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

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!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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