Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Holiday Horrors

Cry for Krampus

Rate this book
I’ve been naughty… Like, run a car over your abusive ex kind of naughty. But it’s not the police coming to punish me. It’s the Krampus.

It’s the best time of the year in the mountain village I call home, known for its Krampus lore and festive enthusiasm during the holidays.

From the outside looking in, my life is perfect. I live in a winter wonderland, I’m engaged to the town’s beloved “honied ham man” and I run the town’s most precious flower shop.

No one would ever know my fiancé is an abusive psychopath who’s threatened to kill me if I ever try to leave him. It’s a secret I’ve always kept hidden, my burden to bear.

The only person who sees right through the mask I wear is my Christmas tree vendor. He follows me, watches me. He thinks he’s keeping me safe. Too bad my fiancé gets the wrong idea and flies into a jealous rage. This time, I fight back.

Now, I’ve done something bad. To escape justice, I flee to a mountain cabin to drown myself in a bottle of eggnog and spend Christmas alone.

Only I’m not alone. Turns out, the legends are true.

The Krampus is real. And he’s come to punish me for murdering my fiancé.

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 24, 2024

214 people are currently reading
1247 people want to read

About the author

Aiden Pierce

33 books1,079 followers
Aiden Pierce is a writer of dark paranormal romance and erotic horror. Her love stories are on the spooky side and usually end up with the monster or the villain getting the girl. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their three fur babies. When she's not daydreaming about the characters that live in her head, she can be found curled up on the couch with a black coffee and a dark romance novel.

Instagram: instagram.com/aidenpierceromance
TikTik: tiktok.com/@aidenpierceromance
Amazon: amazon.com/stores/Aiden-Pierce/author...
Newsletter: mailchi.mp/b9a48cf105f9/aiden-pierce-...
Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/190582886541183

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
707 (34%)
4 stars
733 (35%)
3 stars
462 (22%)
2 stars
122 (5%)
1 star
34 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
Profile Image for Brittany Ferraro.
244 reviews1,353 followers
December 20, 2025
3.75⭐️ Listen, I asked for Krampus smut, and this book gave it to me, there’s not much more to say.

It scratched the exact itch I had and gave me what I was looking for. Am I proud of it? I don’t know. Am I ashamed? Absolutely not. Would I recommend it? Hell yeah.

If you’re feeling frisky, I have a big, hairy, long-tongued, horned Krampus with a spiral-ridged 🍆 for you.

If he hands you a glass bottle, just do what you’re told. Don’t ask too many questions and have fun🙃
Profile Image for Paula Valadez.
123 reviews7 followers
November 4, 2025
Esperaba que fuera un poco más intenso sabiendo que estamos hablando de Krampus pero esta bien para ser corto 🙃
Profile Image for Darlene I read WAY to many books.
3,680 reviews2,440 followers
December 31, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
So Clara is in an abusive relationship and is finally tired of being treated like a punching bag, so she decided to finally give that man a taste of his own medicine. She is sorta caught by Bastion he's known her forever and has liked her but has a deep dark secret. He helps her hide the body and promises he won't tell, but she'll be punished. Lol, Clara thinks he's joking and hopes she isn't caught.

Little did she know that the Bastion family curse is well he's Krumpas, and he's going to punish her lol and not a bad punishment in her eyes.


Om drama, no cheating, drama, sexy times, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Slowburnish
Murder
gore
domestic/spousal abuse
loss of a parent
Abandonment
light body horror
violence
monster appendages
size difference
cage play
chain play
Foreign object insertion
blood play
Hea
Epilogue
Profile Image for Mel (Epic Reading).
1,120 reviews351 followers
December 25, 2025
There was a lot more plot in this short story than I was expecting!! And even some good character development. The last 20% is super smutty, as expected. I like all of it except maybe one scene with a bottle that seemed a bit unnecessary… and icky. But otherwise I was quite impressed.
Albeit my expectations were quite low, I mean Krampus smut can only be so good, lol. I’d say most will be quite happy with this little bit of spice to add to the holiday season! :)
Profile Image for Sydni Donahue.
485 reviews41 followers
December 12, 2025
Cry for Krampus ⭐️⭐️.8-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating on a novella scale. If you couldn’t already tell krampus is my new thing. This started off super strong. I was hooked and invested into the storyline. I liked bastion from the moment we met him. Then I got a little less interested as their relationship progressed. I wanted the krampus to be a bit scarier and I don’t love our fmc as time went on. But this was fun story with a fun town. What made me upset tho and why it’s hard to give it a 3 is because THE SMUT WAS SO UNDERWHELMING. I wanted intense incredible beautiful monster smut and I get below mid monster smut. I would’ve read a whole book about these two and would’ve loved to see him fall in love with her over the years but oh well. This accomplished a decent amount for the size. I want a Krampus for myself please
Profile Image for Kate V.
1,846 reviews366 followers
December 30, 2024
Cry For Krampus is a short and smutty monster romance. Bastion’s family curse of becoming Krampus feels heavy until he decides to let himself claim what he’s always wanted as well as let the demon inside him out to play.

”And what more of a perfect punishment could there be for the little beast than chaining her to my cock as my new mate?”


Clara has been stuck in an abusive relationship for quite some time until she decides to save herself. Bastion, the man always in her orbit, helps her clean up the mess…for a price. A price she’s more than willing to pay.

I loved Bastion’s bad boy attitude and bittersweet devotion to Clara. He was delicious. Clara was a witty and fierce heroine that finally went after what she wanted. Cry For Krampus was hot and fun. I hope Aiden writes more in this world. I wanted more!
Profile Image for Kade.
156 reviews5 followers
December 22, 2024
4.5 ⭐️

WOW. Okay I have been DYING for a Krampus read for a while now and I’m so so glad Aiden did it!! They never fail with their stories or smut! And their monster novella series? HITS EVERY TIME!

First we get our FMC, Clara, who’s in a dire situationz It truly is a “she saves herself in this one” type deal. Love that!! And our MC, Bastian? Good LORD. WHAT A LUCKY GIRL TO HAVE THIS MAN! 😩

Overall had a great time and I can’t wait to add to my collection of novella’s from Aiden Pierce!
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,817 reviews506 followers
November 21, 2025
This was a smutty and very dark romance with a woman who decided she was done with her abusive partner and the guy that was stalking her. It was high on the dark justice and the kink. Fun holiday read.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: murder, violence, gore, poisoning, strangling/choking, purposeful car vs human collision, domestic violence, grief from parent death (past), isolation from support, kidnapping, hogs consuming deceased human, inebriation
Profile Image for aly✨.
100 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2025
Huge thank you to Aiden Pierce and her team for my first ever ARC! I think I literally screamed when I got the email. Anyway, here's my review:

4 ⭐

Clara, girl, you're an icon. As someone who can relate to her not-so-perfect life, I was so thrilled (is that bad?) when she killed her husband. Clara saves herself was more than a sentence; she really took it to heart and I love that for her. Even in this short novella, we get to watch her grow and be who she's always been with a man who truly loves and adores her (and gives into to her every fantasy).

Speaking of that man, Bastion, my king. First off let me say, funnily enough, my dog's name is Bastion 😂 so for the whole book, he was simply Krampus in my head. Truly a king and I love that he uses his evil for naughty purposes. He did provide me with a favorite quote:
"I knew what kind of books she liked to read. Whenever I saw her reading a new title between lulls at her shop, I went and picked up the book for myself."

I loved these two. I really enjoyed the backstory for them and then the little preview of their life together. It was just enough to feel like we weren't being just thrown into this random story; there's a history and a deep desire that is there from the very beginning. Even in this short time frame, I feel as if I got to know both of them fairly well. The spice was excellent as it always is with Aiden's books. I mean, a cage? Love. The only other thing I have read involving a cage was Bleed for Cupid, so thank you Aiden for giving us more cage content! 😂
5 reviews
December 27, 2024
Horribly bad and lazy writing. The start is ok but after that it's all downhill from there.
Profile Image for Chey.
389 reviews8 followers
December 23, 2024
*Short story
*Krampus
*The perfect mix between naughty and holiday vibes
This whole series is perfect and, of course, the Christmas novella was too. This story is for every girl that loves monster romance and thought that it was a good idea to be punished by Krampus (and how well he do it).
Profile Image for Kaylee Cuevas.
162 reviews
December 26, 2024
Y'all! I received this ARC from one of my most favorite authors ever, Aiden Pierce! This was my first ARC for her and, as expected, she absolutely did not disappoint! 😍🖤

Clara and Bastion are the perfect couple for all you filthy monster lovers out there! 😍

The way Bastion helps Clara come out of her shell and remember who she really is is awe inspiring! We should all strive to have a Bast in our lives! 🖤

You'll never look at the Krampus the same again!

Grab your mop and bucket ladies, you're going to need them for this read! 🫠😘

READ IT!!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Angie.
1,775 reviews22 followers
November 21, 2025
Clara has terrible taste in men… and monsters.
Profile Image for Andi Downs.
1,446 reviews14 followers
December 29, 2024
Well I had this pop up in my email and had to grab it! A great, quick, erotic, Krampus read, but with dark elements. Clara is making ends meet with her florist business. She has a fiancé who is a piece of work! 🤬 But... there is Bastion, a guy she's known most of her life. Despite her behaviour towards him, he's always watching out for her. He has a secret! He's not who she thinks he is and it's only when she decides to take her future into her own hands, that she finds out. I loved that she fought back, finally!
Bastion arrives to witness her resolve and reveals who he is. It is graphic in places, ie: feeding to the pigs! But as you read you will agree, action was needed. 😈 A great ending does come. 😉 And left me wanting more. This is part of the Holiday Horrors series, of which I only have one to grab and enjoy. 😍😍
Profile Image for Lanae (findmeonsmutlane).
787 reviews23 followers
December 26, 2024
This was a super intriguing little Krampus novella. I liked the story and the aspect of the FMC taking her power back! But the Krampus part was actually way less than I was hoping. We really only get Krampus for the last maybe 15-20% and even then it's not the whole time. The spice was also a little tame compared to the rest of the story. I was expecting a little darker, but it was relatively tame for monster romance.

I still enjoyed the story a ton though! And it's a great Christmas monster romance!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
441 reviews46 followers
August 13, 2025
I liked Burn for Jack & needed a Christmas themed book for a challenge. This one was okay. Definitely liked the direction the story was going. Wish there was more time with Krampus. The romance/MC's didnt connect for me. Also felt a bit inconsistent.
Profile Image for ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn.
1,954 reviews104 followers
December 22, 2025
With all the holiday reads, I wanted something a little different. A little darker. A little on the fence of Hallmark, Devilish and Smutty. And Cry for Krampus scratched that itch. Small town holiday with interesting characters. Where people have secrets and they just may act on them.

Clara is with her high school sweetheart, but things between them have gone downhill. She doesn't know how to get out, but an old friend of hers, Bastion, always seems to be there for her. When he gives her a gift for Christmas, she begins to see that she must save herself.

If you want a little murder and Krampus with your holiday reads, this is a short and fast-paced story that actually flowed pretty well. I liked how it started and I liked how Bastion was there for Clara after she takes matter into her own hands. The transition from Clara "saving herself" to finding out Bastion's secrets wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and loved that I got a darker yet fun Holiday Horror romance.
Profile Image for Phylicia.
642 reviews11 followers
December 22, 2024
“Clara was also quite the little beast when pushed.”

4⭐️ This is an epic and horrific Krampus story! I am here for it.

Firstly the FMC loves reading dark romances. Hello did we just become best friends?!
Secondly she’s fiesty as when she finds her mettle and I love how she doesn’t need a furry Krampus to save her. The hoggy revenge is so sweet!
Thirdly did I mention the furry Krampus with comparable anatomy to other large beasts? Yeah. That.

Loved the horror elements and this version of the Krampus tale. Great quick and easy, festive monster romance!
Profile Image for Michelle Grimison.
1,085 reviews6 followers
December 10, 2025
Loved the first 75% of this book! Murder of a POS abuser, taking your life back! Yes girly get it!

But the last 25% (actual monster smut part) I could live without… referring to himself in the third person s “the Krampus” made me not wanna finish this book!

I think the first part felt more like dark romance, then the abrupt shift to monster smut threw me off… also the “punishment” never happened?! That’s your whole shtick, not a single spank?!

🫑/5
Profile Image for Joni (livebythemoon7).
547 reviews11 followers
December 25, 2024
Quick and dark holiday read

This is a quick and dark holiday read. I read in 1 go, and it took less than 2 hours to read through it. I enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Gina Salamon.
Author 8 books55 followers
January 2, 2025
An entertaining and fun quick read I won't soon forget. So good that I'll definitely read it again.
Profile Image for Dakota.
121 reviews11 followers
April 20, 2025
We love a smutty Krampus story. 💅🏻✨ Another fun installment of the Holiday Horrors series. These are an auto buy at this point because I always have such a great time reading them. I need the next one in the series like yesterday.
Profile Image for Dani.
119 reviews4 followers
December 8, 2025
once again I have fallen in love with ANOTHER aiden pierce book. Who’s surprised? Not me

10/10 absolutely LOVED this monster novella and will likely reread SOON 😭
Profile Image for shyra ☾.
179 reviews6 followers
December 12, 2025
dear santa,

all i ask is to send a forked tongued beast under my tree as my christmas gift. just that
please & thank you !!
Profile Image for Notyourmomsshelf.
572 reviews7 followers
December 27, 2024
Bee: I had no idea that a Krampus romance would ever hit like this did. This was crazy good. The back story, the one sided “hate”, the I’m always watching vibes. Wooo man. This brought on a new vibe of monster romance and it was *chefs kiss*.
Nik: Whoooo this was such a fun read. It had the perfect mix of conflict and tension. I needed a good dark lil palate cleanse and it hit the spot. This take on the Krampus was so fun!
Profile Image for madie dragoo.
683 reviews120 followers
January 2, 2026
2.5/5⭐️ | 3.5/5🌶️ |📱

this was a very spicy holiday enemies-to-lovers / Krampus trope read, and i give it credit where it’s due: the chemistry and heat were definitely there. the story leans into the dark, magical angle of krampus lore meeting holiday romance, and the relentless tension between the main pair had plenty of fire. if you’re here for intense moments and steamy scenes with a festive twist, this delivers on that front.
but overall? meh. the plot felt messy and uneven, and the emotional beats didn’t land for me the way i hoped. the worldbuilding around krampus mythology had promise, but it didn’t get enough depth to make the whole thing feel fully coherent or impactful. i finished it because of the spice and the characters’ dynamic, not because the story gripped me in a lasting way.
so if you want bold holiday sensuality and chaotic lore vibes, this gives that — just know the larger narrative might leave you wanting more.

"he's not my hero, he's the monster under my tree"

🎄🔥😳🔮📖😐
Profile Image for Kelly.
5,691 reviews228 followers
November 5, 2025
I don't know why I thought this, but when I read that Clara ran over her fiancé in the blurb, I thought maybe she just tapped the dude and moved on. Nope. The lady did a leeeeetle more than that. That said, I really only have myself to blame for thinking this since if I had read through the blurb I would have seen that there was maybe a little case of murrrrrdering going on. I guess I was just so excited to read about Krampus and his need for punishment that I skipped right over that.

Anywho. Clara's trapped in a bad situation with her fiancé. She has no idea how she's going to get out of this situation until Bastion prods her to save herself (thanks to the gift of a monster romance book with a character named Clara who saves herself AND gets the monster). Looks, some people are just really good at giving presents and Bastion is A++ in that department.

So. Clara takes matters into her own hands and removes her problem. However, she then has the problem of getting rid of the body. Fortunately, Bastion happens (spoiler: it's more than just chance) to swing by when she needs him most and now the two are getting rid of evidence like any good couple would do.

BUT... Bastion has a demon inside him. One who's driven to punish the naughty. Clara's been VERY naughty, but she also kind of wants everything Bastion has to offer. Without actually realizing that he is offering it.

A little murder, a little coverup, a little voyeurism, a cave in the mountains, and a monster and lady who are very right for one another in every way. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Profile Image for Natasha.
419 reviews23 followers
December 24, 2024
I don't even want to talk about the number of holiday novellas I've read this weekend. Honestly, I don't think I've felt this much Christmas Spirit since i was a child. A different Christmas Spirit, but still, it's there.
Now, do I know a lot about Krampus? No. Will I now think of Krampus as someone who takes naughty women to do despicable things to them, yes. I bet the people who invented the lore of Krampus would not have thought people everywhere would be lusting after this man and writing smutty books about him but here we are.
This book is such a girl power book. I have to say, the second Clara, the FMC, fiancé told her to get over her mom's death just two short years after, i had to put my kindle down and calm myself down cause I was ready to unalive him myself. But I didn't have to and he got justice in such a delicious way that I was smiling the whole time reading.
Bastion, the MMC, was such a cheerleader for Clara and his subtle presence her so much, and she fought him on it but still basked in its power and he let her do what she needed to. When it was finally time for him to step up, he did in an unconventional way but he did it!!
As for the spice, Aiden wrote a sentence that perfectly explains my thoughts and feelings, "I’d always had a thing for monster romance, but this particular author had a way of getting me to question what I thought I knew about myself." And yeah that about sums it up. Have I ever thought about a forked tongue, no. Will I now, absolutely.
Thank you to Aiden Pierce for allowing me to ARC read, adding to my Christmas Spirit, and making me realize forked tongues moved separately
Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.