Possible Spoilers:
Winterfrost Market by Jenny Sandiford is a clean Christmas fantasy romance set in a richly imagined world populated by humans, fae, vampires, werewolves, witches, and more. The story centers on Elsie, the human FMC, and Kit, the fae MMC.

Elsie and her family run a tea shop in Winterfrost Market, a human town, but they’re used to moving from place to place due to her mother’s restless tendencies. This time, however, her mother has left on a mysterious trip to the dangerous Midwinter Haven to obtain a secret tea ingredient and hasn’t returned. Worried, Elsie’s family is desperate for answers.

Enter Kit, a handsome and enigmatic stranger with a magical white dog named Pepper. Rumored to be headed toward Midwinter Haven, Kit becomes Elsie’s hope for finding her mother. But instead of agreeing to search alone, Kit challenges Elsie to accompany him—a challenge she unexpectedly accepts.

The story that follows is an adventurous journey filled with growing trust, cultural misunderstandings, and a romance that develops naturally as Elsie and Kit confront their prejudices about each other’s species.

 • The central message of breaking stereotypes and learning about other cultures before passing judgment was beautifully woven into the story.

 • The romance between Elsie and Kit felt natural and well-paced.

 • Pepper, the magical dog, was a delightful addition.

 • The hints about Kit’s brother’s intentions were intriguing, and I suspect he’ll play a key role in a future installment.

 • Elsie’s naïveté, while understandable due to her youth, was sometimes frustrating.

 • Her self-absorption made her a difficult character to root for at times, though I can see how these traits were integral to her character arc.

Overall, Winterfrost Market was a fun and festive read, even if Elsie’s personality occasionally grated on me. Fans of clean fantasy romance with a holiday twist will likely enjoy it!

Spice Scale: Pimiento (100-500 Scoville)