The Christmas Pact

by Olivia Lucas

All I wanted this holiday season was some peace and freaking quiet.

You know, to decompress after saving lives as a grouchy cardiologist—no big deal. But, as usual, the universe likes to torment me. Next thing I know, a washing machine crashes through my neighbor’s ceiling, and Zoe Winters—my Christmas-loving, chaos-on-legs neighbor—gets thrown into my life. Exactly the kind of nonsense I was hoping to avoid.

I’m a divorced, all-business, no-people-please kind of woman. Now, Zoe is staying in my apartment. Cute? Sure. But she’s also a holiday hurricane, tossing gifts out the window, dragging a stray cat along for the ride, and let’s not even talk about her version of ‘cleaning up.’

The craziest part? Somewhere between her turning my apartment upside down and cracking my grumpy shell, I start to realize... maybe I don’t hate this. Maybe I don’t hate her. I might just ask her to be my plus-one for Christmas.

Of course, she’ll have to survive my nosy family, inclement weather, turkey sandwiches, and—oh yeah—one scary bear.

Is this holiday headed straight for disaster, or could it actually be the Christmas miracle I never saw coming?


The Christmas Pact is a fun, heartwarming lesbian rom-com about two mismatched neighbors, one epic inconvenience, and the unexpected magic that happens when life—and love—gets a little messy.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian, Femme Femme, Holiday, LGBT

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2024

About the author

Olivia lives by the ocean with her partner and a crew of spirited pets who keep life interesting. She’s happiest near the beach or on a trail, loves wine nights with friends, and has a soft spot for truly terrible reality TV. She finds humor in almost everything, believes in the power of a good love story, and occasionally does nothing at all—with great enthusiasm.

Reviews

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky, silly, and fun.

[Lyn Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can always depend on many laughs, from chuckles to guffaws, from Olivia Lucas, and this is no exception. Throw in Christmas and the quirky characters will entertain.

[Aunt Missa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This Christmas story started out with some promising humor, but it soon devolved for me. The longest sentences came from the characters inner dialogue and the actual dialogue was lacking. There was also some wording that had me questioning if the characters were American or Canadian or British. I had no idea where the story was set and threw off the reading experience for me. The book could have benefited from some editing as the niece’s name was different in different parts of the book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[murph · Rating 2 out of 5]

1️⃣🥱

[Elske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice low angst romance. Enjoyed it a lot. Very funny too. Nice light read.

[Lyn Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas cheer

You can always depend on many laughs, from chuckles to guffaws, from Olivia Lucas, and this is no exception. Throw in Christmas and the quirky characters will entertain.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me spontaneously laughing so much my wife wondered what was going on. I had told her some parts of the story that had me rolling. The character of Rachael was such a grump early on because her wife had cheated on her and although she's been divorced for three years now she's still bitter. She falls for her neighbor Zoe who needed a place to stay after a washing machine crashed through her kitchen ceiling. Throw a homeless cat into the mix and a feisty elderly neighbor into the mix and there is enough good times to make this into a lesbian Hallmark Christmas movie. As always I love happy endings and this one doesn't disappoint.

[Melanie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

One mishap with a rogue laundry machine. - Check
Two neighbors thrust together because of the laundry machine. - Check
An elderly neighbor as matchmaker with a penchant for making up horoscopes. - Check
Getting to know each other during the holiday season. - Check
Fake dating that turns into something more. - Check
Getting snowed in. - Check

This story checks a lot of boxes in a good way. Overall, I found The Christmas Pact delightful. The story has the right mix of crazy happenstances that thrust the two MCs together and keep them together. I found myself laughing quite a bit while reading this book, which is always a plus. If you're looking for a sweet holiday romance read this book. It's full of warm fuzzies with a bit of spice added in for good measure.

[Lindsey Wallace-Galli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star book. If you want a book that will have you laughing throughout the entire read, this one is for you. This romantic-comedy is really as such with characters that will have you getting jealous of their quick whit.

Between Rachael and Zoe, neighbors in their apartment complex, Betty, an older woman who plays matchmaker with the two of them when Zoe’s apartment floods.

Soon, Zoe and Rachael become roommates and Rachael is less than thrilled. But tensions sizzle and the rest is history.

A great love story with fun comedic relief throughout the entire book! Must read for the holidays!!

[Doug Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christmas Pact begins dramatically with apartment sharing due to a ceiling collapse. Despite several differences in their approach to life, Rachel, and sudden guest Zoe, begin to develop a relationship as forced proximity performs its magic. There is a basic supporting cast to help tell the story and provide a few insights into the main characters. This is an amusing, low angst holiday tale with a seasonally appropriate happy ending.

[Tammy Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

A sweet Christmas story. A turkey ruined and a apartment that needs fixing bring to women together. On is everything to do with Christmas but is dumped by her now ex girlfriend that cheated on her. Anther is the grumpy divorced woman that has been three years. When these two get together it take a miracle to get them together thanks to the old noisy neighbors. A cute story

[Emma G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection. Loved this Olivia Lucas book. You're always guaranteed a smile and lots of witty banter and this book was no exception. Zoe and Rachael are both hilarious and I was giggling a lot during this book. Highly recommend.

[April Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few by this author, and I think it's in this one that she hit her stride. The voices of both Racheal and Zoe were tight. It had silliness that was outrageous, but somehow still worked. The characters were sweet and strange, as were their friends and family. We wanted them to succeed.

Christmas romances are my least favorite, so coming in, I was already a curmudgeon, yet smiled despite myself. See, I enjoy a warm fuzzy and bit of delight- but I don't want anyone else to see that in my face while I read. Nothing worse than having your wife walk past and double take at whatever weird grin is inadvertently happening on your face- then shake her head and smirk.

Whatever, I liked it.

[Denise DeLeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, quick & cozy sapphic holiday romance. Characters were likable & plenty of funny lines/parts. It wasn’t anything new or groundbreaking & the pacing was off - a bit jumpy at times - but it was a nice, easy mindless Christmas read.

[Brandi M Ibarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

flood of love

I do believe this is my first book from this author but I absolutely loved it. It had the perfect mix of humor and heartfelt moments. I don’t like to give spoilers but if you are in the mood so a good Christmas read check this book out.

[Ness Reeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable Christmassy story. Rachael is a neat freak surgeon & Zoe is her chaotic, messy neighbour. The two get thrown together by their meddling older neighbour, thrown in a stray Kitty and wild bear, and you have a very funny, romantic story.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow loved this book! Super cute and funny. Had me smiling from beginning to end in a well-written page turner. Highly recommend!

[Mel P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Lucas is one of my favorite authors. You always get a great story, a laugh, and lovable characters. I finished this book in one sitting and enjoyed every single word.

[Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, engaging characters, humor, laughter, love. And a happy ending. Nothing not to like.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

👩🏼‍⚕️👩🏻‍🔬🏢🧺💥🐈🥸👭🎄

[Oli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the humour and hijinks in this book I couldn’t stop laughing. Perfect low angst read for the holidays 😁

[Kim Tunney · Rating 5 out of 5]

disaster to desire

So they are neighbours thrown together by a disaster they find their attraction for each other and see where it takes them lovely read🌈

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bringing you a smile

The Christmas Pact is a wonderfully sweet Christmas story. It has the right amount of Christmas magic and laughter to make you smile.

[Tofunmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas cute read

[Lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5.

Won't be a repeat but it was very cute, funny and I loved that one of the mains didn't have some kind of weird misunderstanding/confusion with an ex at the end(very popular trope).

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

lol

Cute and funny Christmas Time story about neighbours who become a little more. Fake quickly turns into more as a disaster brings them closer together.

[Isamar Barrios · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very lighthearted and cute, perfect for the holidays.

[mor · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved those girlies, a very cute and funny book, but I'm afraid is one of those I'll likely not remember the fmcs names in a month or so.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

All a bit twee, but loved both main characters. Borderline novella, thus the 4* not 5*. Maybe a little harsh.