemistry is electric, the emotional payoff is satisfying, and the snowy, secluded setting makes every moment feel intimate and cinematic. It’s the perfect blend of angst, warmth, and spice as Lucy and Sam navigate old wounds, buried truths, and the question of whether love can truly survive time and heartbreak.
A cozy, steamy, feel-good holiday read that leaves you rooting for forgiveness, healing, and the kind of love that finds its way back—even after years apart. 🎄❤️🔥
December 5, 2025
Holiday Spice Served HOT
OMG Besties… you have to read this because it is giving holiday spice, second-chance tension, and all the festive bad decisions we fully support. "Merry Little Secrets" is the perfect short, steamy novella to sneak in with your hot cocoa... because Lucy and Sam? Whew. The Insta-lust is instanting.
Lucy retreats to the family's lodge for peace, but instead she gets Sam (the ex-military, brother’s-best-friend heartbreaker) who shows up looking like every Christmas fantasy gone wrong… or very, very right😏. There’s praise, a little b0ndag€, and yes… cake batter is used in ways your mother would not approve of😈. And don’t even get me started on Sexy Santa Sam.
It’s sassy, spicy, and exactly the kind of quick holiday romance that hits the spot. If you’re craving a fast, flirty second chance? Add to your TBR. Immediately.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 4/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
OMG Besties… you have to read this because it is giving holiday spice, second-chance tension, and all the festive bad decisions we fully support. "Merry Little Secrets" is the perfect short, steamy novella to sneak in with your hot cocoa... because Lucy and Sam? Whew. The Insta-lust is instanting.
Lucy retreats to the family's lodge for peace, but instead she gets Sam (the ex-military, brother’s-best-friend heartbreaker) who shows up looking like every Christmas fantasy gone wrong… or very, very right😏. There’s praise, a little b0ndag€, and yes… cake batter is used in ways your mother would not approve of😈. And don’t even get me started on Sexy Santa Sam.
It’s sassy, spicy, and exactly the kind of quick holiday romance that hits the spot. If you’re craving a fast, flirty second chance? Add to your TBR. Immediately.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 4/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
December 6, 2025
The beginning was emotional and surprisingly heavy — I felt for Lucy so much. And when Sam was introduced, my heart broke for both of them. You could clearly tell they still loved each other, even after all those years apart.
Their weekend at the lodge was funny, heartfelt, and deliciously spicy. The sexy Santa and elf costumes? The sugar cookie lube? Absolutely iconic. Their chemistry crackled off the page, and I loved how playful and warm everything felt between them.
It was also really sweet watching Sam finally open up to Lucy. Seeing them slowly rekindle what they once had made the whole story feel warm, comforting, and full-circle. I loved how they supported each other through their emotional and mental struggles — it added so much depth to this short holiday novella.
I’m so excited that they’re getting a full-length story, and I highly recommend reading this sweet, spicy Christmas novella. I feel so lucky to have received this ARC and to experience this amazing story early.
Their weekend at the lodge was funny, heartfelt, and deliciously spicy. The sexy Santa and elf costumes? The sugar cookie lube? Absolutely iconic. Their chemistry crackled off the page, and I loved how playful and warm everything felt between them.
It was also really sweet watching Sam finally open up to Lucy. Seeing them slowly rekindle what they once had made the whole story feel warm, comforting, and full-circle. I loved how they supported each other through their emotional and mental struggles — it added so much depth to this short holiday novella.
I’m so excited that they’re getting a full-length story, and I highly recommend reading this sweet, spicy Christmas novella. I feel so lucky to have received this ARC and to experience this amazing story early.
December 9, 2025
I love that I can resignate with Lucy and her feelings, struggles, and will to never give up given the worse situations ever - all too well. That and, at the same time, understand what Sam has gone through due to PTSD and his military life he left behind. There's a bond that is repaired in this novella with a very must needed cabin weekend together, but along with it comes new beginnings and learning their lives all over again from when they were younger. Discovering themselves, not giving up on themselves, but also not doing it alone was the true impact of feelings here that tied the novella perfectly together.
Oh and I love the fact that Alicia wrote Lucy's hummus toast and Sam's hot chocolate recipes in the back of the book!
Tropes / tr!ggers:
❄️ Military tr@uma
🎄 Bestfriends sister
❄️ Cabin weekend secret fun
🎄 Touch her and d!e
❄️ Domestic situations
🎄 Substance abu$e quick references
Oh and I love the fact that Alicia wrote Lucy's hummus toast and Sam's hot chocolate recipes in the back of the book!
Tropes / tr!ggers:
❄️ Military tr@uma
🎄 Bestfriends sister
❄️ Cabin weekend secret fun
🎄 Touch her and d!e
❄️ Domestic situations
🎄 Substance abu$e quick references
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2025
Recieved this as an ARC.
This book is different from books Alicia usually writes, but it was still a great read and I loved it.
Details, plot, and characters were fantastic.
FMC Lucy and MMC Sam definitely are cute together. They’re two broken souls, but a beautiful couple. I hate what they both went through, but the fact they had given each other a second chance was great. I loved their chemistry.
I loved when Lucy went to the lodge and then Sam showed up. We got to see emotional vulnerability, the electricity in their chemistry, the intimacy, and the spice.
Sam is Lucy’s brother’s best friend and her first love. He is determined to make things right with Lucy again.
I enjoyed this holiday novella and I wish there could’ve been more!
If you love cozy yet spicy novellas, this is for you!
This book is different from books Alicia usually writes, but it was still a great read and I loved it.
Details, plot, and characters were fantastic.
FMC Lucy and MMC Sam definitely are cute together. They’re two broken souls, but a beautiful couple. I hate what they both went through, but the fact they had given each other a second chance was great. I loved their chemistry.
I loved when Lucy went to the lodge and then Sam showed up. We got to see emotional vulnerability, the electricity in their chemistry, the intimacy, and the spice.
Sam is Lucy’s brother’s best friend and her first love. He is determined to make things right with Lucy again.
I enjoyed this holiday novella and I wish there could’ve been more!
If you love cozy yet spicy novellas, this is for you!
December 11, 2025
Merry Little Secrets was everything absolutely everything. So much more than I ever could have asked for . And definitely everything I never knew I needed . Sure it’s a dark romance, but it’s also the type of story that’s guaranteed to tug on all your heartstrings and make you feel so many emotions you’ll never ever see coming. Laughter, sadness, frustration and happiness. Lucy and Sam’s story is without a doubt not all hearts and flowers , but. The way these two help each other heal and learn to love again , i genuinely could not devour it fast enough. Two beautifully broken and flawed people find their second chance at love in the most unexpected of circumstances. What an emotional journey that will hook you from page one and keep you hooked until the end and leave you wanting so much more
December 5, 2025
Oh my goodness Lucy! Talk about worst day ever!!! Poor girl, when it rains it pours. Damn. I will say her petty side made me smile 😊
And Sam! His and Lucy's past 🥺
I loved the premise of this and the spice! This was an emotional read. Lots of trauma. I'm looking forward to these characters getting their own stories because novellas are just too short sometimes! I def wanted more of their story.
I thoroughly agree with the dedication by the way. Just go for it 💚♥️
Be sure to check TW so nothing comes as a shock. The author lists them at the beginning!
🎄MC's in their 30s
🎄Second chance
🎄Banter
🎄Brothers best friend
🎄Forced Proximity
🎄MMC ex military
🎄Light bondage
🎄Holiday Novella
Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
And Sam! His and Lucy's past 🥺
I loved the premise of this and the spice! This was an emotional read. Lots of trauma. I'm looking forward to these characters getting their own stories because novellas are just too short sometimes! I def wanted more of their story.
I thoroughly agree with the dedication by the way. Just go for it 💚♥️
Be sure to check TW so nothing comes as a shock. The author lists them at the beginning!
🎄MC's in their 30s
🎄Second chance
🎄Banter
🎄Brothers best friend
🎄Forced Proximity
🎄MMC ex military
🎄Light bondage
🎄Holiday Novella
Thank you for my ARC! I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
December 7, 2025
This is my first book by Alicia Ramos. This novella was a quick holiday centric read.
Lucy and Sam were first loves. Insecurities and life got in their way. Awfulness in their lives has brought them back together for a steamy weekend where they explore their kinks, rekindle their love, and forgive each other.
While I enjoyed this novella, I am glad that this couple will be getting a full length novel. This story bounced around and not everything was fully fleshed out for a quick novella. I believe this was a great lead in to their full story and the opportunity to flesh out these characters and their past and futures.
Thank you to Alicia Ramos for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novella.
Lucy and Sam were first loves. Insecurities and life got in their way. Awfulness in their lives has brought them back together for a steamy weekend where they explore their kinks, rekindle their love, and forgive each other.
While I enjoyed this novella, I am glad that this couple will be getting a full length novel. This story bounced around and not everything was fully fleshed out for a quick novella. I believe this was a great lead in to their full story and the opportunity to flesh out these characters and their past and futures.
Thank you to Alicia Ramos for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novella.
December 8, 2025
3.5⭐️ 3🌶️
This is a short, fast paced and to the point Christmas novella. Lucy is the FMC, she loses her job and her long term boyfriend all in the same day. She catches him cheating when she returned from being fired from work. The fast paced part comes in when she is in an accident and her brother sends his best friend, Sam the MMC, to get her and make sure she okay and from there they basically click back together and she forgives him for disappearing for years! They proceed to spend the rest of the weekend trapped in a house in a snow storm. They eventually go back to Sam’s place and spend Christmas with her brother and each other. Over all it was a good book and I am intrigued to see how they grow when They get their own stand alone!
This is a short, fast paced and to the point Christmas novella. Lucy is the FMC, she loses her job and her long term boyfriend all in the same day. She catches him cheating when she returned from being fired from work. The fast paced part comes in when she is in an accident and her brother sends his best friend, Sam the MMC, to get her and make sure she okay and from there they basically click back together and she forgives him for disappearing for years! They proceed to spend the rest of the weekend trapped in a house in a snow storm. They eventually go back to Sam’s place and spend Christmas with her brother and each other. Over all it was a good book and I am intrigued to see how they grow when They get their own stand alone!
December 9, 2025
Merry Christmas to me! This read was absolutely fantastic. I was sucked in and so invested. Sam is an absolutely amazingly written character. I just wanted to hold him and help him feel okay. He’s stark loyalty and fierce love for his people was beautiful. This is one of the best depictions of survivors guilt and PTSD that I have read. And the things Lucy has to endure broke me entirely. But I was poor back together right alongside her by the protector we all need. This is a gorgeous relationship and is also one of the most honest ones. This book had me laughing, crying, cringing, and kicking my feet in the air. I felt it all. And to elicit that reaction in such a short read is impressive. I have to know more of their story!
December 10, 2025
This was a quick read that packs a lot of spice. I went in expecting it to be about one thing, and then ended up being surprised that it included so many tropes/storylines I didn’t expect.
It felt a little bit like the author was trying to cram as many different tropes into one novella as she could, and would probably have enjoyed it more if it didn’t skip around so much. But some of that can technically be explained away by the storyline that Sam is trying to help Lucy mark things off her “spicy time (kink) bucket list.”
Sam’s story (the reason why he was away from Lucy for so long - 14 years) is really sad so I’m glad Lucy gave him another chance. I’d love to read more of their story.
Make sure to check your TW before you read.
It felt a little bit like the author was trying to cram as many different tropes into one novella as she could, and would probably have enjoyed it more if it didn’t skip around so much. But some of that can technically be explained away by the storyline that Sam is trying to help Lucy mark things off her “spicy time (kink) bucket list.”
Sam’s story (the reason why he was away from Lucy for so long - 14 years) is really sad so I’m glad Lucy gave him another chance. I’d love to read more of their story.
Make sure to check your TW before you read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2025
MERRY LITTLE SECRETS by ALICIA RAMOS ⭐️⭐️⭐️
At around 130 pages I read this novella in a couple of hours. Be warned before you start, this is an open door romance and includes topics such as abuse (off page) , PTSD, and has a lot of very explicit bedroom scenes. There is a list of triggers and warnings at the very beginning of the book and I highly recommend you check them out before reading.
This was an interesting novella but I personally found it a little light on plot and very high on the bedroom scenes. The two main characters are rekindling a decade old attraction whilst both battling their own personal demons. It has an attractive cover and was well edited.
At around 130 pages I read this novella in a couple of hours. Be warned before you start, this is an open door romance and includes topics such as abuse (off page) , PTSD, and has a lot of very explicit bedroom scenes. There is a list of triggers and warnings at the very beginning of the book and I highly recommend you check them out before reading.
This was an interesting novella but I personally found it a little light on plot and very high on the bedroom scenes. The two main characters are rekindling a decade old attraction whilst both battling their own personal demons. It has an attractive cover and was well edited.
December 6, 2025
2.5⭐️ Brother’s best friend ⭐️The spicy scenes were pretty good but otherwise I was left wanting so much more. Lucy and Sam rekindle an old relationship but it’s told in a confusing sort of manner. I felt like the story jumped all over and at times I was asking myself what I missed. I felt like a prequel or something would’ve helped, even if it was a novella. While I enjoyed the spice some of the scenes seemed a drastic jump of activities. I thought it was weird that they talked about the intimate moments they had in the past with her brother. And the sudden mention of being eco conscious in chapter 19 seemed forced.
December 8, 2025
I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't keep interest in it. I had a hard time picking it up to finish it. I thought that the book started off really well, but then the actually story kind of fell off into a sex fest. There were times when I had to double back thinking I was missing something only to not find it. If the story had developed a bit more with a bit more depth then this book would have easily been a five star read. The author had a great story going, along with great characters, but her delivery was a bit short. I would like to see some more from this author to see how her other books are.
December 9, 2025
This book was really touching with the support that Lucy was providing Sam and him being there for her as well. I loved both of the characters and how both have skeletons in their closet, not pretending to be perfect, but supportive of each other and communication is key between them. It is what founded their relationship in the first place and also what allowed their relationship to have a leg to stand on when they were reunited. Also, Brother’s best friend is one of my favorite tropes and it was nice to see it not a forbidden love this time as it is portrayed in many books. I’m so thankful I was chosen to get to read this book as an ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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