When She's Stuffed: A Risdaverse Holiday Short

by Ruby Dixon

Pamela loves her job on Risda III - as cook to Lord and Lady va'Rin, she is responsible for creating delicious meals. What better way to show her appreciation for her new life than a Thanksgiving feast?

Alien guardsman Toghar has adored Pamela in silence for years now. Is today the day to speak up? Or should he wait until she stops shoving her hand into that dead bird on the counter?

Will the holidays bring these two together? (The answer is yes, of course.)

This is a short, stand-alone story set in the Risdaverse featuring a human woman, an alien hero who has no idea what Thanksgiving is, and some stuff that probably shouldn't happen in a kitchen, but does anyhow.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Aliens, Holiday, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Fantasy

34 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2025

About the author

Ruby Dixon is an author of Science Fiction Romance. She likes fated mates, baby-filled epilogues, and cinnamon roll heroes. She also likes to write biographies of herself in the third person, because it feels more important that way.

Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)

Reviews

[liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Ruby Dixon adorable aliens who do anything for the woman they are obsessed with but make it thanksgiving themed. Adorable check check check.

I laughed out loud when Toghar said he studied an Outlander book to learn how to make love to a human I’m crying


Her afterword “I’m sorry this wasn’t about a sentient turkey that gets it on with a woman. I know the cover might make you THINK that, but if I put a woman in lingerie on the cover with that title it would have gone straight to the Amazon dungeon.”

I did think that and I am a LITTLE bit bummed it wasn’t LMAO.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When She’s Stuffed is a new short story in the Risdaverse series. Any time there is a new addition to this alien romance series, I dive in. I always know I’ll have the best time devouring these Ruby Dixon novellas. This is the newest novella released in the series and it’s centered around bringing a Thanksgiving-level feast to the farming planet of Risda III.

Pamela is a cook to a noble lord and lady’s home in the farming planet. She loves her job and wants to show them just how much by cooking a Thanksgiving feast. Toghar is the alien guardsman who has been secretly into her for years and he’s ready to tell her how he feels.

This was easy, fast, and fun! He’s appalled by her prepping and cooking of the Thanksgiving meal which was super funny. Almost too quick to get invested or wrapped up in these two fully, but I also expect that from these shorts too.

[Kimmylongtime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh, I’ve been in love with this series for so long I don’t care how many spinoffs we get I will love them all !! Yes, 🙌🏽 I also can’t believe there was even a turkey dinner !!! How 🥰 adorable !!

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gobble gobble 🦃 (which, shockingly, this book had none of if you know what I mean)

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful little slice of life short. I always love a FMC in her 40s and Pamela was funny AF. Toghar was adorable with his blushing and his distaste for turkey meal prep. They were a sweet couple and I want more of them.

Spice: 2/5

Triggers: reference to past enslavement, some internalized ageism

[Hilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least now, when she doesn't know how I feel, I can watch over her. I can make sure that she's safe and protected and taken care of every day.

Super short and sweet. This is a story of humans trying to keep traditions alive even in a different planet with aliens. It’s actually quite hilarious. The big blue good aliens are vegetarians. Cooking a giant bird is not something they look forward to. I do miss the action though. These short stories are all about life in Risa (alien planet). So they’re cute and full of couples finding each other. This one was definitely a friends to lovers. Everyone knew Toghar loved Pamela, except Pamela!

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and well done, great short story :)

[hea booktubes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute thanksgiving short.

[Rachel Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's exactly what you think it would be - I laughed LOUDLY many times.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Ruby Dixon! The kitchen/turkey scene made me laugh out loud!

[Sabrina Ravenscroft · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it Thanksgiving without any Thanksgiving smut?

[Thalasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Made me laugh out loud. Short, sweet, and to the point

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too cute

A super short Thanksgiving read. I love the Risdaverse tales and the sweet dorky aliens that are trying to figure out how to work up to asking their ladies out.

[Shannai · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

It was fun reading about an alien trying to understand a human, and he was pretty sweet actually, I just would have liked for it to be a tad longer!

tropes 

alien/human 
thanksgiving novella
he's obsessed

[Hollee Archibald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gobble Gobble

Cute short story that of course leaves me wanting more! They'd be a great couple to have seen a before story about and not just one night but was a fun Thanksgiving read. ♡

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Damn, she traumatized that giant blue alien man with the way she stuffed that bird carcass.

[Michelle (MichelleBookAddict) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: (from back in November 2025 but apparently Goodreads added a different copy on here so..> this is on my Thanksgiving tbr… also I see what you did there Ruby with that alien “turkey” 😂

[Lyv R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 3.5 stars rounded up

Favourite quote: “Well. Now the kitchen really needs to be sanitized.”

This was a sweet and spicy little holiday read, exactly the sort of novella you inhale in one sitting and then blink like, well… that escalated in the kitchen. Pamela was adorable in her determination to cook a whole Thanksgiving feast for her alien employers, and her soft little desire to make everyone feel cared for gave the whole story a warm, cozy vibe. She’s the kind of heroine you immediately root for because she’s just trying her best, elbow deep in a turkey, while trying not to notice the very large alien guard staring at her like she’s his entire religion.

Toghar was also a delight, even if my brain kept calling him TowBar the entire time. His quiet, lovesick obsession was cute in the way only Ruby Dixon heroes manage to be, somewhere between protective and absolutely down bad. The story is definitely too short to dig deep into either character, but what we do get is fun and surprisingly tender, especially when he finally stops pining from the shadows and actually goes for it.

And yes, the HR-trained part of my soul absolutely shrieked when they started getting handsy in the kitchen. There are health codes. There are workplace policies. There are surfaces that will never be the same again. But honestly? It was still charming, still sexy, and still a perfect little seasonal bite. A fun, quick read that does exactly what it sets out to do.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun Thanksgiving sci-fi short romance. It’s part of the Risdaverse series but is a standalone.

MMC Mesakkah Toghar is a guard in Lord va'Rin’s household. He’s been harboring feelings for FMC Pamela, the chef, for a long time. The day he decides to confess his feelings, Pamela happens to declare that same day as Thanksgiving and is preparing an elaborate feast.

This story was so stinkin’ cute. Their interaction over silly human traditions was adorable and endearing, and of course things eventually get spicy. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving quick read.

It’s always a delight to spend a little more time on Risda, and I can’t wait to see what Dixon comes up with next.

Spice 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5

[Chrissy Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy, short, and sweet — exactly the kind of Risdaverse snack I love to devour in one sitting. Every time I stumble across a new story in this series, it feels like finding a hidden treat, and this one absolutely delivered.

The chemistry was instant, the heat was heating, and the vibe stayed fun from start to finish. Ruby Dixon always knows how to pack a whole lot of swoon (and steam!) into a quick read, and this little delight was no exception. I’m always happy to revisit the Risdaverse, and this was a delicious addition to the collection.

If you’re looking for something fast, filthy, and full of that signature Dixon charm, this one will hit the spot.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very short, so most of it is narrated, and the part with the "bird" was pretty ackward, especially considering it reminds him of a guy he actually knew. How could he stay in that kitchen, watching a woman desecrate a corpse that resembled someone he once knew? I don't care the author made sure to mention (several times) that this bird is non-sentient, there are several bird-like aliens on Port! An why did it have to be such a huge bird if there were only 4 people who could actually eat it? Three of them children. It seemed like a huge waste.

[Jeana Cheque · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was about Togar and Pamela. They both work for Lord va'Rin. The MMC asks LV's permission to date her, since they both work for him. LV says they are both adults and of course it's ok. He's known her for 5 years, but hasn't made a move. He doesn't want to come off as a creep and make her uncomfortable if she's not interested. Pamela is 40, and older than him. She makes a special avian dinner for Thanksgiving and then makes a vegetarian feast for him, since many of the Risda Masakas are vegetarians (WHAT? The complete opposite of the Ice Planet Masaka.)

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟 I love an adorable alien trying to figure out a human woman. “There is a human guide to lovemaking called Outlander…” 😂😂😂 Anyway, cute story. A bit too short but I haven’t read the whole series so I think this couple’s story might have had a bigger impact if I were all caught up. But I wanted to read something for Thanksgiving. Tis the season.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: Pamela and Toghar

Pamela is a chef for Lord va’Rin and his wife and children. She decides to create a thanksgiving feast and Toghar (one of the Royal guards) helps her with it. He has had feelings for her for a while, so he decides to finally show her how he feels.


💜This was a cute novella, I only wish it was a bit longer, because it was super short💜

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Super short and all vibes, but I’m a fan of the Risdaverse universe so this was an easy read! I was a little disappointed that there were no alien turkeys though 🤣.

(Catching up on reviews of December reads, so thoughts will be scattered.)

[william d dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it

I loved this book . This book was short and sweet and I loved every bit of it. I don't think I will ever get tired of a good spicy book, thank you!

[Kimbot the Destroyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny and sweet

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
2🌶

[Dr CG · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick story for a festive giggle 😁
Gotta love these blue aliens and their adorable smutty ways! 🥰 Was it a literary masterpiece… no. But did it have the expected impact, sure. 👍

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s a precious alien, and she gets her c*nt stuffed.
34 pages, 5 stars. No notes.