Farrah Herron‘s new book is a holiday delight. I’ve come to really enjoy this author‘s writing. From the unique characters to the fun holiday storyline I always know I’m going to enjoy her writing.

“A Little Holiday Fling” was no different. I particularly enjoyed the Toronto setting, the Jane Austen references, and seeing characters of Indian heritage represented. Ruby and Rashid had great chemistry throughout the entire novel. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect when the prayer first met. I quickly fell for them as a couple by chapter 2.

There are a few storylines I felt were rushed near the end however it didn’t take away from the overall story. Additionally, there are a few heavy storylines that may trigger some readers.

If you enjoy grumpy and sunshine books and holiday stories, this book will leave you smiling. Note that all of the spicy scenes are fade too black.

4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the advance review copy.

All opinions are my own.

A sweet, feel-good escape that delivers everything you’d want in a holiday read. The setting, the characters, and the chemistry all come together in the best way. Heartwarming and charming from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC of A Little Holiday Fling!

I don’t usually read Christmas books in July, but this might just become a new tradition—it was such a delightful read!

This charming holiday story felt like the perfect Hallmark movie in book form. Between the cozy Christmas vibes, the Canada–London setting, and the Jane Austen references, what’s not to love?

Thanks again!

There were a lot of elements I liked about this book but it didn’t entirely come together for me.

Starting with what I liked: as I said, a lot of strengths. The writing - I could practically imagine celebrating the holiday’s in Toronto. The social commentary - e.g., different perspectives on Christmas, impact of parents on people’s lives even as adult children, etc. some of the bigger themes in the book, including the importance of both found & biological family, the need to identify ans chase your own dreams, not just the dreams of your parents. And representing different elements throughout the story - Indian cultural elements, coping with grief, and living with BRACA-1 to name a few.

But there were two main issues I had with the story. First, I never connected with Ruby. She is consistently described as materialistic, impulsive, and stubborn. Yet she gets incredibly defensive when these are said as a negative, and her character arc never seemed to grow or have self-realization that those are her character traits, for better and for worse.

My second issue was that there were several miscommunications between Ruby and Rashid where it was biased and only focused on Ruby’s emotional reaction. For example, Rashid recommending Ruby to be considered for a job (which was the original deal they struck) without trying to add pressure for her to make a decision based on their relationship. Yet neither her friends defend his actions nor does she acknowledge them when he apologies that she could see his side.

Thank you to Farah Heron, Forever, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hay dos cosas que Ruby Dhanji ama con todo su corazón: la Navidad y cualquier cosa que tenga que ver con el Reino Unido. Para Ruby, la temporada de vacaciones significa alegría, generosidad y cálidos recuerdos con su difunta madre. Y ahora está a punto de hacer realidad el sueño que ella y su madre siempre tuvieron: mudarse a Inglaterra y abrir una acogedora mosada. El único problema es que Ruby necesita algo de experiencia en el hotel primero.

Rashid simplemente no entiende todo el bombo de las vacaciones. Pero cuando conoce a una mujer que arrastra a casa un árbol de Navidad sola del Mercado de Invierno, tiene que ofrecer ayuda, incluso si pronto descubre que Ruby adora todas las cosas que no le gustan. Cuando Ruby descubre que la familia de Rashid es dueña de una cadena hotelera boutique de lujo en Gran Bretaña, le ofrece una propuesta: lo ayudará a darle a sus sobrinas jóvenes una Navidad increíble si él facilita una presentación a su familia.

A medida que Ruby y Rashid se acercan, ella se da cuenta de que el gran gruñón ama ferozmente a su gran y excéntrica familia. Y cuando su amistad se convierte en algo más, tiene miedo de enamorarse de alguien semanas antes de mudarse al otro lado del Atlántico y pronto tendrá que decidir qué sueño quiere perseguir.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of A Little Holiday Fling, by Farah Heron. Our lead Ruby is red wearing holiday junkie. Movies, outings, parades, she loves them all. But this is her last holiday season in Canada. Her mom and her always had a dream of moving to England and opening up a small inn or bed and breakfast. She is set to leave Canada on January 1 to start her new life. Enter Dr. Rashid, a grumpy anti Christmas person who thinks that Ruby is over the top, They decide to do some Christmas outings for Rashid's two nieces, and Ruby and Rashid can't avoid their growing chemistry. But when January 1 comes, can Ruby leave her new found friends? This book has funny banter, great side characters, and lots of Christmas feels!!!!! A great holiday read.

I had heard about this book from Farah Heron at a book event back in March and have been eagerly awaiting it ever since.

I am so delighted to say that this book did not disappoint! It was everything I was expecting it to be (Christmas in Toronto, highlighting the Distillery District) and more (witty banter, more Toronto Winter hot spots, diverse friend groups etc.) This book accurately portrays the magic that is Christmas time in Toronto, wether you celebrate it or not.

A little holiday fling follows Ruby who is obsessed with two things, Christmas and U.K. Although she doesn't celebrate Christmas she love the season that is full of warmth and generosity. Ruby and her mom dreamed of opening up a hotel in the U.K. one day, and although she has lots of retail experience she doesn't know anything about hotels.

Upon accidentally bopping Rashid with her Christmas tree, Ruby is blown away when he offers to help her get it home. They soon discover that the two couldnt be more opposite if they tried. Everything Ruby loves is everything Rashid cant stand. When they find themselves in a bind, they make a deal, one that will help each other and themselves. With both of them falling for each other but a deadline looming where they both move away, what will come of Ruby and Rashid?

If you are looking for a cute book with Christmas Vibes, I highly suggest this one! It gives you all the cozy holiday vibes while also going deeper into family dynamics.

Thank you Farah for partnering with NetGalley. I was thrilled to receive an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for the free read now earc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I love Farah Herons books. I love that she sets then all in Toronto Canada. Usually our Canadian authors set their books in usa but there are some that I love that always feature them set in Canada. Farah weaves difficult topics, religion, holidays, family dynamics, cancer in such a thoughtful way. Farah loves Jane austen and that comes through. Definitely a favourite holiday 2025 book.

Suggest giving it a try.

5/5☆

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Forever.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

In this magical holiday themed romance that will have you believing in love. A young UK woman who loves Christmas and the happy memories spent with her mom. She will have her worked cut out to bring the magic to a wealthy hotel owner who believes it is all commercialize. It’s a sweet feel good read that brings alive the season.

Dare I say this is my new very favorite by Farah Heron??? I've loved all her books but this tenth is a holiday romcom set in Toronto with a delightful Pride & Prejudice retelling plot between Ruby, a Christmas loving woman and Rashid, a grumpy British doctor in town to help his sister over the holidays.

Together the two spend the month of December going on a series of dates celebrating the joys of the city at Christmas in an attempt to make Rashid learn to appreciate the magic of the season before Ruby leaves to start a new life in the UK. Knowing their relationship can only be temporary, the two try (and fail) to keep things light.

I was cheering for Ruby and Rashid from the start and loved this grumpy x sunshine pairing from the bottom of my heart. I am a sucker for Jane Austen retellings and this one is a standout! Definitely pick it up if you enjoy books with:

-disability rep (Ruby has the BRCA1 gene and had preventative surgery)
-big-hearted found family groups (with cameos from characters in past books)
-delicious food (the story includes recipes)
-meddling Desi family members
-Hallmark holiday movies
-stories set in Canada (Toronto)

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was one of my MOST anticipated holiday romances of 2025 and it did NOT disappoint!! Highly recommended for fans of authors like Uzma Jalaluddin or Jackie Lau.

The Book:
Ruby loves all things Christmas and anything to do with the UK. In fact, she'll be moving just after the new year to England with the dream of working in hospitality and eventually opening her own inn in the English countryside. Celebrating her last Christmas in Toronto, she impulsively decides to buy a real Christmas tree, but accidentally drops it on a very handsome, yet grumpy stranger, who helps her carry it home.

This handsome, yet grumpy stranger, Rashid, hates all things Christmas - it's too commercial - and seems to hate all things Ruby loves! But his family owns several luxury hotels in England and Ruby wants the chance to prove herself as reliable and committed in the hopes of meeting his family and having a chance at working at one of their hotels, so they agree to Ruby planning 4 Christmas-themed outings leading up to Christmas.

As they spend more time together, Ruby & Rashid realize they have more in common than they thought and Ruby has to figure out if she wants to chase her dream in England or in Toronto.

My Thoughts:
Loved it!
I'm a big fan of Farah's writing and I think each book just keeps getting better.
The story of Ruby's family was emotional (some good, some bad, some frustrating - so all the emotions). Rashid's family is fun and dynamic.
I was thrilled to read a Christmas-related story taking place in the Distillery District in Toronto with characters going to places and doing things I'm familiar with - It was a lot of fun and if you haven't been to these places, Farah will take you there!

Ruby loves UK and Christmas. Rashid is a grump who doesn't enjoy the holidays but needs help with find gifts for his young nieces....

Love the grump/sunshine story. Ruby and Rashid are terrific together. Great chemistry. The canadian setting is unique too. Really enjoy it.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This was absolutely lovely. Ruby and Rashid start out as sort-of enemies, but quickly strike up an unlikely friendship. It is set in Toronto, and the Canadian vibes of the story are so nice. Ruby has a complicated family history and wants to move to the UK to live her dream, but after spending the Christmas season with Rashid, it isn’t all so easy as it seemed before. I loved the Muslim South-Asian rep in this book, it gave such a new feel to the Christmas vibes of the story. Great writing, nice and sweet story.

Holiday romances are the most wonderfully cozy books ever, and this is no different. I will be reading more from this author- I think you should too!