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.

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 💙🩷💚

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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.

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?