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The Holi-Delay: A Havenwood Series
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26He was supposed to be gone by morning.
Daniel stopped in Havenwood for one night on his way to his parents' house for Christmas. One night. That's it. That's the plan.
Unfortunately, the plan did not account for Matt Wright.
Matt is Havenwood's junior mayor, part-time handyman, and full-time jack of all trades to anyone who needs help. He'll fix your banner, rewire your booth, and rescue your nativity scene from tipping over, all before breakfast. Daniel doesn't do small towns. He doesn't do Christmas festivals. He definitely doesn't do hot mayors with blue eyes and a tool belt. He's leaving in the morning.
He keeps telling himself that.
A small-town MM Christmas romcom about a passerby just stopping for one night, a mayor who does everything, and a one-night stop that refuses to end.
Daniel stopped in Havenwood for one night on his way to his parents' house for Christmas. One night. That's it. That's the plan.
Unfortunately, the plan did not account for Matt Wright.
Matt is Havenwood's junior mayor, part-time handyman, and full-time jack of all trades to anyone who needs help. He'll fix your banner, rewire your booth, and rescue your nativity scene from tipping over, all before breakfast. Daniel doesn't do small towns. He doesn't do Christmas festivals. He definitely doesn't do hot mayors with blue eyes and a tool belt. He's leaving in the morning.
He keeps telling himself that.
A small-town MM Christmas romcom about a passerby just stopping for one night, a mayor who does everything, and a one-night stop that refuses to end.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Elle Kayden
1 book3 followersElle Kayden writes small-town romcoms where the banter is sharp, the swoon is real, and everybody gets their happily-ever-after.
Her new interconnected standalone series is set in Havenwood, a small town where the locals are just as invested in everyone's love life as the characters and love to cause a little chaos.
Each book follows a different couple, some in a different era of Havenwood. All cozy rom-coms with lots of spice.
The Havenwood Series:
🎄 The Holi-Delay (November 10, 2026): the series prequel, an MM holiday novella. Matt Wright. Daniel Lee. One snowy small town. One basement they really shouldn't have gotten locked in. Strangers-to-lovers, forced proximity, found home, and plenty of Christmas chaos.
💌 Return to Sender (March 2027): Lucy's back in Havenwood for the spring, helping out at the bookstore... and falling for the grumpy veterinarian who's determined not to fall back. A romcom about belonging, old love letters, road trip adventure to find answers and one very chaotic calico.
🕰️ Until You Came Back (Summer 2027): head back to Havenwood in the 1980s for Henry and Evelyn's love story, forty years in the making. Strap on your jelly shoes, Swatch watch and walkmen. There's a mixtape waiting with your name on it.
When she's not writing, Elle is wrangling life on a small farm with her husband, a herd of horses, an opinionated flock of chickens, and several outdoor kitties who run the place. Her love language is banter.
Her new interconnected standalone series is set in Havenwood, a small town where the locals are just as invested in everyone's love life as the characters and love to cause a little chaos.
Each book follows a different couple, some in a different era of Havenwood. All cozy rom-coms with lots of spice.
The Havenwood Series:
🎄 The Holi-Delay (November 10, 2026): the series prequel, an MM holiday novella. Matt Wright. Daniel Lee. One snowy small town. One basement they really shouldn't have gotten locked in. Strangers-to-lovers, forced proximity, found home, and plenty of Christmas chaos.
💌 Return to Sender (March 2027): Lucy's back in Havenwood for the spring, helping out at the bookstore... and falling for the grumpy veterinarian who's determined not to fall back. A romcom about belonging, old love letters, road trip adventure to find answers and one very chaotic calico.
🕰️ Until You Came Back (Summer 2027): head back to Havenwood in the 1980s for Henry and Evelyn's love story, forty years in the making. Strap on your jelly shoes, Swatch watch and walkmen. There's a mixtape waiting with your name on it.
When she's not writing, Elle is wrangling life on a small farm with her husband, a herd of horses, an opinionated flock of chickens, and several outdoor kitties who run the place. Her love language is banter.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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October 10, 2026Totally on the tbr for the adorable title. Please deliver on it! Sounds so cute!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Publish Date: 11/10
Extremely strong, Hallmark Christmas-y start.
With a super cliche - in a good way - holiday ending.
A note I took in the beginning: This author does a good job of making you feel like you're in the scene with the characters through their descriptions; whether it's what the Main Street of the town looks like decorated for the festival or what June's bookshop smells like when the MCs step inside.
Descriptions did start to get a little repetitive though.
This does have two consecutive spicy scenes.
I don't know what it was but, by the middle of the second one the ick had completely taken over and I had no choice but to skim. I think this could just be a me thing though?
I won't lie it did kind of throw off the end of the book for me.
Next time I read, I think I'm just going to skip the spicy scenes and see if that changes things for me.
I could have sworn this was going to be an easy five star read.
Favorite parts: Cats, petting zoo, basement
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Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced reader copy. Rating and review are voluntary - opinions given are always my own.
will prob come back to edit some more
❄️🎄And then I stop again.
Because walking away from Matt feels worse than turning around. I’ve spent my life learning not to get attached. But my body doesn’t want to be moving in this direction anymore.
So I turn around.🎄❄️
Extremely strong, Hallmark Christmas-y start.
With a super cliche - in a good way - holiday ending.
A note I took in the beginning: This author does a good job of making you feel like you're in the scene with the characters through their descriptions; whether it's what the Main Street of the town looks like decorated for the festival or what June's bookshop smells like when the MCs step inside.
Descriptions did start to get a little repetitive though.
This does have two consecutive spicy scenes.
I don't know what it was but, by the middle of the second one the ick had completely taken over and I had no choice but to skim. I think this could just be a me thing though?
I won't lie it did kind of throw off the end of the book for me.
Next time I read, I think I'm just going to skip the spicy scenes and see if that changes things for me.
I could have sworn this was going to be an easy five star read.
Favorite parts: Cats, petting zoo, basement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced reader copy. Rating and review are voluntary - opinions given are always my own.
will prob come back to edit some more
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm actually hoping this was AI written. If it was written by a human, I can only assume they have a terrible case of short term memory loss and probably shouldn't be writing anything more complicated than a shopping list.
This was so fricking repetitive, both in the language used and in the events. The first two chapters cover the same night, one from each perspective, except they are different. One has hot chocolate and a whole other conversation that doesn't appear in the first chapter, and where Matt disappeared five minutes before the tree lighting, in Matt's POV he's talking like he doesn't see Daniel all night. I was wondering if they were trying to say something terribly clever about the unreliability of memory and how different people notice different things, but then in the next chapter Matt references the hot chocolate they shared. That he hadn't mentioned in his entire chapter or version of events.
Initially I thought the first chapters were just a bizarre plot error, but things like this kept happening. They met a bookseller and Daniel tells her he likes mysteries. Then they meet again and she says he looks like a man who can appreciate a good mystery, and he's thinking 'what the hell does she mean by that?' I tapped out when he entered the coffee shop for the second time but it's written like the first time, down to similar descriptions and identical wording. It was like it could only write a chapter or something without immediately forgetting most of what had come before, and it was horrible to read. I have worked with multiple authors and helped solve my fair share of minor plot errors and continuity issues, but this is the worst I've ever seen.
I also straight up hated the writing. Really pretentious and choppy, it felt sterile. There was no banter to be seen anywhere, and certainly no swoon. I guess that makes sense, given my suspicions over its origins. Unfortunately reading this felt like I was having some kind of serious medical event and I cannot recommend it to anyone.
This was so fricking repetitive, both in the language used and in the events. The first two chapters cover the same night, one from each perspective, except they are different. One has hot chocolate and a whole other conversation that doesn't appear in the first chapter, and where Matt disappeared five minutes before the tree lighting, in Matt's POV he's talking like he doesn't see Daniel all night. I was wondering if they were trying to say something terribly clever about the unreliability of memory and how different people notice different things, but then in the next chapter Matt references the hot chocolate they shared. That he hadn't mentioned in his entire chapter or version of events.
Initially I thought the first chapters were just a bizarre plot error, but things like this kept happening. They met a bookseller and Daniel tells her he likes mysteries. Then they meet again and she says he looks like a man who can appreciate a good mystery, and he's thinking 'what the hell does she mean by that?' I tapped out when he entered the coffee shop for the second time but it's written like the first time, down to similar descriptions and identical wording. It was like it could only write a chapter or something without immediately forgetting most of what had come before, and it was horrible to read. I have worked with multiple authors and helped solve my fair share of minor plot errors and continuity issues, but this is the worst I've ever seen.
I also straight up hated the writing. Really pretentious and choppy, it felt sterile. There was no banter to be seen anywhere, and certainly no swoon. I guess that makes sense, given my suspicions over its origins. Unfortunately reading this felt like I was having some kind of serious medical event and I cannot recommend it to anyone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"And then I stop again. Because walking away from Matt feels worse than turning around. I’ve spent my life learning not to get attached. But my body doesn’t want to be moving in this direction anymore. So I turn around." 🥹
It is never too early to read a holiday romance; and it being a sweet to spicyyyyyy MM novella really sweetened the deal.
Icing on the cake proving this one was just right for me, one of the MMC's name was Daniel Lee. As a Danielle Lee myself, how could I not fall for him *immediately* 🙊
I loved everything about this; the small town charm, the nosy (but charming) towns people who know everyone and everything, and the Holiday festival. It is giving Gilmore Girls vibes in the best way, which is a huge sell for a Stars Hollow girl like myself.
Matt was a people pleaser to his core, and Daniel saw him and was willing and able to just exist in his orbit while also showing him it was okay to admit when he wanted something for himself! The way they just melded together, no spoilers but truly, a cold dark basement has never been hotter.
The ending had me emotional because I expected it to go a different way, but Matt redeemed himself (thank goodness lol).
Overall, I had the best time reading this and will (not so) patiently wait for the next time I can go to Havenwood!!
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing and Elle Kayden for the ARC, in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.
It is never too early to read a holiday romance; and it being a sweet to spicyyyyyy MM novella really sweetened the deal.
Icing on the cake proving this one was just right for me, one of the MMC's name was Daniel Lee. As a Danielle Lee myself, how could I not fall for him *immediately* 🙊
I loved everything about this; the small town charm, the nosy (but charming) towns people who know everyone and everything, and the Holiday festival. It is giving Gilmore Girls vibes in the best way, which is a huge sell for a Stars Hollow girl like myself.
Matt was a people pleaser to his core, and Daniel saw him and was willing and able to just exist in his orbit while also showing him it was okay to admit when he wanted something for himself! The way they just melded together, no spoilers but truly, a cold dark basement has never been hotter.
The ending had me emotional because I expected it to go a different way, but Matt redeemed himself (thank goodness lol).
Overall, I had the best time reading this and will (not so) patiently wait for the next time I can go to Havenwood!!
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing and Elle Kayden for the ARC, in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Holi-Delay is a prequel novella as an introduction to Elle Kayden's new small town romance series. A book about an assistant mayor who likes to be useful and an outsider, travelling through the small town but is finding it hard to leave. Matt and Daniel have an instant connection the moment they see each other during the Christmas festival set up. This book was completely adorable, with meddling neighbours and a troublesome goat and awful coffee. I do love a novella, this was the perfect book to get my reading flow going while unsure what I'd like to read next! It was a great little set up book for the future books in the series. And I'm looking forward to seeing what's next! Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book early!
"Staying doesn’t feel like giving something up. It feels like choosing."
"Staying doesn’t feel like giving something up. It feels like choosing."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Spice: 3/5🌶️
The Catalog: M/M, small town romance, holiday time, forced proximity, strangers to more, cozy vibes, only one blanket, praise, impact play
Thoughts:
TLD; The Holi-Delay is like the perfect cup of cocoa: sweet and comforting, just the right amount of marshmallow fluff, and a splash of peppermint schnapps to spice things up! This is the perfect holiday novella for small town romance lovers!
Daniel and Matt are such cuties! I love the concept that Daniel was supposed to just be passing through but keeps finding excuses to stay…excuses that look an awful lot like junior mayor Matt. It’s a unique take on found family, since Daniel “finds” his place, too. Their banter and chemistry had me kicking my feet like the best, most tension filled, spicy Hallmark movie you’ve ever seen.
This really is a wonderful novella for the holiday season!
Spice: 3/5🌶️
The Catalog: M/M, small town romance, holiday time, forced proximity, strangers to more, cozy vibes, only one blanket, praise, impact play
Thoughts:
TLD; The Holi-Delay is like the perfect cup of cocoa: sweet and comforting, just the right amount of marshmallow fluff, and a splash of peppermint schnapps to spice things up! This is the perfect holiday novella for small town romance lovers!
Daniel and Matt are such cuties! I love the concept that Daniel was supposed to just be passing through but keeps finding excuses to stay…excuses that look an awful lot like junior mayor Matt. It’s a unique take on found family, since Daniel “finds” his place, too. Their banter and chemistry had me kicking my feet like the best, most tension filled, spicy Hallmark movie you’ve ever seen.
This really is a wonderful novella for the holiday season!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was short and sweet. Matt and Daniel were cute together when the town wasn’t bugging the crap out of them. I’m glad this was a novella because the town was getting on my nerves. Matt couldn’t even get 2 minutes to himself. Thankfully they finally managed to find some time together without interruptions and it was nice. However, I am not a fan of this writing style and I’ve mentioned in reviews before. Short, choppy sentences that are just listing things that happen really gets under my skin and most of the book was like that. The writing style always feels cold to me, but thats a personal preference I suppose. Overall, if that type of writing doesn’t bother you, then read it. It’s still a cute, holiday themed, cozy story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This was a quick read, fairly fluffy with a little dash of spice, good if you’re ready for holiday romances. Follows a man who is always ready to help others but won’t ever do anything for himself, and a man who doesn’t linger in one place for very long, yet finds himself lingering in this picturesque Christmas festivity town.
This was a quick read, fairly fluffy with a little dash of spice, good if you’re ready for holiday romances. Follows a man who is always ready to help others but won’t ever do anything for himself, and a man who doesn’t linger in one place for very long, yet finds himself lingering in this picturesque Christmas festivity town.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Away in a Havenwood,
no good coffee ahead
The little mayor Matt
is thinly spread.
The author told me a little ditty was required so this is the best I got! This was an adorable festive novella introducing us, not only to Matt and Daniel, but the town of Havenwood, "a small town where the locals are just as invested in everyone's love life as the characters and love to cause a little chaos."
no good coffee ahead
The little mayor Matt
is thinly spread.
The author told me a little ditty was required so this is the best I got! This was an adorable festive novella introducing us, not only to Matt and Daniel, but the town of Havenwood, "a small town where the locals are just as invested in everyone's love life as the characters and love to cause a little chaos."
Read
October 2, 2026Beta read this Holiday novella and absolutely ate it up in one sitting! I had so much fun reading it, swoony, feels, feet kicks and spice! I can’t wait until this releases 🎄
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved it! BRB with review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews