A Very Merry Mess

Cider Cove #3

by Elana Johnson, Liz Isaacson

Sometimes the holidays are messy... Christmas is the season of joy, mistletoe, and, unfortunately for Ryanne, the pressure of bringing home a date. When she vents to Elliott, her best friend and co-manager at the small-town office supply store, he impulsively grabs her phone and texts her mother that they're dating.

Date. Ing.


I'm utterly speechless.

Elliott Hutson, the man who knows all my secrets, the one who's never been serious with anyone, and the picture of Male Perfection that makes my pulse leap and frog, has now dived headfirst into my family drama. And as much as I pretend to be annoyed, I can't deny the flutter in my heart.

I've never had a fake boyfriend before—getting a real one is hard enough—but Elliott makes everything look so easy. And I'm absolutely positive the twinkling lights and Justin Bieber Christmas tunes are influencing the way he keeps dropping his gaze to my mouth.

Or maybe I'm not absolutely positive. Maybe The Biebs really does make true love happen.

As we navigate the slippery slope of fake dating, the lines between pretend and reality blur. Our stolen glances over family meals become lingering looks. Our playful banter near sprigs of mistletoe turns into something charged with real emotion.

Suddenly, the festive chaos around us isn't the only thing that's messy.

Our feelings are too.

And as the countdown to Christmas ticks on, I start to wonder if this holiday ruse might lead to the most unexpected gift of all — true love.

Will this façade end with the holiday season, or can we unwrap a future together we never saw coming?

Maybe at Christmastime, the most unexpected love story can unfold.

Genres: Christmas, Contemporary, Holiday, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Found Family, Fake Dating

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.

Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helllo to my first Christmas read of the year!
This was a sweet book overall. I liked the overall Christmas cherry vibes to this book. I did struggle with the lack of character development and quick writing style. I felt like we didn’t get a whole lot of their beginning relationship development and the ending seemed really rushed. I didn’t connect with these characters as much as I would have liked to.

Thank you @bookedwiththeemilys for my #gifted copy!

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Elliot & Ryanne's sweet, caring, intense, festive, loving, happily ever after!

[Bella Fraim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would have DNF if I wasn’t trying to hit my reading goal. Seriously bad. How is this rated so highly???? Said it can be read as a stand alone but there was 0 context for half of the characters and a LOT of them mentioned. No romantic slow burn or time to like the characters. Wtf does kitty cat diva/diva-cat mean? This phrase was used >30x.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! This book will have you laughing out loud but will capture your heart with its great story line. So many great characters, I enjoy the roommates who encourage and root for each other. Mic night is my favorite, how fun it would be to live with these girls. Ryanne and Elliot’s relationship is so well written that the connection feels real. This story is never sluggish or boring but each page holds you engrossed into its content. I laughed out loud many times, the cookie contest, and cutting down the Christmas tree were the best! How two people relate with their little quirks and differences is both funny and endearing. At one point my heart was heavy for Elliot, but the author turns it into a beautiful moment bringing the story to a perfect ending. A Very Merry Mess is one of those books that has you sighing with contentment, like enjoying a delicious meal or the end to a perfect day. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. There is no cursing and only sweet kisses. I’ve found a new favorite author whose books will grace the shelves of my bookcase.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lori Leaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute romcom featuring fake dating, friends to lovers and the holidays. The friendship and loyalty between Elliott & Rhyanne really showed in their chemistry and banter together. I loved how Elliott fit right in with her family and his guide dog Luna.

[Rachael Patera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Hallmark style romance that explores if you can love someone no matter what.

Ryanne and Elliot are co-workers and both like each other but have been too stubborn to act on it. Elliot finally shoots his shot and invites himself to Ryland’s family Christmas, as her boyfriend. After a few chapters of back and forth and cute dates, they decided to give the relationship a chance. But Elliot has a secret he is keeping from Ryanne about his health. Can they navigate this new relationship with the added stress of Elliot’s condition or will they turn a blind eye to their true feelings?

The book was cute and enjoyable but there was not a ton of buildup, tension or anticipation tingles. It was a little choppy at some parts, aka the random chapters from Emma and Arron in the middle of the book, and the romance was almost too easy as it seemed like they were already a couple from the start.

Her family was irritating and lovable at the same time. When first introduced, I was so annoyed with them but as the days went on you saw that big family bond and came to realize that only the best families can make you hate them as much as you love them.

I like the plot with his vision and while the tension did build up to when he was going to tell her about it, he just kinda blurted it out after she got suspicious from her family’s comments. All the build up and then a lackluster execution was a little let down. I would have liked her to be blindsided, for lack of a better word, instead of tipped off especially because she didn’t figure out the signs initially.

Both were scared to admit true feelings to each other but they just needed a little push from their friends and family to finally see how perfect they were for each other, obstacles and all! And that was a satisfying grand gesture at the end!

It was sweet holiday read!

Thanks to @bookedwiththeemilys @elanaromcomvibes for the #gifted copy of this book!

[Kristens.reading.nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Here comes my confessional, and I keep my eyes closed as I say, “You light up the darkest parts of the night for me, the blackest parts of my soul.”

If you are looking for a sweet, best friends-to-more Christmas romance, look no further. Full of heart and a healthy dose of M&M’s appreciation, Elana Johnson has written a fun holiday story to go along with her Cider Cove series. This is the third in the series but can be read as a stand alone. There were characters that were for sure in previous books, but that only made me want to read the first two in the series even more.

Reading:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Read if you like:
M&Ms
Mars Rover
Disability Rep
Fake dating
Best friends to more
Christmas romance
Quirky Christmas traditions
Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
Witty banter

Thank you @bookedwiththeemilys and @elanaromcomvibes for the gifted copy.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Elana Johnson & Booked with the Emilys for the ARC of A Very Merry Mess!

If you’re looking for a super cute feel good holiday book this one’s for you! There isn’t a character in this book you won’t like. A multitude of flavors of M&Ms, Mars rovers, memorable Christmas traditions, and friends you’ll want as your own. This book was truly a gem!

Ryanne & Elliott are best friends and co-workers that do everything together. Knowing how much pressure Ry is under from her family’s Christmas, Ell texts her mom informing her he will be accompanying Ry to their family Christmas in NYC. Lines between friends & lovers start to blur before even leaving Cider Cove.

[Cameron Charping · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️s I’m a sucker for friends to lovers, and this was wonderful. If you like fake dating, friend to lovers, only one bed, closed door, and witty banter, give A Very Merry Mess a chance. It’s on Kindle Unlimited now! I do wonder if there is a little more of Ryanne’s and Elliott’s back story I could read.

Ryanne and Elliott are best friends. This Christmas Ryanne wants to be able to bring a date home for the holidays but there isn’t one worth having. In a moment of venting to Elliott, he proceeds to take matters into his own hands and tell Ryanne’s mom they are dating. Fake dating but she won’t need to know that. This leave Ryanne utterly speechless.

Cut to their time with family and the line of pretend and reality seems to blur. But Elliott’s never been serious with anyone before. Will this end their friendship? Is Elliott finally going to tell Ryanne the whole truth of why he won’t stay in a serious relationship? After all, the holidays can be messy.

Thank you for the #gifted copy @bookedwiththeemilys and @elanaromcomvibes. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series!❤️

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookedWithTheEmilys and Elena Johnson for the gifted digital ARC!

Cute, clean, Christmassy, cozy, a little cheesy (non-derogatory)…this is a great book to sink into during the holiday season if you’re just looking for those cutesy cozy vibes and a heartfelt humble love story.

Ryanne & Elliot are friends, coworkers, and now fake dating? But Elliot has a secret…or actually two..or three… 1) he is losing his eyesight 2) his degenerate disease is the reason he doesn’t do commitment 3) he has feelings for Ryanne. Messiness ensues, kiss, kiss, fall in love, happily ever after!

[Jennifer (jm_bibliolater) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @bookedwiththeemilys and @elanaromcomvibes for the #gifted book. All opinions are my own.

A Very Merry Mess by Elana Johnson is a delightful Christmas rom-com featuring two best friends who venture into a little more. The dynamic between Ryanne and Elliot is incredibly sweet especially because Elliot is going through it. 4/5 stars

Read if you like:
• fake dating turned to real dating
• holiday festivities
• witty banter
• only one bed
• a dynamic friends group

Fav quote: “You light up the darkest parts of the night for me, the blackest parts of my soul.”

[DayDreamer8912 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
Genre: Sweet Rom Com
🚨TW: loss of eyesight, some accidents and mishaps.

Read it if you like
🎄Dual POV+ Emma + Aaron’s POV
🎄 Fake dating
🎄 Friendship
🎄 Friends to lovers
🎄 Family
🎄 Christmas


Favourite Moments
🎄 His and her clumsiness
🎄 His surprises her (read then you will know)
🎄 Him offering himself to be her fake date so that her mom let off her hair
🎄 She worried of him and also takes care of him
🎄 Christmas activities with her family
🎄 The girl squad, mother and sister helping her (can’t spoil it)

Swoony Moments
🎄 He loves her
🎄He remember what she loves
🎄 He is a hopeless romantic.
🎄 He offer himself to be her boyfriend
🎄 He loves his family and her family.

Synopsis
Ryanne/Ry
Has a crush on Elliot for the longest time but too afraid to tell him because afraid that will ruin their friendship

Elliot/Ell
Ry’s best friend and co-manager of their small business. Though he has a lot of girlfriends before but it was never serious because he doesn’t want to be a burden. He always loved his best friend. He is trying to tell her something but always get interrupted.

One day, Ry’s received a text from her mom telling her that she is getting two tickets one for her and a guest hinting that she needs to get a boyfriend. Feeling overwhelmed by texts, Elliot looked through the messages and reply her mom that they are going to need two flight tickets. And the fake date begins! And will the fake become real? Will Ry learned about what Ell is trying to tell her but always being interrupted? Really A Very Merry Mess to find out!

Review:
This is the 3rd book of Cider Cove Sweet Southern Series. Loving these best friends to lover’s trope. They are just so adorable together. Love that Elliot offered her to be her boyfriend so that her mother will just let off her hair. And their dates together are just so romantic and he knows how to make her happy. They love each other but Elliot is always interrupted when he wants to tell her about his condition and it is also the reason why that he don’t have serious relationship because he doesn’t want to be a burden to his other half. Loving that he charmed her family and they have the best time together though there are some accidents and mishaps too (can’t reveal much read then you will know coz wouldn’t want to spoil the fun). Their feelings to each other grew and his condition also was getting worst which made her family members notice it too. Love that the people around them are helping them with anyway they can. And the girl squad and her sister and mom really help Ry in thinking of things through. And aww…. The dog that he got for his Christmas present is just adorable. This book made me smile, laugh, cry and also feel the warmth of family and friends.

P.S. I would love to try all the popcorns that they made. Hehe…


I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thank you, Elana Johnson for the ARC!

Can’t wait for the 4th book it will be Emma and Aaron’s story.

You can also check out the first 2 books of the series:

Book 1
A Very Terrible Text (Hilary and Liam's story)

Book 2
A Very Bad Bet (Claudia and Beckett's story)

You can pre-order this book on Amazon.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Booked with the Emily's for the #gifted copy of this book.

Blurb: It's nearly Christmas and Ryanne is dreading going home for the holidays single again. Her co-worker and best friend (and secret crush) Elliot offers to go with her, and she accepts the "friendly" offer. Elliot has crushing on Ry for a long time as well, and both are scared to risk their great friendship. Elliot has a larger secret though he's been keeping from Ry and this fake dating escapade could either push him to finally share it, or end any chance the two of them have to be together.

Mood Reader Guide: slight workplace drama plus holidays with the family plus friends to lovers plus animal shenanigans.

Things I Liked: Ry's family has a bunch of really creative holiday traditions that were super fun to read. The cookie-baking contest, and popcorn buffet, and very specific tree decorating process were sweet. The set-up of the MMC having a big secret, and how that was handled, was well done. The romance is sweet and innocent and there's clearly chemistry between Ry and Elliot.

Things I Disliked: This was a fairly benign holiday romance, and not something that I was overly excited about or invested in as I was reading. Neither of the main characters really resonated with me or made a big impact. The book is interconnected with other romance stories, but says it can be a standalone. I felt like the scenes involving Ry's roommates (presumably the leads in other stories) were confusing; there's not enough description of the different roommates and I couldn't keep track of who lived with her, and who had moved away and was joining the conversation via zoom. I also just felt overall like the writing was herky-jerky. The flow didn't feel right, and I'd have to read sentences or clauses multiple times to make sense of them.

Spoilers: The big secret is that Elliot has a degenerative vision disease and will eventually go blind. He wins a guide dog as a Christmas present and that's sweet to read about him training Luna and the building that relationship. The interests and traits that the author gave the two leads are a random assortment... obsessions with the Mars Rover and different flavored M&Ms and it just didn't give me a good sense of who either character really was. All in all, just not a book I can highly recommend when there's so many fantastic holiday reads available.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told mainly from Ryanne & Elliot’s points of view (plus a total of two chapters told from the next couple’s pov – one chapter for each)

– it is mentioned that a character has a degenerative vision diagnosis (they are losing their sight bit by bit & will eventually be blind)

Review:

I think that this is my current favorite of the series! I love friends to more stories and I loved that’s what Ryanne & Elliot’s story was (plus a few other tropes of course)! I loved that their dynamic was unique in that they were also coworkers running a store together. I loved their friendly banter and comfort with one another. I loved that once Elliot truly became aware that what Ryanne told him was true (that other women were constantly flirting with him), he made every effort to stop that & bring her to the forefront of the conversation. I loved that Elliot had a valid reason to keep people at arms length, but when he got too deep in his feelings for Ryanne, he gave her the decision for if they’d continue their relationship knowing what was to come.

I’m very excited to continue the series and see who the rest of the Big House ladies will end up with. I’m especially curious to see how things will go for Emma & Aaron in the next book!

Summary:

Just as Ryanne reaches her breaking point of crushing on her best friend while he’s oblivious to her feelings, he offers to be her fake boyfriend to her family’s Christmas gathering. Ryanne is floored that he made such an offer when he doesn’t seem remotely interested in her, but also can’t lie to her family. So before they can leave Cider Cove for Upstate New York, they’ll have to figure out their story and go on a few dates to solidify their act. If only it didn’t confuse Ryanne further about what was real and what wasn’t…

Elliot hasn’t been in the dating pool for awhile now that he’s come to terms with his feelings for Ryanne. He still can’t fathom bringing someone into his life with the trials he’ll be facing soon enough, but when Ryanne begins worrying about going to her family’s for the holidays he can’t just let her go alone. Plus, it’ll give him a chance to show her just how much she means to him…

[Jodi Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this sweet book. A Very Merry Mess by Elana Johnson is the third book in her Cider Cove Sweet Southern Romcoms. The other books in the series are so good, but you definitely don’t need to read them to enjoy this one. However, I suggest reading them, just because the whole series is so good.

A Very Merry Mess focuses on Ryanne and Elliott. Ryanne and Elliott have been co-managers at an office supply company for years. They are also best friends. When Ryanne’s mother puts pressure on her to bring home a date for Christmas, Elliott texts her mother that they are dating and that he will be joining Ryanne for Christmas. Ryanne is shocked by his actions because, although she has had a crush on him for years, Elliott is just her friend. As Ryanne and Elliott navigate fake dating, Christmas, and Ryanne’s family, they start to question how fake their feelings really are.

Things to love:
-dual POV
-fake dating
-Christmas everything
-Ryanne’s M&Ms collection (so many flavors I want to try)
-Ryanne’s roommates in the Big House
-Elliott—IYKYK
-Ryanne and Elliott’s dates (both practice and real)
-one bed
-she takes care of him
-Ryanne’s family and their Christmas traditions
-Luna
-All the kisses and small touches

This book contains all the humor and romance you would expect from a romcom, but it also deals with some of the harder aspects of Elliott’s life. I love how Elana handled the balance between the laughter and romance and the struggles of life. It was so well done. I could go on and on about this but you really need to read it to experience it. It was so sweet.

Elliott and Ryanne were so good together. Their friendship was so cute. I loved watching them navigate the fake dating, especially when I could read both POVs. It was so fun to see how they each thought of each other. Their banter and chemistry were so good.

I adored this sweet Christmas read. Elliott is one special MMC. You need to read this book so you can meet Elliott and see him fall for Ryanne—and Ryanne fall for him.

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Dani (dtieds_allbookedup) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to @bookedwiththeemilys and @elanaromcomvibes for the #gifted copy of this book.

"It's not that I love you-it's that loving you has transformed my world into something beautiful and extraordinary, and it doesn't matter if I can see it or not. I can feel it."

Summary: Ryanne and Elliot have been best friends for quite some time. So when Ryanne complains again about having to go home to New York for Christmas, Elliot steps up and becomes her fake boyfriend for the trip. Though they started as fake, they decided to make things official before leaving for the trip. But, Elliot has been hiding a big secret for years from Ryanne. Will they choose to face the highs and lows of life together, or go their separate ways alone?

Dani's Thoughts: This was a sweet friend-to-lovers Christmas romance. Though I had difficulty connecting with Elliot and Ryanne throughout the book, their love for each other shone through every page. I loved the group of friends Ryanne had who helped to guide her through her feelings. Also, Ryanne's family traditions were so so fun in the book and I loved the cookie-baking competition!! Finally, Ryanne's surprise for Elliot at the end of the book was so sweet and had me smiling so big...

This book hit very close to home as I witnessed my father-in-law slowly going blind, just like Elliot. It is so hard on everyone involved and I could feel the sadness and pressure Elliot was feeling to keep Ryanne from falling for him. It is hard to watch such a strong person needing all the support and help since their independence has been stripped away. However, one of my favorite parts of this book was seeing Ryanne figuring out ways to help Elliot still feel independent once his sight is gone.

Read if you like:
🎄Christmas RomCom
🥰Friends to Lovers
😅Fake Dating (for two days)
🐶🐈‍⬛Golden Retriever / Black Cat (Reverse Grumpy Sunshine)
🛏️Only One Bed
😂Witty Banter

[Raechel Lenore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this one! Of the three books I've read of the Cider Cove Sweet Southern Romance series, this is definitely my favorite.
Ryanne and Elliott are best friends to lovers who quickly change into something more, and it happened naturally and wasn't forced, which I liked. It was at first supposed to be a fake-dating scenario, but I loved that they were both honest with each other from the start.
Elliott was a very sweet hero character, and really, the dynamics between him and Ryanne were such a good match.
Sometimes the "secret" that was being kept felt like it was made to be a bigger drama than it maybe really would be, but at the same time I do understand how it worked out that way and why it was that way in the story.
Ryanne could sometimes be a little more diva-ish but for the most part she was pretty level headed, and open to Elliott which I liked.
Also, I've already had huge m&m cravings during my current pregnancy, but they were just amplified with each mention of the delicious treat throughout these pages XD I ended up buying some to eat while I read because it really was necessary! haha.
The holiday aspect was done well, and I liked how the characters experienced the Christmas festivities together.
And the ending was so sweet. <3 Not to mention, the cover is so cute too!

Thanks to the author for the copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

[Brittany Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎄 What did you love the most?
This clean romance involved friends to lovers and had a strong disability rep, leaving me grinning long after I had finished the story. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie; I can't pinpoint why I liked it, but I just did. It was sweet, and the golden retriever MMC made my heart melt. 🥰

🎄 What to expect:
❄️ Dual POV
❄️ No spice
❄️ Fake dating
❄️ He falls first
❄️ He’s obsessed with Mars rovers
❄️ Plus-sized FMC

🎄 Do I need to read the series in order?
No, I have not read any other books in this series and understood everything perfectly. However, there are two random POV chapters that I assume are setting up readers for the next book.

🔥Steam level: only kissing; closed door.

❄️ How was the romance?
We have ACTUAL communication people. Our MMC takes pauses to gather his composure and then (shocker!) actually tells the FMC what he is thinking. The healthy communication made me fall in love with this couple, and while there is one secret between them, it made sense for the overall plot. 🖤

🎄 Do you recommend this book?
If you want a holiday romance without any spice, A Very Merry Mess is the book for you. It has an incredible disability rep, healthy communication, and a sweet, adorable MMC you will be rooting for.

3.75/5

[Bookish801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fun characters of the Big House are back! I simply adore this wholesome romcom series. Book three was holiday themed and it was one of the most memorable reads this December. The novel follows Ryanne and Elliot who are co-managers at the local paper store and longtime friends. Ryanne’s family in NY invites her and a “boyfriend” for Christmas and Ryanne asks Elliot who would play the role to spend the holidays with her family.

This was a great clean (kissing only) friends to lovers read! I love how brave Elliott was when he confessed his feelings to Ryanne. Way to go! None of that fake dating nonsense. Both characters realize they have feelings for each other, but really want to preserve their friendship above all.

Also this book is the most serious in the set. It features an MC with a degenerative eye disorder. I took my time processing this book, it really hit home for me.

There is so much to love about this novel! He is happy-go-lucky and she is a kitty-cat-diva who is obsessed with favored M&Ms. Great set of characters and a wonderful mix of humor and emotion. I highly recommend it. The book could be read as a standalone novel.

[Dea Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryanne's mom has been putting the pressure on her to bring home a date for Christmas. When her best friend and co-worker, Elliott, sees how stressed she is about it, he takes her phone and texts that she's coming home for Christmas with a plus-one, him. Now they find themselves in a fake dating situation, only at times things don't seem so fake between them because they each seem to have been harboring secret feelings for each other. Will they make it through the holiday season and find themselves starting a new relationship, or will this end up a very merry mess?

I absolutely loved both Ryanne and Elliott. These two were just so sweet and perfect for each other. This story was just so fun with their not so fake, fake dating. The antics they got into at her parents' house were so hilarious. The things that really kept me hooked were Elliott's secret, when he was going to tell Ry, and how she was going to react. I may have neglected all adult duties to binge this in one day. This was such a sweet Christmas romance, but be warned it may have you in tears a few times.

[Summer Song · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Very Merry Mess" is a cute and sweet Christmas romcom from author Elana Johnson! The characters in this book are so lovable! I had so much fun meeting and getting to know them. This book definitely has the Christmas/Winter vibes I was looking for! I like that this book feels like it could be read any time of year, though. I love the wit and banter in this book! So much fun. The fake dating and reverse grumpy/sunshine tropes are done very well! The speed of the plot is just right, the characters are lovable, the Christmas vibes are perfect, and the story itself is sweet and fun with the perfect level of emotional depth! It's emotional yet lighthearted at the same time. I highly recommend this book! Especially if you're looking for a holiday romcom with fake dating! Loved it! 5 stars

Thank you very much to the author Elana Johnson and Booked with the Emilys for the great opportunity of being a part of this review tour and for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly.

[Juniper Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're in the mood for a heartwarming, cozy Christmas read with the feel of a Hallmark movie, A Very Merry Mess is perfect for you! This sweet romance brings all the festive cheer and adorable moments, making it a delightful choice for the holiday season.

Ryanne and Elliott are best friends and coworkers who decide to fake date to avoid the awkwardness of Ryanne spending Christmas with her family as the perpetually single daughter. What starts as a ruse to survive the holiday soon turns into genuine feelings, though neither realizes the other’s heart is on the line.

The story captures the magic of the season with charming mishaps, tender family moments, and the simmering tension of unspoken love. But Elliott has a big secret—the reason behind his pattern of casual dating—that could change everything. Will Ryanne be able to accept him when the truth comes out?

A Very Merry Mess is a perfect no-spice, feel-good romance that will leave you smiling and ready for the holiday spirit. Highly recommend it if you love friends-to-lovers stories with a touch of Christmas magic!

[Meaghan Elizabeth &#x1f319; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
❄️Fake Dating
🎄Friends to Lovers
❄️Workplace Romance
🎄Small Town Romance
❄️Holiday Traditions
🎄Disability Rep

Thank you to @bookedwiththeemilys and @elanaromcomvibes for having me on this book tour and sending me an early physical copy of this book🫶🏻

This was a really cute Christmas read. I love the fake dating trope and the fact that they were already best friends was even better.
Elliot and Ryanne have liked each other for so long, but they were too afraid to admit it. Elliot agrees to fly home with Ryanne for the holidays as her fake boyfriend, but when they go on a few dates to test it out, they decide they want to date for real.
We come to find along the story that Elliot has an eye disease where he is slowly losing his vision but he holds off on telling Ryanne for quite a while, until her family becomes suspicious and he blurts it out.
I felt so bad for Elliot to have to go through his loss of vision and how scary that must be. Ryanne was nothing but understanding and supportive and I love that she was ready to stick by his side no matter what.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Pub Day tomorrow to A Very Merry Mess!! This is Book 3 in the Cider Cove Sweet Southern RomComs series. Thank you, Partner, @bookedwiththeemilys @elanaromcomvibes for my arc!!

Sometimes the holidays are messy... Maybe at Christmastime, the most unexpected love story can unfold.

Bring on all the holiday rom-coms!! I'm so ready for them this year!! A Very Merry Mess has my favorite small town fake dating friends to lovers tropes!! I freakin love it!! I do wish I'd read the other books first so I understood The Big House and friendship dynamics better.

Ry and Elliott are besties that end up fake dating to take the pressure of Ry at her family Christmas! Cue the banter and shenanigans!! There's lots of hilarious moments but they're balanced out with secrets and health issues. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll have a grand time reading this!!

A Very Merry Mess features:
Christmas RomCom
Friends to Lovers
Fake Dating (for two days)
Golden Retriever / Black Cat (Reverse Grumpy Sunshine)
Only One Bed
Witty Banter

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Booked with the Emilys and Elana Johnson, for the gifted ebook. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A Very Merry Mess by Elana Johnson is the third book in the Cider Cove Sweet Southern RomCom series. This (two day) fake dating, best friends to lovers, black cat/golden retriever, holiday romance was EVERYTHING. Elana incorporated so many amazing tropes and packaged them up so nicely with this sweet story. I love the love and respect that Elliott and Ryanne have for each other and all of the sweet moments that they share.

Ryanne and Elliott are best friends and coworkers. Ryanne needs a date for Christmas and Elliott takes it upon himself to use Ryanne’s phone to text her mom to say she’ll be bringing him home for Christmas. When feelings turn real, it’s apparently that there is something Ell is holding back from Ry. Read on to see if they make it through this very merry mess.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect holiday rom-com! What starts as a plan to fake date over Christmas, best friends and co-managers at a retail store, Ryanne and Elliott quickly let their feelings out of the bag and dive into a romantic relationship that’s adorably sweet! But can they keep the spark alive past the holiday bubble? And, can they break Elliot’s streak of short term relationships since he can’t seem to commit?

I adored this friends-to-lovers no spice holiday romance filled with everything from found family to navigating real family dynamics, all with only one bed! Ry and Elliot were so adorable together and the romance did not disappoint in this sweet story!

Read this one if you like romance books with no spice, friends to lovers, coworkers to lovers, office romance, holiday romance, and just one bed!

Thank you to the author, Elana Johnson, and Booked with the Emilys for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving reading these books in the Cider Cove Sweet Southern Romcom series. Each of the women is strong, and amazing. And they are a lot of fun together.

I loved Ryanne. She was completely oblivious to the fact that Elliott, her best friend and co-worker was completely in to her. The two would never have started dating if not for the fact that Ryanne needed to take her boyfriend home for Christmas. Man...I love the fake dating trope!

Elliott is such a great guy. I loved the way he goes out of his way to do sweet things for Ryanne. He even gets sprayed by a skunk for her. You're definitely going to need to read this book to find out about that. But Elliott has a secret. And it may end up tearing these two apart.

This book was one I didn't want to put down. There were so many great parts. You really are going to want to read it!

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was wonderful! If you like fake dating, friend to lovers, and a sweet, clean, Christmas romance... this is the one.

Ry and Elliott are best friends and coworkers. When Ry has to head home for Christmas, Elliott steps in to play the fake boyfriend role. Except the lines between fake and their true feelings are starting to blur. And worst of all, there is a secret Elliott has been holding back from Ry that may impact their friendship and a possible future.

I absolutely loved the chemistry in this story. I loved the Christmas traditions, the swoonworthy kisses, and even the emotional moments between Ry and Elliott. This was my first book I've read by Elana, but it will not be my last.

Thank you to BookedwithEmily & Elana Johnson for my gifted copy. This review reflects my own opinion.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever thought love isn't possible for everyone, this book will change your mind and open your heart. Ryanne has had a soft place in her heart for her best friend Elliot for so long. But when she's struggling with going home for Christmas because she's the odd person out in her family, Ell shocks her and texts her momma. Before Ry knows it, he has informed her mom that he's coming with Ry for Christmas! Let the fun begin!
Ell has a game changing secret that he wants to share with Ry, but life and other people keep getting in his way!
Wow the emotions, the laughs, and the unexpected love made my heart race and tears welled in my eyes. The author did an incredible job of writing difficult emotions and making it feel real. Beautiful story that will stay with me for quite awhile. Do something for yourself and read this wonderful story!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect, sweet Christmas story!

I absolutely loved Elliot and Ryanne! These two are a perfect friends to more story. Their friendship, their loyalty and love for each other, ugh it was so so sweet! I love their banter and relationship dynamic.

And Elliot....is just perfect! I don't want to give anything away so I can't completely gush about him but the way he fits in with Ry's family was just perfect and I love how he always loves and protects her above everything else, including himself.

If you enjoy Christmas romance, fake dating turned real, sassy female characters and loveable heroes, only one bed, and friends to more, this is a perfect choice for you! Enjoy all of the heart warming feelings!