In Love at Christmas

by T'Lyn

When a snowstorm rolls through Atlyn City, university Chairman, Dr. Kiyan Ward doesn't expect his quiet evening at home to be interrupted by a running car idling just beyond his gate. Inside, a woman and her young child sit shivering - strangers who clearly don't belong on his private land. His instinct is to send them away, but something about the fear in her eyes and the child's silence makes him hesitate.

Leila Montgomery never imagined her life could unravel in a single night. With nowhere to go and no one to call, she parks on a secluded road, praying for warmth and time to think. When Kiyan discovers she's still out there hours later, his concern outweighs his caution.

What begins as an act of compassion soon becomes something deeper - a connection that challenges them both to confront the walls they've built around their hearts. As the snow continues to fall, two strangers find unexpected refuge in one
another and the possibility of a love that could heal what life has broken.

Genres: Christmas

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 24, 2025

About the author

T’Lyn is a Greenville, South Carolina, native, mother of five, and author with a affinity for writing. She fell in love with reading at the age of fourteen, soon discovering that she wanted to share her own creative ideas.

With a gifted ability of storytelling, T’Lyn crafts love stories mixed with romance and hood. To date, she has published eighteen novels.

T’Lyn has a passion for writing and continues to pen her wild imaginative thoughts, taking readers on a journey with authentic storytelling.

Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leila never imagined when she woke up that morning, she would find herself divorced, kicked out of her home, and broke. With no family or friends to turn to, she’s forced to figure things out from the front seat of her car with her special needs daughter. When Kiyan approached the car idling at the end of his driveway, he didn’t expect to find a crying woman with a child. With his gut telling him something isn't right and the temperatures expected to drop dangerously low, he couldn’t in good conscious leave them there. So, Kiyan forces Leila’s hand to get them to come into his house out of the cold. She doesn’t know it now but, Aldrick’s trash azz behavior was a blessing in disguise. I like to think divine intervention is what led Leila to Kiyan. The way his family rallied around her and Ava and immediately became their village was a beautiful thing to witness. And, I loved watching Ava thrive and finally experience the love she was missing from Aldrick’s triflin’ azz. Kiyan was exactly what Leila and Ava needed. When he said, “I got you and baby girl for whatever, whenever” he meant that shyt. In Love at Christmas was such a heartwarming holiday read. This book is, by far, the best holiday book I’ve read this month. T'Lyn did her big one with this one.

[Erin Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ Kiyan x Leila + Ava 💓☺️

Sings 🎤 “What a man what a man what a mighty good man” because Kiyan Ward came in and swooped up Leila and her daughter. Loved up on them both when they needed it most. This was a really cute slightly emotional read.

& shoutout to Kiyan’s family! They were so supportive 🥹🥰

I really really wish Kiyan would have beat Aldrick’s ASS. He is scum & never deserved Leila & Ava 😡

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Love at Christmas was one of the sweetest holiday stories I’ve ever read. It had a good message but also had the holiday feels. I loved everything about the characters and the emphasis on family, tradition and finding a village. It just shows there’s no time frame to fall in love with your soulmate.

Leila and Kiyan met in an unorthodox way, but it was destined for them to cross paths. Leila and Ava’s world was flipped upside down when her husband, Aldrick decided that being a husband and father was too much of a burden for him. Like, how can you throw out your wife and special needs child before the holiday!! I was hoping Santa’s sleigh “accidentally” ran Aldrick off the road – I wanted him to suffer in the worse way! But listen, what is one man’s “trash” is another mans treasure because Kiyan and his family came in and loved Leila and Ava so hard. Ugh, I just couldn’t get over how the family rallied around and made the holiday memorable. The story is so beautiful, but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t ask for an update on them. A little wedding special, a baby, or something! Lol! Check out this release, it will put you in the holiday spirit!

*arc review

[Nikita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Symone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiyan was exactly what Leila and Ava needed. It was an emotional journey! I adored Kiyan's family for welcoming Leila and Ava so warmly. Watching Ava thrive in such a loving space was heartwarming. Aldrick was a total loser, but I loved how Kiyan dealt with him and his trash friends.

[Keiaira Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎄✨ Heavy but Heartwarming 💔❤️

4/5 ⭐️
Emotional holiday read 🎄💔
After being abandoned by her husband of 10 years, Leila and her daughter are shown kindness, safety, and love by Kiyan and his family. Heavy, touching, and beautifully written.

[Rosetta Edwards-Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiyan was just what Leila needed 🥰

Aldrich was the worse kind! To put out his devoted wife and special baby girl, Ava, in the cold… he needed more than what happened to him! That was God who sent Leila to that desolate roadway. He placed her right at Kiyan’s doorsteps basically. She lost her family, but gained a new one almost instantly. Everyone took to Ava and Leila so easily. Aldrich turned their world upside down, but not for long. Kiyan and his family flipped it right back over before the holidays. I enjoyed this one!

[Quiantra McGhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect balance of Christmas and Romance. The way T’Lyn wrote the MMC Kiyan, I loved him from the first introduction! My little heart was turning every way for the FMC Leila. I was ready to ride at dawn for her and baby girl mmkay! Definitely will pull on heart strings but I loved how everything came together and I love a good side character and Kiyan cousin was it for me! She didn’t play None!

[Monique McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

It was emotional. I went through so many emotions. Sometimes, people dont realize what they lost until it is gone.
It was sad what her husband did to her and baby girl. He didn't understand that baby girl was special. Some men dont know how to deal with special needs children.
I was glad that they found a man and his family who would love him. Baby girl came out of her shell once she felt the love.
I love how it ended.

[Vashti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its just something about a stepdaddy trope that I just adore! Not only was Dr. Ward sweet on Leila but he adored Ava as well. I loved how Kiyan’s family took to Leila and Ava so fast with welcoming them in for the holidays and into their family. Although Leila’s husband put her out right before , she fell into the arms of the right man and family!

[Hazel Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leila and her daughter Ava were dealt a blow right before Xmas by her POS so called husband. The lord don’t like ugly and thank goodness for a generous family that saw their worth! The saying is true don’t block your blessings!

[Lamaryete Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 T’Lyn

Such a beautiful story T’Lyn. Kiyan was everything Leila and Ava needed. So glad baby girl got a new daddy because that other one was trash. We no longer saying his name.

[Chade Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This was a very good read. I didn’t want it to end. I hope to read about these characters again. I’m glad they both got there happily ever after.

[Ebony · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Shauntelle (myglamorousreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

KIYAN! My man, my man, MY MAN!!

Wow! T'Lyn has a way of pulling all of the feelings out of me. This was such a beautiful, warm-your-heart, “God still be in the blessing business” kind of story. I stayed locked in from the first chapter because life did Leila dirty in the worst way, then tried to break her right before the holidays. The way T’Lyn wrote that moment, I felt that fear, that heartbreak, and that exhaustion sitting on her shoulders. And baby Ava? My heart wrapped around that baby instantly.

Then here comes Kiyan and his family, and listen…when I say that man and his village understood the assignment, I mean they passed with extra credit. He was kind without being savior-y, patient without pitying her, and protective in a way that felt safe, steady, and earned. Watching him show up for Leila while also loving on Ava exactly how she needed had me grinning like a proud auntie. One man’s trash was definitely another family’s answered prayer here.

I loved that this was not just romance, it was community, grace, second chances, and the reminder that sometimes God reroutes you into something better than what you were begging to keep. It gave Christmas feel-good without being cheesy, emotional release without heaviness, and just enough “hallelujah, look at favor working” to make it special.

This was sweet, healing, and full of heart. Kiyan was truly everything Leila and Ava needed, and I closed the book smiling. My eyes teared up multiple times while reading this one.

[Kosha · Rating 4 out of 5]

T'Lyn penned a beautiful love story.

Aldrich was the darkest kind of soul. To cast out his devoted wife and precious baby girl, Ava, into the harsh world... he needed far more than what life had dealt him! That was divine providence that led Leila to that isolated roadway. God placed her right at Kiyan's doorstep, a beacon of hope. She lost her family, but gained a new one in the blink of an eye. Everyone from Kiyan’s family welcomed Ava and Leila with open arms, loving them effortlessly. Kiyan was just whst Santa ordered, he was kind, trustworthy and did things from his heart. He was on his grown man shyt and I loved that for Ava and Leila.

Aldrich shook their world, but the resilience of Kiyan's family restored balance and joy, proving that healing can come before the holidays.

T'Lyn penned a beautiful love story.

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this captivating story!!!

Dr. Kiyan Ward is the type of man too good to be true. But he is all that and then some!!! He showed Leila what a REAL man looks like. Not that sleazy creep who would kick his wife and daughter, out into the cold winter weather. And then cut off all of her money and leave her stranded on the road. Who does that????? NOT anyone with love, compassion and human decency.

Fortunately, Kiyan and his loving and generous family, were just what Leila and Sweetie Pie, Ava, needed. Goes on the Great Read Again Pile!!!

[Mia L Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Love At Christmas

Yes ma'am Madame T'Cup, you did your Big One with this beautiful holiday story. I'm so in love with Kiyan and his family. It is a beautiful thing to see when people show up for you. He knew that she needed him, and he was determined to help her and baby girl.

And Aldrick, dude can kick rocks and break a toe. I wished Ki would have whipped his ass, but instead he told him about himself.

Leila leveled up and he got to witness it. Don't you just love that girl named Karma.

Such a great story for the holidays!!!!

[Lover if Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This was probably my most favorite Christmas story ever. It was. Short story but it felt so complete. A family so accepting and loving of a single mother and not only her child but a special needs child. Honestly I know this was a fictional story but if there were more people like the Wards the world would definitely be a better place. I kept a smile on my face from the minute they came into the story starting with Ki and Mel. This was truly a feel good storyline.

[KweenBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smiling BIG

When they say God will give you double for your trouble... Baybee, Leila was definitely in that number for a double portion of blessed goodness. Kiyan, nor any of his people played about Leila or Ava right from the start and I loved that for them. This was a short but sweet book about beauty for ashes and being loved and supported properly by not just the man, but his village too. It made me smile BIG.

[Ko MAC · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are some good people out there

I understand just being tired of a person and wanting to be done, but there is no way that I’m allowing a man to kick me out of our home especially one that I’m married to. You want a divorce go through the proper channels. That’s exactly what happened to Lelia. On top of having a special needs child. Thank goodness for this wonderful gentle who was concerned and found her and her daughter in a car. He helped a lot.

[OoohGoshTara Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiyan was just the MAN that Leila and Ava needed. What an emotional journey. I loved Kiyan's family and how they immediately embraced Leila and Ava. Seeing Ava flourish in a supportive, loving environment was especially heartwarming. Aldrick was hot garbage and needed his a*s beat but I loved how Kiyan handled that loser and his equally trash friends.

[Dannireads17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This holiday read was everything I wanted and more. Found family stories always get me, and this one hit just right. Watching Leila and Ava finally receive the love they deserved was so satisfying. Kiyan was such a standout! He was steady, loving, and willing to give them a home, a family, and his whole heart. Definitely recommend!

[Simply_YoYo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this was a novella, so why was I still sad when it ended?
Thank you, T’Lyn, for giving us Dr. Kiyan Ward for Christmas!
And listen… Aldrick Montgomery was a whole clown.

Leila and Ava found family, gained security, and were surrounded by love.
When Kiyan said “I got them”—, he meant that with his whole chest.

This story was warm, heartfelt, and filled with all the holiday feels. 🎄✨

[_dulcekk · Rating 5 out of 5]

major feels!

Leila and Ava was dealt a hand before the holidays that was cruel by her husband. However, things have a way of working out despite what it may look like in the moment. Kiyan was a compassionate and caring man. A genuine man, I loved him real bad! Leila and Ava were truly blessed to encounter him and his family!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiyan Kiyan Kiyan

This was such a good read. Leila went through it after being forced from the home she knew. Kiyan stepped in and stepped up. The way his family rallied around Leila and little Ava was heart warming.

It took a minute for Kiyan and Leila to get to the good good but it was well worth the wait. Story development was top tier.

A great Christmas read.

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful❣️

This was such a beautiful, refreshing, blessing of a story about kindness, love, and the spirit of the holiday season! I loved each of the characters and their ability to handle the situation with grace! The favor of God was apparent throuout this book! Thanks T for this unexpected Gift… It was needed🙏🏽

[Regina Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Aldrick was a butthole the way he threw his special needs child and wife out was the most insensitive thing ever. Kyian and his family was the truth. I absolutely loved this story.

[LaDonna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰🥰🥰

He definitely deserves way worse! But seeing them both thriving will do its job. This was such a great read! The way his family came in and fully embraced them like they’d been around for years was so beautiful to read.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute read

This is a nice story. Not too much just enough or she just wanna return your brain off and indulge in a good love story with a good man and a good family. This book is it