First off thank you to NetGalley and Lauren Blakely for the ARC.

This checked all the boxes for a Christmas romance. There was holiday baking, reindeer games, costume contests, caroling, and don't forget the spice. I really liked that it had a great coparenting aspect to it. Wilder's relationship with his daughter and his ex was very wholesome. There was mutual pining while being in denial, and a bit back in forth with feelings. All in all I would recommend this if you are looking for a fun, christmasy read for the winter.

There were a few things that bugged me, with the title I was hoping there would be more holidays we would see them fake dating, it was only Christmas. Also there was little actual fake dating, they told a few people through out the book and were basically only lying to Fable's ex.

I adored this book! Wilder and Fable’s fake romance is magical enough to make reindeer fly! As usual we are taken on a wonderfully funny and sexy journey to a HEA by this amazing author. From beginning to end this story packs in so much of the good stuff, holiday and otherwise! I fell in love with Wilder and Fable together instantaneously! And his daughter Mac is just awesome! And of course as the fake relationship goes, it didn’t take long for it to feel very real as these two are perfectly matched!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect Christmas exists and it's in this book. What charming characters and surreal chemistry 🤧 this was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had this year. Flawless!!!!

Witty, Steamy, and filled with holiday cheer🎄

I enjoyed the tie-ins to The Romance Line and The Boyfriend Goal. I love this group of friends!

It was like reading a hallmark holiday movie that is just a bit too on the nose with all the tropes.
I enjoyed the story and overall had a good time reading. Fable (the main character) is hilarious and I love how she lets her thoughts be known to the reader.

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Some quotes I enjoyed or thought were ridiculous. Up to you to figure out which

“Mmm. Yes. That’s right. Take that eggnog, baby. Take it all.”

My bold designer who found a way out of the snafu like a queen. The way Fable flew out of here to grab a lint roller was one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.

This secret is clawing at my heart, nagging at my brain. Then, like a cartoon anvil landing on my head, I know who to tell. My friends Josie and Maeve, and of course Everly too. Josie’s a librarian, Maeve’s a painter, and Everly is the publicist for the Sea Dogs, one of the city’s hockey teams.

I don’t want a repeat of the other day where I fly in late and, I dunno, my bra detaches itself from my boobs and flings itself at my boss. I mean, that could happen. Sentient bras could be a thing and then an eye could get poked out.

When he lets go, I’m left with the scent of falling snow in a forest and a fresh new ache in my chest.

The tree topper is none other than my friend Hazel Valentine’s newest romance novel. I’m so proud of her, even though I really wanted her to name it Christmas is Coming. She said retailers might find that a tad too racy, so she opted for The Twelve Hate Dates of the Holidays, which works since it’s an enemies-to-lovers romance, obviously.

“Shut up and practice kissing me.”

“I always have emergency penises on hand.”

And oops. Did I accidentally let on that I’m still thinking about the way my boss tongue-fucked me on the couch in front of the Christmas tree?

A fake dating Christmas romcom? Sign me up.

Tie in a hot billionaire, a classic holiday competition, and an ex to make jealous? This has all the marks of a classic Hallmark movie style rom com that has me kicking my feet and in the holiday spirit way too early.

I did not want to put this down. The banter? The chemistry? This is something I can see myself reaching back each year to reread.

This book was a cozy Christmas read that had some very cute points and really focused on the two main characters in the book. I do wish it had more time spent on the wedding of the friends and family of the main characters. It made that wedding really seem like an afterthought and that could’ve been a cool aspect of the book to continue the love story during the wedding and the emotions they felt there instead of just really wrapping the book up at that point. Overall, I really enjoyed this Christmas read for anyone that loves Christmas romance books. This is what I would highly recommend. I haven’t read any of the others in this series, but based on how the book discussed, there were some previous characters that have most likely been in previous books

Thanks to the publisher, and netgalley for a copy to honestly rev

If Hallmark and Cinemax got together and wrote a book, this would be it. It has all the meet-cute, fake-romance-until-it's-real, and Christmasy elements of a Hallmark movie combined with the spice of a Cinemax one. I thought it was perfect!

Thank you Lauren Blakely and Atria Books for the ARC! Fake dating tropes are my favorite and I love watching them blossom into real romance. Add Christmas and billionaire boyfriend - sign me up! This was a really cute and quick novel. Perfect romantic escape with Wilder and Fable as they navigate fake dating in prep for their loved one’s wedding. Parts of the book were slow but overall loved it.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Lauren Blakely for this ARC! This book was the perfect festive rom-com escape, filled with heart, humor, and holiday charm. She blends fake dating with friends-to-lovers in a way that feels both cozy and electric like watching your favorite holiday movie come to life on the page. This book was a spectacular read and I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. With some of my favourite tropes ranging from one bed, billionaire single dad, workplace romance and of course the classic fake dating, this book had all the ingredients to the perfect, swoon worthy romance. From Fable's cheating ex to Wilder's nosy yet lovable aunt, the setup was both chaotic and charming. Watching the two of them join cohorts and slowly grow closer, all while pretending to be in a relationship to one-up Brady, was endlessly entertaining. Despite the story dragging a bit in the middle, I still found it to be a promising and heartfelt read. Their connection felt authentic, and by the end, they truly embodied the warmth of a real family. If you are a fan of sweet stories that are guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings, this book is absolutely for you!

Is there ever a wrong time to pick up a Christmas romance? Sexy, flirty, fun, My Favorite Holidate is “a very specific kink, and I am here for it.” Wilder is her fake boyfriend, fated for the curb like a dried up Christmas tree, but there is something real wrapped up in holiday packaging.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!

This was a really cute, sexy and fun story. The names of the characters were spot on. How could you not fall in love with Wilder. What a lucky girl Fable is. Love the text messages back and forth, very relatable.

Absolutely loved Wilder and Fable 🥹 Such a cute, sexy holiday romance! Single dad, fake dating, revenge on the shitty ex-boyfriend, "we shouldn't but fuck it" 🌶, and just enough scheming to make this an all-around giggle-worthy read. I'm so sorry to everyone who doesn't like Christmas novels/romances, because you are truly missing out 🫶

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, and Lauren Blakely for an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book confused me. I felt the opening was set up for a novella length story, but then it just kept gooooing and going. While I loved Wilder and Fable and did definitely feel their chemistry at times, it also got so repetitive with the cheesy holiday references and the constant reminders that HE IS HER BOSS. We know. We got it. This was an inoffensive read and it was fine, but those moments definitely pulled me out of the story.

My Favorite Holidate is exactly what you'd expect from a Lauren Blakely holiday romance—cheesy, entertaining, and delightfully spicy. The fake dating setup is predictable but fun, following two characters who agree to be each other's holiday dates to avoid family drama.

Yes, it's formulaic and the dialogue can be over-the-top, but Blakely knows how to write chemistry. The holiday setting adds a cozy backdrop that makes all the cheesiness feel appropriate rather than cringe-worthy.

It's a quick, easy read that doesn't pretend to be anything more than entertaining escapism.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This festive rom-com delivers all the signature Lauren Blakely charm—fun banter, lovable characters, and hilariously chaotic family moments. It's a lighthearted read filled with ridiculous family interventions, plenty of laughs, and heartwarming moments.

That said, the story felt a bit too long and leaned heavily into side plots involving friends, football, and a wedding—leaving the actual Christmas vibes feeling a bit thin. I was hoping for more holiday spirit, and this one didn’t fully get me there.

Still, it’s an enjoyable romantic comedy and a great pick for readers who love witty dialogue and a packed ensemble cast.

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

This festive romance delivers charm, heat, and heart. With a sweet single dad, witty banter, and cozy small-town vibes, it’s a feel-good, fake-dating delight featuring loveable characters and holiday chemistry.

Sweet Holiday/Christmas story with fake dating, billionaire single-dad boss, nosy aunts & a cheating ex - oh, and lots of Christmas puns!

Wilder steps in to help Fable save face at her sister's upcoming Christmas wedding to his best friend Leo after Fable catches her boyfriend cheating at Thanksgiving. It also helps him out since his aunt Bibi is constantly trying to set him up....AND it's pretty clear that he's probably had a thing for Fable for a while & this is a perfect opportunity for him to be close to her & show her what it's like to be treated well by a good boyfriend. Lots of Christmas activities (which I mostly liked) & lots of feelings (which I loved) throughout the whole book

So I personally can only stand so many Christmas puns and tropes (probably from watching too many cheesy Hallmark movies), but I really appreciate the author having the characters address that the nicknames were too over the top & called an end to it right away.

Was it a little cheesy? Yes, but it's a holiday story, so you have to expect it. Did it have some heat?? You bet! Would I recommend? Definitely! :-)

The story felt too long and focused more on side plots—friends, football, and a wedding—than actual Christmas content. This one just didn’t get me in the holiday spirit.

4 stars ✨

Thank you so much to Atria and Lauren Blakely for this ARC! I am so excited this book has been picked up and will be out in stores soon! It is such a cute and hot holiday read and truly what more could you want??! There is little I love more than a fake dating scheme, especially when they are both already attracted to each other and one of them is a single dad!!!! Don’t even get me started on this billionaire whose love language is gift giving… need him!

I want to thank NetGalley and the author for letting me read this ARC! This book was amazing. It was hilarious, romantic, spicy, and christmassy! I had a great time reading it, it his all my favorite tropes. I read it in the wrong season but it was worth it. It was such a cute read. If your looking for: Humor, fake dating, one bed, billionaire boss, single dad and with a CAT! You should definitely check it out. It's worth it. I will be checking more books by this author for sure. Thanks again for this amazing ARC