The Christmas Guest: A chilling Christmas psychological thriller novella

by Aaron Quinn

Snowed in. Strangers at the door. No way out.

When Hannah’s car skids off an icy Dorset lane, she has no choice but to accept the kindness of strangers. An elderly couple welcome her into their cottage, where the fire burns, the food is hot, and the Christmas decorations are hung with care.

But as the storm closes in, Hannah begins to sense that not everything is as it seems. The questions grow sharper. The atmosphere shifts. And soon she realises that some houses aren’t meant to offer sanctuary… they’re meant to keep you in.

This Christmas, Hannah isn’t their guest. She’s their prisoner.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, C.L. Taylor, and B.A. Paris, The Christmas Guest is a tense, binge-worthy, and short psychological thriller you won’t forget.

Genres: Christmas

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2025

Reviews

[Lynn Dubinsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated the ending

[Rosie Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super read and super creepy #KindleUnlimited

[Eleanor Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very creepy and fast paced. A little confused at the ending and would have liked a bit more clarity, but still very enjoyable.

[Richard Kettlewood · Rating 3 out of 5]

RA

Not sure what to make of this. Some of the description and atmosphere were quite vivid and engaging, but much of the writing was disjointed: candles in rooms after lights were turned on! Rushed or careless? Bones of a good story there, let down by a narrative that lacked logic: how often can lone women with dark hair get stuck in snow near a remote cottage, even in decades? Come on! It was just good enough to read; sinister and claustrophobic were done well. But the ending: a supernatural cop out? Who knows. Does the author know?

[Aiden | bookrot.bby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent short read!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. The first few chapters were pretty repetitive so that was a little annoying. I think the twists were predictable. The ending didn’t give much a shock either.

[Kaitlyn Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out so good but the ending was terrible

[Zoe Costley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling festive read! The Christmas Guest is a gripping psychological thriller novella that perfectly blends holiday cheer with an undercurrent of suspense. The atmosphere is tense, the characters intriguing, and the twist keeps you hooked until the end. A quick, dark seasonal read that’s ideal if you want something unsettling for the holidays!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

that was creepy but good

[April Marie Wardle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ - great for a quick, fast-paced thriller novella. Kept me hooked + wanting to know what was going to happen next. Read in one sitting, just disappointed that the ‘son’ matter was never resolved? Felt like it was going to end up being the guy who rescued Hannah at the end!

[Lee Husemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah is running from someone or something in a terrible snowstorm when she ends up stuck in a ditch. She exits her car and heads to lights in the distance. When she knocks on the cottage door, Martha and Gerald welcome her inside. This is a quick, easy, creepy and chilling read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wish it would have been a full length novel.

[Zoe Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up. Short thriller, festive novella. When Hannah becomes stranded in the snow she is forced to seek refuge as the closest cottage. The strange owners of the cottage soon have Hannah creeped out.

The best part of this book was the end for me. There is room here to build on the ending and I think I would have enjoyed it much more if that had been a bigger part of the story.

[sharon moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Telling the story of Hannah who breaks down in a snow storm and is taken in by Gerald and Martha a strange couple who live in a cottage nearby. The couple tried everything to keep Hannah with them but she was determined to leave. This novella has an unexpected and every ending. Brilliant and easy reading

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre

Not a bad short story just leaves the reader with unanswered questions. Was anything real? Were the tale of deaths real? Or was it nothing but a vivid hysterical woman's imagination.

[Paula Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a very chilling story of a young lady been strained in the snow, only to find a cottage as her salvation, but un be known the cottage has a dark side. couldn't put this book down, had to finish it. Absolutely brilliant from start to finish.

[Richard Angrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark

A psychological thriller that has a winter setting and an interesting twist in the tail. Easily read in one sitting. Recommended.

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was only 90 pages long but it could have easily been made into a full book! 5* as it was everything I’d expect from a wintery thriller, creepy and chilling!!

[Jolovesbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn’t like this one. Quite a grim subject matter and the ending made no sense.

[Hannah Ciacelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoomed through this one!!! Can’t say I was “thrilled” but I was entertained and unnerved, so a wins a win

[Lauren Speringo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars because there were some creepy parts but otherwise this is a short story without a real plot. Was repetitive also. Left a lot of loose ends.

[Heather Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

spooky Christmas

What a spooky read for the holidays! Kept me engaged and pushing to finish the story with a twist I didn’t see coming.

[casabooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What in the heck?!

[GG · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creepy festive quick read. A lot was obvious and the ending ruined it for me, but overall I did enjoy it.

[leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this fast paced, easy Christmas read until the ending. A little disappointing.

[Hannah Dasinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out good but I hated the ending

[Courtney Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was weird

[Court Milburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ending, a bit boring of a story to get to the ending sadly

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

[Theresa Parker]

Very Good