The Sleight Before Christmas (Holiday Hijinx Series Book 2)

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars | 249 ratings

Price: 2.99

Last update: 12-22-2024


About this item

From the author of The Plight Before Christmas and The Ravenhood trilogy comes a heartwarming, spicy, holiday-themed romantic dramedy with ALL OF THE FEELS.


My kids are a**holes.

Yeah, I said it. I said the thing no father is supposed to say about their children, and I’ll say it again because I miss my wife.

Serena’s checked out and now resides in ‘yes dear’ robot mode, complete with a new eye twitch. Reason being, the impish elves we spawned are currently sucking the life out of her—daily. Thanks to Gracie and Peyton, my patience is hanging by the last orange bulb on a very thin green wire. Thank God we’re headed to Triple Falls. A week of Ruby’s eggnog and a little change of scenery could be just what the woman I love needs to find her way back to herself—and to me. But the closer we get to packing up, the shorter my fuse becomes . . . and the more I’m starting to get ideas of taking drastic measures.

And by drastic, I mean our little goblins won’t be the only ones making Rudolph’s naughty list. I’ve had enough. I’m not giving in this time. No amount of alligator tears or fake apologies are going to cut it.

Ironically, the more I man up and take charge, the more Serena and I are starting to reminisce about the good old days, which is quickly adding up to some heated nights.

Come hell or high water, this Christmas, our kids are going to learn to appreciate the parents they’ve got because I’m getting my girl back . . . even if the two little hellions we created have to pay to bring her back to me—little f*ckers.

The Sleight Before Christmas is book #2 in The Holiday Hijinx series. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is highly recommended that you read The Plight Before Christmas first.

*Fair Warning- Both books in Holiday Hijinx are packed with adult shenanigans, laugh-out-loud outrageous content, colorful language, adults behaving badly, as well as hefty doses of spice.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Cori / RomancingtheReader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a good surprise…
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    Ok, we’re going into this one all vibes.

    ???? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????: The Sleight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart

    ???? ????????????????????????: Holiday Hijinx character series. Book 2.

    ???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????: E-book on Kindle. ???? on KU.

    ???? ????????????????????: Holiday romance

    ???? ????????????????????????: Then-and-now, found family

    ???? ????????????????????????????????: Thatch and Serena have been married for over 20 years - not all sunshine and rainbows but never giving up on one another. But one Christmas with their kids driving them to the brink of insanity poses the hardest obstacle yet.

    ???? ????????????????????????: Clearly this was a “drop everything and read this book” sort of moment for me. Everyone who knows me knows I love The Plight Before Christmas, so seeing this surprise release had my eyes perking up.

    About 40% in, I wasn’t sure exactly where it was going, if I’m being honest. And I wasn’t sure it was a romance - at least not in the traditional sense. But by the end, I can confidently say I haven’t read anything like this book.

    Thatch, Serena, their kids… it was all just so relatable and real. It felt sometimes like looking in a mirror. Serena and Thatch’s very grown up troubles felt like my own. I guarantee this will resonate with anyone who has been married for a bit, and anyone who has kids for sure.

    I wasn’t sure I needed more of this couple. But I loved getting to know them. And in the end, I wanted to hug both of them - and left with a really powerful thought of falling in love with your partner over and over.

    If you need something to kick up your holiday mood - but that go way beyond the season and into real-life territory - these two books will do it for sure.

    ????????????????????????: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    ???????????????????? ????????????????????: 3.5/5 ????????????
  • JennaReads
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible and heartbreaking
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2024
    Thatch started from nothing and has turned his life into something spectacular. He’s a self made man. Has a great house, a great company, a great wife and some (not so) great kids. Or are they? After seeing what providing for his children has done to them, caused them, and what their bad behavior is doing to the woman he adores he puts his foot down. But is it too late to teach his kids that the world doesn’t owe them anything? That he earned everything he has and they will need to also. For their own good. This book is so sweet and sad and thought provoking and it’ll give you a good belly laugh too, possibly shed a few tears as well. I loved this book for so many reasons. It sends a great message and as a single mom, a parent, this one hits home. We’re all just doing our best. The next biggest reason is the nod to our beloved Triple Falls and my first love, Tree Hill. IYKYK. (Go Ravens, both of them). This is a must read! Kate has done it again! Can wait to put this on my bookshelf!
  • Kyng
    5.0 out of 5 stars Always Amazing
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    Oh my dearest Kate, you've done it again. Emotionally put me through the ringer AGAIN, and I loved every freaking minute of it. After reading Plight, I always hoped we get to see the relationships with the other siblings and their spouses, and this was perfection! And of course we can't forget about the pledge ????
  • Lynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tough Love
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    I was so excited when this dropped that I downloaded it and had it finished within 24 hours. Know what Thatch and Serena went through in The Plight Before Christmas to seeing them fall in love over again in this book as well as learning their story was just beautiful. Kate Stewart never disappoints!!
  • Monique
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great accomplishment
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    You are able to feel everyone’s emotions like they are your own. I laughed, I cried. I relate! Loved absolutely loved this book. Eli was my fav from Plight but I think Thatcher is my new fav.
  • Kv1000
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a gift!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    I was so excited Kate dropped this Christmas surprise. I loved everything about it. Comedy. Spice. Family traditions. Relatable characters. Kate Stewart never disappoints. A must add to your holiday TBR list.
  • April
    5.0 out of 5 stars Getting your groove back after decades of marriage and a couple sasshole kids!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    Fantastic! Kate, I believe you have hit the nail on the head for so many. We are out here learning and healing through your work. Perfection!!!
  • Donna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2024
    Kate Stewart never disappoints!! She is a true genius with words and her stories are fantastic! I am a life long fan of her work!

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