Despite growing up in a family of villains, I’d rather curl up and read than commit crimes. When I get coerced by my brother into helping him rob a bank, I run into August, my childhood crush—also known as Chrono, the city’s greatest superhero. He’s sexy, sweet, and suddenly he’s asking me to Thanksgiving with his parents. It’s probably because he doesn’t realize that I’m Leviathan, a villain … with the power of telekinesis. And I can’t tell him because he’d never forgive me and would stop doing things like cooking for me—wait, maybe that would be a good thing, since he’s a terrible cook. It doesn’t help that my parents think they’re the ultimate villains and won’t stop getting in my way, although they can’t even steal toilet paper without getting caught.
But when real supervillains (not the wannabe kind that I grew up with) start targeting August, I might be forced to show everyone who I truly am: a slightly warped and snarky man who’d really rather read a book than save anything… besides August. I’ll tear this world apart just to get another glimpse of him in those glasses and spandex suit. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him safe, even though it means exposing my true identity. Luckily, August still cares about me, proving that even a villain and a hero can fall in love. Hopefully, we’ll be able to save the world in time for Christmas.
This ridiculous and snarky holiday novel is 92,000 words and contains a villain turned unlikely hero (even if he’s a manager’s worst nightmare), a superhero with a fondness for suckers who absolutely does NOT use his powers to cheat on board games, a hairless cat with an unfortunate name, bumbling family members that try to be evil but are mostly just embarrassing, a snow globe with mysterious powers, betrayal, true love, a risqué Santa suit, and the saltiest chicken ever.
Although this book is part of A Snow Globe Christmas series, it is a complete standalone, and it isn’t a requirement that you read the previous books to follow along. We wish everyone a happy holiday season.
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Gail: Mad giggling.
AB: *eyebrow up*
G: Snicker snicker snicker.
G: This book is so much funnier than I thought it would be. I’m so happy.
Book: “summoning a toilet paper demon”
G: Loses her tiny mind for 10 minutes.
So what book was I reading?
A VILLAIN FOR CHRISTMAS. And what an unexpected gem of a book this is! Gay superheros for Christmas. I picked it up in a string of holiday reads and this one was the star (at the top of the tree, nash).
Look it’s not really a holiday read, it’s a HILARIOUS take on superheroes where a supervillain (who really doesn’t want to be) falls in love with a superhero and has to keep his identity secret until his bumbling evil family, a hairless cat dressed in pajamas, bags of cheese, and various other things conspire against him.
I did not expect to laugh as much as a I did but honestly, it utterly ridiculous and extremely funny.
If you like my character Max in THE SUMAGE SOLUTION or took my rec and enjoyed THE LIGHTNING STRUCK HEART by TJ Klune, then this one is for you. Honestly, give it a try, you won’t be sorry.
This book made me laugh out loud. I love superhero aspect of this story and villains who aren’t really all that villainous. Amazing book and worth a read.
Landon comes from a family of villains. August is the city’s most famous superhero. Their love seems doomed at the start. But through a series of zany events (mistaken identities, supervillain cats, etc) Landon and August fall in love and (awkwardly) fight for their relationship…and lives. I loved, loved, loved this book. It was hysterical, zany, and action-packed. The romance was sweet with a lot of banter and sarcastic remarks traded between the two main characters. I will definitely re-read this book in the future.
This is a fun book with a great premise. Landon is a reluctant villain and August is the city superhero. They’re adorable and really really funny. My only wish was that there was more world-building and background but I also didn’t know at the time I got this (based on a rec) that it’s book 4 in a series so maybe that’s why it jumps straight in and never lets up. Also I recommend reading it yourself bc the narrator of the audiobook left a lot to be desired from my POV and actually took away from some great scenes with his dry delivery. Anyway if you’re looking for a fun and original premise to a sweet and sexy mm romance definitely grab this one.
Omgoodness! I’m honestly not sure, but I think this might possibly be Ms. Winters’ most hilarious book to date; and that’s really saying something. I was laughing so much the cats were looking at me funny, and my daughter finally left the room because I told her to find her own darn funny book.
This book is set in a world where everyone has power, some just way more than others. This is where the division between good and bad, and sometimes evil, comes into play. What you end up with is heroes and villains. I’m not sure exactly how this is decided, but I’m guessing it’s just that some people choose to be good, while others…just, don’t.
Landon, or Leviathan, was born into a family of villains. They’re not really good at it, so they depend on Landon a lot. The only problem? Landon doesn’t want any part of it. He wants a quiet life where he can read his books in peace. Not to mention they drive him crazy, except for his older brother Nolan.
August, or Chronobender, is the city’s superhero. He’s a great guy, even if he has a bit of a sucker fetish. He’s also played a major role in why Landon has become the man he is today.
It is obvious from the start that they are meant to be together, but deception always leads to missteps along the way. But with one heart of gold, and one a little tarnished, a lot of great things can happen.
When the super-villains unleash their master plan, even innocent villains get caught up in the rising tide. But with some unusual teamwork and unconventional means, our hero-villain duo moves on toward the happily ever after they both have earned and deserve.
Oh, oh, oh! I almost forgot the signature inclusion of an A.W. book! The cat! Wait until you meet the cat! I can’t even tell you her name without giving any spoilers. But, you’re going to absolutely love the cat! Ok, now I’m done.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *
There’s no better feeling than cracking open a new gift from Alice Winters. I know I will be swept away in the magic she creates.
A Villian for Christmas is exactly that. The world building done in this story is outstanding. You imagine yourself living among the delightful and zany characters that Alice has created. Sexy, sweet August has met his match in snarky, readaholic Landon. Is this good vs evil or just love? The connection and dynamics between these two is felt on every page.
The emotional intimacy that they share is beautiful. Add in a bunch of quirky, lovable secondary characters and you won’t be able to put this book down. I’m already looking forward to more to come from this world….I need Nolan’s story!
I’ve always loved villains more, Loki and Joker are my favourites (also huge batjokes fan), so this book was just perfect!
Landon and August are adorable together. Their romance is soooo weird but they are perfect for each other. Landon’s family is not really evil, just a bit on the quirky side. I cannot believe they forgot Brandon, his brother, for 3 days!!
“You were the cutest little kid back in middle school when Landon was fawning all over you. Then when you became a superhero, Landon made me buy him all the posters of you. He told me it was so he could throw darts at them, but instead of darts, there were tissues lying everywhere.”
“Oh. My. God. Kill me now,” I groan.
This book is filled with Alice Winters’ signature humor. I laughed a lot, be it Landon’s family’s antics or Landon annoying the shit out of Valerie. Also August trying to get his attention by doing pretty much anything else than talking is gold!
It’s hard to believe how this man can make me so happy. He makes me feel wanted and cared for. He makes me ache for him with the way he always wears a smile and has a kind word. And I love it best when it’s only directed toward me.
This book is told entirely from Landon’s POV and contains slight angst. A very fun Christmas read. The epilogue was just lovely. Also I hope we get a Lex and Nolan book! Fingers crossed!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
4.5*
Alice Winters was a new to me author this year, when I finally got around to listening to her In Darkness series. I still have quite a few books of hers to catch up on, but I think it’s safe to say, she’s become one of my favorites. A Villain For Christmas just solidified it for me. I swear she’s the Helena Hunting of the male/male genre. I’m not sure if all of her books are as laugh out loud funny as the ones I’ve read so far, but even if they aren’t I’m pretty sure I’ll love them regardless.
A Villain for Christmas had me laughing from the start, but had me wiping tears at the end. What a funny, wacky, over-the-top story this was! The banter, the snark, the downright silliness of some of the situations Landon and August found themselves in kept me completely entertained. But there were also some slightly heavier, more serious undertones to the story, which Ms. Winters always balances so well with her humor. Thus the tears at the end.
After finishing A Villain for Christmas, I’m not sure who I love more- Landon, Felix (In Darkness series), or Leland (Hitman’s series). What I do know for sure- I need more! I really hope Ms. Winters will continue this series- I’d happily read about these SuperHeroes and SuperVillains for as long as she’s willing to write them!
I swear when it comes to comedic relief, Alice Winters has it in the bag. Just coming off a really big book hangover, I needed the complete opposite of serious and I found it here…mostly lol. I say mostly because there were some serious undertones here. I mean, I get it, we are talking Superhero’s and SuperVillians here so you would almost think, inhuman, science fiction stuff…but not. Some have powers we could only wish to have and others wish they didn’t have them. Some don’t have the brains mama gave them, others are so brilliant that it is hard to see it completely. In the end, Alice tells us a story of people coming together, good and bad, in order to keep the world (or at least their city) safe and she does it with so much humor that if you can’t find anything funny in this story, I have to wonder about you. There are many brilliantly funny parts and sweet silly parts and yes…some definite steam. I loved everything about August and Landon…and even Lex and Brandon and ….you get it 🙂
A Villain for Christmas by Alice Winters is the fourth book in the Snow Globe Christmas series, but definitely can be read as a standalone m/m romance. Within these pages is a hilarious and fun holiday novel filled with superheroes and supervillains (and wannabe villains).
Landon and August are amazing characters – funny, sweet, sexy. I was cracking up reading their interactions and loved every second. The supporting characters are great, too.
The story is entertaining for sure. There is snark, banter and flirtation. There are plots, secrets, magic, and betrayal. There is action, suspense and danger. And there is steam and romance. The story is very well written and captures your interest from the first chapter. If you are looking for a holiday read that will cheer you up and have you laughing out loud, I recommend this book.i really do hope that we get more book from this universe.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Alice Winters did it again! She’s written another brilliant gem of humor and romance, this time set in an original world of superheroes and villains.
welcomed me to the crazy of London’s life and I honestly never laughed so much as I did reading this book. Because the story is banter,snark and sarcasm galore,but also sweetness and tenderness,with a dash of battle between good and evil.
I loved everything about it: sassy,shameless London and sweet August,their antics and banter. I loved their families dynamics, especially London’s,with its nutcases,villain wannabe members. I loved every entertaining moment and hilarious interaction…the cute,the hot,the ugly and dangerous.
I just LOVED IT and I can’t thank Alice Winters enough for the wonderful hours of fun this book is.
The many shades of villains
This book should come with a warning to not drink while reading as it will end up splattered everywhere from laughing so hard. It’s everything I’ve come to expect from a Alice Winter book and more. In fact, I think comics could learn a lot from her and I love the character names, especially the cat. I don’t envy Landon his family. Although, they do amuse me to no end even when I want to smack them.
Landon is clever with a wicked sarcastic attitude. I just love him. August is very sweet but holds his own. I really enjoyed how they’re both a mix of superhero and villain, and they have a lot in common. I adore the banter between August and Landon. Landon, BTW, is a bada$$, who needs hugs, and I think August should get hit on the head more often. So I can’t share my favorite line but can say it involves Valerie but my second favorite one is: “Hold my sucker.”
I thought regular meetings were bad but the villainy ones are something else. Maybe instead of torture they should just spend a day meeting Landon’s parents. August’s visit to a certain group and that entire scene was priceless. I think I’m going to take Baker’s approach when it comes to cursing, and it’s good to be optimistic, poor Brandon. I like Landon’s method for reinvigorating people and really enjoyed the Santa hat convo. Now, I want go bowling and caroling with Landon and August.
I can only imagine the fantastic chaos that holidays and regular days are with August and Landon. So many puns, clever lines and hilarious scenes appear in this book and I loved them all. A wonderfully funny holiday tale that will have you snorting your cocoa and make you never want to leave this world.