Jolly & Jaded

by D.J. Krimmer

131 pages, Hardcover

Published November 24, 2025

About the author

International Best Selling Author

Crowned the Queen of Banter, DJ Krimmer is known through the community for her witty, smart mouthed characters.

In her books, representations of the imperfect sides of life are not hidden in the shadows, they're front and center, a reminder that everyone deserves to be a princess and have their happily ever after.

Reviews

[M W · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Dj always writes such emotional driven characters. They are always at a cusp in their own era where its sink or swim and that's not different that Grant and Elsie. Grant has know Elsie forever since he is bestfriend with her brother. But after a horrible night that led to Grant losing his leg and David being killed trying to save him things have never been the same. We'll except how much Grant and Elsie are in love with each other. I loved that he was a christmas grump and Elsie is a elf on Crack. She is sunshine and he is drawn to her. This had me tearing up quite a few times. I will say she makes you wait and then boom their doing it which i don't know made me think she was like crap its getting to the end let's speed this up. This story could have been a whole damn book. But I will settle for the novella.

[Lil Bit Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book’s dedication reads “To those who find magic in the twinkle of lights, warmth in the glow of a fire, and joy in the simple act of giving, this book is for you.”
Elsie is the epitome of holiday cheer…… times a hundred. Grant is The Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge rolled into one. They are complete opposites. When he is grumpy, she is happy. When he is sarcastic, she is sincere. For these reasons and more, they should not make sense as a couple. But, after reading this story and getting to know these characters, I could not imagine a better suited pair.
What an absolutely incredible holiday read. This is a first solo novel for me by D.J. Krimmer and I’m 100% hooked on her writing now. This story blends the perfect amount of emotion, spice, comedy, and plot. I listened to the audio version with Amanda Willow and Joe Arden performing and I have to say they brought this story to life. Amanda, with the perfect balance of sweet and sass and Joe with a slight gruff to his voice, they were able to match exactly what I imagine the characters to sound like.
I love Elsie’s grandmother’s character. She is hilarious and adds comedy that will have you laughing out loud. The spice in this story was a huge WOW factor for me. There is an initial slow burn to the characters’ story that gradually builds and by the time they decide to stop fighting the inevitable, I more than blushed and had to wipe the drool from my chin. Well done, DJ Krimmer. Well done. I would rate this story with a 5 out of 5 spice level. This story does end with a HEA.
I recommend this novel for mature audiences only due to sexual content.

[Lynnette Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jolly and Jaded 🎄🎧✨
By DJ Krimmer

This heartwarming, emotional holiday love story is exactly what I expect from DJ Krimmer.

From the raw ache of grief and guilt, to the spice, to the lighter moments thanks to the absolutely adorable, tattooed Nona, this novella is small but mighty and completely packed with feelings.

🎙️ Audiobook lovers—this one is a must.
Joe Arden and Amanda Willow deliver performances that are sweet, tender, and vulnerable. But when Grant’s desire for Elsie comes out? Joe Arden brings the heat like only he can. 🥵🔥

Short, emotional, spicy, and perfect for the holidays—this one will stay with you long after the last chapter.

✨ Ratings ✨
⭐️ Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared for the emotion and tears this story drew from me. It was a beautiful story of healing together instead of apart and how there are many mask for hiding the pain of loss or the guilty that comes with it. DJ does a wonderful job (as always) conveying what sudden loss and guilt can do to the ones we love even when we think we’re trying to protect them. It’ll make you laugh it’ll make you cry, and it will make you smile to know that forgiving yourself leads to happiness you may think you do deserve but actually do

[T.L. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one’s a great short story to fill your Christmas reading gap. While not exactly the holiday feel good read, this book will have you experiencing every raw emotion that you’ve been harboring this busy season. As a people pleaser myself, I really connected with the FMC. I laughed, cried, and smiled. The audiobook is a MUST if you enjoy hearing Joe Arden growl fuuuuuuuu*k into your ear. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your last minute December reads.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a holiday person, for lots of various reasons one of which in this book i can relate to for sure. I did really enjoy this Book on multiple level even being Christmas themed and I would absolutely listen again and honestly probably for Christmas times. I would definitely say im more of the jaded in this story than the jolly but I do try.l, lol, to which so did he. oo and I absolutely adore the dog lol

[Jen Strimbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book there was something soothing regarding the way these two were healing each other with some trauma they had with someone they lost. You have an incredible grumpy vs sunshine dynamic with this one and a disability rep. I loved how they both found a way to blend their relationship by realizing how they needed each other. This was so well done. I loved this book.

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I flinched with the accidental nut hit. Ouch.

Quick read, yet still an excellent story you get lost in. You have the hurt/comfort with an emotional story.

[Dawn Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story so much. You laugh, you cry, you cheer..Its perfect..

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!! I’m not a huge novella fan, but this was PERFECT!!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, but emotionally devastating (in the best way).

[smutty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short read. Really enjoyed how emotional the MMC was. Loved grandma too

[Flossythebooktroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Starting the year right with another 5 star read from DJ Krimmer. This Christmas Novella is perfect and packs in a lot! We have grumpy/sunshine, small town Hallmark, brothers best friend and years of pining. There is disability rep, trauma, grief, healing, romance, and dog adoption, all wrapped up in a super slow burn steamy Christmas 🎄 comfort listen.

This book has great narrators. Joe Arden is great and Amanda Willow is new for me! I loved her performance so much. This will definitely be on my Christmas TBL next year 🥰