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Holiday Escort
Madeline Burnet is out of work after ten years as the highly-skilled personal assistant to the owner of a luxury travel agency. During a job interview, she meets Karen Green. The job requires skills Madeline doesn't have, but Karen offers an unexpected alternative arrangement.
She needs a fake girlfriend to help her get through the holiday season. Madeline's affections are not aligned towards women, but she accepts for the money and the chance to make more contacts.
It turns out that being a fake girlfriend can be a very confusing job.
Holiday Escort is a delightful tale involving two very different women. This story is sure to bring pleasure to the reader.
This is a novella of 40,000 words, approximately 120 printed pages.
She needs a fake girlfriend to help her get through the holiday season. Madeline's affections are not aligned towards women, but she accepts for the money and the chance to make more contacts.
It turns out that being a fake girlfriend can be a very confusing job.
Holiday Escort is a delightful tale involving two very different women. This story is sure to bring pleasure to the reader.
This is a novella of 40,000 words, approximately 120 printed pages.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2013
13 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Julia P. Lynde
18 books47 followersJulia P. Lynde lives and works in Minnesota, United States.
"I am older than most of the characters in my books. I have blue eyes and grey hair. I enjoy hiking in the mountains (which is difficult in Minnesota) and hosting dinner parties. Writing has been part of my life for a very long time. Publishing, however, has not. I am very pleased to be publishing my stories on Amazon.
When writing a story, I strive to write for myself, but once the stories are written, they are not really complete without readers. So, to my readers: thank you for providing an audience for my characters. I hope you will love them as much as I do.
If you love my novels, please rate and review them. Doing so helps other readers find good books. If you find something you don't care for, please tell me. I love getting fan mail, as occasional as it is, and I reply to all mail I receive."
"I am older than most of the characters in my books. I have blue eyes and grey hair. I enjoy hiking in the mountains (which is difficult in Minnesota) and hosting dinner parties. Writing has been part of my life for a very long time. Publishing, however, has not. I am very pleased to be publishing my stories on Amazon.
When writing a story, I strive to write for myself, but once the stories are written, they are not really complete without readers. So, to my readers: thank you for providing an audience for my characters. I hope you will love them as much as I do.
If you love my novels, please rate and review them. Doing so helps other readers find good books. If you find something you don't care for, please tell me. I love getting fan mail, as occasional as it is, and I reply to all mail I receive."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 8, 2020
Half the book is like this : She came home, we ate, I flirted, we danced. The cycle repeats itself with a little variation. Plus the power dynamic of the relationship was so messed up.
April 18, 2015
If this book isn't written by "Robin Roseau", I should be very surprised.
That is beside the way of this review, but sets the tone. The characters are stilted and formal with one another. Both Roseau and Lynde (if they are different people) write main characters who repeat one another's full names endlessly. This bleeds into the sex scenes, which are clunky and uncomfortable; I could only lament my Kindle wouldn't skip through it faster. The sub/dom dynamics abruptly introduced into the narrative at this point only made the overall unclean impression worse; despite being about a lesbian relationship (normally a safe haven for equal and negotiated modern relationships) the power relations in these books give me the screaming waillies.
Karen hires Madison (never Maddie - only Madison) to cook, clean, and generally organize her life while she runs around being the Heap Big Executive lawyer. Through proximity and some gratuitous Tangoing, they fall in love (kinda). Maddie then becomes a housewife. Reading this felt like I was setting back feminism fifty years by association, and I am generally all for people doing what made them happy. But Maddie was clearly unhappy, and in the end gave up large parts of her self to "stand by her (wo)man". At one point Karen's mother actually says that Maddie controls Karen's happiness. By the aforementioned cooking and cleaning, etc.
I think I read the entire thing out of some masochistic desire to see how bad it would become; like a terrible car accident, it was difficult to stop watching. Even if doing so would have been for my own good.
Don't buy this book; it is truly not worth it.
That is beside the way of this review, but sets the tone. The characters are stilted and formal with one another. Both Roseau and Lynde (if they are different people) write main characters who repeat one another's full names endlessly. This bleeds into the sex scenes, which are clunky and uncomfortable; I could only lament my Kindle wouldn't skip through it faster. The sub/dom dynamics abruptly introduced into the narrative at this point only made the overall unclean impression worse; despite being about a lesbian relationship (normally a safe haven for equal and negotiated modern relationships) the power relations in these books give me the screaming waillies.
Karen hires Madison (never Maddie - only Madison) to cook, clean, and generally organize her life while she runs around being the Heap Big Executive lawyer. Through proximity and some gratuitous Tangoing, they fall in love (kinda). Maddie then becomes a housewife. Reading this felt like I was setting back feminism fifty years by association, and I am generally all for people doing what made them happy. But Maddie was clearly unhappy, and in the end gave up large parts of her self to "stand by her (wo)man". At one point Karen's mother actually says that Maddie controls Karen's happiness. By the aforementioned cooking and cleaning, etc.
I think I read the entire thing out of some masochistic desire to see how bad it would become; like a terrible car accident, it was difficult to stop watching. Even if doing so would have been for my own good.
Don't buy this book; it is truly not worth it.
May 9, 2018
2.5 rounded to 3
This started really cute, the premise was good, the building of the relationship was nice and I really like the MC but around the 70% mark it becomes weird for me
It was a fast and light read.
This started really cute, the premise was good, the building of the relationship was nice and I really like the MC but around the 70% mark it becomes weird for me
It was a fast and light read.
December 14, 2021
So I reread this and from four stars it goes to 2.5. I only have so many books on my phone and I chose this one.
I originally rated this four-stars and I am wondering where my head was at the time as I didn't enjoy the story this time around. A straight woman is told in a job interview, "No. You can't have the job you want, you're not qualified, but what about pretending to be my girlfriend for the holidays?" This woman, relaxed smiling Madeline says "yes" for a large sum of money and moves in with Karen, this tightly wound, Type-A personality (and not much else).
Both women have a strong interest in dancing, the Tango to be specific. Karen, the boss, has a dance studio installed in her basement. What are the odds though? The story would break down if both women didn't have this interest which makes the whole thing even more implausible. It is one area or interest in which Madeline is better than Karen however. I think, if memory serves, the Tango also appears in one of the author's other books.
There doesn't seem to be any real chemistry to the couple and one person serving the other so the one can make the money and be sexually dominant is discussed in the book but is distasteful to me.
If you really liked the tango you might like this anyway as the couple not only dance at Karen's home but Karen's friends and colleagues as well.
I originally rated this four-stars and I am wondering where my head was at the time as I didn't enjoy the story this time around. A straight woman is told in a job interview, "No. You can't have the job you want, you're not qualified, but what about pretending to be my girlfriend for the holidays?" This woman, relaxed smiling Madeline says "yes" for a large sum of money and moves in with Karen, this tightly wound, Type-A personality (and not much else).
Both women have a strong interest in dancing, the Tango to be specific. Karen, the boss, has a dance studio installed in her basement. What are the odds though? The story would break down if both women didn't have this interest which makes the whole thing even more implausible. It is one area or interest in which Madeline is better than Karen however. I think, if memory serves, the Tango also appears in one of the author's other books.
There doesn't seem to be any real chemistry to the couple and one person serving the other so the one can make the money and be sexually dominant is discussed in the book but is distasteful to me.
If you really liked the tango you might like this anyway as the couple not only dance at Karen's home but Karen's friends and colleagues as well.
July 19, 2016
Madeline Burnet needs a job, and Karen Green has an unusual one for her: be Karen's "fake girlfriend" for the holiday season. But the feelings that develop between them feel anything but fake.
I thought that this was going to be a cute story, and it did start out okay. The author desperately needed an editor; she reused words repeatedly within a few sentences of one another, seemed incapable of telling the difference between the verbs "lie" and "lay," and made several other grammatical errors ("complement" instead of "compliment," "die" instead of "dye," etc). Nothing pulls me out of a story quicker than poor grammar, and this story had that in spades.
The whole premise was unrealistic, I'll grant that, but there's a way of spinning a cute story. The author didn't do that, though. Madeline was supposed to be straight, but it sure didn't take her long to decide that she was at least bisexual. Everyone accepted this without question or judgment. How realistic is THAT?
And then there's the U-Haul trope. Karen and Madeline had been together for about a month, tops, and they're already talking about marriage and Karen calls her "wife" a few times. Umm. Seriously? How about taking things slow and learning about one another instead of rushing into something?
Karen and Madeline were both swinging from emotional highs to lows within a few sentences, which was dizzying to read. There is absolutely no depth to be found here; the characters are painfully one-dimensional.
And then there's the "her job is to make the money and your job is to spend it (but wisely)" thing, which Karen's mom pretty much says verbatim to Madeline (and only after a couple of months of dating!). ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This is beyond ridiculous. Madeline is made to feel guilty for wanting her own money and job. Ugh.
I thought that this was going to be a cute story, and it did start out okay. The author desperately needed an editor; she reused words repeatedly within a few sentences of one another, seemed incapable of telling the difference between the verbs "lie" and "lay," and made several other grammatical errors ("complement" instead of "compliment," "die" instead of "dye," etc). Nothing pulls me out of a story quicker than poor grammar, and this story had that in spades.
The whole premise was unrealistic, I'll grant that, but there's a way of spinning a cute story. The author didn't do that, though. Madeline was supposed to be straight, but it sure didn't take her long to decide that she was at least bisexual. Everyone accepted this without question or judgment. How realistic is THAT?
And then there's the U-Haul trope. Karen and Madeline had been together for about a month, tops, and they're already talking about marriage and Karen calls her "wife" a few times. Umm. Seriously? How about taking things slow and learning about one another instead of rushing into something?
Karen and Madeline were both swinging from emotional highs to lows within a few sentences, which was dizzying to read. There is absolutely no depth to be found here; the characters are painfully one-dimensional.
And then there's the "her job is to make the money and your job is to spend it (but wisely)" thing, which Karen's mom pretty much says verbatim to Madeline (and only after a couple of months of dating!). ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This is beyond ridiculous. Madeline is made to feel guilty for wanting her own money and job. Ugh.
March 18, 2022
This is the sort of book I love when in the right mood - short, perfectly formed, no real angst, very vanilla, sweet, HEA. Like a cold glass of small, sweet white wine, not my usual tipple, but occasionally a real treat. Thank you.
November 28, 2017
A cute story.
This is not a unique story or one that will leave you thinking or anything but it is a story that will make you smile. Maddie needs a job. Karen needs a personal, personal assistant. One's straight and one is not...but them together whatta got...a story that with a Christmassy feel that will make you smile a little. Plus free on kindleUnlimited and relatively (not completely) error free.
This is not a unique story or one that will leave you thinking or anything but it is a story that will make you smile. Maddie needs a job. Karen needs a personal, personal assistant. One's straight and one is not...but them together whatta got...a story that with a Christmassy feel that will make you smile a little. Plus free on kindleUnlimited and relatively (not completely) error free.
June 12, 2018
Wtf did I just read??!! I'm done 73% and I don't think I can go any further that that.
No just no.
"She couldn't pay me because then she'd have to pay taxes twice" (or something like that)
what!????
No just no.
"She couldn't pay me because then she'd have to pay taxes twice" (or something like that)
what!????
November 28, 2014
I normally don't like novellas but I actually liked this one. It's light, a happy read and though length-wise it's short, but it did cramp in a story where you still see some development in the characters.
A word of warning though, the setting of this book is not entirely realistic, particularly with friends and family around Madeline and Karen being unusually receptive to their unconventional arrangement and later on their relationship. If you don't like u-haul plots, you will not like this book either.
A word of warning though, the setting of this book is not entirely realistic, particularly with friends and family around Madeline and Karen being unusually receptive to their unconventional arrangement and later on their relationship. If you don't like u-haul plots, you will not like this book either.
November 26, 2017
Cute
Okay, so I'll admit I find the boss/underling dynamic alluring and this novella certainly hit the brief.
It's overall a pleasantly written story, quite predictable and a little saccharine, but to be fair sometimes that is what is what I kind of want. I'm sending mixed messages here and I apologise...so in summary...sweet, overall well written with a pretty predictable plot which was still enjoyable.
Okay, so I'll admit I find the boss/underling dynamic alluring and this novella certainly hit the brief.
It's overall a pleasantly written story, quite predictable and a little saccharine, but to be fair sometimes that is what is what I kind of want. I'm sending mixed messages here and I apologise...so in summary...sweet, overall well written with a pretty predictable plot which was still enjoyable.
July 13, 2013
It's DYE your hair, not die, and laid not lied.
February 7, 2022
A Holiday to Remember
More than an escort, more than a faux wife, and more than a love to have.
I recommend this book if your especially interested about faux relationships. In thus funny twist of where to find a faux wife to help through the holidays. A great read and love the mothers.
More than an escort, more than a faux wife, and more than a love to have.
I recommend this book if your especially interested about faux relationships. In thus funny twist of where to find a faux wife to help through the holidays. A great read and love the mothers.
January 5, 2015
3.5 stars
Madeline has been a faithful employee to Henderson Travel for ten years. She's shed blood, sweat, and tears to become the perfect personal assistant. But, when Marsha Henderson retires Madeline accepts a severance package from Marsha's spiteful daughter. Out of work and down on her luck Madeline becomes desperate for a new job. With her spirits high she goes to an interview at a law office and meets the alluring Karen Green. However, Karen immediately tells Madeline she is not qualified for the job but that she had another proposal for her. Madeline meets Karen at a restaurant and is quite surprised when Karen offers to "hire" her as a live-in assistant and fake-girlfriend for the holidays.
Madeline adjusts quickly to her new pseudo-life and strives to gain Karen's praise and recognition. However, things become messy as lines are blurred and Madeline starts questioning everything around her. What's a straight girl pretending to be a lesbian to do?
Now this is no Pretty Woman- Madeline is not a REAL escort but a PG escort to public events. However, I enjoyed this story and couldn't stop reading once I started! It was such a refreshing change of pace to read such a wholesome and adorable fluffy romance. If you are searching for the perfect holiday read- you've found it!
While I enjoyed this read I wanted more- more romance and more detail. The story moves at a very quick pace and unless the reader infers the bond between both characters it becomes unbelievable. Yes two characters who live together and act as a couple will gain a certain closeness but I felt that element wasn't captured in this story. One moment Karen is paying Madeline to act as a girlfriend the next Madeline is willingly kissing Karen and having feelings- the in-between having been glossed over.
However, I couldn't get enough of Madeline's feisty attitude and wit. There is a certain scene where Karen is flirting with "some skank" and Madeline lets her know if she flirts in front of her again she will give her salmonella. Now if that isn't a representation of the true female dynamic I don't know what is! Jealousy, passion, and blurred boundaries- all inclusive when a straight girl falls for a lesbian.
Madeline has been a faithful employee to Henderson Travel for ten years. She's shed blood, sweat, and tears to become the perfect personal assistant. But, when Marsha Henderson retires Madeline accepts a severance package from Marsha's spiteful daughter. Out of work and down on her luck Madeline becomes desperate for a new job. With her spirits high she goes to an interview at a law office and meets the alluring Karen Green. However, Karen immediately tells Madeline she is not qualified for the job but that she had another proposal for her. Madeline meets Karen at a restaurant and is quite surprised when Karen offers to "hire" her as a live-in assistant and fake-girlfriend for the holidays.
Madeline adjusts quickly to her new pseudo-life and strives to gain Karen's praise and recognition. However, things become messy as lines are blurred and Madeline starts questioning everything around her. What's a straight girl pretending to be a lesbian to do?
Now this is no Pretty Woman- Madeline is not a REAL escort but a PG escort to public events. However, I enjoyed this story and couldn't stop reading once I started! It was such a refreshing change of pace to read such a wholesome and adorable fluffy romance. If you are searching for the perfect holiday read- you've found it!
While I enjoyed this read I wanted more- more romance and more detail. The story moves at a very quick pace and unless the reader infers the bond between both characters it becomes unbelievable. Yes two characters who live together and act as a couple will gain a certain closeness but I felt that element wasn't captured in this story. One moment Karen is paying Madeline to act as a girlfriend the next Madeline is willingly kissing Karen and having feelings- the in-between having been glossed over.
However, I couldn't get enough of Madeline's feisty attitude and wit. There is a certain scene where Karen is flirting with "some skank" and Madeline lets her know if she flirts in front of her again she will give her salmonella. Now if that isn't a representation of the true female dynamic I don't know what is! Jealousy, passion, and blurred boundaries- all inclusive when a straight girl falls for a lesbian.
December 31, 2014
Original story? Nope. predictable ending? Yup. quick fun and enjoyable read anyway? You bet. This is a story about a fake girlfriend that turns into a real girlfriend, how many times have you seen that movie our read that book? There is a reason it is done and redone so much though, it never gets old! The thing I love about these stories is watching how emotional attachments are formed and fake feelings begin to turn into something real. It is a feel good novella and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sex felt out of place and I didn't really think the bondage thing really fit the romantic mood of this book but all in all a good read.
July 1, 2013
A cliched plot, but I'm glad there wasn't any obsessive "Am I straight/gay?" dilemma, and that the ex-girlfriend didn't suddenly appear on the scene. A straight-forward light reading. I liked the simplicity of the story and totally enjoyed the fun dialogue.
September 28, 2016
There were quite a few mistakes, but nothing that took me away from the story too much. Overall I liked it enough to finish, but I didn't love it.
December 27, 2024
Oh boy this was hard to rate. I simply don’t know how I feel about this novel! Ill give it a middle of the road 3-stars. Rant below! Hah! (Summary: its fine but I wouldn’t recommend it)
There are lots of parts I liked. It was funny at times, and I liked a lot of the characters interactions. I can clearly see why the relationship (from one side) happened and how they caught feelings. This was an easy read that I enjoyed, which is ultimately the point of a for-fun novel right? I liked how the novel continued after the protagonists got together and saved pages to work through some issues they faced (even if I don’t love some of how they handled it).
I liked how they demonstrated how much work being a housewife can be, so honestly some respect points there. A full Christmas diner is a lot of work to prepare! Also, how much they can contribute to a relationship and their partners lives.
On the flipside there were parts that I didn’t like. The writing/dialogue felt strange or “off” a lot of the time. The main protagonist had a typical toaster-oven-awakening, but it mostly came from nowhere and wasn’t really developed in any satisfying way; I can’t really say that I understand why she was drawn into the relationship (honestly I mean this even if she started out gay either!). This story was repetitive (which isn’t always bad) and not a lot happened. The power dynamic was obviously horrible, which I can excuse if the novel does something fun with it (dark romance can be great!) but this novel didn’t; it was just boringly problematic and not really viewed as such. This novel used a LOT of dance terms that they did not explain. I was mostly able to just gloss over it and assumed it was some dance move, but honestly it was a strange choice by the author (these are not commonly known terms!).
Reading some other reviews, I see that there is a feminism-adjacent discussion for this novel, and I can entirely understand why. For me, I’m going to consider this a wash; it wasn’t good or bad. There was a clear narrative that pushed the protagonist into forgoing their career (which they loved) and becoming an entirely dependent housewife who exists to take care of their spouse. Not the best. The novel truly read like it was pushing an agenda, which is not something I say often. At the same time though if that is someone’s choice and they like that then there shouldn’t really be any problem with that. At the same, same time, the protagonist didn’t really want to do this as much as they were pushed into it. ALSO though (urg) in the end she did find a part-time career that she enjoyed and we can assume that they found a balance that worked for everyone. ALSO, I did like how they explicitly pointed out that the spouse would not be able to function in the position they are in without someone supporting them. AND, this novel did a good job (intentional or not) of demonstrating "the problem with no name" that was such an issue in the 1950's culture where housewives were constantly busy yet felt incredibly unfulfilled. As I said… there were issues but in the end I’m not counting this element for or against the novel.
That said, this entire novel left me with somewhat of an icky feeling, and not in a good way.
All that said, I still think I could give this novel a low 4-stars because despite everything I enjoyed it. BUT then I need to take into consideration the huge number of easily noticeable typos and mistakes. I don’t generally care about a typo or three, but this novel had a lot, and they were very obvious. It was to the point where I get the feeling that the author didn’t really care all that much, and they didn’t really bother with editing. If the author doesn’t care about the novel, then why should i? This bumped it down to 3-stars in the end.
P.S.
I can't stop, I forgot more things I wanted to say. The author either doesn't understand taxes/economics or else was being intentionally dense because they said some incredibly stupid things about money. Also the characters are in love and talking about marriage within a month (maybe 2?), which is incredibly fast. They also treat it like if Madeline gets a job (any job at all) then their relationship is doomed (even though that's not what happens). The amount of discussions that they DON'T have which they should have; "I just assumed you knew exactly what I expected our relationship to look like, in terms of finances, I didn't think I needed to say anything".
There were also zero stakes or repercussions in this novel. She kisses her the first time and they don't even say a word about it? Also she faces zero issues with coming out, which fine I guess. But also no one batts an eye at the fact the relationship was fake? And Madeline doesn't care that she was spilling secrets either because that is just glossed over. So many examples.
Screw it, I'm dropping this down to 2-stars on impulse. There is just SO much to criticize.
My Rating: "C-"
GoodReads: 2-stars, rounded down because just ugh
There are lots of parts I liked. It was funny at times, and I liked a lot of the characters interactions. I can clearly see why the relationship (from one side) happened and how they caught feelings. This was an easy read that I enjoyed, which is ultimately the point of a for-fun novel right? I liked how the novel continued after the protagonists got together and saved pages to work through some issues they faced (even if I don’t love some of how they handled it).
I liked how they demonstrated how much work being a housewife can be, so honestly some respect points there. A full Christmas diner is a lot of work to prepare! Also, how much they can contribute to a relationship and their partners lives.
On the flipside there were parts that I didn’t like. The writing/dialogue felt strange or “off” a lot of the time. The main protagonist had a typical toaster-oven-awakening, but it mostly came from nowhere and wasn’t really developed in any satisfying way; I can’t really say that I understand why she was drawn into the relationship (honestly I mean this even if she started out gay either!). This story was repetitive (which isn’t always bad) and not a lot happened. The power dynamic was obviously horrible, which I can excuse if the novel does something fun with it (dark romance can be great!) but this novel didn’t; it was just boringly problematic and not really viewed as such. This novel used a LOT of dance terms that they did not explain. I was mostly able to just gloss over it and assumed it was some dance move, but honestly it was a strange choice by the author (these are not commonly known terms!).
Reading some other reviews, I see that there is a feminism-adjacent discussion for this novel, and I can entirely understand why. For me, I’m going to consider this a wash; it wasn’t good or bad. There was a clear narrative that pushed the protagonist into forgoing their career (which they loved) and becoming an entirely dependent housewife who exists to take care of their spouse. Not the best. The novel truly read like it was pushing an agenda, which is not something I say often. At the same time though if that is someone’s choice and they like that then there shouldn’t really be any problem with that. At the same, same time, the protagonist didn’t really want to do this as much as they were pushed into it. ALSO though (urg) in the end she did find a part-time career that she enjoyed and we can assume that they found a balance that worked for everyone. ALSO, I did like how they explicitly pointed out that the spouse would not be able to function in the position they are in without someone supporting them. AND, this novel did a good job (intentional or not) of demonstrating "the problem with no name" that was such an issue in the 1950's culture where housewives were constantly busy yet felt incredibly unfulfilled. As I said… there were issues but in the end I’m not counting this element for or against the novel.
That said, this entire novel left me with somewhat of an icky feeling, and not in a good way.
All that said, I still think I could give this novel a low 4-stars because despite everything I enjoyed it. BUT then I need to take into consideration the huge number of easily noticeable typos and mistakes. I don’t generally care about a typo or three, but this novel had a lot, and they were very obvious. It was to the point where I get the feeling that the author didn’t really care all that much, and they didn’t really bother with editing. If the author doesn’t care about the novel, then why should i? This bumped it down to 3-stars in the end.
P.S.
I can't stop, I forgot more things I wanted to say. The author either doesn't understand taxes/economics or else was being intentionally dense because they said some incredibly stupid things about money. Also the characters are in love and talking about marriage within a month (maybe 2?), which is incredibly fast. They also treat it like if Madeline gets a job (any job at all) then their relationship is doomed (even though that's not what happens). The amount of discussions that they DON'T have which they should have; "I just assumed you knew exactly what I expected our relationship to look like, in terms of finances, I didn't think I needed to say anything".
There were also zero stakes or repercussions in this novel. She kisses her the first time and they don't even say a word about it? Also she faces zero issues with coming out, which fine I guess. But also no one batts an eye at the fact the relationship was fake? And Madeline doesn't care that she was spilling secrets either because that is just glossed over. So many examples.
Screw it, I'm dropping this down to 2-stars on impulse. There is just SO much to criticize.
My Rating: "C-"
GoodReads: 2-stars, rounded down because just ugh
June 20, 2022
This was so cringy. I'm all for reading rom coms but this novella was not for me. The thing that annoyed me the most was that Karen made Madeline feel guilty for wanting an actual job rather than being her fake girlfriend. It was extremely repetitive, it was just Karen coming home to her, they ate, they danced and that was all. The writing gave me major wattpad vibes also the typos just made it worse. Maybe some people liked this novella but I am surely not one of them.
February 16, 2019
Great read
One of the more outstanding story I have read. It has a plot and that plot is easily followed. There are a few surprises to the storyline and they are well written. I actually fell in love with the main characters. Just a wonderful warm story. Will be reading this book again.
One of the more outstanding story I have read. It has a plot and that plot is easily followed. There are a few surprises to the storyline and they are well written. I actually fell in love with the main characters. Just a wonderful warm story. Will be reading this book again.
June 7, 2018
Cute premise, but poor execution. Lynde needs an editor to fine tune and cut repeated words.
It's a short story and the two ladies have enough chemistry to make it work, but it could really use just a bit more plot to make this believable.
It's a short story and the two ladies have enough chemistry to make it work, but it could really use just a bit more plot to make this believable.
May 24, 2019
Interesting
Loved the ending. Personal assistant to paid escort and beyond. Enjoyed all the dance references but needed to do some research to really understand all the terms and the visuals they prevoked. I wonder, does Julia dance?
Loved the ending. Personal assistant to paid escort and beyond. Enjoyed all the dance references but needed to do some research to really understand all the terms and the visuals they prevoked. I wonder, does Julia dance?
July 6, 2017
Who doesn't love a fake girlfriend trope, especially coupled with a coming out narrative? This novel is fun and lighthearted and easy.
September 27, 2017
I didn't know why people giving this book 1 star huh... I like it and I put five star to make for those who's putting negative retting... awesome one sitting read... love it...
December 17, 2017
Adorable!
A quick holiday read, genuine relationships and some heat- all the characters were likeable and realistic if a little fluffy- but that’s the point!
A quick holiday read, genuine relationships and some heat- all the characters were likeable and realistic if a little fluffy- but that’s the point!
October 23, 2018
Great afternoon read!
Great afternoon read, I will definitely be perusing the other books this author has to offer! Thank you for the midday escape.
Great afternoon read, I will definitely be perusing the other books this author has to offer! Thank you for the midday escape.
December 3, 2018
I picked this book for two reasons, recomendation and interest. Now I have to admit it was one of the best decisions! Loved every single part of the book!!
March 24, 2019
Enjoyable novella. I'm never against seeing where the 'fake girlfriend' trope will lead ^^
December 9, 2022
really good book
I found this book on a list Jae did for holiday books. Really enjoyed it. Well written. I’m a sucker for a HEA.
I found this book on a list Jae did for holiday books. Really enjoyed it. Well written. I’m a sucker for a HEA.
November 26, 2024
It was wonderfully written, I would have liked a tiny bit more of drama, but it was sweet.
November 20, 2015
Madeline is the best personal assistant around, but in Holiday Escort, she finds herself being offered an unconventional position. After several months of job hunting, Madeline lands herself in Karen's office. She's not qualified for the in office assistant position, but with the holiday season drawing near, Karen needs someone for more personal reasons. For the next month, Madeline is to be Karen's live-in girlfriend, hosting parties, keeping house, and cooking dinner.
Holiday Escort is a fake relationship turned real romance with a holiday twist! Madeline has never identified as anything other than straight, but she genuinely likes Karen, she pays well, and hey, she might get some contacts out of the deal. Obviously, spending so much time together and acting as a couple, leads to feelings developing. Madeline isn't sure what to do when they're contract is over, but she does know that she wants to be with Karen. I loved how their relationship develops. There's no big "AH HA!" moment. They just get to know each other and everything happens naturally. I also loved that Madeline wasn't afraid to admit that she's unsure what to do in the bedroom, and Karen leads her through it. It's all very sweet.
What I also loved about Holiday Escort was that no one is giving up their dreams to be together! Karen is essentially married to her job, which is why she needs someone to help her with all of the holiday tasks. She also doesn't want to come home and be alone, but she's definitely not giving up the career that she's worked hard to build. On the other hand, Madeline might be unemployed at the moment, but she's not content to just be a housewife either. She discusses this with Karen, and even though Karen is more than willing to support her financially, she also understands Madeline's need to actually do something. In fact, it's Karen's contacts who help Madeline find her dream job!
Holiday Escort was really great. I loved watching Madeline and Karen grow closer, and I loved that they actually communicated with each other (most of the time) instead of making drama out of nothing. I'm also glad that the story extended beyond them falling in love. It was nice to see them settle into their new real relationship and navigate the dynamics.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Holiday Escort is a fake relationship turned real romance with a holiday twist! Madeline has never identified as anything other than straight, but she genuinely likes Karen, she pays well, and hey, she might get some contacts out of the deal. Obviously, spending so much time together and acting as a couple, leads to feelings developing. Madeline isn't sure what to do when they're contract is over, but she does know that she wants to be with Karen. I loved how their relationship develops. There's no big "AH HA!" moment. They just get to know each other and everything happens naturally. I also loved that Madeline wasn't afraid to admit that she's unsure what to do in the bedroom, and Karen leads her through it. It's all very sweet.
What I also loved about Holiday Escort was that no one is giving up their dreams to be together! Karen is essentially married to her job, which is why she needs someone to help her with all of the holiday tasks. She also doesn't want to come home and be alone, but she's definitely not giving up the career that she's worked hard to build. On the other hand, Madeline might be unemployed at the moment, but she's not content to just be a housewife either. She discusses this with Karen, and even though Karen is more than willing to support her financially, she also understands Madeline's need to actually do something. In fact, it's Karen's contacts who help Madeline find her dream job!
Holiday Escort was really great. I loved watching Madeline and Karen grow closer, and I loved that they actually communicated with each other (most of the time) instead of making drama out of nothing. I'm also glad that the story extended beyond them falling in love. It was nice to see them settle into their new real relationship and navigate the dynamics.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
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