And if you touch what’s his, you might not live long enough to regret it.
When Samantha Baylor’s bakery oven dies, she never expects a broad-shouldered, silver-bearded stranger to appear, repair everything she owns, and leave her heart aching for more. One night with him feels like pure Christmas magic. Then he disappears.
Months later, Samantha is pregnant and unsettling things start happening.
Strangers lurk outside her bakery.
Threatening notes appear on her doorstep.
Something dangerous is watching her and her unborn child.
And when the danger closes in, the man she thought she imagined walks back into her life.
Nick is not a drifter.
Nick is not human.
Nick is the immortal spirit of Christmas itself, ancient, relentless, and terrifyingly possessive of the woman carrying his child.
This year, Santa Claus is not bringing gifts.
He is bringing vengeance.
A possessive silver fox Santa.
A surprise pregnancy.
A “touch her and die” romance burning hotter than the North Pole’s hearth.
The following ratings are out of 5: Romance: 💙💜🤎💚❤️ Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪 Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔 World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌎 Character development: 😋😀😍☺️🥰
Three years ago, Samantha packed up the pieces of a life that had treated her far too harshly and landed in the quiet charm of Caraway Cove. After surviving an ex who broke more than just her trust, she chose a fresh start: a cozy bakery with a tiny apartment perched above it.
Small‑town life suits her—warm neighbors, a best friend in Ella (the town’s resident event‑planning queen), and a bakery she adores… even if her appliances seem determined to test her patience. Samantha is resilient, hopeful, and slowly stitching together a life that finally feels like hers.
🦸🏻♂️ The Hero: Nick
Nick is the mysterious newcomer who arrived in Caraway Cove only weeks ago and immediately sent the local women into a collective swoon. He’s all broad shoulders, salt‑and‑pepper hair, and those grey‑blue eyes that crinkle when he laughs. A man who can fix anything—and apparently does, judging by the trail of grateful townsfolk.
Burned out from his life up north, Nick came to the Cove seeking clarity. What he finds instead is Samantha… and something far more magical than either of them expects.
📚 The Story
When Samantha’s already‑temperamental oven finally gives up, she’s at a loss. She’s broke, she’s stressed, and she needs that oven to survive. Enter Nick—thanks to Ella’s not‑so‑subtle matchmaking.
Nick fixes the oven, but what really sparks is the conversation that follows. Hours slip by, the chemistry crackles, and one spectacular night together changes everything.
But the next morning, Samantha wakes to an empty bed and an empty bakery. Nick is gone—vanished without explanation—and the mystery of who he really is begins to unfold.
🌟 Highlights
• Nick is Santa—yes, that Santa—and he’s the version we all secretly wish existed. Magical, kind, powerful… but with shadows woven into that magic that give the story an unexpected, deliciously suspenseful edge. • The plot is refreshingly original. Whimsical, unpredictable, and surprisingly steamy. Nick is absolutely a hot, filthy Santa, and the book leans into that in the best possible way. • A strong debut from Chloe Queenswell. If this really is her first book, I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next. The hero is a scorching alpha Santa, the intimate scenes are fantastic, and the balance between story and spice hits the sweet spot.
💔 Where It Fell Short
• The length. Novellas always leave me wanting more, and this one is no exception. Even though it delivers a complete arc—beginning, middle, and end—I couldn’t help wishing the author had lingered longer with these characters and this world.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for something festive, steamy, and delightfully off‑beat, this novella is a treat. It blends magic, heat, and heart with a twist on Santa that feels both fresh and wickedly fun. I just wish it had been longer, because I wasn’t ready to leave Caraway Cove—or Nick and Samantha—behind.
💭 Quotes
“My actual job involves distributing the spirit of Christmas throughout the mortal world. Not presents, though sometimes presents are part of it. More like ensuring certain encounters happen at certain times. Making sure the right person hears the right song, or finds the right book, or bumps into someone they need to meet at exactly the right moment. It's about cultivating connection, fostering generosity, and maintaining the thin thread of hope that keeps humanity from sliding into complete cynicism.”
"No one touches her. No one touches our child. Not while I'm still breathing.”
"Our child is special, Samantha. The first child born of an immortal and a mortal in millennia. Maybe longer. No one's entirely sure."
Santa’s Pregnant Bride by Chloe Queenswell is a swoony, magical holiday romance that completely stole my heart. Samantha Baylor is a young baker rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive past, and Nick—an irresistibly gorgeous, silver-haired stranger adored by the entire town—feels like fate the moment he steps into her bakery. When Nick helps her during a baking emergency, their instant chemistry ignites into one unforgettable night that changes Samantha’s life forever.
What she doesn’t know is that Nick Kringle has lived for millennia, bound by rules that forbid his involvement with mortals. When he disappears, Samantha is left pregnant and heartbroken—until supernatural forces, both angelic and demonic, set their sights on her unborn child. Nick must return, reveal the truth of who he is, and fight to protect the woman and family he never meant to fall in love with.
This was a fast, addictive read filled with tenderness, danger, and holiday magic. I loved every page and happily give it 5 stars. I’m crossing my fingers hard for a future story about Ella and Everett. ✨🎄
Genre: - Paranormal Contemporary Series: - Stand Alone currently - potential for a series POV? - Dual POV Love triangle? - Cheating? - HEA? - Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes Rating -4 stars
★Review★
This was a super fast-burn romance, but it is a novella, so I’m inclined to give it a pass—and honestly - I really enjoyed it.
It’s a quick, easy read with the FMC, Samantha ending up pregnant after a one-night stand with the mysterious Nick, who has a job “up north.” The pacing is fast, but it suits the story, and I liked that both Samantha and Nick were both clearly pining for each other while apart.
When Nick does come back, he’s fully all in with Samantha being pregnant and imminent fatherhood. Sometimes you just want the MMC to show up, take responsibility, and mean it.
The best friend Ella was also a highlight for me—I really liked her and am very much hoping she gets her own book.
All in all, this was a fun, festive little read that did exactly what it set out to do. Nothing groundbreaking, but thoroughly enjoyable, and one I flew through in no time.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
Samantha is the owner of a bakery in a small costal town. She is rebuilding her life after an abusive ex. It’s been three years and she doesn’t trust easily. Nick is new in town. He is older, handsome and kind in a way Samantha hasn’t experienced before. After he fixes her bakery oven, she opens up to him. The next morning he is gone leaving his memory and a surprise behind. Nick is not what he seems. He is Christmas personified. He left Samantha behind to keep her safe not realizing she was pregnant and vulnerable. When he realizes the danger she is in, he will destroy anything that gets in his way. Samantha soon realizes how possessive and protective he can be. This was a very spicy, enjoyable Christmas read. Nick is in love with Samantha. He treats her with so much kindness and reverence. He is also fiercely possessive and protective of her and their baby. The side characters of Ella and Everette bring some humor into the story as well. I don’t think I will ever look at Santa the same again, without thinking of his dirty talk. Great read.
You know what? This was actually really freaking cute.
A one night stand with “Nick” leads to a magical pregnancy, with Santa being none the wiser. There is a fun, playful plot with demons lurking and Nick coming back to claim and protect what’s his. A literal ‘touch her and die’ scenario with a hot, powerful Santa and his equally hot elves.
This book has both the pregnancy and the birth scene, with a HEA and set up for the next couple. Super fast/cute read—would definitely recommend!
This was actually a really cute holiday themed read!
I went in thinking it would be a quick, spicy read (based on the title). There is some spice in the beginning, of course, but then there is a story/plot through the rest of the book. I really enjoyed Ella's protectiveness of Samantha. I really hope she gets an HEA with the enigmatic Everett :)
Hot Santa, magic, some light spice, demons, angels... This was not at all what I expected but I am one hundred percent here for it! Nick and Samantha were fun to watch in this one. Now I have to see if there's another book because I need to know what happens with Ella and Everett...
I love the reimagined purpose of the concept of Santa - not so much as the gift giving but the concept of the spirit of Christmas really blended the magic of Christmas and modern times beautiful. The spice is well placed and tasteful and a beautiful short seasonal read
Not sure what I expected as this is the first book I have read from this author, but what a lovely book its a quick read but you don't feel like the books rushed it flows really well. I recommend this book of you want a different story or a different way to think about Santa (naughtier ;)
What a fun little holiday read! I honestly thought it was going to be way more spicy than it was but I will say gave the perfect balance of story and spice. And can I just mention the lore for Santa and their supernatural world was very interesting! Can't wait to read more books in this world (hopefully we have more by this author)
A quick read but gives you all the feels about Christmas and magic. True love does exist. And nothing will stand in this Santa's way to protect and love what is his.
I hope that we get to read about some side characters later on.
I saw this book being recommended on Facebook and wanted to give it a try. I liked it. It was entertaining and had the right feel for a novella. It has everything you need from steam to action. It's pretty good. I really need another one with Ella and Everett.
Just what Santa ordered. Loved this short Christmas romance read. A touch of magic with a heavy dose of protectiveness and possessiveness. Pass me the cookies and milk, please!
There is something about the holidays this year that make me not wanna get into a long book. This story was perfect. Short and full of smut and supernatural beings with a little Santa flare on the side. Definitely worth the read!
I need more Santa stories, more of him and his elves fighting bad, literally. I really enjoyed this book! Ella is bestie goals and I really want her book too.
I started this as a joke and stayed for the angels and demons war LOL. I don't know what I was expecting but it does have a mini plot. spice isnt that great but it was definitely a unique read