Absolutely loved this book. It made me wish it was the holidays. It was a quick read because I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, the story line and the romance. The only thing that would make this book better is if I was in front of a fireplace reading with the Christmas tree lit and snow falling outside.

Lauren Blakely delivers with yet again another spicy and hilarious rom com that I couldn’t not stop devouring!! I loved every minute of this book and had been dying for Wilder & Fable’s story! The tension between them and the spice when it hits is perfect! I also love how freaking hilarious Wilder’s daughter Mac is! She honestly is my favorite character besides our main couple and I couldn’t stop listening/reading this book!

ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇꜱ:
-Holiday romance
-Billionaire
-Single dad
-Small town
-Fake dating
-One bed
-Workplace romance

Thank you so much to Lauren Blakely, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Five star for me! Hands down. Loved the chemistry between these two and the slow burn! And HELLO Wilder! Can we say new book boyfriend unlocked! He can boss me around anytime! This book is full of spice and holiday puns that will make you jolly! Just skip the eggnog for this book. Great holiday read or anytime really!

Spicy, fun, and a good read whether it's 40 below or 140 outside! Highly rec if you want something to shake up your reading in the ~spiciest~ way possible!

This was such a cute read. I'm a sucker for Romance books. It had its cheesy moments, but still cute. Especially in the Winter and during Christmas............what more can you ask for. This story had me all in my feelings. From wanting to uppercut Brady hahahaha.......and then Wilder shows up....If this was a movie, I'm on Wilder and Fabel's side hahaha. Family getting together, in a cabin setting, falling in love. I would definitely recommend this read..

honestly this was a pretty cute holiday romance, just not for me. I do however see how someone would LOVE this book. like I said.. it just wasn't for me.

I just absolutely adore reading Lauren Blakely’s books. This is a steamy, fake dating Christmas romcom. Fable wants to make her ex boyfriend jealous and what is the best way to do it other than have a pretend boyfriend who is also a super hot billionaire. Wilder is a single dad to a teenage daughter who is sweet and pretty funny.
It can be pretty swoon worthy and laugh out loud moments . Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

Perfect Book for the holidays!

This was like a spicy Hallmark movie! I felt that it was a little cheesy at times, but what Hallmark-esque book or movie isn’t?!

Wilder was as amazing as I thought he would be. Those bossy vibes were top tier. And I always have a spot for the single dad trope!

Fable is his creative, fun and loving counterpart that opens his eyes to the possibility of love.

But they have a few things to overcome like a boss/employee situation and of course the fact they are fake dating! The line becomes blurred very fast and they have to figure out what is real and what is fake.

Loved this story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is my favorite non-dark romance, hands down. I fell in love with both characters — but especially Wilder. The way his internal darkness and trust issues, especially from his relationship with his father, were balanced with how thoughtful he is deep down was so good. He spends so long trying to convince himself he can’t be with Fable, and the back and forth never felt annoying. It actually made me feel for him more and really understand where he was coming from.

Fable also has her own struggles, especially with loyalty and love because of her dad’s past, and it was written in a way that didn’t feel forced. They both go through their own things separately but start leaning on each other more and more — and that growth was one of my favorite parts of the story.

The romance itself? Truly feet-kicking. Steamy, full of longing, and just so close to becoming real the whole time. The fake dating premise worked perfectly, it made me giddy the entire time. I felt so immersed reading it all unfold. And some of those scenes? So sexy, especially when Wilder starts to let go and fully unleash that dominant side of him in the bedroom. That part of him mixed with how emotionally layered he is made everything hit even harder. Not to mention how both of them had such similar feelings the whole time but not saying anything to each other? I was screaming at them haha.

I literally could not recommend this book more — everyone should read it to really feel the full story and fall in love with Wilder and Fable the way I did.

My Favorite Holidate is the ultimate holiday rom-com fantasy — one hot billionaire, fake dating to make an ex jealous, and plenty of steamy, festive moments that had me swooning! The chemistry between the heroine and her billionaire boss is electric, and their fake relationship quickly heats up way beyond just pretending.

I loved the mix of holiday magic, playful revenge, and genuine feelings that grow between them, all wrapped up in cozy winter settings and fun traditions like popcorn ball competitions. Honestly, why can’t this happen in real life?!

If you want a feel-good, sexy Christmas romance that’s as sweet as candy canes but with all the heat of a roaring fire, this one’s a perfect pick.

4.5 stars

Another wonderful read by Lauren Blakely. So many great aspects to this fun and engaging romance. Fable and Wilder have a place in my holiday heart.

Workplace romance
Fake Dating
Billionaire
One Bed
Christmas
Competition

Thank you Lauren Blakely and Atria Books for providing this ARC via NetGalley. Comments and opinions above are my own.

#MyFavoriteHolidate #NetGalley

This one was such a cute read, I really loved it. The relationship, the vibes, everything relating to the holidays. I just really enjoyed the overall aspect of the book. It was sweet, it was spicy and it was funny. It just had everything I could've asked for for a holiday read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the eArc of this absolutely delicious little bundle of Christmas joy. It’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit—and while it’s not quite cozy season yet, this is a must-read for anyone starting to plan their holiday book list or curate a Christmas in July wishlist. I listened to the audiobook back in December, so when the new print was announced, I was absolutely weak in the knees and tripping over candy canes to get my hands on it.

From the start, this book had such a fun and promising premise—I mean, who doesn't love a little revenge on an ex by fake-dating your kind, sexy, single dad, billionaire boss? Fable and Wilder’s relationship was genuinely adorable, and what I appreciated most was how naturally it developed. They handled the fake relationship with maturity—telling the right people, being honest with those who mattered, especially Wilder’s daughter. I loved that he didn’t hide it from her. Instead, he was upfront from the beginning, which made their bond even more believable. We love to see a dad who cares.

Fable and Wilder’s relationship was so cute, and I really appreciated how practical and realistic the progression felt. They told the people they needed to tell about the fake relationship—no dragged-out miscommunication or unnecessary drama—and I especially loved that Wilder didn’t hurt his daughter by hiding it from her. Instead, he was honest with her from the start, which felt so refreshing. And look, anyone with eyes could see their “fake” relationship was very real. That’s because it was built on a solid foundation of mutual respect. It wasn’t some insta-lust situation—it grew from actual connection, care, and communication. I personally love to see that kind of thoughtful relationship development.
This book had everything: a Hallmark movie–worthy Christmas competition, a cozy cabin, tree decorating, wedding festivities—and the spice? HELLO. Wrap me up and put me under the tree early in the hopes that Wilder picks my ass up because the spice was givinggggg. If you're craving a holiday romance that’s both sweet and steamy, with strong relationship development and a happily-ever-after, this one’s for you.

Things I got unreasonably mad at:
That she didn’t out her terrible ex to her sister before the wedding. He got off way too easy, and every time Wilder checked him—whether in business or in attitude—I was sitting there giggling into my hot cocoa.

The ex publicly blaming Wilder and Fable’s relationship on Wilder’s daughter? Unacceptable. Even though it got resolved fast, I wanted to throw the book. And hands.

Favorite moments:
The spice—honestly, a gift all its own.

When they ditched the competition to help pack charity toy donations that HE donated. So wholesome.

When they kicked the ex out of the cabin and the little caterer cheater bish got the boot too. A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE that took too long to happen.

All in all- this will be an annual reread for me and the audiobook is also FANTASTIC for anyone struggling with the length.
5/5

This is my second novel I have read in the How To Date book series written by Lauren Blakely. This is my first book ARC by this author. This is a five star holiday billionaire romance that will have you laughing a lot and swooning at your feet. Wilder is a billionaire who runs his own company while being a single dad to his daughter. He has a great co parenting relationship with his ex. Fable works for wilders company and his best friend is engaged to her sister. She was dating her almost brother in law cousin when he cheats on her with a waitress at her bosses company Christmas party. Wilder & Fable now enter in a fake relationship to get back at the ex to show she’s moved on; while leaning into the crush she’s always had on her boss. This is a beautiful romance that shows raw emotion, happiness, drama and great banter. Watching their relationship bloom was cute and they had great chemistry.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria publishing for allowing me to do an advance read in exchange for my honest review.
I have read many Lauren Blakely books over the years, so when I saw this one on NetGalley, I knew I had to immediately request it. It didn't disappoint. I'm a sucker when it comes to grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, boss/employee, taboo romances. which is kind of what I thought it might have been, because that's usually how taboo romances are. Not this one. I loved Wilder from the first chapter. He was such an amazing character. The way he didn't bat an eye when Fable needed help. And his daughter, wow, what an amazing character. she was so sweet and just wanted everyone to be happy. The competition was great to, but I liked that it wasn't the only focus of the book. And the third act "break-up" wasn't really a thing in this book. The best friends were amazing. I often find that in books, sometimes the friends can be kind of annoying, but not in this book. They were their for Fable and didn't push her or set her up. I absolutely adored this book and will probably read it again around Christmas.

This was such a cute holiday romance. I can’t to reread this around the holidays! It was so cute and fun! The characters were so cute!

This one absolutely blew me away and was the PERFECT start to my holiday romance season for 2024! Some of my favorite tropes, all morphed into an amazing story. We get fake dating, a single dad, billionaire boss, and a small town Christmas town with holiday games & competition.

This was my first book by @laurenblakelybooks and it didn’t disappoint at all. The first chapter had me a little nervous, but I quickly was hooked and devoured this in 2 days - after DNF’ing another book and feeling a little hopeless.

We get Fable and Wilder. Fable, having walked in on her boyfriend cheating on her during a Thanksgiving at her boss’ house right before her sister got engaged - now has to be in a wedding WITH said, now, ex-boyfriend without telling the truth of why they broke up in her true-to-self, people pleasing ways in hopes of not ruining her sister’s perfect wedding. Then there’s Wilder, who’s aunt wants to play matchmaker for the holiday season, who’s also going to be at the wedding as the best man - and just so happens to be Fable’s billionaire boss, and a single dad.

Cue them in a talk to fake date through the holidays to appease his aunt and to make Fable’s cheating ex-boyfriend jealous. And when touches become all too real with feelings arising from even BEFORE their little fake dating agreement. My heart literally exploded.

And I know this might not make any sense, but I literally pictured Noel Fisher as Wilder the entire time - even though I think the height may be wrong.

Love this book, I honestly have read her books before only because I am lazy and don't like to try new authors very often but her writing is amazing. I loved this book it gives you all the holiday feels you could ever want and I cant but love these 2 people like they are your best friends.

4.5⭐️ 4🌶️
I adored this holiday romcom! Wilder is boyfriend goals, so sweet and thoughtful yet still the boss when he needs to be, in and out of the office 😉. This had the perfect amount of holiday cheesiness to make me smile and laugh and put me in the holiday spirit without being so over the top that I was rolling my eyes.

There were a few cons so I deducted half a star. Wilder and Fable’s reasonings for not wanting a real relationship felt a little flimsy and weren’t entirely believable, especially after seeing how strong their feelings were for each other. We also never find out Fable’s age?! Not a major deal but I had a hard time nailing down how old she was in my head, and I would have loved an age gap!

Tropes:
Fake dating
Billionaire boss
Single dad

This was such a cute, cozy Christmas read—perfect if you’re looking for something fluffy to enjoy during the holidays, or even if you just want to feel those Christmas vibes any time of year.

The FMC, Fable, has just broken up with her boyfriend and needs a date for her friend’s wedding (where she’s the maid of honor). Her ex is also in the wedding party, so her boss, Wilder—who also happens to be the best man—steps in to help her out.

Add in Wilder’s adorable daughter Mac, some festive wedding moments, and a one-bed situation, and this basically felt like a spicy Hallmark movie. I loved