Hacking the Holidays

by Rich Amooi

Detective Zara Mazini is a brilliant FBI cybersecurity specialist, more comfortable deciphering code than interacting with humans—which makes going undercover as an elf particularly mortifying.

The case? A mysterious hacker who is stealing from corrupt scumbags and secretly funding Christmas miracles for struggling families.

Her prime suspect? Sam Monroe, a mild-mannered library archivist by day and the city’s beloved volunteer Santa by night.

Unfortunately, infiltrating “Good Sam’s” world means talking to actual people, wrangling sugar-high toddlers, and—worst of all—wearing a green tunic, yellow tights, and a jingling hat that haunts her nightmares. But as Zara stumbles through fake holiday cheer and very real feelings, she discovers Sam is ridiculously kind and as genuine as his terrible Santa jokes.

With Christmas approaching and evidence mounting, the lines between right and wrong blur. Because arresting someone who’s exhibiting the true spirit of Christmas might just be the real crime here.

A Festive Feel-Good Romantic Comedy!

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the Amazon Bestselling author of 24 romantic comedies, including It's Not PMS, It's You, Dying to Meet You, Royal Crush, and Men or Paws.

A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

Get a FREE romantic comedy by visiting his website at https://www.richamooi.com.

Reviews

[Amacyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara/Rose is a high IQ having, no human contact wanting, code obliterating FBI agent in Seattle’s Cyber Division. Sam is a smoking hot, do-gooder, library archivist, who just happens to be an amazingly giving person. Even if he's giving with funds other than his own! How to arrest a hot, Robin Hood, volunteer Santa when all hes trying to do is help those in need? That maybe Zara's/Rose's most difficult code to crack. Falling in love while trying to get enough evidence to put the one you love behind bars is an amazing love story to have to tell future children and grandchildren! At least, I think so. It's a great read and it's not a long read because you will be so intrigued & wanting more that you won't be ready for it when you get to the end, you'll be craving more! One more Rich Amooi homerun to add to the list of hits!!!!!

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful!
This is a story which should not be missed - it's that good!
Here's where the FBI and a modern day Robin Hood go head-to-head - "and the winner of this entire exciting contest is ........" (I'm not saying for fear of being shouted down).
But seriously, I couldn't put this book down. Not only was it well written, but it was a very exciting story with two very capable programming whizzes competing and this made it nail-bitingly suspenseful (hmm, I seem to have made up a new phrase there) and it really was cleverly written.
Loved, loved, loved Zara and Sam - they were just perfect!
I have just finished reading an early copy of this book and am happy to leave my volutary review.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!

Rich's books keep getting better and better, though I don't know how that is possible. Besides the hysterical banter, the characters are so interesting and the story is full bodied with lots of surprises and twists. A must read!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam and Zara (Rose)'s story did not disappoint!

Zara is undercover as Rose to find the person who is Good Sam and get evidence to bring him in for the FBI. Sam is like a modern day Robin Hood--steals from the bad rich people to help the poor. The FBI has a main suspect, Sam. Zara prefers the quiet desk job she has over being around people and it being Christmas and Sam plays the local Santa to his town, she is not happy to be chosen for this job.

Sam and Zara are really huge "nerds" who find they have their high IQs in common along with a competitive nature with computers. This is what first attracts them to each other. But being that Zara is on a mission to find evidence against Sam things get complicated when their attraction grows. Their competitive sides come out each time one of them tries hacking into the other's computer.

This is a reverse age gap (7 years) rom com. This is a well written funny story about two nerds that fall for each other and a lot is written in "nerd-speak" computer style. It's funny, actually. As the plot begins to play out the story takes many turns and went in a direction I wasn't expecting, but I loved it. As cautious as the characters were, there was no slow burn or angst, just the honest feelings put quite bluntly for us to read by two awkward geeky characters.

[Mary S · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you combine comedy, slapstick, Robin Hood,Santa Claus with a kiss of romance, what do you get? Pure holiday magic. I laughed and cried. I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday comedy classic in the making. Zara who is an undercover FBI computer whiz and is assigned to find the good “Sam” who is acting like an internet Robin Hood.
I love how Zara “Rose” Zara and Sam are so much in common, the characters really work well. I love how they both have the same IQ’s both are nerds!
The library scene when Sam was trying to break into “Roses” computer, was comedic genius! I could not stop laughing at Sam and Zara, two computer nerds having computer duel, just a mere foot apart. This is one holiday story you do not want to miss. And the ending? Perfect!

[Belinda S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a hysterically funny rom-com with a lovely, romantic ending! One of Amooi’s best books ever!!

I give it a 4 out of 4 - I love Amooi’s rom coms and this was definitely one of his funniest! Totally enjoyable!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun, sweet read by Rich Amooi. It wasn't my favorite of his books, but I'm still glad I read it. Honestly, I ended up bothered by the fact that the MC was a criminal, even if it was in a Robin Hood sort of way.

[Holly King · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book!

What a great story! Sam and Zara are lovable, zany and outright “good people” what an enjoyable holiday (or anytime) read!!!

[Janet Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

another original story. loved the interactions between Zara/Rose and Sam

[Maureen Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Rich Amooi home run!

Laugh out loud clever, loveable characters in a story that brings you along for a great ride. Always surprises. Loved it!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rocket scientist loved it!

So well written. Loved the characters! Great holiday read! First book I've actually bought in a long time and totally worth it!

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a holiday romcom not to be missed! I laughed out loud and enjoyed the dynamic between Zara and Sam!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sabrina Stepek-Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun adventure

The humor, love and adventure with this read is wonderful. Rich never disappoints. I can't wait for his next book!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Holiday Story

I laughed and enjoyed getting to know all these characters. The town of Leavenworth added a wonderful place to set the story.

[Irene Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read

Rich is a great story teller and bring the characters to life. Can't wait to read another of his books.