A Dirty Merry Christmas

by Eva Ashwood

Stuck on a holiday road trip with my ex and his two best friends? This was NOT on my Christmas wish list.

After having the hottest hookup of my life with a gorgeous stranger on the plane ride back to my small hometown, the last thing I expect is for the pilot to announce an emergency landing.

Or to discover that my mystery hookup is traveling with his two best the man who broke my heart years ago, and a tatted up grump who seems to dislike me immediately.

Now I’m stranded with all three of
Tate, my romance-novel-reading hookup whose smile could incinerate a pair of panties.
Ares, my first love and the man who still occupies far too many of my thoughts.
And Callan, the hulking tattoo artist who swears he’s never heard my music—but somehow knows the lyrics to every song.

With flights cancelled and no other options, we agree to work together to find another way home.

But sharing rental cars, buses, and tiny hotel rooms with these men is complicated as hell, especially when I cross a line with each of them… and then all of them together.

It doesn’t mean anything. It can’t. Ares and I come from rival families, and falling for him again would be reckless enough without catching feelings for his best friends too.

Still, the closer we get to Hope Falls, the harder it is to pretend this is just a holiday fling.

But am I brave enough to admit I want more than a dirty merry Christmas?

TROPES IN THIS
Reverse harem
Neurodivergent FMC + mental health rep
Second chance romance
Only one bed
Ex’s best friends
Rivals to lovers
Mile high club
Holiday romance
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity

A Dirty Merry Christmas is a contemporary romance with banter, lots of sharing, high heat, and a splash of angst. It’s a complete standalone with a happily ever after!

Genres: Christmas, Why Choose, Holiday

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2026

About the author

Eva Ashwood has been a reader her whole life and a writer for several years. She loves telling stories of alpha males and the fierce women who bring them to their knees.

She's a sucker for reverse harem, bully romance, enemies to lovers, heroes who redeem themselves, and all the drama and passion of new adult love.

Reviews

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect smutty Christmas read🎄🌶️😍

If you’re looking for a festive romance with plenty of spice, three delicious men and just enough angst to keep things interesting, this is the one for you!

I really loved the road trip aspect of this story. It made the whole book feel so fun and easy to get lost in, and I thought it worked perfectly to develop the romance.

Brynn and Ares have a whole lot of unresolved tension between them after secretly dating when they were younger. Thanks to their families’ rivalry, they could never openly be together, and whatever happened between them left Brynn heartbroken. The history between these two had me invested because you just KNOW there are still feelings lurking beneath all that hurt. ❤️‍🔥

Tate is an absolute golden retriever, and the fact that he reads spicy romance books to learn what women want in the bedroom? I CANNOT. 😍

And then there’s Callan, who starts off so closed off, but as we learn more about him and see him slowly open up to Brynn, it’s impossible not to adore him. There’s something so special about watching a guarded man let someone in.

Eva has given us ALL the spicy scenes, the Christmas vibes and the why-choose goodness, that a girl could possibly want 🥵

This was such a fun, spicy, festive read and exactly the kind of smutty Christmas romance I want more of. 🎄🔥

Thank you to Eva for the ARC.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smoking hot road trip of read. Brynn's (FMC) trip back to her hometown doesn't go as aspected when her flight is forced to land nowhere near where she needed to be. Which unexpectedly puts her on a journey home with her Ex - Ares (who she had unresolved issues with), a guy she had a brief encounter with - Tate and Tattoo Artist - Callan. Who all brought on so much heat both individually and collectively too. **Fans Herself** For me it was the journey that they took together and how we gradually got to know each character that made this book. A story of 2nd chances, some laughs and plenty of festive naughtiness.

[Nicole Allbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

I mean… the title kinda says it all, doesn’t it? Eva Ashwood knows how to write, and I very much enjoyed the ride this book took us on!

FMC Brynn is a famous singer headed back to her hometown for a Christmas festival when she runs into her ex- and now arch-nemesis, MMC Ares in the airport. He’s on his way back for the same festival, it would seem. On the airplane, Brynn experiences some in-flight anxiety, and the very hot man next to her, MMC Tate, helps alleviate some of her anxiety. After realizing that Ares and Tate are best friends, it gets awkward when the plane makes an emergency landing at a different airport, and now they’re stranded with another one of Ares’ best friends, MMC Callan. The four try to find ways to get back home for the festival, and decide to stick together, even through the awkwardness that is an ex-boyfriend and a recent hook-up, and a broody man who Brynn can’t quite get a read on.

When this book becomes an audiobook, I’ll definitely be back for the audio!

[Christi Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is...Spice; and lots of it!

A Dirty Merry Christmas is a light hearted fun why chose read. Great pallet cleaner from reading dark romance.

Creds to Eva Ashwood for creating a character with OCD. You did your research. The struggles are real! Thanks for bringing them to light.

[Melanie Letson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

This road trip was 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶!
Such amazing spice and still a great story line! Loved everything about this one! Couldn't put it down! Definitely recommend for anyone who loves a great why choose!

[Megan Carbajal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
Reverse harem
Second chance romance
Only one bed
Ex’s best friends
Rivals to lovers
Mile high club
Holiday romance
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity
Neurodivergent FMC + mental health rep

OH MY GOODNESS! I loved this book but i already knew I would! Every time that Eva writes a new book she hooks me in from the very beginning and this book was no different!! A Dirty Merry Christmas is a complete standalone. This is Ares, Brynn, Tate and Callan's story.

Brynn never imagined how her Christmas Holiday would be starting out, her flight getting detoured, (not great) then ending up stuck on a holiday road trip with your ex and his two best friends, definitely wasn't expecting it. What makes it worse is Ares and Brynn have a shared past, they were in love and in a secret relationship but because of their families deep seeded rivalry that goes back generations they ending up breaking up so there is a lot of tension and feelings that were unresolved. Then you have Ares's friend, Callan, who is quite and closed off towards Aria though he is always silently watching and Tate, who is charming and loves romance novels, say less!

Their chemistry is phenomenal, their attraction undeniable, the banter is top tier. Every kiss, every touch, every heated glance, every moment spent between them is oh so spicy. Obviously we have that little dash of angst to tie it all together. They are all so different yet they all work perfectly together.

If you love a good holiday read that involves a lot of steamy goodness, why choose, second chance where the men fall head over heels for the girl then this is the book for you!!! This book was so much fun!!!

[Claire · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

It's the most wonderful time of the year 🎄

Brynn, a successful music artist, is heading home for the holidays. Visiting her home town for the first time in a couple of years, and she couldn't be less happy about it. But she made a commitment and a promise to her parents. While waiting for her flight, hoping it will took off on time, she spots her ex, Ares, also waiting at the airport. Their breakup, eight years ago, was messy, and she hasn't talked to Ares since and now he's going to be on the same flight home, returning for the Christmas festival. She decides to ignore him, knowing Ares will do the same and boarding the plane, she puts him out of her mind. Until, after claiming her seat, a tall, handsome stranger takes the seat beside hers. He's funny, charming, and they hit it off instantly. An encounter in the aeroplane bathroom, and Brynn thinks she won't see him again. Until, when an emergency landing derails her travel plans, it turns out that her 'seat-buddy' is best friends with her next. Now stranded in a small snowed-in town, Brynn is forced to accept Ares and his two friends' help getting home.

Eva Ashwood did it again. This is the third in her Christmas time series, and with each book the stories get hotter and hotter. I loved the backstory behind these characters: Brynn's mental health issues, Ares still pining after the girl he shouldn't have lost, Tate with his plan to never get into a serious relationship and Callan carrying his own baggage, who is the last one to fall for Brynn's charm but falls the hardest.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

5⭐|4🌶️|22%🌶️frequency

What a perfect Christmas why choose story.
It has SO MUCH in it. It has an ex-boyfriend and his two best friends 🥵 It has a bit of Romeo and Juliet, but without the tragic ending, because this here is a romance book!!! But two rival families in a small town. It doesn't just have snowed-in; it has a whole road trip 😁 And it has lots of 🌶️ I mean, with three 🔥 guys 😉 And it's definitely a fast burn 😎

There is a lot of tension between all of them for a while, because of different circumstances, but after that the banter between the guys was super funny. I mean a little rivalry competition over who's better... 😂 But also just their general friendship. That's something I love so much about why choose. The connection the guys have to each other from the beginning, when they were already friends.

I know Eva's Christmas books are kinda a tradition every year. And you might believe it or not, I haven't read any of the other ones yet, even though I have them all 🙈 Don't ask me how that could happen, but they are on my TBR for December 🤩 I'm so super excited.
It's not just Eva's Christmas books; all her books are must-reads for why choose lovers 😍

Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC 🩷


Follow me on IG for more
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[Debbie Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good,Hot!

A good story,it reminded of Goldilocks and the three bears halfway thru the story but Goldilocks and her three hot sexy men by the finished! They all had unfinished business, Bryan going home after eight years,Ares left because he listened to lies and he couldn't face Brynn anymore.Tate and Callan are Ares's friends,Callan having a crappy life in foster care that left him with certain issues and Tate the charmer,love them,forget them or leave them is his motto until he Mets Brynn.By the time they reach Hope Springs, gone thru snowstorms,broken down bus,Ares and Brynn have hash out their problems of their old life,but things change when they get home,Their parents are still at war,Ares and Brynn can't be seen together and with Tate and Callan in the mix and gossip is full stream ahead.But it makes Ares and Brynn stronger and over come the parents and the lies and secerts were hidden.Good story and just one comment! For what Ares's mother did to her son when he was a teenager, she was lucky he came back at all!

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Read That Hit All the Right Notes!

There’s just something special about picking up a Christmas-themed book from an author you already know and love, and this one was no exception!
I truly love that every year we get a new Christmas themed book but it is never the same one or a repeat!
I’ve enjoyed almost every book I’ve read from Eva so far, and once again, i’m not disappointed.
I loved the romance development and the overall vibe of the story.
I guess mixing a golden retriever, black cat, and Doberman MMC does all the convincing you need to pick up the book. Especially because you won’t need to choose between them!
It was such an enjoyable read that kept me hooked and gave me exactly the kind of experience I was hoping for.
What I especially appreciate about this author is how consistently they manage to deliver stories that work for me, and this one was another great addition to that list.

[DarcieReadsALot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another holiday release from Eva? Yes, please! I came for the spice and stayed for the spice, I mean the plot! I knew this was going to be a spicy affair (and believe me, it was!), but I wasn’t expecting to feel so much from the emotionally charged history between Brynn and Ares. I was also surprised to feel such a connection with Brynn’s neurodivergence. Her anxiety and rumination is a mirror for what I feel most of the time and to see it spelled out so perfectly in a book? I feel seen and not so alone. I was just eating up every conversation that dredged up the past because I was dying to figure out what really happened and the moment it all comes to light? Yes! I was snapping my fingers in a Z formation! I could’ve used some more of those moments - specifically Brynn standing up for herself against the dissenters. But the banter?The tension? The chemistry? The attraction? The spice? The emotional growth? It was all so good! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a spicy reverse harem holiday read with heart and acceptance!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy, heartfelt, and impossible to put down!

Spicy, heartfelt, and impossible to put down!

A Dirty Merry Christmas was my first ARC, and what a way to start! I began taking notes but got so caught up in the story that I couldn’t put it down.

Brynn’s struggles with OCD felt relatable to me and made her a character I connected with emotionally. I loved watching her relationships with Ares, Tate, and Callan grow. Each man brought something different, and their vulnerability, personal growth, and sense of found family touched my heart.

And the spice? The smut is smutting! But the emotional connection kept me just as invested. I was rooting for all four of them, and the ending and epilogue left my heart happy.

If you enjoy spicy holiday romance with found family and plenty of heart, this one delivered for me!

I received a free advance copy. This review reflects my honest opinions.

[JJ Cornette · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful and spicy holiday treat! It's very much a spicy 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' adventure to return home for the holiday festival. On a crazy travel trip home for the holidays, Brynn gets stuck traveling home through a snowstorm with her ex and his two best friends. The animosity gets quickly heated and spicy after every disaster that could happen to keep them from getting home happens. Of course once they arrive back home, that doesn't stop the tension, the chemistry or small town shenanigans from trying to mess with their personal lives. Eva Ashwood truly has a way to write a perfectly spicy holiday story that has you devouring it in one sitting. I absolutely loved their adventure and the chemistry between Brynn and the guys. This was so much fun and perfect for those wanting a spicy holiday escape.

[Becca Angevine · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best book to start the beginning of the holiday season! Eva’s holiday books are always the best!

I really enjoyed the crazy road trip that these characters went on. You could see the change that began to happen between Brynn and each other guys as the trip went on. You have the golden retriever type in Tate. Then the grumpy, quiet but super sweet type in Callan. Last of course you have the ex that has never stopped loving her, Ares. Even though each guy was completely different, they all worked perfectly together and were all great for Brynn!

I loved the tension, the chemistry and the banter that all of them had with each other. The small town and family rivalry was also a nice added touch.

This was a fun, spicy and festive read! Thank you Eva for the ARC! ❤️

[Emma Kupsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A Dirty Merry Christmas isn’t a cosy festive read, it’s hot enough to make the snow melt 🤣🔥 The spice in this book didn’t disappoint.

Brynn is making her way back to her hometown for the 100th anniversary of the towns festival and so is her ex Ares from the rival family and unbeknownst to her so his is two best friends, Tate and Callan.

Their trip doesn’t go to plan and throws them together, where feelings develop and the spice gets hotter and hotter!!

Without spoiling it, things may not go to plan back in the hometown but it does make them all realise exactly what they want!

I really enjoyed this book and I am so grateful to Eva for the ARC opportunity.

I highly recommend Eva’s other very spicy festive reads 🔥🎄❤️

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This holiday story was such a fun adventure. A small town family rivalry, an Ex who you havent seen since he broke your heart eight years ago, An overbearing family who only cares about their image. Brynn was dreading going back to her home town for christmas till one magical plane ride changed everything!

What do you get when you put a Chef, a Tattoo Artist and a Movie star in the same room alone with a Musican??
A Dirty Spicy Fun Time✨️

My Favorite Quote: “I told you I was obsessed with you, didn’t I? You changed all my rules. You changed me.”

Callan was definitely my favorite but I would love a side of Tate any time ❤️

The pet names the guys gave Brynn were so good! -Pretty girl. -Wildflower. -Firefly

[Tessa · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

This book was just.. ok. I went into it hoping for the same level of spice and plot as the previous years..

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t the vibe.

Lots of spice, little plot. Like tons of spice. 90% of the book.

It almost read like a novella with how little plot the story had. No depth to the characters or the relationship.

At the end one of the men goes from no strings attached to “I love you so much”. They all do… and immediately following you get hit with “is it too soon to call you my boyfriends?”…. Yeah.

Anyway if you go in for the spice, you’ll have a great time.

Just don’t expect anything beyond that.

Love the author, love her books♥️ Just didn’t love this one and that’s ok.

[Nicole Turk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nicole

The plot and sex to in story was so boring, dull, lackluster and juvenille! 2 families have a rivalry and what? The 2 youngest from.said families fall in love and then get broken up. 8 years pass and they see each other in the airport. Ares 2 friends sounds interesting but the author focused so much on sex we just get a little back history on each. The prettiness of each family was just dull and boring. There was so much sex I ended up skipping alot! Brynn OCD was even explained in a child like manner. I just felt zero connection to brynn or any of her men! It all seemed to be about 4 people having sex during Christmas!

[Muri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a reverse harem with three gorgeous men! This book is not inherently “christmassy” though it takes place around a Christmas holiday break time.

Tate is such a golden retriever and his chemistry with Brynn is 🔥
Callan is the brooding, quiet muscle who is actually super sweet and kind. Always a favorite!
And of course, Ares, actor hottie who never stops loving her! *Swoon*

Their dueling family issues were an interesting part of the story, though I wish both Ares and Brynn would’ve stood up to them sooner because their families were both awful.

Lots of 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great holiday read from Eva. We are following Brynn as she is travelling home for the holiday festival. The only problem is her ex and his friends are also trying to get home through the weather, so they agree to travel together. Their trip starts off tense, but the further they get, the more they all get closer. It’s full of spice, banter and open wounds to work through. I loved how each guy has their own demeanor and how they bring something different for Brynn. I look forward to seeing what’s next from Eva Ashwood.

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva Ashwood has wrote us another fantastic book!
I was hooked on Brynn's story from the first chapter until the end! I loved the whole premise. Traveling home with her ex and his best friends. Of course, nothing goes as planned and chaos happens. This book was filled with humor, drama, emotional moments, and lots of spice.
I loved Brynn. She is a relatable FMC.
I loved the guys too. The chemistry between the all was perfect!
I loved it!

[Dominique (The Diary of a Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate to say it. No, that's a lie. I love to say it. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

All of Eva's books always pull me in, and A Dirty Merry Christmas was no different.

I'm obsessed with the characters:
1. Callan
1. Ares
2. Brynn
3. Tate
And no, you didn't see that wrong. Callan (my man, my man, my man) and Ares take the top spot for men I want to turn me every way but lose.

Brynn is deeply flawed, but that's absolutely what makes her beautiful, and I will admit that I loved Tate as much, but he didn't hold my heart as much as Callan and Ares did.

This was sexy, spicy, full of banter, and a great time. And that bonus scene 🥵, but honestly, I wouldn't expect anything less from an Eva Ashwood story.

Excuse me while I go reread this and Theirs for the Holidays because apparently, I need another hit.

Thank you to Eva for providing me with a copy. I don't think my life would have been the same without Callan and Ares.

[Colleen Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable any time of year

This book made me think of the movie Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Brynn, Tate, Ares & Callan are having zero transportation luck while trying to get to a small town Christmas festival. However their bad luck is our gain. What we get is a why-choose, found family story that is very high in heat. This cover/title may be holiday focused but really can bd read any time of year

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 4🌶️

Tate, Ares and Callan are spicyyyyy!! Brynne is a very lucky girl. I guess being stranded has its perks. Eva has done it again, I always look forward to her spicy Christmas romances and this one didn’t disappoint. I was lucky to read and review this book prior to release. If you haven’t read this book yet… what are you waiting for???!? Thank you Eva and I can’t wait for your next masterpiece.

[Casey Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

A singer returns to her small hometown and a series of mishaps sends her straight into the path of her ex and his two best friends. When the trip leaves them sharing hotel rooms, old feelings resurface, sparks start flying, and the truth they’ve been avoiding finally comes out.
As hearts begin to mend and the chemistry heats up! 🥵 Eva Ashwood delivers another amazing holiday reverse harem romance! She is one of my favorite authors and the books never disappoints!

[Bernadine Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She's back - It's Time"
·꙳⋆𖢔𖠰𖢔·꙳⋆·꙳⋆𖢔𖠰𖢔·꙳⋆

Eva Ashwood is my Mariah Carey of Christmas I always look forward to her tantalizing spicier version of a classic Hallmark movie in a fantastic Smutty read.

Of cause she always turns it up a knotch or two or shall we say in this case three !!!

Eva gives us all the Christmas vibes that we love this time of year with enough heat that would melt an iceberg.

So if you love a good Smutty why-choose Christmas romance this is definitely a must read.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, steamy holiday read! Talk about bad luck with travel. Ha! I loved the friendship between the guys and that the MCs were able to figure it out. Family dynamics were crazy 😜 and the small town shenanigans were totally relatable. Loved the OCD rep and the understanding that came around it. Can't wait to read this again!

[Hailey Rockhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from author

Once again, Eva Ashwood gives a book that gives all the feels! So, so spicy with a great plot line! I couldn’t get enough of Tate and Ares, and don’t even get me started on how hot Callan is 😉 Eva gives all my favorite tropes: why- choose, curvy FMC, second- chance romance, and a dash of enemies to lovers. Loved every second of it. Thank you so much to Eva for the ARC!

[Jen Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced reader copy from the author.

This is just what I needed after a few disappointing reads. If you want a fun holiday story to put a smile your face, this is it. I can decide which MMC I liked the best, they were all so different and enjoyable 😉 in their own way. Eva is one is the best when it comes to a why choose and she crushed it again.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. I loved the whole family rivalry and the crazy road trip. The connections between the characters are so good. I loved the spicy scenes and the way the various tensions between the characters boil over. I also liked that the characters do make an emotional connection too. Overall I thought it was a fun spicy story.