Here’s a detailed review-style breakdown of A Merry Brutal Christmas by E.V. Olsen — a spicy, festive novella in the North Shore Titans Hockey series.
📖 Overview
- Author: E.V. Olsen
- Series: North Shore Titans Hockey (#4)
- Length: ~38 pages
- Genre: MM Romance, Sports Romance, Holiday Romance
- Connection: Continuation of Jackson Reed & Killian Blackwell’s story from Brutal Titan — best read after that book for full emotional impact.
📝 Story Snapshot
College hockey rivals turned lovers, Jackson and Killian, are spending Christmas together — but not just anywhere. They’re at the Reed family mansion, hosting both of their families under one roof.
What should be a cozy holiday quickly turns into a mix of:
- 🔥 Off-the-charts sexual tension (enough to “melt the estate’s ice sculptures”)
- 🎄 Family chaos — clashing personalities, awkward moments, and plenty of banter
- ❤️ Relationship stakes — navigating their future together while juggling family expectations
The novella is less about hockey action and more about the couple’s dynamic, humor, and heat.
🎯 What Works Well
- Fan Service for Brutal Titan Readers: If you loved Jackson & Killian’s chemistry before, this is pure bonus content — playful, passionate, and unapologetically indulgent.
- Holiday Vibes with a Naughty Twist: Balances festive warmth with Olsen’s signature over-the-top, possessive romance style.
- Quick, Satisfying Read: At under 40 pages, it’s perfect for a one-sitting binge.
⚖️ Points to Note
- Minimal Plot: Several reviewers note it’s “pretty much all smut and very little story” — so go in expecting steam over substance.
- Not a Standalone: Without Brutal Titan, the emotional beats and inside jokes may not land as strongly.
💡 Verdict
If you’re already invested in the North Shore Titans world — especially Jackson & Killian — this is a fun, cheeky holiday treat. It’s not here to reinvent the romance wheel, but to give fans exactly what they want: more of their favorite couple, wrapped in tinsel and heat.
