Studmuffin Santa by Tawna Fenske

Studmuffin Santa

Jaded Marine Meets Holiday Chaos—With Abs

Written byTawna Fenske
Length4h46m
Release dateDecember 24, 2019
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.5 (234 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorTawna Fenske
NarratorNelson Hobbs, Teri Schnaubelt
Runtime4h46m
PublishedDecember 24, 2019
Rating★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 (234 ratings)
CategoriesRomance, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*Studmuffin Santa* isn’t your grandma’s Hallmark holiday romance. Tawna Fenske drops a battle-hardened Marine into a small-town Christmas nightmare, where Brandon Brown’s six-pack is the only thing more rigid than his disdain for tinsel. Forced into a Santa suit by family obligation (and a desperate mall manager), he’s the anti-Claus: all scowl, no ho-ho-ho. The real magic? His chemistry with the book’s sharp-witted heroine, whose skepticism about love—and Santa—matches his own. This isn’t a slow-burn; it’s a live wire, crackling with banter so fast you’ll rewind to catch the zingers.

The dual narration by Nelson Hobbs and Teri Schnaubelt is a masterclass in comedic timing. Hobbs delivers Brandon’s dry, military-blunt dialogue like a man who’s seen too much and still can’t believe he’s wearing a fake beard, while Schnaubelt’s performance as the heroine drips with sassy exasperation. The audiobook’s pacing mirrors a rom-com montage—snappy, with just enough emotional pauses to let the absurdity (and occasional tenderness) land. What sets this apart? The refusal to sand down the edges. Brandon’s PTSD isn’t a footnote, and the holiday setting isn’t just backdrop—it’s a pressure cooker for two people who’d rather flee than feel.

Tags: military-to-mistletoe romancesnarky holiday romcom audiobookdual narration comedy with heartgrumpy Marine meets sunshine skepticfast-paced Christmas audiobook under 5 hoursromance with PTSD representation

Why Listen to Studmuffin Santa?

  • Expert narration by Nelson Hobbs, Teri Schnaubelt brings every character and scene to life across 4h46m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.5 stars by 234 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first: *another* grumpy-sunshine holiday romance? But *Studmuffin Santa* disarms you in the first chapter when Brandon, fresh off a redeployment, deadpans, *“I’d rather clear an IED than deal with my family’s Christmas bullshit.”* That’s when I knew this wasn’t going to be saccharine. Fenske’s writing is razor-sharp, balancing raunchy humor (the Santa suit mishaps are *gold*) with moments of genuine vulnerability—like when Brandon’s trauma bubbles up mid-mall shift. The audiobook elevates it further: Nelson Hobbs nails the gruff, *“I’m too manly for this”* vibe without tipping into caricature, and Teri Schnaubelt’s delivery of the heroine’s eye-rolls is so vivid, I could *see* them. That said, the plot occasionally stumbles into rom-com tropes it otherwise mocks (the miscommunication in Act 2 feels forced, even by genre standards), and the secondary characters—especially Brandon’s family—veer into cartoonishness. But the narration saves even the weakest bits. Hobbs and Schnaubelt’s back-and-forth during the *“Santa’s workshop”* scene had me laughing out loud in public, and the way they handle the quieter moments (like the bench scene in the snow) adds depth to what could’ve been pure fluff. Clocking in under five hours, it’s the perfect audiobook for a road trip or a marathon wrapping session—just don’t blame me if you start side-eyeing every mall Santa after this.

Download: Studmuffin Santa

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Studmuffin Santa by Tawna Fenske is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Nelson Hobbs, Teri Schnaubelt with a runtime of 4h46m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.