Frostbitten

Darkly Depraved Monsters

by Violet Taylor

Frostbitten is an erotic dark romance monster short. The stories of Jack Frost meet the tales of Persephone and Hades in this steamy reimagining! When Mara falls into a mysterious pool at the base of a mountain cave, she finds herself far from home, and in the frozen wastelands of the underworld. A monster rules this place. He craves her warmth and flesh, and will do anything to keep her in his icy realm. As her feelings begin to change, she is forced to choose between the life she had up above, or the one being offered to her down below. As time passes by it becomes clear that neither may be a choice. Can she save herself and those she loves before it’s too late? Frost has waited centuries for a willing vessel to fall through the pool above. When a living woman lands in his domain, things take an unexpected turn. His cold and loveless kingdom is filled with a heat he could never imagine while Mara is there, and feelings he didn’t believe he could possess. He wants to keep her in his kingdom of ice. But the clock is ticking up above. Can he stop the inevitable from taking Mara away from him? Or will he lose the only warmth his heart has ever known? Frostbitten contains sexually explicit content including scenes that may be interpreted as dubcon. Reader discretion is advised. 18+
*Frostbitten is a standalone short in the Darkly Depraved Monsters series*

Genres: Christmas, Novella, Fantasy, Holiday, Paranormal Romance, Retellings, Romance

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2022

About the author

Violet Taylor is a crystal and candle shop owner by day and a paranormal romance novelist by night. She spends her free time fantasizing about living in an isolated mountain cabin with her wonderful husband and herd of fur babies. She prefers her books with magic, mates, and plenty of muscles.

Reviews

[Lexi (updating reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, steamy winter tale that sparkles with potential and atmosphere — perfect for a quiet evening under soft blankets and twinkling lights ✨🕯️❄️

📖 Book: Frostbitten
🖋️ Author: Violet Taylor
🌟 Rating: 3.75 ✧
🖤 Genre: Dark romance fantasy (spicy)
📚 Series: Darkly Depraved Monsters
❄️ Summary: Inspired by the legend of Jack Frost, Frostbitten follows Mara, a bartender whose ordinary life takes a sharp turn when she’s swept into a world of ice and magic. After tagging along with her mountain rescuer hookup on a mission to save missing teens, Mara slips through a mysterious pool hidden deep inside a frozen cave — and wakes up in another realm entirely. There, she comes face to face with Frost, a powerful, monstrous ruler who has waited centuries for a living vessel to help him cross into the human world. But as Mara begins to melt the ice surrounding his heart, the man she left behind starts searching for her… and the lines between worlds, loyalties, and desires begin to blur ❄️✨

♡ What I appreciated:
• The retelling elements: this is one of the few retellings I’ve read that actually draws from the original tale, rather than just borrowing names for aesthetic. The threads of subplot, history, and worldbuilding made it feel intentional and thoughtfully constructed ✨📖
• The setting: vivid, enchanting, and easy to picture. A frozen, glittering wonderland layered with secrets beneath the ice ❄️🌨️
• The spice: generally well done and fitting the tone — with the exception of one particular carrot scene… which, personally, I could’ve lived without 🥕😳
• The climax: intriguing and genuinely tense. It gave the story weight and raised the stakes in a satisfying way
• The ending: neatly wrapped up and emotionally satisfying, especially for such a short format

✘ What I didn’t love:
• The romance development: the MMCs accepted both the situation — and each other — a little too quickly, which made their connection feel slightly underdeveloped
• The FMC: Mara felt a bit flat at times. With more backstory or emotional depth, she could have truly come alive on the page

───♡─────────────

୨ৎ Overall:
This was such a charming little winter read — short, yes, and a bit rushed in places, but the pacing made sense for a novella. It read like a snow-dusted fairytale with a sultry twist, blending magic, desire, and danger into something cozy yet sharp.
A quick, steamy winter tale that sparkles with potential and atmosphere — perfect for a quiet evening under soft blankets and twinkling lights ✨🕯️❄️

xoxo, until the next book 💋❄️🖤

「Darkly Depraved Monsters series」
Feast of the Vampire King — TBR
Frostbitten — 3.75 ✧
Scream for the Scarecrow — TBR
Demons and Damiana — TBR
A Web of Lust and Sorrow — TBR
Ours for Halloween — TBR
Stitches — TBR

[Iqra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was like a fever dream idek what to tell u

[Starre 🇵🇸 🍉 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think I can tell you one thing that happens in this except it ends with a threesome and at some point the fmc is f*cked with a carrot

[Peppa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I‘m sorry but I really didn’t liked this one …like the was a bit idk messy and that’s okay BUT the ending?! What was that 🧍🏻‍♀️??

Trops/kinks/safety
🖤frost god idk/human
🖤MFM
🖤dub con
🖤attempt murder?
🖤bondage
🖤breath play
🖤inappropriate use of a carrot

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick steamy monster read.

Mara calls Frost the abominable snowman, and let's just say he doesn't like that reference, so he uses a carrot to teach her a lesson. 🥕😆

I loved the ending. Mara gets the best of both worlds.

[Samantha Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy Jack Frost Novella??? YES PLEASE 🥵🥵🥵

[ForTheLoveofBrishen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The breathtaking beauty of ice  - is it weird that I just want to go skiing after reading this? I mean I fully intend to spend the next few hours on youtube watching travel vloggers go on ski trips to the Swiss Alps.

It's evoctive and a snowy white world of mesmerizing terror. At a pivotal point in the retelling, we get to dimension hop into the underworld via Mara and it's quite the treat.

Worldbuilding/Plot/Storyline/Themes: 
In about a page, the dangerous world of winter search and rescue is laid out bare in some excellent foreshadowing. I had forgotten about that disturbing Dyatlov Pass story and immediately felt some disaster was on the way at the mere suggestion of that hellish experience. But none of that compares to the ice world we eventually stumble into. Despite being somewhat formulaic a tad bit predictable - I was engaged and intrigued. I like Taylor's writing style.

Character Development/Favorite Character: 
●Jack comes across as dependable and charismatic, a tower one can lean on and his team clearly trusts him. He also comes across as hot and a little haunted, so there's that.
●Frost is all carnal and monstrous and impatient.
●Marais living the dream though. Cheers girl.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene:: 
Frost and all his arms take Mara. Who knew four arms were goals?

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:  
●There is something so flawless, beautiful, and unforgiving about ice (Jack descending into mystery)
●And Jack…well, Jack is convinced
he loses everything he loves.(Mara on Jack )
●“If it’s not safe for me, it’s not safe for you.” (Mara on Jack's moment of insanity)

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts: 
Teddy The Golden Retriever Rescue Dog - I defy anyone to say otherwise. Who's a good boy! You are Teddy!
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025 

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting how they came up with the name Jack Frost! This was an interesting novella. Very spicy. Mara and Jack were pretty easy going. I thought the idea of falling through water and coming out in another world was cool. The writing was good as well.

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

[Ashlyn’s Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: 🎧 via Speechify

What an interesting take on Jack Frost - Frost is the demon king of his realm, when Mara falls in. It twists in ideas of Hades and the underworld with the River of the Dead - kind of reminds me of that crazy lake in Harry Potter when him and Dumbledore destroy that horcrux.

Dark romance, a monster, and magic.

Ends in MFM

[Britney Jean | JeanInTheHeatOfBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, steamy, and full of surprises. A perfect mix of mythology and modern flair — and that plot twist? Didn’t see it coming, but absolutely loved it!

- Under 100 pages
- Rescue mission
- 4 armed MMC
- Why Choose
- Persephone & hades retelling

[Danielle Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll never be able to look at a carrot the same.

[Ava Ly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was wild 🤣 it was short but packed with spice, plot twists, and a fun unconventional HEA. If you want a dark, monster, holiday romance (i mean who doesn’t??) this is for you

[Weronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels like being back on Ao3 with all the filthy fanfics. Filth with happy ending amd little plot, as entertaining as expected

[Baiba Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry Christmas!

A short masterpiece, cuddle into a very warm blanket, because this book is full of Frosty spice! I loved the plot! You will never look at a snowman with the same eyes again!

[guapito.reynolds04 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bueno, hablemos de este libro, man me gusto mucho, en serio, o sea tuvo severo plot twist que yo quede como payasa mk, nunca me vi venir eso, fue entretenido, corto y fácil de leer, y muy invernal JAUAJAJJA, man perdonen mis chistes rancios jajsj. Desglosemos este libro parte por parte, empezando con los personajes, Mara se me hizo una chica linda, que sabe lo que quiere y lo expresa, sarcástica (es de las mías man jsjs), amorosa pero que no lo expresa, compasiva, que ayuda y apoya a las personas que son merecedoras de su amor (ejem Frost y Jack) y ya man, o sea no es que haya mucho desarrollo emocional de ella JAUAJAJAJ, algo que me gustó mucho de su personaje fue con la facilidad que tomó una decisión man, yo si lo hubiera analizado y pensado más, pero no, ella hizo un MEGA SACRIFICIO al tirar a Jack (alguien del que esta enamorada) para que Frost pudiera ser libre (otro que ama), es muy loco que alguien ame a dos personas totalmente diferentes (en serio, hasta de especie lo son JAJAJAJ, uno es un semidiós demonio y el otro es un humano) pero bueno, siempre llega alguien a callarme la jeta JAUAJAJ.

Continuando, hablemos de Jack, la verdad si pensé que el iba a quedar con Mara pero luego sentí lástima cuando vi que ella disfrutaba más con el hombre de nieve aka Frost (o sea no la culpo, yo también le daría a Frost man), pero luego quede clown cuando quedaron los tres juntos JAUAJAJAJJA, en fin, viva el amor? I guess.

Por otro lado, me encantó el personaje de Frost man, o sea un demonio melancólico que solo anhela compañía y calor (literalmente) es mi tipo de hombre :D además, de que se me hizo muy cute su actitud con Mara, con la delicadeza con la que la trataba pero ya cuando iban hacer cositas malas, era lo suficientemente rudo y creativo man, me gusto mucho lo que hizo con la zanahoria JAUAJAJAJ, me quedé en shock cuando leí eso jsjs. Igualmente, me gusto que llegara a un acuerdo con Jack y supiera compartir a Mara con él.

Algo que le resta puntos para mi, es que Jack y Frost no hubieran desarrollado alguna relación amorosa, o sea si tienen cierta complicidad por su amor hacia Mara, pero me hubiera gustado que fuera una relación donde los 3 se amaban, pero bueh, maybe pido mucho.

En cuanto a la trama, me gusto mucho man, se me hizo algo diferente (es la primera vez que leo un libro del hombre de las nieves jsjsj), me encantó el entorno mágico pero a la vez hóstil que era el Reino de Hielo de Frost, siento que ese reino refleja su personalidad man, como es amable, tierno y amoroso con los seres buenos e inocentes, pero a la vez justo y cruel con las personas que fueron malos y no merecen piedad, se me hace algo muy como los siete círculos de Dante man (si, fui obligada a leer ese libro en el colegio), así que 10 de 10. A la vez se me hizo muy chistoso y cagado lo de los nombres man como uno se llama Jack y el otro Frost y cuando se unen (Frost ocupa el cuerpo de Jack), se convierten en Jack Frost JAUAJAJAJAJ (la autora se la polimamo).

En fin, es un buen libro gente, se los recomiendo y espero que lo lean. Bais :D

[Robin.Bookish.Escape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunky lumberjack-esq men with a savior complex, an Ice King who desires to warm his bead and heart, and a barmaid who wasn’t looking for love but finds more than she could have ever imagined. Spice, Hades/Persephone vibes, why choose romance, portals, winter and show… sure to heat up your TBR list!!!

This story follows Jack, a rough and rugged search and rescue team leader in the cold wilderness of Colorado. When he is called out on a call to save some teenagers who got a little too curious on the mountain in the middle of winter, he hears a creepy call for help in an ice cave. His internal instincts tell him to run, but the rescuer in him forces him to search for this lost voice only to find a dead end and no one there. To celebrate a successful rescue, the team stops off at the normal bar for drinks. Mara, the sultry bartender and secret lover, makes sure Jack is very much satisfied with his evening. After they delve into each other, Jack is startled awake by a feeling that he left someone in the ice cave. Jack (and Mara, against his best judgement) head to the cave in the dead of night. They find the wall and behind it, a pool of water. As Mara slips into the pool, she finds herself in a weird and alternate universe that she learns is only the place of legends. Enthralled in the Ice King’s grasp she finds herself feeling more than just the cold and in a wonderful twist, she learns that she can indeed have her cake and eat it too!!

Short and completely captivating read that will surely leave you feeling the heat of the story. Although this is a brief read, it didn’t feel rushed or that parts of the story were left unfinished. Skillfully written as with all Violet Taylor stories, you feel as though you are right alongside the characters.

[Kodi B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick steamy read is perfect for anyone whose ever fantasized about Jack Frost or the abominable snowman!! It's fast paced dives right into the story and doesn't disappoint, the only thing I wish is that there was more!! I need more Jack and Frost!! Yes the lucky fmc, Mara, has not one but two men after her heart. After Jack, a man who risks his life to save others, is drawn back to a cave literally beckoning him to come back. Only Mara won't let him go it alone. Quickly finding a mysterious puddle of water that's unusually not frozen like it should be, Mara falls into another world. Finding Frost on the other side, an ice God with some surprises that aren't quite human. Smitten with one another, she's yanked back to reality. Jack is there to save her life but will she sacrifice his for her new found lover?

... What to Expect ...
- monster romance, Jack Frost retelling, abominable snowman, four hands, fangs, carrot play, bondage, mfm, danger, and a HEA!

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! 🌶🌶

Well... after seeing some delicious 🌶🌶🌶 art of tvese two, I had to finally read this. It's been sitting in my app library as I collected this author's ebooks, now finding a few physical versions to get here in NZ!
I loved Mara, Jack and Frost, both males, equally sexy and hot! It's Jack that senses there is a 'being' behind the ice, after rescuing the teenagers. But it's Mara that passes through. I loved the scene with the carrot, you'll have to grab the book to find out more! It was a quick read and brought back my English childhood memories of white Christmases. We rarely see snow where I live and it's heading into a hot Summer. A great story and always excited to read more from this lovely author. Grab it and enjoy!! 😍😍😍😍

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frostbitten
A Steamy Jack Frost reimagining short
Darkly Depraved Monsters book two
Violet Taylor
Stars:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
HEA
**Read trigger warnings!!!**
This review may contain spoilers.

Tropes:
- [x] MMMonsters!
- [x] PNR
- [x] Dark romance
- [x] Retelling
- [x] Menage

LOVE INTERESTS:
Jack
Mara
Frost (frost demon)

Cute Jack Frost short story with Persephone/Hades vibes. I originally started this book because it was part of a Halloween themed stories but this would definitely be more winter/Christmas. I could really get into this if it was longer and had more of a backstory and more details overall but it’s good for what it is!

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
spice: 2/5

I read the first three novellas in this series, and I have to say that this one is my favorite so far.
Who knew that four arms would be so hot?

I like that this novella is not written in first person and not in third person like the previous ones.
I love how this story was built. From the beginning till almost the end. I didn't expect it suddenly to become MFM. Somehow, I would have even preferred it not to be, but okay.

Loved how the relationship between Mara and Frost evolved and how protective and soft he can be with her.
The smut isn't bad either. I can never look at a carrot the same, tho.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Mara finds herself in the icy underworld she becomes a source of heat in the heart of Frost the demon god of Frost who resides there, his cold heart thawing with Maras presence. The two find themselves drawn to another and their deep desires burst through but shes still of the living world and times ticking, with someone's waiting to rescue her from above. This is well written steamy, a unique take on the Jack Frost tale, mixed with Hades and Persephone, with a twisting surprise ending!.

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

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story that combines the real world and Jack and Mara. Jack and Mara go into a cave and discover a pool that should be frozen but isn't. Mara falls in and enters into the fantasy realm of the ice kingdom and meets Frost. Frost is stuck there without a human male body. Mara loves both Jack and Frost and gives into her desires for each. When a opportunity arises for all of them to be together Mara takes it. It is a steamy story of Jack and Frost merging into one in a fantasy realm.

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

[Shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

HAHAHAHAH OH NOO!?! Frosty’s carrot nose!!??!! That was a choice. That was a timeee. Ironically this book was a fever dream for the whole thing taking place in the ice death realm ruled by an ice god with four icy arms??? I felt like I had a temperature of at least 107° while reading the panty melting spice in this book (pun intended). Can I recall a single thing that happened? No. But just know something happened and at one point there is a crazy sacrifice, a threesome, and someone gets f*cked with a carrot. I- I leave you with that.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mara and Jack are in a mountain ice cave when an avalanche sends her into a mysterious pool of water. Mara finds herself in an underworld Kingdom of Ice with a monstrous Frost who desires her warmth and her. The kingdom may be icy and cold but the sexy action is ultra-hot and steamy. Frost is coldly demanding but Mara warms him and Frost needs a vessel to be able to journey to the world above. Lovely wintry quickie with meltingly hot sexy scenes.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unique Origin of Jack Frost

Jack and Mara venture out into a blizzard after Jack finds something odd during one of his rescues. The result of that find changes Mara and Jack’s lives forever. This short story has just the right combo of dark/dubious and happily ever after - I loved Mara and Frost’s time together, dark as it was, and the ending was just perfect. A great short read with icy heat.

[Linds · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️

Uh, I don’t know what I was expecting. I have read one of Violet Taylor’s full-length books and really liked it. Maybe because this is a novella, there was too much weirdness and not enough believability, world building, or plot. And I’m not here to yuck anyone’s yum, but I didn’t realize I was getting into a love interest with four arms and a carrot fetish. I enjoy spice as much as the next romantasy reader, but I have to draw the line somewhere. 🥕🙅🏻‍♀️

[Racheal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was spicy hot, full of kinks and some dark romance themes. Bdsm isn't really my thing, but if you like it, then you'll love this novella. That said, I did love the whole Ice Kingdom and lore that went with it. I wish we got to know more about Jack and what his thoughts were like towards Mara. Her connection with Frost was such a strong one, right from the start. I'm glad this had a happy ending for all.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the blend of Jack Frost and Persephone and Hades, it does a great job in telling the story it needed to and was what I was hoping it would do. The characters did a great job in working for the universe. I enjoyed the way Violet Taylor wrote this and look forward to more.

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

[ajscenic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mara is with Jack. Jack doesn’t want to commit.
Jack is in search and rescue and finds an ice river hidden away. Things seems eerie and he is compelled to go back a investigate. He takes Mara with him and she gets pulled into another world. There she meets Frost.
This is a short tale of an MFM instalove romance. If anyone wants to read a quick book with an HEA then this is a good read

[Crazy4bookscruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coolest Jack Frost retelling

I d!£d for this story!! It was interesting and pulled me in quick from the start.. had me questioning where the story was heading then it was absolutely hot 🥵 the spicy scenes with Frost had me dripping 💧
I definitely didn’t expect the ending but it was made all the better.
Quick fun and easy read