READ-2-REVIEW - HOLIDAY CONTEMPORARY - FAKE IT 'TIL CHRISTMAS by Claudia Burgoa

Fake it 'Til Christmas
by Claudia Burgoa
November 19th 2025

From USA Today Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa comes a fake-dating holiday romance filled with slow-burn tension, awkward family dinners, and one grumpy man who might just ruin Christmas for anyone else.

BLURB

All I agreed to was a fake relationship.

A weekend of pretending I’m in love with my grumpy, emotionally constipated, private-jet-commuting neighbor.

Easy, right?

Except nothing about Soren Thorn is easy.

He doesn’t believe in horoscopes, hates throw pillows, and treats feelings like they’re contagious.

He’s all sighs, black coffee, and unreadable expressions—and for reasons I still don’t understand, he needs me to be his girlfriend for one very public, very awkward family event.

I thought I could handle it.

Play the part. Make it cute.

But then he started trusting me—with real pieces of himself.

Now I know his favorite coffee, some of his secrets, and the exact look he gives when he's about to self-destruct but pretends he’s fine.

And I’m starting to realize this whole fake dating thing might be getting too . . . well, not fake.

Because I don’t just want to survive the weekend.

I want to know what it would feel like if none of it were pretend.

 What to expect:

 Grumpy/Sunshine

 Neighbors to Lovers

 Fake Dating Shenanigans

 Holiday Mayhem

 Frenemies-to-Lovers

 Romeo & Juliet vives (minus the tragedy)

 All the cozy, spicy, small-town romance feels

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . FAKIN IT TIL CHRISTMAS . . . The Only Thing Fake Is Their Relationship!

Get ready to snuggle up with a mug of black coffee (Soren's choice, of course) and a whole lot of holiday shenanigans! Fake it 'Til Christmas is a deliciously witty, fabulously detailed, and profoundly heartfelt slow-burn romance that perfectly captures the chaos and cozy magic of the season.

This story is built on the most electric of foundations: Frenemies-to-Lovers, Fake Dating, and Grumpy/Sunshine. Our heroine is the wonderfully ambitious Winnifred Wendalyn Wolfcraft, aka Fred, the lovable "black sheep" who is determined to win her family’s annual Holiday Olympics title. Her grand plan hits a snag, however, leaving her desperate for a solution before heading back to their rival hometown, Winterberry Cove.

Enter her annoying, private-jet-commuting neighbor, Soren Thorn. Soren is the embodiment of "grumpy," a man who hates throw pillows, thinks feelings are contagious, and is dreading the engagement party with his demanding family. When Fred throws out the ridiculous idea, a lightbulb moment strikes: they’ll be each other’s fake dates to survive their respective family rivalries and holiday obligations!

The genius of this book lies in the execution of the slow burn. What begins as hilarious "frenemies, neighbor edition" head-bonking quickly morphs into something deep and real. As Fred and Soren navigate the awkward family dinners and Christmas mayhem, they start to trust each other with the real, vulnerable pieces of themselves. Watching the prickly Soren melt for the sunny, determined Fred is so worth the wait. This cleverly plotted journey is the perfect balance of drama, laugh-out-loud humor, emotional shenanigans, and a genuinely earned Happily Ever After.

The audio production turns this fabulous story into a five-star immersive experience.

• Jason Clark is flawless as the grumpy, emotionally constipated Soren Thorn. Clark’s delivery of Soren’s sighs, his disdain for throw pillows, and the subtle shift in his tone as he allows Fred past his massive walls is pure magic. He expertly handles the reserved side of the slow burn.

• Grace Grant brings the warmth and determination necessary for Fred. She captures the fun of the sunshine dynamic and makes Fred's desire to win and her struggle with family expectations relatable and deeply emotional.

Together, Clark and Grant master the witty banter and the escalating sexual tension, making the inevitable moment when their "fake" feelings turn real feel explosive and genuinely earned. This is a must-listen holiday treat!

 Ready to binge? One-click on Amazon or start reading for free in Kindle Unlimited:

 https://geni.us/fitxmaszon

 ➺ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHF8JS6Z

 ➺ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FHF8JS6Z

 ➺ https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0F5GDSFF5

 ➺ https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F5GDSFF5

 Audio lovers, you’re gonna love this one. Narrated by @msgracegrant and @jasonclarkereads: https://geni.us/FiTCAudio 

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY HOLIDAY - A NOCHE BUENA FOR LONELY HEARTS by J.L. LORA

A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts
A Love for All Seasons Novella
by J. L. Lora 
November 14th 2024

BLURB

One Christmas Eve, a chance for healing awaits lifestyle influencer Luciana “Lux” Blake in “A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts,” a heartwarming holiday romance.

Luciana is surrounded by holiday cheer that feels painfully out of reach. While she hides her heartache behind a flawless façade, past trauma crashes the fiesta, prompting her to escape familial chaos.

Fate intervenes when she bumps into family friend Oliver Amador, a sexy single papi, longing to escape the shadows of his pain.

When he offers her a ride, their journey takes an unexpected turn, setting the stage for a magical Noche Buena.

One that promises to change everything.

As they bond over their shared heartbreak, Luciana and Oliver strike a one-night deal to create the perfect Christmas Eve together and then go their separate ways. Under the glow of the lights, their connection deepens through shared stories, slow dancing, and steamy kisses that set their souls on fire.

But as the clock ticks down to their bittersweet goodbye, the ghosts of the past come barging in. Will Oliver and Luciana find the courage to embrace a new beginning or let their past overshadow the magic of an unforgettable night?

A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts is a companion piece (prequel) to my upcoming novel, The Spring in My Heart, the next full installment in my A Love for All Seasons series.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . A NOCHE BUENA FOR LONELY HEARTS . . . In "A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts," J. L. Lora presents a poignant and heartwarming holiday romance that explores the thin line between public perfection and private pain. Luciana “Lux” Blake is a lifestyle influencer whose flawless facade is beginning to crack under the weight of past trauma and familial expectations. Her escape from the holiday chaos leads her to Oliver Amador, a family friend who is also navigating his own shadows.

The "one-night deal" trope is handled with exceptional emotional maturity. What begins as a temporary pact to survive the night evolves into a profound connection rooted in shared vulnerability. As Lux and Oliver bond over their pasts, the setting of Noche Buena provides a rich, vibrant backdrop for their healing. The narrative successfully balances steamy tension with the quiet, tender moments of slow dancing and storytelling under the glow of Christmas lights.

This is a beautiful interracial holiday romance that truly warms the heart and soul. As a prequel to "The Spring in My Heart," it does an excellent job of establishing the series' emotional stakes while functioning as a satisfying standalone story. It is a testament to the idea that the right person can help turn a night of loneliness into a season of new beginnings.

My Final Word: A soulful and evocative read that captures the true spirit of the holidays through healing and hope. It is a must-read for those who appreciate romance with depth and cultural resonance.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY - LOVE IN PRINT by Heidi McLaughlin

Love in Print 
by Heidi McLaughlin 
Release Date: January 24th 2023 
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Valentine Romance/Holiday Romance 
Book Tropes: ✔ 
Accidental Meeting ✔ 
Insta - attraction ✔ 
Single Dad 

Maisie Hoffman’s living an ordinary life until her meet cute happens at the grocery store. Before she can muster the courage to introduce herself and find happiness in the cereal aisle, a blunder turns into embarrassment and her one true love disappears.

Rhys Wainwright III has always felt he’s unlucky in love until he comes across the Missed Encounters section of his local newspaper and reads about a woman looking for the man of her dreams who she lost in the grocery store. Could it be?

Is Rhys the man Maisie conked heads with?

Is Maisie the frazzled cutie he winked at?

There’s only one way for either of them to find out.

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The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . LOVE IN PRINT . . . Heidi gave us a short sweet meet cute between Maisie and Rhys at the grocery store of all places. Maisie was a bit awkward but still cute. Rhys was on to her but then got distracted. That was the end of their meet cute. But was it really? Maisie's roommate had an answer to solve who the mystery man was. A dinner. A night out. A chance to make something more. Then something makes it all go awry. Watching this short come to life was entertaining. A kid. A dog. Some flowers. A meaningful apology. 

I was disappoint that I was not eligible for the bonus read. Since I am a subscriber to Heidi's newsletter the messaged stated that I was not eligible to received it. I am sad about that. I wanted to know several things that were left unanswered. Did Rhys take Trey's mom to court for custody? Did Rhys family take to Maisie? Was Maisie splattered across social media for dating Rhys? Did their meet cute go on to something more? Would Trey accept Maisie as part of his father's life?

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Entertaining Wonderful characters Easy-to-read A kid A dog An apology

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.

To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com

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READ-2-REVIEW- HOLIDAY ROMANCE - KISSES AT CANDY CANE LANE (Blizzard Bluff, #3) by Laramie Briscoe

 Kisses at Candy Cane Lane 
Blizzard Bluff, #3
by Laramie Briscoe 
Release Date: December 15th 2023 
Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance/ Holiday Romance 

Noelle, a hotel, and two hearts that fell . . . Noelle Green

Holidays are turning out to be something of a special time for me. On Halloween I got pregnant, and now that we're heading for Christmas - who knows?

When I tell the father of my baby that he’s going to be a dad, he surprises me by not running away. Even though all we had was one night, he's willing to see where this goes, and so am I.

Little do Cal and I know that what we started on Halloween night just might see us through the rest of our lives.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | LARAMIE BRISCOE DIRECT

  

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . KISSES AT CANDY CANE LANE (Blizzard Bluff, #3) . . . Come visit Blizzard Bluff for the holidays. Its been a hard few years. With facing the pandemic, taking out a loan, and work 75-hours a week. Noelle has had to work harder than ever. Then she finds herself pregnant and not able to keep up with her daily grind. Things have slowly changed for the past few weeks. She needs more breaks, takes naps, and have cut caffein. Then she is confronted in her office by the one man she was not so ready to see, Cal or should we call him Charming Cal. 

Noelle did not know how to tell Cal that he was going to be a father. She was not expecting him to confront her about it. She was not expecting, but hoping to have the chance for them to be something more than two ships that harbored in the same location. 

Happy holidays with a friends-to-lovers-to-more. Next holiday season we will have much more to celebrate.

Laramie Briscoe is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of over 30 books, with sales of over half a million copies.

Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Her books have been known to make readers laugh and cry. They are guaranteed to be emotional, steamy reads.

When she's not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on Netflix. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband.

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READ-2-REVIEW - CONTEMPORARY HOLIDAY - STRANDED WITH THE ONE by Heidi McLaughlin

 Stranded with the One 

by Heidi McLaughlin
Release Date: December 12th 2023 
Genre: Holiday Romance 

New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin takes you on a holiday journey . . . trains, planes and automobile style. 

Holly Saint and Christian Lane grew up together and were best friends until he fell in love with someone else. Now, years later they find themselves stranded—both trying to get back to their hometown for Christmas, that’s if Jack Frost will allow them.

*Readers, please take note: this novel was previously published under the pen name, Darby Blake. The content is the same.*

AMAZON| APPLE BOOKS| NOOK| KOBO

  

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . STRANDED WITH THE ONE . . . This years visit your past and your future. Holly and Christian finds themselves in the same airport this pre-holiday season. Neither expecting the other or the fact that they would have their flight to their hometown canceled due to weather. A second chance to make the first time special. Holly and Christian were derailed the first time. Will this holiday season give them that one chance the should have had years ago. Sweet and heartwarming. Come find out just what the future could be like when you have the one you love by your side.

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers. Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs. In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl. Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital. To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com

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