ARC Review: ‘My Favorite Holidate’ by Lauren Blakely
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My Favorite Holidate
by Lauren BlakelyPublished by Self-Published on November 12, 2024
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Format: eArc
Pages: 508
Source: the author
Audience: 18+/Adult
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Wanted: one hot billionaire to pose as my Christmas boyfriend. Must be willing to make my cheating ex jealous when you kiss me under the mistletoe at all the holiday parties. Bonus points if you make him cry.
To my surprise my billionaire boss is more than up for the challenge of coming down the chimney as my holiday boyfriend. The sexy single dad desperately needs a plus one at a Christmas Eve wedding, where he’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor.
And since my ex is in the wedding party too, my boss and I team up as a pair of insta-lovebirds for the holiday season, including during the annual week-long Christmas competition leading up to the snowy destination wedding.
But soon staying up late to string the best popcorn balls ever turns into a scorching night in his arms where the chestnuts aren’t the only thing roasting on the open fire.
Can all these winter wonderland nights seeking revenge turn into the real thing when we return to the office? Or are we destined to go the way of a Christmas tree on New Year’s?
My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely is a funnier and spicier version of Hallmark movies that will definitely get you in the holiday spirit. You’ll find yourself falling hard for Wilder, the charming and sexy billionaire single father, just like the female lead, Fable, did during their fake dating experience. There are also moments in the book that will make you laugh out loud—I know I did several times, leaving my husband curious about what was so funny.
I loved how Fable moved on from her cheating ex-boyfriend with Wilder, who showed her what it truly means to be treated well, even though their relationship started as a fake one. If there’s one trope I will always enjoy, even if it’s predictable, it’s fake dating, and this is just one of the many tropes that Lauren Blakely writes exceptionally well. She also creates unforgettable, sexy, dirty-talking male characters, like Wilder Blaine, who will definitely make it onto your list of book boyfriends/husbands. Additionally, she writes fun, loving, and creative female characters, like Fable, who I wish were real because she seems like the coolest person to hang out with.
I enjoyed reading about how Fable and Wilder’s fake relationship developed into something more meaningful. I particularly liked how Wilder’s daughter, Mac, played a secretive role in convincing her father that there was a deeper connection between him and Fable. The only issue was poor Wilder and how his Aunt was always butting into his personal life. One of the reasons why he agreed to a fake relationship with Fable was due to his Aunt always trying to set him up with someone, which he’s a grown adult, and she should have left him alone. The other reason was to help Fable get revenge on her ex-boyfriend and what he did to her right around the time her sister was getting engaged. Ultimately, Fable ended up with someone much better than her ex, and Wilder found love with someone he genuinely cared for in the end.
Just like I stated above in my review, this is definitely the perfect read to put you in the holiday spirit. It does get spicy, which I definitely didn’t mind. =) Special presents were given between the characters, and Wilder is definitely a giver in the bedroom. You’ll just have to read the book to find out what I mean.
I loved how characters/couples from previously published books were in this book with Fable and Wilder, and I could catch up on their lives. Overall, this book gets four stars from me, and I’m actually planning on purchasing the audiobook because I definitely wouldn’t mind listening to this book again with the full cast of narrators. =)
Single/Dual POV: Dual POV.
Standalone or Part of Series: Standalone.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy watching Hallmark movies but just wish they were spicier. Lauren definitely delivers a spicier holiday romance in My Favorite Holidate.
What to Expect:
🌲Spicy Holiday Romance
🌲Billionaire Romance
🌲Fake Dating/Relationship
🌲Single Father Romance
🌲Workplace/Office Romance
🌲He Fell First
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About Lauren Blakely
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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