Welcome to Claw Haven, where monsters go to find some peace and quiet.

Going home for Christmas wasn’t on chimera Arthur Pineclaw’s to-do list, not since he left the sleepy town of Claw Haven over a decade ago. He’s back now for one reason only—to film a cozy holiday romance. Two weeks of smiling for the cameras and charming his fans, and he can go back to LA. Easy. After all, there’s no one he can’t charm.

No one except for Emma Curt, the high school sweetheart he dumped on Christmas Eve. The same woman who apparently owns the café they’re filming in.

Emma never would’ve agreed to let her café be a filming location for a rom-com if she’d known Arthur Pineclaw was the lead. She’d rather eat rocks than be civil to the guy who abandoned her to become a movie star—on Christmas Eve.

But as the two spend more time together, it’s easy to fall into old habits…and into bed. Just because things are still good between them doesn’t mean Emma’s ready for anything more, but when their unexpected reunion stirs up old feelings—and old arguments—a second chance romance might be the gift they both need.

Titles in the Claw Haven series include:  Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf ~ Only One for the Orc (2026) ~ Snowed in with a Succubus (Novella) ~ Christmas with a Chimera (Novella) ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Christmas with a Chimera
Series:  Claw Haven novella
Author:  Isabelle Taylor
Published:  October 7, 2025
Publisher:  Harlequin
My Rating:  4 stars

Christmas with a Chimera is a Christmas novella set in the Claw Haven series.  Arthur is a big-time movie star who has returned to his hometown to film a quick holiday movie.  He turned his back on this place and the people here over a decade ago and never intended to walk its streets again.  Yet, here he is… about to get shot down hard by the girl (now woman) he left behind, even worse, dumped on Christmas Eve.

Emma had no idea that the movie that was being filmed in her café would be starring her ex, the man who’d broken her heart by implying that she’d only hold him back from what he wanted in his career as he, perhaps more cruelly than necessary, dumped her to head for the bright lights of Hollywood.  Over a decade later, her anger (and hurt) still runs hot enough to want to smack the man with a cast-iron skillet upon seeing him grinning so sexily at her.  Unfortunately, beneath the anger and the hurt, it seems she still craves him… that will not end well for Emma, at all.

Christmas with a Chimera by Isabelle Taylor is a cute, sexy novella.  I liked it, but didn’t love it enough to dive into the series just yet.  Emma’s anger at Arthur is so intense that it seems like she throws that anger at anyone in her path.  For me, she often came off as a “mean girl,” and I had a hard time liking her.  Arthur believes his charm can get him anything, including Emma’s forgiveness.  Sorry, not happening so easily, mister.  Lots of snarky banter, a few intimate moments, and some fascinating side characters.  As I said, I liked it, finished it, but beyond that, for me, it was a cute, quick paranormal holiday read.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)