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It's all fun and games until someone catches feelings

Fate sends me straight into the lion's den. Or rather, the fox's den. After my dad trespassed into a powerful fox demon's territory, our family is struck with a powerful curse. Now, to remove it, I'll have to appeal to the demon's better nature.

Easier said than done. That arrogant fox demon won't be swayed by an apology basket full of treats. He does, however, need a fake mate for a week-long Winter Festival.

Though I'd be a liar if I didn't admit that our doting lovers' act was becoming harder by the day. The more time I spent with Lucca, the more his irresistible charms get under my skin. Deep down, I know it's all a game. But my heart just can't seem to get the memo. When our week-long affair comes to a close, will I really be able to walk away?

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2021

351 people are currently reading
8005 people want to read

About the author

Kimberly Lemming

12 books6,597 followers

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5 stars
3,815 (32%)
4 stars
4,257 (36%)
3 stars
2,976 (25%)
2 stars
566 (4%)
1 star
93 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,678 reviews
Profile Image for Rae (semi-hiatus).
520 reviews162 followers
October 8, 2022
Alexis was everything, please give the sword her own book

I’m surprised by how much I loved this novella. Most of the time they feel too short for me to like characters or feel the love between them, but not this one.

I jumped directly into this from That Time I Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf and now I don’t want to leave this world. While I did love Ruby and Lucca, the real winner of the story was the talking sword, Alexis. She was the ultimate MVP: best friend to Ruby, her protector, and also wouldn’t allow for any miscommunication between the MCs, no sirree!

This is so sex-positive I wish we lived in a world like this. There was no shame coming from any characters for liking, wanting, or having sex. Plus, we have diverse characters!! 👏🏻👏🏻 As per usual with this author, we had a fun story filled with an adventure (a mini one this time), laughs, and badass characters.

I do wish this had one more chapter, the last half of the last chapter felt really rushed and had an abrupt ending. I didn’t care for the catty woman who couldn’t stand that another woman turned up and apparently took all the men’s attention away from her 🥴 All of that was unnecessary and it didn’t add anything to the story. This also had a few editing errors, but not enough that they’d distract you.

Imma need more books Kimberly Lemming!
Profile Image for Sonia.
1,297 reviews2,070 followers
May 17, 2023
4 Alexis-and-rose stars

First of all, Alexis stole the show. She’s freaking hilarious.

But also… a rose? To do what? Like 🥵 jeeeezus, talk about unique 😮‍💨

Ruby’s (32) father’s a blacksmith and mined ore from the land of a fox who cursed the metal he got since all other ore has been depleted, Which means that this metal talks (ahem… dirty 😅😬) and he’s having a hard time concentrating on anything when the weapons he forges can’t stop making comments about daddy hitting them harder 🤣. So Ruby’s gonna try to talk to this fox to see if she can find a way to get this curse removed.

Alexis, the sword, goes along for the ride- Ruby needs to have a weapon with her 🤷🏻‍♀️ and Alexis is very convincing when she/it wants 🤣.

When she meets the fox, Lucca, she doesn’t count on the fact that he’s hoooot, but also, that he needs something in exchange for the curse to be lifted. He needs her to attend the Winter Festival and help convince the dragons who own the land that they’re mated and he deserves to keep the land he has.

And he knows what to do to persuade her 😉.

What I loved: possible spoilers
—the 🤣 moments, which starred Alexis. This girl/sword needs her own book! 🤣 the things she says and the f’s she gives just added to this book 🤣. She’s a SAVAGE 😮‍💨💅👏🏻

—the 🔥. Oh gawd. These demons are going to ruin all other beings with the delicious tension and 🔥 they bring to the table. And this one has one of those inch-by-inch moments 🥵

—cereal (😉💦) eating. Lucca doesn’t come out to play. He just does 🥵. And he brings out…

—rose petals and vines. Like please 😮‍💨 are you serious??? I WISH all women had selfless and creative lovers like Lucca 🥵 no wonder she saw stars 😅 (sure. He made them appear, but anywayssss)

—Insta love. Yeah. I know. It doesn’t always work but for me it worked 🤷🏻‍♀️

—the world building. I don’t know if I’m gonna ever leave this place 🤣 give me more 👀

—MINEMINEMINE. He’s JP 💅 and he has to show everyone she’s his 😉😮‍💨

—the OMD. It goes hand in hand with the JP ness. The males chasing Alexis and Ruby had me busting up 🤣 poor Ruby had to run for her life

—the OW smackdown 🤣 even though there’s owd, Lucca had no interest in that hag 💅 he’s all about Ruby. Plus, between Alexis and Ruby, she had no chance 🤣

—the cinnamon scene 🤣. I wanted to hold them all back too 🤣😅

-the sexy cover... gah... I just love this whole world

What I wanted more of:
—length 😐 (that’s what she said 🤣). This was too short 😭. I wanted more

—an epilogue 😐

—info on what happened after. Did her dad’s business recover?

Overall, I still loved this even though it was short

⚠️safety squad ⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-omd- there are males that want her. The H is possessive and jealous
-owd- there’s a female that wants the H. The H doesn’t even look at her. She tries to cause drama but she’s insignificant 🤣
-exhibitionism/tying up/Rose petaling 😅
-no protection is mentioned
-HEA/no epilogue ☹️ (it’s too short 😭)
Profile Image for 77 Twirls.
84 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2021
The AUDACITY to be this creative and original! Kimberlyyyyyyy....you had me at hello...more specifically, the first sentence!!! When I tell you, I've never read anything like her books. While everyone is retelling the same darn story differently, to come across a novella like hers is just a refreshing, gust busting with laughter, breath of fresh air! I laughed soooo hard yall! Do you hear me! I had to re-read a few passages a couple times because I couldn’t believe the banter and the dialogue! I’ve just never read characters like these! And wait until you meet Alexis! 🤣🤣🤣 Not to mention the steamy scenes.🥵

It's just so so good! It’s a quick novella. I love the creativity. I love the characters. Once again, Kimberly Lemmings delivered a fun ride.

Trust me in this one…get the book!💕
Profile Image for Gabriel.
901 reviews1,136 followers
March 30, 2023
No debo subestimar a la autora.

Sesenta páginas le han servido para crear una historia igual de loca, divertida e imaginativa como la primera. En tan poco me ha puesto a una herrera en busca de quitar una maldición a su padre y ha terminado con ella emparejada a un zorro metamorfo, una participación en un juego inclusivo por parte de los demonios y con una escena muy subida de tono bastante imaginativa y graciosa a más no poder.

Sin embargo, la mención más especial e importante se la lleva Alexis, tener una espada parlante como alivio cómico ha sido el mejor aporte que le pudo dar a esta novela corta sin duda alguna. Y es todo el tiempo que vive haciendo comentarios irónicos, sarcásticos, ácidos y punzantes que son innecesarios para la prota pero necesarios para nosotros como lectores.

Hablando del sexo, creo que se ha abusado de él. Sin embargo, las escenas han sido picantes pero sobre todo poesía pura, no podía con Lucca y sus palabras potentes y profundas. Era como que me lo tomaba en serio y a la vez no. Un poco de cringe, pero en plan sano, la vergüenza ajena me daba para seguir leyendo y partirme de la risa aún más con todo lo que pasaba.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,948 reviews4,322 followers
June 15, 2022
Yep, this is exactly what I want from a speculative romance short story - fun & fast paced, smut with a good dose of romantic connection. I really am enjoying this series!!
Profile Image for Kristina .
1,051 reviews925 followers
December 24, 2023
Cute but I needed more

It’s probably the novella effect but I didn’t enjoy this as much as the others in the series. I think everything just came about too quickly and the resolution was too easy. I needed an epilogue of them a few weeks later maybe. But it was awesome to know Alexis’ origin story and the smut was inventive and hot. The hero a bit one dimensional and suave but again, that’s probably the length of the book at play there. Not too keen on vilifying a jealous other woman, that’s been played out in romance and I’m over it. But overall a cute little read, if you like this series it’s worth a gander.
Profile Image for Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany).
2,774 reviews4,685 followers
March 28, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up

This short story is a fun addition to the series- very fast-paced, steamy, with a good romantic connection and a bit of holiday inspiration. I wouldn't start here if you haven't read the novellas yet, but if you've been introduced to the world it's a fun time.
Profile Image for Karla.
441 reviews148 followers
December 26, 2021
This book haha. This was the perfect, feel-good Christmas book. The events were as ridiculous as ever, the characters were funny and relatable and there’s always that special thing that makes Kimberly Lemmings’s books so unique. I loved this
Profile Image for Elena Rodríguez.
1,185 reviews493 followers
March 19, 2023
“We could call it Mistlefoe! Oh please say you’ll join in, Ruby !”

Novela corta que tiene lugar después de los acontecimientos de la primera novela. En ella se nos cuenta la historia de dos personajes nuevos: un metamorfo de zorro, una herrera y una espada muy especial.

Al igual que el primer libro, los personajes llegan a ser bastante carismáticos y no hay pocas escenas donde no rías o tengas una sonrisa, sobre todo por cierto personaje. Me declaro su fan incondicional.

-I love that you’re willing to let a man you just met clap those cheeks, but not those emotions. Respect.
+You are so crass.
-But at least im not brass, am I right ? Hehe, sword jokes.


Ahora, como he dicho antes este libro no pertenece a la saga principal de la novela, puedes pasar directamente al segundo, sin embargo, yo no lo te lo recomendaría porque por un lado te explican mucho más el mundo de los monstruos y por otro lado porque algunos personajes tendrán por así decirlo “relevancia” en las siguientes novelas.

-Let’s hit the open roads and go East ! Eventually, we’ll hit the sea! You know what’s in the sea, right?”
+Please tell me it isn’t sea butts. I drawled.
-Mermaid butts! it screamed, delighted.
My groan was met with a flurry of cackling. +“Let’s just get this over with. ”


Por último, solo tengo una pega y es que siento que la autora abusó un poco del fan-service, al menos para mi gusto en una novela tan corta pero bueno, es mi opinión y punto A pesar de ello, como he dicho me lo he pasado bastante bien.

PD: Señora autora, como se le ocurra hacer una historia, aunque sea corta del metamorfo de araña, cojo las cosas y tiro el libro por la ventana. Se tenía que decir y se dijo. Eso es un nivel que no pienso ni pisar.

(Spider shifter. No. No, no, no, no, no.)
-You didn’t tell me there’d be giant spiders !
+Come now vixen, don’t tell me you’ll be scared off a little spider?
Profile Image for spicykatzreads.
238 reviews307 followers
July 31, 2025
LOOOOOOVEEEEE!!!! The way I’d kill for this to be a full length novel!!!!
Profile Image for Angie.
555 reviews7,092 followers
December 9, 2022
2 ⭐️ Meh, I didn’t like it, but since it was short, I finished.

This is a fantasy romance/erotica. While the sex was steamy and the talking sword Alexis had its funny moments, I didn’t feel like there was any chemistry between the MCs, the insta-love was too much, the other woman drama was annoying and dumb, the modern slang didn’t fit, and some of the word used during sex gave me the ick. For example, it says "pussy lips" at one point, and then the MMC refers to the FMC's vagina as a "juicy little cunt".

And here are some examples of the modern diction used:

"The king has small dick energy."

"Take me to the red-light district, and we'll talk about it." Hoops and hollers erupted from the room. "I wanna see some ass!" "Remember to pee after sex."

"I love that you're looking to let a man you just met clap those cheeks, but not those emotions. Respect."



This story is definitely meant to be ridiculous fun and mindless smut. It didn't do it for me but if that's what you're looking for and insta-love and OW drama don't bother you, maybe give it a shot.
Profile Image for Sammie Reads.
1,132 reviews183 followers
January 15, 2023
Super cute and silly, loved it!!!! Ruby’s father was cursed by a fox demon after Myva, the false goddess was defeated. The curse makes all of his blacksmith creations (weapons) talk…or rather dirty talk or insult the person wielding it…in the funniest way possible!

Ruby sets out to find the demon and convince him to lift the curse. Instead, he proposes fake dating for a week so that he can convince a dragon to grant him his land. So these two set out to fool a court full of beings.

And of course they’re totally attracted to each other. I loved Lucca and Ruby, they were so funny and cute together! And sweet, and a little steamy. It was a quick, fun read that had me laughing out loud!
Profile Image for ♥Milica♥.
1,862 reviews732 followers
July 25, 2023
I feel like I'm the only one who didn't like Alexis...she was doing too much, and she was the main user of modern language. I do like that she helped to move the romance plot forward at a point but otherwise I was just cringing whenever she'd speak.

I think the humour got less funny here when compared to the first book, or at least got more immature which is a shame. And again, it's mostly the talking sword's fault. But at the same time, I'm not sure what the story would be like without her.

Since it's a novella there wasn't much character or romance development, they kinda just met and fell in love instantly, but I did like them together. I was expecting more though.
Profile Image for Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels).
1,279 reviews1,710 followers
June 1, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Oh, yeah!
Perspective: First person from the heroine’s perspective

(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from A Love Less Ordinary )

Should I read in order?
Yes, you should! Book 1 is fabulous. Though, it’s not truly necessary here for this short story (you might not understand a couple of references but I think the story will still be enjoyable!)

Basic plot:
Ruby’s father stole ore to use for his smithy and has been cursed by the fox demon that owns the territory. Ruby goes to beg him to break the curse and he requests her to pose as his mate at a festival in payment.

Give this a try if you want:
- Fantasy romance with a historical world feel, but modern dialogue
- Fox shifter hero, human heroine
- Story features a black, muscular blacksmith heroine!
- High steam for a novella
- Fake relationship
- Bargain struck – heroine wants her family’s curse removed, hero wants a date to a festival

Ages:
- heroine is 32, hero I didn’t see mentioned

My thoughts:
Oh yup. Kimberly Lemming is officially on my must read list. She’s just TOO FUN!

I love the humor in her stories – in this one, the heroine’s cursed horny sword goes on an adventure with her and is always mouthing off something hilarious. The tension and sex scenes are so good. It’s just a pleasurable read, the whole way through!

This one is a touch short at 60-70 pages so the character depth is lacking at bit (as expected), but I still thought it was a lovely quick read. I laughed and I fell in love, what is better than that?


A few other notes:


Content Warnings: Didn’t really notice any

Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Profile Image for Esther.
265 reviews250 followers
May 6, 2023
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
Safety info WITH SPOILERS:
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
Novella. No other after meeting. A bit of ow/om drama but neither is interested in others. They have sex in a hot spring and some mystical creatures saw them. I don’t mind that but maybe you will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Andrea ☾  [is inconsistently consistant].
712 reviews103 followers
December 7, 2023
3.75 ⭐️ Snowy paradise with a Demon Fox.

This might be my least favourite book in the series, and it's still almost 4 stars. I swear, Ms Lemming kills it every time!

Highlights of this book:
1- Alexis the sword. Because of course she is. I feel like she's not the best of friends, or a great confidant, but she is hilarious and I love seeing her origin story after getting to know her through the series.

2- The smut. It's always so good, but the hot springs and the flowers?!? Sign me up.

This is incredibly instalovey and instalusty so if those things bother you, this book is probably not for you, but I loved everything about it, tbh. It was fast, yes, but the novella is so short I feel like it needed to be exactly what it is.

I already want so much more!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Profile Image for Grapie Deltaco.
843 reviews2,590 followers
January 18, 2022
KIMBERLY LEMMING DOESN'T MISS!!!!!

With characters, circumstances, and an environment just as whimsical and ridiculous as ever, this book is equal parts sweet and funny. Lemming has this amazing ability to create charming men that are instantly lovable upon introduction with tangible chemistry between him and the main character to follow.

I'm obsessed with the romantic shenanigans that go on in this world.

CW: explicit sexual content
Profile Image for Lady Lex.
125 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2024
Алексіс просто топ! А все інше... Ну, трішки зашвидко. Я б воліла провести з лисом та його лисицею трохи більше часу перш ніж вона опиниться на столі...
Profile Image for Kenya | Reviews May Vary.
1,318 reviews115 followers
May 30, 2022
Our main character agrees to fake date a sexy fox “demon” in exchange for his lifting a curse from her fathers business. HEA guaranteed. This novella occurs between the other two books in the series.
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