Solstice Miracle

by Alexis Daria

Two people who’ve written off love and magic find a little of both on the longest night.

After inheriting her grandmother’s house in suburban Connecticut, Rina Minkin revives her witchy improv character to help pay for necessary home repairs. When Miguel Alvarez shows up at her front door with two kids in need of a Winter Solstice miracle, even cynical Rina can’t turn them away. And the longer she spends with them, the more she wants them to stick around.

*This is a 6,500-word sweet contemporary romance short story, occasionally made available on the author's website.

Genres: Romance, Holiday, Novella, Christmas, Contemporary, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance

18 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Alexis Daria is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola, A Lot Like Adiós, Take the Lead, and more. Her books have been featured on several “Best of ” lists and have received starred reviews from multiple trade publications. A former visual artist, Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.

Reviews

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts
This may be a VERY short read but it definitely hit in all the right places, if you enjoy single dad x librarian fake witch trope with Hallmark vibes then I highly recommend!

Plot Summary
After inheriting her grandmother’s old house, Rina Minkin resurrects her half-serious “witch” persona to earn money for much-needed repairs. Jaded about both magic and love, she isn’t expecting Miguel Alvarez to appear on her doorstep with two children and a quiet hope for a Winter Solstice miracle. As the longest night unfolds, Rina finds herself drawn into their lives—and begins to wonder if belief, connection, and a little real magic might still be possible after all.

My Bookstagram

[aarya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read something thematically appropriate for the winter solstice today! Cute (if sad) short story.

[Lenore Kosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://celebrityreaders.com/2018/12/...

5 stars — I actually got the link to this in LAST year’s Christmas newsletter, but I never got to it. So when Ms. Daria mentioned it again this year, I knew I needed to dive in! And it was just perfect. I think short story/novellas are SO HARD to write because it’s hard to give you enough to connect with the characters, but still have an arc that leaves you satisfied in the end. And I got all that in this one.

It took no time for me to appreciate Rina’s spunk, humour, and kindness. And Miguel…oh Miguel! Such a sweetie, he was everything I love in a book boy! And I loved the way he adored his niece and nephew, but you could see how he was struggling under the weight of caring for them in their grief. I don’t know, the story just got to me. It had a lot of layers, and I loved the way Rina used her improv skills to help the kids.

And I adored the sort of shy chemistry between Rina and Miguel… *sigh* Definitely smile-inducing.

And while I wouldn’t say no to more from these two, I loved that I was satisfied enough with where their story was going so it wasn’t a necessity. That’s the mark of a great short story/novella.

[Hannah B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s no reason this wasn’t like two chapters longer??

[Neris G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew I could cry in a 34 paged winter solstice novella about a librarian cosplaying as a witch and a single uncle who recently took guardianship of his niece and nephew after the passing of his little sister?

Beautifully written. Only complaint is that I wish it we had more of them to read.

(I read the summer solstice novellas and it was of a single dad so both novellas are basically single dads except in this one she really isn’t a witch)

[Annalise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so adorable PLS🥹🫶 it was a super quick read, but I instantly fell in love with Rina, Miguel, Lia, and Tommy🙂‍↕️ I would in fact die for them😌🤞

[guiltless pleasures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet; I like that she played a witch but also that she knew how to use the tools (pendulum, dowsing rod etc).

[Trianna/Treereads]

Cute! But really put the SHORT in short story.

[G Klo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to snag this free download from her newsletter a while ago and was waiting to read it for Winter Solstice. This was a very sweet and heartwarming read. Reminiscent to a Hallmark holiday movie but with a some witchy vibes thrown in the mix. I really enjoyed this one and the characters were so endearing!

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to be pickier when reviewing novellas and short stories because they don't always feel emotionally satisfying.  Although this story (a free download for newsletter / website people) is quite short, I thought it was sweet.  It had enough content for me to like the MCs together, while also understanding why it took until now for them to get here.  A cute little interlude, which also is usefully fulfilling the "gray" spot on a cover color challenge.  :-)

[Beauty_bydebrosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it was a short story, it was cute. I understand the insta love and everything so it was enjoyable. Definitely going to read more from this author. The premise was pretty unique and the romance was adorable. Highly recommend if you wanna get a sneak peek of the authors writing style, and if you like cute rom com vibes in books.

[Kelli Reinhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story may be short, but it is long on good feelings, lovable characters, found family and solstice magic. My only “complaint” is how little time we get with these characters - I’d love to read more about this blossoming relationship + blossoming family!

CW: parental death (off page); drug abuse (off page); relationship abandonment

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little winter read! You can easily finish this in one sitting. Sometimes you just want the quick fluff pieces to buffer the longer books, so this one was perfect. It helps that we start out the story with already established crushes between the two love interests, so they already know each other and we can just read the beginning of their romantic story. The MMC is such a cutie.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of romance! I feel a Hallmark movie coming on. Though Alexis's books are steamy as well. This was a fun read and very touching. I've read one other book from this author that was great and I will be reading more.

[Michelle Mendoza-Aguilar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another short story from one of my new favorite authors. Unfortunately, the story left things quite undone. Again, the characters and plot had great development, but then it felt abruptly cut off. Still a good story though.😁

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable ficlet!

[Zimmy W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so freaking cute I can't handle it!! I'm such a sucker for single dad/instant family tropes ahhh.

[Alexandra Consolver · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I really enjoyed this winter solstice story. Witchy and cute. Liked the summer one a little bit more. Excited for more to come!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and emotional, brought tears to my eyes while giving me the warm fuzzies! I love these characters. Would love to read a full length novel around these characters!

[a · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!

[Ariana | whatarireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

-A witch makes a guest appearance for some Christmas magic
- a little bit of romance
- 2 grieving children

I loved it and for such a short story it put me in my feels🥺

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short and very sweet! A fake witch helps two children and their guardian uncle connect with their dead mom

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was fine, it was a quick short story & an easy read. I think just because it was so short I didn't feel at all invested in the characters or the romance.

[Lissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short 4 part story available on Radish. The first 3 parts are free. It takes a few coins to read the end.

[Ricarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was magically, romantic and wonderful.
I love the characters and the cute storyline!!

[Mishelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful quick story, I honestly wanted more. I believed the characters chemistry and it’s was just adorable. I smile when I think of this! Read it while traveling and loved it!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and magical short story. I would read a part two to catch up with Rina and Miguel. ❤️

[Viola · Rating 2 out of 5]

did what it was meant to do but I just didn't really care?

[Ashley (Taylor’s Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad but very cute

[Nicole Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet short, freebie via newsletter.

Between this and What the Hex I am ready to follow Daria if she decides to fully lean into her love of witchy things!!