Ana has perfected the art of the Irish goodbye—especially when it comes to holiday office parties that send her anxiety spiraling. When she escapes the company festivities and takes refuge in her favorite bookstore, she expects to find her usual hidden reading nook empty and waiting.
Instead, she discovers Kael—the store's new owner with silver-streaked hair, warm golden eyes, and a pair of very real reindeer antlers that catch the light when she smiles.
As winter snowfall traps them together in a cozy back room filled with books and twinkling lights, Ana finds herself doing the unthinkable—connecting with a stranger who somehow makes her feel perfectly safe being herself.
When Ana notices an enchanted sprig of mistletoe that supposedly reveals true soul-matches, Ana doesn't believe in holiday magic...but she's definitely willing to test the theory with Kael.
One kiss is all it takes to prove that sometimes the universe saves its most perfect gifts for those who've spent too long watching other people's dreams instead of living their own.
I’m not sure what I was expecting but I’m so glad I read it. This was really cute!! Magical book store vibes with an introvert and a reindeer shifter! Could it be more Christmassy?
Written in first person with a single POV. 1x Spicy Scene.
“Are you okay?” I nod, tears prickling hot at the corners of my eyes. “Yeah. God, I’m so, I—” She strokes my back, grounding me. “Good. I wanted you to feel safe. I wanted you so much.” I swallow against the emotion rising in my throat. “You did. I do. I wanted you too—I’ve been wanting this since before I knew you.”- pg 31
I found this author yesterday, and I’ve now read two of their romances, and both were so sweet and beautifully written. Discovering these stories during a long winter break while I was fighting with my partner and really needing an escape felt like exactly what I needed. I haven’t had the chance to read as many sapphic romances as I’d like, and this author gave me that space in a way that felt warm, gentle, and deeply comforting. This short story follows Ana and Kael in an unsuspecting romance set in a small bookstore. After fleeing a work holiday party due to her anxiety, Ana ends up on the front steps of her favorite bookstore a place that has become her sanctuary over the years. When Ana goes to her favorite hidden alcove one most people don’t even know exists she expects to find Mark the owner but instead encounters Kael: a beautiful, enchanting woman who also happens to have antlers. Ana is shocked and nervous, but she decides to stay. What follows is hours of quiet orbiting as the two slowly grow comfortable with each other. Their conversation unfolds naturally, softly, and with so much care, creating a slow-burn romance that feels perfectly suited to both characters. The ending includes a small, tender scene that remains gentle and intimate without rushing or overwhelming the story. It’s sweet, grounded, and emotionally satisfying in the best way. I truly loved this short story every quiet moment, every careful interaction, all of it.
3.5 stars. Lovely short story, although kind of cheesy. It’s slow paced and super cozy, but does address anxiety. I really enjoyed the first half. Could have been longer.
Absolutely adorable! I love the writing style, and even though this was a very short book, it still felt complete and satisfying. Ana and Kael are both incredibly sweet, their romance even sweeter, and the steam was just right. Such a lovely read!
Thank you to BookSprout and the author for a copy of this book.
This was such a sweet, comforting little read. A socially anxious introvert, a hidden bookstore nook, holiday magic, and a reindeer/Fae shifter? It hit all the cozy notes for me. Ana’s anxiety felt gentle and real, and Kael’s calm, steady presence made their connection feel safe.
It’s short, soft, and very Christmassy, with just one spicy scene that fits in the story. It's warm, magical, and quietly lovely.
Oh my gosh, is you aren’t quite ready to be done with the holiday season and are looking for a quick holiday sapphic romance listen, you should check this out! I adored that this took place in a cozy hidden nook in a bookstore, but even more I loved the accurate anxiety rep! This has all the cozy holiday vibes, but add in shifter/monster romance. The cherry on top was Lizzie Heard. She is now one of my favorite emerging narrators. I could listen to her all day!
Ana has calculated exactly how long she had to stay at her office party (aka socially accepted torture) to be socially acceptable. Her anxiety is at an all time high, so she heads to the one place guaranteed to calm her down. The bookstore. Only there is someone in her cozy nook. Not just someone, but the new owner. Oh no. Will she hate someone who comes in all the time but almost never buys anything? Only Kael seems to know exactly what she needs and doesn’t pressure her to do anything. And she finally starts to feel like she belongs.
Story: Kael may have reindeer antlers, but relationally/interpersonally she’s a unicorn. In chapter two the story started to hold my attention to the detriment of what I was working on so I had to pause and come back when I could give it my undivided attention, which since you don’t know me I’ll explain means that the story is highly engaging!
This was a nice little story, I enjoyed it and want to know if the poetry collection mentioned is real!
Narration: Fantastic enunciation, and a sort of breathlessness that works with an anxiety-ridden character, but also feels a little like talking to a child sometimes, which was a little weird when the story gets erotic, sounding more like she’s near tears? Her tone and timbre are pleasing for most of the book, but it gets a little high after the kiss. There could be a little better differentiation between the narration and Ana’s dialogue, but Kael’s “voice” is lower so you know it’s her, and the inflections work a little better.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a cute and unexpected romance. Socially anxious Ana, I can relate, leaves a work Christmas party and goes to the one place where she feels most comfortable. A bookstore. In the back, a nook that has her name on it. Bookstores are magical places, aren't they.🤩 Never expecting to meet the new shop's owner Kael right where Ana was running to. Imo, Ana was running towards someone she wasn't expecting.🥰 Kael was an attractive woman with antlers and she made Ana feel comfortable to be herself. A conversation that soothed and reminded her, you're enough just as you are. Let's not forget the mistletoe.💋😚💋😚💋
Ms Bliss has created another sweet romance for the holidays. That magic can be found anywhere. It's written well. I enjoyed it. The book cover looks cool and festive. Happy reading.*•>§<•*❤️💚❤️💚🦌
👩🏻🦳📚👩🏻Thank you to Ms Bliss and Booksprout. The opinions shared here are my own.👩🏻📚👩🏻🦳
This was such a cute, cozy sapphic holiday read with just enough spice to keep things fun without taking over the story. Ana’s social anxiety felt super relatable, and Kael is basically the dream combo of soft, magical, and ridiculously attractive (the antlers definitely don’t hurt). The snowy, trapped-in-a-bookstore vibe was honestly my favorite part.
It’s a short story, so I definitely wanted a bit more time with the characters, but what’s here is warm, sweet, and charming. The little touch of holiday magic and the flirty tension made me smile the whole way through.
If you want a quick queer winter read with cozy vibes, a hint of heat, and a magical twist, this is a great pick.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First off, I admit that I'm becoming a die-hard Lola Bliss fan. But I'm not at all in the Christmas mood yet, so was doubtful about picking up this book.
Within a page or two, I was engrossed! The atmosphere of the bookshop, the understandable issues of our protagonist and the sheer heart of our reindeer shifter held me entranced, and I powered through the whole thing in one go. I rather wish I hadn't, as the warm cinnamon atmosphere has stayed with me since, and I really hope we can get more tales in this setting (please?).
As someone who can absolutely relate to Ana (IYKYK), this book was as much as point of solace for me as for her. Beautiful, heartfelt, just the right amount of spice and magic, not at all twee - absolute seasonal perfection.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a cute, short audiobook and a very enjoyable listen. It features charming, surprisingly complex characters, a brief (and spicy) romantic storyline, and a cozy holiday setting centered around a bookstore.
I especially appreciated the focus on imperfect characters and the thoughtful inclusion of mental health struggles. Kael’s visible differences from the average human are acknowledged without being overemphasized, and their relaxed acceptance of them adds depth and charm to their character.
I will definitely look for other works by this author. While this audiobook isn’t meant to redefine classic literature, it offers a warm, low-stress listening experience and provides a welcome break from the pressures of the holiday season.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OK, OK -- this is so sweet you have to watch out for your insulin level. Fine.
But if you can handle the sweetness, it is a lovely story.
Ana is an introvert with an absolutely paralytic level of social anxiety. She flees an office Christmas party for her favorite bookstore, where she loves to hang out in a backroom. It turns out the bookstore has a new owner -- Kael. Who is a mixed-blood paranormal whose father is a reindeer shifter, so she has adorable antlers. (convenient to make her a reindeer because female reindeer have antlers).
Anyways, a huge amount of the story is Kael gently getting Ana to relax is her presence. Yeah, fine, it is important for the relationship to start at all, but it IS a lot of the story.
Anyways, it eventually gets to a kiss cute under magic mistletoe.
Yeah, sure, overly sweet. But it is well-written and heart-warming, and just lovely.
Another AMAZING read from Lola Bliss!!! She is the queen of sentimental moments and descriptive imagery! From the first page, Lola’s world building makes you feel like you’re in the story with them! Ana is full of anxious energy and Kael is the calm in her storm. Antlers & Anxiety also takes place in the coziest bookstore that’s full of magic! Kael is a gorgeous fae, reindeer shifter who knows just what type of comfort Ana needs. Even though this story is short; it packs a punch and delivers on everything! The spice is beautiful and I’m so glad our girls found eachother. I hope we’ll get another Monstrous Holiday story from Lola!
As winter snowfall traps them together in a cozy back room filled with books and twinkling lights, Ana finds herself doing the unthinkable—connecting with a stranger who somehow makes her feel perfectly safe being herself.
Antlers and Anxiety is a sweet, tiny sapphic holiday read that blends cozy vibes with a touch of magic. Ana’s social anxiety feels real and relatable, and her quiet escape from a work party leads her to Kael, the soft, charming bookstore owner with actual antlers. Their connection is gentle, warm and instantly comforting.
Gleeful Goblin Review: As a book loving, monster romance adoring, WLW enthusiast when I saw a reindeer shifter story with a cozy book nook, you got me. It helps that I connect with Ana on everything from the guiltless Irish Goodbye from social interactions to having sometimes uncontrollable anxiety and an inability to flirt. And honestly, who wouldn't turn all goofy when interacting with Kael the reindeer shifter bookstore owner? SWOON.
There is a scene with enchanted mistletoe that made my heart sing and was one of the more darling things ever. This is a very short read so it's perfect for a palate cleanser read, a lunch break, etc. 5/5 Stars
Antlers & Anxiety is a super sweet novella with steam and spice. Featuring two women with their own levels of social anxiety, Kael and Ana are a lovely match. Listening to them get to know each other, open up, and give in to their connection is soft and easy. The characters are both extremely relatable, and the narrator does a lovely job of bringing them to life. The afterward by the author is quite touching, and I appreciate that she opened up about herself and the origins of this shifter love story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4 stars. Oh my goodness this was so stinkin’ cute! I really enjoy Bliss’s writing and how engaging it is and while this was really short at only 30 something pages it leaves you feeling satisfied in the end. Ana and Kael are both so precious and their romance is just as precious and the steam was really good. I thought this was lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a cute little holiday read. I thought the book did a very good job for trying holiday anxiety, and their relief that comes from a safe space like a bookstore. I enjoyed seeing Ana and Kael get together with the help of some holiday magic. As a heads up, it is instalove, so if that bothers you, maybe skip this book. But if you’re looking for a short, low angst, feel-good story for Christmas, this is for you.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this story. It felt perfect for the holiday season. Whimsical and magical. Two unique characters finding each other on a snowy night. I think that the author was good at describing anxiety and how it affects the main character. I liked the voice actors. Her voice was nice and clear. The characters came to life through her.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book was okay, but it didn't really keep my attention very well. Not much really happened, and there was a lot of internal monologue. I wish the two main characters had talked more than just one observing everything. I think it would have been much more interesting if there had been more interaction between the two. It wasn't a bad story; I listened to it through Audible, and it only took an hour. I would recommend giving it a try.
I listened to the audiobook for this and loved it. It's short, but it's so sweet and cozy. I relate to Ana and her anxiety, and love that she finds solace and love with Kael, who makes her feel comfortable and safe. 🩷
Overall, this is such a relaxing and satisfying read.
I got the audiobook of this for free, and I'm leaving an honest review. Thank you to the author, Lola Bliss, and Booksprout for this ARC. It was so cute and cozy, and I loved it.
This is a sapphic read. She escapes the company holiday party and hides in her favorite bookstore. When she sees a woman sitting in her normal corner she finds herself at ease. The two quickly connect and share a bit of holiday magic.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ana and social elects really do not get along. So, when she runs away from her company Christmas party to her favourite bookstore, she bumps into Kael, the new owner. These two fit like two puzzle pieces, interlinked and interlocked, and I loved how they matched together. A short story mixed with a dash of Christmas spice - a wonderful read.
This charming novella captured my heart. I am so shook that this was as captivating as it was. Absolutely recommend you listen or read this novella. It was beautiful and touching and spicy. Major shoutout to Lola for capturing the themes she did with such grace and elegance. I felt seen.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the perfect book for a cold winter's evening. I read it in one sitting, and was left with a warm, cosy feeling. Short and sweet, we get to see a fast but intense and understandable bond form between two women, one of whom is a reindeer shifter with fancy antlers! Thoroughly enjoyable.
A very short and sweet cozy little story with just a sprinkle of spice. Staring a socially awkward introverted human and a reindeer shifter. Both of these characters where sweet and there romance was just as sweet. So if you have a sweet tooth this book might just be the cure you’re looking for.
A captivating holiday romance that's not only enchanting but also brings a wonderful dash of spice . It's a beautiful story, perfect for a quick, engaging read when you need a delightful little break.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Antler and Anxiety by Lola Bliss is a great Christmas LGBTQ shifter romance short story. Lizzie Heard did a great job with the narration. The story is entertaining, enjoyable, and more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2.6, fine for a short story. honestly I think it would have been more interesting if it had been longer because the setting seems interesting and I think some things would have made more sense or more of an impact if we knew more.