Excerpt Reveal: My Favorite Holdiate by Lauren Blakely

 

It's Christmas time and I'm fake dating my billionaire boss!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a sexy, standalone holiday romance, MY FAVORITE HOLIDATE! This spicy, small town, fake dating, billionaire, single dad, office romance will have you rocking around (or under…) the Christmas tree! The MY FAVORITE HOLIDATE paperback is releasing on October 7^th, including the Target special edition with beautiful snowflake edges! The eBook and audiobook are available now! Check out the excerpt below, and pre-order or one-click your copy today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/MyFavoriteHolidateAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ https://blkly.pub/MFHAudible
Samantha Brentmoor & Jason Clarke narrate in duet with a full cast!
✦ Target Special Edition ➜ https://blkly.pub/MFHTargetSE
✦ Signed & Personalized Copies with Artwork ➜ https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9781668208502
✦ Other Retailers ➜ https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Favorite-Holidate/Lauren-Blakely/9781668208502

 

READ THE EXCERPT:

I tremble, then glance around the office. It’s huge, with windows overlooking the field. With a massive desk for the owner. With me on that desk. Have I had boss fantasies before? I don’t think so but right now all I want is to be taken in the morning by this powerful man.

I lean back further, making my intentions clear. The Christmas music is my wingwoman, the songs turning sexier.

“Fable,” he says, as a warning.

“Yes, Wilder?”

His eyes squeeze shut. There’s that battle again. But only I can assuage it. 

“Practice,” I urge. “Practice with me.”

He opens his eyes, shakes his head, but it’s not a no. It’s resignation to this lust. “You,” he mutters.

That’s all. Just you.

In one fell swoop, he pushes a folder of papers off to the side. My skin tingles from the thrill of watching them fly.

 

About MY FAVORITE HOLIDATE:

Wanted: hot billionaire to pose as my Christmas boyfriend. Must be willing to make my cheating ex jealous by kissing me under the mistletoe at holiday parties. Bonus 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?

Tropes: fake dating, billionaire, single dad, office romance, small town, holiday romance

 

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 sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

Narrator Reveal: Merry Little Kissmas

 

Fake dating my brother’s best friend during the holidays? I'll take that bet.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a sexy, standalone holiday romance, MERRY LITTLE KISSMAS! This spicy, small town, fake dating, matchmaker, single dad hockey player romance will Christmas-seduce you! Releasing October 28th in all formats, and free to read in Kindle Unlimited, this audiobook is coming to you in the form of a full-cast audio production of MERRY LITTLE KISSMAS with 11 amazing actors! Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin perform this holiday romance in duet with a full cast of your favorite narrators including Carlotta Brentan, Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, Adam Gold, Teddy Hamilton, J.F. Harding, Erin Mallon, Soneela Nankani, and Evan Parker. Stay tuned for the audio pre-order later this month!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/KissmasAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert: http://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio

About MERRY LITTLE KISSMAS (Coming 10/28/2025):

Wanted: A fresh shot at love for the holidays. But fake dating my brother’s grumpy best friend? He’s my new client, for Santa’s sake!

As a professional matchmaker, my biggest job this holiday season should be simple: find a date for the sexy single dad hockey player—aka my brother’s best friend—for his team’s fancy Christmas Eve gala. 

Sure Rowan’s hot as a crackling fire and spicier than a gingerbread man, but he hasn’t just sworn off romance. The Christmas hater has made a bet that I can’t find him a holidate.

What’s a matchmaker to do?

Win, of course. Even if it means fake dating the grinch myself to get him ready for the real thing.

Only…these fake dates at Christmas tree farms and hot cocoa competitions in the snowy small town of Evergreen Falls start to feel a little too real as I get to know the man behind the scowl. Somewhere between kisses under the mistletoe and a snowed-in night in his cabin curled up by the fire (where the stockings aren’t the only thing hung), I realize I’m in over my elf-loving head.

And when Rowan opens up to me at last about his painful past, I’m determined to give my brother’s best friend the holiday he deserves.

But what if the only gift I want him to unwrap this season is… me?

Tropes: Holiday romance, brother’s best friend, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, small town, Christmas competition, matchmaker romance, workplace romance

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/KissmasAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert: http://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio

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 sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com 

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

New Paperback Release: Last on the List by Amy Daws

 

👔 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐓!! 💼

Available now in print, grab LAST ON THE LIST by Amy Daws today from your favorite bookstore, and fall in love with this millionaire single dad and his firecracker of a nanny!! 

🧡🧡🧡

Only a bad nanny knows what it’s like to kiss the boss.

Max Fletcher, grumpy CEO and single dad, needs a nanny—not a free-spirited twenty-something in tie-dye. Cozy Barlow is on a gap year, determined to avoid responsibility, but Max’s little girl hires her anyway. Cozy clashes with everything Max stands for—money, power, status—until one stormy night proves their chemistry is anything but professional.

👔 Grab your deluxe print edition today ➙ https://geni.us/LotL-ALL

💼 Read digitally ➙ https://geni.us/LastOnTheList

#SingleDadRomance #BillionaireHero #KindleUnlimited #AmyDawsBooks #RomCom #NowLive #ForbiddenRomance #GrumpySunshine #BossNanny #CurvyFMC

Excerpt Reveal: Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely

 

Fake dating my brother’s best friend during the holidays? I'll take that bet.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a sexy, standalone holiday romance, MERRY LITTLE KISSMAS! This spicy, small town, fake dating, matchmaker, single dad hockey player romance will Christmas-seduce you! Releasing October 28th in all formats, and free to read in Kindle Unlimited, read the excerpt and pre-order your copy today!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/KissmasAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert: http://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio

About MERRY LITTLE KISSMAS (Coming 10/28/2025):

Wanted: A fresh shot at love for the holidays. But fake dating my brother’s grumpy best friend? He’s my new client, for Santa’s sake!

As a professional matchmaker, my biggest job this holiday season should be simple: find a date for the sexy single dad hockey player—aka my brother’s best friend—for his team’s fancy Christmas Eve gala. 

Sure Rowan’s hot as a crackling fire and spicier than a gingerbread man, but he hasn’t just sworn off romance. The Christmas hater has made a bet that I can’t find him a holidate.

What’s a matchmaker to do?

Win, of course. Even if it means fake dating the grinch myself to get him ready for the real thing.

Only…these fake dates at Christmas tree farms and hot cocoa competitions in the snowy small town of Evergreen Falls start to feel a little too real as I get to know the man behind the scowl. Somewhere between kisses under the mistletoe and a snowed-in night in his cabin curled up by the fire (where the stockings aren’t the only thing hung), I realize I’m in over my elf-loving head.

And when Rowan opens up to me at last about his painful past, I’m determined to give my brother’s best friend the holiday he deserves.

But what if the only gift I want him to unwrap this season is… me?

Tropes: Holiday romance, brother’s best friend, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, small town, Christmas competition, matchmaker romance, workplace romance

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

✦ Amazon ➜ https://blkly.pub/KissmasAMZ
✦ Audible ➜ Sign up for an alert: http://www.subscribepage.com/LaurenAudio

Read the Excerpt: 

“Christmas tree farms make great date spots.”

“So you were trying to get me in the mood,” he says, shooting me a flirty glance that makes my pulse kick up.

“Yes, you figured me out,” I retort.

“You and your love of trees. I had a feeling you were trying to lure me to the forest. Have your way with me.”

Images flash before my eyes. Rowan tugging me against him, a Christmas tree behind us, crisp air around us. Then, a new thought lands—him chasing me through the woods before he kisses me. Playfully, like a game, at twilight. Catching me, then having his way with me. Right here in the snow. Outside. 

A gasp threatens to escape my lips. 

“Or maybe I’m trying to kill you out here,” I say, but my teasing sounds too breathy to be believable.

“Nah. You’d lose the bet then,” he says with that lopsided smirk that wreaks havoc to my common sense. “You definitely wanted to date me in the trees.”

I swallow roughly. He’s playing me. Of course he is. It’s our game. But something about the way he’s teasing today feels different than at the café. Or even in my car earlier. Dirtier. And a part of me doesn’t mind. Well, lots of parts of me don’t. I feel a little glowy, a little fuzzy.

Yeah, I definitely need to send myself to time-out very, very soon.

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 sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party. 

Connect w/ Lauren:

Website: laurenblakely.com 

NL Signup: http://laurenblakely.com/newsletter  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenblakelybooks

New Release Review: Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Sara Ney

 

Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Book 3 in the Houston Baddies series

by Sara Ney

Release Date: September 22, 2025

This is a friends to lovers, roommates to lovers, hockey romance with accidental cuddling, comfort in the dark, accidental touches + unspoken feelings - don’t miss out on this laugh out loud romcom from Sara Ney!

My review: 5 stars!

I have discovered that Golden Retriever heroes are kryptonite- so Turner checked all my boxes and made me absolutely swoon! The banter and chemistry he had with roommate Poppy was so darn good! Turner's sister Georgia was an absolute HOOT and all her scenes had me cackling with laughter. Author Sara Ney never fails to make me laugh and this was comedic perfection!

New Release Review: Play Me by Adriana Locke

 

Play Me by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enemies to lovers is a trope I can't seem to get enough of, and I really enjoyed Astrid and Gray's story. Both of them had issues in their past that led them to be reluctant to trust, but together they really seemed to help each other through those issues. This book had great banter and chemistry and I can't wait to listen to the audiobook when it comes out.

View all my reviews

Narrator Reveal: Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal

by Meghan Quinn

Release Date: Oct 14, 2025

Narrated in duet by Teddy Hamilton and Samantha Brentmoor

with a full cast including Shane East, Vanessa Edwin, JF Harding, and Robert Hatchet

BLURB

Nothing says I love you like trespassing, public humiliation, and a town-wide Christmas spectacle to win your crush back.

Atlas “Max” Maxheimer did not sign up for this. One minute, he's anxiously trying to keep his family’s Christmas tree farm from imploding. The next? He’s passed out in the snow after getting clocked by a suspiciously strong bottle of soda.

Enter Betty: new in town, full of holiday cheer, and helping her uncle open a rival tree farm next door. Max is convinced she’s out to destroy everything Evergreen Farm stands for. Betty thinks Max might be one sleigh short of a winter parade.

Cue the holiday chaos.

Between blizzards, blown reputations, wildly misguided romantic plots, and one stolen ornament with a seriously tragic backstory, this small-town war turns into something far messier—and much more delicious—than either of them expected.