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! 

What I loved about this book:  I absolutely loved her message about being yourself and never being ashamed or hiding who you are or what you are for the sake of your loved ones. Her message couldn’t come at a more perfect time as the holidays are the hardest time for many. While you are free to be who you are and live your life in your own world, returning to the fish bowl that is your family can be suffocating. The shields are up, the lies are strong, the fake smile is in place, and the screams in your head are earth shattering. Her message reminds us that we are not alone and we do have a choice, even if the consequences are life-altering.

Something worth mentioning: While I doubt anyone who reads this is ultraconservative or close-minded – one message Eliza brought front and center was a positive and realistic perception of the adult movie industry. While many may judge or remain skeptical, it is an industry of real people, living their lives and coming to work every day to perform a job. While it is a job I myself would not do, I APPLAUD those who do! 

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!