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The Holiday Hookup List
The twelve days of Christmas have never been hotter! Spice up the holiday season with this sizzling enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy by an internationally bestselling author.
Valencia
After calling it quits with my cheating fiancé, I’m definitely not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. But when my best friend invites me to a holiday dance party, I show up ready to shake my ass.
Except I must be on Santa’s naughty list, because who do I run into? My infuriatingly sexy high school archnemesis, Gideon Noble.
The pulsing music, red and green strobe lights, and Gideon’s bitable bottom lip make me reckless, so I drag him onto the dance floor.
And then? I take him home with me.
Gideon
If this is my second chance with Valencia, I’m not wasting it.
We’re both alone this Christmas, so we create a naughty and nice list that would make Santa twelve days of wholesome yuletide cheer, and twelve nights decking each other’s halls.
As Christmas Eve, and the end of our list, approaches, I realize that twelve days with Valencia Torres isn’t enough.
I want forever.
But does she?
Valencia
After calling it quits with my cheating fiancé, I’m definitely not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. But when my best friend invites me to a holiday dance party, I show up ready to shake my ass.
Except I must be on Santa’s naughty list, because who do I run into? My infuriatingly sexy high school archnemesis, Gideon Noble.
The pulsing music, red and green strobe lights, and Gideon’s bitable bottom lip make me reckless, so I drag him onto the dance floor.
And then? I take him home with me.
Gideon
If this is my second chance with Valencia, I’m not wasting it.
We’re both alone this Christmas, so we create a naughty and nice list that would make Santa twelve days of wholesome yuletide cheer, and twelve nights decking each other’s halls.
As Christmas Eve, and the end of our list, approaches, I realize that twelve days with Valencia Torres isn’t enough.
I want forever.
But does she?
5 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 7, 2025
1173 people are currently reading
8658 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Daria
14 books2,617 followersAlexis Daria is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola, A Lot Like Adiós, Take the Lead, and more. Her books have been featured on several “Best of ” lists and have received starred reviews from multiple trade publications. A former visual artist, Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 428 reviews
October 5, 2025
The FMC gets invited to a holiday dance party by her best friend, only to unexpectedly run into her high school archnemesis. But now there's an unexpected sexual tension between them—and neither of them has anyone to spend Christmas with. So, they decide to spend the twelve days leading up to Christmas together, fulfilling a mix of festive and steamy wishes.
I absolutely loved this novella! It’s both spicy and sweet at the same time. I couldn’t stop smiling and giggling while reading it. The characters were adorable, and I was thrilled that there was no third-act breakup. I also really appreciated that the author touched on such an important topic as the relationship between parents and children.
This is a wonderful holiday story that will leave you smiling, blushing, and full of festive vibes! I also highly recommend checking out the author’s other Christmas novella, Only Santas in the Building.
I also really enjoyed the audiobook—the voices of both narrators fit the story so well!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓holiday story
✓enemies to lovers
✓friends with benefits
✓LGBTQ+ rep
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC and Brilliance Publishing (Brilliance Audio) for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this novella! It’s both spicy and sweet at the same time. I couldn’t stop smiling and giggling while reading it. The characters were adorable, and I was thrilled that there was no third-act breakup. I also really appreciated that the author touched on such an important topic as the relationship between parents and children.
This is a wonderful holiday story that will leave you smiling, blushing, and full of festive vibes! I also highly recommend checking out the author’s other Christmas novella, Only Santas in the Building.
I also really enjoyed the audiobook—the voices of both narrators fit the story so well!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓holiday story
✓enemies to lovers
✓friends with benefits
✓LGBTQ+ rep
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC and Brilliance Publishing (Brilliance Audio) for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 23, 2025
this was way too short of a book to feel as long as it did
July 11, 2025
She sees her worst enemy, from growing up, in a bar and yet they start flirting. They decide to spend the days leading up to Christmas having some spicy fun.
The beginning of this book was just alright. I felt like it was trying too hard. The spicy scenes actually didn’t do it for me. There were also a lot of weird political references that just did not fit the vibe of this story and felt weirdly placed.
However, I actually really enjoyed the 2nd half of the book. I enjoyed the actual story more than the spice. Very insta-love, but enjoyable. The final scene where his mom comes to visit totally got me and made the whole book worth it. Loved that!
This def has a christmasy vibe for sure. Very perfect for Christmas in July. I would give this a 3-4. Rounded up to a 4 because of how much I loved that one scene.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The beginning of this book was just alright. I felt like it was trying too hard. The spicy scenes actually didn’t do it for me. There were also a lot of weird political references that just did not fit the vibe of this story and felt weirdly placed.
However, I actually really enjoyed the 2nd half of the book. I enjoyed the actual story more than the spice. Very insta-love, but enjoyable. The final scene where his mom comes to visit totally got me and made the whole book worth it. Loved that!
This def has a christmasy vibe for sure. Very perfect for Christmas in July. I would give this a 3-4. Rounded up to a 4 because of how much I loved that one scene.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up, this was not for me sadly
The premise revolves around the H and h seeing each other in a club and deciding to hookup despite the H having been an ass to her in school. Some great emotional depth floats around here, with the mains both feeling a mix of grief and loneliness around the holidays. However the sense of connection would be strong in one scene and flat in the next. The sex scenes, of which there are several, also did not work imo. The H going sex toy shopping with his "work husband" and then letting him borrow part of an outfit later also weirded me out.
The lists alongside their history with their current attraction felt forced. They moved so quickly and also were touching on big themes, while getting down and dirty. A great example of this is they're wrapping presents for kids (to donate) while watching porn and being very emotionally vulnerable. It's acknowledged that it's weird and they shift gears but that's one example of how the vibes didn't hit for this reader because why did it have to happen to begin with? HFN ending that is precious. Their relationship is fast-tracked and they're moving in together, RIP the H's couch with his new cat BFF. Other friends enjoyed this and ate up the holiday moments and the steam so, as always, YMMV.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama. Slight om drama with the h's recent ex being a jerk. Both are experienced and both are LGBTQ+ and have each had male and female partners. Little mention of their former sex lives but some.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Both lawyers
☆ FMC lost both her parents, MMC lost his dad
☆ Positive therapy rep
☆ Excellent communication
☆ They make a hookup list AND a holiday list to do simultaneously
☆ He's down bad from the start
☆ She resists her own feels
☆ Adorable cat friend
☆ MMC is wealthy
☆ No third act breakup
☆ Authentic conversations surrounding his past meanness towards her
☆ Bi and pan rep
☆ Supportive friendships for both
☆ She stands up to her ex
The premise revolves around the H and h seeing each other in a club and deciding to hookup despite the H having been an ass to her in school. Some great emotional depth floats around here, with the mains both feeling a mix of grief and loneliness around the holidays. However the sense of connection would be strong in one scene and flat in the next. The sex scenes, of which there are several, also did not work imo. The H going sex toy shopping with his "work husband" and then letting him borrow part of an outfit later also weirded me out.
The lists alongside their history with their current attraction felt forced. They moved so quickly and also were touching on big themes, while getting down and dirty. A great example of this is they're wrapping presents for kids (to donate) while watching porn and being very emotionally vulnerable. It's acknowledged that it's weird and they shift gears but that's one example of how the vibes didn't hit for this reader because why did it have to happen to begin with? HFN ending that is precious. Their relationship is fast-tracked and they're moving in together, RIP the H's couch with his new cat BFF. Other friends enjoyed this and ate up the holiday moments and the steam so, as always, YMMV.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama. Slight om drama with the h's recent ex being a jerk. Both are experienced and both are LGBTQ+ and have each had male and female partners. Little mention of their former sex lives but some.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Both lawyers
☆ FMC lost both her parents, MMC lost his dad
☆ Positive therapy rep
☆ Excellent communication
☆ They make a hookup list AND a holiday list to do simultaneously
☆ He's down bad from the start
☆ She resists her own feels
☆ Adorable cat friend
☆ MMC is wealthy
☆ No third act breakup
☆ Authentic conversations surrounding his past meanness towards her
☆ Bi and pan rep
☆ Supportive friendships for both
☆ She stands up to her ex
November 28, 2025
Thoughts
Holiday smut with emotional depth? Sign me up! This is much more than it's title and I love books like that! I loved the characters but what I loved even more was the communication between Valencia and Gideon, especially the MMC confronting his actions in the past and yes as y'all know a layered MMC is the way to my heart.The dialogues between them and bonding over grief was so beautifully done I didn't want their story to end. This is more than a pact between two people -- even though it's a short read the author's writing style pulled me into the story in a way I wasn't expecting! A story packed with festive feels and emotional depth.
What to expect
▪︎ Christmas in NYC
▪︎ Second chance
▪︎ Enemies to lovers
▪︎ LBGTQ Rep
▪︎ Scorpio FMC x Capricorn MMC
▪︎ Holiday fling
▪︎ Naughty and nice list
▪︎ Bonding over grief
Plot Summary
Valencia wants nothing to do with Christmas after dumping her cheating fiancé, but she reluctantly heads to a holiday party with her best friend—only to bump into Gideon Noble, the gorgeous high-school rival she swore she’d never see again. One reckless dance turns into taking him home, and what should’ve been a one-night mistake becomes something neither of them expected.Gideon sees this as his second chance and isn’t about to waste it. With both of them spending the holidays alone, they agree to a cheeky twelve-day list of festive fun and even steamier nights. But as Christmas Eve approaches, Gideon realises he wants more than a holiday fling—he wants a future. The only question is whether Valencia is ready for forever too.
My Bookstagram
Holiday smut with emotional depth? Sign me up! This is much more than it's title and I love books like that! I loved the characters but what I loved even more was the communication between Valencia and Gideon, especially the MMC confronting his actions in the past and yes as y'all know a layered MMC is the way to my heart.The dialogues between them and bonding over grief was so beautifully done I didn't want their story to end. This is more than a pact between two people -- even though it's a short read the author's writing style pulled me into the story in a way I wasn't expecting! A story packed with festive feels and emotional depth.
What to expect
▪︎ Christmas in NYC
▪︎ Second chance
▪︎ Enemies to lovers
▪︎ LBGTQ Rep
▪︎ Scorpio FMC x Capricorn MMC
▪︎ Holiday fling
▪︎ Naughty and nice list
▪︎ Bonding over grief
Plot Summary
Valencia wants nothing to do with Christmas after dumping her cheating fiancé, but she reluctantly heads to a holiday party with her best friend—only to bump into Gideon Noble, the gorgeous high-school rival she swore she’d never see again. One reckless dance turns into taking him home, and what should’ve been a one-night mistake becomes something neither of them expected.Gideon sees this as his second chance and isn’t about to waste it. With both of them spending the holidays alone, they agree to a cheeky twelve-day list of festive fun and even steamier nights. But as Christmas Eve approaches, Gideon realises he wants more than a holiday fling—he wants a future. The only question is whether Valencia is ready for forever too.
My Bookstagram
November 29, 2025
Listen, this is a short, smutty holiday novella with some depth.
We have a sex bucket list.
We have a man down bad.
We have (hot) open communication.
We have good narration.
Just give it a try.
We have a sex bucket list.
We have a man down bad.
We have (hot) open communication.
We have good narration.
Just give it a try.
October 7, 2025
Tropes:
— holiday story
— enemies to lovers
— friends with benefits
— LGBTQ+ rep
A fun and festive Christmas novella featuring sweet characters, witty banter, and a spicy twist.
The book explores the theme of parent-child relationships, and I really appreciated the representation of bisexual characters.
If you're looking for a holiday read with magical vibes and charming characters, this one's for you.
The narration by Ramona Master and Noah B. Perez was excellent — engaging and very well done.
Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for providing this eARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
— holiday story
— enemies to lovers
— friends with benefits
— LGBTQ+ rep
A fun and festive Christmas novella featuring sweet characters, witty banter, and a spicy twist.
The book explores the theme of parent-child relationships, and I really appreciated the representation of bisexual characters.
If you're looking for a holiday read with magical vibes and charming characters, this one's for you.
The narration by Ramona Master and Noah B. Perez was excellent — engaging and very well done.
Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for providing this eARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
November 30, 2025Dnf at 37%. I really wanted to like this book. But the characters had no chemistry. Plus the one main character teased the other character but we never got to the root of the problem. Also the spice was way too much. Some of the scenes were absolutely cringy. I thought I would like this because it was short but I couldn’t do it. So for those reasons I couldn’t finish this book.
September 28, 2025
4 stars.
Alexis Daria is constantly surprising me with her quick-witted, spicy romances! "The Holiday Hookup List" is a Christmastime novella full of warmth, forgiveness, exploration, and holiday-themed romps! I enjoyed the characters, Valencia and Gideon, quite a bit. They were once high school rivals. Gideon teased Valencia relentlessly, calling her names and picking on her whenever he got the chance. Then, one day, he suddenly stopped talking to her altogether except on the last day of high school, where he wished her well on her future endeavors. Years later, when they see each other at a crowded gay bar dancing the night away, Valencia sees this as an opportunity to feel powerful again after a breakup with a man she was with for almost a decade. She knows Gideon wants her and is willing to do anything to maintain that slight power over him, even for a short while. In the wake of the death of her parents and the aforementioned breakup, she is going to be spending Christmas alone. Gideon and Valencia decide to make a Christmas exploration list where their wildest fantasies will come true with one another in the weeks leading up to Christmas day. Slowly, what really happened during high school becomes clearer, and Gideon admits that he was not only jealous of her, but also wants Valencia something fierce. Their current feelings become very real. Can they put their bruised egos and former rivalry aside to make it in the present day as a very real couple? The phrase "short but sweet" gets used a lot, but that is the perfect way to describe this novella. There is enough backstory and current emotional output for me to get invested in the characters and whether or not they will end up together. Because of their shared backstory, this did not feel like an lnsta-love or insta-lust novella, though I can see why other readers might think of it this way. The spice is most definitely spicing in this one... hoooooooo, boy! I loved the connection between Valencia and Gideon, especially once they start their list. This story made me blush, it made me laugh, and it even squeezed a tear out of me, too. I love Alexis Daria's work, and this one is no exception! Perfect for those who need a quick story full of Christmastime fun!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Daria, and Montlake for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Alexis Daria is constantly surprising me with her quick-witted, spicy romances! "The Holiday Hookup List" is a Christmastime novella full of warmth, forgiveness, exploration, and holiday-themed romps! I enjoyed the characters, Valencia and Gideon, quite a bit. They were once high school rivals. Gideon teased Valencia relentlessly, calling her names and picking on her whenever he got the chance. Then, one day, he suddenly stopped talking to her altogether except on the last day of high school, where he wished her well on her future endeavors. Years later, when they see each other at a crowded gay bar dancing the night away, Valencia sees this as an opportunity to feel powerful again after a breakup with a man she was with for almost a decade. She knows Gideon wants her and is willing to do anything to maintain that slight power over him, even for a short while. In the wake of the death of her parents and the aforementioned breakup, she is going to be spending Christmas alone. Gideon and Valencia decide to make a Christmas exploration list where their wildest fantasies will come true with one another in the weeks leading up to Christmas day. Slowly, what really happened during high school becomes clearer, and Gideon admits that he was not only jealous of her, but also wants Valencia something fierce. Their current feelings become very real. Can they put their bruised egos and former rivalry aside to make it in the present day as a very real couple? The phrase "short but sweet" gets used a lot, but that is the perfect way to describe this novella. There is enough backstory and current emotional output for me to get invested in the characters and whether or not they will end up together. Because of their shared backstory, this did not feel like an lnsta-love or insta-lust novella, though I can see why other readers might think of it this way. The spice is most definitely spicing in this one... hoooooooo, boy! I loved the connection between Valencia and Gideon, especially once they start their list. This story made me blush, it made me laugh, and it even squeezed a tear out of me, too. I love Alexis Daria's work, and this one is no exception! Perfect for those who need a quick story full of Christmastime fun!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Daria, and Montlake for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
September 6, 2025
Pues un relato guarrindongo ambientado en Navidad que no pasa de entretenido.
October 15, 2025
🎄 Bookish Thoughts
I really didn’t like the FMC Valencia in this book. She was insufferable from the start, and I struggled with the couple overall because their connection just felt forced. While this one didn’t land for me, others might still enjoy it.
🩷 What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Second chance romance
• Holiday party hookup
• Christmas list challenge
_ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 3 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual (Ramona Master & Noah B. Perez)
📅 Pub Date: October 7, 2025
📝 Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
I really didn’t like the FMC Valencia in this book. She was insufferable from the start, and I struggled with the couple overall because their connection just felt forced. While this one didn’t land for me, others might still enjoy it.
🩷 What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Second chance romance
• Holiday party hookup
• Christmas list challenge
_ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 3 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual (Ramona Master & Noah B. Perez)
📅 Pub Date: October 7, 2025
📝 Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
December 16, 2025
The whole 'I fell for you in middle school and I've been pining for you for 13 years' was a turn off for me. MIDDLE SCHOOL?! I have a hard time falling for the whole pining since high school thing. "I wore a dress that was like the one I wore in 8th grade". Be for real.
Also, the idea was cute, do something spicy and Christmas-y each day, but it was much more focused on the spicy stuff which, fine, but I wanted to have more of the Christmas part, too.
But, alas, this ended up not really being for me.
Also, the idea was cute, do something spicy and Christmas-y each day, but it was much more focused on the spicy stuff which, fine, but I wanted to have more of the Christmas part, too.
But, alas, this ended up not really being for me.
September 27, 2025
You ever read something that's so sex positive and focused on equality between partners it feels corny and cheesy? This fell into that trap for me.
12 days of all the different sex between former childhood enemies to lovers. Vibrators and butt plugs and nipple play and everything must be done tit for tat to each person. Felt less like each lead was enjoying whatever sex they're into and more "we gotta each do it unless no one does it" which wasn't that sexy imo.
Appreciated the bi & pan rep, love how Daria tends to incorporate Latine leads into her romances. This is a short novella with loads of sex. Also a holiday/Christmas romance. More of "a book that I read" than anything too memorable.
ARC from Netgalley.
12 days of all the different sex between former childhood enemies to lovers. Vibrators and butt plugs and nipple play and everything must be done tit for tat to each person. Felt less like each lead was enjoying whatever sex they're into and more "we gotta each do it unless no one does it" which wasn't that sexy imo.
Appreciated the bi & pan rep, love how Daria tends to incorporate Latine leads into her romances. This is a short novella with loads of sex. Also a holiday/Christmas romance. More of "a book that I read" than anything too memorable.
ARC from Netgalley.
July 28, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review!
The book follows Valencia and Gideon. While in high school, Valencia and Gideon hated each other. Gideon would pick on Valencia, and she never forgot about it, until they ended up seeing each other in a bar by chance. They end up dancing together and going home together, which leads them to create a list of sexual and non-sexual activities they want to do together that are all Christmas-related. Valencia does not want things to go further after Christmas Eve, but Gideon wants more. Now, they must work together on their problems, leaning on each other.
I thought this was a cute Christmas book, and it was a quick and easy read. This would be a great book to help get you out of a reading slump. I felt that some of the chapters were short, and some of the activities they did together in the book didn't feel as fully developed. I wanted to read more about the things that Gideon and Valencia did together, because they grew on each other so fast that I felt like a lot of their relationship building could have happened during their dates. We could have seen deeper conversations that they had together. I felt like they had been enemies for so long that you would think it would take them longer to warm up to each other.
I loved Gideon's character. He was able to acknowledge that he had flaws, but wanted to prove to Valencia that he was a changed person. You could tell that he really had changed and genuinely felt bad for the things that he did to Valencia when they were in school. I loved Valencia as well. I loved the scene where she goes back and sees her ex at Christmas; she was such a badass. I was so glad that she stood up for herself! I spice in this book was spicing as well! The activities they did together were so cute!
Overall, this was a super cute book, and I really liked it! 4/5 stars! This is the perfect book for the holidays!
The book follows Valencia and Gideon. While in high school, Valencia and Gideon hated each other. Gideon would pick on Valencia, and she never forgot about it, until they ended up seeing each other in a bar by chance. They end up dancing together and going home together, which leads them to create a list of sexual and non-sexual activities they want to do together that are all Christmas-related. Valencia does not want things to go further after Christmas Eve, but Gideon wants more. Now, they must work together on their problems, leaning on each other.
I thought this was a cute Christmas book, and it was a quick and easy read. This would be a great book to help get you out of a reading slump. I felt that some of the chapters were short, and some of the activities they did together in the book didn't feel as fully developed. I wanted to read more about the things that Gideon and Valencia did together, because they grew on each other so fast that I felt like a lot of their relationship building could have happened during their dates. We could have seen deeper conversations that they had together. I felt like they had been enemies for so long that you would think it would take them longer to warm up to each other.
I loved Gideon's character. He was able to acknowledge that he had flaws, but wanted to prove to Valencia that he was a changed person. You could tell that he really had changed and genuinely felt bad for the things that he did to Valencia when they were in school. I loved Valencia as well. I loved the scene where she goes back and sees her ex at Christmas; she was such a badass. I was so glad that she stood up for herself! I spice in this book was spicing as well! The activities they did together were so cute!
Overall, this was a super cute book, and I really liked it! 4/5 stars! This is the perfect book for the holidays!
October 6, 2025
If you're looking for a quick paced, spicy, holiday geared read - this is for you! Two childhood rivals reconnect during the holidays and tackle a 12 days before Christmas naughty and nice holiday bucket list. There's tons of open communication, giggles, and holiday themed festivities. Alexis sprinkles in some heavier topics with care (grief, loss of a loved one, parent/child relationships, etc). She hits notes on the sweet, the spicy, and the heartfelt all at once. I really enjoyed Only Santa's in the Building last year but this one didn't leave me with quite the same feeling.
I didn't LOVE the narration but this is probably just a me problem. I've listened to Noah B. Perez in quite a few books but Ramona Masters was a new one for me! The audio narration is enthusiastic and mostly chirpy/high energy. Some books are winners for me in audio and some I just have to eyeball read, and in this case The Holiday Hookup List was the latter. I think I'll eyeball read this again around the holidays and update my review/rating after giving it a second try.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the alc! As always all opinions are my own.
⋆⁺₊❅.☃︎⋆⁺₊❅.
I adored Only Santa's in the Building last year so I am suuuuupper excited for another holiday novella from Alexis Daria. I have been hoping to jump into her Primas of Power series soon!
Pub Date Oct 07 2025
I didn't LOVE the narration but this is probably just a me problem. I've listened to Noah B. Perez in quite a few books but Ramona Masters was a new one for me! The audio narration is enthusiastic and mostly chirpy/high energy. Some books are winners for me in audio and some I just have to eyeball read, and in this case The Holiday Hookup List was the latter. I think I'll eyeball read this again around the holidays and update my review/rating after giving it a second try.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the alc! As always all opinions are my own.
⋆⁺₊❅.☃︎⋆⁺₊❅.
I adored Only Santa's in the Building last year so I am suuuuupper excited for another holiday novella from Alexis Daria. I have been hoping to jump into her Primas of Power series soon!
Pub Date Oct 07 2025
September 28, 2025
My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Super fast enemies to lovers holiday read.
August 10, 2025
4⭐️
A fun holiday romp set during the twelve days of Christmas! I'm not exactly sure what constitutes a novella, but this was one on the longer side.
Valencia is out for a night on the town when she bumps into Gideon, her old high school nemesis. They haven't see each other in almost ten years, but sparks fly immediately. They realize they'll both be spending the lead up to the holidays alone, so decide to spend the days together. They make a list with a christmas item and a naughty item for each day
I really enjoyed getting to go through the twelve Christmas days here! We had some fun, stereotypical New York things like Rockefeller and ice skating, checking out the windows on Fifth Avenue and going to markets. But we also got to see some quieter moments, with Valencia and Gideon wrapping presents together and watching Christmas movies.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A fun holiday romp set during the twelve days of Christmas! I'm not exactly sure what constitutes a novella, but this was one on the longer side.
Valencia is out for a night on the town when she bumps into Gideon, her old high school nemesis. They haven't see each other in almost ten years, but sparks fly immediately. They realize they'll both be spending the lead up to the holidays alone, so decide to spend the days together. They make a list with a christmas item and a naughty item for each day
I really enjoyed getting to go through the twelve Christmas days here! We had some fun, stereotypical New York things like Rockefeller and ice skating, checking out the windows on Fifth Avenue and going to markets. But we also got to see some quieter moments, with Valencia and Gideon wrapping presents together and watching Christmas movies.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2025
In Alexis Daria we trust, cause she never misses!
The Holiday Hookup List is your spicy holiday romance novel that serves up all the goodness of the holiday season in a condensed format that just makes it a pleasurable read. Valencia and Gideon have chemistry for days and I still have yet to find an author that writes arguments scenes like Daria. The angst, the momentary rage, and the instant regret? Alexis always nails it.
This is quick and easy read so that's why I'm pushing this to be on every romance reader's holiday reading list. Thank you so much Montlake for the digital arc!
The Holiday Hookup List is your spicy holiday romance novel that serves up all the goodness of the holiday season in a condensed format that just makes it a pleasurable read. Valencia and Gideon have chemistry for days and I still have yet to find an author that writes arguments scenes like Daria. The angst, the momentary rage, and the instant regret? Alexis always nails it.
This is quick and easy read so that's why I'm pushing this to be on every romance reader's holiday reading list. Thank you so much Montlake for the digital arc!
October 3, 2025
Okay, so it's a little early to be reading books set around Christmas...BUT, this is actually really good. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something short,sweet and spicy to add to your Christmas TBR. I loved this couple and their banter. If you like enemies to lovers and enjoy your spice with touches of humor, this will be a great option for you.
I listened to it as an audiobook and I had a blast. Both narrators did a wonderful job.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I listened to it as an audiobook and I had a blast. Both narrators did a wonderful job.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 15, 2025
As an insane grudge holder, I wouldn’t have let my childhood bully hit it, but hey- get it Valencia!
December 14, 2025
It wasn’t bad per say, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I just couldn’t buy them as a couple.
November 20, 2025
that was too fast in every way
October 1, 2025
cute and spicy just how I like my holidays *wheeze*
The audiobook narration was really good! I loved the dual voice actors. That always makes the listening experience for a romance one hundred times better. I have no complaints about the narration but it would be really cute if there were whimsical snow and festive sound effects between chapters, I think that would really heighten the experience of listening to this novella.
The only issue I had was with the story which isn't really a huge deal but I wish it wasn't a novella. I wanted more because there were times when I would feel whiplash from using butt plugs and then all of the sudden the characters are having deep conversations about family issues. I think this story would have worked a lot better if this was a full novel. I wanted to experience the characters banter when they did the holiday activities like ice skating, decorating the tree and going to see the Rocketts. It really felt like it was missing the deep connection between Valencia and Gideon but (again) that's because this was a short story. Imagine if there were flashbacks from the pair in high school and the holiday magic of them experiencing the whimsy of New York City together during the holidays.
The audiobook narration was really good! I loved the dual voice actors. That always makes the listening experience for a romance one hundred times better. I have no complaints about the narration but it would be really cute if there were whimsical snow and festive sound effects between chapters, I think that would really heighten the experience of listening to this novella.
The only issue I had was with the story which isn't really a huge deal but I wish it wasn't a novella. I wanted more because there were times when I would feel whiplash from using butt plugs and then all of the sudden the characters are having deep conversations about family issues. I think this story would have worked a lot better if this was a full novel. I wanted to experience the characters banter when they did the holiday activities like ice skating, decorating the tree and going to see the Rocketts. It really felt like it was missing the deep connection between Valencia and Gideon but (again) that's because this was a short story. Imagine if there were flashbacks from the pair in high school and the holiday magic of them experiencing the whimsy of New York City together during the holidays.
November 2, 2025
This was a sexy little novella with some heartfelt emotional strings. Valencia is an environmental lawyer who is facing a lonely Christmas, her first since she dumped her cheating fiancé. Both her parents died in a car crash a few years before the start of the story. Gideon, a finance lawyer, is a former classmate who used to bully her when they were kids. Now he’s all grown up, navigating his own grief (his father died less than a year ago) and he has amends to make to Valencia.
I really enjoyed the story a lot. Aside from the fact that it was a steam packed novella (so many sex scenes, blindfolded, role play, anal, mutual masturbation, etc.) it also had an emotional journey with Valencia struggling to find a place to belong and Gideon learning how to forgive himself.
Content notes: dead parents, recollection of racist comments, asshole ex, slut shaming comments, off page infidelity, mention of grief and therapy
I really enjoyed the story a lot. Aside from the fact that it was a steam packed novella (so many sex scenes, blindfolded, role play, anal, mutual masturbation, etc.) it also had an emotional journey with Valencia struggling to find a place to belong and Gideon learning how to forgive himself.
Content notes: dead parents, recollection of racist comments, asshole ex, slut shaming comments, off page infidelity, mention of grief and therapy
September 14, 2025
The Holiday Hookup List is spicy and fun with great characters all around. A perfect little holiday novella!
Valencia is an Environmental lawyer. She is what some call a workaholic, but she likes to play too. Work hard to play hard. When her best friend (who just so happens to be her ex's sister) asks her to go out dancing, she gets herself all dressed up and is ready to dance the night away. While waiting to get a drink at the bar, a blast from the past comes her way. And he's not the best part of her past, but the man may have grown up and deserves a second look. Because man, does he like appetizing!
Gideon is out for night with his friends and is ready to go home, but figures he needs to have at least one drink before checking out. And when he notices a beautiful woman, he knows that his "work husband" and therapist would say to put himself out there. But when that woman happens to be someone that he wasn't so kind to in high school, he doesn't know whether to shoot his shot or run away with his tail between his legs. Because he never NOT liked Valencia. In fact, it was totally the opposite and now he has the opportunity to make it up to her.
When these two come together and their bodies do the talking, it is perfection! From the dancing to their communication on what they need from the holidays without family, Valencia and Gideon come up with a great idea to keep each other entertained. And it works out to be so much more than they expected.
This was a super cute and spicy short holiday novella that really hit the spot. I liked that Valencia put the past behind them and was giving Gideon a second chance to make things right between them. I mean how could she not with their immediate chemistry. And the naughty and nice list that they came up with to bring in the holidays? SO good and fun! It wasn't over the top holiday, but had all the little fun things you would expect in NYC during Christmas with a huge dose of spicy elements that brought on great communication between the MCs.
If you're looking for a shorter holiday read that is kind of insta lust to love (I mean, they did have a history years prior) that is very sex positive, LGBTQ rep and focuses on family and the work the MCs do, this will be a fun read.
Valencia is an Environmental lawyer. She is what some call a workaholic, but she likes to play too. Work hard to play hard. When her best friend (who just so happens to be her ex's sister) asks her to go out dancing, she gets herself all dressed up and is ready to dance the night away. While waiting to get a drink at the bar, a blast from the past comes her way. And he's not the best part of her past, but the man may have grown up and deserves a second look. Because man, does he like appetizing!
Gideon is out for night with his friends and is ready to go home, but figures he needs to have at least one drink before checking out. And when he notices a beautiful woman, he knows that his "work husband" and therapist would say to put himself out there. But when that woman happens to be someone that he wasn't so kind to in high school, he doesn't know whether to shoot his shot or run away with his tail between his legs. Because he never NOT liked Valencia. In fact, it was totally the opposite and now he has the opportunity to make it up to her.
When these two come together and their bodies do the talking, it is perfection! From the dancing to their communication on what they need from the holidays without family, Valencia and Gideon come up with a great idea to keep each other entertained. And it works out to be so much more than they expected.
This was a super cute and spicy short holiday novella that really hit the spot. I liked that Valencia put the past behind them and was giving Gideon a second chance to make things right between them. I mean how could she not with their immediate chemistry. And the naughty and nice list that they came up with to bring in the holidays? SO good and fun! It wasn't over the top holiday, but had all the little fun things you would expect in NYC during Christmas with a huge dose of spicy elements that brought on great communication between the MCs.
If you're looking for a shorter holiday read that is kind of insta lust to love (I mean, they did have a history years prior) that is very sex positive, LGBTQ rep and focuses on family and the work the MCs do, this will be a fun read.
September 7, 2025
Sometimes you just need to start holiday reading the first week of September!! This was a fun one! A littler spicer than I needed it to be (maybe I should've read the synopsis lol), but this was great. I love Alexis Daria's writing and this was a fun one to read while waiting for her next book!
Holiday Scale was 5/5 too.
*thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy; all thoughts are my own*
Holiday Scale was 5/5 too.
*thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy; all thoughts are my own*
July 17, 2025
Valencia decides to go out before Christmas with her ex's sister and ends up bumping into an old classmate, Gideon. During school they didn't like each other much, him teasing her and her just putting up with it. Until tonight she thought he hated her but both have grown up and now realize they are attracted to each other at this point in time. Leaving together and both lonely over Christmas they decided to create a holiday hookup list for the 12 remaining days before Xmas and things get spicy. However, when feelings develop from Gideon will Valencia reciprocate them and this Christmas fling last longer?
This book was a quick read for me. I liked the plot of the story and it was definitely spicy!! I wish we had a little more backstory and had a scene or two more to really understand their past but the characters were both likable and I got that they both really needed someone to be their person during the holidays, each for different reasons. I would recommend it for someone looking for a quick holiday, spicy read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Alexis Daria, and Montlake for allowing me to review this ARC!
This book was a quick read for me. I liked the plot of the story and it was definitely spicy!! I wish we had a little more backstory and had a scene or two more to really understand their past but the characters were both likable and I got that they both really needed someone to be their person during the holidays, each for different reasons. I would recommend it for someone looking for a quick holiday, spicy read!
Thanks to NetGalley, Alexis Daria, and Montlake for allowing me to review this ARC!
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October 16, 2025Fun, VERY spicy, quick read. Didn't feel super christmassy to me but I will always love Alexis Daria's writing. If you want more spice than sugar in your holiday TBR, this is the one of pick up.
Audio performance was great.
Audio performance was great.
December 22, 2025
When unexpected old friends meet from school ...they didn't like each other then but now as adults alot has changed ..they decide 12 days of crazy games before Christmas, alot of sex ...but then feelings come in to play and truths are needed to be said. .. can love see this to Christmas?
November 26, 2025
Cute. I love a man who’s done the work in therapy.
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