I read A Christmas Fling in August, and it was just the perfect infusion of holiday fun and romance to add to the end of summer! Laura is midway through her neurosurgery program and has long believed she should remain single due to the extremely long hours and the need to remain focused. Callum is her new landlord, but through a surprise visit from his parents on the day they meet, she ends up playing the role of his girlfriend, a fictitious woman named Caroline that he invented to avoid a lot of uncomfortable conversations with his family.

Laura gamely agrees to continue playing the role of Caroline on a visit to the Scottish Highlands for Christmas, and plenty of holiday humor, sibling arguments, and encounters with Callum’s ex make for a holiday break that’s anything but boring. And of course, Callum and Laura just might discover during their days in the freezing cold of Scotland that they’ve got something worth continuing past the holiday!

I loved the Scottish setting and the way this book felt like a slow burn romance even though it takes place over less than a week! Thanks to HarperCollins 360 and NetGalley for the early reader copy.

A great new charming and hilarious Christmas romance to add to your TBR this year!
Laura thinks she has scored a deal on a perfect new apartment - until she goes there to take measurements and instead is startled by a gorgeous naked man coming out of the bathroom. Its her landlord Callum who has not yet moved out. A ridiculous situation ensues when his parents arrive, and Laura somehow agrees to be Callum’s pretend girlfriend back home in Scotland over Christmas.

***Destination Christmas Romance
***Fake dating
***Naked “meet cute”
***Slowww burn

Lindsey Kelk is an autobuy author for me, and this did not disappoint. The chemistry in this was sizzling! Laura was a strong, intelligent neurosurgeon that was just the best. And her and Callum together?! Fire!! The yearning, the sweet moments,the looks of longing —-yes to all! There was also so many laugh out loud moments.

Just a few minor things for me - because this was single POV, we didn’t get Callum’s feelings throughout and I am a little sad about that. I think having some insight into how he was feeling and his increasing feelings for Laura would have really elevated the story. I do also wish that we had an Epilogue, or another chapter to add the cherry on top. I would have enjoyed a glimpse into the future.

All and all, great read - couldn’t put it down!

Thank you to Harper 360/Harper Collins Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

My first read by Lindsey Kelk! If you are looking for a light holiday romcom with an unforgettable meet disaster, this is the book for you! Not only do Laura and Callum need to pull off a fake relationship over the holidays, Laura must take on the roll of Caroline, the fake girlfriend Callum has been creating as an excuse not get out of visits to his family in the Highlands since last Christmas' disastrous breakup with his longtime girlfriend.

While the dearest wish of Callum's parents is to have all of their children home for the holidays, the relationships between Callum, his sister, and father are fraught with tension, unmet expectations and jealousy. "Caroline" is not particularly welcome with all the eccentricities invented by Callum in his excuses. Poor Laura has a lot to suffer through between frigid cold, no cell service, inedible vegan cooking, and the animosity of Callum's sister. The unexpected addition of Laura's two best friends to this Highland holiday had me laughing at their antics. But sometimes i it takes an outsider to see the truth of buried emotions and force them to be confronted.

I appreciated how the author wrapped up the ending of this book. It was hopeful, without an implausibly perfect HEA. I'm not going to give the ending away, but just say that it was refreshing to see that Laura or Callum had to sacrifice their personal growth in order to be together. Mutual respect, understanding, and a willingness to put in the work of a relationship was paired with a strong sense of hope. I'm left curious about Elsie, Callum's sister, and his younger brother Rory as well. I'd be happy to see them again in later books.

Trainee neurologist Laura Pearce thinks she may have earned herself a great deal on a new apartment, only to find out her landlord still lives there. Enter Callum, the ruggedly handsome (and, unexpectedly naked) tenant she wasn’t expecting to meet. Their awkward meet-cute then snowballs into full-blown chaos when Laura gets roped into an elaborate lie. Callum, on the brink of leaving for pastry school in Paris, has one little problem to solve first: the fake girlfriend he invented to keep his family off his back.

Before she knows it, Laura is masquerading as a vegan massage therapist named Caroline while Callum scrambles to keep his secret under wraps, all while holiday mishaps pile on one after another. Throw in her meddling best friends, a festive Scottish backdrop, and the undeniable chemistry between Laura and Callum, and you’ve got a rom-com bursting with charm, chaos, and laugh-out-loud moments.

This book had me grinning through and through. It’s over-the-top in a good way. The fake-dating setup was hilarious, and the constant scramble to maintain the ruse made for some truly laugh-out-loud moments. What really stood out was how comforting Laura and Callum’s chemistry felt. The snowy Scottish Highlands setting added that cozy, movie-like escapism I love in holiday romances, and the cast of side characters, especially Laura’s best friends and Callum’s chaotic family, made the story even more memorable. While the story leans heavily into the comedy, the book still touches on deeper themes like loss and disconnection in a way that feels thoughtful without weighing down the festive mood. Also, Laura is a refreshing heroine since she is smart, successful, and no-nonsense. On the other hand, Callum’s pastry-chef dreams gave the story a fun twist on expected gender roles.

That said, I would have loved to see a little more depth in the relationship development between Callum and Laura. While their chemistry was undeniable, there were moments where I wished Callum had stepped up for her more clearly instead of leaving her to handle the awkwardness on her own, especially with his sister (then again, men can be a little clueless sometimes, can’t they?).

Overall, Christmas Fling is exactly the kind of cozy, lighthearted rom-com you want to curl up with during the holidays!

Laura, a neurology resident, thinks she’s scored the perfect deal when she subleases Callum’s apartment—only to discover he hasn’t actually left yet. Cue one very awkward (and funny) first encounter. Callum is supposed to be off to pastry school in Paris, but before he goes, he needs to deal with one little problem: the elaborate lie he told his family about having a girlfriend named “Caroline.” When Laura accidentally gets swept up in the deception, she suddenly finds herself posing as his fake vegan, non-drinking, massage-therapist girlfriend at a family Christmas in Scotland.

What follows is a hilarious series of mishaps as Laura tries to keep up the charade, Callum scrambles to keep the truth from spilling out, and Laura’s best friends crash the holiday just to make things even messier. Between the family dynamics, the fake-dating chaos, and all the holiday charm, this book had me grinning the whole way through.

It’s the perfect kick-off to holiday reading season—lighthearted, cozy, and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

If you're looking for a cozy, festive romcom, this delivers!

Laura, an overachieving emotionally detached trainee neurosurgeon, agrees to pretend to be Callum's girlfriend over Christmas at his family's Scottish estate. Many laugh-out-loud funny hijinks ensue while the Laura and Callum grapple with their emotional shortcomings and growing feelings for one another.

I had the best time reading this book. The Scottish Christmas backdrop is perfection. You'll want to curl up by the fire and read this feel-good story in a single afternoon.

A fake romance, perfect Christmas feels, and the perfect setting of Scotland!! This book was amazing and it felt so incredibly fun!

What Worked for Me:

The Fake Dating Chaos
Laura accidentally ends up pretending to be her future landlord’s girlfriend over the holidays. Hijinks? Absolutely. Especially when they make her alter ego, “Caroline,” intentionally awful to avoid a repeat invite.

Witty Banter & Chemistry
Laura and Callum have electric chemistry and hilarious back-and-forths. The dialogue was sharp and kept me smiling.

Scottish Highlands Setting
Snowy scenery, cozy homes, and that classic winter movie feel, pure escapism.

A Great Cast of Side Characters
From Laura’s lovable best friends to Callum’s chaotic family, every character added something memorable to the story.

Found Family Vibes
Laura’s relationships with her friends were heartfelt and authentic. They supported each other through flaws, grief, and everything in between.

Emotional Depth
Amid the laughs, the book touches on grief, loss, and emotional disconnection, handled with care and nuance.

A Refreshing, Empowering Heroine
Laura is a neurosurgeon. Callum is a pastry chef. I loved that this flipped the expected roles, smart, successful, and no-nonsense, Laura is a standout lead.

Tropes:
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Found family
Holiday romance

Perfect for fans of:
Lighthearted rom-coms, festive reads, and strong female leads who still believe in love.

Final thoughts:
Whether you're curled up with cocoa in December or need a midyear dose of holiday cheer, Christmas Fling brings the cozy chaos. A must read for rom-com lovers!

I always have such a great time with Kelk’s stories, and this one was no different. What a hilarious and fun holiday romance! The characters and their interactions/ reactions were a bit outrageously over the top, but that is part of the charm of Kelk’s storytelling. Pure romcom with heart every time.

I also appreciated that this book had the least amount of Taylor Swift references than Kelk’s other stories I’ve read. I am not a swiftie myself and don’t particularly care for that many pop cultural references of her in a book.

For the majority of the story, our strangers-to-lovers duo are in Scotland with our MMC’s family for Christmas. Callum has let a few of his harmless lies over the past year snowballed into a big mess that Laura will need to help him cover up. Will operation fake girlfriend be a success or will Laura and her friends’ shenanigans blow Callum’s ruse? Guess you will just have to pick up this book to find out!

E-ARC provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to @HarperCollins360 for the opportunity to read an early copy! 😊🥰

Looking for a classic holiday romcom? Look no further - Lindsey Kelk delivers in her new holiday romance Christmas Fling.

A chaotic family full of characters riff with expectations and the unsaid, a fake relationship to hold said family at bay, and a Scottish highlands setting for the holidays. A perfect set up for over the top hijinks, banter, laugh out loud moments, and of course romance.

This one had the vibe of some of my favorite classic romcom movies / holiday romcoms. It definitely had me laughing, cheering and cringing for our leads at various times with the situations they found themselves in. A rollicking, fun escape to the Highlands for the holidays, that still manages to have that heartwarming holiday ending.

The quintessential holiday romcom. Full of over the top situations, laugh out loud moments, and an idyllic Scotland setting.

As long as you are good suspending your disbelief, this is a fun, quick read to welcome the holiday season.

Thank you to Lindsey Kelk, Harper 360, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Laura needs a flat to rent, Callum needs a girlfriend to take home for Christmas. They strike a deal and chaos ensues! Laura is a neurosurgeon that has been forced to take time off from work and after an awkward meeting, agrees to be Callum’s awful fake girlfriend, Caroline, over the holidays. 

This was my first book by Lindsey Kelk and it did not disappoint! This book has everything, hilarious best friends, the ex-girlfriend, and so many awkward moments that I was laughing almost the entire time.  It gave me all the feels, while predominantly funny and lighthearted, there were heartfelt moments that Laura experienced reflecting on her family and holidays. Laura and Callum were such a fun couple! They had this magnetic chemistry and great banter throughout the story, with a dash of spice. I loved the characters and their over-the-top banter and antics. 

I absolutely loved this charming cozy holiday romance and highly recommend!

In this festive and hilarious romantic comedy, Laura literally runs into her new landlord Callum at his apartment. Their uncomfortable situation leads to a misunderstanding with his family and before Laura knows it, she’s somehow agreed to be his fake girlfriend and accompany him to Scotland for Christmas with his family. Despite the fact that he lives in a remote castle, his family dislikes her already, and she’s apparently vegan, she begins to fall for Callum.

I love Lindsey Kelk’s rom coms, and I love a Scottish setting, so this book is perfect for me! I’m already declaring it my favorite Christmas book of the year. It had me laughing out loud at all the mishaps and funny characters. Plus, I love a smart and strong female main character and a man who likes that. I enjoyed the found family aspect of the book along with all the humor and the sweet slow burn romance. It is a perfectly executed Christmas book- I definitely recommend adding it to your holiday TBR!

Thank you to Lindsey Kelk and Harper 360 for the arc and opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer.

A holiday read that had sweet characters, a beautiful Scottish setting, and an absurd- laugh out loud- series of events throughout. The perfect romcom to get you in the Christmas spirit. Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

This book was absolutely adorable! I love the way the characters fell for each other and their personalities. I really enjoyed this one!

I loved this book! The characters were so well written—quirky, lovable, and easy to root for. Anything Scottish is wonderful, and Lindsey Kelk made the setting come alive with charm. The flow of the story was perfect, keeping me turning pages late into the night because I simply didn’t want to put it down. A funny, heartwarming, and festive read that’s everything I look for in a Christmas romance. I will be looking for more reads from Lindsey Kelk!


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Your typical fake dating Christmas story. But, it has some of the funniest banter. Not just the FMC & MMC but the friends as well. I’m giving this book out to everyone this winter but I plan to do a deep dive into the author’s catalog now.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥 (moderately descriptive open door scene)

Quick Notes:
*Christmas in Scotland
*Fake Dating
*Family Drama
*Hilarious Antics
*Women in STEM

My Thoughts:
This was my favorite book so far from Lindsey Kelk! I always enjoy the humor in her books, and this one did not disappoint. Fake dating has never been so much fun. Yes, there was a lot of lying involved, but I really enjoyed the hilarity of it all and binged this in one weekend.
Laura was smart and funny. I found her facts about the brain and anatomy to be so interesting, but I also loved how she played along so well as Callum's terrible fake girlfriend. There was even some unexpected depth to this as the loss of Laura's mother years ago came into play as the reason Laura closed herself off to relationships. I found myself getting teary-eyed more than once as Laura reminisced on the past.
Callum was an absolute dream. Yes, his whole family situation was messy, and he could have communicated better. BUT, he was so thoughtful and caring. The things he did for Laura had me feeling like the heart eye emoji. I was mad at him a bit in the end, but all was easily forgiven.
I have yo also add that Laura's friends added so much extra humor to this. They definitely added to the story!
I'd definitely recommend checking this out if you want a fun holiday read this season!

Basics you should know about Christmas Fling
- Hot Scot MMC ✔️
- Smart Neurosurgeon(in training) FMC✔️
- Fake dating✔️
- Two crazy, but incredibly loyal and hysterical friends✔️
- One Scottish manor

Christmas Fling is a fun fake dating romance about Laura, a training neurosurgeon, and Callum, a wannabe pastry chef. Callum and Laura meet and basically get tricked into going to his family's home in Scotland for Christmas. Callum does not want to take over the family farm and so he has been avoiding going home and has not told his parents he got into a culinary school in Paris. He wants Laura to come with him basically to meet their wishes of him being home, but also be such a terrible girlfriend that don't want him coming home or her coming with him. Callum has made up a girlfriend over the previous year and Laura essentially has to fit Callum's previous description of "Caroline" when meeting his family.

This story is heartfelt, romantic and full of hilarious moments! I highly recommend if you are looking for a Christmas romance with lots of heart!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you HarperCollins/Harper360 and NetGalley for the ARC!

Christmas Fling, was perfect. Such a great balance of Christmas and Romance. Its barely September, but this book gave me all the feels of Christmas, the description of different locations of the book was perfect and I was able to visualize it. It was also a humorous book. At different moments of the book I had to laugh out loud. I loved the family dynamic and roughness that they had towards Callum. Such a great book,Will be recommending!

Thank you for this fee ARC.

3.5/5 stars rounded up! 🎄 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏰 💙

In Christmas Fling, we follow our main characters Laura, a neurosurgeon in training, and Callum, a chef, in a fake dating plot that takes us to his family's Scottish home/castle, which is also a working farm, during Christmas.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the humor -- I was already chuckling by the second page, and continued doing so for the duration of the tale. Sure, the premise is a bit absurd once you get into it, but it's told with such humor and heart that it works, as long as you can just roll with it.

While humor was prevalent, the story does deal with heavy topics, such as family rejection and loss of a parent during teenage years. The emotional depth of the story is also present through the theme of found family.

Another plus were the beautiful descriptions of Scotland! Lochs and rolling hills abound.

Overall, a really sweet read for the holiday season! ✨

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy of this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360 and Harper Collins for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Lindsey Kelk is one of those rare authors that you know you can’t go wrong with. Her romances are always funny and engaging but not so saccharine that they completely suspend disbelief - which can easily occur with Christmas romances. Christmas Fling hit the perfect balance, bringing two trainees, neurosurgeon Laura and pastry chef Callum, in the romance favorite trope of fake dating. But of course in Lindsey’s hands everything feels fresh, from Laura wanting to ensure Callum’s family hates her at the end of the visit to her close friends who get involved in the hijinks.

Honestly I just wish there was more to this story! It’s not billed as a short story but there’s so much more I would have loved to have explored with Laura’s dad and following Callum’s journey as well as the dynamics with the family. Maybe we can get some bonus chapters because this is going to be such a great read during the holidays - we need a several years from now new year’s visit to Laura and Callum to see how things are going.

Love every minute of this book. I laughed multiple times before even getting to chapter 4 - I knew I was going to love the story and characters with a warm and fuzzy holiday love story. Lindsey is an automatic read & buy for me. I love her humor, wit and ease to fall in love with the characters. I have not laughed this hard while reading in quite a while. One dinner party scene had me crying from laughing so hard at the banter and witty comebacks.

The story starts with a fake dating trope (which of course, should always end in real dating) but with its own quirks and individuality. Laura (FMC) has to be not only pretend to be in a relationship, but be a completely different person with opposite interests, values, personality and beliefs. All of which adds to the hilarity and hi-jinx.

I wasn't enough half way through and already ordering a shelf trophy and suggested it to friends. Great, hard to put down, holiday read.

Thank you Lindsey Kelk, Harper 360 and NetGalley for a copy of *Christmas Fling* in exchange for my honest review 🎄❄️🥐👩🏼‍⚕️

Publication date: October 15, 2025🗓

🎄 Christmas romance
❄️ Fake dating
👩🏼‍⚕️ smart, doctor FMC
🥐 lovable chef MMC
🎄 found family
❄️ forced proximity
🎄 hilarious side characters

This cute and funny holiday romance features Laura, neurosurgeon (in training) and Callum, a pastry chef who is about to move to Paris for further training. Laura, who is hardworking but emotionally guarded has been forced to take days off over the holidays and finds herself agreeing to pose as Callum’s girlfriend for Christmas at his family’s Scottish estate. Callum has been using a made up girlfriend as an excuse to not return for months, meaning Laura has to take on the alter ego of "Caroline" and pretend to be who he has been telling his family about.
From the moment they arrive in Scottish, hilarious chaos ensues - quirky family traditions, laugh-out-loud mishaps, and undeniable chemistry between the MCs. Laura and Callum are both forced to confront their vulnerabilities and slowly open up to one another as they spend time together.

I had a lot of fun reading this. The Scottish holiday setting is wonderful - festive atmosphere, snowy and cold outside and cozy firesides indoors that make you want to get comfy with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. It’s warm, funny, and heartfelt. I was laughing out loud throughout the book. There's great banter and chemistry between the MCs and hilarious, over the top and lovable side characters. If you’re looking for a cozy, festive romcom, this book is definitely a great read!

Fantastic! Everything you would want in a fake relationship Christmas story. It was pretty funny and heartfelt. For me, it read like a movie. I could clearly see every scene and how it would play out (please make this a movie!) Laura, pretending to be Caroline, was funny and endearing as her true colors started coming through. On the other side, you felt for Callum as he was trying to live a life not bound by familial duty. There was one open door scene, but it wasn’t too spicy and would be easy to pass over if not your thing. Definitely check this one out!

Thank you, Harper360, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

4 stars.

I have enjoyed several of Lindsey Kelk's books, and "Christmas Fling" is another to add to the list. This story might require *a little* suspension of disbelief where the wackiness is concerned, but if you can do that, I guarantee you'll enjoy it. It is over-the-top. hilarious, and full of twists, turns, and holiday goings on. I loved the premise of the story, regardless of how zany it is. The best part is that it manages to balance all of the awkwardness with plenty of moments of reflection, feels, and feel-good moments. I enjoyed the two main characters, Laura and Callum. Fake dating, Christmas craziness, a sister hellbent on revenge, a plot to make as much ruckus as possible, an ex-girlfriend who might still be in the picture, and a picturesque Scottish winter? Sign me up! While they don't know a lot about one another at the start of the story, Callum and Laura become closer and closer as it goes on. Their chemistry is apparent from the very beginning of the book and only grows stronger over time. I loved how Callum actually listened to Laura, remembering little details about her life and her likes. I like how Laura really saw Callum and understood who *he* wanted to be, not who his family wanted him to be. All of the characters have terrific backstories, even the secondary ones. I loved Laura's two best friends, Desi and Paul, who absolutely need their own spin-off novels because of how awesome they are. The laughs are aplenty, the heartwarming moments overflowing. I loved the Christmas cheer in this one. It might be a tad too long, but I still really enjoyed this one! It's a fluffy, fun holiday romance with a splash of spice for good measure. Check it out!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lindsey Kelk, Harper 360, and HarperCollins for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Christmas Fling is a laugh-out-loud rom-com set in Scotland during the holidays. Laura agrees to be Callum’s fake girlfriend over Christmas in exchange for a month’s free rent and a little adventure she’s been missing in her life.

The miscommunication trope is a big driver of the story. Personally, I didn’t love that aspect since much of it felt like it could have been avoided. That said, the way the characters’ personalities built toward the misunderstanding made it feel believable, even if frustrating at times.

There are quite a few pop culture references sprinkled throughout. That added some fun, but I know it can be hit-or-miss depending on the reader. Spice level is low, just one scene. So if you like your holiday romances more on the cozy side, this will suit you.

Overall, I had a great time reading this one. I even found myself annoyed when my lunch breaks ended because I didn’t want to put it down.

I've been charmed by the Christmas Fling! This was beyond cute and sweet. A perfect escape for the Christmas season.

If you love fake dating and wild shenanigans (classic 2000's romcom) you need to pick up this book. Laura and Callum will have you laughing on the floor one moment then swooning the next. The fake dating trope was executed well. The fake dating trope provided hilarious hijinks and some truly laugh-out-loud moments.

Laura and Callum were totally adorable. I really loved them. Their chemistry was good and I liked the sweet moments they had.

The cozy holiday vibes were also immaculate. The descriptions of the Scottish Highlands made it sound like the perfect place to spend the holiday. I enjoyed learning some different festive traditions.

A delightful holiday romcom! I will be rereading this closer to the Christmas season.

This was such a fun and light-hearted story to get into the spirit of Christmas. It's a book that you can wrap up in a cozy blanket with, enjoy a mug of something hot, and really feel the Christmas vibes.

I absolutely love Christmas romcoms and to make it the icing on the cake I got to read this book in SEPTEMBER! I mean how much better can it get.

Well this book for sure was so worth the read. It was funny, and sweet, and the friendships and banter and awkward moments. I loved Callum and Laura. The breaking stigmas in their retrospective job fields , the chemistry, and to top it off the way they met had me absolutely dying with laughter.

The fake dating, the angst, the chaotic family, the absolutely ride or die friendship, a Scot man whose an absolute dream boat (need I say more), a smart capable woman, the surprise spice all just wrapped up into this wonderful romcom bow that I could not put down once I started.

My one and only complaint is I wish that the book was longer because I would have loved to keep reading, maybe gotten to see their relationship a few years from now instead of just only spending a week with them.

Thank you to Lindsey Kelk, Harper 360, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a hilarious combination of witty and intelligent commentary as well.as enough snarky comebacks to make any reader including myself to.laugh out loud regardless of where I was reading this book. I adored when Laura or "Caroline" as known by Callum's family recognized herself as a Swedish massage therapist, her alleged sister Desi to be the adopted love child of Kate and Leo, and Joel to be straight. I want to be friends with these characters. Regardless of how Callum and Laura met of which a bobble hat came onto.play, they really did have each other's back to the point that Laura was willing to standup to his family about moving to Paris for culinary school. Laura realized that being a trainee neurosurgeon or worst case, a trapezze artist, did not preclude her from having a dedicated and loving relationship. In the spirit of Christmas, she had to believe and remember that she deserved joy. I will be adding this book to my roster as one time is simply not enough. Thinking about it now still makes me laugh.

Christmas romances are like my kryptonite. And “Christmas Fling” is no different. A fun and festive romp, we’re transported to the Scottish Highlands as Callum McClay tries to fake date his way out of very real familial expectations. Laura Pearce becomes his partner in lies to save face and nothing more, until actual feelings complicate their false relationship.

I’m always a sucker for a good fake dating trope but add in the wilds of Northern Scotland, a tall gorgeous Scot, and the magic of Christmastime and you’ve got me hooked. This story is both fun and funny with well-rounded and interesting characters. The family dynamics that steer Callum’s home life and conflict Laura’s feelings are realistic and complicated, certainly a few steps above the fantastical universe of Hallmark Christmas movies. The only downside I found lies with Callum’s younger sister Elsie. Like most middle siblings, there’s an added layer of expectations she takes issue with, but the constant anger and combativeness eventually wore me out.

Highly recommend for those looking to add another sweet Christmas romance with a little added spice. But if fake dating is not your trope, this certainly won’t be it for you.

Lindsey Kelk is an auto buy author for me. This fake dating plot waa a fun twist to read. Lighthearted and a fun read. Can imagine it be a coY winter read.

This was one of the best fake dating books I have read, and unlike many that rely heavily on sexual tension, this one offered so much more. It was a different read from my normal dark romance books, but I really enjoyed it. The main character was very closed off but somehow let the fake boyfriend in without knowing it, and I absolutely loved her two ride-or-die friends. We love a strong found family! I also appreciated that the story stayed in a single perspective which made the character growth feel focused. I would 100% purchase little novellas from the supporting characters’ POV if the author ever released them.

This was such a fun Christmas read! After deciding to spend Christmas alone house sitting for a stranger Laura’s plans change fast. The strangers parents think she is their sons girlfriend. So they insist she come with the family on their trip to the Scottish Highlands. For Laura this is the trip of her dreams. And Callum her fake boyfriend is super hot. Which doesn’t hurt. And they have amazing chemistry! You begin to wonder is there possibly something there? It’s a must read!

This book made me smile!!! Perfect escape from reality right now. The situations these two found themselves in?! Albeit sometimes unbelievable, but that's sort of exactly what I want in a holiday romcom!

Oh, my goodness, I loved this book! Great characters, hilarious banter, and a dreamy setting make it a must read for the holiday season!

The meeting between the characters was hilarious!! I think it was one of my favorite meetings. I did enjoy this book but it was told from a single POV and although I like it so much better than third person I would have loved to get Callum’s POV in addition to Laura’s. I loved Laura’s bffs they added a really good comedy factor to the story. I love the fake dating trope and it was written well. I do wish that we had more of Laura and Cal together instead of being around the family. I do think that this would have been fixed with a second POV. I did really enjoy the book but I think a bit more depth in the story and a second POV would have been great. I only kind of figured that Cal was interested later in the book but before that I didn’t know. Laura’s friends were both a little overbearing at times but had her best interest at heart but they tried to keep her the same when she wanted to change. I loved the Scottish side of this and enjoyed that. Overall an enjoyable book.

This story has everything you need from a Christmas romance! Such great characters and the perfect combination of tropes. Fake dating, one bed, etc - so good!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of Christmas Fling, by Lindsey Kelk. Calling all of those who love a fake dating trope, this one is for you. A laugh out loud, over the top at times, holiday read. When Callum made up a girl friend and his parents are not taking no for an answer about meeting her, enter new flat mate Laura. They have only just met, but Laura is willing to take the train to Scotland, meet the family, and make them hate her. That is where the over top shenanigans come in! When Laura's friends stop in to spend the holidays with her fake boyfriend and his family too, even more hilarity ensues. Realistic? Not really, but fun with Christmasy vibes, yes!

I absolutely adored this book. Laura and Callum agree to fake dating to help him get his family off his back. She goes to his family castle in Scotland and it just gets funnier and funnier from there. Her two best friends show up and so much craziness ensues. It was a sweet and hilarious romance-highly recommend

***4.5 STARS***

“So busy pretending to be someone else, you accidentally let him see the real you.”

I was so excited to get an ARC of this Christmas romance from Lindsey Kelk. This author is the epitome of humor, wit, and emotionally charged stories. She writes the most fun and quirky characters who find themselves in some tricky situations.

Laura Pearce is a neurosurgeon in training. She is hard working, extremely intelligent, and very focused on her future. Callum McClay is a pastry chef in training. Recently accepted into a program in Paris, he is looking to sublet his flat. Laura is looking for a new place to live. After a hilarious first meeting, and an unexpected visit from Callum’s parents where Laura is presumed to be Callum’s girlfriend, they concoct a plan to spend Christmas together in Scotland to continue the ruse and appease his parents.

From the train ride out of London to the beautiful views of Scotland and the enormous estate of the McClay family farm, Laura and Callum are thrown into their crazy little facade of a happily dating couple. However, as they both pretend, it is obvious they have a connection and undeniable chemistry even though they both vow to keep it platonic.

This may be a romantic comedy on the surface but deep within the pages are the trials and tribulations of family—the dysfunction, the loss, the lack of closeness and respect. It also explores the importance of friendship, found family and the arduous process of letting people into your life even though it may be difficult and scary. And most importantly, making life choices for yourself and your own passions.

This book is a Christmas gift come early! I loved it from start to finish. I adored Callum and got such a kick out of Laura. This is such a sweet, warm, and witty book that is the perfect escape to the highlands of Scotland at Christmas time. It is full of laughs, tender moments and the beautiful writing of Lindsey Kelk. Christmas Fling is guaranteed to make you smile.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This was funny at some points but much of it was unbelievable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPDK5NCDc8N/?igsh=MTB4OWs4d20zcGF0Mg==

💝ARC REVIEW💝

📖Christmas Fling
✏️By @lindseykelk
🗓️October 14, 2025

Cheers to the first holiday-themed book of 2025 - I had an absolute blast reading it 🥰🎁 Callum and Laura’s story unfolds in a hilariously awkward way when they both unwillingly get caught up in a fake-dating scheme meant to put Callum’s family at ease. Naturally, it spectacularly backfires over the course of the holiday week.

There’s witty banter, hot (as usual) Scottish men, and a supporting cast that shines - Laura’s friend absolutely stole my heart (is Desi still single? asking for a friend 👀).

This book is a sweet holiday rom-com guaranteed to make you smile, set against the breathtaking Scottish Highlands draped in winter wonderland magic and sprinkled with Kelk’s signature writing charm.

@netgalley @harpercollins360 thanks for the arc! Christmas Fling hits shelves everywhere on October 14 - don’t miss it 💙🩷💚

#bookstagram #booklover #booknerd #book #contemporaryromancereads #contemporaryromanceauthor #contemporarybooks #romancebooks #romancereader #bookaddict #bookreview #bookblogger #booklove #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #2025books #lindseykelk #lindseykelkbooks #christmasfling #holidayromance #fakedating #fakedatingtrope #scotland #christmasbooks #strangerstolovers #arc #netgalley #holidayromancereads #hefallsfirst #romancereads

This was a cozy and fun fake dating read ... I loved the Scottish setting (especially as I was reading it on vacation in a very humid destination!) and all the various relationship dynamics.

Lindsey Kelk is, as always, a lovely storyteller whose work some studio could make bank on if they'd create films from her books. Her writing flows smoothly, gripping you at the end of each chapter to make you eager to start the next. She also has a talent for making me yearn for a Christmas that doesn't exist in my part of Texas.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ooh I am loving all of the killed heroes were getting on covers recently. I loce knowing ill be taken to a beautiful and idyllic setting from that. And the story is usually pretty good too. This was a fun Christmas story with everything you need!

Christmas Fling is pure holiday joy wrapped up in witty banter, romance, and the sparkle of Christmas magic. Lindsey Kelk has such a fun, engaging writing style that makes you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters, laughing, swooning, and soaking in the festive vibes.

If you love rom-coms with holiday sparkle, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, Christmas Fling is a must-read this season. 🎄✨❤️

I really loved this book! The writing was great and it was funny and had the perfect balance of emotion and romance. My only complaint is that ended too quickly and a little abruptly, for that reason I am giving 4.5 stars rather than 5. Highly recommend!

Laura is a burnt-out neurosurgeon trainee forced to take time off from work during the holiday season. She is ready to move out of her cramped apartment she shares with her beloved best friends/roommates and into a swanky London apartment owned by a friend of a friend. The owner is Callum, a brooding, attractive Scot with dreams of becoming a pastry chef- despite being from a posh Highland family with different expectations. Due to a mix-up, there is an overlap between Laura moving in and Callum moving out of the flat. To make matters more fun, his family unexpectedly visits, and Laura is mistaken for the fake girlfriend he made up to avoid relationship pressure. Laura agrees to keep up the charade- for a full Christmas holiday week in Scotland.
If you enjoy cozy rom coms with warmth, holiday magic, a little drama, and a lot of good vibes, this is a great read for you. I found this to be emotionally satisfying, and I loved that we aren’t hit over the head with Christmas vibes the whole time as I was reading this as an ARC in September. I found the side characters to be delightful, and I wish the book was a little longer to have more time with the roommates. As a reader in the USA, I found some of the British/Scottish terms a little hard to understand and I had to google a few of the foods but nothing was bad enough to make me want to quit reading. I wish there was an epilogue so we could see how things turned out between Laura and Callum after the holidays.

This book is exactly what I want from a holiday romance. In the author’s note she mentions some classics like Remember the Night, Christmas in Connecticut, The Shop Around the Corner, and National Lampoons Christmas vacation, and I can see how these influenced the vibe of this book. It is that classic story with everything you hope for. It has the bring the girl home for Christmas and pretend she’s your girlfriend, mistaken identities that allow for true connection, and family hijinks vibes that one looks for in this kind of book. I have loved many of Lindsey Kelk’s books. Some are more fanciful (On a Night Like This) and some more realistic (In Case You Missed It), but they are always fun, cozy, and romantic. Christmas Fling is probably my favorite of hers. Who doesn’t love a naked hunky Scottish man meet cute? I truly loved the character of Laura. Its so great to have a female main character in a romance who is a neurosurgeon. Plus she is strong. She stands up for herself and her “fake” romantic partner. She doesn’t need to be rescued. The secondary characters were so fun! Desi, Joel, and the whole McClay clan were a riot! This would make a great movie. It was such a fast read that just made me smile. 4.25 stars- so fun! Thanks to Net Galley and Harper 360 for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas Fling is a romcom where two almost strangers with mutual friends start fake dating.
She needs an apartment. He needs to lease his. She’s confused as his made-up girlfriend by his parents and invited to spend Christmas with the family in Scotland.
Reading this book made me feel like I was watching the best Hallmark Christmas movie. It was LOL funny. My only complaint is that I needed an epilogue. I needed to prove that they will last.
This book is for you if you like:
*Fake Dating
*Hilarious Romcoms
*Christmas at an ancestral family manor
*Did I mention he’s a tall, hot Scot?

I love Lindsey Kelk and enjoyed this Christmas romance. It reminded me in a lot of ways of Emily Stone's Yours for the Season (idyllic Scottish setting, family complications, fake dating), though this was fake dating between virtual strangers rather than exes. I really liked that the FMC, Laura (known as Caroline to Callum's family, who think he's had a girlfriend by that name for the better part of a year), was a neurosurgeon. I love when main characters in romance novels have interesting/unique/impressive careers, and neurosurgery is certainly that. I was a bit annoyed initially that Callum had created a fake girlfriend who was very difficult just to be a readymade excuse to avoid his family and their expectations of him, but I did enjoy seeing Laura/Caroline reallly lean into it and get to play the villain. I did wish there had been a bit more development of Laura and Callum's romantic relationship - I felt like it went from "wow I accidentally met a naked guy when I went to check out my new flat" to "he's pretty hot" to love pretty quickly. But I also thought Laura deserved something good, so I wasn't too bothered by it. This was funny, well-paced, and had a good setting, so overall a great holiday romance read.

Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 1/5 🌶️

Thank you to Harper360, HarperCollins, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Christmas Fling is a such a cute, funny, and entertaining holiday romcom read full of festive cheer! From the incredible setting in the Scottish Highlands to the awesome supporting characters to the amazing chemistry between the MCs, Christmas Fling is such a fun and feel-good read!

Laura and Callum met only three times before: at a mutual friend’s wedding, at a baby shower, and now when Laura walks into his apartment. When Callum's parents walk in and assume that Laura is his girlfriend, Laura plays along and accepts their invitation to spend Christmas with them in the Scottish Highlands. Laura was initially planning to have a quiet Christmas, instead she ends up in the Scottish Highlands with Callum and his entire family.

With the cozy train and pubs, as well as the gorgeous views, it could be a casual no-strings-attached Christmas. But, it turns out that Laura and Callum have incredible chemistry. And the closer Laura and Callum become, she can't tell if the chemistry is real or if it’s just a part of the act.

Christmas Fling delightfully balances humor and heart! The laugh-out-loud moments, banter, and holiday coziness are excellently paired with some emotional depth. The Scottish Highlands setting is incredibly picturesque and the fake dating trope is done in a charming and fun way. Laura is portrayed as determined, hardworking, and focused, all of which makes her such a great, well-rounded character! The combination of family traditions (and family dynamics), romance, and lots of festivities make it a perfect holiday read!

This had all the elements of a perfect holiday read for me: fake dating, lighthearted and cozy and to top it off, set in the Scottish highlands! Anything set in Scotland is a must read for me. This was a fun quick read and I will definitely be recommending it to friends and library patrons.

You know that chaotic moment where you just want to flat-sit in peace with a bottle of wine and end up fake-dating a hot pastry chef in a snowy Scottish castle while pretending to be a vegan menace to livestock named Caroline? No? Just Laura? Cool cool. “Christmas Fling” by Lindsey Kelk is basically a Hallmark movie that got drunk, took a sleeper train to the Highlands, and said “screw it” to realism, and you know what? I had a ridiculous amount of fun suspending every last shred of disbelief right alongside it.

Laura is a neurosurgeon in training, which honestly? Chef’s kiss. I love when a romcom heroine has a job that isn’t just “journalist vaguely struggling with deadlines.” She’s competent, overworked, emotionally guarded, and totally not prepared to walk in on her new landlord, Callum, naked. And not, like, romcom strategically-shirtless. Full frontal. No towel. Just vibes. Then his parents show up. Then they assume she’s his mysterious girlfriend. And then, because we’re all already spiraling, she agrees to go to Scotland with them for a full Christmas holiday to keep the lie alive. Y’all.

Callum is… listen, he’s no broody alpha, but he is an emotionally repressed Scottish cinnamon roll who wants to go to pastry school in Paris instead of running his family’s dairy farm. He’s like if Paul Hollywood and the Beast from “Beauty and the Beast” had a baby who makes puff pastry and avoids conflict. He’s charming, he’s sweet, he’s naked way too often for a man who allegedly owns pants. But he is NOT ready for the force of chaos that is Laura “I will become the most insufferable fake girlfriend to make your parents hate me” Pearce.

The setup is full romcom anarchy: they travel by sleeper train, the family estate is somewhere between "Downton Abbey" and an overpriced Airbnb, and everyone is wildly invested in this fake relationship Callum invented to avoid awkward holiday conversations. And because God loves drama, the fake girlfriend Laura is pretending to be already has a backstory, and she’s awful. Vegan. Teetotal. Hostile to livestock. It’s like “The Parent Trap” meets “The Bachelor” if the prize was a Scottish man who bakes and emotional stability.

Is it a little over the top? Absolutely. But that’s part of the charm. You’ve got forced proximity, one bed, stolen gifts, surprise visitors, fake identities, miscommunication, and more unresolved family tension than an episode of “Succession.” Laura’s two best friends show up halfway through like the queer-coded fairy godparents of absolute holiday chaos, and I swear they deserve their own spinoff where they just crash other people’s fake relationships and yell supportive things.

What elevates this from just a goofy Hallmark-adjacent romp is that Kelk sneakily drops in a lot of emotional weight. Laura’s still grieving her mom, wary of connection, and holding herself at arm’s length from anything that smells like vulnerability. Callum, meanwhile, is drowning in expectation, quietly breaking under the weight of who his family wants him to be. And somehow, through all the chaos, they actually see each other. Like really see each other. That “read in silence side by side and accidentally brush hands” chapter? Gut punch.

Do I wish Callum had a bit more on-page development? Sure. He fades into the scenery sometimes like a particularly handsome coat rack. And the third-act breakup gave me a migraine from sheer secondhand frustration. But the chemistry? The longing? The aching “is this real or just pretend” tension? Perfectly executed holiday nonsense.

Would I have killed for an epilogue where we see if Laura’s doing brain surgery in Paris while Callum makes croissants shaped like her face? Yes. Do I still consider this a 3.5-star fever dream of festive hijinks and suppressed emotions? Also yes.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Best Use of a Red Skirt as a Weaponized Personality Test

Big thanks to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the ARC of “Christmas Fling.” I had an absolute blast yelling at these characters, laughing at their chaos, and aggressively rooting for Laura’s emotional breakthrough in the middle of the Scottish Highlands. Appreciate the chance to dive into this festive fake-dating mayhem before it hits shelves!

This book was a lot of fun and included several of my favorite tropes. Callum was a good MMC, but I wish we got a little bit more of him. I also really liked the fact that Laura was training to be a neurosurgeon.

4.25 stars. This book was bonkers in the most delightful way. I genuinely laughed out loud multiple times at some of the ridiculous situations Laura and Callum found themselves in, as well as at some of the conversations between Laura and her friends/roommates, Desi and Joel. Lindsey Kelk’s humor just works for me. There were also deeper familial relationships at play throughout the story for both Laura and Callum. They were largely different dynamics, but both had respective impacts on the pair’s approach to relationships and future plans.

Laura and Callum’s initial chaotic meet-cute really set the stage for the rest of the book. These two found themselves in the most off the wall fake dating scenario I’ve ever read, and it was even better for being set at Callum’s family castle (not a castle)(with not a moat). Every new layer to the scheme was even more comical than the last. All the while, the effort of keeping up the charade actually allowed Laura and Callum to get to know each other on a deeper level because they were too preoccupied to hold their walls in place.

If you’re looking for a fun and funny holiday read that still has a lot of heart to it, put Christmas Fling on your radar. Thank you to HarperCollins for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review 📚
Title: Christmas Flint
Author: Lindsey Kelk


Who doesn’t love a good Christmas romance?! Even if it’s fake!

Laura is ready for a nice solo Christmas but when she meets Callum, she’s off to Scottish Highlands with him to spend the holidays with his family. Is it possible there fake fling could turn into something real?

There is just so much chemistry between Laura and Callum. I couldn’t help but smile while reading the book. This a perfect holiday rom com that puts you in the best mood.


Thank you Lindsey Kelk , NetGalley, and Harper 360 for the eARC!!

Publication Date: October 14 2025
Rating: ✨✨✨✨

#ChristmasFling #NetGalley

Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk delivers a warm, witty, and occasionally chaotic rom-com that’s perfect for fans of holiday fluff with heart. The set up is deliciously ridiculous: Laura, a trainee neurosurgeon, walks into what she thinks is her new flat — only to find Callum, her prospective landlord, emerging naked from the shower. When his parents arrive unannounced and assume she’s his girlfriend, Laura is swept along into a fake-dating ruse, agreeing to spend Christmas with Callum’s family in the Scottish Highlands.

From there, pandemonium and charm ensue. Kelk leans hard into the comedy: Laura and Callum scheme to make “Caroline” (the fictitious girlfriend identity) so repellent that his family will never insist on her return. Meanwhile, best friends intervene, an ex shows up, and the lines between performance and genuine chemistry blur.

What works especially well is the balance between laughs and emotional stakes. Laura’s grief, her pressure in career, and her resistance to fully letting others in provide emotional weight beneath the froth. Kelk also handles the Scottish setting with a light touch — the Highlands, the sleeper train, the warm pubs — so that you feel cozy rather than overwhelmed by scenery.

That said, the pacing sometimes drags in the middle, and the reliance on miscommunication is high (as is often the case in rom-coms). Callum occasionally frustrated me with his lack of clarity, and I wished for more honest conversations earlier. But the banter, the supporting cast (especially Laura’s sarcastic friends and the eccentric McClay family), and those quieter moments of vulnerability make it compelling.

In short: if you’re looking for Christmas-spiced escapism, Christmas Fling is a delightful indulgence. It’s not perfect, but it made me grin, sigh, and wish I were curled up in that Highland cottage with a hot chocolate and a swoony stranger.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360, and Lindsey Kelk for the eARC.

I enjoyed this book so much that I finished it in one sitting. The banter and tension between Laura and Callum is swoony and kept me hooked from the first page.

Also adding in the fact that the book adds in a STEM plot point with the FMC, Laura, being a neurosurgeon. It's always fantastic to see women in STEM represented, including the issues regarding women in these professions. I also saw Laura push back and refuse to sit by while Callum's family verbally assaulted him numerous times, in addition to now allowing other characters to steamroll her as well. The book also displays Laura's neurodivergence as inner monologues.

The story brings in some darker themes such as societal norms and expectations, especially regarding legacy, and loss of a parent, though it navigates the issues delicately and beautifully.

I also enjoyed and applauded Lindsey for her use of consent and acknowledgment from both sides.

I had two issues: first, regarding Desi. Her character seemed to steamroll and came across as simply annoying and unlikable. There were numerous moments where other characters had to talk about her town. The second issue was Callum's dad, Derek. Even though we've discovered how he is in the latter half of the book - there is no resolvement of the issues themselves, which allows the users to draw their own conclusion and ask: can people really change?

I thought the ending was written very nicely, especially since so many books have the mis-communication trope in them, so seeing how quickly the characters came to their senses and resolved their issues by communicating was absolutely refreshing.

I'd definitely recommend this book to others.

I forgot Kelk is such a humorous writer. I laughed out loud many times reading this witty story that includes a favorite trope of mine, fake dating. This has everything you want from a cozy holiday novel including a small town and fantastically funny cast of supporting characters. If that is your thing this is out so soon and I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Have a happy holiday reading this delightful book!

Such a sweet, funny, perfectly ridiculous Christmas romance!

The thing that stuck out to me most is the humor. The banter, the sass, the one-liners were all hilarious. Laura and Callum were solid and believable and messy. They were a great foundation for the more absurd characters (looking at you Elsie and Desi) and they helped temper the ridiculousness of the plot to a more reasonable level.

This book made me smile from start to finish. It'll make a fantastically cozy holiday read!

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I had a great time with this one. Also, absolutely adore that cover!

Christmas Fling follows Laura, a neurosurgeon-in-training, who has time for nothing outside of her work. She’s intending to rent a place from Callum while he’s in Paris and goes to scope it out- and gets more than she bargains for when she accidentally stumbles upon a naked Callum coming out of the shower. Then to make matters worse, his parents make an expected visit, and she finds outs that Callum has invented a fake girlfriend named Caroline…who they think is her.

One thing leads to another and before she knows it, Laura is on her way to the Scottish Highlands to spend the holidays with Callum and his family as Caroline with the intention of being so awful that they hate her leading to her and Callum “breaking up”. To add to the drama, she has to go along with the picture that Callum has painted to his family about Caroline- she’s vegan, she doesn’t drink, etc. Caroline Is basically her exact opposite.

Not to mention the even worse problem- the instant attraction between Laura and Callum. Convinced they could never work, because Laura hates relationships and Callum hates one night stands, Laura tries (and fails) to convince herself that the growing feelings are just them in character and by the end of the week they’ll go their separate ways. But of course, this is a romance novel, and life doesn’t work that way!

This was an absolute delight to read. As with her other works, Lindsey Kelk does an amazing job balancing the love story with more serious themes, but also mixing in a ton of humor. There were multiple times I actually found myself laughing out loud (shoutout to that tower scene in particular). Laura and Callum are great together. Even when she’s pretending to be Caroline in front of his family, the chemistry still comes through in spades.

Yes, the plot is totally nuts and unrealistic, but so what?? It’s a lot of fun and I had a wonderful time reading it and that’s what matters. This is the perfect Christmas book to get you in the holiday spirit, but also one you can read any time of the year.

Adored this Christmas romance by Lindsey Kelk. The banter and dialogue between Callum and Laura made their chemistry palpable. I giggled at the friendships between Desi, Joel and Laura and provided the comedic relief for the heartfelt scenes. Makes me want to spend Christmas in Scotland, didn’t disappoint!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Festive, Funny, and Heart-Warming

Christmas Fling is the kind of holiday romance that makes you want to curl up with hot cocoa and twinkling lights around you. Lindsey Kelk blends humor, charm, and just the right amount of holiday sparkle into a story that’s equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and sweetly romantic.

The characters are vibrant and easy to root for, with plenty of banter and chemistry that keeps the pages flying. The festive setting adds an extra layer of magic, making it feel like a Christmas rom-com movie you’d want to rewatch every year.

The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars for me is that a few parts felt a little predictable, and I wished for just a bit more depth in certain character moments. Still, it’s a delightful holiday read that left me smiling long after I finished.

If you enjoy witty dialogue, holiday vibes, and a romance that feels both cozy and fun, this is one to add to your Christmas TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of this novel.

This book is a SLAY. The perfect Christmas novel full of love, messy family drama, and a group of people that will make you feel everything you’ve been dying to feel in a holiday romance novel. For anyone who has ever struggle to say what they mean or felt like being vulnerable was hard, but wanted someone to prove you that it was safe after all, this book is for you. Bonus, you get two besties along with it in Desi and Joel.

Make this your priority read this holiday season. You won’t regret it for a moment.

So Lindsey Kelk answers the question “what’s your favorite Christmas movie” with a list that starts with CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT? Do people even realize how many old movies have the fake dating/fake spouse trope?!?! In Christmas in Connecticut, Barbara Stanwyck is THE ditzy, can't cook, magazine writer sensation Elizabeth Lane who has won over middle America with her lovely menus by pretending she has a farm, husband, and baby in Connecticut.

In Christmas Fling, neurosurgeon resident Laura Pearce is trying to be fake Caroline, a Swedish vegan sober masseuse with parents who are alive on vacation some place. Think of Paris Gellar actually in medical school starring in "The Princess Switch." She offers to help her landlord Callum (whom she has met twice before, which actually isn't ever relevant) by going home for Christmas with him, not realizing that his family lives in a beautiful Scottish castle and that his beautiful ex is still hanging around... the one he was engaged to last year. Her task becomes much harder when she gets blisters, struggles with the Scottish cold, and gets stuck in a tower behind a heavy door. She did not realize how hard all this would be without a drink, or her pants.

After losing her mom years ago, her only "family" are her friends Desi and Joel. She has been telling them (and herself) for years that her journey to becoming a doctor means that she doesn't have time for relationships. Or maybe she is denying herself the emotional experience to avoid experiencing loss again.

At one point I was thinking, “Callum’s hot, I’d probably fake date him” and then remembered “idiot, they’re always hot, there’s no other incentive for fake dating.”
Laura is sweet and strange and an overthinker. Desi and Joel are the most deranged bffs for her.

"'Oh, good,' he [Joel] replied joyfully. 'That's actually an important part of being a feminist. Recognising that women can, on occasion, be totally shit, but still supporting equality in general. I read it somewhere.'

'You mean you saw it on TikTok.'

He slowly, deliberately, dropped an extremely heavy slab of Christmas cake into my basket while staring me straight in the eye. 'And your point is?'"

And thank the lord there are still romance writers who don’t use “fisting” when “grabbing” works just fine thanks.

Callum's parents and two siblings are extra.

"I'd met a lot of disproportionately angry people in my time-- Joel when Netflix recast Henry Cavill in The Witcher, Desi when faced with even the most minor inconvenience and even me when they changed the recipe of Percy Pigs-- but I wasn't sure I'd ever met anyone filled with quite so much irrational rage as Elsie McClay."

When ridiculously tall, pastry school bound Callum starts acting sweet towards Laura, she doesn't know if it's for her or for "Caroline."

"'That's the extent of your wildest dreams?'

'I did also say I was planning to have a bath and read my book,' I sniffed. 'And I believe you have mentioned a sticky toffee pudding twice now so...'

Must be dashing to go find some more Lindsey Kelk books! She is a British writer living in LA, so she reminds me of Sophie Kinsella. One of her series is on Kindle Unlimited.

Lindsay Kelk does it again with a light, sweet, funny Christmas romance that will hit you just the right way.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book.

This book had be giggling from page 1 with the most hilarious meet cute I've read in quite a while. Callum has been avoiding his family for years, telling them he's too busy to visit because of his girlfriend Caroline. Except, Caroline (vegan masseuse) doesn't exist. Callum is about to move to Paris to pursue his dream of becoming a pastry chef and sublets his apartment connecting him to Laura, a friend of a friend. Laura is working to become a neurosurgeon, a few years into med school. Laura hasn't had much time for her personal life the last few years, recently broke up with her boyfriend. She's ready to finally branch out on her own firstly by moving into her own place, where she accidentally meets Callum. Callum and Laura strike up a deal to go to Scotland to spend Christmas with his family and hijinks ensue.

If that synopsis sounded like it had gaps, it's because it does. I can't give away all the fun laughs along the way. Out of the books I've read by Lindsey, this is easily the funniest and exactly what I needed. I loved the Scottish setting and the banter was top tier. If you're looking for fake dating, banter, and a Scottish setting, this book is for you

“Christmas Fling" by Lindsey Kelk is a funny, lighthearted rom-com perfect for the festive season.
Laura plans a quiet Christmas but ends up mistaken for Callum's girlfriend, whisked away to the Scottish Highlands with his family.
Their fake relationship sparks genuine chemistry amid cosy trains, charming pubs, and stunning winter scenery.
It is a feel-good, light-hearted holiday romance that combines the magic of Christmas with the complexities of love and connection, perfect for readers looking for a festive yet romantic escape.
The book offers witty banter, heartfelt moments, and a delightful mix of humor and emotional depth, making it an escapist holiday read full of feel-good vibes and memorable characters.

Snowed In for Christmas is a festive , heartwarming romance that perfectly blends humour, cozy winter warmth, and great chemistry. Laura and Callum’s mistaken-identity adventure in the Scottish Highlands is full of laughter, warmth, and is just so Christmassy, with its picturesque setting and sweet slow-burn connection, this story feels like a perfect Hallmark movie, one to put your feet up with and get a hot chocolate abd settle in for the night..

I really enjoyed this latest from Lindsey Kelk that sees a burnt out neurosurgeon offering to pose as a complete stranger's fake girlfriend over the holidays when he returns to his family's Scottish estate. This was a fun strangers to lovers situation full of emotional depth, meaningful conversations and a delicious slow burn. The Scottish setting too was a delight and it was good on audio narrated by Heather Long. Recommended for fans of books like Yours for the season by Emily Stone (another fake dating holiday romance set in Scotland). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the arc for an honest review. Such a cute holiday rom-com. If you like good banter and the classic romcoms then you are going to love this!! I had so much fun reading and will definitely be recommending.

Every year, there are a few Christmas books that stand out from the pack, and this is one of those books. It’s charming and very well written, with relatable characters, and it’s really funny even while addressing sticky family issues.

Laura and Callum are acquaintances. She’s a brain surgeon doing her residency, and he’s a chef. Laura is going to sublet his flat while he’s abroad. When she stops by, Callum is just out of the shower, and then his parents show up and assume Laura is Callum’s mystery girlfriend. They insist she come to the Scottish Highlands for Christmas.

Callum has created a fake girlfriend who’s an opinionated, vegan massage therapist, the exact opposite of Laura. They decide to make her as obnoxious as possible so his parents will stop trying to get him to move home. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially since Callum’s parents are lovely people. Can they keep up the ruse as they develop authentic feelings for each other?

I loved the setting and characters, especially Callum’s sister!
Their romance feels natural and is very well done. 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Releasing October 14, 2025 is this amazingly witty Holiday Romance by Lindsey Kelk.

Synopsis:
Imagine you get a great deal on a flat and walk in on a handsome Scottish man naked in the middle off the living room. Then his parents walk in and think you’re his girlfriend and guilt you into going to their house for Christmas. Well, Neurosurgeon Trainee Laura had that very strange thing happens to her, and she was off to the Scottish Highlands with the now clothed Scottish man named Callum to meet his whole family as a masseuse named Caroline. Can Laura keep up the charade until after Christmas? Will his family accept her or go running? Will this fling fizzle out before time is up? Read this and find out.

My thoughts:
Read this book! Seriously this is one of the best books I have read all year. It was witty, funny, sassy, clever, full of complicated family dynamics, tempers flaring and more. The fun just kept adding up as poor Laura was thrust into this crazy family and situation. Laura lost her mom when she was young and her dad was unavailable after, so her holidays are usually only spent with her two best friends Desi and Joel. Unlike Laura’s family, Callum’s family is super complicated. They are all such terrible communicators it becomes kind of like a joke, but I was yelling into the void “just talk to each other already!” The author perfectly captured the family dynamics and adding the delightful friend and worker, Mal just sitting back and watching with a wry smile made it hilarious, Mal knew what was up! The story had me hooked, and wondering how it would end kept me up way too late. The plot was so well done and the pacing was great, I loved this book, and I highly recommend it!

I absolutely loved The Christmas Wish so I was looking forward to another Christmas book from Lindsey Kelk. I loved this one! The banter and chemistry between Laura and Callum were chef’s kiss! Desi and Joel were incredible supporting characters who had me laughing with all their antics, but what I loved most was how supportive and protective they were of Laura. Lindsey did a fantastic job making Elsie (Callum’s sister) and Derek (his dad) thoroughly unbearable and frustrating in a way that worked really well for the story. I appreciated that Lindsey didn’t put a little bow on all of Callum’s family drama at the end, but I did wish we got to see a glimpse of Callum and Laura’s relationship a bit further along to see how they’re doing. Overall, I finished this in less than two days and highly recommend picking it up. I really hope Desi gets her own book or at least appears as a supporting character in a future one.

I absolutely love reading holiday rom-coms, and Christmas Fling from Lindsey Kelk delivers everything I could want! This is a pitch-perfect take on the fake-dating trope, where neurosurgeon-in-training Laura gets swept away to the Scottish Highlands to pose as her new landlord Callum's girlfriend for Christmas. I loved the setting in Scotland; the cozy, cinematic atmosphere of the snowy Highlands made it the most idyllic festive escape.

The romance between Laura and Callum is a delightful slow burn. The witty banter and undeniable chemistry simmer beautifully as they navigate family chaos and their elaborate charade. It’s funny, heartfelt, and ultimately, pure holiday joy. Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher, Harper 360 | HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, heartwarming, fast-paced and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

Christmas Fling is the perfect book to kick off holiday reading.
4.25 stars

Laura and Callum don't know each other, but run in the same circles, so when Laura needs a new place to stay a mutual friend sets her up with Callum's vacant flat. Only it isn't vacant YET and Laura walks in on Callum (he's naked) and THEN his family walks in on them. Lindsey Kelk tells this sequence much better than I can, I promise. Obviously, Callum's family assumes Laura is Callum's made-up girlfriend, Caroline. What follows is a fake-dating, one bed only, destination holiday romance, Rom-Com that is heavy on the Com.

Let me tell you, this book is FUNNY. I laughed out loud throughout the whole thing and Laura's best friends, Desi and Joel really bring the humor.

I loved the twist on the fake dating trope. Here, Laura and Callum conspire to make his family dislike her so when they "break up" his family will leave him alone about finding 'the one'. Laura's reactions are like one long improv scene. and totally hysterical.

This book contains so much swoony goodness inside these pages. I enjoyed it cover to cover.

Thanks to Harper 360 and NetGalley for this eARC for my honest opinion. Christmas Fling is out October 14th, and a perfect addition to a holiday TBR.

This was such a pleasant surprise! Christmas romances have really been knocking it out of the park this year and it has me deeply in the holiday spirit!

This book is everything you want and more from the fake dating trope!
Fake Dating + Surprise Announcement (for one of them) + banter that is DRIPPING off of every page. I was giggling, laughing out loud, swooning and yelling throughout this story! Our MCs gave me ALLLLL the feels.

Lindsey's writing style is always a win for me. It keeps me engaged, enthralled and deeply invested in our characters - side and main. She writes in a way that feels realistic and raw, but also will sweep you away into the story and out of real life. It makes all of the characters very relatable and enjoyable to read.

Def would recommend picking this one up this Holiday season!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read another Lindsey Kelly holiday romance! I adored this story. I adore Lindsey.

Fake dating set at Christmas in Scotland… what’s not to love? I really enjoyed this book. I was hoping for a bit more from the ending, but overall I loved it. One spicy scene that would be easy to skip if that’s not your thing. Would recommend.

Super funny with lots of chaos and a crazy cast of side characters. Laura is about to sublet an apartment from a total stranger who is off to pastry school in Paris, but she ends up walking in on the man totally naked. And then his parents stop by and assume that she’s the girlfriend that he’s been telling them about all year. Callum is basically trying to avoid returning back to his home in Scotland with his overbearing parents and tales of family legacy, so he’s been making up a fake girlfriend named Caroline for the past year. After the parents leave, Laura pitches the idea of traveling with Callum to his home as his fake girlfriend. Lots of mishaps all the way through the book, and so entertaining to read, along with watching Callum and Laura falling in love. Such a great book.

I don’t care about reading about Christmas in October if Lindsey Kelk writes it!! Not only is this book a chaotically sweet romance, but as always has a wild family drama mixed in, with a side of your most insane friends showing love in the most aggressive way!!

When Laura visits her new sublet flat, she gets more than she bargains for when Callum (guy who owns it) is still there, his family appears just after her, and she ends up caught in his lie about a girlfriend being the reason he hasn’t made it back home to Scotland. For some reason, our girl thinks hmm yeah let me go to Scotland with him and pretend to be a nightmare girlfriend to get his family off his back - which of course is the perfect set up to the two bonding, finding themselves in constant close proximity, and her protective and vulnerable sides coming out unexpectedly!

I just find this a perfect holiday season read, honestly a good read for any time of year. Lindsey Kelk writes the best familial drama climaxes (i often say the closest we get to the crazy stupid love big moment) where our characters have to decide if their new relationship is worth the fall out (spoiler, you know it is). Laura’s finally opened herself up to a relationship, no longer worrying about her career getting in the way of human connection. Callum’s finally ready to be open with his family about his life plans (no longer working with and for the family), making the selfish choices to set himself up for finding his own happiness - including keeping Laura in his life. Their slow build to love (but honestly quick in the grand scheme of things) was so sweet to read and finishing this felt like wrapping up in a nice soft blanket!!!


Thanks so much to Lindsey Kelk and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing the ARC.

If there is one way through to my cold, dead heart, it is a fluff-filled holiday romance with plenty of wit and tons of heart. And this book has all of it in spades.

What starts out as a simple case of mistaken identity turned fake relationship quickly devolves into a foray into complicated family dynamics, and a series of terrible happenings in a Scottish castle for neurosurgeon-trainee Laura Pearce. But Laura faces all of it head-on, complicit in the plan that she and her fake boyfriend, Callum, concocted to make his family hate her so that he can disappear to another country before they find out that he is not going to come back to his ancestral home. Laura is truly deplorable in this endeavor, with some How to Lose a Guy in 10 days mojo coursing through her veins. And Callum finds himself delighted by Laura, especially when she's not trying too hard to be a fake person to get him out of hot water with his family.

The story was fun, engaging, and witty. I was giggling at the many terrible circumstances that Laura and Callum found themselves in, navigating the stories Callum had told his family about his girlfriend and trying to get them out of many awkward situations when issues came up. My least favorite character was Callum's sister who was written to be such a hateful cow, that I couldn't really find anything redeeming about her, and I probably never will. But overall, this book explores the complicated family dynamics when one child chooses to do something outside of what is expected of him, and the fallout from those choices.

I really enjoyed this book, and it is definitely going on my list of holiday reads. This book was a delight full of insane shenanigans that had me grinning from start to finish.

Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk is a fun fake dating book set in the Scottish Highlands. When two new roommates are forced into posing as boyfriend and girlfriend during the holidays, mayhem ensues. This has the feel of a classic rom com with humorous situations, hilarious best friends, family drama and holiday vibes!

Laura’s quiet Christmas turns into a whirlwind trip to the Scottish Highlands when she’s mistaken for Callum’s girlfriend and joins his family for the holidays. With their undeniable chemistry heating up the snowy landscape, is their connection a fleeting Christmas fling or the beginning of something lasting?

This fun and heartwarming Christmas rom-com features witty banter, physical humor, and complicated family dynamics. Laura and Callum are a sweet couple with strong chemistry. The pace is on the leisurely side, inviting the reader to curl up with a hot beverage and enjoy.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Laura Pearce thinks she’s scored a bargain on a new flat—until she opens the door and finds her landlord, Callum McClay, straight out of the shower. Things get way worse (and weirder) when Laura makes a spontaneous decision to go home with Callum and pose as his girlfriend. But she can't go as Laura, she has to go along as Callum's made up girlfriend Caroline. She has to pretend to be a vegan Swedish masseuse who doesn't drink and tends to be rude. Cue snow, cozy trains, hostile relatives, her friends turning up as fake family members, and Callum’s ex making things awkward. Between the banter, embarrassing mishaps and a growing attraction, Laura and Callum start to feel more than just actors in a temporary charade. Told from Laura’s funny, sharp voice, this romcom mixes holiday fun and genuine heart—perfect for anyone who likes messy setups that lead to surprisingly real feelings.

If you live for fake-dating tropes, warm holiday vibes and characters who trade snappy one-liners like it’s a sport, this one’s right up your alley. The Scottish Highlands setting gives everything that extra cozy, cinematic feel—snowy trains, a grand family house, and those small traditions that make Christmas novels so addictive. Laura is smart, funny and refreshingly competent (neurosurgeon heroine who can roast you and save a life—yes please), and Callum is charming in a quietly awkward, utterly swoony way. He wants to be a pastry chef, but his parents can't accept that. Their chemistry is deliciously slow-burn: lots of near-misses, lingering looks, and those tiny, intimate moments that make you root for them hard. But sit tight for the spice. You won't be disappointed. The supporting cast amps up both the laughs and the feels. There’s also a bit of realness in the story: sexism in STEM, family expectations, and the awkwardness of pretending to be someone else. Overall, it’s the kind of romcom that’ll have you laughing out loud, sighing at the sweet bits, and closing the book with a smile. A perfect read for the Christmas season. I loved it!

What a funny but sweet read! What starts as a shocking meeting of her new landlord, Laura embraces a holiday adventure. Laura, a brain surgeon, was forced to take leave from her stressful job over the holidays.

Callum has to go home to Northern Scotland to visit his family and explain he has been accepted into culinary school in Paris. His family still thinks he should come home to run the farm. Plus, last Christmas he broke up with his longtime girlfriend from his home town. Callum asks Laura to be his fake girlfriend and her objective is to make his parents hate her, so he can have them off his back. Let the games begin!!! So much fun to read! Thank you to NetGalley and Harper-Collins publishing for this advance read!

Christmas and a Scottish setting? Yes, please! I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and it gave plenty of Hallmark vibes. You can't help but love both MC's with all of their quirks and become invested in their (hopeful) HEA. The banter was great, and I laughed out loud multiple times. There was also a surprising amount of emotional depth to this when it came to Laura's mom, and I found myself with tears in my eyes a couple of times. This had lots of heart, romance, comedy, and some spice, and I definitely recommend it.

A perfect Christmas story, I loved it so much! Funny, romantic, with lots of great side characters, set in the Scottish highlands, what more do you need in your Christmas read?

Read if you like:
- she’s a neurosurgeon, he’s a pastry chef
- fake dating
- one bed
- Christmas in Scotland
- family drama

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC.

This book was so fun! It was my first book from Lindsey Kelk, but it will not be my last!

Laura has a run-in (literally) with Callum, her new landlord, that turns her whole Christmas break upside down. Callum and her end up going to Scotland to visit his family. Laura has to pretend to be a vegan, night terror having, massage therapist, but that's totally fine, right? Right? Not exactly...

I loved the humor and light-hearted nature of the book. It was what I expected, and that was a good thing. It didn't take itself too seriously. The characters were fun and believable. I would love to see a spin-off/sequel on some of these characters. There's definitely potential of a story for each of these siblings.

Thanks for the ARC!

Thank you HarperCollins for my gifted copy!

Lindsey Kelk is like watching a Drew Barrymore movie for me. I can experience them both endlessly. And at the end, I will be a gushy mess. There is something so relatable and wholesome about Kelk’s stories. They make me laugh. They make me swoon (and that’s hard to do). They make me feel okay for that amount of time. Just like The Wedding Singer, Ever After, Never Been Kissed, Blended. Ugh. I just love it.

And isn’t it weird? Me? The self proclaimed “I don’t read romance” reader? But it’s Lindsey Kelk. I’ve been reading her books since I was in high school. She and Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones) were my womanhood awakening. Their characters were wonderfully flawed, awkward, clueless, flanked by a duo of best friends. They were everything I wanted to be and more, because for the first time, I could SEE myself in these characters. As I’ve aged, I’ve fallen more in love with Kelk and her writing. It’s almost like we’ve grown up together. *wipes tear*

I’m kidding.

I loved this book. But I love everything Kelk writes.

Also, you’re welcome for the first Christmas book on your timeline. Record time, too, as it’s before Halloween. 😂

Very well written with interesting characters. If you like fake dating, family drama, slow burn, and holiday fun, this romance is for you! Set in Scotland, and only covering a few days over the Christmas holiday, Laura and Callum start to fall for each other, but the secrets they are keeping threaten their friendship and romance. Very fun!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review.

📚Christmas Fling 🎄
✍🏻 Lindsey Kelk
'Lindsey is the Taylor Swift of romance writing' DAISY BUCHANAN
Laura and Callum have met exactly three times – once at a mutual friend’s wedding (Laura doesn’t remember), once at a baby shower (Callum doesn’t remember) and once right now – when Laura lets herself into his flat to find him exiting the shower completely naked (they both remember).
When Callum's parents walk in and mistake Laura for his mystery girlfriend, Laura has no choice but to play along, accepting their invitation to spend Christmas at home in the Scottish Highlands.
But then Laura's best friends show up pretending to be her family, and Callum's ex is invited, and as Laura gets closer to Callum, she can't tell if the increasingly sizzling chemistry between them is real or just a very convincing part of the act…
This book is very good for those that love Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood., will enjoy this book. Easy to read & has fun with the classic "fake dating" trope in holiday over-drive in the Scottish highlands. I liked the gender-switched careers here - she's a neuro-surgeon & he's an aspiring pastry chef. But I did not like how absolutely awful his family was - especially the bitchy sister & pig of a dad (and at Christmas!).
The chemistry between these two was pretty good from the get go and you have that Fake Dating thing down pat. Laura plays the awful new girlfriend to a tee and Callum is ever the gentleman.. except when he cant read the room.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publisher, Lindsey Kelk
#NetGalley
#HarperCollinsPublisher
#ChristmasFling
#Lindsey Kelk
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a cute, cozy holiday read! I’m normally not big on the fake relationship trope, but this one totally worked for me. Lindsey Kelk’s writing is funny and warm, and the Scottish Highlands setting made it even better. Loved the banter and festive vibes — perfect for curling up with a blanket and hot chocolate

A Christmas fake dating romance set in Scotland. Sign me up! Laura and Callum are great in this book.

4.25⭐
The fake dating trope handled with panache when the neurosurgeon in training, Laura, offers to help out her new landlord, Callum, and get his parents to back off. He neglected to mention his parents' farm seemed more like a castle and his sister was the angriest siblings imaginable. Then her friends crash the holidays at the "farm" claiming to be her sister and brother in law, and all bets are off. Lots of great banter and interesting fully developed characters. .

* fake relationship at Christmas
*chemistry
*witty
*laugh out loud funny
*family drama
*excellent side characters

I found *Christmas Fling* utterly charming and a perfect holiday rom-com! Lindsey Kelk is one of my favorite authors who always nails the perfect blend of romance and comedy, and I can’t wait to read her future titles.




Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the DRC

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper 360, for the ARC of this book. Ahhh, to escape to the Scottish Highlands at Christmas and get sucked into the family drama of a handsome pastry chef! This is definitely the fun and sexy escape that many of us need right now. Christmas Fling is yet another wonderful Lindsey Kelk rom-com that delivers in all the best ways. The banter is wonderful. The situations the characters find themselves in are hysterical. The spice is very spicy!

When Laura offers to play fake girlfriend Caroline to the handsome Callum after accidentally walking in on him naked, she's not thinking about much more than it being an opportunity to get away on an adventure, and how fit Callum is. When she meets the rest of the family, at first she thinks it'll be a fun holiday pretending to be someone else. But slowly the truth of Callum's situation with his family, the land and castle that's been in his family for hundreds of years, and the town where everyone knows everyone, starts to make her question why she every agreed to this. But the fact that Callum sees Laura for who she truly is also makes it very hard for Laura to leave it all behind.

Really just a fun read for the holidays that made me laugh, swoon, and smile.

Cal and Laura are actually perfect. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a contemporary romance with a slow burn as beautifully written as this. I read it in a single day, in the middle of October, and I will definitely reread as it gets closer to the holiday seasons. It took a few chapters to get into, as an American reading a book about people from London and Scotland, but once I got over the culture shock, it was very easily understood.

Thanks NetGalley for this Arc.
I really enjoyed this book! Love a fake dating trope. It had me laughing at loud at parts and was also very cute. I could totally see this being made into a Christmas hallmark type movie! Could have used more Christmas and 🔥 but overall good. I have already recommended it to my friends. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

Thank you Harper 360!!! I am such a fan of Lindsey Kelk's, she is deft with an edgy humor woven into a romcom plot and it's always such a win for me, I appreciate the humor in her books as it is both expected and unexpected at the same time, her characters feel real and relatable to me (perhaps it is the darkish humor and internal monologues that foster that feeling...). A funny meet cute, a great destination fake relationship setting, and solid slow burn tension made this another win for me! If you haven't read one by Lindsey Kelk this one and her earlier Christmas book A Christmas Wish are big wins for me!!!

Amazing cozy Christmas romance. Absolutely loved the story. I want to read it over and over. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Made me in the mood to decorate for Christmas!!!

Laura was set to do Christmas alone until she met Callum and he convinced her to be his fake girlfriend. So she goes home with him and tries to get his family to hate her. Lots of fun and jokes and misunderstandings ensue as these two fall for each other. Very cute book!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. This one included fake relationship, one bed situation, fake identities, humor and spice!! It was a quick fun read for me.

I love Christmas books!!

This was great overall! I enjoyed the characters and the tropes

There was a little spice but I enjoyed that ;)

I look forward to reading more from this author!

This was a hilarious and heartwarming rom-com filled with laugh-out-loud moments, charming characters, and just the right touch of fake-dating chaos. The chemistry between Laura and Callum was sweet and believable, with plenty of humor to balance the romance. Set against a delightful Scottish backdrop, it’s the perfect cozy escape. Thank you to HarperCollins, NetGalley, and the author for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! #christmasfling #netgalley

This was really fun. While reading I could see this playing out like a movie so easily! I wanted to watch it right then!!! A disaster romcom Christmas movie. Need it.

It’s like You Deserve Each Other, only it’s the in laws doing the torture rather than torturing each other. Kind of giving family stone vibes but with fake dating. Definitely fitting the mean sister trope. Elsie would give Amy a run for her money.

Callum has made a fake horrible girlfriend to get out of family events for the past year. When Laura rents his apartment and they have a rather abrupt meeting-she also meets his parents at the same time. They think she’s his fake girlfriend Caroline and he doesn’t correct them. This leads to an invite to spend Christmas with them in Scotland, which Laura finds herself unable to say no to.

The goal is to be the worst girlfriend ever, make the family hate her so badly that they never want to have her around ever again.

This was laugh out loud funny, but also had so much heart. I love the angst and their chemistry. Whatever could go wrong, is going wrong. Would recommend to all the romcom lovers out there.

If your looking for a classic- chick-lit, rom-com read this is for you. Kelk's "Christmas Fling" is easy to read and has fun with the classic "fake dating" trope. I loved the meet cute and was ready to see what else this book brought. You have such a cute holiday romance that had me giggling and gasping and then you add in the broody Scottish MC yes please.

I loved that she was in STEM and he was a pastry chef, but I didn't like his family- however I think that was because of the plot and it fit well in the entire book. Such a good book for the holiday if your looking for that classic rom-com.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins and Lindsey Kelk for ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars. Firstly I want to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is what I want in a Christmas rom-com! Fake dating, just one bed, Scottish Highlands, a Hallmark movie vibe…what more could I ask for? Callum and Laura were both such likable characters and I enjoyed every second of their escapades. They were both well fleshed out, so you could understand their motivations for the things they were doing, and they were both very endearing. I thought their friendship/relationship was very sweet. There was a slight miscommunication trope, which wasn’t enough to be annoying, but it did color some of the decisions and assumptions one of the characters made. Miscommunication isn’t my favorite, but it didn’t detract from the appeal of the story for me. And can we just talk about Lindsey Kelk’s humor? I literally cackled out loud so many times while reading this book! I hope Kelk continues to write Christmas romances, because I will willingly eat them up every year!

Absolutely hilarious — I laughed out loud so many times while reading this one!

🎄 The Scottish Highlands setting was cozy Christmas perfection, and the family dynamics added just the right touch of chaos.

🎁 The fake dating trope is done right here — it's beneficial to both characters, refreshingly mature with minimal miscommunication, and has a believable HEA. Did I mention this book is hilarious? Because it really is. OH – and I appreciated Kelk's FMC, Laura being a neurosurgeon, and all the accurate shoutouts of how sexism is still alive in the workplace.

💋 Perfect Christmas romcom vibes — I’d happily reread this next holiday season.

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Lindsey Kelk for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a fun Christmas read! I loved the characters and felt like they meshed well together, especially during the mishaps that kept popping up. The family was a great secondary cast of characters which really helped bring the personality of the main characters to life.

After an incident at the apartment Laura is moving in to, Laura agrees to help Callum by attending his family Christmas in the Scottish Highlands as his fake girlfriend Caroline. Caroline is a demanding vegan teetotaler with not a good word to say to anyone. But as the days go by, Laura and Callum grow closer.

New Laura Kelk fan here! This book was cozy, sexy and festive. I felt all the feels and really enjoyed the writing and scenario. I’ll definitely e checking out more books by this author!

Thank you to Harper Collins, NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book.

A fake dating Christmas romcom set in Scotland?! ❄️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨

When Lindsey announced this book I knew it was going to be everything I needed. Her humor and witty one-liners will make you laugh-out-loud while swoon over her hot Scottish MMC, Callum.

And who doesn’t want a Scottish boyfriend who reads and wears slu*ty little glasses. 🤷🏼‍♀️

✨ fake dating
✨ forced proximity
✨ only one bed
✨ set in Scotland
✨ woman in STEM
✨ hidden identity

It was so good, I read it twice. Thank you, @harpercollins360 for my eARC—ya’ll are the best. 🫶🏼 then of course, I had to listen to the audio that was brilliantly narrated by Heather Long. 🎧

Finally a main character in a romance that is super likable! Laura is a successful neurosurgeon-in-training. She is funny, responsible and drinks tea with milk. Forced to go on holiday, she plans to sit home alone with a bottle of wine flat-sitting for a stranger. But a surprise visit when picking up the keys turns into agreeing to spend Christmas in snowy Scotland as a fake bitchy girlfriend.

The no-strings-attached Christmas with Callum becomes a Christmas fling of catching feelings. A cozy sleeper train, charming pubs, sexy men in kilts, castle views, natural chemistry and good banter fill their holiday. How long can they keep up the charade before real feelings get involved?

I haven't had the pleasure of reading a Lindsey Kelk book in ages! I was a fan of her "I Heart" series and looked to her stories when I wanted a light lovely story. Christmas Fling delivers all the cozy cute feels! It will make you chuckle, blush and root for romance. Even the side characters are entertaining and blend seamlessly into the story. Highly recommend for a holiday read!

Happy Pub Day, Lindsey Kelk! Christmas Fling is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

This was a funny, slow burn holiday romance that was a great read.

Laura and Callum barely know each other, yet they agree to fake dating and Laura is going home for the holidays with Callum to Scotland. The trip is festive and quite funny, with so many things going wrong. Their relationship slowly builds throughout the book, and I loved them together. They were both characters that really needed and deserved to have someone in their corner, and it was fun watching their relationship grow.

I love a great side character, and Laura’s friends Desi and Joel honestly made the book. They were great friends, and their interactions were always funny. The conversations these three legitimately made me laugh out loud at times. I loved her supportive they always were of Laura, having her back when she needed it.

I really enjoyed this holiday romance book.

I absolutely love Christmas books and this lived up to my expectations. I love the romance and the characters. This is one of the best books I've read this year.

This is the cutest little Christmas story!

1st. Callum is Sam Heughan. Cannot convince me otherwise.

2nd. Fake dating at his house (let's be honest CASTLE) over Christmas? 1000 times yes.

Okay and the banter. How can y'all not remember meeting when the banter is this good?? I adore them together. This book definitely had me laughing out loud. Literally. Awkward at silent book club but like okay y'all maybe you need to laugh more. Who doesn't love to laugh?!

If his family especially could no longer exist though that would be great. Especially his sister. Bleh. Bye.

The drama though this story has. OVER THE TOP. But I am here for it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

This one was so fun. What’s better than a hunky Scottish MMC.

Christmas Fling is just the kind of romance to read at this time of year and not just because it’s seasonal, but because it’s funny (who doesn’t need a good laugh anytime??!!), has Christmas vibes without being cliche or contrived

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy.

Oh how I loved this story!!! the humor, spice, and coziness made it such a perfect holiday story! I love I love Laura and Callum’s depth as characters and how that makes them hilarious and heartfelt in their getting to know one another in such a short, proximal period. I absolutely LOVE the setting of the Scottish highlands!!! it really made the cozy holliday magic multiple tenfold!!! overall, I just love these characters and setting and the way the magic of the season brightens a truly lovely, romantic story.

Another winner by Lindsey Kelk, who has a gift of combining humor and heartwarming situations with unforgettable characters that leap off the page and beg to be your best friends. I enjoyed getting to know Laura and Callum, as they slowly acknowledged their feelings, and tried to pull one over on his family with their fake relationship. Laura/Caroline had the worst of it with Callum’s lies over the years and I laughed so much at the various antics that occur while she deals with the repercussions of those lies. The families, both his and hers, are fantastic secondary characters that add to the humor. Highly recommended for a good laugh and a touching Christmas story.

Lindsey Kelk, you have made a romance reader out of me! It is difficult for me to find a love story I truly enjoy, except, that is, when it comes to Lindsey Kelk. Her novels are always a delight to read, including her latest holiday romance, Christmas Fling.

After walking in on her new landlord naked, and being mistaken by his parents as his elusive girlfriend Caroline to boot, Laura finds herself being roped into Christmas with Callum and family at their home in the Scottish Highlands. Not one to waste an opportunity, Laura conspires with Callum to devise a plot that will make his parents truly hate Caroline … and leave him alone about getting married and moving back home to take over the family farm, as his birthright, for good.

As it turns out, Callum basically grew up in a castle, and this cozy Christmas in Scotland is not turning out to be half bad … especially when Laura realizes she may be developing feelings for her fake boyfriend. While holiday hijinks ensue and she gets to know Callum and his family better, can Laura separate fact from fiction in her heart?

Funny and lighthearted, Christmas Fling is a lovely little romance. Kelk writes the best female leads, empowering them with personality, character, and wit - you never know what is going to come out of their mouths, but you are guaranteed to laugh at it! The slow build to chemistry between Laura and Callum felt natural in this book, and I found it believable that they could develop feelings for each other after all of the silly and sensuous situations they find themselves thrown into together.

In all, Christmas Fling is the perfect book to pick up if you are in the mood for a holiday-lite romance that will make you laugh and forget your worries for awhile.

Laura plans to nip by the flat she’s going to rent and get some measurements but there’s a naked man standing in the center of the flat who turns out to be its owner, Callum, who has not yet gone to Paris. Needless to say, Laura gets an eyeful. Before she can remove herself, an older couple shows up: Callum’s parents who immediately decide that Laura must be the girlfriend, Caroline, whom they’ve never met but who has been the reason why their son never visits. After they’ve left, Laura offers to be Callum’s fake girlfriend. After all, she’s always wanted to spend Christmas in Scotland. It beats staying in with her roommates, Desi and Joel, eating all of the Christmas stash of goodies and streaming shows.

Unfortunately for neurosurgeon Laura, Callum does not acquaint her with the fictional Caroline he’s invented. She’s heartbroken–palpably and hysterically–to discover that Caroline is vegan when the McClay’s cook prepares the most exquisitely scented roasts, sausages, and more. And then there’s Callum’s wicked sister. The ex-girlfriend for whom he may still have feelings. And the misogynistic father who has the empathy of a pet rock. As the days pass though, Laura finds herself becoming more attracted to Callum, physically and emotionally. But, really, anything between them can’t be anything more than a Christmas Fling, can it?

Christmas Fling is delightfully funny and chaotic, especially when Laura’s best friends, Desi and Joel, crash the holiday festivities to make sure she’s all right while pretending to be her sister and brother-in-law, which makes Joel’s attraction for Callum’s younger brother even more funny.

I have been reading Lindsey Kelk for years now and her books have only gotten better. In Laura, she’s created a relatable but competent character who, despite being a serious medical professional doesn’t take herself too seriously. She’s down-to-earth and amusing and the reader is on her side every step of the way.

While Callum’s family, except for his younger brother (and maybe his mother, jury is still out there), are miserable creatures, Laura’s found-family is funny and loyal, although Desi seems to be a force to be reckoned with. (Indeed, as Laura is trying to figure out how to be the girlfriend Callum’s family would hate, she just channels Desi as in what would Desi do.)

Christmas Fling is just the kind of romance to read at this time of year and not just because it’s seasonal, but because it’s funny (who doesn’t need a good laugh anytime??!!), has Christmas vibes without being saccharine.

Perfect for readers who want:
🎄 A funny, feel-good Christmas read
❤️ A romance with emotional depth but no heavy angst
✨ A heroine who’s genuinely relatable
📚 That signature Kelk sparkle

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy, which I forgot to download in time, and then, happily, had to buy. 🤣🤣🤣

I loved, loved, loved this!!! And I want to be best friends with Lindsey Kelk! Her books are so witty and relatable and I absolutely loved everything about this book! Laura and her best friends were hilarious, Callum was beyond dreamy, and the setting in the Scottish Highlands for Christmas was a dream! So, so good!

Fun rom com with a fake relationship. Elsie was unbearable though. Goodness she was a rude one. Kind of hard to enjoy the story around her nastiness.

From their hilarious meer cute to their insane olan to travel together to fale dat3n This book was a joy to read! So thankful for the opportunity! I loved it so much I made my bookclub read it for our December book club!

I love love this book so much, its so beautifully written like a perfect Christmas hallmark movie with fake dating taking the centre stage and how wonderfully written.

If Lindsey Kelk writes it, I’m going to read it, ESPECIALLY if it’s Christmas!

Laura is excited to move to a new flat that is closer to her work, so when she goes to check it out and finds the owner, Callum, butt freaking naked straight out of the shower, it makes for an awkward moment. That moment is made even more awkward (if possible) when Callum’s parents show up and Callum makes a rash decision to include Laura in duping his parents that he has a girlfriend when he definitely doesn’t. It all comes to a head when Callum’s parents invite both Callum and Laura home for the holidays in Scotland. Since Laura is being forced to take some time off of work over the holiday season, she decides to throw caution to the wind and just see how fake dating Callum would be to help him keep up appearances for his family as the impossible girlfriend that he has described. When they go off to the Scottish highlands, Laura realizes that she is in for a lot more than she planned with Callum’s family, especially when the chemistry between her and Callum becomes too much to bear.

I absolutely devoured this book! I have loved everything by Lindsey Kelk, and this might have gone to the top of the list. The Christmas vibes are perfect, and I loved the fake dating element. It was hysterical reading how Laura was trying to play the part of Callum’s less than stellar girlfriend. When Laura’s friends arrive, it gets even more off the rails. The chemistry between Laura and Callum was definitely a slow burn, but I loved every minute of it. I also appreciated the spicy scene. There were certainly laugh out loud moments, and a lot of Christmas cheer. I highly recommend adding this to your holiday reading rotation!!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper360- Harper Collins for an advanced reader’s copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Oh wow I was surprised by how much I loved this! I’m not going to lie I usually am hesitant to pick up a British author for a Christmas book because I’ve been burned and bored before. The American hallmark Christmas spirit sets my standards for holiday cheer high and after a Christmas where I read 3 books in a row by British authors where a main character was going through serious grief at the holidays it was a blue Christmas indeed.

Anyways this was not that!!! This was so good. I didn’t want to go to work because I just wanted to keep reading! I love Scotland so Christmas in Scotland helps, but I also loved Laura’s friends they had me cackling, and also loved the fake dating and the crazy family drama. It wasn’t too Christmas cheesy hallmarky like it was cheery and also unique and slightly unpredictable, funny, and warm, and just a great story and characters!

Tis the season for Lindsey Kelk holiday rom-coms.
I’m not big on the fake dating trope, but I love Lindsey Kelk’s books so I knew I was going to read this one anyway.

I really liked it. I loved the FMC. A red headed neurosurgeon swiftie that’s also a reader? We’d be instant besties. The MMC, Callum, is a dream. A 6’4” buff Scotsman who’s also a chef and aspiring pastry chef, who is also a reader?! Yes please. His family is a mixed bag which is why this whole story unfolds. Laura’s friends have a funny, loyal relationship and add a lot of comedic scenes to the story. I loved the dynamic between Laura and Callum.
I also loved the setting, an estate in the Scottish Highlands at Christmas time.

A few of the characters or their dynamics with others put me off and of course there were parts that were a little too far fetched so those things kept me from rating this a 5 star read, but I think it’s still a great holiday romance read and will definitely satisfy that craving during the Christmas season.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this eARC!

This was a fun read with a unique premise. Our mmc made up a fake girlfriend and our fmm decides to take on the role spur of the moment. However the goal is to make the family hate her, which makes for some fun interactions. While the ending has no surprises this was still a fun, quick christmas read.

This book was pure chaos—the unhinged, laugh-out-loud kind 😂
The stars are honestly for the humor alone, because realism left the building immediately and never came back. From the very first meeting between Laura and Callum, it’s nonstop antics and absurd situations, and I was fully along for the ride.

I loved all the TV and book references (Lindsey is definitely an Outlander fan), and the British quips mixed with Scottish slang were an absolute treat. It added so much personality and charm to the story. There’s a particular Christmas tree moment that was unbelievably sweet and easily one of my favorite scenes.

That said… the romance itself was probably my least favorite part. These two knew each other for six days, and I just couldn’t fully buy into the love story, even though I was enjoying everything happening around it.

If you want an example of the chaos, this pretty much sums up the vibe:

“Callum, it’s four o’clock on Christmas Eve Eve… I’ve already been trapped up a tower, broken my phone, fought with your sister and given your dad a very, very questionable massage, and now you want to hear my five-year plan?”

Ridiculous, festive, and genuinely funny—this is a great pick if you’re in the mood for a wild Christmas romp and don’t mind suspending all disbelief.

Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved loved LOVED this book! The Christmas vibes, the lovable characters.. I want this to be a series with books about all the side characters! It was my first by Lindsey Kelk but it definitely won't be my last!

This is one of my favorite holiday rom-coms so far this year! It was funny and brought the (Scottish Highlands) feels!

Laura and Callum have an epic meet-cute when she sublets his apartment and gets mistaken for his girlfriend. They decide to continue the charade at Christmas with his family. Callum is a pastry chef who is a huge disappointment because he isn't taking over the family dairy farm. Laura is a neurosurgeon, but she is masquerading as Caroline, a Swedish masseuse. When these two start revealing their real selves to the other, can they make a relationship work?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It was laugh out loud funny at times with outrageous situations, but also had a lot of heart and depth. Laura and Callum were great together and I loved the quiet times as they got to know each other. The scenes with his family were over the top, but really humorous. The only thing that would have made this book better would be an epilogue. I want to revisit these two and their family/friends in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a tremendously fun Christmas rom com. I was expecting a classic fake dating book but there were a variety of elements here that felt like a real spin on the trope and gave a different feel to the plot. The Scottish setting was idyllic, and there was such a fun cast of characters (particularly the friends who are, clearly, nuts). A few of the “villains” were a bit one-dimensional in their villainy, but for a light Christmas read, I don’t think it was a real problem. However, I would be interested in a sequel starring Elsie, because that could be a lot of fun.

4 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hurray, a Lindsey Kelk romcom just in time for the holidays! Laura is about to make herself comfortable in the flat she's subletting, when she unexpectedly finds herself in the middle of an awkward situation between landlord Callum and his parents. She's convinced to pose as his girlfriend (yea, fake dating trope!) and travel to his family's Scottish estate for Christmas. Lots of humor, especially when her goofy best friends show up for a surprise visit, and Kelk paints a very inviting Scottish holiday setting.

If you are looking for a fun, romcom-y holiday read – this is for you. This ‘fake dating’ romance set in the Scottish Highlands between Laura and Callum is filled with witty banter, an added dash of drama and moments that will make you swoon and laugh aloud. There are secondary characters that you will love and hate, but they add to the story.

The NetGalley, Harper 360 and HarperCollins for providing a copy.

I loved The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk, and she lived up to my expectations with the Christmas Fling. She does the holidays well.

- fake dating
- family drama
- LOL moments
- quirky supporting characters
- swoony moments

Cute and fun book that I highly recommend!

Laura found herself in quite the holiday predicament, and I loved it.

I wasn’t surprised when I found myself laughing out loud throughout the story. Lindsey Kelk has had me laughing for the past couple of years now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You’ll find the following tropes in this read:
🥰 
Fake dating

🛏️ One bed

🎄 Christmas


Laura is a workaholic who is being forced to take some time off around the holidays from being a med student. While she has some really great friends, she doesn’t really have any Christmas plans—until she runs into Callum. Once the mistaken-identity train takes off with Callum’s parents, there’s no looking back. She’s Caroline, Callum’s very picky, made-up girlfriend.

I liked that Laura linked her neurosurgical career and studies to moments when she didn’t know how to navigate a situation. I felt like it helped show how weird and awkward she felt.

I loved Laura’s best friends and how they encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone, but within reasonable limits. I also loved how they cared for her and watched out for her.

There were quite a few funny and memorable scenes, like the unexpected back rub. So cringey, but fitting for the role Laura was expected to play.

I ate up the beginning and middle of the book but slowed down toward the end. I’m not sure if it was because sickness ran rampant through my house over the past two months, the hustle and bustle of the holidays, or because I just didn’t want the book to end—but I’m betting on the latter.

Lindsey Kelk is two for two with the Christmas books I’ve read. This time around, though, I couldn’t help but try some of the many candies she mentions in the book. They are delicious—I knew she wouldn’t steer me wrong!

Thank you Lindsey Kelk, Harper 360, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-fake dating
- one bed
-forced proximity
-Christmas romance A
-small town
FIVE STAR PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!!!
I felt like I was watching the most hilarious Christmas rom-com!
Laura is a neurosurgeon who just got the keys to her new flat.
Callum is an aspiring pastry chef who's avoiding his parents.
When Laura walks in the door to the flat there's a naked
Callum scaring the hell out of her.
Then enters the Callum's parents who mistake her for his girlfriend Caroline. Callum (the stranger) convinces her to play along and when his parents invite them to Christmas in Scotland she agrees.
They concoct a plan for her to play the roll of the most unlikable girlfriend ever so she won't be invited back.
Laura plays the character as the most obnoxious girlfriend ever to a T.
There are so many quirky characters! I found myself laughing throughout the book. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions. Her crazy friends that show up had me in stitches.
The two main characters were more layered than I expected. The book was chaotic in the best way.
It was cozy and heartwarming. The perfect holiday book!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC!

I love Lindsey and everything she writes so obviously I was going to love Christmas Fling. Fake dating is my favorite romance trope and Kelk writes this one so well. I loved all of the characters and all the Scottish language/setting as well.

I always love a fake dating trop, and then make it Christmas and make it funny and this is a perfect Christmas book. The story was sweet without being overly cheesy and all the side characters added something to the story. A little over the top and unrealistic, but sort of expected when you read the plot of the story.

Christmas Fling might be one of the better true Rom Com Christmas books I have read in a while.

The Premise: Laura has maybe met Callum previously, but couldn’t remember. But after she is in need of a flat and Callum has one she can rent, the meet for a third time and this one won’t be one either of them forgets. Then Callum’s parents show up and mistake Laura for his ‘girlfriend’, and invite her to this house for Christmas.

I really enjoyed reading this and could not put it down. It was fun, and silly. The perfect balance of over the top tropes surrounded by sweet moments. I found myself smiling while reading it. Plus the Scottish countryside, a castle (with a moat), and the side characters that just added to the story.

Although it takes place around Christmas I think you could enjoy this one even after the holidays have ended. I could also really see this one playing out on screen! Thank you HarperCollins for this eARC to read and review.

BK-R
🌶️ Spice: 1
👁 POV: 1st Person, FMC
✨ Vibe: Christmas in Scotland, cold
📚 Cover: 4/5

We want to say THANK YOU to NetGalley & HarperCollins for this ARC!

Laura has been so dedicated to her job and studies as a trainee neurosurgeon that she has had no time for anything outside of studying, work and her 2 best friends. But when she takes the step to move into a new flat, decides to go early to check it out and walks in on her naked landlord, things start to get dicey, but that's not all! His parents then arrive and she is now his fake girlfriend and will be attending her forced (work make her take time off) Christmas break in Scotland trying to get a family she knows nothing about to hate her and not fall in love with the handsome Scot she is fake dating. What could go wrong?

This was a fun, cozy and light hearted story. Yes you get the tension, not only between out MMC's but also his family and his ex girlfriend! Definitely fun and great for the season!

✅ Recommend for fans of: Low spice Hallmark stories

Spicy Chapter: 25