Their Festive Forever

by Catherine Mann

Can a holiday fling 

be their happily-ever-after? 

A quiet, peaceful sabbatical at Top Dog Dude Ranch is just what Professor Neve Dalton needs. And boisterous river guide Gil Hadley is just what she wants to avoid. He’s the opposite of quiet, and peaceful is the last thing she feels when he’s around. He’s got her head spinning, and it’s not long before she gets swept away. But their temporary tryst results in a very permanent, precious surprise that will turn her ordered life upside down. As the holidays approach, the clock is ticking on Neve’s departure date. But with a little Christmas magic, can this unexpected family find their happy ending? 

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Top Dog Dude Ranch

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann has written women's fiction, romance, and romantic suspense for Lake Union, Harlequin, HQN, Berkley, Tule, and Sourcebooks, with titles released in more than 30 countries. Catherine’s novels have won numerous awards, including a RITA Award, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Bookseller’s Best Award.

A South Carolinian at heart, after years of moving around the country Catherine has settled back in her home state with her Harley-riding husband. Empty nesters, they have a blended family of nine children, nine grandchildren, two dogs, and three feral cats, who all provide endless inspiration for new novels. For more information, visit: http://catherinemann.com

Reviews

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Top Dog Dude Ranch series, in which professor Neve Dalton meets her two sisters at the Top Dog Dude Ranch to honor their late grandmother's request that they get back together again. There she meets river guide and rancher Gil Hadley and she becomes pregnant as a result of the "fling" they each vow is just that and nothing serious or long-lasting. But Gil is intent on becoming a hands-on father to avoid what happened to him as a young child.

How can Neve and Gil work together when he has no intention of moving from the ranch and Neve has a job in North Carolina? Maybe a little Christmas magic will solve their problems just as it seems to be working for Gil's father, a widower. Who knows what will happen to those folks, too?

[Monae Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t a romance in my opinion. This story is about a woman named Neve Dalton. She takes a little trip to the Too Dog Dude Ranch for a sabbatical. She meets a river guide named Gil Hadley. She wants to avoid him. He’s the opposite of quiet and peaceful is the last thing she feels when he’s around. He’s got her head spinning. Their temporary trust results in a very permanent surprise …a pregnancy. Her pregnancy turns her ordered life upside down.

She tells Gil that she’s on a dating hiatus. The next thing they are falling in love ???? I just didn’t believe in this being a romance with this couple.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing I love about Harlequins is that they're like mini soap opera books. These people had so much going on that I was literally eating popcorn while reading this book. Name a trope and it was probably in this book.

[Harlequin Books]

Small Town & Rural Fiction, Animal Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance
Miniseries
Top Dog Dude Ranch (Book #10)