I was excited to read another addition to this series. Though I liked both main characters, this book seemed to move particularly slow and dragged on a bit for me. I just felt as if a lot of the lines came out a bit cheesy. The supporting characters such as Mac were fun and broke things up a bit.

This was an overall good read, but I still prefer the first (The Boyfriend Goal) the most! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy to enjoy!

Fable is out for revenge and Wilder needs a date to a friends wedding so they strike up a deal to act as one another's plus one's for the holidays. Then when the holidays are over they go back to being just co-workers. But somewhere between the kisses under the mistletoe and party smooshing feelings start to find their way into the mix... and their fake little deal starts to become something very real. Something neither expected to find under the tree at Christmas!

My Favorite Holidate is an humorous and swoony little page-turner that is destined to have you flying through the pages and feeling all the holiday feels! These two are quite the entertaining pairing, both need a plus one for holiday events and when Wilder offers up his services Fable is surprised, but also quite excited. Her ex broke her heart and someone like Wilder would really make her ex jealous and be the perfect partner for her plan for revenge. They thought it was the perfect plan for both of them, some fake kisses, fake flirting, and they wouldn't have to spend the holidays alone... but they never expected to actually fall for one another. That's where things backfired... or did they?

This book had me smiling the whole way through, as soon as I met these two I found myself enamored by them. They just had something about them that drew me in and made me want to know every little tidbit about them.... and boy did I enjoy minute of it! Nobody does romance quite like Ms. Blakely! If you like your romances with a little funny and a lot spice then you have to take a chance on this one, it's pages will have you riveted from start to finish. Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

3.5 Stars!

As someone who lived in Tahoe for a decade, I desperately tried to figure out which real-life mountain town inspired the setting of Evergreen Falls. The cozy, winter-wonderland vibes were on point, but I kept scanning the page for clues like a local trying to solve a literary treasure map. Wilder and Fable have instant chemistry, he falls first, and the fake-dating premise delivered some truly holiday rom-com moments. The writing was witty and fast-paced, though the book definitely ran a bit long (at least 100 pages too long), and I could have done without the obligatory third-act breakup—it felt generic and unnecessary, though it was brief.

Wilder is the ultimate golden retriever wrapped in billionaire packaging—a single dad with a heart of gold, a soft spot for his daughter, and a protectiveness that makes him swoon worthy without being overbearing. Fable, on the other hand, is more playful and creative. Both Wilder and Fable bond over past traumas, and are learning to heal together.

On the spicy side, this book leans hard into open-door scenes. Some of them were playful and steamy, but a few—especially the second one—crossed into cringe territory. There were certain words and descriptions that just pulled me right out of the moment. Let's just say they’re not terms I’d ever use in real life—or want to read during an intimate scene.

This book had a mixture of swoon-worthy moments, laugh-out-loud moments, and spicy scenes. It is a perfect winter read with all the mistletoe vibes! Wilder and Fable are adorable characters with deep heart. I also love a book with a single dad as the MMC. The middle of this book was a little dull, but the beginning and end made up for it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I absolutely loved My Favorite Holidate! Lauren Blakely delivers a charming, festive romance with just the right balance of holiday warmth and romantic spice. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and the banter had me smiling the whole way through.

It’s everything I want in a holiday rom-com: sweet moments, steamy tension, and a magical Christmas vibe that makes you want to curl up with a cup of cocoa. A fun, feel-good read that hits all the right seasonal notes—definitely one to add to your holiday TBR!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books Publishing for my DRC!

5⭐️

I really enjoyed this Christmas romance so much. At first I wasn't sure if I'd love the older dad boss and staff member romance but it was really respectfully done.

I really enjoyed the dad aspect in the end. The daughter was really cute and I loved her matchmaking setting up meet cute situations between the two characters. It was sweet. Both main characters are really well done. They balance eachother and loveable. You want to root for these tall thru-ought.

The pacing is well done. It one at a steady pace and never feels rushed or really lag.

Thank you to NeyGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I loved every Lauren Blakely book I've read, and this one is no different. It's a sweet HEA rom-com, fake dating your billionaire boss. Wilder and Fable work together with separate agendas to make people believe they are dating. The sparks between them are huge, and through competition and family fun, the sparks explode and they fall in love. I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and banter through the whole book. The intimate scene where Wilder gives Fable the Christmas toy... so freaking funny. I enjoyed the plot, and really liked how they resolved the issue with Brady. I think Wilder is so funny and compassionate and is such a hot dad. If you like funny, feel good, warm the heart books, I highly recommend this one.

This was a fun read. I loved getting the perspectives from Wilder & Fable. I wasn’t familiar with the other characters so it can be read as a standalone.

Fable finds out her boyfriend is a loser just as her sister is getting engaged. And now she has to be in the wedding with him because he is her future brother in law’s cousin. His best man is Fable’s billionaire boss Wilder , whose aunt is constantly trying to set him up on dates. Wilder and Fable decide to fake being a couple for the wedding to avoid her ex and his aunt’s meddling. Things get intense when they discover the chemistry between them is very real even if their relationship is not. This book was such a fun holiday romance with the perfect amount of longing and spice. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a feel good holiday love story!

This is the perfect holiday romance! Bingable! I read it for Christmas and July and it put me in all my holiday feels. Fable and Wilder were such a fun couple to root for! For sure recommending!

Fun, flirty, and full of holiday cheer, this rom-com delivers all the feel-good vibes you’d expect from Lauren Blakely. With witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and heartwarming moments, it’s the perfect cozy escape. One of her best — charming, lighthearted, and impossible not to love.

My Favorite Holidate is a delightful, feel good romance packed with holiday charm and just the right amount of heat.
When Fable finds her boyfriend cheating right before her sister’s wedding, she needs a last-minute date. Enter her boss, Wilder, who’s rich, single, and looking to avoid meddling matchmakers. Their fake date pact is supposed to be easy until the sparks start flying.

This story gave me everything I want in a Christmas romance: cozy vibes, sizzling chemistry, and characters who feel like friends. I adored Wilder. He’s caring, respectful, and knows exactly how to treat a woman. And Fable? She’s clever, quick-witted, and the kind of heroine you want in your corner. The side characters, particularly Wilder's daughter, Mac, and, his aunt, Bibi, add that extra bit of Christmas family magic to the story.

If you love the fake dating trope, forced proximity, or holiday settings, this one’s a must-read. A festive, heartwarming escape perfect for any time of year.

My Favorite Holidate is a cute Christmas romance, where fake dating turns into real romance. It is a quick read with just a bit of spice. Perfect to read over the holidays, or in hot weather for a Christmas in July situation!

A charming holiday romance that will have you swooning, laughing, and reaching for your coziest blanket.

When Fable catches her sleazy boyfriend red-handed with the Thanksgiving caterer—at her boss’s holiday party, no less—she’s humiliated and heartbroken. But before she can wallow too long, she unexpectedly finds herself tangled in a fake dating scheme with none other than her ridiculously attractive, billionaire boss, Wilder.

As the two pretend to be a couple for the sake of appearances, sparks begin to fly—and not just the fake kind. Can they keep up the charade without letting real feelings slip in? Or will the lines between pretend and reality blur faster than snow piling up outside their cozy Christmas chalet?

Full of flirty banter, festive charm, and just enough heat to melt a snowman, this one’s perfect for fans of sports romances and holiday happily-ever-afters. Snuggle up and enjoy!

I think I just have to accept that I am not in the mood for a cheesy christmas romance right now. I dnf'd around 30% because I knew I wasn't in the right headspace to give this one a fair shot. I still think it is funny and charming, and like most christmas romances - very cheesy, and once the season hits it could be a very fun read. I am just calling it a "not right now"

I tried to enjoy this one but man was it just boring to me. I dnfed around 20%. The writing wasn't awful. Just not for me i think. I found myself rolling my eyes at the dialogue and that's when I know I need to stop.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll never look at eggnog the same way again.

The characters were great. The location was festive. The Christmas competitions were fun. The banter was cute. But all of that and a happily ever after couldn’t overcome the constant, repetitive “it’s just fake” sentiment. There comes a point when it’s just too much. Then came Chapter 43 - the moment I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room.

Instead of closing the book feeling warm and fuzzy, I feel fussy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you #NetGalley and Atria books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Lauren Blakely book and I am blown away. Such a fun easy read! STEAMY. VERY STEAMY. I am OBSESSED with Wilder and Fable, as well as the supporting characters— they are all so lovable!! I love the Christmas spirit added with the romance. An amazing Christmas in July book!

I’m not typically a romance book girly but this was so cute and made me interested in reading more from this author! Well done. I haven’t read the others in this series but I’m tempted to go back and do so!

HIGHLY recommend this cute, sexy, sultry, romantic Christmas book!!

My Favorite Holidate is a fun, sweet holiday romance that delivers all the cozy Hallmark vibes you love—with a delicious dose of steam and spice you’d expect from Lauren.

Wilder and Fable find themselves fake-dating their way through a weeklong Christmas competition at his Lake Tahoe resort. Between festive games, family dinners, and holiday hijinks, their chemistry crackles—and when you toss in a one-bed chalet and some cozy nights by the fire? Total sizzle.

I loved the dual POVs, which gave a deeper look into both their hearts and made watching their romance unfold even more special. It was heartfelt, funny, and gave me all the warm, fuzzy feels.

My Favorite Holidate is the perfect festive binge: light, spicy, and full of charm—like slipping into your favorite oversized holiday sweater. It’s a quick, feel-good read that works just as well during the holidays or anytime you need a bit of joy.

Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke delivered in this duet style narration! Samantha did a bang up job nailing everything Fable - she's quirky and fun, passionate and can bring out the snark when needed. And Jason as Wilder - **chef's kiss** he was all kinds of growly, swoony, sweet and charming! I will listen to anything this man narrates! He gives you everything you want in a book boyfriend.

Fable and Wilder have this fantastic chemistry that hooks you right from the beginning and it's such a pleasure to watch their relationship unfold... you laugh, you blush, you swoon and you are so excited to be a part of it. Backdrop it against Christmas and you'd think it was a movie!

Of course, I'm a huge fan of supporting cast characters and the ones in this book are top notch. Every scene is fun and this book is just the right amount of festive and fun - perfect elements for your Christmas reads!

This was actually a re-read for me, and I loved it just as much the second time around!

🎄 ARC Review: A Swoony, Spicy Holiday Treat by Lauren Blakely 💋❄️

If you love fake dating, holiday competitions, and billionaire single dads, this festive romance is your next must-read! 📚✨

Fable, a fiery designer 🧵🔥, needs a fake boyfriend to one-up her cheating ex at a Christmas wedding. Enter Wilder Blaine her gorgeous, charming billionaire boss 💼💰 and single dad who has his own reasons to play along. What starts as a deal to survive awkward holiday parties quickly becomes so much more as sparks fly and mistletoe moments heat up. 💑🌟

From popcorn ball contests 🍿🎯 to steamy nights that blur the lines between pretend and passion 🔥🥂, this story brings ALL the holiday feels with extra spice 🌶️ and a pinch of snow-kissed magic. ❄️🎁

Lauren Blakely delivers her signature banter, slow-burn tension, and heart-tugging emotion — PLUS a never-before-published short story to make the holidays feel extra merry! 📖💖

🎅 Perfect for fans of:

Enemies-to-lovers with a twist

Office romance with a side of snow

Holiday weddings, hot cocoa, and HEAs ☕💍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A holly jolly fake romance that’ll leave you blushing and believing in love 💘🎄