Christmas Power Play: A Holiday College Romance Novella

by Evelyn Ferras

When I spot Leonardo—the hockey team’s captain—alone outside the empty dorms with nowhere to go for Christmas, I can’t just leave him there. My brother’s deployed, his room is free, and my family would never let anyone spend the holidays alone.

The problem? Leonardo has always been a smug, infuriating jerk. And the second he steps through our front door, I remember exactly why I promised myself I’d avoid him forever. He’s all polite smiles and good manners around my parents… but the minute we’re alone, he’s back to messing with me and pushing my buttons like it’s his personal hobby.

But the tension between us crackles instantly. Every comment he throws my way hits its mark, and the way he looks at me and brushes against me when no one is watching sends heat through me. It’s the kind of chemistry that makes it impossible to ignore him.

I know better than to fall for the campus heartbreaker. But with him in my house, in my space, and in my head, I’m starting to wonder if this Christmas is going to change everything... or leave me completely undone.


Christmas Power Play is a standalone college enemies-to-lovers Christmas novella intended for mature audiences.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2025

About the author

Evelyn Ferras is the author of Property, Pretty Plaything, and Ashes. She’s loved reading romance ever since she was a teen, and her passion for strong heroines and sexy heroes only grows stronger every day.

Evelyn lives at the coast with her family and enjoys watching sunsets. Very often, she’ll catch a sunrise too, especially when she’s curled up with a book, binge-watching Netflix, or playing out stories in her head before writing them down.

If you want to know more about Evelyn’s books, please visit https://www.evelynferras.com/

Reviews

[Audi Walbridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hamper down my expectations for novellas. This one was good, hot angsty tension that explodes.

A sweet perfectionist meets a brooding hockey player. She takes him home for Christmas even though he's kind of a dick, and she pretends to hate him.

What's the worst that could happen?

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was instantly intrigued trying to guess the dynamic between Noa and Leonardo, they have an enemies vibe. Noa invites Leonardo to come home with her for the holidays and he sees it's as an opportunity to push her buttons. Their dynamic is intense with Noa's witty banter and Leonardo's heavy flirting, both pushing each other to the brink. I was addicted to the game and waiting in anticipation to see who would break first. A fun, quick, and enjoyable holiday romance, where a good deed and mischievous game turn into so much more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I want in an enemies to lovers novella. It’s also the perfect about of Christmas. Noa is about to leave college and head home for the holidays when she spots Leonardo still on campus. They aren’t friends. He’s actually convinced she hates him. Noa decides to invite him home for the holidays and he agrees. The way they are with each other is so entertaining. The spice was really good. Seeing Leonardo struggle in the beginning with being around a wonderful family when he wasn’t used to it to feeling like he is apart of said family was so beautiful. Not going to lie I had some tears at one point. The pacing is also perfect. I highly recommend this one!

[CK Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas novella. Enemies to lovers or bully romance… unsure.

What I do love is the deep conversation about Leonardo’s abandonment issues and his back story. I love when a 100 pg novella really hits my heart.

If you are wanting a fun spicy Christmas book read this!

[Jamie Calhoun · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Audio

[Mary Camille Waycaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good novella. He’s left alone on campus during Christmas vacation- she ask him to come spend it with her family. He’s bad guy captain of hockey team. She is a perfectionist from a sweet family

[Brooke Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not my personal taste. After I realized that it wasn’t for me overall, I struggled to get through it. It had its better moments but still.

[Nix · Rating 3 out of 5]

college romance tropes

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

This has the potential to deliciously spicy

A lot of miscommunication for a young couple that ends in a HEA