Holiday Hell

by Liz Meldon

There's no greater hell than working retail in December.

Having completed a highly competitive marketing internship in New York City, Elise thought she could handle anything the world had to throw at her--until the internship didn't lead to a job. Savings depleted, she abandoned one of the most expensive cities in the world to move back in with her parents in small town Middle of Nowheresville. Needing to replenish her bank account, she applied to the only place hiring: Bennington's Department Store.

She just didn't realize that working at the big box retailer full-time during the Christmas season would bring her within an inch of her sanity.

Enter Jack. Tall, rugged, handsome. Sweet. Funny. Kind of a flirt. Divorced dad on the hunt for a very specific, ridiculously popular Miss Molly doll that Santa will deliver to his little angel on Christmas Eve. He quickly becomes a regular in Elise's toy department, juggling his crazy work schedule with his quest to find the perfect gift. And Elise is determined to make his Christmas wish come true, one way or another.

Little do either of them realize, what they both need for Christmas this year--is each other.

Holiday Hell is classified as a one-shot erotic short, and is humorous, snarky, relatable, and just a little bit steamy. It is a complete story that includes a HFN and a sweet romance with a dash of all-spice for the holiday season.

Genres: Romance, Christmas

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2017

About the author

Liz is a Canadian author who grew up in the Middle East. She has a degree in Bioarchaeology from Western University, and when she isn't writing about her own snarky characters, she is reading about other people’s snarky characters, babying her herb garden, loitering on social media, or taking care of her furbabies.

Liz dabbles in both paranormal and contemporary erotic romance. Her paranormals are usually dark and angsty, and her contemporaries are stress-free smutfests, but you'll find both riddled with feels. Most of all, she loves writing realistic characters in fantastical settings.

Follow Liz on FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/authorlizmel...

Follow Liz on INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/authorlizme...

Follow Liz on PINTEREST:
https://www.pinterest.com/lizmeldon

Follow Liz on TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/lizmeldon2

BOOKS:

Serials:
THE HUNT (Paranormal Romance)


ALL IN (Contemporary Erotic Romance)


Duets:
DARK DAYS (Paranormal Romance)


Standalone Series:
UNBOWED (Contemporary Erotic Romance)


Standalones:


Complete Editions:

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - "Something's in the air this time of year..." Stars!

I loved Liz’s previous Erotic Short; Happy Hour so I was looking forward to reading Holiday Hell.



Elise and Jack’s story was a quick and sweet coming together. It made me remember just how much I hated working retail over the Christmas period, believe me when you have done it yourself you can totally understand why it kills a person’s joy for the season. I absolutely love Christmas now that I am safely ensconced in an office, but I could totally understand Elise’s disdain for it.

"Looking good."

Jack, desperate to find the exact doll his daughter want’s for Christmas runs into Elise a few times while on the hunt, and the chemistry between them simmers from the get-go.

Quick, easy, and ends with a spicy twist, perfect Christmas escapism. I would have liked a little epilogue just to see how things turned out between them in the longer term, but overall a really enjoyable read.

ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for the above honest review.

[Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute!! I loved it.

Full review to follow :).

[Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There's no greater hell than working retail in December." Truer words were never spoken! Having been in Elise's shoes, I could feel her pull your hair out frustration with her job. And let me just say that while her work day woes may seem over the top for dramatic purpose, they are not. Working in a toy department at Christmas is a whole bag of crazy and then some. Unfortunately, for me, I didn't have the sweet and sexy that is Jack to visit me while on his quest for the latest 'must-have' toy.
From my having been there perspective, I can look back with a laugh, and I certainly did plenty of that with Holiday Hell. Elise's inner dialogue had me laughing out loud more than once and her snark is great. Of course, Liz Meldon doesn't stop at funny. We get a bit of steamy goodness to go with our humor. Each time Elise and Jack meet, the attraction builds, and even though I could easily guess where the story was going, I still thoroughly enjoyed getting there. Although, I do have to say that I wasn't expecting the location for this pair's holiday stress relief, which only added to the fun!
Easily read in one sitting, this one is perfect for a quick midday or bedtime read to add a bit of levity to the busy holiday season.

[Ｋａｔｅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and Enjoyable Read

A sweet holiday themed romance read that will make you smile and swoon in equal measure.

Love an entertaining and engaging novella read, and Liz Meldon has given us exactly that.

[Vanessa (nessreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*

4 Stars

Holiday Hell was a quick, sweet, and enjoyable holiday read. Centering around Elise who works retail. And Jack, a father who's mission is to find and buy his daughter a very popular and highly sought after blue-haired doll. And thus begins Elise and Jack's encounter.

Elise isn't very fond of her job. Working retail is a pain in general, but working retail during the holiday season is hell. In one of many "not so good" days, Elise meets Jack. A single father that needs her help finding a specific doll for his daughter. Elise becomes smitten with Jack, and her crush starts to form.

Jack wants to make his daughters Christmas memorable. He wants to see the biggest smile on Maya's face when she opens her gift. But for that to happen, Jack must search high and low for the doll Maya wants. Without knowing on his quest to seek the very elusive doll, Jack would also find Elise.

Jack and Elise were adorable. From their first meeting they clicked. Just being around each other brought out the cuteness. If you're looking for a quick and easy holiday read, I recommend Holiday Hell.

[Beneath The Covers Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review can be found HERE --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.* ~Sonal

[Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora) · Rating 4 out of 5]

➳ Rate: 4,5 / 5 stars

The definition of fast, hot and sweet. This was the perfect way to get me in the holiday spirit. I enjoyed reading this little novella about Christmas, little girls obsessed with blue haired dolls, a dad trying to make his little girl happy, and a retail worker's hell.
Everyone got their happy 'ending'.

Elise sighed dreamily. “I know. I’m a real-life Santa’s elf. You don’t have to thank me. Thank the big guy—” Unable to stop himself, Jack smothered her words with a kiss—thanking her in the only way he could think of. The only way he wanted to. Elise—beautiful, sweet, gorgeous Elise—had also been on his Christmas wish list this year. Jack just hadn’t realized it until now.

➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.

➳ Order at: Amazon UK ⁕ Amazon US

➳ Follow me on: Blog ⁕ Instagram ⁕ Facebook ⁕ Twitter

[Sonal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute, I want to cuddle the story.

Elise aspired to have a high end job that matched her prestigious degree. She was well on her way to achieve that goal with her internship with a high rated marketing company. But soon she realised
she was going nowhere and decided to move back home. Needing to get her life in order, Elise took up a mediocre job at a department store during the holidays. Little did she know what a bad decision it was. Then she sees Jack, a handsome sexy flirt who frequents the store and suddenly everything is better.

Jack is a recently divorced dad who is determined to give his little daughter the best Christmas gift. For that he needs to go on a hunt for a specific blue haired doll that is highly in demand. He is forced to frequent the department everyday while juggling this very demanding job. It would have been a task if he hadn't met Elise. Her smiles do funny things to his heart and make him feel like a teenager but he can't stay away.

I adored this story. It was short and sweet and so heart warming.

Elise is a everyday girl struggling to find her footing in a cutthroat World. I related to her a lot and damn it the girl needs a break. Her character was funny and so freaking adorable.

A moment of silence for Jack's hotness!! (I am really holding back from calling him Daddy Jack) OH MAMA was Jack amazing. I get heart eyes thinking about how sweet he was with his kid and how freaking sexy he was with Elise.

I definitely was more of these two because SEXY TIMES!!!!!!!!!!! Okay seriously, these two are juts so perfect together I can't help but want more.

[Janelle Loves Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS.

What a cute, cozy, fun, sexy holiday read!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect mix of sweet and spice.

[Roxanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Little Ghost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this short in exchange for an honest review.

To be fair to Meldon, I am still getting comfortable in the romance/erotic genre. Please, read this review with the knowledge that I am not only an amateur reviewer but also that I am new to the genre.

I was in the mood for something simple, shallow, and a bit naughty. On this criteria, Meldon has delivered just the story for you. She has put forth a story easy to read in one sitting and short enough to do this during your lunch break or right before bed. I did enjoy getting to know Elise and Jack over the quick story. However, I never felt that I understood why they are attracted to each other beyond they had to be for this to become an erotic story.

I think the story could have balanced a bit better between Elise's backstory and hatred for her temporary job and the actual connection forming between our main characters.

I am also a bit annoyed by the major plot hole. Divorced dad, Jack, is driven to get this doll for his daughter to open on Christmas Morning. He gets it before closing at a store on Christmas Eve (I think we even know that it is 6PM). His daughter is several states away in Ft Lauderdale. The postal service is closed. How is this gift getting to his daughter in time? HOW? That was his SOLE plot and it does not pan out. He could have gotten it the weekend before and I would not have complained. But why Christmas Eve when it could not have possibly arrived on time? Why even have him obsessed with getting to her on Christmas - he makes it clear the day after won't do - if you won't let him achieve his one mission?/rant

Overall, I liked it. It fills a certain mood I am sure we all have every once in a while.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH HOW I CAN RELATE to Elise working in a Retail Department store for the holiday season. It is CRAZY.... She was not hired full time as a junior associate at a marketing firm in New York so she had to move back to her home town and take whatever job she could find. Luckily for her amidst all the chaos she met Jack who was looking for one specific blue hair colored doll for his daughter. Every trip to the store he made he was never able to get there on time when they were put out. But each trip he made, he always looked for Elise. They were attracted to each other. Her supervisor had given her a crappy schedule for Christmas week and she almost fell into tears. But she persevered and did her best. On Christmas eve she was working in the toy department and she saw the doll that Jack wanted. So she hid one for him. When he did come into the store he was discouraged and fed up. Then he saw Elise and she took him to the backroom where she had hid the doll and there they hooked up. Just as they finished up and were smiling at each other her supervisor came upon her and Jack shrieking what was going on. Elise looked at her and told her she quit. As she slowly walked out of the store she saw Jack waiting for her. What a sweet, sweet story with fevered, fast hot sex. A quick read.
I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

[JoAnne Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this review for this book I received through arc

Elise worked at a department store it was around Christmas time which they had to wear holiday vests. It was bad enough that she had to move back to her home town from New York.

Jack sits at home while trying to figure out what to get his daughter wanted for Christmas. Jack goes to the department store to get the doll but they didn't have one on the shelf. Jack meets Elise she tells him to come back next week. He came back but there still wasn't the blue hair Miss Molly doll. Elise has to work on Christmas Eve because her manager didn't like her. While she was in the toy department she saw that there was a blue hair Miss Molly doll on the shelf. Elise took one and put it in the back tore the box and put 50

Jack came back to the store on Christmas Eve hoping to see if they had the doll but didn't see any. Elise nabbed a Blue Hair Miss Molly just in case Jack came into the store. She sees Jack but with all the people there she had a hard time getting to him. Will her manager find out she took the doll. Will Penelope fire Elise when she sees her in the back. Will Jack and Elise find each other again.

Guess you will have to read the book

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect quick, witty, hot short story just in time for the Holidays this year. I think everyone has had a boss like Elise before and coupled with the madhouse that is most "big box stores" around Christmas you have a perfect example of her Holiday Hell. Enter Jack who is the typical parent who's child sees some hot, new toy on TV and HAS TO HAVE IT. Of course the marketing genius' know this and only make a limited number of the hot item to generate a buying frenzy. I loved the interaction between Jack and Elise and you can see the immediate chemistry and when the sparks actually fly, Holiday Hell becomes Holiday Bliss! I basically read this in one sitting so it you want some Holiday Hotness and a brief reprieve from the Holiday Hell Madness of this time od the year, this is the book for you!

I was given an ARC in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's definitely holiday hell when you have to go last minute gift shopping. Jack is determined to get his daughter the one gift she clearly wants so much. He's lucky that despite some changed holiday arrangements there's some holiday romance in store for him. One particular scene I wouldn't have expected to take place in a particular environment. Then again it fits well within thee plot. It's a good and well written short story which I'd rate about 4.5 stars. I read an advanced copy of this title.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Christmas read

This short tale is delightfully delicious. From experience I know working in a store at Christmas can be hell!!! I loved the heroines endurance of the daily, seemingly endless grind of being on your feet all day, being kind when customers aren't, and trying to keep your sanity.

Thankfully, there is a bright spot of a reoccurring customer looking for the one toy his daughter, and every little girl on the planet wants. He is handsome, kind, and just what Santa ordered for one deserving shop girl.

[Anne Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic, hilarious, romantic short read for Christmas. I laughed till I cried. Elise’s boss Penelope was certainly the boss from Hell! Jack Lewis divorced single dad just wanted the blue haired Miss Molly doll for his much loved daughter and woe and betide him if he doesn’t get It! It was a perfect naughty but nice short read from a fabulous author. This is my honest review of an ARC I received.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but good read

Very short good read. This book reminds me of shopping for that specific toy one of my son's wanted and the frustration of forever looking but not succeeding sometimes. It is also a look into what crappy jobs retail personnel have during the most joyous of seasons for the consumer but not the retailers. Quirky, cute, spicey quick read. I look forward to more on this couple. Warehouse scene hot and love that heroin had such spunk!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book. Really enjoyed this holiday short, and would love to read about Elise and Jack's budding romance. I just loved how Liz built the characters. Jack is endearing! The warehouse scene, hmmmmm, you'll have to read it for yourself! Can't wait to read more from Liz!

[Mrs K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Meldon hit this one out of the park. I can so relate to the retail nightmare. But the best part of the book was when Elise first meets Jack. When she smelled his expensive cologne, I was hooked. Read this no stop. Great ending. No spoiler here. Just have to read this great short romance. It would be wonderful if Elise and Jack’s love story continued to unfold.

[Amy Palafox · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEET read! Great character development, storyline and everything, including standard written English. Maybe if enough of us beg, pretty please, the author might consider continuing this story ...It is sweet, touching, and funny, with the right amount of tension and steam, and it brightened my day.
I received a free cooy of this book in an exchange for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story. It is cute and sweet. I enjoy Ms. Meldon’s writing. She has a great sense of ones personalities. This book is touted as an erotic short. Well, it is short but it felt more contemporary to me than erotic. I know Ms. Meldon can write some hot steamy scenes that will get your juices flowing. Check out her book Finn.
This is an honest and voluntary review of an ARC.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with her other writings, this erotic short short by Liz Meldon, was nothing short of deliciously hot and satisfyingly sensual fun reading as her two characters struggle to keep finding each other, and when they do, boy do the sparks ignite. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Chani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute holiday read! It was nice and short, so perfect when you want something sweet and simple to fit into your crazy holiday schedule! The characters were great, and I loved Jack!

If you’re looking for a quick holiday love story, this one is for you!

[Dawn Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story. I worked at Wal-Mart during Christmas season in the toy section in my past and how Liz described it was exactly how I felt. You will enjoy the flirting and circumstances. The story had no lags and read like a movie in my head. You will definitely enjoy this book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, steamy read. Disgruntled customers, underappreciated employee, frantic daddy, elusive Christmas gift all combined in this fun story. This is about the ups and downs of the holiday season and will there be a HEA? I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear case of truth in advertising. Yes, it’s short but boy or boy is it dreamily erotic (I actually meant to type “steamily” but autocorrect got it right - it was dreamy too. Really well done fun. If your in the mood you just can’t go wrong with this one.

[Monica Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet story

This was a sweet short story. I was expecting it to be a bit hotter and erotic than it is. I know the pains of working retail during the holidays so i could relate! And the warehouse scene.. 😍😍

[Linda Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

I really liked this story and the characters. It was upbeat and interesting. I felt like I knew the characters. I would like to see more about Jack and Else. They make a good couple. Great !