Final rating: 4.25 ☆

A fun, quirky, quick holiday romance. Honestly, dare I say the best holiday romance I’ve read this year??? 🤔

I read this digitally last year and really enjoyed it - but I think the audiobook is the way to go! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a slight age gap, Santa kink, small town romance where you have a Santa lookalike (that hates all things Santa), and a girl who writes about and illustrates smutty Santa books for a living and exclusively dates Santa’s 🤭 Such a fun time and an easy recommendation! I’ll read anything Julie Olivia releases - she always delivers!

Thank you to Pen Pal PR, Julie Olivia, and NetGalley for gifting me a surprise ALC in exchange for an honest review 🩵🎄

A quick, enjoyable holiday read with plenty of Christmas touches. Character development is lacking but all in all wortnit.

I will say right up front that I was probably not the right audience for this particular book. I can see how it might hit the spot for some people, but unfortunately the main character's musings about the "sexy" aspects of fake Santas just made me cringe.

I was also a little uncomfortable with the fact that the two main characters first met when she was 11 and he was 17. Luckily, I felt like the author avoided making it TOO weird.

The connection between Birdie May's need to apologize to past boyfriends and her relationship with her mother seemed forced and convoluted.

However, the banter between Birdie May and Nick was pretty cute. They felt very believable as a couple and I like the way their romance was built up. The steamier scenes were very on-brand for them and didn't feel out of place. The Christmasy setting successfully put me in a holiday mood and I almost wish we would've gotten to know the other people in the town a little more.

Overall, it was a quick, cute read and if you have a secret crush on Santa Claus, this should really do it for you.

The Fake Santa Apology Tour is a sweet novella by Julie Olivia. Twenty years ago 11 year old Birdie Mae was determined to slip a letter to the mall Santa and was able to do so with the help of a red haired elf by the name of Nicholas Ryan. Birdie Mae was a Christmas devotee with a strong family, Nicholas thought little of the holiday as a foster kid who had grown up in the system and was soon to age out. In telling Birdie Mae that most people grew up to hate Christmas she takes it as a curse, especially after what happened later that night.

Now a successful Christmas romance author with a strong following, Birdie Mae has a penchant for fake Santas, be they mall Santa, parade Santa, or just in a Santa suit. Each Santa runs it course, usually by New Year’s. Christmas time is also the time of year she gets her plans together for the following year’s book offering.

This year Birdie Mae chooses a snowy northern small town as her place for inspiration. What she didn’t expect to find in this winter wonderland setting was the nemesis elf from twenty years ago. The red haired elf is more silver fox now but the same twinkle shines in his eyes. As they talk, much is learned about one another including ideas for Birdie Mae to heal from events twenty years ago.

This is a very interesting novella with well written characters. The story highlights that along with the joy of the holidays, many people are feeling anything but joyful. I did enjoy this book and do recommend it.

This was such a charming and Hallmark-esque story! A perfect introduction to Julia, with all the warmth and magic of the season. I can’t wait to see more of her writing journey and read what comes next!

Santa aficionado and spicy Santa focused romance author, Birdie, has just ran into the guy who ruined Christmas for her when she was young. Only, now he is a really, like really really, attractive bartender who looks like the hottest Santa she has ever seen. Bartender and Santa look-alike, Nicholas, hates fake Santas. Birdie, who exclusively dates mall Santas is struggling. With Birdie holding the past against Nick, she internally struggling with how to handle their almost hook-up. Once he gets wind of how they know each other, his one goal is fix it.

Hallmark vibes with side of spice is how I would describe this one. This was a cute Christmas novella and a quick listen/read.

Thank you NetGalley and Julia Olivia for a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Birdie May was once a child who loved Christmas and Santa. As an adult, she claims she doesn't love Christmas but she does love hooking up with a mall Santa during the season. She also writes Santa romances. (It's said she also illustrates the books. They mean the covers, right? Or are her romance novels more like A Visit from St. Nick picture books but most definitely not for children?)

While researching next year's book she meets a bartender with piercing blue eyes and a beard. (Picture a late 30s Paul Hollywood in Minnesota.) He does not like Santa but he knows plenty of guys who wear the suit for all the cute town activities. He takes Birdie May around and she apologizes for all the previous Santas she loved before.

It's a cute concept. There's some good banter, lots of small town holiday charm, and a slow burn steamy relationship. There are also some complicated family relationships, grief, and loss that are at the core of Birdie May's Santa complex.

The narrator was very good and handled the male characters well - there are lots of Santas to voice after all. The audiobook was very enjoyable.

Thank you to Dreamscape Select | Julie Olivia and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this. #TheFakeSantaApologyTour #NetGalley

When Birdie May was young she tried to slip a note to a mall Santa. She had a special request. A young elf, Nick, helps her. But things go awry and Birdie May feels like Nick curses her future…yes you heard me. He cursed her future Christmas’

Fast forward a few years and Birdie May is a famous author. Every year she travels to a very cold place to write her next Christmas novel. Well, this year, she runs into…you guessed it…her old nemesis Nick!

This is an adorable, fast paced story. Yes, it is predictable…yes it is a love story…but it is flirty, funny and will get you in the Christmas spirit.

The narrator, Isabelle Turner, is very enjoyable.

Need a cute Christmas tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

3.75 stars.

This book delivers a delightfully unique take on the Christmas romance genre, blending humour, charm, and a hint of spice. The story is based on Birdie Mae, a woman with a tendency to date Santa lookalikes, and her love life (hello handsome Nick!).
Set against the backdrop of a snowy small town, the story balances a festive mood with emotional depth, as Birdie navigates old wounds, undeniable chemistry, and holiday magic.

What makes this novella stand out to me is its fresh storyline, which veers away from typical Christmas tropes while still capturing the cozy seasonal spirit. Witty dialogue and playful banter between Birdie and Nick brings the characters to life, creating an engaging dynamic that keeps the pages turning. Though the plot is lighthearted and occasionally quirky, it carries moments of sincerity.

At 3.75 🌟, it's a fun and original holiday read that offers
something different for readers looking to escape into a festive yet unconventional romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for sharing the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating: 3.75☆

The Fake Santa Apology Tour was ridiculous and cheesy, but it was also entertaining and so fun to listen to. I really liked this one!

Birdie Mae loved Christmas. She was 11 years old when she ran into Nicholas Ryan. Birdie Mae was trying to sneak a letter into fake Santa's pocket for the real Santa. Nicholas was working as a Christmas elf at the time and decided to help her. Nicholas told Birdie Mae that eventually, she would begin to hate Christmas. From that moment on, Christmases were never the same for Birdie Mae. She began hating Christmas, but her love for Santa only grew. As an adult, Birdie Mae is an author of sexy Santa novels and serially dates Santas. After her most recent breakup with one of those Santas, Birdie Mae heads to a small town full of Christmas spirit to help her write her newest novel. While having eggnog at the local pub, she runs into the Grinch who stole her Christmases, Nicholas Ryan.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The title makes complete sense as the story progresses. When Nicholas realizes that Birdie Mae hates him and Christmas, he takes her to the mall Santa's, where she lines up to sit on their lap and apologize to them, pretending they are her ex-boyfriends.

There was one conversation between Birdie Mae and Nicholas, where they were explaining their Santa problems to each other. It was comical.

If you're looking for a quirky, steamy holiday novella with a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, this might be for you!

christmas • contemporary romamce • enemies to lovers • holiday romance • novella • rom-com • slow burn • small town • spicy

Julie Olivia does not disappoint with this quirky story about two people that have issues with Christmas. Cute, light-hearted, and kind of weird but I'm on board.

Single POV, first person
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Julie Olivia is always a guaranteed good time that will have you giggling and swooning while also tugging at your heart strings.
This Christmas novella was no exception with its unique storyline of a girl who strictly dates fake Santa’s and the boy (now man) that she believes ruins Christmas when she was 11.

I’m usually strictly an eyeball reader, but had the opportunity to enjoy this one via audiobook and I had a lot of fun.
The narrator, Isabelle Turner, was wonderful. One of my dislikes about audiobooks is usually the single narrator and the voices, but Isabelle does such a great job that it didn’t bother me. She was so perfect for Birdie Mae!

If you want a fun, hilarious, heartfelt Christmas novella with a bit of spice, pick this one up! And if you haven’t read Julie Olivia’s backlist yet, do it!

Thank you for the ALC, pen pal PR.

Such a quick, fun, and cute Christmas novella! I haven't really been in the holiday spirit this year but this was perfect for the mood I've been in. It was a little outlandish (complimentary) and silly and just the right amount of emotional.

Nick was hot and the audiobook was so well done! Definitely add to your holiday tbr 🎅🏻

firstly, I love a Novella! Secondly, the Santa jokes were on brand and the spicy were giving "here's some spice but make it Christmas". Really enjoyed this one.

=-)

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio copy in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Okay but like, why was this adorable and sad all at once?

Birdie once believed in Santa, but at eleven years old she meets someone who changes everything. Now, believing herself to be cursed, she writes Santa romance books and only dates Santa lookalikes. But she's just run into Nicholas Ryan again. And this time he, too, looks like Santa. But buff.

Birdie is interesting. All the built up emotions surrounding Christmas and repressed feelings/memories give her this strange obsession with Santas. But she's just another person dealing with her own childhood trauma and it makes her so relatable. Not that I like santas or anything, more relatable in that it's understandable how she's been dealing with her unresolved issues. Nicholas is a sweetheart who deserves everything. He literally helps Birdie get over her trauma in a way that's adorable and amazing. The two of them together had amazing chemistry and were so perfect for one another. It got just a little spicy, but overall is was sweet. The writing was great, the narrator was great, I definitely recommend this book as a light, short, holiday-themed novella that's sure to bring a smile to your face.

I always enjoy a Julie Olivia book! I read this two christmas seasons ago and forgot how fun it is!

I loved Birdie Mae and her unplanned Santa apology tour.

Nicholas is so sweet and I loved their chemistry. How did I forget there is a Christmas light scene?!

The audio was fantastic. I enjoyed the narrator.

This was such a cheesy Christmas story with Birdie Mae having a thing for Santa Clause. The banter between her and Nick was funny and I loved how they reconnected from her childhood and that he wanted to help her get over her Santa issue. There were a few spicy scenes, but I did not think they were too much.

This was my first book by this author. Loved that it was only a little over 3 hours. Short holiday reads are perfect for this time of the year. Very cute and funny Christmas story.

I thought Nick and Birdie Mae had such a cute and funny meet cute when they were kids and loved how they were able to meet once again. I enjoyed their relationship so much and thought they complimented each other so well!

Throughout the book you get hints as to why Birdie hates Christmas but when she finally told Nick, my heart broke for her and her family.
I adored Cooper and the relationship Birdie Mae and Nick both have with him. He may not be a major character, but I still loved him and all of their interactions together.

I enjoyed the plot, the banter between Nick and Birdie Mae and the other characters and there’s just the right amount of spice! I loved the voice narrator and thought she did an amazing job with all of the different voices.

This book is perfect to get you in the Christmas spirit! Julie Olivia is excellent at what she does - I’ll read anything from her!

This book has a small town romance, excellent banter, and tons of Christmas puns🎅🏻 the narrator was perfect for this (and I’m very picky about narrators!). I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick Christmas audiobook 💖

Thank you Julie Olivia/team for the ALC!