I came for a Christmassy romp and did not get that.

The quality of the smut was not there, or enough, to balance out the so very many questions I had around WHY?! Give me fighting holidays/fae/seasons, whatever, but I need a WHY. What is at stake? The premise was great, but this novella did not get there for me.

A super spicy novella that filled me with joy and a break from holiday responsibilities! It was a flirty and fun storyline. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Nicky (Nicholas Claus Jr) has always been more interest in winning over the lady elves than in learning the family business of running Christmas. But when the North Pole and Christmas is threatened, he teams up with head elf Alva...and sparks start to fly.

Winning the Christmas Prince's Heart is an incredibly fun, seasonal, very spicy quick read. I loved the attention to detail of their lives at the North Pole - references to Norse mythology rather than Christian (after all, they are older than Christianity...and they live in Scandinavia). I also appreciated a book that really centred the importance of Mrs Claus. Too often, Mrs Claus is considered a background helper for Santa, rather than an essential part of the team. It was great to see a book that really considered her work to make a real difference for Christmas. After all, getting all the gifts ready for the whole world is a good job.

The mystery subplot was incredibly fun and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, spicy holiday romance.

A fun, definitely adult novella. Red hot chilly pepper spicy, delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream. If you like those Christmas romance movies, the sort where they meet, don’t like each other, then end up can’t get enough of each other, then this is for you. Thank you to Three Brothers Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I went into Winning the Christmas Prince's Heart with very specific expectations, and those experiences were met.

Nick, Nicholas Claus Jr, is a bit of a playboy. In order to learn some responsibility and actually inherit the throne of Christmas, his father (Santa, obviously) needs him to grow up. Santa tells Nick he has 2 weeks to find a bride. Not to worry, Miss Alva Brightwinter, head elf, is taking care of all the logistics, he just needs to show up to go on dates with the suitresses. Alva is everything that Nick isn't and he finds that (and her little elvish figure) wildly attractive. When Comet and Blitzen get sick just before Christian, Nick and Alva set out to find a cure. And what better way to get to know someone than being trapped in a shelter during a blizzard....

Olivia Boothe leaned all the way into the worldbuilding in this fun Christmas novella. It's a surface level read where nearly everything is "romance reasons" and for a book this tone, that's completely OK. It's light on plot and character development, but strong on fun.

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. My biggest issue was the spice—it was way over the top and filled with vocabulary that made me cringe. Lines like “her warm slickness was so intense, it summoned my own eruption” took me out of the story completely. It felt excessive, like it was trying too hard to be steamy, and there was so much of it that it overshadowed everything else. Nick and Alva’s relationship came across as purely physical, with no real romance to back it up. Every interaction seemed to revolve around sex, leaving their connection feeling shallow and one-dimensional.
The story’s length was another major letdown. At just 120 pages, it felt rushed and underdeveloped. The premise had so much potential, but the execution made it feel like a draft instead of a fully fleshed-out story. There was room for a more complex journey to find the heart of Yule, deeper insight into the Frost Queen’s schemes, and genuine romantic moments between Nick and Alva. Instead, everything was cut short, leaving the plot thin and unsatisfying.
As for the characters, I couldn’t get behind them. Nick’s transformation from playboy to head-over-heels in love happened in just two chapters—two! And Alva, who’s supposed to be a feared and powerful leader, folded way too easily. Their insta-love lacked depth, and there wasn’t enough time for meaningful character development. Instead, their personalities felt inconsistent and, frankly, boring.
This had the bones of a great story, but the rushed pacing, lack of depth, and overwhelming spice made it hard for me to enjoy. With more time spent on the characters and plot, this could’ve been something special, but as it stands, it fell flat.

Review posted on GoodReads. Published 12/10/2024

Wow!!! 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a heartwarming holiday romance that combines the magic of the Christmas season with a dash of royalty. The novel follows the journey of a down-to-earth woman, often feeling out of place in her glamorous life, who unexpectedly finds herself falling for a charming prince. The plot is a blend of festive cheer, royal intrigue, and personal growth.

The main characters are likable, with the heroine being relatable in her vulnerability and emotional journey. She is neither perfect nor overly idealized, which gives her character depth and makes her easy to root for. The prince, while being the traditional “royal heartthrob,” has enough layers to make him more than just a fairytale figure, as his own struggles and dilemmas bring a sense of realism to the story.

Boothe’s writing is engaging and easy to follow, with descriptions that evoke the cozy, magical feel of Christmas while still maintaining a sense of modernity. The pacing is steady, though it can occasionally feel predictable, as the book hits many familiar beats for romance lovers, especially those who are fans of royal-themed stories. However, this predictability doesn’t detract from its charm; instead, it allows readers to settle into the holiday spirit with ease.

The romance itself is sweet, filled with moments of emotional connection and some lighthearted tension. There’s a nice balance of holiday cheer, personal reflection, and romantic build-up, making it an ideal book to read during the Christmas season.

If you’re looking for an easy, feel-good read that combines royal romance with holiday magic, Winning the Christmas Prince offers a satisfying escape. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a blend of lighthearted drama, festive settings, and a love story with a happy ending.