ashliesydel's Reviews (1.54k)

There is no sex in this book. I repeat this is a spice free book. Ya'll know I saw that cover and was like I bet he's gonna lay that candy cane pipe. But NO, there was none of that.

With that said, you know what there is???

Forehead kisses, the absolute BEST hugs that brought warmth and security, slow dancing, hand holding, eye contact, smirks, flirting, him stepping in to take on that father role to her son. He's an elf with a case who finds himself while on parole lol.

Elph was incredibly attractive, likable, and a dream. My face literally hurt from smiling so hard while reading this. I adored the chemistry between him and the FMC.

Our girl Jasmine is a single mom who lost her husband on Christmas Day a few years ago. She lost her dream life and is now working her ass off to provide for her six-year-old son and can't muster the strength to show any holiday cheer.

When she crosses paths with this thugish Christmas elf, her entire life changes.

On top of the cute lil romance between these two, the relationship between mother and son is explored.

I loved this and it could totally be a Hallmark movie. If they cussed and took place in the projects...

 This short story collection did not miss. Usually in a collective there is 1 or 2 stories that fall short or don't seem to flow. But EVERY single story in this collection did what it was supposed to do.

I got so many vibes from this. I felt the innocent yet ominous thrills from Goosebumps, and the bloody, fucked up Tales from the Crypt. There is some serious dark humor in between these pages and it's not for the weak. Each story fed another and karma was serving.

This was an incredible winter themed dark story collection that doesn't have to wait for Christmas. I would love to see this adapted by Jordan Peele. 

 Mrs. Claus is a fking sociopath and I was here for it.

This was my first read by this author and it will NOT be the last. This book was hyped in my thriller/horror reader groups. When I saw it was quick read, I couldn't not jump on the train. Plus, everyone was saying they will NEVER be able to look at Santa and Mrs. Claus the same again. I NEEDED all the tea.

This story did not disappoint. True crime podcasters host a four-part series with serial killer Charismia Claus. Wife to the infamous jolly sex addicted cheating no good low-down dirty man the world knows as Santa Claus.

Charismia refused to use call that man Santa and instead refered to him by his government name. She told us all how it went down. From how they met to the wrongs and what made her snap.

For a good part of the book, I was on her side... but let me just say, sis is NOT innocent in that relationship. I was shook. This was such a fun and entertaining read, and I highly recommend it. I hope the author does a follow up or a few spin offs. 

 How does one take a journey through grief and survivor's guilt while using 101 metaphors that incorporate Grimms Fairy Tales, African Folklore, Candyland, Into the Forest, and Hansel & Gretel??

I could never but Amber did it. And it was amazing. Thought provoking, reflective, emotional, and will forever stay with me.

It's funny, I can write really long reviews about some books that then there are those that I can't find the words to because all I have are feelings. This is one of those books. I have all the feels and think anyone who has ever experienced sadness, self-harmed, suicidal ideology, grief, and or guilt should read this. 

 Did I stay up until midnight waiting for Amazon to load this short story?? Yes, yes I did and I have no regrets.

If ya'll remember we met Kayland & Ora in the This Ain't Love Novella series. This was a collaborative collection of short stories where the main characters hooked up with no strings attached.

However, there were certain characters that readers loved and wanted to have an HEA so the authors came through with the continuation of certain stories under the This Is Forever series.
Now Kayland and Ora stood out from ALL the couples. Not only was Ora the ONLY Plus Size FMC out of the entire series of 16 "couples" BUT it was also the ONLY one that incorporated revenge sex.
I had to pick my jaw off my floor. Basically our "couple" are business rivals of sorts. Ora's dad's company moves to do a hostile takeover of Kayland's family business. Ora is against this because on paper it's a bad decision. 'But the daddies have history and hers is real petty.

Long story short once the deal is over our boy invites her to Seventh Heaven (Crescent Falls Primer Sex Club) and they have a good time. The BEST fucking time. But he took her there with ulterior motives.

I thought there ain't NO WAY these two can make it work. I was obsessed with Ora and wanted a follow up story on HER. I didn't NEED Kayland's punk ass. But Rene did her thing.
She had this man all in his feelings, going above and beyond to try and make amends. But in true Rene fashion she gives us a full story.

We learn more about Ora's family secrets, we see her building her bag and being a boss bitch, and she better be setting us up for a story on Ora's BFF Kash because I'm equally obsessed with her and demand she get an HEA.

I loved this soo much and it's SPICY!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND be sure to start with book one so you can feel the anger and rage towards Kayland that is required to appreciate the work he's putting in.