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Santa, Baby: A Very Merry Novella
She’s the intriguing and utterly lust-worthy little sister of his best friend. He’s the adorably hot guy she’s crushed on for a decade. They’ve never crossed that line, but now they’re snowed in together on an adult film set–and the cameras are rolling.
Nick has always wanted to check playing Santa off his struggling actor bucket list. But when he arrives at the gig to find people, well, filling each other's stockings, it's obvious he missed the small print: the job is Christmas porn, and he's the grand finale. And his director and co-star? The off-limits sister of his best friend.
Holly lives a double life: quiet and conservative at home, brassy and bossy at her secret work in adult films. When Nick shows up on set she expects disaster, but there’s a hunger in his eyes as he watches her take charge on set, and they’re both eager to let their attraction take fire–for the sake of work, of course.
When an approaching snowstorm sends the crew home, it’s up to Nick and Holly to save her movie, and they agree to indulge for just one night. But when dirty talk and a decade of longing lead to deeper conversations and cozy cuddling, they’ll start to wonder if the Christmas miracle they make together can last all year long.
Author’s note: Santa, Baby is a steamy and sweet novella (about half the length of a typical romance) full of big feelings and filthy, dirty-talking sex. In its pages you'll find a brother's-best-friend romance full of sex-positivity, a totally besotted hero, and lots of sparkling Christmas spirit–all with an empowering HEA.
Nick has always wanted to check playing Santa off his struggling actor bucket list. But when he arrives at the gig to find people, well, filling each other's stockings, it's obvious he missed the small print: the job is Christmas porn, and he's the grand finale. And his director and co-star? The off-limits sister of his best friend.
Holly lives a double life: quiet and conservative at home, brassy and bossy at her secret work in adult films. When Nick shows up on set she expects disaster, but there’s a hunger in his eyes as he watches her take charge on set, and they’re both eager to let their attraction take fire–for the sake of work, of course.
When an approaching snowstorm sends the crew home, it’s up to Nick and Holly to save her movie, and they agree to indulge for just one night. But when dirty talk and a decade of longing lead to deeper conversations and cozy cuddling, they’ll start to wonder if the Christmas miracle they make together can last all year long.
Author’s note: Santa, Baby is a steamy and sweet novella (about half the length of a typical romance) full of big feelings and filthy, dirty-talking sex. In its pages you'll find a brother's-best-friend romance full of sex-positivity, a totally besotted hero, and lots of sparkling Christmas spirit–all with an empowering HEA.
152 pages, ebook
First published November 12, 2022
13 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Eliza McLane
5 books40 followersEliza McLane (she/her) writes steamy romance full of enthusiastic consent, usually with a heavy helping of dirty talk. You can find her online at www.elizamclane.com, or talk to her about romance on instagram @elizamclanewriter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
February 1, 2023
What a sexy and sweet sex positive Christmas novella! I loved the connection and history between Nick and Holly. The best friend’s little sister and forced proximity tropes were done so well here and we even get an only one bed situation! Nick was the sweetest dirty talking cinnamon roll and I loved how supportive he was. It’s a novella, so the issues with Holly’s family are never fully explored and are left kind of hanging, but I loved that Holly finally stood up for herself and did what was best for her. A quick and sexy read!
Content notes from the author: conversations about closed-minded parents, as well as a parent who suffers from depression and addiction (off page), discussion and depiction of pornography
Content notes from the author: conversations about closed-minded parents, as well as a parent who suffers from depression and addiction (off page), discussion and depiction of pornography
December 5, 2022
3.5 stars
Short, sexy and fun, with an interesting premise. Nothing more to add, really. I definitely prefer this over 257th reiteration of grumpy grinch character with zero personality outside of hating the holidays learning to love it again 😅😅
Short, sexy and fun, with an interesting premise. Nothing more to add, really. I definitely prefer this over 257th reiteration of grumpy grinch character with zero personality outside of hating the holidays learning to love it again 😅😅
October 12, 2022
This was a cute short read, featuring a brother's best friend trope; the FMC isn't treated very well by her family and is secretly a porn producer/director/sometime actress and her MMC is her brother's best friend who is a struggling actor who gets hired onto one of her productions. There's a snowed in trope and they basically have to have sex on camera and it's delightfully steamy and sex positive. My one complaint is that her brother also treats her like crap and there's a part where the MMC talks about how he (the brother) is a good man despite the way he talks about women and then proceeds to list the ways in which his brother is a good man at his core (hard worker, visits his grandma, etc.) and it felt like the author was working overtime to convince us that the brother wasn't that bad but anyone who treats their sister the way he did can't really be that good of a person.
Content Notes: toxic family, absent mother
Content Notes: toxic family, absent mother
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December 15, 2023
3 ⭐️ Snowed in with his best friend's little sister, who happens to be an adult entertainer.
This book was fun to read, but it was also trying to make a point about the holidays and self-love that I just thought didn't really mesh together very well.
Nick, an aspiring actor trying to look for jobs to sustain himself, finds a job listing for a Santa acting gig -and he applies without really reading it. When he gets to the shoot three weeks before Christmas to find that the film he's been cast on is actually an adult film -and there's a lot of s3x happening on set- he starts to question what the hell he's gotten himself into. Then he sees the director of the film, and he just about decides he must be dreaming, because the director is none other than Holly, his best friend's quiet, conservative, button-up little sister -who he's imagined once or twice what she'd be like without the huge flannels she wears around the house. Holly hides this side of herself from everyone since her family is uber-conservative, but seeing Nick in her shoot feels like her life is about to implode.
I liked the ending a lot, them walking out on her family and all that -they really did deserve it. The snowed-in portion was really cute, but there were a lot of moments that didn't work for me -.
There's ow/om stuff in the sense that they both decide to keep staring and directing p0rn, both with each other and with other people. I know that's not really for everybody, but I didn't personally didn't mind.
This book was fun to read, but it was also trying to make a point about the holidays and self-love that I just thought didn't really mesh together very well.
Nick, an aspiring actor trying to look for jobs to sustain himself, finds a job listing for a Santa acting gig -and he applies without really reading it. When he gets to the shoot three weeks before Christmas to find that the film he's been cast on is actually an adult film -and there's a lot of s3x happening on set- he starts to question what the hell he's gotten himself into. Then he sees the director of the film, and he just about decides he must be dreaming, because the director is none other than Holly, his best friend's quiet, conservative, button-up little sister -who he's imagined once or twice what she'd be like without the huge flannels she wears around the house. Holly hides this side of herself from everyone since her family is uber-conservative, but seeing Nick in her shoot feels like her life is about to implode.
I liked the ending a lot, them walking out on her family and all that -they really did deserve it. The snowed-in portion was really cute, but there were a lot of moments that didn't work for me -.
There's ow/om stuff in the sense that they both decide to keep staring and directing p0rn, both with each other and with other people. I know that's not really for everybody, but I didn't personally didn't mind.
January 12, 2023
Oops, I forgot to update the I finished this one! This was a surprisingly sweet Christmastime erotic novella that takes place on a porn set, & I am apparently just super into porn-positive/empowering stories. Excited to see the rest of this series.
December 9, 2022
3.5
Cute set up I didn't love the third act.
Cute set up I didn't love the third act.
April 7, 2023
Really enjoyed this steamy novella 4.5 Stars
November 8, 2022
Snowed-in novellas are my favorite, and this one had so many more elements I loved. Nick and Holly have always felt a pull to each other since he’s her brother’s best friend and spent more time at her house than his own. Holly was always the reserved little sister, having grown up in a household with narrow-minded parents, so Nick was surprised when she was the director of the adult film he was about to film… with her as partner.
Stuck together on set after the filming crew leaves, Nick and Holly finally give in to their attraction and it was HOT. I loved the steam, it was amazingly written. Nick was such a big sunshine, and the perfect opposite to Holly’s anti-Christmas mood. But this isn’t only steam, because it’s so SWEET. It was fluffy and adorable. Thanks to Nick being her brother’s friend they already have a connection to explore, and the ending was pure perfection.
If you want a cute, sex positive, holiday novella, this one’s for you.
ARC provided by the author. Opinions are my own!
Stuck together on set after the filming crew leaves, Nick and Holly finally give in to their attraction and it was HOT. I loved the steam, it was amazingly written. Nick was such a big sunshine, and the perfect opposite to Holly’s anti-Christmas mood. But this isn’t only steam, because it’s so SWEET. It was fluffy and adorable. Thanks to Nick being her brother’s friend they already have a connection to explore, and the ending was pure perfection.
If you want a cute, sex positive, holiday novella, this one’s for you.
ARC provided by the author. Opinions are my own!
March 23, 2024
Is it ever too early for a smutty Christmas novella? I don't think so!
This included so many of my favorite tropes and it was absolutely delightful! If you like:
- brother's best friend
- snowed in together (on a porn set!)
- watching our sex tape as foreplay
- FMC is a secret badass
- leaning into the holiday cheese (their names are Holly and Nick after all)
- grumpy/sunshine (Christmas edition!)
you don't want to miss this! Holly and Nick steam up the pages and it is goooood. 🥵
In addition to the heat, I was also very impressed with how well Eliza McLane built the relationship and tension between the two of them. This is always tricky with a novella but she managed to provide depth and sweetness to their love story as well as the attraction.
I'm really looking forward to a full length novel from Eliza but in the meantime I'm sure I'll be rereading this one before the year is over!
If you're looking for a short and sexy holiday read, definitely put this on your list.
.
.
Thank you so much Eliza McLane for the ARC!
This included so many of my favorite tropes and it was absolutely delightful! If you like:
- brother's best friend
- snowed in together (on a porn set!)
- watching our sex tape as foreplay
- FMC is a secret badass
- leaning into the holiday cheese (their names are Holly and Nick after all)
- grumpy/sunshine (Christmas edition!)
you don't want to miss this! Holly and Nick steam up the pages and it is goooood. 🥵
In addition to the heat, I was also very impressed with how well Eliza McLane built the relationship and tension between the two of them. This is always tricky with a novella but she managed to provide depth and sweetness to their love story as well as the attraction.
I'm really looking forward to a full length novel from Eliza but in the meantime I'm sure I'll be rereading this one before the year is over!
If you're looking for a short and sexy holiday read, definitely put this on your list.
.
.
Thank you so much Eliza McLane for the ARC!
December 12, 2022
Nick is a struggling actor who lands a role as Santa. When he arrives on set, he realizes that it's for a pornographic film. And the director is none other than his best friend's sister. It turns out that Holly has been living a double life.
This novella is short, sweet, and steamy. It has some surprising depth in regards to character and relationship development. The conflict with Holly's family and the third act left a bad taste in my mouth, so I'm lowering my rating.
While Holly and Nick are well-rounded characters, Holly's parents and brother are cardboard cutouts that were only there to push for Holly's growth. The "characterization" of Holly's family just felt forced to me, especially since we barely saw them on page.
This novella is short, sweet, and steamy. It has some surprising depth in regards to character and relationship development. The conflict with Holly's family and the third act left a bad taste in my mouth, so I'm lowering my rating.
While Holly and Nick are well-rounded characters, Holly's parents and brother are cardboard cutouts that were only there to push for Holly's growth. The "characterization" of Holly's family just felt forced to me, especially since we barely saw them on page.
December 19, 2022
What a fun festive sex positive romp!
December 8, 2022
3 1/2 stars. Super cute and sex positive, but poorly edited.
October 23, 2022
This was a fantastic, sex-positive story about Holly, who has a secret career directing (and sometimes starring in) adult films, and Nick, her brother's BFF, an up-and-coming actor who mistakenly applies for a last-minute Santa job and shows up to her porn set.
The two have obviously always had secret crushes on one another, but Holly feels unwelcome in her own family and has done her best to go unnoticed at home, but on a film set, she's a different person. Nick, who spends most of his time with her brother and Holly by proxy, loves the opportunity to see this side of her, the real side, and then, eventually, some other more naked sides.
While super steamy, the story takes it time to establish the rapport between the characters, letting them unwrap (Christmas pun) some emotional baggage before they unwrap each other. The sex is hot and uninhibited, and though Holly is adamant they'll only be doing it just this once (and, y'know, on camera, for posterity), we know they're in it for the long haul, because this is Christmas and Nick's Christmas spirit knows no bounds.
By the end of this sincere, sexy story we're convinced these two will be celebrating all future holidays together in many sweet, fun and X-rated ways. If you're looking for some snowed-in sexy Santa times, this is the book to put you in the...Christmas...mood. ;)
The two have obviously always had secret crushes on one another, but Holly feels unwelcome in her own family and has done her best to go unnoticed at home, but on a film set, she's a different person. Nick, who spends most of his time with her brother and Holly by proxy, loves the opportunity to see this side of her, the real side, and then, eventually, some other more naked sides.
While super steamy, the story takes it time to establish the rapport between the characters, letting them unwrap (Christmas pun) some emotional baggage before they unwrap each other. The sex is hot and uninhibited, and though Holly is adamant they'll only be doing it just this once (and, y'know, on camera, for posterity), we know they're in it for the long haul, because this is Christmas and Nick's Christmas spirit knows no bounds.
By the end of this sincere, sexy story we're convinced these two will be celebrating all future holidays together in many sweet, fun and X-rated ways. If you're looking for some snowed-in sexy Santa times, this is the book to put you in the...Christmas...mood. ;)
May 31, 2023
In the book they talk about embracing the camp and the feelings of Christmas porn, and this book does that too - embracing both the camp and the feelings of a Christmas romance novella. I mean, the main characters are called Holly and Nick, so you know that the book leans into it a bit.
But even if it's about a snowed in Christmas porn shoot, underneath all that steam real feelings, a message about needing to be seen, and my new favorite Golden Retriever hero. We don't deserve Nick, but I'm really glad we get him anyways.
My new favorite Christmas tradition? Reading this book.
Note: The author is a friend of mine, but the review would stand even if she wasn't. I'm lucky in that I have very talented friends!
But even if it's about a snowed in Christmas porn shoot, underneath all that steam real feelings, a message about needing to be seen, and my new favorite Golden Retriever hero. We don't deserve Nick, but I'm really glad we get him anyways.
My new favorite Christmas tradition? Reading this book.
Note: The author is a friend of mine, but the review would stand even if she wasn't. I'm lucky in that I have very talented friends!
October 11, 2022
Thank you to the author in exchange for an honest review
CW: family tensions/toxic relationship with family (close-minded), parent with depression and addiction
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILER)
-m/f contemporary romance
-holiday romance
-snowed in
-childhood crush
-just this one time
-getting off watching our sex tape
This was just a fun read. I really appreciated how sex positive this book was. Checking in about consent, a positive look at sex work and you know what happens when your old crush shows up in a santa suit for the porno you are directing and also starring in. Being in control of what you want, and living for yourself.
This was soft, holiday filled, with some lovely steam. I can't wait to see what comes next from this author
Steam: 3.75
Disclaimer: The author and I are social media mutuals
CW: family tensions/toxic relationship with family (close-minded), parent with depression and addiction
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILER)
-m/f contemporary romance
-holiday romance
-snowed in
-childhood crush
-just this one time
-getting off watching our sex tape
This was just a fun read. I really appreciated how sex positive this book was. Checking in about consent, a positive look at sex work and you know what happens when your old crush shows up in a santa suit for the porno you are directing and also starring in. Being in control of what you want, and living for yourself.
This was soft, holiday filled, with some lovely steam. I can't wait to see what comes next from this author
Steam: 3.75
Disclaimer: The author and I are social media mutuals
September 7, 2023
Another perfect novella from Eliza McLane. Just the right amount of story, and it is INCENDIARY. Yet also tender and affecting.
McLane really likes writing about when controlled men fall to pieces (in a good way).
McLane really likes writing about when controlled men fall to pieces (in a good way).
March 30, 2023
holy 🔥 i downloaded this on a whim and oooooo baby 🔥 this is the perfect christmas novella. nick is the "i love everything christmas lemme sing you a jolly tune" mc and holly is the "how tf do you know so many christmas songs dont come near me with this jolly" mc. will defo be reading this again
January 9, 2024
THEIR NAMES ARE NICK AND HOLLY AND I DIDNT EVEN CRINGE
December 17, 2024
3.5/5
Very cute and very steamy holiday novella!
Very cute and very steamy holiday novella!
January 4, 2025
3.5 rounded up. Hits the expected plot points queued up in the summary, though the authors teases ya a bit getting there. This was fun.
September 8, 2023
Oh my, I absolutely loooved this little, delicious, and sexy novella!
Can't wait to read more by this author!
Can't wait to read more by this author!
November 1, 2022
This absolutely perfect novella checked ALL of my boxes. Sex-positive, steamy, and sweet, heck yeah.
I love a good holiday romance. Especially when it's of the "oh no, we're snowed in, what could possibly go wrong [read: right]" variety. And Eliza McLane delivered with an ultra-spicy/super-sweet tale that's masterfully crafted—but is also basically a mug of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows on top.
Things I loved:
- Bro's best friend
- Shameless confidence
- All the camp
- Nick, my new #1 true love
- Holly, my new #1 idol
- Consent, consent, consent
- OK but this novella was packed with FEELINGS, too.
Nick and Holly were easy to root for from page one. Treat yourself to this novella and curl up for a spicy holiday (or any day) read.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I love a good holiday romance. Especially when it's of the "oh no, we're snowed in, what could possibly go wrong [read: right]" variety. And Eliza McLane delivered with an ultra-spicy/super-sweet tale that's masterfully crafted—but is also basically a mug of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows on top.
Things I loved:
- Bro's best friend
- Shameless confidence
- All the camp
- Nick, my new #1 true love
- Holly, my new #1 idol
- Consent, consent, consent
- OK but this novella was packed with FEELINGS, too.
Nick and Holly were easy to root for from page one. Treat yourself to this novella and curl up for a spicy holiday (or any day) read.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
October 11, 2022
Loved this sweet and steamy holiday novella! This was everything I wanted. It was brothers best friend, pining for each other for years and tension hits a boiling point when they’re snowed in on a porn set together!! This was so sex-positive and sex work positive. Nick and Holly were a delight and hit me in the feels. I really enjoyed this and cannot wait to read more from Eliza!
Disclaimer: the author and I are mutuals on social media but this is an unbiased review of an advanced copy.
Disclaimer: the author and I are mutuals on social media but this is an unbiased review of an advanced copy.
December 8, 2022
This was a cute and sexy holiday romance with plenty of fun tropes including brother's best friend/forbidden romance, grumpy/sunshine, and being unable to leave a location thanks to conspiring mama nature (you know this trope)! 😉 It was a take on romance featuring the adult entertainment industry that I've never read before and I found that refreshing. 3.5 stars rounded up!
I thought the story was well written and the characters were well-developed for a novella. There's usually not a lot of emphasis on character growth but I appreciated that we got a little bit of that here! Nick is a happy-go-lucky guy who loves everything about Christmas. He's the one who's listening to Christmas songs the minute November rolls around and he's all about spreading that good holiday cheer everywhere he goes. I honestly couldn't envision a more perfectly jolly (and hot) Santa than this guy. In contrast, Holly is a bit of a quiet grinch who doesn't enjoy the holiday season due to the terrible relationship she has with her family. She has always been more of an introvert but she's learned to retreat into herself thanks to her ultra-conservative family belittling her and making her feel worthless. Over the years, there's always been a pull between Holly and Nick that they could never pursue due to his being her brother's bestie, so it's a real shocker to them both when he shows up to a porn shoot and she's not only involved in front of the camera but is directing the whole thing.
When he sees her for the first time away from her brother and the toxic environment that is her family home, it's like he's seeing her for the first time and he becomes even more enamoured by her strong confident personality and the way she radiates contentment and joy. With how positive and encouraging Nick is, it kind of baffled me that he could be besties with a guy like Holly's brother but I liked how his perspective of her family and his friend changed when he sees how she thrives when she's doing what she loves. I loved how he encouraged her to acknowledge that she deserves to be surrounded by people who accept her as she is and who makes her happy, but I especially loved how he proceeded to give her the kind of happy Christmas she's always dreamed of! It was incredibly sweet and it was great to see them connect, not just physically but as people who've known each other for years and are only getting to know each other for the first time now.
This does get good and steamy and the whole video shoot was a concept that I hadn't read before but there was also this hot rewatch scene that ended up in even more steamy fun and it was fire! 🥵 Mixed in with the sexy dirty talking Santa scenes were heartfelt intimate moments that were great as well. I really enjoyed this couple and I'm so glad that I saw Nick reading this on book Twitter cos I immediately scooped it up! This would be another great steamy read to add to your holiday romance list.
I thought the story was well written and the characters were well-developed for a novella. There's usually not a lot of emphasis on character growth but I appreciated that we got a little bit of that here! Nick is a happy-go-lucky guy who loves everything about Christmas. He's the one who's listening to Christmas songs the minute November rolls around and he's all about spreading that good holiday cheer everywhere he goes. I honestly couldn't envision a more perfectly jolly (and hot) Santa than this guy. In contrast, Holly is a bit of a quiet grinch who doesn't enjoy the holiday season due to the terrible relationship she has with her family. She has always been more of an introvert but she's learned to retreat into herself thanks to her ultra-conservative family belittling her and making her feel worthless. Over the years, there's always been a pull between Holly and Nick that they could never pursue due to his being her brother's bestie, so it's a real shocker to them both when he shows up to a porn shoot and she's not only involved in front of the camera but is directing the whole thing.
When he sees her for the first time away from her brother and the toxic environment that is her family home, it's like he's seeing her for the first time and he becomes even more enamoured by her strong confident personality and the way she radiates contentment and joy. With how positive and encouraging Nick is, it kind of baffled me that he could be besties with a guy like Holly's brother but I liked how his perspective of her family and his friend changed when he sees how she thrives when she's doing what she loves. I loved how he encouraged her to acknowledge that she deserves to be surrounded by people who accept her as she is and who makes her happy, but I especially loved how he proceeded to give her the kind of happy Christmas she's always dreamed of! It was incredibly sweet and it was great to see them connect, not just physically but as people who've known each other for years and are only getting to know each other for the first time now.
This does get good and steamy and the whole video shoot was a concept that I hadn't read before but there was also this hot rewatch scene that ended up in even more steamy fun and it was fire! 🥵 Mixed in with the sexy dirty talking Santa scenes were heartfelt intimate moments that were great as well. I really enjoyed this couple and I'm so glad that I saw Nick reading this on book Twitter cos I immediately scooped it up! This would be another great steamy read to add to your holiday romance list.
December 3, 2022
A sweet and insanely steamy holiday romance that will have you roasting like an open fire – Santa, Baby introduces us to Nick and Holly, two acquaintances from childhood that find themselves in an unusual situation just before the holidays.
Having been best friends with Holly’s brother Greg for 10 years, Nick is an unofficial member of the Caine family and plays the starring role in most of Holly’s fantasies. Holly never anticipated being seeing by him as anything but his brother’s little sister, until he walked onto her set one faithful morning, to play Santa in her upcoming movie.
Nick didn’t have the best childhood growing up but being taken in by the Caine family more than made up for it. Their son Greg was like a brother to him and their daughter Holly was – well was more like forbidden fruit that he was dying to taste but wouldn’t cross that line. She was quiet, meek, and determined to be invisible but he saw her, even if she didn’t see him… until they locked eyes across the room of her adult movie production when he answered the casting call to play Santa. Mistaking the gig as just a holiday appearance, Nick is quickly plunged into a world Holly had no intention of sharing. Seeing a new side of her, he is desperate to see more, know more, and with the help of “snowpocalpyse” he may get his Christmas wish.
What I liked about this book: While I enjoy a good steamy novel, I don’t venture into smutty/erotica too often (nothing wrong with it AT ALL – it just normally doesn’t have those heartwarming moments and that laugh out loud humor I prefer). Eliza surprised me by providing a well woven combination of the two. She was able to keep it sweet and humorous while also foggy up the windows and dropping my jaw to the floor. Nick is seriously the stuff dreams are made of! He is the embodiment of naughty and nice. The dirty talk that fell out of that man’s mouth one moment and the sweet loving, tenderness he displayed the next will give you whiplash!
A Christmas quick read so hot it would turn Frosty into a puddle, Santa, Baby is a refreshing new blend of smoldering and heartwarming, creating a new and exciting trend in the novella world. I can’t wait to see what Eliza writes next!
Having been best friends with Holly’s brother Greg for 10 years, Nick is an unofficial member of the Caine family and plays the starring role in most of Holly’s fantasies. Holly never anticipated being seeing by him as anything but his brother’s little sister, until he walked onto her set one faithful morning, to play Santa in her upcoming movie.
Nick didn’t have the best childhood growing up but being taken in by the Caine family more than made up for it. Their son Greg was like a brother to him and their daughter Holly was – well was more like forbidden fruit that he was dying to taste but wouldn’t cross that line. She was quiet, meek, and determined to be invisible but he saw her, even if she didn’t see him… until they locked eyes across the room of her adult movie production when he answered the casting call to play Santa. Mistaking the gig as just a holiday appearance, Nick is quickly plunged into a world Holly had no intention of sharing. Seeing a new side of her, he is desperate to see more, know more, and with the help of “snowpocalpyse” he may get his Christmas wish.
What I liked about this book: While I enjoy a good steamy novel, I don’t venture into smutty/erotica too often (nothing wrong with it AT ALL – it just normally doesn’t have those heartwarming moments and that laugh out loud humor I prefer). Eliza surprised me by providing a well woven combination of the two. She was able to keep it sweet and humorous while also foggy up the windows and dropping my jaw to the floor. Nick is seriously the stuff dreams are made of! He is the embodiment of naughty and nice. The dirty talk that fell out of that man’s mouth one moment and the sweet loving, tenderness he displayed the next will give you whiplash!
A Christmas quick read so hot it would turn Frosty into a puddle, Santa, Baby is a refreshing new blend of smoldering and heartwarming, creating a new and exciting trend in the novella world. I can’t wait to see what Eliza writes next!
November 16, 2022
**Summary:**
This is told in a dual timeline of both Nick and Holly. Nick is an up and coming actor who gets a job as a Santa Clause for a project. Holly is the little sister of his best friend who is part of the project that Nick got the job to do.
But there is something that Nick doesnt know. That this job that he got is for an adult film. More specifically a Christmas adult film. So it comes as a shock when he arrives when they are in the middle of a scene. It is an even bigger shock to see his best friends little sister there on set of the adult film. The more he knows about the scene that he is going to do the more that he wants to do it. Even more when he finds out that it is with Holly.
When a snow storm rolls in, it leaves Holly and Nick stuck in the cabin overnight. It gives them the idea to finish the film that was already almost done. But the one time thing turns into something that they knew that they couldnt hide from Hollys family for very much longer.
Nick wants Holly to come clean to her family but knew that it was going to be something that Holly is going to have to decide. So when her family does find out it is something that both parties are going to have to deal with. Regardless of the outcome.
**Thoughts:**
I adored this read. I do think it is the perfect winter read if you do enjoy something smutty. I think that if you arent looking for smut when it comes to your winter reads then I perfectly understand that because I know not everyone wants to deal with smut when it comes to their reads.
I think that the writing was wonderful. The characters were fantastic. It gave you that friends to lovers in a novella. I think that this is one that I do see myself rereading when I am in the mood for having some smut in my life.
I loved how the characters were written to the point to where you were cheering for them to be together by the end of the novel. I just wish that Hollys family was alittle bit more accepting of what she chose with her life especially considering that she was doing everything in her power to please them. Just for it not to be enough.
**Rating:**
4.5 stars
This is told in a dual timeline of both Nick and Holly. Nick is an up and coming actor who gets a job as a Santa Clause for a project. Holly is the little sister of his best friend who is part of the project that Nick got the job to do.
But there is something that Nick doesnt know. That this job that he got is for an adult film. More specifically a Christmas adult film. So it comes as a shock when he arrives when they are in the middle of a scene. It is an even bigger shock to see his best friends little sister there on set of the adult film. The more he knows about the scene that he is going to do the more that he wants to do it. Even more when he finds out that it is with Holly.
When a snow storm rolls in, it leaves Holly and Nick stuck in the cabin overnight. It gives them the idea to finish the film that was already almost done. But the one time thing turns into something that they knew that they couldnt hide from Hollys family for very much longer.
Nick wants Holly to come clean to her family but knew that it was going to be something that Holly is going to have to decide. So when her family does find out it is something that both parties are going to have to deal with. Regardless of the outcome.
**Thoughts:**
I adored this read. I do think it is the perfect winter read if you do enjoy something smutty. I think that if you arent looking for smut when it comes to your winter reads then I perfectly understand that because I know not everyone wants to deal with smut when it comes to their reads.
I think that the writing was wonderful. The characters were fantastic. It gave you that friends to lovers in a novella. I think that this is one that I do see myself rereading when I am in the mood for having some smut in my life.
I loved how the characters were written to the point to where you were cheering for them to be together by the end of the novel. I just wish that Hollys family was alittle bit more accepting of what she chose with her life especially considering that she was doing everything in her power to please them. Just for it not to be enough.
**Rating:**
4.5 stars
December 2, 2023
One kiss with Holly was enough to know that one kiss was not enough, not by a longshot.
She's the intriguing and utterly lust-worthy little sister of his best friend.
He’s the adorably hot guy she’s crushed on for a decade.
They’ve never crossed that line, but now they’re snowed in together on an adult film set—and the cameras are rolling.
Nick has always wanted to check playing Santa off his struggling actor bucket list. But when he arrives at the gig to find people, well, filling each other’s stockings, it’s obvious he missed the small print: the job is Christmas porn, and he’s the grand finale. And his director and co-star? The off-limits sister of his best friend.
Holly lives a double life: quiet and conservative at home, brassy and bossy at her secret work in adult films. When Nick shows up on set she expects disaster, but there’s a hunger in his eyes as he watches her take charge on set, and they’re both eager to let their attraction take fire—for the sake of work, of course.
When an approaching snowstorm sends the crew home, it’s up to Nick and Holly to save her movie, and they agree to indulge for just one night. But when dirty talk and a decade of longing lead to deeper conversations and cozy cuddling, they’ll start to wonder if the Christmas miracle they make together can last all year long.
I thought this novella was good. It wasn’t the best thing that I’ve read. I did like that Holly wants to combine Hallmark movies with chemistry and representation of sex. I love that Nick was very supportive of Holly not only as who she really wants to be but also in her career.
Steamy, sweet, big feelings, filthy, dirty-talk, brother’s best friend trope, sex-positiviy, with a sweet and caring hero and a badass heroine. 3.5 stars.
She's the intriguing and utterly lust-worthy little sister of his best friend.
He’s the adorably hot guy she’s crushed on for a decade.
They’ve never crossed that line, but now they’re snowed in together on an adult film set—and the cameras are rolling.
Nick has always wanted to check playing Santa off his struggling actor bucket list. But when he arrives at the gig to find people, well, filling each other’s stockings, it’s obvious he missed the small print: the job is Christmas porn, and he’s the grand finale. And his director and co-star? The off-limits sister of his best friend.
Holly lives a double life: quiet and conservative at home, brassy and bossy at her secret work in adult films. When Nick shows up on set she expects disaster, but there’s a hunger in his eyes as he watches her take charge on set, and they’re both eager to let their attraction take fire—for the sake of work, of course.
When an approaching snowstorm sends the crew home, it’s up to Nick and Holly to save her movie, and they agree to indulge for just one night. But when dirty talk and a decade of longing lead to deeper conversations and cozy cuddling, they’ll start to wonder if the Christmas miracle they make together can last all year long.
I thought this novella was good. It wasn’t the best thing that I’ve read. I did like that Holly wants to combine Hallmark movies with chemistry and representation of sex. I love that Nick was very supportive of Holly not only as who she really wants to be but also in her career.
Steamy, sweet, big feelings, filthy, dirty-talk, brother’s best friend trope, sex-positiviy, with a sweet and caring hero and a badass heroine. 3.5 stars.
October 14, 2022
Eliza McLane debuts in a burst of superheated steam with this hot, tender, unapologetically sex-positive holiday read. I’m partial to McLane’s work under her other pen name as well (@sarahtdubbwrites), especially her signature vulnerable, perfectly imperfect characters, who will wring your heart dry with every emotional scene.
Holly is leading a double life: at home, she’s a dutiful daughter in a buttoned up, judgmental family. At work, she’s an up-and-coming adult filmmaker saving on rent so she can launch her own production company. No one notices her deception, because no one notices her at all – until Nick, a struggling actor and her brother’s best friend, unwittingly signs up to play Santa in the campy seasonal adult film she hopes will be her breakout production. When a freak snowstorm hits their isolated filming location, Nick and Holly must reckon with their attraction to each other, and the consequences of being themselves and claiming their love in a family where there’s only one right way to be.
McLane isn’t kidding when she calls this an erotic novella – she’ll light fire to your stockings while they’re still on your feet. At the same time, she doesn’t hesitate to crank the tension up to eleven, taking us to the brink and back in ways that will keep you flipping pages in a fever dream. Her characters see each other with loving, poetic detail mirrored in her beautiful turns of phrase, and she doesn’t forget to slip a sly joke between the covers to keep you laughing.
In short, best to preorder this and have it ready on your e-reader for a cozy night sometime after the November 16th release date, when you need to snuggle up and feel snowed in.
Holly is leading a double life: at home, she’s a dutiful daughter in a buttoned up, judgmental family. At work, she’s an up-and-coming adult filmmaker saving on rent so she can launch her own production company. No one notices her deception, because no one notices her at all – until Nick, a struggling actor and her brother’s best friend, unwittingly signs up to play Santa in the campy seasonal adult film she hopes will be her breakout production. When a freak snowstorm hits their isolated filming location, Nick and Holly must reckon with their attraction to each other, and the consequences of being themselves and claiming their love in a family where there’s only one right way to be.
McLane isn’t kidding when she calls this an erotic novella – she’ll light fire to your stockings while they’re still on your feet. At the same time, she doesn’t hesitate to crank the tension up to eleven, taking us to the brink and back in ways that will keep you flipping pages in a fever dream. Her characters see each other with loving, poetic detail mirrored in her beautiful turns of phrase, and she doesn’t forget to slip a sly joke between the covers to keep you laughing.
In short, best to preorder this and have it ready on your e-reader for a cozy night sometime after the November 16th release date, when you need to snuggle up and feel snowed in.
November 28, 2022
Thanks to the author for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.
* brother’s best friend
* snowed in romance
* secret crushing
* smoking hot sex around a Christmas tree
Eliza McLane’s Santa, Baby serves up a hefty dose of Christmas romance magic, blending steam, pining, respect, & care effortlessly & offering something sweet & IMO super sexy. Wow-ie.
Actor Nick Andersen arrives at his new job only to find when he arrives that he will actually be starring as Santa in an adult film directed by—& co-starring—his best friend’s quiet but also fascinating sister Holly Caine.
Holly blends into the background when it comes to family life but at work she’s the one making the decisions. Including shutting down the film they’re making when a big storm is about to roll in.
But when she & Nick are snowed in—with the cameras still there & that delicious chemistry flaring between them—well, the show must go on. [insert any song lyric about Santa Claus coming here.]
This novella offers so much good stuff: a love story that feels believable, MCs who offer understanding and empathy to each other, and a big gesture of support; so much sexiness & heat; a fast-moving story that doesn’t skimp on the feels.
The dynamics with her family fall a *bit* short for me but otherwise Santa, Baby is sensational. It’s so much fun & gives a lot of heart to hold onto too.
4.5⭐️. Out now!
CWs: Reference to negligent parents, depression. Reference to views of conservative parents & those same parents make Holly leave their house when she shares that she works in the adult film industry.
* brother’s best friend
* snowed in romance
* secret crushing
* smoking hot sex around a Christmas tree
Eliza McLane’s Santa, Baby serves up a hefty dose of Christmas romance magic, blending steam, pining, respect, & care effortlessly & offering something sweet & IMO super sexy. Wow-ie.
Actor Nick Andersen arrives at his new job only to find when he arrives that he will actually be starring as Santa in an adult film directed by—& co-starring—his best friend’s quiet but also fascinating sister Holly Caine.
Holly blends into the background when it comes to family life but at work she’s the one making the decisions. Including shutting down the film they’re making when a big storm is about to roll in.
But when she & Nick are snowed in—with the cameras still there & that delicious chemistry flaring between them—well, the show must go on. [insert any song lyric about Santa Claus coming here.]
This novella offers so much good stuff: a love story that feels believable, MCs who offer understanding and empathy to each other, and a big gesture of support; so much sexiness & heat; a fast-moving story that doesn’t skimp on the feels.
The dynamics with her family fall a *bit* short for me but otherwise Santa, Baby is sensational. It’s so much fun & gives a lot of heart to hold onto too.
4.5⭐️. Out now!
CWs: Reference to negligent parents, depression. Reference to views of conservative parents & those same parents make Holly leave their house when she shares that she works in the adult film industry.
October 16, 2022
My mind is blown by how something can be so achingly adorable yet so crazy hot and spicy at the same time. Eliza weaves a tale in this novella as rich as a chunky holiday sweater. And she uses cashmere wool, not the scratchy stuff, because this novella is as smooth as butter.
Nick was an absolute TREAT to read—I laughed out loud several times and I was so genuinely won over by him. The depth that I cared about him almost felt instantaneous, which is hard to pull off in a lil treat like a novella!
I identified with Holly big time, both with her family she doesn’t mesh with and wanting to just hide sometimes. I love seeing her little bouts of grumpiness, but she is a passionate and caring woman and she pairs with Nick soooo nicely.
This novella was the perfect length—I of course was craving more, but Eliza conveys so much in the space that it’s just perfect like this. And omg the way the spicy scenes come at you—wow! I’m still trying to understand this winter magic she tapped into to make something so sweet yet absolute FIRE.
The snow, the pines, the winter vibes—enjoy!
Nick was an absolute TREAT to read—I laughed out loud several times and I was so genuinely won over by him. The depth that I cared about him almost felt instantaneous, which is hard to pull off in a lil treat like a novella!
I identified with Holly big time, both with her family she doesn’t mesh with and wanting to just hide sometimes. I love seeing her little bouts of grumpiness, but she is a passionate and caring woman and she pairs with Nick soooo nicely.
This novella was the perfect length—I of course was craving more, but Eliza conveys so much in the space that it’s just perfect like this. And omg the way the spicy scenes come at you—wow! I’m still trying to understand this winter magic she tapped into to make something so sweet yet absolute FIRE.
The snow, the pines, the winter vibes—enjoy!
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