This sweet, spicy romance involves a second chance romance in a paranormal town. When Arthur, an actor, returns to his hometown to film a movie he reconnects with his high school love, Emma. She refused to leave town with him to pursue his dreams of acting and the relationship ended years ago. Neither got over the heartbreak and lingering feelings persist. I loved the first book in this series and this one was such fun! I always enjoy a Christmas romance.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A very interesting and cozy short read perfect for a quick holiday break

This novella is peak holiday monster romance vibes and yes I mean that in the most charming way possible. Emma Curt runs a small cafe in Claw Haven and is shocked to see Arthur Pineclaw, her high school ex who ditched her on Christmas Eve years ago, suddenly show up filming a holiday movie in town and hanging around her place like he never ghosted her emotional life. He looks fabulous in front of the cameras but Emma knows he is still the same smug Hollywood legend who left her feeling disposable. When he reenters her life it is tension city and then some because Claw Haven is full of monsters who do not hide who they are and this is less grinchy and more second chance with a side of spice and monster magic. They fall into old patterns they thought they left behind and have to face the pain of their past while navigating simmering attraction in a snow covered town that feels like a magical character. It is sexy cozy fun but there is also real emotional growth and regret and nostalgia serving heart and heat in equal measure. The pacing is quick for a novella so it feels like the perfect warm cup of holiday romance in one sitting. If you want a cozy second chance romance with a glamorous ex turned apologetic heartbreaker and a monster town that actually makes sense and Emma who is done with excuses this is your holiday read.

This book was genuinely so sweet I was so disappointed it was only 190 pages! I loved "Accidentally wedded to a werewolf" so when they asked me to read this one too I was THRILLED. The dynamic between Arthur and Emma was so fiery. Emma is a spitfire who is not afraid to tell her opinion and Arthur is doing everything he can to get back into her good graces. We love a man (chimera) who grovels. It was so sweet, my only complaint is that I wish it was longer! I could have read 200 more pages of their story easily!

So happy I got to read this arc! After reading accidentally wedded to a werewolf I knew I needed to to read this Christmas romcom

Claw haven is the cutest town

High school sweethearts
He's always loved her
Black cat x golden retriever

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!

Set in fictional Claw Haven, Alaska, actor and chimera Arthur Pineclaw returns to his hometown to film a rom-com and runs into his high school sweetheart, human and cafe owner Emma Curt. Arthur and Emma haven't seen each other in over a decade, ever since he left for LA. Emma would never have allowed her cafe to be the filming location had she known her ex was the star. Angry and frustrated, Emma wants nothing to do with the chimera who walked away from her. But Arthur always knew how to get past Emma's defenses. As old feelings come back, can they find a way back to each other?

I liked this quick and fun holiday read! Emma hides her other emotions with anger, which she dives into during the story. Arthur has always been good at providing the perfect face to the world, which he started young based on his family. Emma's support structure shines with great side characters, while Arthur's lack of friends is also revealing. This was a great continuation of the Claw Haven world, and I look forward to future books set here!

This novella features:
❄ Second Chance Romance
🎄 Sunshine rom-com actor chimera MMC vs Grumpy cafe owner human FMC
❄ Small town life vs Los Angeles
🎄 Christmas time

Open Door / Spicy!

4 / 5 Stars

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!

Welcome Back to Cla Haven, aka the cutest Hallmark Monster Romance town! This one brings you a sweet second chance love story between a human and her high school sweetheart - turned movie star Chimera. Grumpy Sunshine small town romance abundant! This one gives you all of the aches and feels. Perfect Christmas story for you monster romance lovers.

Authur goes back to Claw Haven to film a movie, but realizes the movie is being filmed in a cafe owned by Emma, the girl who dumped him on Christmas eve. sweet short story

Another super cozy and cute "monster"romance. How can you not fall for a furry lead8ng man with a devastating smile? On top of that he is trying to rekindle that high school romance with his first and 9nly (grumpy) love...swoon! The sweet moments and dates feed the sould while the turmoil of a an old broken heart tear at your heart. This is a great holiday lo story!

This novella was cute - we all know I’m not a huge second chance girly but I loved being back in claw haven for what felt like the Christmas special. I honestly almost wish this had been a full blown novel so Emma could’ve had more time, but I get why they made the timeline swift - he only had so much time back in town! Overall I flew through this book and it was a f̆̈ŭ̈n̆̈ read, I’ll be excited for the next book in the series! Thank you harlequin romance and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

loved being back in claw town and seeing Luna and her family. loved this second chance at a love and when Arthur comes to town to work on his movie and falls back in love with Emma. love this small town creature romance. .

Christmas with a Chimera is the second book in the Claw Haven series and it was beyond adorable. The perfect hallmark Christmas movie in book form. I loved angry Emma and how Arthur helped melt her heart again. I’m not usually a second chance romance fan, but this one was very sweet! Nothing like Christmas in July!

Ex’s to lovers
Spice 🌶️🌶️
She’s the grump he’s the sunshine.
HEA

Review of ARC

Excellent installment to the Claw Haven series. For such a short story I appreciated the growth of the characters. With a novella and a love story I anticipate some form of instant love which I don’t love, but that was not the case. I liked that there was groundwork from their past that could be built on. The story is heavily formed around the juxtaposition of their feelings, or maybe coping methods? One never stops smiling and the other never stops yelling. I think Emma and Arthur’s relationship was great for a novella and I liked the little cameos from Luna and Oliver (I miss them!)

An absolutely adorable sequel to Isabelle Taylor's Accidentally Wedded to a Werewolf. I want to spend Christmas with her books forever!

Spicy, male female, paranormal (chimera!), second chance, contemporary romance. This couple was hard to love at first - he was overly cocky but insecure and she was all sharp edges but not intentionally mean. Thankfully, we got to see these high school lovebirds reconnect and grow. Great chemistry, perfect novella length, and a happy ending. I love the town of Claw Haven and hope to read many more stories set here.

Isabelle Taylor’s Christmas With A Chimera is a delightful blend of whimsy, warmth, and a touch of the fantastical. With vivid prose and a festive setting, Taylor crafts a charming holiday tale that’s both heartwarming and imaginative. The unexpected pairing of mythical elements with cozy Christmas traditions creates a unique narrative that feels fresh yet comfortingly familiar. A perfect short read to curl up with during the holidays—magical, memorable, and filled with heart.