The Sleight Before Christmas

Holiday Hijinx, Book 2

By: Kate Stewart

Narrated by: J.F. Harding, Ava Erickson

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 is 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 two in the Holiday Hijinx series. While it can be listened to as a standalone, it is best enjoyed after listening to The Plight Before Christmas. Both books in Holiday Hijinx are packed with adult shenanigans, laugh-out-loud outrageous content, colorful language, adults behaving badly, and hefty doses of spice.

Narrated in duet style.

©2024 Kate Stewart (P)2025 Podium Audio

Do yourself a favor and listen to this book!

Kate Stewart does it again!! The Sleight Before Christmas was one of the best Christmas books I’ve listened to in a LONG time. It brought light to everyday struggles that most families have in this day and age in a real, but funny way. This book had me laughing out loud as well as shedding a few tears. Do yourself a favor and listen to it! You can thank me later!

Great story

I enjoyed this book. I loved the aspect of the trouble of reading kids and not wanting them to be a-holes.

Loved It!!

Great read, loved every moment of this story! The narrators were great, story was great.

A fun Christmas time story

I enjoyed this story. It was a fun, lighthearted set during the holidays.
The parents vs the kids.

Wrecked again 🥹

Omg Kate… you absolutely got me crying all over again. Holy smokes. Allen & Thatcher—that’s it. G R A V I T Y.

I forgot just how emotional Thatch and Serena’s story is, and listening to it hit even harder this time around. And Peyton at Midnight Mass? Jesus for Christ—full-on tear fest.

Ava Erickson and JF Harding absolutely nailed this narration. Their performances added so much depth and emotion that I was completely wrecked (in the best way) again.

If you love holiday romance with real feelings, family, and moments that squeeze your heart, this one is unforgettable.