All He Wants For Christmas

by Kati Wilde

Detective Cole Matthews has worked toward one goal: being damn good at his job. But after taking a bullet in the line of duty almost destroys everything he’s worked for, he’s not in the mood to play nice or to look after some pampered rich girl at her daddy’s request. There’s only one woman he wants by his side…the sweet angel who saved his life.

But this Christmas, heaven might be a little closer than one grumpy detective could ever believe…

Don’t miss these other fantastic holiday stories! —
The Barbarian Before Christmas by Ruby Dixon
The Last Christmas Present by Ella Goode
Home For Christmas by Alexa Riley
All He Wants For Christmas by Kati Wilde

Genres: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Erotica

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2017

About the author

Kati Wilde is a tight-lipped, loose-hipped woman of indeterminate age and low breeding. Born into a very large family, she now has a very small family (no laws were broken in this transition), and she writes romantic fiction to assuage her darker urge to write Transformers erotica. She lives in Oregon, so most of you are safely far enough away, and has two old cats.

Kati writes the Hellfire Riders MC romance series and will be publishing her first New Adult novel, Going Nowhere Fast, with Berkley later this year.



About Our Series:

The Motorcycle Clubs series is for romance readers who want all the heat and emotion, but who don’t have all of the time. At this time, we are only publishing novellas — our intention is to provide readers with short (yet satisfying) MC romances. Sometimes we might continue one couple’s story over several novellas, but each individual novella will have a satisfying romantic resolution. Because they are short, we focus the stories on the eroticism and romance, and will be building the MC worlds as each series progresses.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me -- kati@katiwilde.com.

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Low Stars

Starting the new year off with a Christmas book - when I don’t really like Christmas books - probably wasn’t the best idea, but I love Kati Wilde and will read anything she writes. I definitely like her longer books and her series/serial books (which I always read as a whole after they are all published) better, but this was a cute, fast read.

All in all, not an awful way to start the 2018 reading year.

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas story

I enjoyed this Christmas story. I was anticipating more steam. Safe.

-no cheating
- No ow/om drama whatsoever
- No violence
-minimal pushing away
-low steam- while there was some sexual build up, no actual sex until around roughly 80%
-decent epilogue 3 years later

[Dilek VT · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was cute and enjoyable in some ways but annoying in others. I liked the characters and their connection. Although it is a short book (appr. 150 pages), it had its depth and character development.

But for the love of God, how many times can you repeat "her virgin pu**y and his big and thick c*ck" in such a short book??? Why keep saying it over and over??!!! I was yelling out loud, saying "Enough of that shit!"

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Jen ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay read. He was instantly drawn to her when he saw her face just before he was about to pass out from the gunshot wound. Then insta-lust set in when he found out she was his new neighbour. The story took place over a month, and not just a few days. There were some issues with her family, and she finally got the courage to speak up for herself. After resolving the issues, they finally got their HEA.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK I think with this book, I can officially call Kati Wilde a favorite contemporary romance author for me. I really appreciate how many of her books center around a dynamic where the hero is the one who does not have power or wealth, as is the case with this one. Just a really well executed contemporary-- really enjoyed it!

[Fatimama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like it but I ended up loving it after finishing the book. Safe, no ow/om. Virgin h with celibate H. They had insta-attraction but took months to get in bed.

[Talltree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lit Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet and steamy holiday novella; surprisingly more layered than expected ! There was the injured cop with some psychological issues, the insecure heiress trying to make it on her own, and the slow (1 month!) building of a relationship overcoming obstacles within themselves (self worth, independence, pride, family issues).
So, it was quite hot as I expected, but not insta-gratifying from the smut perspective either, which was refreshing.
I would group this book with Ruby Dixon's rather than with Alexa Riley's on this round.

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Setting this aside at 57%.
The attraction between the MC's wasn't believable to me at all.
The MMC acted nearly stalkerish and OTT obsessed with the FMC after having seen her once (for moments after he was shot).
They weren't even together yet and nevertheless he gave his superior at work a headsup that he was going to marry her? (because that relationship could complicate things between the MMC's workplace and the FMC's father).
Everything felt super rushed and I didn't feel any connection.

[Raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy detective and rich autopsy assistant

I really liked this book. It hit all my buttons - a sexy, grumpy detective who falls for a girl who saved his life. I like the few twists to the story where she is also a rich girl, but not snobby and has had the hots for him from afar before he even had a chance to notice her.

I especially like the character development of both Cole and Mia and the details of their childhood and how it was for them growing up. I like how we know how close Mia is to her brother Jason without having him in too many scenes, just like how close Cole is with his partner and his family with a few well written sentences.

I think Katy Wilde does such an excellent job of getting detail in a story, even a novella like this without being overly detailed. Its very subtle and I love that I can quickly get the background and still continue to move though the story. There are many times that an author gets too bogged down with the details that the story comes to a standstill and it becomes BORING!!!

[Catheryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread 12/2024--4 stars
Not a 5 star on the reread, but it was still cute. Cole and Mia are very sweet and I loved the ending.


*** 5 Stars
I was smiling almost the entire I was reading this. Leave it to Kati Wilde to deliver a fun novella.

I loved Cole and thought Mia was pretty sweet. I love that Kati Wilde doesn't drag out drama. A lot of the drama/conflicts are settled pretty quickly.

[Melluvsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it! I liked both characters. I didn’t mind the dual POV. The dirty talk and roll out of intimacy was good. This was a
solid read, even with it being a Holiday book. I would have enjoyed more relationship drama as opposed to family drama but over all this was good. 👍🏻👍🏻

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. Bonus, cince I'm Puerto Rican, the holidays don't end until Three Kings Day, so it's still in season. Yes!

This is a novella with some good storyline development and fleshed out characters, and doesn't sacrifice the smut. If you're still in the holiday mood, I'd recommend this.


For more reviews, visit

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This was a really sweet and steamy read, with the 👌 amount of angsty pangs. Kati Wilde really knows how to write a gruff but devoted MMC. 😍

Not my favourite of her books as I wasn’t feeling The Big Secret conflict, BUT I did like how it got resolved.

Overall, a really enjoyable Christmas read.

[Averie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars
Christmas in July-a-thon :)

[sashenka 🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

[Emma | ateaspoonofswoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

ACAB

cole do be hot though 😔

[phoebess · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me two years to finish this book! Yeah, New Year's joke. Sue me!

Or should I have started with, "What does a cop, an autopsy technician and Christmas have in common?" The answer is easy—Kati Wilde.

I truly enjoyed this story. It was nice until it was naughty—Stop with those stupid puns already, you say? *Sigh* Alright. It had sweet moments along with some harsh ones. Everything was perfectly balanced, every character was well-written and simply lovable. But what I appreciated the most was the fact Kati Wilde avoided my most hated "the parents are dicks but let's give them and the hero/heroine a happy-ever-after too" ending.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly emotionally healthy for instalust. And for a short story, there’s quite a bit of relationship development. It’s got a bit of smut too.

But overall, a pretty enjoyable short read.

[Ryan - Sweet Red Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. EFFING. GOOD!!!!!!!!!

[HankReadsRomance · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I enjoyed it for the most part but the insta-love connection felt unbelievable even for a novella.

[Xerxia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. The whole virgin heroine thing was slightly squicky in this book because there’s just no reason for it, the h is a smart, beautiful, self-possessed twenty something. But the love story was pretty good, the hero interesting, the handful of side characters just right.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ "Smutacular/ Independence" Stars!

I liked this one. Especially Mia. And Cole wasn't bad either. Every time I read a Kati Wilds book, I'm happily surprised. I don't know why I'm still surprised... Happy reading!

[Denice · Rating 4 out of 5]

All He Wants For Christmas by Kati Wilde ⭐⭐⭐⭐

HERO - Cole Matthews. Police detective. Over 6’2 with chiseled muscles. Gorgeous, but not handsome, with overly bold features. Dark hair and eyes.

HEROINE - Mia Bennet. Assistant to the county medical examiner. 5’9 and curvy with long black hair and pale blue eyes.

OVERALL THOUGHTS - I really liked this one. It’s a great combination of romance and steam, though for a Christmas book I felt like it took a back seat most of the time. I do feel the characters could have communicated better in the beginning, but otherwise I loved Cole and Mia’s developing relationship.

What I Liked

Mia. She’s wary but sassy, as Cole points out. She grew up in a wealthy, albeit toxic, household. After being involved in an active shooter situation, she decided to live her best life away from her parents. I love how living on her own is an adventure for her and that she basks in the glow of doing her own dishes and laundry. She enjoys her newfound independence. However, she’s still working on building armor around her battered heart, having suffered through a lifetime of her parents controlling ways and emotional abuse.

Cole. He’s an asshole, but he’s not mean or vicious, as Mia points out. He had a rough upbringing as well, except without the wealth. And where Mia’s parents would jab at her with words, Cole’s father was prone using his fists. He’s a detective now, and was also involved in the active shooter situation - he was the one who stopped it, earning himself a gunshot wound to the leg and a graze to the head. It’s while he’s laid out on the ground that he sees Mia for the first time - his angel. He’s gruff and sexy and for the first time ever, he’s not all about his job. Now he’s set his sights on Mia.

Cole’s proclamation to his chief. I was charmed and amused when he announced to the Chief that he was going to marry Mia and to prepare for a shit storm from her father. I also liked that the Chief had his back.

The gazebo scene and Mia’s big reveal. We got to know Cole’s partner a little better, got more info on both Mia and Cole, and - this is the big one - discovered why Mia insisted that Cole saved her the day of the shooting. I have to admit I teared up a bit reading that she would have been shot if she hadn’t stood up when she did, intending to ask Cole to a New Year’s gala, despite him never noticing her before. The way the author wrote the reveal was really impactful. It demonstrated not only Mia’s small show of confidence, but also how quickly things could change. It really was like, as the book suggested, they had a near spiritual connection despite never having spoken at that point.

What I Disliked

Lack of communication. If either Cole or Mia would’ve bothered to be a little more personable in their initial interactions, there wouldn’t have been as much push/pull, in my opinion. For example, when introducing someone, you’d typically state who they are to you. That way, people can’t mistake your brother for your boyfriend. Or instead of asking broad questions, like how things are going “upstairs”, you might ask narrower, more personal questions, like how’s your boyfriend doing? Things like that. Cole’s a detective, he interrogates people for a living. Why he doesn’t know how to ask questions in his personal life in order to get answers he needs, I don’t know. Same for Mia, she grew up in “polite society” so why she didn’t exercise her conversation skills eludes me as well. I’m taking a star off for this because lack of communication is one of my big pet peeves.

Neutral But Noteworthy

Cole decided to drag his feet. He wasn’t going to try and identify her or pursue her until after he’d mostly healed from his wounds, but his hand was forced when she moved into his apartment building. On the one hand, I completely understand. Recovering from gunshot wounds isn’t the best time to embark on a grand romance. On the other hand, it would take weeks (months?) for him to heal and he doesn’t even know if she worked in the building or was just passing through. The trail could have gone cold by the time he got in gear. I’m not removing any stars for this because it became moot, but had it not, I probably wouldn’t have cared much for his inaction had he taken too long.

Cole didn’t notice Mia. Despite all the times Mia noticed him around the building, praying he’d noticed her too, he never did. Not until he got shot and she appeared at his side to help him, anyway. Then she became his angel. Again, not taking any stars off for this, but I didn’t like that the heroine was invisible to him until she got right in his face and he was forced to see her. I get it, though, some people have tunnel vision. They’re so focused on the task at hand that everything around them fades away. His priority in life was his job, so he’s probably one of those people. Still, if I was the heroine, I’d be bummed, too. There was some explanation for part of it, at least. She would lunch every day in the gazebo, but he didn’t see her because he doesn’t have a clear view from where he works in his building. Nor would he have been able to see her while walking past it because of it’s design. So that’s that, but the implication was that she saw him inside the building as well, so…

Christmas is late to the party. The book starts off at the beginning of November. Despite the title, it takes a hot minute to get to Christmas season. About halfway through, I’d say. If you’re looking for an instant dose of holiday cheer, this book isn’t going to provide that. I’d recommend reading it around Thanksgiving when you’re looking for a good book with a hint of holiday, but you’re not quite ready to be smacked in the face with it. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that before picking it up now, in early December, when I am looking for a large injection of the holly jollies. I’m not taking any stars off for it, though, because it’s still a good book and Christmas does show up eventually at 53%. I’d say even then, most of the month takes place off page except for a couple of scenes. I didn’t end the book feeling extra festive, but I loved the romance nonetheless.

Connected Books. This book is set in the same world as two other Christmas books by Kati Wilde, Secret Santa and The Wedding Night. They don't appear in the former, but they do in the latter where it’s revealed Cole was a childhood friend of that book’s hero, Caleb, and Mia is new-ish friend of the heroine, Audrey. It takes place about a year after this one and has Cole and Mia married and pregnant with their first child. Both books are fantastic and I highly recommend reading those, too.

SAFETY

Age: Mia - 24*; Cole - 26-30-ish**

*Mia’s age is never stated, but we learn she met her half-brother at 18 and that was six years ago.

**Cole’s age is never stated, but he’s at least 26 based on the fact that he was the best man at his partner’s wedding eight years ago. Also, this book takes place in the same world as two other Kati Wilde Christmas books and Cole is friends with those heroes. Their ages range from 26-30, so I figure Cole might also be somewhere in that range.

Sexual History: Mia is a virgin. Cole is experienced, but not much is said about his history. It’s established that he’s not a “ladies’ man” and that he’s too much of an asshole for any smart woman to spend more than an hour in his company. That could suggest he has an occasional one night stand (that’s never confirmed, though), but he seems to focus most of his attention on his job. He does say that there’s never been a woman who’s held his attention for more than a few days, and that’s Mia. There’s no mention of when his last time was.

Condoms: Not used with Mia and she’s not on birth control. This was a conscious decision on their parts because they want to start a family. I believe he used them in the past.

Heat Level: Scorcher - 4/5 → This is in spite of the fact that they don’t have sex until about 85%, mostly due to his leg wound. There’s a couple of oral scenes leading up to it, though.

Push/Pull: Yes There are several instances of her pushing him away until about 35%. The first is after their initial meeting as she’s moving into his building. He wrongly assumes the man with her is her boyfriend (it’s her brother) and she’s hurt by a comment he makes about her not belonging in his building (see separation spoilers for more details). This results in them avoiding each other for a couple weeks.

The second time happens after they reunite while doing laundry in the building’s laundry room. Things get steamy between them before Cole’s leg pain forces them to stop. Cold water is further dumped on the situation after the air is cleared about her being single. While she likes that he’s so attracted to her that he was willing to compromise his principles to pursue her even though he thought she was attached, she also realized that meant he thought she was the sort who cheated. From there, she assumes that if he thinks that about her, he’s probably only interested in a quick lay. She gets upset, telling him she’s not who he thinks she is, before leaving the room. Cole doesn’t go after her immediately because of his leg, but he does instantly realize what she must have thought. He does knock on her door after finding one of her socks in a dryer and apologizes. She accepts, he asks her out, but she refuses. He tells her he won’t hurt her, to which she replies that she knows he won’t because she won’t let him. She then closes the door in his face.

The third time takes place four days later on Thanksgiving. They meet in the hall after she comes home from her parents’ disastrous Thanksgiving dinner and he’s on his way to his partner’s family’s house. He invites her, noticing she’s upset, but she declines, knowing she’d be terrible company, and her brother is set to visit anyway. He offers to stay with her until her brother arrives, but she declines. Cole turns up at her apartment later that night, using a piece of pie as an excuse. She’s drunk on wine by then, invites him in, spills some of her guts to him, and he eventually holds her while she drifts off to sleep. Cole then has a revealing conversation with her brother, who had pretended to be asleep on the couch. Cole leaves, now knowing what he’s up against and even more determined to win her over.

Separation: No, but the first time he sees her is as she’s helping him right after he’s been shot. He spends two weeks recovering at home, during which he doesn’t see her again. He doesn’t know who she is and therefore doesn’t know how to contact her, but also doesn’t plan on attempting to find her until he’s physically able to woo her. His hand is forced when he discovers she’s just moved into the apartment across from his. Those two weeks took place off page before the story begins.

There’s another physical separation of two weeks, again mostly off page and before anything romantic happens. They see each other every day, but they don’t really speak. It occurs after their initial meeting by the elevator in his, and now her, building. He assumes the man helping her move in is her boyfriend (it’s not, it’s her brother) so that holds him back. On her end, she’s mildly hurt by a comment he makes about her not belonging in his building (because he thinks his building isn’t good enough for her) and realizes she doesn’t yet have the armor needed to steel herself against someone who could potentially break her heart if such a small comment could bother her. They both low-key keep tabs on each other’s comings and goings, though. They’re reunited while doing laundry at the same time in the building’s laundry room. Things happen (see push/pull spoilers) and they don’t see each other for another four days.

Cheating: No

OW(Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No

Sex scene with OW/OM: No

Abuse: Not in the present day, but there’s a brief mention that Cole’s father was physically abusive.

Possible Pet Peeves/Triggers: Yes Active shooter situation - off page, memories. Hero was shot twice - off page, memories. Hero is recovering from gunshot wounds - on page. Mild descriptions of autopsy procedures - on page. Mia’s father attempts to use her as “bait” for men he wants to do business with (she tells them off when they get flirty or handsy) - off page. Mia’s father had her mother sleep with men he wanted to do business with - off page, implied, but not confirmed. Suggestion of child abuse - off page, memories. Controlling, emotionally harmful parents - on and off page, present and past.

HEA/HFN: HEA There’s one epilogue set three years into the future. They’re now married, have a toddler son named Nick, and she’s six months pregnant. Mia’s father spent some time in jail for embezzling funds while her mother divorced him and ran off. She hasn’t seen either since. Jason is now living in the Bennet mansion and runs the foundation. Mia and Cole purchased a home about six months into their relationship. He’s still on the force, she’s still an autopsy tech, and plans to go to med school and become a medical examiner one day when her children are older.

[Book Snob Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kati Wilde is definitely becoming one of my favorite authors, this is my 2nd book by her and I loved it. Dibs...I wanted to get that out of the way. A sexy dirty talking detective...yes please. Cole is recovering from a shooting, where he was injured. When he was laying there after the shooting, he remembers seeing an “angel” of a woman over him. A woman he wants to find.

Fast forward a few weeks and enter Mia, who happens to be the “angel” and also happens to have a huge crush on the detective...she’s in luck, because he has a pretty big crush on her too. He knows right away that he wants her forever. These two have so much chemistry, with his dirty talking, confident self and her sheltered, vulnerable self. I love that he pursues her and takes his time since he knows she’s innocent. For me, these two needed each other and went together perfectly.

Such a great safe read, with an epilogue, sexy dirty talking alpha, a hell of a lot of heat and an hea. Yes please....you’re welcome.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was pretty disappointing. Not a lot of Christmas, a bit cringe on some things that are said in the read, and too much going on in the story at times. This is novella length and a romance between a cop and his neighbor across the hall, who also happens to work across from him at the medical office/morgue. The heroine’s dad is some super rich powerful guy around town with a board and trust funds and all that. He wants the hero to look after his daughter who recently moved out of the family’s mansion, but the hero just wants her for himself (they met previously). I just wanted more relationship and character growth and felt all the rest was lackluster without that foundation.

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book I've read by Kati Wilde now. I really like how she writes stuff. I feel all fluffy and it's safe romance. Something I love to read whenever, not just as a palate cleanser. Plus, it's short. With how much obsessively I read series nowadays, I really love this short introduction and ending to a sweet romance between a strong heroine and alpha hero.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting shot taking down a shooter, police officer Cole Matthews has memories of an angel trying to save his life, and he tells himself that he'll find her and claim her once he's back to 100%. In the meantime, he's asked to look after a rich guy's daughter, Mia, who has just moved into his apartment. As soon as he sees Mia he recognizes her as the angel who saved him, but Cole is an unsociable asshole who has no idea how to woo Mia without hurting her. And she's been hurt plenty and is wary of trusting Cole, even though she very much wants to.

This was pretty good overall. I liked the development of a friendship between Cole and Mia and how Cole isn't really all that nice of a guy, but he's not really cruel or anything. He's just not a friendly and sociable guy. He definitely missteps and I like that Mia doesn't take it. Cole has to work to earn her trust back and even once he does, things aren't peachy keen again, because Mia is a product of her upbringing by her rich parents whose insidious use of emotional manipulation and abuse has made Mia avoid asking for support...even emotional support. I have to say, for an erotica novella (especially as I'm used to reading them on KU) this had a lot more depth than I was expecting. Usually we just get PWP without a lot of delving into motivations and all that, but this was a lot more than that. It also didn't hurt that sexy times between them were hot. And I appreciated the realism of a woman who, although a virgin, is no stranger to masturbation and even the use of toys. Let's face it...in today's world a woman who makes it to 25 and has NEVER touched herself is very much not the normal thing anymore (I'm not convinced it ever was)...I'm sure it happens, but not at the rate it seems to in romancelandia.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
All he wants for Christmas is a short festive story. I read this book in one sitting and wasn’t once bored. I really liked Mia. I liked that she didn’t let Cole walk all over her. She was attracted to him yet she knew he was like other people and had opinions on her. Everyone saw her as the spoilt rich girl that came from a mansion and had maids and chefs.
I liked Cole. I liked that he thought Mia deserved better than a man like him. That being said, I wanted him to see his worth. I wanted him to get his woman. The chemistry between Cole and Mia was clear to see. I also liked that Mia didn’t have the usual stereotypical heroine career. She loved what she did. She liked doing things for herself and being free from her parent’s control.
I liked this story but at times it seemed slightly long-winded. That being said, I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the story.
I liked Jason and would love for him to have his story told. I wanted more of him. I liked that Mia and Jason were close. I liked that they didn’t resent one another.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and a nice read.