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

I think this is my favorite read so far! If you're looking for a fun, steamy, romance with some great banter.
Tropes include:
-Holiday romance
-Billionaire
-Single dad
-Small town romance
-Fake dating
-One bed
-Workplace romance
THIS IS FOR YOU! Oh my goodness!! Wilder
This
man know how's to spoil a women. When life gave Fable lemons, boy did she make lemonade
This girl has
Wilder eating out of the palm of her hand and it's absolutely the sweetest thing ever! The way she's just so genuine and he wants to show her how she should be treated. He's legit her number one fan, builds her up and put her on this thrown of admiration. And then you have his daughter who just wants her dad to be happy and in love with someone who appreciates him. Ugh, totally worth all the long nights!! I CANNOT rave about this book enough!! I'm going to for sure need the hard copy when it comes out in October!

This is a very fun holiday rom-com with all the fun banter and ridiculous family interventions you could want. I have not read the rest of the series but didn't feel like I was out of the loop or missing anything important to enjoy this story. It is very much a spicy Hallmark movie, completely with delightful small town holiday antics.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fable catches her boyfriend cheating on her at her boss’s holiday party. Despite breaking things off with him, she’ll be forced to interact with him at her sister’s wedding as he is the cousin of the groom. When Wilder, her boss, hears about what happened he comes up with a plan that will help him fend off matchmaking schemes by his family and make Fable’s ex jealous. What starts off as fake dating quickly turns into something more, but what will happen when they reach the end of their agreement?

This started off really strong, but the writing became repetitive after a while. If you turned the amount of times Wilder and Fable reminded themselves that this is just fake dating and it can’t possibly be real into a drinking game, you’d be drunk in five minutes. I kid, but the amount of times it came up took away the enjoyment for me. These two are both adults, and I just didn’t understand why they couldn’t sit down and have an honest conversation. That being said I loved Fable and Wilder. Both are likable characters and the chemistry between them sizzled. It’s obvious that they should be together. Girl, the man bent over backwards to make you happy. Common sense would dictate he’s into you. I think if the book would’ve been cut shorter, it probably wouldn’t have been an issue.

That being said, the fun holiday vibes are enjoyable. If you’re looking for something with a sexy Hallmark movie vibe, this is it.

All Fable wants for Christmas is a fake boyfriend, one who’s charming, attractive, and just petty enough to make her cheating ex jealous. Bonus points if he’ll kiss her in front of him at holiday parties. It's not that difficult, is it? She never expected Wilder Blaine, her billionaire boss and devoted single dad, to volunteer. But he needs a date for a Christmas Eve wedding, and with her ex in the bridal party, pretending to be madly in love seems like a win for them both. As they team up for festive competitions, late-night baking, and strategically timed mistletoe moments, their playful ruse starts to feel dangerously real. But when the tinsel comes down and the office lights flicker back on, will their holiday spark turn into something lasting, or melt away with the snow?
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publishing house for the chance to read this book in preview, beautiful cover but above all Christmas theme! I love it, it will definitely be a reread for this Christmas.

Holy ribbons and candy canes! Sign me up for the next Christmas games.

Fable and Wilder are complete couple goals but let’s take a step back to understand why. Fable walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her at a family event, and he doesn’t even feel bad about it. So now we get a revenge relationship with a single dad billionaire who is also her boss. They both always pay attention to every detail that each other enjoys and show their appreciation for each other with gestures, whether it’s shopping sprees, handmade items or time to spend with friends.

It starts off fake but soon they fall head first for each other. Throughout the book you learn about both of their insecurities but also their strengths. During the Christmas games they both want to win for each other which makes me root for them more. I won’t say who won, but get your hot cocoa ready because there is drama in the games.

I loved that this book took place in San Francisco. It was fun to think about the specific location references as it’s close to home. I’m excited to read more from Lauren Blakely.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely is the ultimate festive rom com that brings all the best tropes! Fake dating, billionaire boss, single dad…swoon! This was like a spicy Hallmark movie. I loved the chemistry. Thank you Netgalley!

My Favorite Holidate was the perfect blend of festive fun and slow-burn romance. The banter was sharp, the chemistry was undeniable, and the holiday setting made it feel like a warm cup of cocoa with a little extra spice. I loved how the characters really saw each other beneath all the teasing — there was a surprising amount of emotional depth tucked between the laughs. It gave me all the fake-dating, forced-proximity, holiday hijinks I could ask for, plus that satisfying payoff when everything falls into place. Flirty, cozy, and full of heart — I devoured it.

Very cute and sexy fake dating book!

I love this authors writing and this was a quick fun read

Loved the dual POV and definitely will be reading again closer to Christmas!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy!

Let me just say that this book definitely put me in the holiday spirit! Wilder is a top notch book boyfriend who loves to spoil Fable as well as wrap her up for himself 😏

The humor in this book is done SO WELL! But don’t worry the spice is spicing! It was like reading and R-rated hallmark story and I was here for it! 👏🏼 And incase you need more convincing let me just leave you with this: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer vibrator 👀

Also the audiobook for this has a full cast and is truly exceptional!

You’ll love this if you enjoy:
🎀 One Bed
🎀 Fake Dating
🎀 Billionaire Single Dad
🎀 Office Romance
🎀 Christmas Kink

Just finished My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely and I'm officially in love! Fake dating, festive vibes, flirty banter, and all the holiday swoons 😍❤️ A perfect mix of sweet + sexy! It’s dual POV that gives insight into both leads, a strong supporting cast, and plenty of holiday cheer. It’s sexy but sweet, playful yet heartfelt. A great pick for readers who love their romance wrapped in mistletoe and sprinkled with humor.
My Favorite Holidate is a heartwarming, laugh out loud holiday romance that perfectly balances festive fun with emotional sincerity. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to revisit every December or any time you need a romantic escape

Thank you Netgalley; Atria Book publishing & author Lauren Blakely for sending me this e-arc for my honest review

Cute little holiday romance. A fake dating slow burn that leaves you on a sizzle then throws you into the boil.

I love a good fake dating trope, especially when there's an asshole ex to destroy. Fable and Wilder (yes, those are really their names), are the best man and maid of honor in a Christmas wedding. Fable has recently caught her bf cheating on her and Wilder is tired of being set up by his meddling aunt. They end up pretending to be a couple for the wedding and getting the aunt off his back and to show up the ex. Both MCs are convinced they don't need romance in their life, so naturally they fall hard for each other and deny it all the way. It's ok, that's why we love the fake dating trope. Bonus here because it's also billionaire, single dad, one bed and he falls first. I enjoyed this. I totally enjoyed Brady getting what he deserved.

I really enjoyed the holiday atmosphere in this book—it gave off strong Hallmark movie vibes, the kind that make you feel warm, cozy, and ready to curl up beside a Christmas tree. The festive charm was definitely a highlight.

However, the romance between Wilder and Fable didn’t quite feel real for me. While I typically enjoy both the fake-dating and boss-employee tropes, their connection felt a bit forced and lacked the chemistry I was hoping for. The plot also felt a little predictable, and at times the writing seemed to circle back on itself rather than moving forward.

That said, it was a quick, festive read that definitely put me in the holiday spirit—even if I was left wishing for a romance that felt a bit more grounded and genuine.

This was so fun. Fake dating, hot billionaire, revenge against the ex, and Christmas competition? Say less. I've read a few Lauren Blakely books and they are great. Wilder is "chef's kiss." The banter was on point and the chemistry was hot. I did feel like the book dragged a little. I can't exactly put my finger on what felt too drawn out, but I just felt like it could have been shorter, maybe. I did just realize that this book is part of a longer interconnected series, so maybe if I read those I would have felt a little more invested in the story? I really did enjoy the banter and the steam! I'd say 4 solid stars!

4 stars out of 5.

I really enjoyed this laugh out loud holiday romance. I was invested from the beginning and could not turn the pages fast enough. Think of this book as a spicy Hallmark movie. I really liked both the MC's and Wilder was an amazing boyfriend. The reason I docked a star was due to the 3rd act breakup. The whole situation surrounding that was weird and childish and really not necessary. Overall thought, I definitely recommend reading this, it had everything you could want in a holiday romance book.

In My Favorite Holidate, we meet Fable who works for a professional football team doing merchandising. The owner and her boss is Wilder. Fable caught her boyfriend cheating with the chef at Thanksgiving dinner so she gets an idea to have a fake relationship because her sister is getting married. She and her ex are in the wedding party and her ex is bringing the girl he cheated on Fable with as his plus one. Wilder and Fable come up with this agreement and it would only be temporary. But then they both start having feelings for each other but will it last?

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely is a warm, funny, and emotionally satisfying holiday romance that begins with heartbreak but soon transforms into something beautiful, filled with genuine chemistry, supportive relationships, and a love story worth rooting for.

We’re introduced to Fable, whose world is turned upside down during a Thanksgiving dinner when she discovers her partner’s betrayal in the most humiliating way. Choosing not to ruin her sister’s big moment, she puts on a brave face, even as she dreads facing her ex again at the upcoming Christmas wedding.

Enter Wilder, Fable’s charming boss with a secret crush and a meddling aunt determined to set him up. When he learns of Fable’s heartbreak, he sees his chance not just to help her get her revenge, but to show her what it means to be truly cherished. Their decision to fake-date quickly gives way to a connection that’s real, sweet, and undeniably steamy.

Blakely does a great job of layering the romance with meaningful family and friend dynamics. Wilder’s adorable bond with his daughter, Fable’s loyalty to her sister, and both characters’ complicated relationships with their fathers add depth without overwhelming the central love story.
The romantic tension is perfectly balanced, being spicy without rushing, heartfelt without being too heavy. Wilder is protective and affectionate with a deliciously dominant streak, while Fable is confident, caring, and unafraid to take the lead.

If you’re looking for a holiday romance with a strong, swoon-worthy hero (but not a stereotypical alpha), a smart, resilient heroine, and a blend of festive charm and emotional warmth, My Favorite Holidate is a perfect pick.

Many thanks to publisher Lauren Blakely Books, the author herself, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.