REVIEW: The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird

The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny BairdAfter the death of her parents, Katie Smith celebrated the holidays by herself. So, she agrees to help Juan, the guy she has been crushing on for three months when he asks her to be his fake girlfriend for his family’s holiday dinner. She was hoping it could turn into the real thing except he is hit by a van when he leaves. While Juan is in a coma his family welcomes her into the family, thinking she is his girlfriend. She hated lying to his wonderful family, but she had promised to tell no one the truth. As she learns more about Juan, she realizes he is not the perfect guy she thought he was. Her heart falls for Mateo, Juan’s brother, but her commitment to Juan holds her back.

Mateo Martinez feels guilty because the last time he had seen his brother, Juan, they had fought over their family’s legacy. Juan wants to rebrand their family vineyards and wines, but Mateo loves the family traditions and the legacy handed down to them. He is at his wit’s end trying to save the business, especially after discovering what Juan did without consulting the family. Waiting for Juan to wake up, the family continues to prepare for the holiday, which throws Mateo and Katie together. Mateo begins to wish she was his girlfriend and not Juan’s. He is devastated when he learns the truth behind Juan and Katie’s relationship.

Katie had idolized the idea of Juan but as she spends time with his family, she starts to see the real person he is. She loves being part of the Martinez family but knows she will be by herself again once Juan wakes up and the truth comes out.

Juan had always been the brother with his head in the clouds, while his younger brother, Mateo was more serious. Mateo dreamed of making guitars, but he gave up his dreams to help Juan run the family business. Now the family business is on the verge of bankruptcy from Juan’s decisions and Mateo is left trying to save them. He feels guilty for his growing affection for Katie and wishes she could be his.

This was a cute and touching comedy about a fake relationship gone bad. Katie and Mateo were perfect for each other and made such a cute couple. The ending was perfect with the family doing their own matchmaking for Titi Mon. This was a perfect book to start off the holidays with.

Book Info:

Publication: October 10, 2023 | Sourcebooks Casablanca |

Lonely-hearted waitress Katie Smith has nowhere to go for Christmas, and a huge crush on her gorgeous diner patron Juan Martinez. So when Juan asks Katie to pose as his girlfriend for holiday festivities at his family’s winery, Katie leaps at the chance… that is, until an accident lands Juan in a coma right after giving his folks the “news.”

Katie knows she should tell the Martinezes the truth, but when they immediately embrace her, Katie is reluctant to let her fantasy of a family holiday go. And then there’s Juan’s brother, Mateo, whose smile tugs at her heartstrings just right—and who tells her perfect Juan might not be everything he seems.

Second son Mateo Martinez loves his brother, but Juan’s plan to “rebrand and expand” Los Cielos Cellars has cost their family too much and put its entire tradition in jeopardy. Katie seems to understand, but she’s still committed to Juan… even when Mateo starts to wish her gentle heart and beautiful smile were committed to him instead.

With the winery at stake, secrets on all sides, and Juan due to wake up any day, can Katie and Mateo follow their hearts to a Christmas miracle, or will this mix-up ruin their chances?