A woman who has been unlucky in love and closed off meets someone who she slowly learns to open back up to.

Did the above make this sound like the, and I quote, fun and festive romance the cover promised? No? That would be because it’s nothing like the synopsis. 😒 This book is light on Christmas and very heavy on the bitter men bashing. I found our FMC, Sarah, beyond miserable and hard to read about. One bad experience in her past, while significant, turned her off men to the point that she was rude and insufferable. Between her, the curmudgeon neighbor, the “overly keen colleague” who is quite literally a stalker (who Sarah, an HR person, literally doesn’t know how to handle 😑), the sister going through a divorce and also being a miserable human (around kids who the book makes clear are traumatized by it all), this wasn’t quite the fun and cheeky Christmas rom-com I was promised. 😞 The best part was the stray dog who Sarah took in…and then proceeded to keep threatening to send to the shelter with the author writing in that the dog seemed to understand the threat and would get upset every time. What an uplifting holiday treat, y’all. 😕

My thanks to NetGalley and Canelo Romance for a complimentary advance copy of this eBook, out now.

This is my third Tracy Corbett book now and I think maybe my favourite so far! 😍

Sarah Haynes is the Head of HR at a private hospital in London; she loves her job and she has a great group of friends there, but she is nursing a broken heart. Five years ago, she was jilted at the altar on her wedding day and she has never quite recovered. Since that day, she has put up a defensive barrier between her and all other male species, because she never wants to be in that position ever again.

However, that might look set to change with the arrival of American doctor, Lucas. Coincidentally, they end up sharing an apartment block and a workplace, so it’s inevitable that they will start to see a lot of each other. And even more so when Lucas offers to ‘fake date’ Sarah to help her escape the claws of her creepy boss Stephen who doesn’t understand the word no. I thought that Tracy tackled this part of the story really well, and whilst it frustrated me immensely and I wanted to strangle Stephen myself (!!!), I thought that it was really important that it was included and put under the spotlight and unfortunately, harassment within the workplace is far too common!

I loved Sarah and how ‘tell it like it is’ she was. I was really hoping she would get her happy ending. Lucas was just an absolute dream 😍 I loved Mrs Kelsey too and her banter with Lucas. Fred 🐶 was a cutie and I’m glad he got his forever home 🏡 loved how Sarah’s relationship with Harper developed too and how they helped each other to move forward with their futures.

It was just overall such a feel good festive read about the loveliest bunch of people who all needed something good to happen in their lives (apart from Stephen - he deserved everything he got). The romance was well balanced with the darker undercurrent of the stalker storyline. A really great book that I would highly recommend!

Fake dating at Christmas is always a good idea. Only for Christmas is a cute story that has you hooked from the beginning and finishing the book without stopping.

Christmas used to be one of the happiest time of Sarah’s life; that is until she was stood up on her wedding day. Closed off to men, she vowed to protect her heart by pouring all of her energy into her work. But when an American doctor enters her life, she might not be able to resist his charm.

Unlike most Christmas books, Tracy Corbett’s Only For Christmas is a heavy read. Therefore, If you are looking for a feel good, fluffy escape, this is not the book for you. Readers should be advised that it features topics such as workplace harassment, a messy divorce, displaced dog, and an elderly woman unable to care for herself.

While it sounds downright depressing, Only For Christmas was ultimately a good read. I enjoyed Corbett’s writing and thought she did a fantastic job creating a realistic world. I will definitely be checking out some of her other books in the future.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Tracey Corbett, and Canelo (Romance) for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

While there were some Christmas elements to this book, I think the holiday vibes took a backseat to Sarah's baggage, fear of moving on, and Stephen, her misogynistic boss who probably has an astounding number of harassment in the workplace cases outstanding. As someone who isn't a fan of over-the-top drama, this book just wasn't my favorite.

I loved the element of fake dating between Sarah and Lucas and how it originally came to be, but after awhile the actions of Stephen just became too much and made it hard for me to enjoy the overall story. I also found it really hard to root for Sarah as her insecurities and self-deprecation became annoying and tiring. With that said, Lucas was perfect and I found that it was him and Fred that kept me pushing through to the end.

A cosy and sweet romance with the fake dating trope. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

3.5

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect book to kick off the Christmas romance book season for me. Only for Christmas follows Sarah who has been avoiding love and romance since being left at the altar five years ago. She begins having trouble with unwanted advances from her new boss, which prompts a fake dating scenario with her new neighbor and temporary employee at the hospital Lucas.

I really enjoyed seeing the development of the characters personally as well as within their 'fake' relationship. This book definitely gives more hallmark vibes than steamy vibes. So, if you're not a fan of steam in your romances, this will be perfect for you.

This book allowed me to be immersed in a holiday movie! It was fun, light and warm. I'm always skeptical of the fake dating trope, but I always end up surprised that it works! This book was do fun and got me in the holiday mood.

I totally enjoyed this book!! My first Christmas book for this year. I fell in love with the characters and couldn't read fast enough to see how their relationship will work.

Who doesn't like a fake dating trope for Christmas.

Sarah has a very creepy boss and to keep him away she decides to make it seem she's dating the new hottie American doctor. In a not so surprisingly sort of way, he is also her new neighbor.

The story is so cute. I enjoyed it so much as a palette cleanser and to keep the Christmas mood alive. It just got me even more into the Christmas spirit.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Reading ‘Only for Christmas’ by Tracey Corbett felt like watching a hallmark Christmas movie or watching a romcom! 🎄

I have been on a Christmas book binge the last couple of days, so I have read quite a few books and this one does unfortunately fall into the very average for this type of romance. Although I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars as it was really good, but unfortunately I just didn’t stand out specifically to me out of the rest of the books that I’ve been reading.

I read this in one sitting! I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud at times and the chemistry between them. The reverse grumpy sunshine trope is one of my favorites along with the fake dating trope during the holidays. Yes, yes, yes!! Loved this!!
I just reviewed Only for Christmas by Tracy Corbett. #OnlyforChristmas #NetGalley
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Fake dating + sweet romance = my kind of book. First time trading from this author and her writing style was really easy to follow and picture in the mind. I would read other books by this author. Nice cozy read for Christmas.

Well I needed me some Christmasy book. And this one deliverd.
I love the whole fake dating trope, so I was instantly hooked.

Such a cute book. 3.5 stars.

Lucas is just for one month in London and as he helped his neighbor in a difficult situation they decided to have a fake romance til Christmas.

Sounds complicated, it is.

So much fun reading, beautiful characters, difficult family life and maybe a happy end.

Have fun reading!

"Only for Christmas" by Tracy Corbett is a delightful holiday romance that offers a perfect escape into the festive season. The story brims with charm, humor, and the enchantment of Christmas. Corbett's characters are endearing, and their journey of love and self-discovery is heartwarming. This book is a cozy, feel-good read that captures the spirit of the season, making it a perfect addition to your holiday reading list.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another festive read to get me all warm and cosy for Christmas.
I found this book really fun to read and was a nice easy read which is what I needed at the time, and it read so easy it was like watching a movie in my head. Full of banter, romance, tears and joy I really couldn't put his down.

A fun, fake dating romance. I liked both main characters and wanted everything to work out for them. A great festive read.

On the surface, this is a romantic Christmas read with the main character, in my mind, being the gorgeous dog Fred! There is also a darker side to this story focusing on a misogynistic boss who misuses his power which means that this is not always comfortable and enjoyable festive reading.