[Review] FAKING CHRISTMAS by Kerry Winfrey

Source: Received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Number of Pages: 288 (Paperback)

DESCRIPTION

Laurel Grant is playing house for the holidays—complete with a fake husband and kids—in this delightful, charming rom-com by Kerry Winfrey.

Laurel Grant works as the social media manager for Buckeye State of Mind, an Ohio tourism magazine and website. She most definitely does not run a farm . . . but one tiny misunderstanding leads her boss, Gilbert, to think she owns her twin sister Holly’s farm just outside of Columbus. Laurel only handles the social media for the farm, but she’s happy to keep her little white lie going if it means not getting fired—she cannot be jobless again.

And keep it going she must when Gilbert, recently dumped by his wife, invites himself over for the farm’s big Christmas Eve Eve dinner (as advertised on Meadow Rise Farm’s Instagram, thanks to Laurel herself). Laurel immediately goes into panic mode to figure out how she can trick Gilbert into thinking she’s basically the Martha Stewart of rural Ohio and keep her job in the process.

Laurel and Holly come up with the perfect plan—all Laurel has to do is pretend to own the farm for one dinner. But Laurel shows up at the farm to find an unwelcome guest is waiting: Max Beckett, her nemesis since Holly’s wedding. The annoyingly attractive man she hates will be posing as Laurel’s husband just for the evening, but when a snowstorm traps them all for the entire weekend, Laurel is going to have to figure out how to survive with her job and dignity intact. Whatever the case, this promises to be the most eventful Christmas in ages. . .

G E T   Y O U R   C O P Y   N O W !
Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Indigo | B&N

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REVIEW

Well, this was absolutely delightful! I'm a sucker for enemies-to-lovers and this fake-dating, holiday romance was wonderful! Plus...it even has the only one bed trope! ;)

I've read one Kerry Winfrey book before this one and I remember loving her banter and how sweet the romance was, and FAKING CHRISTMAS was just as lovely! The characters were fully fleshed out and it reminded me of my fave holiday rom-coms! The premise was hilarious with Laurel having to set up a pretend scenario for the holidays, and the way everything unfolded was fabulous. I loved getting to know Laurel, and I realllllllly loved seeing her relationship with her "nemesis" Max transition throughout the story! I won't give away too many details because I think they're best experienced as you read, but I loved how everything came together, all of the characters...and how realistic the pacing of the story felt.

Overall, I thought that FAKING CHRISTMAS was a wonderful holiday rom-com and an absolute pleasure to read! I picked it up and couldn't put it down! It's sweet, fast-paced, and definitely gives you all of the delightful Christmas feels of your favourite holiday tunes, movies, and everything else that makes Christmas time so fun. If you love lighthearted rom-coms that make you laugh and swoon, then this holiday romp is the perfect fit for you!

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think? 

 

Are you a fan of holiday romances, and does FAKING CHRISTMAS sound like one that you'd enjoy?

 

[Review + Release Day] SINGLE AND READY TO JINGLE by Piper Rayne

 Source: Received an egalley to participate in the blog tour.
Release Date: November 15, 2022

DESCRIPTION

The girl who loves Christmas falls for the Grinch—it’s a Christmas miracle.

What started as a dumpster fire of a blind date turns into a deal.

In truth, it probably didn’t help that I showed up dressed like an elf but that’s a story for another time. Our start was rocky at best which is why it’s so frustrating that I can’t stop thinking about his sexy British accent. Or the way his chest and arms fill out his suit. Or his perfect hair with that single streak of grey at the front.

Santa likes lists and so do I, so here’s all the reasons why Andrew and I aren’t right for each other:

He’s my brother’s best friend
He’s the biggest grump I’ve ever met.
He hates Christmas.

That last one is big for a girl like me who thinks that the entire month of December should be a national holiday. So, when he calls for my help in planning his firm’s holiday party, I can’t pass up the opportunity to grow my small business. Bonus, we make a deal, and he agrees to attend three holiday events with me so I can make him fall in love with Christmas. As if I’d pass up an opportunity to make a Grinch’s heart grow three times its size.

It isn’t long until I discover Andrew has a very real reason to hate Christmas and I start to see him in a different light. That’s when the Christmas miracle begins.

 

P U R C H A S E    L I N K S:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RDwIFv
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3D5uGKm
Nook: https://bit.ly/3qdzK7N
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3wZ7cCO
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3KNl9cR

Audiobook: https://books2read.com/sartj
(Narrated by John Lane & CJ Bloom)

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REVIEW

While I absolutely love Christmas, I haven't actually read a tonne of Christmas books, but every year, I try to read at least a few, and as soon as I heard about Piper and Rayne's SINGLE AND READY TO JINGLE, I knew it would be perfect to pick up this year, and boy was I right! :)
 

I absolutely adored SINGLE AND READY TO JINGLE—the tropes were fabulous, I loved the characters and the chemistry between Kenzie and Andrew was phenomenal! I also adored all of the lovely holiday rom-com vibes! It was so fun! I loved all of the Christmas-y adventures, and Kenzie's love of Christmas was so palpable! It definitely helped me get even more excited for the season!

 

I loved how the story progressed, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing Kenzie and Andrew fall in love...I also adored that Andrew was British! Who doesn't love an accent? ;) 

 

Overall, I thought that SINGLE AND READY TO JINGLE was a fun, adorable and steamy holiday rom-com that had me completely hooked! I did bump my rating closer to a 4.5 just because I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but other than that, I loved it and thought it was a wonderful story! This also happened to be Piper and Rayne's first standalone...so not only is it perfect for the holidays, but it's the perfect way for new readers to meet two of my faves! I highly recommend SINGLE AND READY TO JINGLE to rom-com lovers, especially those who love holiday romances!

Star Rating: ★★★★.5

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Meet Piper Rayne

Piper Rayne are a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne:

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Are you a fan of holiday romances? 

Is SINGLE AND READY TO JINGLE on your list?