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The Wrong Holidate
Ben
F-boy. Player. Frat Bro. In college, I thrived on the stereotype, relishing every wild moment. But after graduation, I put those days behind me to focus solely on building my business. That is, until Lainey Langford walks into my bar.
Meeting Lainey reminds me of my long-buried desire to be a one-woman man, but convincing Lainey I’m playing for keeps won’t be easy. Can she see beyond my reckless past and the awkward fact that her mom is dating my dad?
Lainey
My new job for an online magazine is just what I need to break out of a years-long career slump. My first Holidating in the City assignment is going perfectly too. That is until my mom’s date has a heart attack on New Year’s Eve, and I’m tasked to track down his son.
Enter Ben Kelley. Gorgeous. Charming. Trouble.
One false-alarm heart attack and countless texts later, Ben is hijacking my holidates with his flirty looks and scorching touches. Until now, I’ve seen my mom played by men all my life, and got played myself, so I don’t date F-boys—even reformed ones.
I’m determined to ensure my mom’s relationship, and my heart, remain intact. Yet, Ben is breaking down my walls one holiday at a time and I’m starting to think maybe he’s not the wrong holidate. Maybe he’s the only one who’s right.
F-boy. Player. Frat Bro. In college, I thrived on the stereotype, relishing every wild moment. But after graduation, I put those days behind me to focus solely on building my business. That is, until Lainey Langford walks into my bar.
Meeting Lainey reminds me of my long-buried desire to be a one-woman man, but convincing Lainey I’m playing for keeps won’t be easy. Can she see beyond my reckless past and the awkward fact that her mom is dating my dad?
Lainey
My new job for an online magazine is just what I need to break out of a years-long career slump. My first Holidating in the City assignment is going perfectly too. That is until my mom’s date has a heart attack on New Year’s Eve, and I’m tasked to track down his son.
Enter Ben Kelley. Gorgeous. Charming. Trouble.
One false-alarm heart attack and countless texts later, Ben is hijacking my holidates with his flirty looks and scorching touches. Until now, I’ve seen my mom played by men all my life, and got played myself, so I don’t date F-boys—even reformed ones.
I’m determined to ensure my mom’s relationship, and my heart, remain intact. Yet, Ben is breaking down my walls one holiday at a time and I’m starting to think maybe he’s not the wrong holidate. Maybe he’s the only one who’s right.
- GenresChristmas
410 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
3 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 3, 2024
DNF at 55%. There were so many cute moments, but it just moved so slow, and the chemistry was really lacking. I tried to push through to see what would happen, but ultimately, I was just bored.
November 3, 2025
Wow. Just wow. Cate Ashton has done it again The Wrong Holidate is one of those romantic comedies that sneaks up on you, makes you laugh, swoon, and then leaves you clutching your chest by the end because you didn’t realize how much you’d grown to care about these characters.
Ben Kelley is the kind of man you want to hate charming, confident, and with a past that screams player. But Ashton gives him such depth that you can’t help but root for him as he tries to prove he’s changed. And Lainey… she’s every bit the strong, independent woman who’s been burned before but still carries a flicker of hope deep down. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric. You can feel it in every glance, every text, every awkward, flirty encounter.
What I loved most is how Ashton balanced humor and heart. The mom’s dating his dad twist? Brilliantly awkward and so much fun to read. But beneath the laughs, there’s vulnerability, forgiveness, and the messy beauty of learning to trust again.
The Wrong Holidate isn’t just a romance it’s a redemption story wrapped in wit and warmth. It’s for anyone who’s ever sworn off love, only to have it show up in the most unexpected and inconvenient way.
I couldn’t put it down and honestly, I didn’t want to. Cate Ashton has a gift for turning chaos into chemistry, and this book proves it a hundred times over.
Ben Kelley is the kind of man you want to hate charming, confident, and with a past that screams player. But Ashton gives him such depth that you can’t help but root for him as he tries to prove he’s changed. And Lainey… she’s every bit the strong, independent woman who’s been burned before but still carries a flicker of hope deep down. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric. You can feel it in every glance, every text, every awkward, flirty encounter.
What I loved most is how Ashton balanced humor and heart. The mom’s dating his dad twist? Brilliantly awkward and so much fun to read. But beneath the laughs, there’s vulnerability, forgiveness, and the messy beauty of learning to trust again.
The Wrong Holidate isn’t just a romance it’s a redemption story wrapped in wit and warmth. It’s for anyone who’s ever sworn off love, only to have it show up in the most unexpected and inconvenient way.
I couldn’t put it down and honestly, I didn’t want to. Cate Ashton has a gift for turning chaos into chemistry, and this book proves it a hundred times over.
October 6, 2024
This book was fantastic! It’s definitely a class act rom-com. It’s the perfect cocktail. It’s cozy but packs a punch.
I found the book easy to fall into! The author did a great job making these characters so lovable! I mean hello there’s a bare chested bartender frat boy. The way ben and Lainey meet is hilarious. I had quite a few giggles! But I also had some moments where I was quite upset at certain family members that were quick to pass judgment. The love, lust and drama gave this romcom so much more dimension. Which makes you invested in the true well being of the characters.
This book gave me more than a sugary rush it gave me sustenance. I loved it. Truly a fun quick read.
I found the book easy to fall into! The author did a great job making these characters so lovable! I mean hello there’s a bare chested bartender frat boy. The way ben and Lainey meet is hilarious. I had quite a few giggles! But I also had some moments where I was quite upset at certain family members that were quick to pass judgment. The love, lust and drama gave this romcom so much more dimension. Which makes you invested in the true well being of the characters.
This book gave me more than a sugary rush it gave me sustenance. I loved it. Truly a fun quick read.
June 10, 2025
This was actually a really funny read! You can guess just from the first chapter pretty much how it will end but the events all the way through go the end make it worth the read. The sister is relationship is as real as it gets especially their last little fight and the relationship between Ben and Lainey is so eclectic. It was very not on the PG side which I wasn’t expecting but didn’t hate it! Overall the storyline and everything in between was great!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2024
4.25 ⭐️
November 28, 2024
Lainey is tasked with going on a series of holiday themed dates for her new job. Before she can even make it through the first one, she gets an urgent call from her mother. Her mother’s own NYE date was taken to the hospital and she needs help tracking down his son.
The Wrong Holidate is a stand-alone contemporary romance. There is some tie-in to the author’s previous book, Off List, but they don’t need to be read sequentially. This book does contain open-door content.
Do you enjoy holiday romances? How about all of the holidays?? Lainey and Ben’s journey starts on New Year’s Eve and covers almost every major holiday and some of the more unique/unknown ones. The Wrong Holidate is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. There’s even a little bit of silliness to bring out the comedy in this romcom. I loved all of the banter not only between the MCs but with Lainey’s sister and BIL. The texting was the perfect way to transition between the different scenes (and holidays).
If you have previously read Off List, you really get to see Ben’s personal growth. He was definitely a character I would have originally side-eyed.
Overall, The Wrong Holidate is a fun and flirty read for any time of the year. I look forward to seeing what Cate Ashton has next for her readers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Wrong Holidate is a stand-alone contemporary romance. There is some tie-in to the author’s previous book, Off List, but they don’t need to be read sequentially. This book does contain open-door content.
Do you enjoy holiday romances? How about all of the holidays?? Lainey and Ben’s journey starts on New Year’s Eve and covers almost every major holiday and some of the more unique/unknown ones. The Wrong Holidate is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. There’s even a little bit of silliness to bring out the comedy in this romcom. I loved all of the banter not only between the MCs but with Lainey’s sister and BIL. The texting was the perfect way to transition between the different scenes (and holidays).
If you have previously read Off List, you really get to see Ben’s personal growth. He was definitely a character I would have originally side-eyed.
Overall, The Wrong Holidate is a fun and flirty read for any time of the year. I look forward to seeing what Cate Ashton has next for her readers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 25, 2024
Ashton’s writing is engaging and delightful. The Friends references are incredibly easy to figure out as the male main character is named Ben after Ross’s son. I love his dynamic with our female lead Lainey
Pre Read Commentary: The author posted on Instagram that this book has a lot of Friends references in it and I SO here for it.
Pre Read Commentary: The author posted on Instagram that this book has a lot of Friends references in it and I SO here for it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews