Holiday Traffic: A Holiday Horrors Collection Thriller Short Story

by M.A. Green

Welcome to Holiday Horrors, a multi-author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you'll question whether Christmas is about Santa's Sleigh... or Santa's Slay. What holiday nightmares keep you up at night?

Tiffany and Jett are newly dating but going away for their first vacation, over Christmas, no less. It's a lot of pressure, but they're both excited. At least, at first. That is until all the wrong holiday gifts are given and the whole world as they know it changes in the blink of an eye. Holiday traffic isn't the only thing to fear this season, this thriller short story is too!

Make sure you check out all of the Holiday Horrors Collection!

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Traffic isn’t the worst thing about the holidays. At least not in this story! It takes the cozy trappings of a romantic holiday getaway and turns them deliciously rotten. What begins as a steamy escape for a couple seeking festive fun quickly curdles into something far darker—and far more unsettling. Fulfill your appetite for a horrific thriller!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Holiday Traffic” by M. A. Green, part of the Holiday Horrors collection, throws Jett and Tiffany into a Christmas getaway they’ll never forget. This horror story delivered twists and tension that left me genuinely shocked. This story is a wild, thrilling ride from start to finish, and I couldn’t look away.

[Alyssa Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book & it was amazing! It’s a short story about Tiffany & Jett, but I won’t say more because I’m not spoiling anything! You have to read this Christmas thriller! It was jaw dropping as much as it was like WTF is happening! It was great!!! Also my first book by this author even though it was a short story but it definitely won’t be my last! 😊

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, twisted tale

Jett and his girlfriend, Tiffany, head out for a romantic weekend over the Christmas holiday. He finds the absolute best rental and they settle in. However, things take a sudden twist and Jett’s world comes crashing down around him.

If you like a good twist and you’re feeling festive, give this one a shot!

[Anna M · Rating 5 out of 5]

LET ME TELL YOU! This book. I was hooked from the beginning. What seems innocent at first takes a DARK turn and I was eating it up. I honestly had no idea what I was getting into with the book but the first twist hooked me and the second I didn’t see coming at all. I would recommend definitely checking trigger warnings but if you’re feeling brave do not miss this story.

[Tracy Hinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must be morbid because I giggled. Love this.

[Katlin Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ughhh miss green! How you gonna end the book like that?! 😂 This one was so unhinged and I absolutely loved it!

[Paige Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one that keeps your jaw dropping at every turn! I enjoyed this super short story and was intrigued until the end.

[Laura Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another short story part of the Holiday Horrors Collection. It lives up to its name.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. Totally recommend reading the triggers list before reading (which I didn't do) if you are squeamish.

It was refreshing to see a bad a$$ female be the antagonist in the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Danielle Lundquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great holiday short story, but check your triggers. I don’t have any, but some people might.

I really had my heart set on Jett, but Tiffany is a lunatic. The story is twisty and turny and just when you think there can’t be anymore surprises, there are.

I’m only hoping for a more solid ending. I feel like I couldn’t figure out what happened at the end. It was sort of left open. I wont take away stars, but it’s definitely worth considering making that a little more clear.

I’m so thankful I was able to read this before the rest of the world!

[Annette Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twisty Christmasy book! I never saw where that was going. I'm glad I own the book so I can read it again!

I was chosen to be an ARC reader for this short story from the Holiday Horror collection.

[Brandie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read for a short story

I enjoyed how it kept me interested and a very unexpected ending!

I would definitely recommend reading this book.

[Steph Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crazy short holiday horror story from the descriptive mouthy author MA Green. Do not go into reading this thinking oh yay Christmas hallmark because this is not that! Tiffany is a bish who only cares about herself and making others lives miserable while celebrating holiday cheer!

Part of The Holiday Horrors Collection, all standalones and they do not need to all be read but I suggest you do, there’s some amazing authors in the collection. Please check your triggers before diving in!

* I received my copy of this book as an ARC and I’m leaving my review voluntarily *

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and boy was I surprised!
I started this book not knowing what to expect and once I got to reading I couldn’t stop!
Tiffany is the most interesting character I’ve ever read about and seriously wondered wtf but couldn’t help but liking her. I highly recommend this book, I couldn’t get enough and don’t want to say much to spoil it. Seriously get your hands on this book, get cozy and dive in!!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Traffic
Wow, this story sure had an interesting turn of events, from what started as a romantic get away... to.... read this book and find out. The main character, Tiffany sure had plans other than romantic for the holiday season, and poor Jett didn't know what he was in for.
Great short story for the holiday season
Thanks to the author for the advance reader copy!

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY JAW IS ON THE FLOORRRR!

Not only was this a devastating and devious holiday story, but I devoured it in one sitting. Traffic for the holidays is the worst, so plan a trip out of town with your partner! Except that is when things might go horrifically wrong, and you might be fighting for your life. This was delightfully evil and rather unexpected. Green does a great job giving a tease of some of the trigger warnings in this story, so definitely check those out if you need to.

However, dive in and enjoy this story as much as I did!

[Sónya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re in the mood for a quick horror gut wrenching story, this is the one for you. I thought I knew where the story was going to go but it took it in a direction I didn’t expect. The different points of view made it an interesting read!

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another amazing short story from the Holiday Horrors collection, and I loved it too. For me the more messed up the better. Tiffany and Jett are in a new realtionship and things couldn’t be better. They are going on their first getaway, for Christmas, just the two of them. But as usual, things aren’t what they seem, and it goes really bad. You cannot even imagine how bad it will be.

[Janet Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was def NOT expected lol but interesting

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not what I thought this book would be about with the title Holiday Traffic but the twist was so good. You never expected it. Definitely give it a read. It starts out as a nice Christmas getaway and it changes very fast.

[Tiffanie Miner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC. wasn't what I was expecting. was a good quick read.

[Jess (thrillingcuddles) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read that definitely had me saying “wtf” multiple times. I was lucky to be an ARC reader for this book and it’s definitely one I won’t forget! I felt it was missing a little bit more at the end but was a good short read.

[Brenda Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you truly like thriller/horror (emphasis on the horror) then you need to read, Holiday Traffic by M.A. Green ( Maria Ann Green ) . This book is not for the reader that is quaint of heart! So make sure you read the triggers in the back of the book, (because some of the triggers are spoilers)

I personally didn't mind reading any part of the book. Different POV's, well defined characters and you can read it in an hour or so, it's a short story. The only parts that are really Holidayish, were the getaway, lingerie, hot cocoa, cinnamon stick and a peppermint stick, the rest is straight up psychological thriller and horror.

Book Overview:
"Tiffany and Jett are newly dating but going away for their first vacation, over Christmas, no less. It's a lot of pressure, but they're both excited. At least, at first. That is until all the wrong holiday gifts are given and the whole world as they know it changes in the blink of an eye. Holiday traffic isn't the only thing to fear this season, this thriller short story is too!"


You'll be doing this 👀😯😲🫢when you read it! Lots of surprises even at the end!

[Ashley Aceves]

Wowwww!! This is a definite guarantee to build up your appetite either for more of the amazing M.A. Green’s Books or a Nice Good old STEAK!! Newly coupled, Jett & Tiffany decide to book their First holiday vacation/ getaway!! Both excited they were able to find and book at the last minute a Gorgeous Holiday Rental! Things take a horrific and gut wrenching twist! Can one person’s joy, be hurting others or is it simply Business! A quick and simple gift gone deadly! Who will survive? Stuck in a living nightmare, and unable to escape! Such an escaped plot! A definite 5 star must read!! So run on over and grab this amazing read!!

[Ashley Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this short story and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t this! In terms of a short story, it definitely fit the bill of a “holiday horror” story. The storyline was a bit over the top (several horror tropes all together in a short story) but still enjoyable to read . If it was a full length book, I would definitely want more of the details to be fleshed out and explained.
Definitely check your trigger warnings for this one.

[Danielle Fear · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worst kind of traffic 🤣

What can I say about this book?
I knew it would be a good one because M.A. Green never disappoints but wow, everything about this short story just hits every mark!!
I was gutted when it ended. I want more!!! No.... I need more!!!
If this isn't extended into a full novel I may have to riot until she does.
Seriously though, its an amazing short story, highly recommend!!

[Ashleigh Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy I got picked to read the ARC of this short holiday thriller!

Jett and Tiffany are heading out for a holiday trip, but things take a drastic turn I was not expecting!

This short story is full of true horror and I have to say the title is quite clever!

I loved it. If you're looking for a twisted holiday tale, you should check this out next month.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your looking for a sweet read then I’d skip this one lol Not much is said about Xmas so you could read this anytime of the year. It’s a good read with plenty of wtf moments.

Tiffany and Jet go away for a few days. How bad does it get … think the worst lol Can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Lari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow really

Mentally taxing short story. Hard to comprehend that someone could do this. I sort of felt sorry for Jeff because he was manipulated. He jumped in the relationship before knowing Tiffany. I was disgusted and sickened when Tiffany let her true self be known. This was well written given the subject matter.

[Country · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was totally not what I was expecting at all! What seems like a nice romantic getaway for Jett and Tiffany takes a totally unexpected turn. It's a great read definitely recommending checking it out!