Stocking Stuffers: A Christmas Romance Anthology

by Shanna Swenson, J.D. Park, Nicole Rodrigues

Christmas really is the BEST time of year–for romance that is!


These best-selling romance authors have teamed up to bring you contemporary romance shorts that will make your holiday extra steamy!

JD Park, Shanna Swenson, Nicole Rodrigues, Morgan James, JC Jaye, Kyra Fox, ML Preston, Melissa Williams, and Sutton Fox have written nine romantic short stories worth stuffing in your stocking. Covering tropes from second chance, workplace romance, fake boyfriends, age gap, and much more, this collection is sure to add some spice to your holiday festivities and really get you in the Christmas spirit.

**ALL proceeds from this anthology will go to the nonprofit charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for children with cancer.

Genres: Christmas, Anthologies

Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2021

About the author

Shanna Swenson is an award-winning finalist in the Fiction: Romance category of the 2020 International Book Awards for her books "Abundance" and "Return to Abundance." She's known for writing dynamically dysfunctional yet lovable characters and dramatic and daring plot twists.

Shanna self-published her first book in 2018 and now has 12 full-length novels under her belt, with many more in the works.

Born with a gypsy's soul, Shanna is fascinated by nature and the unknown, is a Cancer with a capital "C", and has an eclectic taste in music, movies, and books. When she's not got her nose buried in the fictional world, she enjoys exploring the real world with her very own "knight in shining armor."

You can find her on BookBub, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Reviews

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short romantic stocking stuffers will melt your heart. They’re also a perfect way to enjoy a hot beverage and help a wonderful cause: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for children with cancer.

Stocking Stuffers: A Christmas Roance Antholy includes 9 short standalone short stories centered around the holiday season in various tropes from workplace to age gap, where the attraction is quick and strong.

My individual review will focus on A Narwhal for Christmas by Kyra Fox, which is a super cute and extra steamy secret Santa, office romance.

Hugo Dupont needs to focus on the incredibly difficult client he’s been assigned, not worry about the company’s Secret Santa until he realizes that his elf is the brilliant woman captivated his full attention in their last team meeting.

Fueled a bit by his guilt, the first thoughtless gift he sent her could have sent Alice to the hospital, he’s determined to get her wonderful gifts every day. He’s also found a way to get to know the introvert without revealing himself.

While the two communicate via their internal office chat, Hugo realizes he wants the real thing with her. But will Alice want the same thing once she realizes who she’s been chatting with?

I love Kyra Fox’s stories! This short Christmas novella a la “You’ve Got Mail” has everything you could want in a romance. I loved the chats between Alice and Hugo, I adored the meaning behind the Narwhal (so magical), and hello storage room sexy scene! 🔥

I really enjoy getting more from the authors I love and enjoy, but also getting to know new authors and this anthology is also perfect for that.

★ Check out my book edits on Instagram ★

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attempting Christmas Magic

I'm a couple of stories in. I've read one story that I absolutely loved and another that was OK. I do like getting a chance to try new authors and what better theme than Christmas!

I'll update as I go along. Here are the individual reviews:


Book 1: It Came Upon a Midnight Claire by Shanna Swenson - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 No More Broken Hearts

This was a FANTASTIC beginning to this collection! I. LOVED. IT! Claire and Ben are two lonely broken hearts that make an incredible connection while in Venice. Passion radiates off of the pages. It's warm, sensual, and absolutely a pleasure to read. 🎄🔥❤🎉🎄

This is the first time I've read this author and I expect to do so again! Just wonderful!


Book 2: How-to-Holiday by J.D Park - 🌟🌟🌟

The second chance story between Blair and Maddox was cute and likeable but it wasn't grabbing me.


Book 3: Snow Much Trouble by Melissa Williams - 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Murder Board Magic

I truly like this story. In addition to the sparks between Willa and Davis, I love the fast friendship that Willa develops with Jerri.

I also had to laugh at the uninvited guests. Nothing says Merry Christmas like an unexpected holiday potluck in the house you are renting with the hosts being the owners / parents of your unplanned roommate turned more. 😂❤🎄

'Davis was a protective gentleman on the streets and a devil in the sheets.' -- Willa 🔥❤

Book 4: Christmas Ever After by Sutton Fox - 🌟 TBD




Book 5: Her Secret St. Nick by Nicole Rodrigues - 🌟 TBD




Book 6: A Narwal for Christmas by Kyra Fox - 🌟 TBD




Book 7: Wine Over Cocoa by M.L. Preston - 🌟 TBD




Book 8: Vixen by Morgan James - 🌟 TBD




Book 9: Moody Under the Mistletoe by J.C. Jaye - 🌟 TBD





I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stocking Stuffers-
Overall review: There’s a trope for everyone in this anthology! Obviously since these are short stories the attraction is pretty instantaneous and things move VERY quickly. Super cute, quick stories centered around the Holidays. Like little Hallmark movies but steamier 😏.

Individual:
It Came Upon a Midnight Claire-Shanna Swenson
This says fake dating but since these are short it’s not quite a normal fake dating trope. He pretends to be her Bf in front of her ex and things get HOT. Duo POV.

How-To-Holiday- JD Park
Second chance romance. Bad choices and miscommunication led them to breaking up. They reconnect later. This had the backstory and the current story then the drama to throw a wrench in their relationship all in a short period. Major Hallmark movie vibes though less snow. Duo POV.

Snow Much Trouble- Melissa Williams
GRUMPY VS SUNSHINE. That’s it. That’s the review. Okay but also it’s age gap and cute. Single POV. There’s also a cute little friendship.

Christmas Ever After- Sutton Fox
Billionaire romance. Duo POV. Refusing to listen to explanation drama. Insta attraction but they do get to know each other just a little bit before things happen.

Her Secret St. Nick- Nicole Rodrigues
Secret identity, billionaire romance. Duo POV. This one is longer and so is the buildup. It is not a complete story. HFN but you’ll have to grab the full novel spring 2022 to actually get closure.

A Narwhal for Christmas- Kyra Fox
Office romance. Secret admirer. Super cute and they really are perfect for each other. Also the storage room scene 🔥🔥.

Wine over Cocoa- ML Preston
Snowed in together. I didn’t really like the guy at first but he grew on me some. The last time I was snowed in it was not with a hot guy so I feel like I’m getting cheated in life 😂.

Vixen- Morgan James
Second chance romance. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Duo POV. Loved Preston a lot and and the uh, mistletoe 😉

Moody Under the Mistletoe- JC Jaye
Neighbors. He hates Christmas and she loves it. It is super weird how they talk about George so you know, you can’t blame PF there but I figured it out quick and couldn’t help laughing at him. Duo POV. Insta attraction for both.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot of fun here. Grumpy women forced to work the holiday, grumpy men who hate Christmas (or think they do), secret Santas falling for their giftee, a second chance, and all sorts of unexpected holiday love is found in these pages. I came for the narwhals and found myself reading everything up to Alice and Hugo, as well as everything after them, and I enjoyed every single story! I was introduced to some new authors while visiting with others that I’ve already enjoyed, so this all left me sufficiently full of holiday cheer and a desire for Christmas cookies.

[Lissete · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of nine Christmas novellas by different authors. I have to be honest, when I got the ARC I thought there was no way I was going to be able to read all nine novellas (the book is over 600 pages long) but after I read the first one, I just had to keep going. All of them were very enjoyable in their own way, giving me that warm feeling that I’m used to get when reading holiday books. I think there’s novellas for everyone in this anthology, since they all have different tropes. I have a snippet of each novella below. Another excellent thing is that all proceeds go to St. Jude Childrens Hospital and you can still grab it for ¢99 for a little longer.


It Came Upon a Midnight Claire 🎄Shanna Swenson
Perfect setting in Venice, there’s an instant connection between Ben and Claire after meeting at the hotel bar. What starts as a fake relationship ends up with a very hot, very swoony HEA

How to Holiday 🎄
JD Park
Maddox and Blair are college sweethearts gone wrong. This beautiful novella is about taking a second chance at their forever. Super fun setting in San Diego!

Snow Much Trouble 🎄
Melissa Williams
Perfect small town, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, age gap novella. Davis is one hot police chief and Willa is a thriller writer. Perfect combo! Am I right?

Christmas Ever After 🎄
Sutton Fox
Carter is a billionaire looking to close a deal on a hotel right before Christmas Day. Ruby is a dog lover heroine who went to her supposed honeymoon by herself. They meet one night and start spending time together. Will this last past their time on the island?


Her Secret St. Nick 🎄
Nicole Rodrigues
Nicholas is the owner of a hotel chain looking for more than what money can buy, Norah is a strong woman that faces everything life throws at her with compassion and a bright smile. Nicholas decides to go undercover to experience the hardships of life and meets Norah. Their story is one for the records!

A Narwhal for Christmas 🎄
Kyra Fox
Alice and Hugo work for a PR company and although they’ve worked together in the past he had never noticed her until now. The office is having a secret Santa game… be prepared to swoon!

Wine Over Cocoa 🎄
ML Preston
Ryan and Callie meet by chance at the airport and end up having to share a room. What?!?! This forced proximity romance is one hot story between two broken hearts.

Vixen 🎄
Morgan James
Katarina and Preston’s story is a second chance romance. After over two years apart, Preston realizes how Kat is the woman for him and he’ll do everything in his power to show her he deserves a second chance.


Moody under the mistletoe 🎄
JC Jaye
Jules and PF have recently become neighbors and while he’s a grumpy hero who detest Christmas, she’s a sunshine heroine that loves Christmas. How are they going to reconcile their differences? Well, this romcom will heat up your kindle! That’s for sure.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, I am loving these anthologies. The stories in this will have you getting into the Christmas spirit quickly. There are different tropes that I was able to keep reading without stopping because I couldn't get enough.

[The Lusty Literarians · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Holiday Anthology!

Stocking Stuffers combines my love of holiday romance and charitable giving! This Christmas romance anthology has all proceeds going towards St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital! Before I even started reading this anthology I knew we were off to a wonderful start. I read two out of the nine stories, so please note that my review will focus solely on those.

It Came Upon a Midnight Claire by Shanna Swenson-

Tropes of Contemporary Romance, Meet-Cute, Fake Boyfriend and Exotic Locale. 

A chance run in at a bar in Italy is the start of a whirlwind vacation for Ben and Claire. Claire is avoiding her cheating ex at all costs when Ben jumps to her rescue. Their fake relationship quickly turns into the real thing and the sparks never stop flying! I thought this story was really hot and cute. Ben is a gentleman in the streets, alpha in the sheets. Even though their relationship is very fast paced it still felt organic and natural.

A Narwhal for Christmas by Kyra Fox-

Tropes of Office Romance, Secret identity, and Opposites Attract.

I really liked this story because I felt like Alice and I were the same person! Alice tends to be an introvert who is focused on doing her job well and maintaining the small number of friendships she has. She is a quality over quantity kind of girl, which I can appreciate. Hugo is externally an over the top personality with an internal shy guy. I really liked the slow burn of their relationship. I also loved that Alice’s brain and ability to do her job was a major turn on for Hugo.

Overall I’d give this Antho 4 out of 5 stars!

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC for my honest opinion
Feel the magic of Christmas with this Anthology from 9 different authors through a variety of thropes.
Most of these authors were new reads to me and i will deffinatly be reading more of their books in the near future.
Shanna Swenson - It Came Upon a Midnight Claire
Wished it was longer but maybe Ben and Claire can get their own full book someday . It had all the cozy christmas feels and was both sweet and hot .
JD Park - How-To-Holiday
Sweet second chance romance that warms your heart. It was so sweet and it felt like you got to expirience the San Diego Christmas spots and all the lights right along with Blair and Maddox .
Melissa Williams - Snow Much Trouble
Funny sweet and hot ,love it so freaking much.I both want and need more of Willa and Davis. Age gap , small town and Christmas. Jackpot!
Sutton Fox - Christmas Ever After
A quick sweet insta love during christmastime and it has puppies! just wished it was a little longer would have loved to read more about Carter and Ruby.
Nicole Rodrigues - Her Secret St.Nick
Sweet slow burning romance that gives you hope that there is good people out there. I need more cuz that ending gaah.
Kyra Fox - A Narwhal For Christmas
A sweet slowburning-ish office romance with heat about finding yourself , beeing okay with who you are and the magic of the Narwhal.
ML Preston -  Wine Over Cocoa
Sweet with funny moments and sexytimes with enough heat to melt the snowstorm outside. But it needs to be longer cuz i really want more of Ryan and Callie.
Morgan James - Vixen
Second chance Christmas romance with all the feels that is both naughty and nice loved it.
JC Jaye - Moody Under The Mistletoe
Freaking Loved this one i mean come on a foulmouthed tatted up alpha male with a beard umm yes please and thank you! It was sweet and hot with some funny bits thrown in and all the Christmas feels.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of entertaining short stories with Christmas romances by a multitude of authors. Each story has it's own couple with their own story to tell. All of them do a great job delivering sweet and sexy holiday reads. You will have hours of reading pleasure with wonderful Christmas Anthology.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Romance Anthology, once I read this then went to review and saw what the money was going toward I had to also buy it.The stories are well written and are by Authors I have read before.I know I will read this set again. This set of Christmas stories was well worth reading.

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of several christmas romances. The stories are all different and will brighten your holidays.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book with short stories to tickle every romance trope! I really enjoyed this multi-author book as each story was different and all the alphas were pretty swoon-worthy and there was so much chemistry between them and their leading ladies. It was a great way to spend a rainy weekend!

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful anthology of 9 Christmas novellas that fill you up with holiday cheer there's something for everyone in this anthology Santa🎅 brought a trope for all the nice and naughty girls. I also really love the fact that this book benefits the St. Jude Children's Hospital which is a very worthy cause. I'm going to give you a quick look at a few of the stories so you get an idea:
A Narwhal For Christmas🎄 Kyra Fox🎅-Although they've worked together in the same PR company Hugo only notices Alice now and with the office doing a secret Santa game get ready to melt.
Vixen🦌Morgan James❄-We get a charming second chance romance with Preston and Katarina's story. After he had to spend over two years without her Preston now knows that Kat is the only woman for him and he will do anything he has to do to show her that he deserves another chance.
How To Holiday🎄 JD Park 🎅-We get a beautiful second chance romance featuring Maddox and Blair who are college sweethearts gone awry. Read this to see what happens in San Diego.
I would definitely recommend reading this wonderful Holiday Anthology that helps support such a worthy cause.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of stocking stuffers, and I loved them. One of the stories in it is 'It came upon a Midnight Claire' - in which a freshly dumped Claire has to attend her best friend's wedding in Venice, and her ex is there too. Luckily she bumps into Ben and the sparks fly between them, can Ben distract her and keep her? I loved the heat between these two, easy to love characters.
Another is 'A Narwhal for Christmas' - where the office Secret Santa makes the charismatic Hugo have to buy a present for the introvert Alice, and he learns him might need to rethink the present he gets her. And that he somehow missed noticing the beautiful Alice. Can he win her over? I loved Hugo who has more to him than I first though, and Alice who is so straight up with people, I loved the banter between Hugo and Alice, and their romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelchickbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stocking Stuffers is a great collection of short, steamy romance and fun Christmas stories. These authors will make your Christmas just that more cheery and hot. Who couldn't use a little heat at this time of year.

You have a secret santa that almost kills you then makes your heart beat faster and your knees give out. A couple of second chance romances that have you swooning over the male character. Then in the age gap romance, you end up renting a house with a hot and sexy older man in uniform. A billionaire and an island holiday gets you to needing to go for a swim. Could a secret identity be the one for you?

Grab this outstanding anthology will have you loving Christmas all that much more.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Stocking Stuffers as there was so much Christmas cheer. There are 9 short stories is this book and I have to say that all the authors are new to me. There should be a story for even them most grinchy like reader. Not only were these stories everything that is warm and fuzzy but the proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Step into the Christmas magic and see if you can't find a story that makes your wishes come true. I don't want to spoil anything about these stories but I enjoyed all the stories and the new authors. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katslovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most perfect Christmas Anthology ever!!! Even single story was perfect and once I started reading I couldn't stop.

From Christmas in Venice, to second chances, to work place romance, to Secret Santas, to grumpy police chiefs, to one night stands becoming so much more and to neighbors who find love. This book was full of wonderful stories perfect for Christmas that I really can't recommend enough and most of all the spectacular cause that this anthology supports: St Jude Childrens Hospital.

So if you are looking for a perfect Christmas read with amazing characters and lots of steam then look no farther this anthology is what you need!!!

[Babara-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this Anthology for the holidays by the different authors: Kyra Fox, Melissa Williams, ML Preston, Morgan James, JC Jaye, Nicole Rodriques, Sutton Fox , JD Park and Shanna Swenson!

They include a smorgasboard of all the favourite tropes: Second Chance Romance, Meet Cutes, Fake Boyfriends,Age Gap Romance, Undercover Boss, Secret Identity and matchmakers galore!

Each author brings life to their story and of course lots of tears! (I did shed a couple of gallons for the characters are so sweet and sometimes grumpy or definitely cocky alpha males and sassy females that will cause a smile or two while reading!

The steamy love scenes in and out of the bedroom is enough to melt your kindle or reading device so be forwarned!

I can definitely recommend this Anthology!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I continue on with actually reading Christmas stories, I came across Stocking Stuffers filled with all kinds of Christmas goodness, so I have another anthology fit to be read every year around this time. I know of a few of these authors, but the majority of them are new to me, so now there are a bunch of new authors on my list to check out. I promise there's something for everyone with the multiple tropes like second chance, workplace romance, and age gap goodness that pack a big punch despite them being short stories. I think the best part of this anthology, on top of the Christmas magic, is the fact that these amazing authors are giving ALL proceeds to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for all those tiny humans who have cancer so there's absolutely ZERO reason not to hit those one click buttons immediately! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[linda wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome boxset from a collection of different authors whose work i haven't read before , and guess what i really enjoyed reading them over the last few days in between reading other books , loved all the characters and liked the storylines , this is just a bundle of books to get you into the Christmas spirit

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Stocking Stuffers: A Christmas Romance Anthology' is a collection of nine novellas written by multiple authors all set during the Christmas holidays. All proceeds from your purchase goes to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Each story is a standalone and and there are no cliffhangers. These books offer something for everyone with alpha males and feisty heroines, and diverse tropes from friends to lovers, second chances, instalove, and so much more. The stories are well written and full of laughs, meddling families, secrets, trust issues, passion, and plenty of steam. I enjoyed these books and recommend them to anyone who likes a bit of Christmas with their romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Reierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merry Christmas to everyone who's ever wished for a second chance at love, a do over, a first time, or a chance to believe in Santa. 😉
All these short stories have the elements all romance readers crave.
Instant spark, great banter, a little bit of humor, and of course the ever powerful HEA at the end.
So grab a copy help support a great cause and enjoy some winter magic in a book.
I have voluntarily left this review.

[Tiffany Readz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Bit of Something for Everybody

In this anthology, there is a little bit of something for everybody and a nice introduction of new to me authors. There is fake date, second chance, opposites attract, secret identity, snowed in and even next door neighbors. The secret identity storyline stuck out to me and I enjoyed getting to know Norah and Nick. It was a quirky relationship and I will definitely have to get thier book and see what happens next!

The anthology is a great read with a lot of short holiday-themed stories, perfect for this busy time of year!

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 9-book collection that will grab you from the first page of each book. In each book, the guys have their work out for them in getting their ladies. The ladies have either had a crush on them and don't they are good enough for the guys, or they had been the guy's girlfriend and the guys broke up with them and now have come back into the ladies lives and they are not sure they can go through the pain of having the guys leave them again.
This was a wonderful 9-book collection and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An anthology where every story has banter that is sharp and witty, the humour that is both sweet and salty, [and the] physical chemistry between the characters is sizzling! So no matter what type of alpha male you like you'll find him here. It’s a deliciously page-turning reads and is perfect for everyone. Happy reading everyone

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great anthology filled with stories that will get you in the Holiday Spirit. Each author did a fantastic job on their stories. They were all quick, fun reads that kept me entertained.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Manisha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book bundle for the holiday season . This bundle have great stories and the characters chemistry is on fire .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine short multi author anthology that will be sure to get you into the Christmas spirit. A great collection of steamy romances that has everything from fake boyfriends, to secret Santa and grumpiness of the holidays. All are short reads with entertaining characters and fun storylines.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stocking Stuffers is a collection of nine short holiday stories! I am reviewing
It Came Upon a Midnight Claire by Shanna Swenson- Claire is in a bar in Italy trying to avoid her cheating ex when gorgeous Ben jumps to her rescue and pretends to be her boyfriend! Only what happens when their fake relationship turns into real feelings? I read the other stories in this collection and would definitely recommend this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader03 · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something for everybody in these short instalove romances with a trope for everyone or every moment. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.