I've never read this author before but this book was sooooo good! The pacing was on point, the flow flowed. Perfect! Thanks for the ARC, I appreciate it!

This was so not what I expected but I read it and laughed out loud at it too. what an interesting second chance/ naughty list book. What a twist on the proverbial Christmas list. What would Santa say?

In Alexis Daria we trust. The Holiday Hookup List is your spicy holiday romance novel that serves up all the goodness of the holiday season in a condensed format that just makes it a pleasurable read. Valencia and Gideon have chemistry for days and I still have yet to find an author that writes arguments scenes like Daria. The angst, the momentary rage, and the instant regret? Alexis always nails it.

This is quick read so that's why I'm pushing this to be on every romance reader's holiday reading list. Thank you so much Montlake for the digital arc!

Super disappointed with this book; I ended up not finishing it. I wanted to like it so bad, but I had to stop due to the main character. She was just so disappointing with her attitude, politics, core values, etc. It just wasn't for me.

My thanks to Netgalley, Montlake and Alexis Daria for the eARC in exchange for a review of this book.

I've been reading books by Alexis Daria since I tried You had me Hola five years ago. I also get Daria's newsletter, so I had this on my radar and when it was mentioned that it was up on Netgalley, I rushed to see if I'd get the chance to read it. I should also mention that I generally, mostly, hate Christmas, so my still wanting to read a novella that is based around the holiday should show that I'm reading this for the fact that it is written by Alexis Daria.

First of all, the dedication made me cackle. It helped set the mood for what I expected to find in this story. There was a sparkling charm to the introduction of our lead getting ready for a dance party (literally sparkling, as FMC, Valencia ends up wearing twinkling lights not long after we meet her) and I was immediately invested in the story of a workaholic lawyer trying her best to enjoy the holidays despite the year she's had. Add to that a run-in with a former classmate that Valencia used to butt heads with, lawyer Gideon Noble, and I was ready to settle in and watch the sparks between them fly.

The characters were sweet and well-developed, easy to cheer for as they navigated the tricky set-up of figuring out how to make their connection work while working through the issues they had with each other when they were in school. I was angry for Valencia when she mentioned her ex-fiancé and for Gideon when he talked about his father. I laughed at their antics and smiled as they made their list of things to do so they wouldn't spend the holdiays alone. It was all sweet and swoony and their romance was enough to keep me so invested in the story that I read this in one sitting. Daria has a way with these shorter works that is able to provide enough dimension to the leads that allows for readers to grow to enjoy the characters and never feel like something is lacking. Everything is revealed at the best time, developed in a way that flows with the story and keeps readers hooked. I wanted these two people to be happy together, I wanted their second chance to work out, and I loved their quiet moments together as much as their spicy scenes made me want to blush.

As much as enjoyed this though, it feels slightly unresolved with the scene involving Valencia's ex. With the way the scene unfolded and the implications it made, I wanted more comeuppance to hit that guy in the head with the force of a crowbar. But I can be a little vindictive, so most likely it's just a me thing and no one else would be very happy with a little bloodshed in their Christmas novella. Also, it just stops and while yes, it had an ending, I wanted more with the happily ever after in the future. Some kind of epilogue would have been the cherry on top, but again, that's just me.

Rating on my scale: 8.5 Stars. I wanted a little more overall but it in no way detracts from the overall impression of the book. This is a sweet and spicy story about two people realizing that the past does not define them and that sometimes they belong somewhere they least expect and that's okay too.

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

The book follows Valencia and Gideon. While in high school, Valencia and Gideon hated each other. Gideon would pick on Valencia, and she never forgot about it, until they ended up seeing each other in a bar by chance. They end up dancing together and going home together, which leads them to create a list of sexual and non-sexual activities they want to do together that are all Christmas-related. Valencia does not want things to go further after Christmas Eve, but Gideon wants more. Now, they must work together on their problems, leaning on each other.

I thought this was a cute Christmas book, and it was a quick and easy read. This would be a great book to help get you out of a reading slump. I felt that some of the chapters were short, and some of the activities they did together in the book didn't feel as fully developed. I wanted to read more about the things that Gideon and Valencia did together, because they grew on each other so fast that I felt like a lot of their relationship building could have happened during their dates. We could have seen deeper conversations that they had together. I felt like they had been enemies for so long that you would think it would take them longer to warm up to each other.

I loved Gideon's character. He was able to acknowledge that he had flaws, but wanted to prove to Valencia that he was a changed person. You could tell that he really had changed and genuinely felt bad for the things that he did to Valencia when they were in school. I loved Valencia as well. I loved the scene where she goes back and sees her ex at Christmas; she was such a badass. I was so glad that she stood up for herself! I spice in this book was spicing as well! The activities they did together were so cute!

Overall, this was a super cute book, and I really liked it! 4/5 stars! This is the perfect book for the holidays!

This is a sweet and spicy, twelve days of Christmas novella that will definitely put you in the festive mood! It was a lot of fun to read!

A short steamy good time! I finished in a few hours and enjoyed this story of high school rivals reconnecting at the holidays and falling in love over some holiday challenges. While this was a novella, I felt like we got good backstory for each character and their feelings seem genuine, if really fast. This author continues to be one I enjoy!

This was a cute holiday novella! The 12 Days of Christmas "hookup list" is a really unique and fun way of flirting for these characters. Valencia and Gideon have a history with their high school rivalry, so this story leans heavily on the enemies to lovers trope, as well as second chance romance. I do think it was a little bit too "insta lust" for me, but their connection from years ago elevated the story, especially because they no longer disliked each other like they did in high school and were both understanding of the fact that they had grown and evolved and were different people. I felt like they both grew throughout this book, both individually and together, and their journey was really fun and cute. The banter and chemistry was there, and the spice was piping hot! There was no third act break up, which I really appreciated. I think maybe it was lacking somewhat in execution and emotional depth, but I understand this was a novella and that isn't always possible. Overall, a really adorable book for the holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Daria, and Montlake for the eARC of this book.

I love a good spicy holiday novella and this one brought the spice. Val goes out one night after getting her heart broken and runs into Gideon, her high school rival. He knows as soon as he sees her that he has to make things right and they decide to do a holiday list so they don't have to spend the holiday season alone. Gideon wants more than just these few weeks, but Val isn't sure she does and can't see past these hook ups to see what is right in front of her.
Gideon wants to show her that no matter what happened in high school, he isn't that boy anymore and he knows that Val is something he wants to keep and plans to show her just that. Gideon was super sweet and this was fun and spicy.
Thanks to Montlake, Netgalley and Alexis Daria for an early copy.

Thank you to Montlake for the advance reader copy of The Holiday Hookup List by Alexis Daria!

At a holiday dance party, Valencia is reunited with her high school nemesis, Gideon. The reunion is filled with tension and chemistry which results in the two going home together. Valencia and Gideon create a twelve day holiday hookup list.

If you’re looking for a steamy holiday romance, The Holiday Hookup List needs to be on your list! If Alexis Daria writes it, I’m going to read it. I love the instant chemistry that Alexis Daria creates in stories and I was immediately drawn into Valencia and Gideon’s story from the beginning. I love the premise that has a time limited arrangement and I loved how the rest of the story played out for these two.

4⭐️
A fun holiday romp set during the twelve days of Christmas! I'm not exactly sure what constitutes a novella, but this was one on the longer side.

Valencia is out for a night on the town when she bumps into Gideon, her old high school nemesis. They haven't see each other in almost ten years, but sparks fly immediately. They realize they'll both be spending the lead up to the holidays alone, so decide to spend the days together. They make a list with a christmas item and a naughty item for each day

I really enjoyed getting to go through the twelve Christmas days here! We had some fun, stereotypical New York things like Rockefeller and ice skating, checking out the windows on Fifth Avenue and going to markets. But we also got to see some quieter moments, with Valencia and Gideon wrapping presents together and watching Christmas movies.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Holiday Hookup List by Alexis Daria is a standalone Christmas romance that brought so much sizzle and fun to my Christmas in July reading! This spicy, delightful story was an absolute blast from start to finish.

I totally adored Valencia and Gideon! The fact that they knew each other back in high school and managed to move past old drama to ignite some serious holiday sparks was so much fun to read. Watching their chemistry heat up while they dove into festive traditions—and their own naughty twist on the Twelve Days of Christmas—was pure joy. Their growing feelings for each other felt so real and added just the right touch of heart to the steamy moments.

This book is fast-paced, well-written, and impossible to put down. It’s the perfect mix of spicy and sweet for a quick holiday read that leaves you smiling. If you’re in the mood for a fun, flirty Christmas romance with a bit of heat, this one’s a total winner!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Holiday Hookup List by Alexis Daria
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance
Expected Publication Date: October 7, 2025

4 stars.

Alexis Daria is constantly surprising me with her quick-witted, spicy romances! "The Holiday Hookup List" is a Christmastime novella full of warmth, forgiveness, exploration, and holiday-themed romps! I enjoyed the characters, Valencia and Gideon, quite a bit. They were once high school rivals. Gideon teased Valencia relentlessly, calling her names and picking on her whenever he got the chance. Then, one day, he suddenly stopped talking to her altogether except on the last day of high school, where he wished her well on her future endeavors. Years later, when they see each other at a crowded gay bar dancing the night away, Valencia sees this as an opportunity to feel powerful again after a breakup with a man she was with for almost a decade. She knows Gideon wants her and is willing to do anything to maintain that slight power over him, even for a short while. In the wake of the death of her parents and the aforementioned breakup, she is going to be spending Christmas alone. Gideon and Valencia decide to make a Christmas exploration list where their wildest fantasies will come true with one another in the weeks leading up to Christmas day. Slowly, what really happened during high school becomes clearer, and Gideon admits that he was not only jealous of her, but also wants Valencia something fierce. Their current feelings become very real. Can they put their bruised egos and former rivalry aside to make it in the present day as a very real couple? The phrase "short but sweet" gets used a lot, but that is the perfect way to describe this novella. There is enough backstory and current emotional output for me to get invested in the characters and whether or not they will end up together. Because of their shared backstory, this did not feel like an lnsta-love or insta-lust novella, though I can see why other readers might think of it this way. The spice is most definitely spicing in this one... hoooooooo, boy! I loved the connection between Valencia and Gideon, especially once they start their list. This story made me blush, it made me laugh, and it even squeezed a tear out of me, too. I love Alexis Daria's work, and this one is no exception! Perfect for those who need a quick story full of Christmastime fun!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Daria, and Montlake for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

This was a Christmas novella — although, to be fair, it was quite long for a novella. In fact, I found myself wishing it had been a full-length novel instead. There was a lot packed into the story, and at times the pacing felt a bit too quick. Some moments and relationships could have really benefited from more development.

One thing I struggled with was how easily the female main character forgave the male lead for the way he treated her when they were in school. I understand that, due to the shorter format, some things had to move quickly — but I personally would have appreciated more depth or reflection around that part. That said, aside from that issue, I genuinely enjoyed their relationship and the chemistry between them.

Despite what the blurb might lead you to believe, the main focus of the story is on their relationship — and in my opinion, that was the right choice. It’s definitely an open-door romance, so keep that in mind if that’s something you look for or avoid.

All in all, it’s a light and cozy Christmas read that I can definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a heartwarming holiday romance.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Alexis Daria for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 7th, 2025

Valencia decides to go out before Christmas with her ex's sister and ends up bumping into an old classmate, Gideon. During school they didn't like each other much, him teasing her and her just putting up with it. Until tonight she thought he hated her but both have grown up and now realize they are attracted to each other at this point in time. Leaving together and both lonely over Christmas they decided to create a holiday hookup list for the 12 remaining days before Xmas and things get spicy. However, when feelings develop from Gideon will Valencia reciprocate them and this Christmas fling last longer?

This book was a quick read for me. I liked the plot of the story and it was definitely spicy!! I wish we had a little more backstory and had a scene or two more to really understand their past but the characters were both likable and I got that they both really needed someone to be their person during the holidays, each for different reasons. I would recommend it for someone looking for a quick holiday, spicy read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Alexis Daria, and Montlake for allowing me to review this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC!

I'm always down for a sweet and spicy Christmas novella in July and this one was just ok - I think many would enjoy it but it wasn't for me.

Liked the concept and the general writing which was easy to read and fast paced but I felt the story was lacking. Though it was a novella, I felt the characters and their back story and general relationship development weren't that impactful or memorable. Even the premise of a spicy list was skimmed over and those scenes were quite brief.

Also the question remains, who was looking after the cat during that one weekend she spent at his place? That is the one question that stuck with me by the end of it all. I also thought there would be more to the story with the animosity between the MMC and her ex but that plot line wasn't expanded upon.

You might like this if you wanted a quick and sweet festive novella with good communication and no third act breakup.

Would not read again, however would read other Alexis Daria books - I quite liked her other Christmas novella, Only Santas In The Building.

Overall rating: 2.75/5

christmas in july, i think yes!!! alexis daria really killed it with the sweet and steamy holiday novella and i sat and finished this cutie in one sitting! i would read her grocery list at this point and this was no exception 🥰

Super sweet and spicy right size novella. Cute concept of having traditional holiday activity dates combined with trying s3x toys/acts together. I like how they were mature (if 27ish is mature), at least well into a stable career and living on their own. I loved their super open communication. My least favorite book trope is miscommunication. Thanks for the ARC opportunity, Netgalley and the publisher.

This book will definitely find it's audience, but it fell a bit short for me.

I felt that, for a novella, the book tried to be too many things at once. This meant that the whole idea that centres around a spicy list was lost, because intimate scenes were rushed and sometimes completely glanced over.

However, if you're looking for a quick holiday read, then you'll enjoy it. Especially if you're not a fan of third act breakups.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC