Crowning the Snow Queen: A cozy winter romantasy

by Michelle Moras

Cozy romantasy meets the Bachelor and Frozen in this sweet and steamy stand-alone romantasy tale, set in an Elven Realm and filled with fated mates, animal familiars, and magical winter vibes. Perfect for fans of Sangu Mandanna, K.F. Breene, and Tricia O'Mallory.

After a performance of The Nutcracker, prima ballerina Freya never expects a gifted snow globe to change her life—but one wish sends her into an enchanted elven realm and straight into a royal courtship competition for the heart of Prince Eirwyn. With rival maidens, a fated connection, and the Winter Kingdom watching her every step, Freya must decide if she’s brave enough to fight through her self-doubt and become the Winter Kingdom’s future Snow Queen.

One wish can change everything.

🩰 Inspired by the Nutcracker’s Snow Scene

👑 A Royal Elven Romance
✨ Portal Magic
❄️ Cozy Winter Vibes
💙 Fated Mates

🦉 Snow Owl & Snow Fox familiars

Crowning the Snow Queen is a cozy romantasy stand-alone novella in the cozy Realm of Noxtania series by Michelle Moras, where the Bachelor x the Nutcracker Snow Scene meets an elven winter kingdom.

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 27, 2026

About the author

Michelle Moras is a romantic at heart and a lover of all things magical and mythical. Her love of mythology and folklore started over a decade ago while earning her BA degree in History. When Michelle is not reading and writing, she can be found spending quality time with her husband and sons living out her own happily ever after.

Reviews

[Momma T's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ It was cute. Magic, Elves and the Bachelor? It was kind of funny because there was so much drama packed in this small little package. There will always be a crazy hen.
I didn't care for the descriptive words used during the spice but I think that's just a preference.

P.S. It is described as a slow-burn love. IT IS NOT A SLOW-BURN.

[☆ Cosmic's Library ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Every wish deserves to be made."

Thankyou so much Happily Booked PR & Michelle Moras for this adorably magical ARC opportunity! 🫶🏻

This was a cozy, cute, and very fast-paced novella. Think, The Bachelor, but make it a magical competition set in an elven winter wonderland. ❄️ Those 114 pages were packed with drama, overcoming insecurities, friendship, and a surprising amount of spicy goodness.🙌🏻

A few things did move a little quickly for me. I know it’s a novella and we’ve got fated mates in the mix, but I found myself craving more buildup and tension from the slow burn it was pitched as. It definitely leaned more into insta-love/insta-attraction territory. That said, I still absolutely loved Prince Eirwyn and Freya’s story. They were downright adorable together, and I couldn’t help but root for them. 🥰

Noxtania sounds like such a magical place. ✨️ The descriptions made me wish I could be whisked away with a single shake of a snow globe, just to experience the enchantment and maybe find my own animal familiar along the way. 🦉🐺

This would be the perfect holiday read. As a Nutcracker-inspired snow scene retelling, it delivers all the cozy winter vibes, complete with hot cocoa, ice skating, and that magical feeling that makes you want to curl up under a blanket and read in one sitting. 🤭

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

Thank you to Happily Booked and the author for this ARC.

This is a real cosy lovely read. If your looking for an easy happy read the this is for you. In general I need higher stakes for books so that’s why it hasn’t got a higher rating - which I know is a personal preference. This could be perfect for those after a low stakes book.

For a novella you always know you’re getting the fast version of a story - which you do and I know how hard it is to get a whole story done in so little pages. But even for a novella I felt like I was looking down at the percentage being so low and being confused what else could happen because they’d basically already chosen each other 😂. I’d have loved more background on her heritage too.

I love the connection with the characters. The world sounds magical. Love the authors writing style. And would 100% read more of her books again

[Kirsty Gudmundsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

❄️Crowning The Snow Queen by Michelle Moras❄️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fated hearts finding each other in a world of winter magic.

❄️ Fated mates
✨ Portal magic
🦊 Arctic fox familiar
🦉 Owl familiar
❄️ Elven winter realm
✨ Novella
🎄 Inspired by The Nutcracker snow scene
❄️ Slow-burn romance
✨ Winter fantasy vibes

This novella felt like stepping straight into a winter fairytale.

Inspired by The Nutcracker’s iconic snow scene this novella is filled with magic, a beautiful slow burn romance and an enchanting Elven Realm.

The magic system — especially the portal magic — adds an exciting layer to the plot, while the arctic fox and owl familiars completely stole my heart (where can I find my own 🥹)

Thank you @michellemorasauthor for the ARC.

[Tysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and cozy novella to curl up with on a cold and wet winter's day.

I'm a bit of a sucker for a fated mates romance, and this one was so sweet. There were some strong dating gameshow vibes, with the prince having to pick which maidens advance to the next stage in the battle for his heart, and a bit of twisty chaos towards the end.

If you're after a quick, easy read, this one is a pretty fun choice, and I enjoyed it.

I received an ARC of this ebook from Happily Booked PR, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

[Candace Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short, sweet, and spicy. A magical world, fated mates and insta-love, this novella had it all. Oh, and magical familiars! Can't forget the familiars. It combined "The Nutcraker' world with "The Bachelor", so that means it was a winter wonderland with a dating game. It was fast paced, but that didn't take away from the flow of the story. It was very well written and even though it was short, it was thorough. I only wish we would have gotten to experience more of the magic of the world. This was a solid 4 ⭐️ read with a 3 on the 🌶 scale!

[Zoey Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! Freya and Eirwyn were very insta love which I don’t normally enjoy, however I was so taken with these two that I didn’t mind. I loved the description of the Winter kingdom, I wish I could go there! This is a great novella for people wanting to dip their toes into fantasy as the world building and magic wasn’t anything too complicated. A sweet romance with a hint of spice, perfect for this winter season!

[A Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and spicy novella.

Crowning the Snow Queen by @michellemorasauthor is coming soon!

Release Date: January 27th

What to expect:
🩰 Inspired by the Nutcracker’s Snow Scene
👑 A Royal Elven Romance
✨ Portal Magic
❄️ Cozy Winter Vibes
💙 Fated Mates and Slow-burn Love
🦉 Snow Owl & Snow Fox familiars

[SensBaby21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute, short and sweet. has a bachelor type of feel. I enjoyed it.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Snowflake!! I loved this book. Its the perfect cozy winter read. Its a beautiful blend of cozy, spicy, & drama packed in such a short book! Beautiful 🫶

[Holly Towe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute quick read. FMC finds a whole new world and where she finally fits in. MMC has been looking for his mate and finally finds her!

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was beautifully written and the characters development was done really well.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for the ultimate cozy winter palate cleanser, look no further. I just finished Crowning the Snow Queen by Michelle Moras, and it was the perfect "soft romantasy" novella. At only 114 pages, this spicy Nutcracker retelling is short, sweet, and packs a massive emotional punch—I literally inhaled it in one sitting while curled up with a hot cocoa.

The story follows Freya, a lonely NYC ballerina who is whisked away to the magical elven kingdom of Noxtania. Once there, she’s entered into a marriage competition for Prince Eirwyn’s hand. Think The Bachelor, but with snowflakes instead of roses and a lot more magic! I loved that even though it’s a short novella, the world-building felt so lush and cozy. Watching Freya navigate the "Bachelor-style" drama while discovering her own magic and bonding with animal familiars was exactly the kind of winter escape I needed.

The romance between Freya and Eirwyn is total fated mates/insta-love gold. While it moves fast, it’s balanced out by some real emotional depth as Freya grapples with abandonment issues from her past and the insecurity of competing with other women for the Prince’s heart. There is just enough spice to keep things fun, and the writing is absolutely breathtaking. If you love shy FMC ballerinas, protective elven princes, and some winter vibes, you need this on your TBR :)

[Sarah's Always Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars
2 Spicy

This soft romantasy novella was the perfect balm to my post holiday book soul. It is short even for a novella at just 114 pages. Our FMC, Freya is a ballerina in NYC who has no family, close friendships or relationship. She is whisked away to a fairytale winter kingdom where as a descendant of elves she is asked to participate in marriage competion (Think The Bachelor but you get snowflakes instead of roses) with Prince Eirwyn.

This was just a delightful and cozy read that I finished in 1 sitting. While the beginning was a bit rushed I really enjoyed it after Freya portaled into the Winter Kingdom. Her relationship with Eirwyn was instalove but she struggles with abandonment probably from her family passing away when she was younger and some jealousy and insecurity with other contestants. I'm actually amazed how much emotion and plot Moras fit into this short novella.

Definitely add this spicy Nutcracker retelling to your TBR for a winter pick me up.

-Nutcracker
-Animal companions
-Marriage competition
-Fated mates
-He is a little possessive which is always sweet ;)

[Leesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I'm going to start this review by being clear that this is a Novella, so in a sense i understand why this was presented in this way.
The story itself was cute and cosy. It was quick and easy. It gave very surface level vibes, and doesn’t go too far into anything.
It was enjoyable and would be a lovely read on a cold winters day, or if you’re like me currently in summer - on a rainy summers day.

Where i feel i wanted more:
As a fantasy book, i felt like this read as a contemporary romance or the likes. I felt there was a lack of fantasy elements (world-building, ‘essence’ of fantasy world, etc). It was very ‘human natured’ and i just feel it could have been more than Elven People and a Portal.
I would have LOVED a map and feel this could help with the world building. Being able to envision this realm.

There is one scene where there is a confrontation between main characters and while it was good - i feel more descriptive writing would have enhanced this.

In saying this, you can read this in a sitting. Its a sweet story and I did feel like reading about the other courts at the end of the book.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bachelor: Elven Winter Edition
​If you are looking for the perfect cozy winter read, this is it. This story is incredibly sweet, blending just the right amount of spice and romance into a fast-paced novella. Freya is such a charming character; she is a shy ballerina who doesn't want to disappoint anyone with her magical abilities, and watching her navigate a marriage competition in the elven kingdom of Noxtania was truly heart-tugging. Even though their connection is instant and I found myself craving a bit more of a slow-burn buildup, Eirwyn and Freya were downright adorable together. The writing is breathtaking, and the author does a wonderful job exploring Freya’s feelings of abandonment from her childhood as she competes with other ladies for the Prince's affection. Ultimately, it is a short and sweet story that packs a punch without ever feeling slow. I eagerly anticipate reading more from this author in the future. Huge thanks to Happily Booked PR and Michelle Moras for this adorably magical ARC!

[Melissa Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One minute Freya is in NYC in her apartment and next thing she knows she’s in Winter Kingdom in a whole different realm than she’s used to. Winter Kingdom is a realm of magic and elves, not humans. The more time she spends there she learns she’s half elven. She also meets Eirwyn whose parents have him escorting different maidens on dates to find who will be his wife. When he meets Freya it’s love at first sight, but by his parents request he gives the other maidens a chance. After meeting them all and spending more time with Freya, he knows he only has eyes for her. Layla, another maiden isn’t too happy with his decision and tries to sabotage everything between him and Freya.

This had all the winter vibes and a perfect snowy day to read this book. This is a very short novella, but hooks you in from the beginning. This is available 1/27 so preorder now on Amazon! Thank you @happilybookedpr and @michellemorasauthor for this arc. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

[Sarah Seelbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, this book is absolutely delightful! It was incredibly sweet, blending just the right amount of spice, romance, and intrigue. Even though it's a novella, it packs a punch without feeling slow. Freya is such a charming character; she doesn't want to disappoint anyone with her magical abilities, and she is quite shy around Eirwyn. Their connection is instant, a true love at first sight. However, Freya grapples with feelings of abandonment from her family's departure during her childhood and must also share Eirwyn's affections with other ladies. Ultimately, she finds her happily ever after with her love. The writing is breathtaking, and I eagerly anticipate reading more from this author. Be sure to add this spicy retelling of The Nutcracker to your winter reading list you won't regret it!

[Raychel Klotz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever shaken a snow globe and wished you could be inside its perfect little world ?

Freya, after a long night of dancing in a ballet, enters her dressing room to see a beautiful snow globe. As she watches the snowflakes dance about, she is transported, right into the middle of the Elvin Winter Court. Prince Eirwyn takes notice of her, and she is included as one of the participants to claim his heart.

Leaning a bit heavy on reality shows like “The Batchelor”, she finds herself whisked away on heartwarming dates and swoony nights.

It’s a perfect winter romance, light and fun. I personally wish there was more drama or danger to give the story more depth, but it was still an enjoyable pocket-sized fantasy.

[Jennifer C · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, thank you to Happily Booked for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really cute, cozy read that felt perfect for a holiday book or a snowy day. The story was quick and easy to settle into, with light fantasy elements and sweet romance.

I really enjoyed the winter vibes and the dating competition element, which added a fun twist and helped keep the pacing moving well.

I would have liked a bit more depth to the story overall. The romance was cute and the story flowed nicely, but the world building could have gone a little deeper. That said, it was still an enjoyable, feel-good read that you could easily finish in one sitting.

[thetbrfiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and spicy little novella and I absolutely ate it up in a day. Cozy winter vibes, fated mates, and just enough spice to keep things fun. It was such an easy, comforting read and a perfect palate cleanser.

I do think the love could have hit a little harder if it had been said at the end instead of where it landed, but honestly it was still really cute and enjoyable.

Also, shout out to her godfather for knowing exactly what she needed and making sure things played out the way they should. Overall, a cozy, sweet win for winter reading ❄️

Thanks for the arc, Happily Booked PR!

[Linsey Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crowning the Snow Queen: A Cozy Winter Romantasy is a good novella.

I think this novella was written well. I enjoyed the storyline, characters, and of course the familiars. If you are looking for a cute book that you can read fast, and enjoy slow burn romance with fated mates then I would recommend adding this book to your TBR.


I received this E-ARC from Happily Booked PR. These are my opinion's only and not influenced in any way.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crowning the Snow Queen is a cozy winter romantasy. Freya finds herself in the magical winter land of Noxtania where she is entered into a Bachelor-style competition for Prince Eirwyn's hand in marriage. The world of Noxtania was really well built given the short length of this novella. It seemed so cozy and magical! I loved that Freya was able to find friendship among some of the other contestants, but there was also just the right amount of competitive drama sprinkled into the plot to keep me interested. Freya and Eirwyn's romance is pretty instant as they are fated mates. While their romance moved quickly, it was sweet and they were absolutely adorable together. I also enjoyed the animal familiars and seeing Freya find her own magic. This is a perfect read for a snowy day while enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa.

Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the advance copy!

[Ems Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was my first ever Elven romantasy this book?

🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Did I read it in one sitting?

🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Arc review 💫

Such a cozy little surprise. Short, easy to fly through, and full of wintery vibes. I loved the gentle magic, the slow-burn feel, and how comforting it was without being boring. Perfect if you want something light, romantic, and whimsical.

[Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read from Michelle. This is a quick, fantasy, instalove novella. Not having read any of her books before, I find her writing easy to read and follow along to with it being a fantasy. It was cute and everything a winter novella should be. I like the whole traveling to another universe and wondering is it real or just a dream aspect of it.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crowning The Snow Queen is a unique retelling of the Nutcracker Snow Scene.

Freya gets sent into a mystical world where she meets Eirwyn. There is something between them, but to avoid any wars or arguments between nations, Eirwyn has to go through a process in order to choose Freya as his chosen. It is a very magical read and then we get some action. There are high stakes and high rewards.

[Irene Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by the Snow Scene in the Nutcracker, transported to the Winter Kingdom, falling for the Prince, magic, giving the Bachelor Vibes... yes please! Crowning the Snow Queen was a fast-paced novella. It was a perfect, cozy read for a cold, wintry day.

Thank you to Michelle Moras for the eArc!

[Amanda McCabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved being chosen to read the ARC! This is a very fast paced book to read. This is outside my normal genre of books therefore, I rated it lower due to not being my style. If you are into books about magic and other worlds this would be a great quick read for you! I loved the story line and the relationship between the characters.

[Brianna (Sleepy_Brat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sweetest novella, I read it in one sitting and I was swooning the whole time like a little school girl. It had just the right amount of spice, romance and plot. It was so beautifully written, I can’t wait to read more from her.

Spice 2/5
Plot 5/5
Romance 5/5

[Elle and the Haunted Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I overall very much enjoyed this book. It could have gotten away with being longer if wanted as there’s so much drama in the pages. It says slow burn, but it’s really not. It’s spice almost immediately and it’s hot. 🥵 The world building was excellent.