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Women of Dor Nye

While You Were Creeping

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I had zero plans to spend Christmas with an alien convict, yet here I am. In possession of a misplaced interdimensional prison with no idea how to return to sender.

Worse yet, this convict has no respect for personal space. It only goes downhill from there when, in a moment of desperation, I strike a bargain with him—be my Krampus for the annual Kringle Parade.

Oh… and pretend to be my doting boyfriend for the holiday season in exchange for my help.

Does this make me a criminal too?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Warning: This story contains a non-human alien hero, mature content, graphic language, and possible triggers. But also, tons of Grinchy-Scroogey vibes and holiday cheer! M/F romance, standalone novel.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2020

154 people are currently reading
286 people want to read

About the author

Poppy Rhys

16 books629 followers
Poppy is a small-town American girl, living in a tiny Canadian hamlet, who spends her days pounding on the keyboard, drinking tea, and living one step outside of reality. Her retirement plan is to be abducted by the aliens she writes about, but for now, she enjoys life with her husband, their three cats, and when she’s not getting sucked into cute animal videos, you can normally find her with her nose in a book.

Contact, subscribe, like, or follow her on Facebook, BookBub, or Goodreads, for updates, future releases, and the occasional meme.

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoppyRhysBooks/
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5 stars
318 (51%)
4 stars
190 (30%)
3 stars
87 (14%)
2 stars
16 (2%)
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8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for •Mrs Pizza•.
502 reviews140 followers
November 5, 2022
This was just what I was looking for.
Want Christmas but aliens? Want krampus but he’s hot? Want to giggle like a weirdo at some good banter?…
Well here you go
Profile Image for RLbooks (in and out).
996 reviews480 followers
November 4, 2022
I loved Holly and Kye's story! The book takes place on the planet of Dor Nye. Holly (h) is a teacher and also now a Scrooge after her ex cheated on and left her. Her town is crazy about Christmas and she used to be too, along with her boyfriend, but hasn't had any holiday spirit since the end of the relationship. She's also struggling mental health-wise because of this and seeing a therapist (yay therapy positivity!). Her town's holiday traditions include gifts at school by elf-like aliens and Holly is forced to take one that turns out to be an inter dimensional prison holding Kye (H), a Krampus-looking alien punished by witches who can only come out of the prison around the holidays each year. Kye has been imprisoned for hundreds of years and is pretty bitter, but he's a funny and great guy under all that once he starts believing that Holly's not actually a witch helping hold him captive. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, neither were virgins (both have been celibate), no discussion of bc.

What I loved was how these two are in awful situations, but have chemistry and slowly connect to each other, changing their perspectives and outlooks. Despite some of the heavier aspects, this is a very light, laugh out loud, and eventually romantic and steamy book. Holly and Kye form a reluctant partnership where Holly agrees to try and break his imprisonment and Kye agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend to convince others she's in a better place than she actually is. They spend time with her family, the town, and each other in several fun and adorable scenes. I felt invested in their stories, individually and as they began to come together. There are a couple of steamier scenes but most of the book is character development and humor with a side of feels too. Also, there's an adorable pet! Holly's family were mostly amazing and definitely added extra doses of laughs and support, but one of her family members is also the cause of additional drama and pain.

There is a point where you wonder how they'll get their HEA, but don't worry, they do get one! It's a great one too and the epilogue is a year later and left me smiling and happy with its sweetness. I definitely recommend this scifi holiday romance!

Profile Image for Kelly.
5,676 reviews228 followers
January 8, 2021
A fantastically Grinch-y heroine who REALLY doesn't want to celebrate what used to be her favorite time of the year (for reasons, might I add. REASONS!) and a long-imprisoned alien who has a few misconceptions about the women currently holding his leash. I'm speaking metaphorically, btw. There's no actual leash. Holly just has his interdimensional prison in her possession and, well, he's kind of tethered to that thing.

Anywho. Holly and Kye. She's nursing her bitterness after a rough breakup (which is made even rougher with who her ex ends up with) and she is NOT down with the Christmas spirit. But she's trying to break the cycle she caught in by saying yes to things she would otherwise say no to and now she has an alien convict/prisoner in her possession. HA. Happy holidays, amirite?

Kye is also caught in a cycle of...well, guilt and imprisonment, I guess. He doesn't trust the witch who now holds his prison, but the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes things are a little off. And, you know, maybe Holly really ISN'T a witch like she keeps insisting.

Family, holiday cheer, an alien with an attitude, and a surly heroine who definitely isn't crying. Seriously. It's just spontaneous saltwater expulsion from her eyes. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,796 reviews30 followers
April 28, 2022
I liked this one. It had some funny moments, sweet moments and character growth. Didn't like George or the cousin. Really don't see why no one could see through them. The witch was a surprise. Favorite character was the aunt who seemed to support Holly more than anyone else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for OneDayI'll.
1,592 reviews43 followers
January 22, 2021
Late for the holiday, but not the fun

Holly is done with Christmas. Sadly, the same could not be said for her town. Probably because it's entire set up is based on holiday tourism. But being dumped on Christmas, for your cousin, during the family gathering, well, it takes the sparkle out of the strings of lights. But an odd gift turns out to be more than it appears. Krampus popped out in all his alien glory. And his claws are sinking into her heart faster than his snark.

Spoilers ahead.
This was a fun alien twist explaining how old earth holidays got started. Reading Wolverk Holiday first isn't necessary, but does help clear up a few beings mentioned. And the Dor Nye series isn't required, but I highly recommend it. This was the fun and steamy distraction we needed at the end of a stressful year. Watching Holly find her feet after heartbreak and subsequently acquired OCD tendency coping mechanisms, gives readers a lift. And our lockdowns aren't fun, but at least it hasn't been a century. Poppy Rhys gave us the gift of her zany humor and hilarious human and alien pairings, and I greatly appreciate it.

Oh, and many many thanks for him not taking advantage of her being inebriated. Drunken consent isn't really consent. Scenes like that, where the sober party stops, thrill me.
Profile Image for buket.
1,006 reviews1,554 followers
February 17, 2023
i read two books from women of dor nye series and i still don't know anything about this world 😭😂 this was a cute christmas novella but the cover freaks me out i didn't imagine him as this sorry 😭
Profile Image for Lindap.
1,496 reviews
January 17, 2021
4.50 / 5 Stars

No need to rehash the story...it's already been done here on the GR reviews.

The book was such forking-fun!! Enough said!
Profile Image for SC.
810 reviews26 followers
October 1, 2022
This was just fine. Although I really enjoy this series, I felt like neither character was doing it for me in this book. He never spoke like an alien, which just kills the whole vibe because yeah, he’s VERY alien in looks. She is just - she allowed a break up to change and control so much of herself. Why ? She just came off as I don’t know, weak to me. Was it needed in the series? Nah, I definitely could have done without it.
Profile Image for Brutally Honest.
495 reviews32 followers
December 26, 2020
“It does look like you’re crying.”

“I’m not. It’s water retention in reverse.”


LOL. This was a lovely story, funny, with nice amounts of drama, payback to bullies, and fake-dating.
1,603 reviews12 followers
February 23, 2021
I read this book because I thought the premise sounded fun, in that a human falls in love with an alien that everyone thinks is Krampus. It was an entertaining read, with interesting characters, but I did have some issues with it. It gets 3 stars from me.

I haven't read any of the other Women of Dor Nye books, simply because the reviews led me to believe I wouldn't like them. Many of the reviews indicated that rape is a common theme, and I don't like reading about that.

My main issue with this book was that it needed more character development. I needed more backstory on both Holly and Kye, but especially on Kye and his life before he was cursed.

The instalove between Holly and Kye just wasn't realistic. They were definitely in lust, but I didn't believe that they were in love. They didn't know each other well enough, and he believed for a large part of the book that she was one of the witches who had cursed him. I simply didn't buy that he would fall in love with her under those circumstances.

My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
Profile Image for JML.
1,299 reviews24 followers
December 28, 2020
I loved every minute !💖

Quirky, funny, and down right lovable! This was a fantastic Christmas romantic alien comedy. Kye a Krampus like alien impression for a mistake he made centuries ago languishes is a transdimentional prison only to awaken dying the winter holidays. Holly, once a lover of all things Christmas ,now a grinch do to a horrible ex and humiliating breakup gets a bit of holiday cheer in an unexpected gift. What will she do when her gift spews forth the perfect Krampus alien that makes her change her mind about everything? Omg so much fun is what happens! Lol the chemistry is hot 🔥and passionate! The banter is hilarious and they are just so much fun together. This is a couple human\ alien that you root for from page 1 . It was like watching your favorite Christmas rom/com with an alien twist come to life. I enjoyed it and highly recommend you read it! Thank you for making my holidays merry and bright!💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Profile Image for Claire.
1,302 reviews22 followers
July 30, 2022
Did a mini "Christmas in July" reading marathon and this was my favorite of the three novellas I read in a day. Good world building, so that I knew what was going on despite never reading anything from this author before, and I liked both of the leads and the supporting characters. Holly had realistic problems and (I thought) a realistic reaction to discovering her accidental inter-dimensional prisoner! Kye was surprisingly upbeat about his situation, but I suppose he's had a long time to come to terms with it. I liked how they helped each other and were "real" with one another from the start. Will have to check out some other books from this author!
Profile Image for Jackie.
2,554 reviews
January 4, 2021
Another cutie Christmas based story that read like a novella. I was hoping at 151 pages, it wouldn't be quite so novella like. Had it been expanded a bit more, I think I would have liked it better. There isn't a whole lot of world building. Not sure if I should have read the other books in the series first or not, I thought I read in the blurb that this was stand-alone. I wasn't totally lost, but there were a few moments that I had questions. This did flow decently, and did hold my attention. While Holly & Kye were likable, I felt I didn't really learn much about their backgrounds. It does have the HEA at the end to give the reader closure.
Profile Image for shawna.
1,136 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2021
This alien romance was short and sweet and full of Christmas cheer I give it 3.3 .

Kye who couldn't love a harry Bigfoot? And who loves Christmas more than Santa clause does. Holly's very good name for a holiday romance character . I loved the epilogue . The story was the same plot I've read a hundred times girls boyfriend cheat with relative and leaves her for said relative. Girl gets invited to ex boyfriend and cousins wedding girl bring another guy that she falls in love with. there's more to the story but that's pretty much the plot.
Profile Image for Mary L.
739 reviews13 followers
August 17, 2022
I wanted something light and fun and this was it!
The book is written in first person so it was a little hard to read because I usually don't like them but after a while I was okay reading it.
Even though it was more like a novella the story was really interesting, learning more about her past and how he became trapped in this prison.
I believe their chemistry and love how they start to fall for each other, the sex scenes were hot not too spicy.
Again I think this book is more just to turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.
309 reviews5 followers
December 27, 2020
This book might become a Christmas tradition

This is part of a series but definitely can be read as a stand-alone, and although there are Christmas references, this would also be great summer read on the beach, or curled up somewhere hiding from the world for a few hours

I loved this book, and hate spoilers so I am not giving much away here but this is a major injection of feel good, rooting for the couple to get together, wanting to kick a few shins, big grin novel

Brilliant!
Profile Image for eevee.
821 reviews23 followers
January 15, 2021
Holly is kind of obsessed with her ex-boyfriend and flushing toilets. Her therapist tells her to slowly start saying yes to things again, like holiday cheer and whatnot. So Holly agrees to have elves visit her classroom this year, but they bring her a very peculiar gift. They give her a prisoner.

This was kinda fun and interesting. Not very erotic though and the romance was rushed.

Probably won’t keep on my shelf or reread.
Profile Image for Fran.
961 reviews10 followers
August 2, 2021
Can I just say this was one of the cutest little love stories I have ever read. Holly was relatable, not exactly because her specifics were different, but needing therapy and feeling bitter and angry. Got to say I would not have held it in as long as she did. I liked that she was flawed and imperfect. It made her more real and relatable. Rye was fantastic. His holiday love was infectious and relatable to me in specific because I love the holidays (especially decorating for xmas). I loved the relationship that developed between them. It was a definite got to read!
Profile Image for Kelly (AndKellyReads).
1,002 reviews68 followers
December 20, 2021
So much freaking fun

Oh my GOD this was an absolute delight. Holly and Kye were SO FLIPPIN CUTE and the enemies to lovers vibes? On point. The steam? Aces. The Christmas cheer and hilarious banter? Spot on.

Who knew I’d fall in love with a cursed Krampus with an affinity for whipping sticks and a vibrating appendage? Not me, that’s who.

There was *literally* only one thing wrong with it, and it still didn’t dampen my mood. I loved it. What a god damn treat.
Profile Image for La'Jacinth.
1,911 reviews
January 2, 2024
This story was a beautiful way to start the new year.

They both were disenchanted with love for different reasons. Kye fore reasons beyond his control and not of his making; for Holly, due to a no good ex and her underhanded good for nothing cousin. I love how they combined Krampus and a Genie in a Bottle in to a shorty Christmas/New Year short.

More that worth the read - learning that sometimes, generational curses are broken by love from the outside.

Profile Image for Charde Jackson.
557 reviews20 followers
December 23, 2020
Loved it!

This holiday tail involved a furred hero locked in an interdementional prison and the jilted, no longer Christmas loving herione. It was great! The town of Tinsel was festive, the mean girls were vindictive, Holly was avoiding the season and her habits were hilarious! Loved this book! Must read!
155 reviews
January 6, 2021
Cute and fun

This was unexpectedly adorable. The grumpy girl meets a Krampus looking alien. The attraction and growing relationship were fun to read and everyone was likeable. The crazy family and Christmas themed town added a lot of personality and depth even though it was a shorter book. I would recommend this book.
Profile Image for Brittany.
190 reviews
January 12, 2021
Thumbs up

I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. But it turned out better than I thought. It should have a new title tho. The current name of this book (to me) doesn’t fit. I get where it comes from. BUT. We don’t need to talk about “what’s his name” anymore then needed.
Overall. Great book!
HEA I wasn’t expecting. Perfect.
Profile Image for Livey.
1,432 reviews
February 12, 2021
This was a cute one

This was a Christmas tale of a town where aliens and human dwell together. The main character comes from a huge family and they love Christmas. She was recently bamboozled
by her cousin and ex and has to go to their wedding. She unexpected receives a gift, her own Kramp who agrees to be her boyfriend for the month of December if she can free him.
72 reviews
November 27, 2021
A Delightful Standalone

I was nervous about trying this book because I did not care for the first book of the Women of Dor Nye series but the synopsis was so good, I gave in. I'm glad I did! This was a lovely, heartwarming, festive story with just enough spice and a nice side of alien. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Kelspar.
454 reviews10 followers
December 17, 2023
3.5/5

Holiday stories are always a bit ridiculous, but this one was also fun and pretty sweet. I'm a total holiday scrooge, so I could relate to Holly but by the end, I was actually kinda feeling the holiday spirit with her, so I would say this was a success. It was jammed full of holiday/Christmas stuff with a fun twist on old lore.
26 reviews
January 2, 2021
Great read

This was an excellent read, I wish I would have caught it b4 christmas! How perfect.
Love dor nye, I have read each book, and will read anything Poppy rights. Great world, awesomely flawed characters. Please keep 'em coming! Hurry hurry!
Profile Image for Tina.
725 reviews6 followers
January 3, 2021
While You were Creeping

Lol I just loved Kye & Holly’s story. Outrageously funny and sweet. The women of Dor Nye are so awesome and I love reading their stories. I can't wait for the next one to come out. I would really recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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