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A review by queerafictionado
Home for the Holidays by Erin Zak
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What do you get when a MILF loving lesbian goes home with her closeted gay BFF/roommate as his fake girlfriend for Christmas and the mom is a MILF who is also in the closet? You get one chaotic, merry mess and I loved every minute of it!
This was my first book by Erin Zak, and suffice it to say..I will definitely be reading more! Home for the Holidays was full of humor, drama, and an incredible cast of characters who are equally beautiful and flawed. It was a hot mess express, but it was also a heartwarming story about family and friendship, speaking your truth, and finding love in unexpected places. Plus the chemistry between Iris and Heidi was off the charts - and not just in the bedroom. But seriously…the sexual tension between these two is 🥵🥵! And did I mention there is an adorable dog named Maddie?
Zac isn’t ready to come out to his mom and he convinces Iris to come home with him to Indiana for Christmas. Iris initially agreed to go only as his friend/roommate, but ends up playing the role of his fake girlfriend. Which is fine. No big deal. That is...until she wanders down to the bakery her first morning there and becomes tongue-tied stupid over the gorgeous older woman behind the counter. Thinking she can have her cake and eat it too, Iris decides to have a side of MILF with her morning pastries. Which again…would have been fine. If not for the fact that the next time Iris saw this stunning woman was in her best friend’s house, finding out she’s his mom.
Heidi is in the closet. Zac is in the closet. Zac has no clue about his mom. But Heidi, along with pretty much Zac’s whole family, seem to suspect Zac isn’t as straight as he pretends to be. There are so many secrets, and hidden/forbidden relationships throughout this book. And when all those secrets finally come tumbling out…it is EPIC! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to witness that moment. Chaos erupts. Secrets are exposed. Relationships are revealed. And everyone is in varying levels of shock.
There were times I was so aggravated with Zac and how he was behaving. I even messaged Erin about it while reading! Lol. But she told me to give him a chance, and I’m glad I did. Because he does grow and redeem himself by the end.
This is officially one of my favorite holiday romance novels and I can’t wait to read more of Erin Zak’s books!
🏳️🌈Rep: Lesbian MCs, gay and bi SCs
📝Tropes/Themes: Coming Out, Fake Dating, MILF, Best Friend’s Mom, Holiday, Age Gap, Instalust, Forbidden Love, Adorable Dog, Small Town, Mature 40+ Lead
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
This was my first book by Erin Zak, and suffice it to say..I will definitely be reading more! Home for the Holidays was full of humor, drama, and an incredible cast of characters who are equally beautiful and flawed. It was a hot mess express, but it was also a heartwarming story about family and friendship, speaking your truth, and finding love in unexpected places. Plus the chemistry between Iris and Heidi was off the charts - and not just in the bedroom. But seriously…the sexual tension between these two is 🥵🥵! And did I mention there is an adorable dog named Maddie?
Zac isn’t ready to come out to his mom and he convinces Iris to come home with him to Indiana for Christmas. Iris initially agreed to go only as his friend/roommate, but ends up playing the role of his fake girlfriend. Which is fine. No big deal. That is...until she wanders down to the bakery her first morning there and becomes tongue-tied stupid over the gorgeous older woman behind the counter. Thinking she can have her cake and eat it too, Iris decides to have a side of MILF with her morning pastries. Which again…would have been fine. If not for the fact that the next time Iris saw this stunning woman was in her best friend’s house, finding out she’s his mom.
Heidi is in the closet. Zac is in the closet. Zac has no clue about his mom. But Heidi, along with pretty much Zac’s whole family, seem to suspect Zac isn’t as straight as he pretends to be. There are so many secrets, and hidden/forbidden relationships throughout this book. And when all those secrets finally come tumbling out…it is EPIC! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to witness that moment. Chaos erupts. Secrets are exposed. Relationships are revealed. And everyone is in varying levels of shock.
There were times I was so aggravated with Zac and how he was behaving. I even messaged Erin about it while reading! Lol. But she told me to give him a chance, and I’m glad I did. Because he does grow and redeem himself by the end.
This is officially one of my favorite holiday romance novels and I can’t wait to read more of Erin Zak’s books!
🏳️🌈Rep: Lesbian MCs, gay and bi SCs
📝Tropes/Themes: Coming Out, Fake Dating, MILF, Best Friend’s Mom, Holiday, Age Gap, Instalust, Forbidden Love, Adorable Dog, Small Town, Mature 40+ Lead
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident and Toxic relationship