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amyradak's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book lands somewhere around 'fine' for me. It was generally entertaining watching the characters engage in an increasingly hard-to-maintain charade in order to try to convince Laurel's boss that she, not her twin sister, runs a boutique farm, cooks elaborate meals, and has two children. But the mad cap hijinks weren't really enough to make up for the fact that I was basically anxious the entire book about how Laurel would eventually be found out, or for the fact that there wasn't really that much character development or even good banter to take my mind off of it. The relationship between the FMC and MMC felt underdeveloped, and I didn't have a whole lot of buy in for them as a couple. And while Laurel's boss's storyline was meant to be tragically dramatic, it felt forced and kind of bummed me out.
And the thing that annoyed me the most: When there's so much snow the roads are impassible and Laurel's boss is stuck at her sister's house for Christmas, NO ONE is rushing outside to skate on the pond without spending a grueling hour shoveling it first. Rookie mistake from someone who must live in the south.
And the thing that annoyed me the most: When there's so much snow the roads are impassible and Laurel's boss is stuck at her sister's house for Christmas, NO ONE is rushing outside to skate on the pond without spending a grueling hour shoveling it first. Rookie mistake from someone who must live in the south.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
caffeinatedreviewer's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sucker for fake-marriage romances and an enemies-to-lovers romance comes in at a close second. Toss in a snowed-in, forced proximity romance and I am all in! Faking Christmas is a retelling/reimagined tale of A Christmas in Connecticut and it had all the magic of Christmas, from family traditions surrounding the holiday to lots of food, children, family and merriment.
Laurel Grant handles the social media management for her firm and never corrected her boss, who assumes she lived on a farm, loves to cook and sell soap. Said farm lives includes a husband, two adorable children and a pack of goats. That’s actually her twin sister’s life. Laurel lives in a one-bedroom apartment and cannot cook, let along milk a goat. She loves her job, but when her boss’s wife leaves him before the holidays and he practically invites himself to the farm for Christmas Eve, Eve dinner… Laurel finds herself in a pickle. Her sister insists she can pretend for one night. Her kids will get a kick out of it and she’ll help with the cooking.
Laurel arrives at Meadow Rise Farm assuming her sister’s husband will pretend to be hers and is shocked to discover her nemesis, Max Beckett, will play the part of her husband. The annoyingly attractive scrooge unnerves her, but it’s only for one night. Right? Wrong…. a snowstorm moves in, trapping them throughout the holiday.
This was a fun, quirky tale filled with holiday traditions, barbs, mishaps and laughter. Laurel is like a ball of chaos and Max is this quiet calm. She loves all things Christmas, and he doesn’t. I loved the back and forth, as Laurel tries to fool her boss, Gilbert. The anger she feels for Max stems from the wedding of her twin, and we slowly learn the story, but as Max opens up, Laurel will have to rethink her opinions of him.
Toss in some kids, holiday cookies, and some sexy cooking scenes and I was all in. If you are looking for a fun, sweet, romantic, Hallmark Christmas tale… this one is for you! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Laurel Grant handles the social media management for her firm and never corrected her boss, who assumes she lived on a farm, loves to cook and sell soap. Said farm lives includes a husband, two adorable children and a pack of goats. That’s actually her twin sister’s life. Laurel lives in a one-bedroom apartment and cannot cook, let along milk a goat. She loves her job, but when her boss’s wife leaves him before the holidays and he practically invites himself to the farm for Christmas Eve, Eve dinner… Laurel finds herself in a pickle. Her sister insists she can pretend for one night. Her kids will get a kick out of it and she’ll help with the cooking.
Laurel arrives at Meadow Rise Farm assuming her sister’s husband will pretend to be hers and is shocked to discover her nemesis, Max Beckett, will play the part of her husband. The annoyingly attractive scrooge unnerves her, but it’s only for one night. Right? Wrong…. a snowstorm moves in, trapping them throughout the holiday.
This was a fun, quirky tale filled with holiday traditions, barbs, mishaps and laughter. Laurel is like a ball of chaos and Max is this quiet calm. She loves all things Christmas, and he doesn’t. I loved the back and forth, as Laurel tries to fool her boss, Gilbert. The anger she feels for Max stems from the wedding of her twin, and we slowly learn the story, but as Max opens up, Laurel will have to rethink her opinions of him.
Toss in some kids, holiday cookies, and some sexy cooking scenes and I was all in. If you are looking for a fun, sweet, romantic, Hallmark Christmas tale… this one is for you! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
ms_ccr's review against another edition
3.0
Funny. Could be a good holiday romcom movie. Also, a good listen for holiday tasks.
katie_herzing's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love a great Christmas story and also fake dating and enemies to lovers … so this did not disappoint.
rometomes's review against another edition
3.0
3.5, starting holiday romances early this year because I need a distraction from the dystopian nightmare that is reality.
kccampbell_pc's review against another edition
5.0
Cute fake it til you make it trope set around s Christmas in rural Ohio.
stephconnor1026's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
This is a sweet, entertaining, wholesome book that I really enjoyed cozying up with each night. At this time of year, my brain is overwhelmed with Christmas planning and I am exhausted from spending my days with young, VERY excited children so this was a mindless escape and exactly what I needed! While the main conflict was almost nonexistent and the relationship between Laurel and Max lacked chemistry and spice, I enjoyed the holiday vibes and the fun banter.
This is a sweet, entertaining, wholesome book that I really enjoyed cozying up with each night. At this time of year, my brain is overwhelmed with Christmas planning and I am exhausted from spending my days with young, VERY excited children so this was a mindless escape and exactly what I needed! While the main conflict was almost nonexistent and the relationship between Laurel and Max lacked chemistry and spice, I enjoyed the holiday vibes and the fun banter.
kaelas324's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5