This was a quick and cute read! I'm a sucker for a fake relationship and that in combination with the cozy, holiday vibes and a nice dose of coming of age angst worked well. I found Murphy to be a flawed but likeable character, who is at a turning point in her life where it seems her family and friends are moving on while she hasn't quite found her place in this changing world.
Things that worked for me: banter between Murphy and Ellie, their fake dating trade-off agreement, Murphy's coffee shop job, the frustrating but realistic little tantrums Murphy throws re: Kat and Daniel, the meet-cute and getting the girl back moments.
Things that fell flat: the idea of Ellie's mom playing favorites with grades, Murphy's lack of awareness of important transfer deadlines, Murphy's parents springing a sudden move on her, Ellie's level of anger post-Murphy's bathroom breakdown. While obviously stakes are elevated to create the necessary drama, the sheer number of obstacles placed in Murphy's way and heightened emotions within one 24 hour period felt extreme.
That said, once suspension of disbelief was activated, I greatly enjoyed how Murphy ultimately dealt with her world falling down around her and how she fixed the cracks in her most important relationships. Would certainly recommend for a late fall/winter read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first ever read by Becca Grishow and she wrote this book flawlessly. I loved the banter between Murphy and Ellie. This book was an easy-going, slaphappy and lightsome read that had you loving each character from the beginning. This young adult novel really pulled at your heart strings, especially my younger gay self in college. This fake-dating romcom reminded me of a bunch of authors I already loved and when the fake-dating turns to the real deal, eventually, it makes your heart smile. Murphy, hoping to follow her best friend, Kat, to college, when all of a sudden her whole life goes south, except for her job that lands her on the career path she actually wants. Ellie, a senior in college wanting to go to grad school for art therapy and wanting to move to NYC, plans change and possibly gives her and Murphy a happy ever after. I smiled, laughed and shed a few tears.

ARC REVIEW
I love this book and so excited to see it release to many more readers this fall! This holiday romance was a great balance of witty banter, heartfelt moments while being able to address serious topics. I flew through this book and had so much love for the main characters. I definitely recommend this to those who are a fan of fun, holiday romances that draw you in from the beginning and having you laughing all the way through!

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Murphy was supposed to be settling into her junior year at the University of Illinois with her best friend, Kat. Instead, she’s stuck in a hellish suburban holding pattern: living with her parents, failing the same class that kept her from graduating the first time around, and making minimum wage at the same coffee shop she’s worked at since she was sixteen. It doesn't help that the dating pool for a twenty-one-year-old lesbian in the tiny town of Geneva, Illinois, is anemic at best.

When her and Kat’s long-awaited reunion is plagued by stuttering conversation and uninvited guests, Murphy’s resentment threatens to boil over. That is, until a miracle appears in the form of Ellie Meyers, a former classmate who is way cuter and not nearly as straight as Murphy remembers. Their heavy flirting holds the promise of something more… until Murphy learns that Ellie’s mom is the very professor preparing to flunk Murphy for a second semester in a row. Talk about killing the vibe.

Romance might be off the table, but Ellie could be Murphy’s key to getting into Professor Meyers’ good graces and finally getting out of Geneva. And Murphy—well-versed in defying parental expectations—might be Ellie’s chance to get her mother onboard with her own dreams. Together, they hatch a plot: fake a relationship for a holiday weekend at the Meyers’ house. If everything goes according to plan, Ellie will be living her dream halfway across the country, and Murphy will finally be able to graduate community college and start her life in earnest. So, the fact that Murphy can’t stop thinking about Ellie’s lips on hers isn't relevant. It’s just a part played well.

If you're looking for a small town winter romance, this one is cozy and wonderful! I loved this cute fake dating scheme. The characters were relatable and well developed and the plot was fun. This was reminiscent for me of Kiss Her Once For Me, which is one of my favorite queer Christmas books of all time!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This was a very fun, cute read! I read it in about one day, it had a nice pace and the characters were complex yet likeable. Murphy's feelings of being left out, left behind, and generally lost come across realistically and will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they're stuck in time while everyone else moves ahead of them (so maybe everyone?). The twist related to Murphy's transfer application timeline felt a bit unrealistic/confusing and I felt like Grischow could have found another way to derail Murphy's plans, but it did effectively illustrate just how Left Behind she really is. The cover is misleadingly Christmas-y because it's really a general winter romance, but that's fine. I liked the setting of the small hometown and the coffee shop and Ellie's father and aunt were two particularly delightful side characters. I will definitely recommend this to my friends once it comes out!