Cute little holiday romance story. A bit too short to build the chemistry between the characters. But, a fun little read.

I finished this in one sitting (it's short but omg) and I immediately need more! The ending felt a little rushed but I can't say that's not because I just wanted more and more. I hope Andrews decides to make this into a full series because I will add them to the top of my stack immediately. The story is cute and fun. It's exactly what you'd expect of her work and more.

It's also gotten me out of what I'm calling a book slog, where I've read a few pages of dozens of books but nothing is catching my interest. This is just perfect.

100/5 stars all the stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book.

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Publication Date: October 29, 2024

From New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews comes Holiday Hideaway, a charming holiday romance that had me laughing, swooning, and grinning from ear to ear!

Tilly Farriday is down on her luck—divorced, broke, and hiding out in a rental property she manages until her new place is ready. But things go from bad to hilariously worse when the new owner, George Holloway, unexpectedly arrives! To keep her job and avoid an awkward confrontation, Tilly finds herself hiding in the attic like some kind of Christmas elf gone rogue.

Meanwhile, George has his own troubles, wondering if his engagement is truly right for him. With strange noises and food disappearing, George is certain someone—or something—is sharing the house. As they hilariously dodge each other, Tilly and George’s paths slowly start to intertwine, making you hope that maybe, just maybe, they’ll find what they both need this holiday season.

My Thoughts:
This short story is pure joy! It’s sweet, feel-good, and the perfect holiday escape. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading it, and I only wish it had been a full-length novel! Tilly and George’s chemistry is adorable, and the whole premise is a festive delight. I highly recommend it to every book lover looking for something to brighten their mood this season. It’s a heartwarming story that’ll leave you with all the cozy holiday feels.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a funny, enjoyable holiday read. Andrews gives the age-old plot of mistaken identity a new twist and splashes some romance in as well.

Such a sweet Christmas short story! In less than 100 pages, Andrew’s has managed to pack in a temporary squatting situation, a painless breakup, and a budding friends-to-lovers romance full of witty banter and high school reminiscences. The setting, a Victorian New England shoreline cottage, is the icing on the cake. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Amazon Original Stories through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this was a super cute short story. It gave off the perfect Christmas vibes and felt like a mini version of a Hallmark movie. It was so wholesome and had a unique plot.
I would love to see more of George and Tilly in the future! I loved them together.
This was such a lighthearted story, I am now all tingly and happy inside. Highly recommend you scoop this up when it comes out, whether it's just because you love Christmas reads or you need a palette cleanser.

I loved this holiday short story! Couldn’t put it down. The characters were hilarious and drew you right in. You were rooting for them from the very beginning! As always, MKA works her holiday magic

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews is a heartwarming and humorous holiday romance filled with charm and festive spirit. Tilly Farriday, recently divorced, hides out in a rental property, only to have her solitude disrupted when George Holloway unexpectedly arrives. What follows is a game of hide and seek, with Tilly trying to avoid detection while George senses something strange going on in the house. This novella is full of comedy and romance, and is the perfect cozy escape!

Thank you Netgalley, Amazon Original Stories and Mary Kay Andrews.
What a cute little short story, enjoyed the banter between George and Tilly.
I just wished this was a full-length book instead, I wanted to know more about these characters.
Quick read
Recommend

Fun short story!

This was a quick, light read and had lots of laughs. A meet-cute under unusual circumstances, girl saves boy, boy remembers girl from high school and that's as far as I will go to avoid spoilers. You don't need to wonder, just go ahead and jump on this one, its an easy way to while away a snowy afternoon!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Mary Kay Andrews writes the best Christmas novels and I look forward to reading them (Bright Lights Big Christmas is my favorite). I loved this short story about a woman at Christmas time squatting in an empty house. It was so funny, clever and full of romance. My only complaint is I wish it was a much longer novel! I could have read more! Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

3.5 ⭐️ - Very funny and fast paced short romance story that brings you already in a Christmas mood (it is never too early, right?)

This feel good story is about Tilly, who finds herself squatting in a rental property she manages, and George who happens to be the new owner of this house and suddenly shows up. After they meet, it turns out they already know each other from the past.

Although it is a very short story, I had the feeling that the end was a bit rushed and that it wouldn't have hurt to spend a little bit more time (so probably pages) to it. I would have loved to read more about the characters getting to know each other a bit better.

I recommend to pick this cute book up on October 29 and get yourselves in a festive holiday mood!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for sending me the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn't resist reading a short story from the prolific Mary Kay Andrews. Both of the protagonists in Holiday Hideaway are looking for a change. George comes to town at Christmas time to clear out his deceased granduncle's house and prepare it for sale, with the hope that he will miss the holiday party where his girlfriend is planning to announce their engagement. Tilly, the rental agent for this property, is broke after her ex-husband got everything in the divorce and has been hiding out there as she gathers enough money to move into a new place. Could it be that they have a connection from their high school days?

It's a fun, holiday-adjacent story that highlights the lives of the two strangers and propels them to a not unexpected ending. I enjoyed it, although lengthening it from a short story to a novella would have given the author--and the reader--more time to appreciate the characters and their stories.

My thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review oft his short story..

The perfect kickstart to the holiday season! This was a fun quick read rom-com that left me wanting more! Likeable characters, Tilly. & George, with a cute back story and storyline. Mary Kay Andrews has the gift of writing all wrapped up with a bow! Perfect Christmas gift for her readers!
Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a cute holiday short story. The writing is good but it’s not my favorite holiday story by the author. Thanks for the review copy.

Just finished reading “Holiday Hideaway” by Mary K Andrew’s. Very cute short story. I found the first half was going at a great pace but then the last half was rushed. This story could have been a regular size novel.

Tilly is down on her luck and basically squatting in an empty rental house her company manages. George, the new owner, arrives unexpectedly and has an accident soon after he arrives. Tilly takes care of him and they realize they have met years before. This was a cute short story but I don't think it was a very Christmasy story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.

Such a cute short story of starting over. A divorced woman needs some place to stay for a couple of weeks until her apartment is ready. She decides to stay in a rental property that is rarely rented. While she is there, the owner comes to remodel the place to get it ready to sell. Their text messages alone are worth the read. Laugh out loud funny. What comes next is a heartwarming story of letting go and trying to start again. Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC. I just wish it had been longer.

I devoured this short story. I really which this was a full-length novel. I have so many questions I need answered. This is a great little holiday read.

Cute, definitely predictable and kind of "Christmas-ey". In the sense that does occur around Christmas. A nice quick read and MKA is always good with a holiday trope. I especially enjoyed the banter between the two main characters in their text messages. I felt like the first part of the book was us getting to know the characters and then them getting to know each other but then, BAM, it was over. Another chapter or two could have pushed up my rating by another star, oh and the dog, Smoosh, steals the show! Thanks so much to NetGalley and the author for the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this holiday short story..