Even though it’s still a little early for Christmas, this book had me completely in the holiday spirit — I’m honestly ready to put up my Christmas tree now! My Favorite Holidate had everything I love in a festive rom-com: the classic tropes, the cozy Christmas setting, the heartwarming family dynamics, and characters who actually grow along the way.

Lauren Blakely nailed the balance of sweet, funny, and romantic, making this such a joyful read from start to finish. If you’re looking for something to get you in the holiday mood, I can’t recommend this one enough. Definitely add it to your list when it releases in October!

I wanted to like this one. Even though I’m really over the whole “billionaire boss” thing (what is wrong with a regular blue collar guy?), I’ve read books by Lauren Blakely in the past and enjoyed them. I’m afraid this one just didn’t hit the mark for me. First off, it was way too long. I think it could have been slashed by half and been the better for it. Second, I was tired of hearing about that Wilder was Fabel’s boss and that they were fake dating—over and over and over. The slow burn was more like a tiny smolder and we got more pages about side stories than we did actual interactions between the two main characters. This book really needs to go back to the editor to slim it down, fire it up and maybe slice off a little of that Christmas cheesiness.

A cute holiday fake dating romance! It's predictable and a little fluffy, but hey, that's kind of what I'm looking for in a holiday romance.

The author did a great job developing characters and building relationships.

I had a few issues with the ending but no major complaints to call out. Funny and fun romance holiday themed novel. There was good chemistry between the main characters and great spice scenes. I loved the storytelling overall. The flirty banter between Wilder and Fable was entertaining and kept the pace of the story engaging with intriguing moments of conversation throughout the book.

This is easily one of my favorite holiday themed novels and is one I will recommend this holiday season for a cozy read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy. I’m proving my voluntary review of the novel.

DNF: 20%

Okay, this one is partly my fault. I've read this author before and forgot how hit-or-miss I find her books. This one is clearly not for me.

However, I think it bears reviewing because the story exists in a weird space. It's very much a steamy Hallmark story and it was clear even in the bit that I read that the Christmas theme was going to overrun everything. Fable is your classic example of "how does this girl get into so many unbelievable situations?" She showers her boss with glittery d*cks in his office, she somehow <b>didn't feel</b> the paper towel stuck in her shirt until it felt out in front of Wilder when she shifted, and she's just generally a hot mess. But in a fun way! *sarcastic eye roll*

Growing up, there was a type of fanfiction called crack!fic (I'm probably dating myself here). It meant that the story would be over-the-top ridiculous and everyone would be so out of character that they were unbelievable. But it worked because it was funny and a bit satirical and didn't take itself seriously. It almost feels like this story could've gone in that direction and been pretty successful. I don't buy into genuine insta-love but if both characters are in on the joke? That'd be something I'd keep reading.

Definitely not my cup of tea.

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

My Favorite Holidate is a light, festive romance that delivers sweet, feel-good moments and holiday charm. Lauren Blakely’s writing is breezy and accessible, with engaging banter and chemistry between the leads that make the story enjoyable. The seasonal setting adds warmth and makes it a cozy, easy read for fans of holiday romances.

That said, the plot can feel predictable, and some character arcs are lightly developed, which keeps certain emotional beats from fully landing. While entertaining, the story leans heavily on familiar holiday romance tropes and doesn’t offer many surprises.

Overall, My Favorite Holidate is a pleasant, casual holiday read—perfect for fans of cozy, festive romance, though it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.

A sweet, sexy, and festive romance that delivers all the holiday charm. Lauren Blakely blends friends-to-lovers chemistry, witty banter, and plenty of swoony moments into a feel-good story that’s perfect for the season. Cozy, fun, and heartwarming.

This is the first Lauren Blakely book I've read, but I know what type of author she is. She is an author of fun and quirky romances with plenty spice and this book was no different from the rest. This book was a fun, quick read that was very engaging. It had some very popular romance tropes (dating a billionaire, fake dating, etc.) and ends up with everyone getting what they deserve. I was engaged the whole time!

Read if you like:
-> Fake dating tropes
-> Plenty of spice
-> HEA
-> Revenge on cheating exes

Thank you Lauren Blakely, Atria books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

This was my first book by the Lauren Blakely and I’m now curious to read her back catalogue, particularly the books whose main characters pop up in this one. This was a fun, slightly spicy holiday romance with the ‘fake dating’, ‘boss/employee’, ‘only one bed’, ‘he falls first’ tropes. At times it was a little heavy on the holiday puns, and I will definitely never think about eggnog the same way again, but it’s a fun spicy Hallmark movie vibe holiday read that distracted me from the hot end of summer weather.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Lauren Blakely readers are in for a treat with her new Christmas romance, My Favorite Holidate. The story is so cute. I think this is my favorite Lauren Blakely book yet.

A fake dating holiday romance that leads to an HEA. Wilder and Fable each enter into their fake romance for their own reasons, him to keep his aunt from trying to set him up and her to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. So when they find themselves as the maid of honor and best man at a mutual friend's wedding, they decide to pretend to date. Planning wedding activities leads to a hook up and feelings that neither were expecting.

This romcom has so many elements that I adore. A holiday setting, a fake billionaire boyfriend, a jealous ex? Give them all to me. And this book delivers. There were moments that felt like they were dragging a bit but overall this was a fun holiday read.

This book is basically a Hallmark Christmas movie turned up with billionaire spice, and I loved most of it. The setup—teaming up with a billionaire boss/single dad to make an ex jealous during a snowy holiday wedding—was exactly the kind of over-the-top, trope-filled romance I was in the mood for. It’s full of cozy Christmas vibes: mistletoe kisses, popcorn stringing, and snowy competitions, balanced with enough steam to keep things interesting.

The chemistry between the main characters was great, and their banter kept me smiling. I especially liked how the single dad angle gave the hero some warmth and heart, which balanced out the fake dating hijinks.

That said, a few things kept this from being a five-star for me. Some of the holiday competitions and side plot moments dragged a little, and the “revenge against the ex” storyline felt more silly than satisfying after a while. Still, the romance itself carried the book, and by the end I was definitely rooting for them.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of My Favorite Holidate in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the definition of festive fun—full of holiday cheer, witty banter, and the kind of sweet romance that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and hot cocoa. Lauren Blakely always delivers humor and charm, and the chemistry between the leads was undeniable. I especially loved the playful moments that captured the magic of the season.
That said, while I enjoyed the overall vibe, some parts felt a little predictable and a bit too rushed toward the end. I would have liked more time spent on character depth and emotional connection beyond the holiday sparkle. Still, it’s a cozy, feel-good read that will leave you smiling and ready for the holidays.
Perfect for readers looking for a lighthearted seasonal romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 🎄✨

Thank you to Atria Books for gifting me a copy of My Favorite Holiday by Lauren Blakely via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoy Lauren Blakely’s work and was super excited to dive into this book! It’s never too early to read holiday romances 😊 🎄

Tropes -
🎄 Holiday Romance
❤️‍🔥 Boss and Employee
😏 He Falls First
🩷 Fake Dating
🌶️ Spicy

I have to first start by saying Wilder is a very dreamy character and I loved him so much! 💕 He is very thoughtful and ensures to put his loved ones and their needs first, always. The relationship between him and Fable is just adorable! I really loved the tension that was evident anytime they were around each other. I enjoyed this book so much and it just kept getting better as I read on. The plot being around Christmas was just perfect and I enjoyed the winter games they played. ❤️

This is definitely a MUST READ!!

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Character rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This has to be the most ridiculous book I’ve ever read. The author made more s3xy Christmas puns than I ever thought imaginable. And just one cliche after another. I’d like to say, “… but it was so cute and funny and I couldn’t put it down!” But I can’t say that. I would be lying. It was honestly very difficult to finish the book. I usually love books published by Atria, but this one didn’t work for me.

This wasn't my favorite by Lauren Blakely. I didn't like the characters and didn't think the story flowed well. I found myself very disinterested and quit reading around the 40% mark.

This ARC was provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Okay! For the first half of this book I was really open-minded and thought this could be a fluffy Christmas romance that's light and fun enough to be 4 or 5 stars. As the book went on though, I found myself annoyed with the billionaire trope. I love a good billionaire love interest and fake dating is fun, but there is just too much money being thrown around and I found myself rolling my eyes at some of it.

Overall I liked the characters but I found they lacked any depth. The storylines were really cliche and it felt like the author tried to fit too many tropes into this book but didn't fully develop any of them! The Christmas competition is supposed to be a big part of this book and we just glazed over it so quickly.

By the end, I was glad this book was over. I really hung on to the good parts of this book and the spice was good but I wish there was more of it.

I think that the main character, Fable, may be my favorite part of this book. She was real, never whiney, honest, no miscommunication, normal, etc etc. Her character was written so well, as was Wilder’s, the hot billionaire fake holidate. This moved so much quicker than other fake dating books, and I honestly just loved it. This is a definite Christmas read to add to your list!! Oh, and the spice was veryyyyy spicy in this one, in case you were wondering. 🔥🔥