Home for the Hollandaise

by Erin Lucy

My small-town high school bullies called me “walking stick.” I showed them by becoming a big-city model on the Fashion Week catwalk.

Now I’m back home to run my parents’ café, Home for the Hollandaise, while they both recover from surgeries. I came dressed to impress in my designer clothes, which is good because one of my former bullies, Reid, is the café’s general manager. Why didn’t my parents warn me?

He’s determined to usurp my authority while subtly flirting with me, but I’m determined to put Home for the Hollandaise back on the map, something Reid hasn’t done in two years as manager.

After the holidays, I’m heading back to New York City to rejoin my model boyfriend and resume my life. Never mind that Reid looks unexpectedly hot in a flannel shirt and treats my parents like they’re his own. He won’t interrupt my plans one bit. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Home for the Hollandaise is a sweet romantic comedy about the magic that can happen when you give your worst enemy a second chance.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary, Holiday, Ebooks, Adult

403 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2023

About the author

Erin Lucy is partial to beaches and corn fields. She loves small towns, quaint cities, and places that feel cozy. Her social media of choice is Instagram. She’s also on Facebook, or you can stop by her website to see what she’s up to.

She has a day job, three kids, a husband, and some pets. If she’s not writing, she might be reading, going to church, going to the gym, or drinking way too much boba tea.

Long ago she received an English degree with Honors from a college in the Midwest.

Reviews

[Caroline Rohem · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Small Town
Holiday romance
Second chances
Cinnamon roll MMC

" I'm just a guy standing in front of a girl who seems grumpy."

I really enjoyed this book. It has fun and cute moments, but it also tackles some heavy subjects, which were very well introduced.

But I think Eadie took too long to end her relationship. And when she finally did, her story with Reid was quite rushed.

Thank you, NetGalley and Victory, for sending me this ARC.

[Jocelyn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. It's now one of my top two favorite contemporary books of the year, and is one of my all-time favorite contemporary holiday books. I cannot believe a 400 page holiday book held my attention so strongly throughout.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story about saving the family business and finding the person you’re meant to be with. My big issue with this one is that I didn’t like Eadie: I found her annoying. I get that bullying can affect you but it was so long ago and she was an established model, which she admits to doing to prove something, but it was overdone in this one. And her naivete was overdone as well. As for the romance, there was nothing different in this one than in others with the same premise, right down to the “last chance” to save the restaurant being ruined by an ill-timed discovery. This one just wasn’t for me.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet story. It’s a bit of a mash-up of second chance, enemies to love, and friends to love. It was a fun read with some colourful characters. Eadie came home temporarily to help at her parents’ Christmas themed restaurant while they both had medical procedures. To her chagrin, she discovered that, unbeknownst to her, they had hired her childhood friend turned nemesis, Reid, as a general manager. Eadie’s problems didn’t stop there. She had a lot to go through with the aging restaurant, her parents’ health, her boyfriend, processing her teenage traumas, and her confusing feelings for Reid. “Adulting continually proves to be harder than I expected.” The story was very engaging and I was hooked right in. Both Eadie and Reid were complex and I liked how their pasts together and apart added layers and depth. The secondary characters were fun. It’s a good book. There are some light Christian themes to this story, as well as some heavier themes of bullying, parental abandonment, dementia, and other health issues. This is a closed door story with some innuendo and no harsh language.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a sweet, second chance, romantic comedy in a wonderful midwest setting. The main characters definitely had chemistry and I loved their witty dialog. There are some heavier issues in the book but the focus Eadie had on helping her family was so touching and heartwarming. The storyline is interesting and kept me turning pages to the end. I really enjoyed this well written, entertaining book.

[rekha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Towns Have Big Hearts

The people I met in this small town were interesting. I wanted to hear their stories of joy, sadness, laughter, love, illness, survival and well, just real life. Their stories take surprising twists and turns. Readers from teens on up will find someone in this small town with whom they identify, from first love to first love remembered, it's a good read.

[Andrea Anderson-Bain · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ Home for the Hollandaise Book Review ⭐️

Summary:
Home for the Hollandaise follows Eadie Harper as she returns to her small Indiana hometown to help her aging parents and support the family restaurant during the busy holiday season. Surrounded by a close-knit community, she rediscovers the beauty of slowing down, reconnecting with her roots, and finding home in the people who love her most. This sweet small-town romantic comedy stole my heart. 🫶


My Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I kicked off my December reading with Home for the Hollandaise after seeing how much my friend @jocelyn.reads.books loved it—and I’m so glad I did. This story is cozy, heartfelt, and full of that small-town Christmas charm I adore.

Eadie Harper is sincere, a little quirky, and deeply relatable—especially her honesty about being bullied for being “different.” Even as a confident New York model, her old insecurities linger, and watching her face them felt tender and real.

Coming home to help her parents reconnects her with family, community, and Reid—the childhood friend she drifted from. Their slow, friends-to-lovers reconnection is full of heart, gentle chemistry, and real wounds to work through. And Reid… swoon-worthy, steady, patient, and quietly devoted—he completely melted me. 🫶

The small-town setting hit me hard, reminding me of my own Indiana days, and the kind of community that becomes your family- the people who know you, love you, and show up for you without being asked. It captured that feeling beautifully and brought waves of nostalgia and a deep longing for “home.”

Eadie held onto some bitterness at times—which felt very human and relatable. I sometimes wished she showed Reid the same warmth she offers others, but I appreciated how honestly her emotions were written. While it resonated with me personally, I can see how it might feel a bit frustrating for some readers—so just a gentle heads up.

And without spoiling anything, I did struggle a bit with how her New York relationship ended. I would’ve loved to see her close that chapter sooner so she could explore her connection with Reid with a clear heart. And when things did unravel, it hit me—not because it was unrealistic, but because it was painfully realistic. People don’t always love selflessly, and the way it played out reflected that truth. It didn’t ruin the story, but it did gently influence my rating.

Overall, this book is warm, charming, community-rich, emotionally nuanced, and such a lovely holiday read. It felt like coming home. Perfect for curling up with a blanket and twinkle lights. ✨🎄

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A coming home to love romance

My Review: Home for the Hollandaise by Erin Lucy is a small town romance.

About the Book: Former friends who turned into enemies are reunited after spending years apart. As they are forced to work together, they have a chance to iron out their past differences. Despite fighting their feelings, they are overwhelmed by what's happening right before their eyes.

Question to Consider: Is it possible to fall in love with someone who betrayed your friendship?

My Final Say: This story was layered with so many real issues such as fidelity, caring for aging parents, and toxic relationships. I liked that it was written in that way. It gave the story more depth. The characters were imperfect, yet it added to who they were and who they grew to become.

Other: Readers who enjoy realistic fiction will appreciate this slow burn romance.

Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: Clean
Level: 🍬

Thanks to the author, to the publisher (New Fable Press), and to NetGalley for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I am most grateful for the opportunity.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you ever truly forgive your childhood bully for being so mean? Better yet, can you fall in love with him? This rom com is just that. They started as childhood friends, then he became her high school bully and left her trying to prove that she was worth more than he could ever imagine. Now she is back to help her parents and the universe has them spending most of the daylight hours together. Can close proximity bring them back to being friends and possibly more? The author has woven a beautiful tale of learning your own worth, forgiveness and even letting go, family responsibility and even love all wrapped in an angst laden tale that is both hilarious and sad. You'll need a few tissues, but you'll also laugh out loud. If you like a sweet romance, then you'll love this tale of second chances and bright futures.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had potential but I feel like parts of it were too predictable for me to truly enjoy it. Additionally I felt the references to religion were unnecessary (this should have been marketed as a Christian romance).

I felt that Eadie was way too immature and her character lacked the needed development and growth for me to root for her HEA.

Overall, I would only recommend this to a handful of people I know, and not a larger audience.

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things to aspect:
- Small Town
- Holiday Romance: Christmas. But can be read anytime of the year
- Cinnamon Roll MMC
- Friends to sort of enemies to lovers
- Bullying from back to school days

I was in two minds with this one. It was an easy read and I read within just over one day.
The story deals with heavy subject matter- family struggling/ learning to adapt with health problems- Alzheimer's. While also being stuck with financial problems. I thought the tension was done well with Eadie's family: Dad wanted to carry on working but can't. Her mum wants to retire and enjoy her time with her husband while she still can. But can't as everything is roped into the café. Then there is Eadie who comes home and disrupts the home life.

I didn't like the romance aspect as much. Eadie spends most of the book in a relationship and when she breaks up with her boyfriend she moves onto Reid very quickly.

Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of the book for an honest review

[Tatyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Eadie comes home to help with the restaurant for her parents. There’s a lot of issues that need fixing and she has to work with her “bully” to save the restaurant. The plot was good and the characters were funny.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely! The main characters (Reid & Eadie) as well as all the secondary support were phenomenal and so well developed. Their banter was understandable and entertaining, and Lucy managed to tackle some rather heavy topics in sensitive, lighthearted ways..

I'll admit, going in I felt that Eadie had a huge chip on her shoulder, and was afraid I would not much like her character. She had a tendency to hang onto things and assign blame rather liberally, which (while I abhore bullies) I simply can't tolerate. It took a while, but I was releaved to see her growing, seeing people for who they are (like she herself wants to be seen), and leaving the past in the past. As for Reid, I couldn't help but fall in love with him from the get-go. My heart hurt for teenage Reid and all he endured. He emerged a man who was caring, supportive, giving, compassionate, understanding, handsome (I can go on). Can I keep him, please? 🙏

They dealt with life's curveballs differently, and with different degrees of success. Would Eadie's brief return home allow them to rekindle their once strong friendship, or be the the end of everything?

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release. Hope this helps in selecting your next title! Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[bookgirlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

First I'd like to thank the author & net galley for this arc . Thank you author for this lovely experience.

_1_

The characters were VERY well written they're flawed & relatable
First we have our Main character Eadie
There's a lot to unpack here . Eadie is kinda insecure because she was bullied in high school which made her make some wrong decisions as an a adult so this book talks about her problems like her relationship with Hayden and how she was paranoid a bit because of her insecurities
However she a lovely character even tho I didn't agree with some decisions she made I think she was very honest with herself and others
Also She had an obsession with bugs which was the cutest thing even tho I am NOT a fan of bugs 😭


Then we have her love interest Reid
He was sweet and caring l like him
My only complaint is the I would've loved to read his pov as well to really connect with him you know

The banter & chemistry between them was great !
The romance was there it started a bit later on because she had a boyfriend and even when the romance started she was still dealing with her own issues so just a heads up if you're expecting romance only

So if you're looking for sweet romance & a journey of growth this book is for you

[Parhelion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a former enemy (bully) to lovers clean romance, and a story about a person coming home to help her parents and instead working through a lot of her own deep-seated issues.

I enjoyed this book. Although it isn't a literary marvel, for the genre it's very well-written and engaging. The plot didn't drag, the characters were well-developed, the main characters had chemistry, and the female lead, Eadie, likes bugs, which is always a win for me :)

I was very impressed with how the author presented the challenges and emotions that come from dealing with the reality that parents age and need help. It wasn't just lobbed on the reader as a wall of text and a contrived plot device, but it was woven into the story and as it became increasingly apparent that things were not well, it added to the tension of the story.

I wasn't awfully fond of Eadie at the start, as she came across as quite shallow and a bit of a teenager, despite her age. My dislike grew as it became increasingly clear that she wasn't just shallow but she was incredibly insecure, which led to her being hypocritical and jealous. I found it very hard to reconcile how much she lusted over her former friend/bully, Reid, all the while policing her boyfriend (who was stuck in New York) because she was so afraid of him cheating on her. It was almost enough to make me stop reading, but I've got the flu and I'm stuck in bed so I kept going. It's worth persisting. A lot of her insecurities make sense as her teenage years are revealed (I don't really like how the backstory was brought in, but it was pretty interesting and heartbreaking all the same). It doesn't justify her hypocrisy, though. What I did like, and what makes her a flawed but compelling character you can get behind and care about, is when she nearly kisses Reid, and actually confesses this to her boyfriend. It shows integrity.

The fact her boyfriend was going to cheat on her was set up in a way that really wasn't subtle. It did feel a little bit like this was done to justify her feelings for Reid. It wasn't great.

I noticed another reviewer mentioned she didn't like that the novel was listed as a Christian romance. I didn't come across it on a Christian list, but if I did, I wouldn't dismiss her review. It came across more like a story where the characters just happen to be Christian, rather than "Christian romance". It's obviously written for adults, not a teen audience, and it is clean. There was no sex. There was heavy making out. If you want wholesome Christian goodness with chaperones and very minimal physical romance, you may want to avoid this.

Finally, I did like that the author italicised scientific names of species BUT the specific epithet (the last name in the two word name given to a species) should not be capitalised. For example, the scientific name for redback spider should be written as Lactrodectus hasselti. That's just me being pedantic as an actual zoologist :)

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review (SPOILERS AHEAD!).

Summary of the plot:

In this book, we follow Eadie, someone who works with models for a living. She returns to her small hometown in Indiana to help her parents run their cafe for six weeks as her father gets a heart pacer placed inside of him and her mother gets her hip replaced. After that, she's returning to her luxurious life in New York with her handsome model boyfriend and model best friend. However, when she gets there, she finds out that the general manager is none other than Reid-- ex best friend and someone who bullied her (sorta, but I'll get into that later). Eadie and Reid kind of butt heads a little before they settle into a comfortable routine in trying to figure out how to get the cafe back on its feet.

Thoughts on the book:

I would give this 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. Overall, it was a decent read, but I wasn't a huge fan of the romance. But let me start off with what I did like: the family aspect. As stated before, this family has some health and financial issues, so there's already a lot of tension between family members. Eadie's father wants to run the cafe but isn't in the best health to do so. Eadie's mom wants to just retire already but can't given the financial situation with the cafe. Eadie hasn't really been there for her parents and doesn't really talk to them much when she was living in New York. I think the tension between the family members was very realistic, especially as problems continue to pile on top of each other.

There were also other minor things I liked, such as Eadie's love for bugs and spiders, the redecorating scenes, etc. But the family aspect was something that I really liked the most.

Now, my problem with the romance... First of all, I really didn't like how the characters in the book (not the author, the characters) were sort of promoting cheating. When Eadie first arrives into town, people ask her about her relationship status, in which she tells people about her model boyfriend. But then people continue to say stuff like "but Reid is so cute" and "Reid has eyes for you". In my opinion, I don't think this was needed to propel the romance forward. If anything, it made it more annoying.

I also didn't like how Eadie didn't process her breakup with her model boyfriend and kind of jumped into a situationship with Reid, at least not until later. And I'm not sure why Reid thought they were a thing. And then, Eadie freaks out for two chapters before realizing she's in love with Reid. I honestly don't understand the appeal of Reid as a love interest.

Overall, this book was a decent read and I'd be interested in seeing what else the author publishes.

Would I recommend this book? Sure.

[Anastasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet holiday romance. Probably won't read it again, because I had some issues with the level of “cleanness” and depth of christianity.
Pros: Real life issues were addressed, and it gave characters depth, and made the reader feel for them (dementia, aging parents and being an only child, long distance relationships, divorce, bullying) . There are sweet, sassy old ladies, which is perfect for a small town love story. And, Christmas, you can never go wrong with christmas. I also loved the hobby/ love for spiders. What a cool and interesting thing to put in a story, one that I had never heard of before. Also big shot out to “Uranus Fudge Factory '' HAHA one of our real favorite places to visit.

Cons: for it being a clean novel, I felt like this toed the line some in the romance area, especially for teenagers if parents are wanting to set not only a clean example, but a Christian moral example. There is no sex, but there is heavy making out, they make out on top of each other, on couches while laying down, in dark offices, ect.. The main character talks about wanting to wait with her current boyfriend of two years, but then she is fueled by passion towards the love interest/ enemy from ehr small town, and even says that she doesn't care how far things go at that moment. This behavior reminded me of a girl in high school who isn't too worried about healthy boundaries while wanting to stay a virgin. As a 28/9 year old woman, and a divorced man..you know where making out while laying on the couch and pulling off clothes will lead. If this book had not been marketed as Christian, I probably wouldn't have been so caught off guard. But as a mom, who understands that teenage girls want to read love stories, this is definitely not one I would feel ok giving out. The other con for me was the very brief, and very surface level Christianity. The main character says that she is a christian, yet never goes to church, does not read her Bible, and does not let her faith be involved in most of her everyday decisions. It just pops up when it is convenient for her, which is rare. The author makes a big deal about giving the small town guy a second chance because he is changed, and he goes to church and has worked through things with the help of his pastor, but again the story never really explores that, it never really sees him grow in his faith, and doesn't really talk about why christianity was what made him change his life.

Overall, it was an ok book, an easy holiday read, brought laughs, and made me think a little.

I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

[Curly Mrs F · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-Star Goodreads Review — Home for the Hollandaise by Erin Lucy

Can you ever truly forgive your childhood bully… let alone fall in love with him?

That’s the central question behind Home for the Hollandaise, a heartfelt and witty rom-com that caught me off guard in the best way. Erin Lucy has crafted a charming story full of emotional depth, family messiness, second chances, and of course — romance.

Our main character returns to her small hometown to help her parents, only to find herself face-to-face with the very person who made her teenage years miserable — her former childhood friend turned high school bully. Forced into close proximity, their dynamic begins to shift as years of tension unravel into something more vulnerable, honest, and ultimately, romantic.

What I loved:
• The emotional complexity. This isn’t just a fluffy holiday romance — it’s a story about forgiveness, personal growth, and letting go of old pain to make room for something new.
• Daisy’s journey of self-worth. Watching her confront her past, find her voice, and realize how far she’s come was incredibly satisfying.
• The romance. Sweet, slow-building, and packed with just enough angst to keep you turning the pages.
• A healthy dose of humor. Between awkward family dinners, sharp banter, and some hilarious internal monologues, I laughed out loud more than once.
• And yes, as the title suggests — there’s food. So much cozy, delicious, comforting food that adds to the warmth of the story.

Why not 5 stars?
A few moments felt slightly rushed, and I wished we’d had just a little more time with the love interest’s side of the story to make his transformation more layered. But overall, the emotional beats land beautifully.

If you enjoy:
• Enemies-to-lovers (with history!)
• Childhood friends turned bullies turned lovers
• Cozy small-town settings
• Stories with real emotional stakes (and a side of laughter)
• Slow-burn, second-chance romance

…then Home for the Hollandaise should definitely be on your radar.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy:

-small town settings
-great family dynamics
-returning home at Christmas
-enemies to more
-holiday romance

... this is one to check out!

The story starts as Eadie (a model living in New York) is heading to her hometown in Indiana to help her parents run their restaurant for the holidays. When she returns, she discovers they have hired Reid as a manager... despite her history with him and the bullies she faced in high school.

I must admit, I don't generally care for stories in which one of the main characters is already in a relationship when the story begins--- or more particularly, when they're STILL in a relationship through a good portion of the story as is the case here. While there is no cheating by the main characters, there's definitely feelings starting to develop at least. I probably would have enjoyed this story a little bit more had this not been the case--- but aside from that, there was really a lot to enjoy in this story, and it balanced out that one aspect for me so I found I did still enjoy it very much! I loved the importance of family in this story and of course, all the holiday cheer! And the chemistry? So very good! It was definitely a slow burn--- again, Eadie was in a different relationship when the story begins, so a slow burn was necessary... but it paid off! If you're looking for a fun holiday romance, this is certainly one to check out!

Home for the Hollandaise is a closed-door romance. The kisses are chemistry-filled, but nothing beyond that and no language.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Gabrielle Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Home for the Hollandaise" by Erin Lucy is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that combines small-town charm with the unexpected twists of second chances. The story follows the journey of a former high school outcast turned big-city model, who finds herself back in her hometown running her parents' café, Home for the Hollandaise.

The dynamics take an intriguing turn as she discovers that Reid, one of her former bullies, is now the café's general manager. Lucy skillfully weaves a tale of humor and romance as the protagonist navigates the challenges of reclaiming her authority in the café while also grappling with unexpected flirtations from Reid. The clash of personalities and the lingering history between them add layers of tension and anticipation.

The novel promises a mix of fashion-forward glamour and cozy small-town vibes, creating a delightful juxtaposition that adds to the charm of the narrative. As the protagonist plans to return to her New York City life after the holidays, readers are taken on a journey filled with humor, self-discovery, and the possibility of love where it's least expected.

"Home for the Hollandaise" is a sweet and entertaining story that explores the magic that unfolds when enemies are given a second chance. Erin Lucy's witty writing and endearing characters make this romantic comedy a delightful read, offering a perfect blend of humor and heartwarming moments that leave readers rooting for love to triumph in unexpected places.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Erin Lucy's debut novel and it's pretty good! I believe her books will only get better over time.
I thought the story was realistic and the characters engaging.
I cringed at the egging incident and felt her embarrassment & anger.
I felt that there wasn't enough depth regarding the characters' Christianity and felt that it came across as being gratuitous. There was only mentions of them being Christian but in no way do they portray it.
I couldn't understand why Eadie had such a distant relationship with her parents, especially as she is an only child. I also didn't know why she didn't just work remotely when she realized the extent of her father's Alzheimer's as it was mentioned in the beginning of the book that her job could be done from home. Why she kept saying she was going back to New York, even after everything she finds out about her dad & the family business, is beyond me.
I was also curious as to where were the bullies from high school today? Did they move away or what?
Overall, it was an entertaining read with a lot of potential. I look forward to reading more from this author as I would love to see how her writing improves.
I received an advanced review copy courtesy of the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Taggy Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @netgalley for my ARC copy of Home for the Hollandaise by the wonderful @erin_lucy_author!

This book gives cosy autumnal vibes, but builds up to the holidays which is perfect for this time of year.

✨Small town return from the big city
✨Cinnamon roll MMC (irresistible!)
✨Holiday romance
✨Second chances
✨Realising your worth
✨Dramatic family business
✨Facing the past

Some might say the storyline is predictable, but I found it quite comforting to follow Eadie on her rollercoaster of a journey. She has made it as model in NYC, partially as revenge to her high school bullies, but has to return to her hometown for a time to support her ailing parents and the struggling family business. I saw some of myself in Eadie; she is headstrong, can hold grudges, and sometimes has poor taste in men. However, it captures the need to go back to our roots to discover the most about ourselves…and see what was right in front of us all along. As is human nature, it can just take a while to sometimes see the right path!

Home for the Hollandaise has now been published and is available on Kindle Unlimited!

#netgalley #ARC #newrelease #bookstagram #bookrecommendations

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home for the Hollandaise is a fun holiday book with a small-town romance. My favorite part of this book was actually the main character. Eadie obviously cares about her family and her hometown. I enjoyed her character and especially her love for bugs. It was different to see a character with a jumping spider as a pet.

The description of the restaurant and the town got me in the holiday mood. The holiday feel of the restaurant year-round and the description of the meals being served always made me hungry.

Although I did enjoy the chemistry between Eadie and Reid, I felt that the romance was rushed, especially since Eadie had a boyfriend at the time.

Overall, this was a cute holiday romance perfect for Christmas. Home for the Hollandaise comes out today!

Thank you NetGalley and New Fable Press for the opportunity to review Home for the Hollandaise. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*EARC via Netgalley*
Dare I say the perfect holiday cozy romance, the perfect book to read cuddled up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate, unfortunately for me, global warming means its still 25 degrees as we stretch into October, and even a long sleeve is too much. The fact that this book was able to transport me to those colder nights is even higher praise.
Its a pretty standard holiday story line, hot shot city girl moves back to help with the family business, reunites with old friend/high school enemy, the business is failing... you know the drill. But I will eat it up every time. I do also think that there were a lot of moments where these big life events were actually handled in realistic ways, which isn't always the case. Also the main character has a pet spider, that definitely helped it in my books but arachnophobes watch out.
Is it anything standout, no, but does everything need to be, no. Totally one I would recommend, for the vibes alone.

[Jxn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Hollandaise is a heart-warming romantic comedy that will leave you feeling good. The book tells the story of two former high school rivals who are thrown together by chance and end up rediscovering their connection in a surprising way. The author does a great job of creating tension and building up to the moment when the two main characters finally realize their feelings for each other.

What I loved most about this book is how it shows that people can change and grow over time. The main characters, who were once enemies, are now able to see past their past grievances and give each other a second chance. It's a reminder that forgiveness and understanding can lead to unexpected moments of happiness.

Overall, Home for the Hollandaise is a delightful read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good romantic comedy. The characters are relatable, the setting is charming, and the story is both funny and touching. Don't miss out on this feel-good novel!

[Teri Easterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can Eadie help her aging parents in Indiana and keep her job in the fashion industry in New York City, and her model boyfriend? She goes to Indiana to help her parents get through some medical procedures in November, planning to stay only until New Year's Eve, when they should be back on their feet. Upon going to her parents' cafe, she discovers Reid, a high school nemesis and secret crush is the manager. And the cafe is in financial trouble and needs major upgrading. So much to deal with in so little time. Who will win Eadie's heart. Can the cafe be saved?

Her arachnid Jupiter plays a recurring role in the story. Two best friends, Gracelynn from the past in Indiana, and Whitney from New York, are important to the story.

There is a happy ever after, after much angst and solutions that I would not have thought of. I enjoyed the story received free for signing up for the writer's newsletter.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another cheating trope another "wtf is wrong with men" but well it wasn't the mmc who cheated, so it soften downs the blow. Overall the book wasn't that amazing tbh, but did it had me hooked? Yes! I found Eadie's character a bit annoying 🙃🙃 like wtf are you so insecure about?? I get it, bullying is a very hard thing to get over with. But everyone goes through the same stuff(except the egg incident) and comes out fine or maybe it's just my eldest daughter syndrome speaking and Eadie's the only child, idk...... men like Reid also give me an ick, like wtf is wrong with you???? You can't just stay quiet your whole life and never stand up for the girl and than suddenly you say a simple apology and get away with things!!! I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for the parental drama, these two wouldn't have been together by the end!!!

[Eden Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Erin Lucy for the ARC of Home for the Hollandaise.

I love this small town second chance romance. It was very well written, I loved the description of the town and restaurant.

The book felt like cuddling up with a warm blanket and hot chocolate. Loved the vibe.

Eadie comes home to help her parents run their restaurant over the Holidays. She finds out that her parents have hired her friend turned bully as the manager. The banter between Eadie and Reid is great. I loved the Silver Sweethearts a group of older ladies in town that support the restaurant and Tucker Family.

I will definitely be reading more books by Erin Lucy.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

turnaround
If revenge is a dish best served cold, how are you supposed to serve love? Edith and Reid's history is quite strained (to put it mildly) and they way the treat each other seems like they are still stuck in their teenage days. But after all the bullying and paybacks they need to move on and give themselves a chance at a better relationship. The banter was entertaining but it the book also showed the deep wounds unreflected words can cause and how long people suffer from the consequences. To me this was a romcom with a message I enjoyed tremendously.
I received this book as a review copy.