The follow up to How the Hitman Stole Christmas, Dante and Aileen have been best friends for years but her daughter, Nessa wants him to be her new Dad for Christmas. This story has suspense, intrigue and plenty of humor and steam.

The follow up to How the Hitman Stole Christmas, Dante and Aileen have been best friends for years but her daughter, Nessa wants him to be her new Dad for Christmas. This story has suspense, intrigue and plenty of humor and steam.

If you want a fun, fast-paced, friends-to-lovers Holiday romance with a good dose of heat, suspense, and action between a single mom and a professional hitman, then this is for you.
Despite the serious background story of both characters (see content warning below), this was a surprisingly entertaining quick read that hit all the right spots for me.
This can absolutely be read as a standalone. However, I can also totally recommend the first romance in this series.

Verdict: A satisfying 4/5 stars for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publishers for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication day.

Content Warning: organized crime, murder, violence, r@pe and abuse of a minor (for different characters and both briefly described as past events)

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of rape and violence

This is the story of how two friends become lovers. Aileen wants to reclaim her sexuality and Dante is her BFF who has been in love with her for years. Throw in a family of hit men and women and a pre teen that are rooting for them. This is part two of a series but can be read as a standalone. The naughty bits are steamy, be forewarned.

For those who have experienced sexual trauma some of the scenes may seem unreal, if you can make it past the disbelief, it is a good book.

Another fun hitman Christmas romance! I love a friends to lovers story, and her daughter's meddling was so adorable. There was just enough action/mystery to keep things interesting, but the romance stole the show. I loved every minute! Looking forward to more.

Book #2 in the Holiday with a Hitman series, A Very Merry Hitman brings back favorite characters from the first book - Dante, the brooding and very protective neighbor and family friend (also a hitman) and Aileen, the daughter and sister of a couple of hitmen. Holiday hijinks ensue, as Aileen navigates life for her and her daughter among a family/neighborhood full of people in the business who will keep her safe at any cost. Dante is the best kind of alpha male, protective, loving and only has eyes for Aileen. I loved watching this story unfold and the mystery of who is behind the Santa muggings and hijinks. Steamy, loving and full of quips and antics that will have your smiling while simultaneously fanning your face. While this story could be read alone, do yourself a favor and pick up the first book to fully immerse in the hitman community. Happy Holidays!

Although Nessa is from a family of hit men and lives in a neighbor hood of hit men, she is not a hit man. She is a single mom who is raising her daughter on her own. After being mugged several times it turns out it was not random and she is being targeted. You get to see her family and friends work to capture the culprit while she has a budding romance with a neighbor.

A Very Merry Hitman by Katie Reus
Holiday with a Hitman #2

Fun, funny, festive holiday romance ~ Still smiling as I think about Aileeen & Dante’s story :)

What I liked:
* Dante: hitman, lethal, has the hots for Aileen, good friend, part of the “family”, hottie, perfect in the story
* Aileen: single mother of Nessa, not in the hitman family business, ASMRtist with big following, had a bad experience in college, attracted to Dante and ready to make her move
* Nessa: Aileen’s pre-teen daughter, wants Santa to give her Dante as her father
* Theo and Elli: from book one in the series, fun to revisit their story and see how they are doing
* Nestor and Lorna: parents of Aileen and Theo and skilled at the family business
* The mystery of why Santas were out to get Aileen and the conclusion to that part of the story
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The smile on my face as I think bac over the story

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Wondering who will be the main characters in book three of the series

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

I've managed to read the second book first, but I was so taken with the premise that I need to go back and get the first book now. A community of trained assassins and their families? Sign me up! This is an original premise which caught my attention from the get-go.

The characters are developed so well, Aileen as the single parent juggling her job and parenting responsibilities, and Dante as the grumpy bear assassin watching and admiring her yet somehow not making a move. It's all inevitable of course, and it was a fun ride watching them get there.

The scenario of sloppy amateur Santa Clause attackers made for some great visuals. The escalation of tensions as the crime scenario began to unfold, all offset with baking Christmas cookies, and family members offering to step in an 'off' anyone who has upset their loved ones. I mean, who wouldn't want that level of protectiveness?

This is the kind of Hallmarky sort of Christmas movie I could really get behind. Plausible characters, enjoyable establishment and development, great banter amongst everyone, and a really satisfying resolution. I'll take this over the usual season schmalz any day.

Full disclosure, I received this book through NetGalley, but that has now transitioned into full purchase of both books in the series.

This was a good read! I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. The story was well written and engaging. I would definitely recommend!

This was a fun read. When Aileen is in danger, Dante steps up to protect the woman he has always wanted. Being a hitman is certainly an advantage. I like the take of a whole neighborhood of hitmen. I didn't read the previous book, however this one makes me want to go back and read it.

Aileeens family and neighbours are all hitmen. 2 Santa's attack her and it seems that they were after her phone. Family friend Dante has loved her for ever but he's concerned for her safety

This book was a cute little read to get into the Christmas spirit. It was quite fast paced, and I would have enjoyed it more if it was longer with more detail and fleshed out. A great palette cleanser from spooky season with a dash of mystery

What a fun read, an author that can keep you wanting more no matter what she writes! When a young girl wishes for a new dad for Christmas, her aunt and her set out in getting her mother and their best friend together, in some unconventional ways!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, and I was excited to see that this second installment was out. It gave me a good excuse to go back and read last year's holiday hitman story, followed immediately by this one. These books are so much fun. This author is incredibly talented; it's not every author who can weave a short novel that still manages to thoroughly develop the characters and a riveting plotline. Ms. Reus absolutely can. I'll be anxiously awaiting next year's story.

A VERY MERRY HITMAN is the second instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult HOLIDAY WITH A HITMAN erotic, romantic suspense series. This is social media content developer Aileen Contos, and hitman Dante’s story line. A VERY MERRY HITMAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from omniscient third person perspective A VERY MERRY HITMAN follows the building relationship between Aileen and Dante. Aileen is a single mother who posts social media content for a living. Dante is a hitman who has worked with Aileen’s brother Theo, as well as her parents but Dante’s attraction to Aileen is hidden behind friendship and neighborly help. When not one but two Santas target our story line heroine, Dante, along with Aileen’s entire family, jump into action to take down the person responsible. What ensues is the building relationship between Dante and Aileen, and the potential fall-out as our heroine is targeted for someone else’s sins.

The world building follows several paths: Aileen is a single mother and is hoping to enter the world of dating but raising a child on her own meant making said child her number one priority and Aileen is hoping Dante will teach her about sexual fulfillment. Meanwhile someone is targeting our story line heroine, desperate to cover the sins of the past.

The relationship between Dante and Aileen begins as neighbors and friends but Dante is hoping for something more while Aileen believes remaining friends is the best option going forward. Aileen’s daughter Nessa is hoping Santa is answers her prayers, bringing with him exactly what Nessa has ordered. As Aileen continues to push Dante away, Dante will become guardian and protector of the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include Aileen’s daughter Nessa; her parents and hitmen Nestor and Lorna; Aileen’s brother Theo and his wife Elliana (How the Hitman Stole Christmas 1) and Elliana’s friend Diego. The requisite evil has many faces.

A VERY MERRY HITMAN is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and obsession, family and friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, dynamic and energetic.



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A Very Merry Hitman is a hoot! I love the action, suspense, single mom awkwardness, steamy chemistry, and Christmas hijinks!

Aileen is a single mom to a very smart, rambunctious girl. She has a career, a home, wonderful family, and has just about everything she needs. Well, what she really needs is someone to help dust off the cobwebs and make sure her lady parts still work! And she hopes that someone is Dante, her hot neighbor, family friend, and hitman extraordinaire.

Dante has been gaga over Aileen for years! He’s dumbstruck when Aileen asks him for a little poke and tickle but before he can answer, she runs out and asks him to forget it. Forget it? Never. When Aileen falls victim to Santa trying to rob her–twice–Dante’s protective instincts are in full alpha mode as he works to keep Aileen and her daughter Nessa safe.

As Dante and Aileen spend more time together, the slow burning flame that Dante’s kept for her quickly develops into an all-consuming passion that leaves nothing but embers behind. Dante is definitely not getting coal in his stocking this year 😏

The suspense is thrilling, the romance is combustible, the dialogue is funny, and the story will melt your heart.

I highly recommend the Holiday with a Hitman series and I’ll be asking Santa for more stories in this vibrant, festive book world!

Imagine being a social media content creator living in a neighborhood of hitmen. Now imagine being in love with one of those hitmen but you don’t think he shares your feelings. Then mix in a wish to Santa from a young girl who just wants a dad for Christmas. You will get A Very Merry Hitman!

Aileen is the mother of an eleven-year-old daughter. She has tried dating since her daughter was born but she’s given up on finding a man. Until she meets Dante. After years of dancing around Dante she decides to ask his straight up for what she wants. He doesn’t have the reaction she hoped for but now she’s let the genie out of the bottle and can’t put it back. As the two of them explore their attraction, danger lurks in the background. Someone seems intent of harming Aileen. But who would want to hurt an ASMR social media influencer? The reveal wasn’t exactly stunning but it worked well with the story. I like that the author made everyone in the neighborhood a hitman of one variety or another. The side characters were all good additions to the story.

This is a lighthearted romance. I might even classify it as a romp. I even laughed out loud a few times. I will most definitely read more from this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

An amazing return to the Holiday With a Hitman series and the characters introduced in How a Hitman Stole Christmas. All Nessa wants for Christmas is a dad, she’s got the candidate picked out already. All she needs now is to figure out how to get her mum Aileen and Dante together. Fortunately, her new aunt is ready and willing to help her niece whatever she wants for Christmas especially if it means she’ll keep her position as Nessa’s favourite relative.

A fantastic hero who’s ready to kill for his woman, a feisty heroine ready to start living again, sizzling chemistry, deliciously wicked banter and humour, a posse of thieving Santas and a fabulous cast of secondary characters who all bring something to the story, if Hallmark did a version Die Hard, then this book would be the result. There’s a touch of unrequited love about Dante and Aileen’s story. Dante has loved her for years so when she starts dating and it’s not him, his protective hackles are raised tinged with jealousy to the amusement of Nessa’s aunt who doesn’t miss a chance to torment Dante under the guise of helping him. My only complaint about A Very Merry Hitman would be it looks like I’ll have to wait a year for the next book in the series to release.