REVIEW: My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely

My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely: All Fable wants for Christmas is a little payback… preferably delivered with mistletoe, champagne and a devastatingly attractive date on her arm. Enter Wilder, her billionaire boss, professional charmer and the last man she should ever pretend to fall for. But with both of them in need for a date for the same Christmas wedding, they decide what could possibly go wrong? As the pair team up to fake their insta love story for a week full of glittering holiday events all leading up to the snowy destination wedding, their plan is simple fake for everyone watching but make sure to keep any real feels securely locked away. But somewhere between festive parties, stolen glances and nights that feel a little too real, the lines begin to blur. Because Wilder isn’t just playing a part…he is actually attentive, protective and far more dangerous to Fable’s heart than she ever planned for…As the Christmas magic works its quiet chaos, what begins as a convenient holidate threatens to become something neither of them can walk away from.

A Lauren Blakely Christmas romcom is a total no brainer read for me, and keeping true to her zany cute style My Favorite Holidate was simply a delight to read. Right from the very first page, Fable and Wilder swept me up in the festive charm, their sizzling chemistry and that unmistakable Blakely magic that makes you want to savour every moment. With a fake-dating setup that quickly turns irresistible and characters you can’t help but fall for, this story felt like the perfect seasonal escape; warm, addictive and impossible to put down!

Fable and Wilder were the kind of leads that just instantly worked both individually and together, simply because they felt layered, human and so easy to root for. I just adored our leading lady to bits. Fable was sharp, resilient and refreshingly self-aware. I have to say getting to follower her as she navigated heartbreak with humour and quiet strength, never slipping into bitterness only made me admire her just that much more. I think this was largely one of the things that I found enduring about her character and getting to see her grow as she finds her footing with Wilder. Now for our charming billionaire hero, Wilder, well he does fit into most of the stereotypical billionaire boss boxes but with a little extra charm. The thing that I found myself liking about our hero was beneath the confidence and charm is a deeply caring man, a devoted father, always trying to be emotionally present and a hero that was surprisingly tender. There was something about his actions consistently speak louder than his wealth that made him break the mould in the best way possible.

For me what makes Fable and Wilder’s romance work so beautifully is how effortlessly their connection evolves from playful pretence into something deeply real. The fake-dating setup gave them space to be honest in ways they might not have allowed themselves otherwise and that honesty becomes the foundation of their relationship. Their banter was light and teasing but it was the quiet moments; the check-ins, the emotional awareness and the way Wilder consistently showed up for Fable that truly made their love believable. The thing that ultimately really made this couple stand out for me was the fact that they didn’t just want each other… they choose each other, again and again and that intentionality was what made their romance feel so satisfying and earned.

I loved reading this book! Blakely perfectly combines holiday hijinks, forced proximity, laugh-out-loud moments and a well balanced emotional connection to create the perfect holiday read. Add in the competitive antics which pushed Fable and Wilder together in the most entertaining ways and the result was pure rom-com fun with real substance beneath the sparkle. Do yourself a favour and add My Favorite Holidate to your festive TBR!

Book Info:

Publication: October 15, 2024 | Lauren Blakely Books | Evergreen Falls #1

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?