Holiday Hearts Unwrapped

by C.K. Darling

Christmas cookies, mistletoe kisses, and the friend zone—some traditions are meant to be broken.Dalton Grant is expecting this holiday season will be a quiet one—until his childhood best friend Savannah crashes back into town needing a fake boyfriend for the Christmas Hearts Festival. Dalton would do anything for Savvy, even risk the one thing that matters their friendship.

When the town's self-appointed matchmaker signs them up for every romantic holiday activity—cookie contests, couples caroling, mistletoe challenges—fake kisses start feeling dangerously real. Suddenly, Dalton's questioning everything about their thirty-year friendship, especially when he discovers Savvy's been hiding feelings for him all along.

The problem? He's already broken her heart twice by choosing friendship over something more. Now, as Christmas magic weaves through their small Georgia town, Dalton realizes he's been blind to what's been right in front of him. But convincing Savvy to trust him with her heart again when he's the one who shattered it?

That might take a Christmas miracle.

Holiday Hearts Unwrapped is Book 1 in The Holiday Matchmaker Series and perfect for readers who

Childhood friends to loversFake dating with real consequencesChristmas festival romanceMeddling small-town matchmakersSecond chances wrapped in holiday magic


Spice Level 2-3 🌶️🌶️🌶️

The perfect holiday treat for readers who believe in Christmas miracles and happily ever after’s.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Christmas

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

About the author

C.K. Darling writes bite-sized romances with big heart, plenty of heat, and a whole lotta Southern sass. Her spicy short stories—each clocking in around two hours—are perfect for readers and audiobook lovers who want all the swoon without the slog. Set in the small (but never dull) town of Peachwood Grove, Georgia, C.K.’s romances can be enjoyed as standalones or gobbled up in a bingeable series—like your favorite potato chips… you can’t read just one.

Whether you're craving a second-chance love, enemies turned sweethearts, or a grumpy hero who melts like buttercream, she’s got just the treat. These stories are also the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads—quick, satisfying, and sure to leave you smiling (and maybe a little flushed).

Up next? The Holiday Matchmaker Series—three festive love stories guaranteed to jingle your bells—launching November 7, 2025. So go ahead, get cozy, grab a snack (or a whole charcuterie board), and fall in love one short story at a time. When she’s not spinning steamy small-town tales, C.K. is sipping sweet tea, crafting up a glitter tornado, or wrangling pets and plot twists in equal measure.

Reviews

[Sara (sarasbooksandcoffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in The Holiday Matchmaker Series
Release date November 7, 2024

This story had everything I love about holiday romances, a cozy small town charm, second chances, and that perfect mix of warmth and hope that makes you believe in love all over again.

Dalton and Savvy have been in love with each other since they were teenagers but never acted on it. It took Dalton longer to realize he was in love with Savvy and compared all his past relationships to her. Now in their 30's, Savvy has returned to their small town, where she has also told her mom that her and Dalton were dating, let the fake dating begins!

This was such a fun and easy holiday read and I loved how Mrs. Haters was behind setting up activities for these two from ice skating to being elves to cooking classes. Pushing these two to finally realize what the whole town already knew, they belonged together. Could they work as a couple though, there had already been missed opportunities in the past?!?

Thank you @ckdarlingauthor for this ARC

[Lynnmarie542_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gawd!
This audiobook was pure swoon! It definitely didn’t hurt that my favorite narrator voiced the FMC, Savvy. My heart was full from start to finish, friends to lovers at its absolute best.

Dalton has officially claimed the top spot for swooniest book boyfriend.

This ALC was exactly the surprise read I didn’t know I needed today!

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received an ARC copy of the book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review**

Who doesn't love a second chance romance ? Especially when the action takes place in one of the most magical season of all.

Be warned ! You will need to prepare yourself some tissues for this book. No, they won't be angry tears or anything like that, but at some point in the story....tears will appear, wether you like it or not.

Holiday hearts unwrapped is a small town, second chance romance, set in Peachwood Grove where love finds and reunites the sweethearts - even if it needs a little help from the town's matchmaker.

In this spellbinding book, we meet Savannah and Dalton, and their wonderful friendship, turned into fake dating, turned into a dream come true. For Savvy and Dalton, life has taken them in opposite directions, but, true love always finds its way back to where it truly belongs.
Despite being away from each other, their lifelong friendship, survived.

I loved the dynamic of the soon to be real couple, and how their friendship had stayed alive all these years. Even though, Dalton, has let her down in the past, he's set to make things right this time.


Savvy is still reluctant when it comes to opening her heart again for him. Their fake dating, won't go as planned, at all.
Sometimes it is hard to pretend, when the one you always be in love with, stands right next to you.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gah! This is just what I needed! The audio was fantastic and the story was superb!

Great holiday novella to put you in the spirit

[Tropes_and_Taboo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Hearts Unwrapped (The Holiday Matchmaker Series #1) by C.K.  
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️  
Interconnected Standalone * Small Town * Contemporary Romance * Second Chances * Fake Dating * Childhood Friends to Lovers * Christmas Magic * 102 pages * 🎧2h58  

When the Christmas season comes around, I’m an absolute simp for those sappy holiday movies. You know the ones, the quintessential small-town setting, a cozy inn or bakery/shop, a sprinkle of Christmas magic, and a guaranteed happily ever after. And yes, I watch them every year even though they’re all basically the same. Why? Because they make me happy, and that’s all the reason I need!  

This novella was exactly that. Nothing groundbreaking or wildly original, but it gave me the perfect dose of Christmas cheer and holiday magic. I sat there, listening to the audio with a dopey, satisfied grin plastered on my face the whole time.  

The audiobook is in duet narration by Andi Eloise and Ryan Lee Dunlap, and they nailed it! Warm, cozy, and so easy to get lost in. I could picture every scene like I was right there in town with them.  

We’ve got two childhood best friends fake dating to fend off meddling parents, only to be signed up for endless couple activities by the most Cupid-like neighbor ever. Naturally, Christmas magic does its thing, and… well, you can probably guess the rest. Were they falling in love, or were they just finally realizing what was already there all along?

Thank you to High Gravity Production @highgravityaudiobooks for the advance listener copy! This one releases November 7, 2025, so if you’re craving a quick hit of festive sweetness then this one’s for you. 

[Shelley]

Thank you, High Gravity Productions & C.K. Darling, for the ALC of Holiday Hearts Unwrapped!

✨️ Narrators: Andi Eloise & Ryan Lee Dunlap
✨️ Audiobook release date TBA

--

This was such a cute southern Christmas romance! I enjoyed visiting the town of Peachwood Grove, GA again. ❤️

Everything in this book was fun. I loved all of the holiday festivities and Mrs. Havers special way of pushing couples together. 😉

Savannah and Dalton were great characters and I enjoyed their story.

Andi Eloise and Ryan Lee Dunlap did a PERFECT job with the narration and those amazing southern accents 👏

If you enjoy small town romance, friends to lovers, and Christmas festivities, be sure to add Holiday Hearts Unwrapped to your holiday reading list! 🎄✨️

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the combination of holiday cheer and a fake dating storyline. Seeing old friends reconnect in this setting was so entertaining, and the chemistry between them felt natural and fun.

The story balanced humor and heart in a way that made me smile throughout. I enjoyed the playful banter, the awkward moments, and the small gestures that slowly built their connection.

The festive backdrop added extra charm, making every scene feel cozy and lively. I felt invested in their journey, cheering for them as they navigated past misunderstandings and rediscovered each other.

Listening to this audiobook was such a joyful experience. It had warmth, laughter, and the perfect mix of romance and holiday spirit.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

~Holiday Hearts Unwrapped~C.K. Darling~

~Duet Narration~Andi Eloise & Ryan Lee Dunlap~

~Production~High Gravity Productions~

"I've loved you my entire life."

♡This was a perfect quick small-town, friends to lovers holiday novella! Dalton & Savvy have been in love with eachother from the very beginning of thier friendship but both were to afraid to act on it! All it takes is a little holiday magic, a meddling neighbor, & the holiday spirit for the stars to align!

The duet narration for this audiobook was fantastic! Andi & Ryan both did a phenomenal job bringing Savvy & Dalton to life & the southern twang they both brought to this performance was so good!♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

☆Thank you so much C.K. & High Gravity Productions for this Alc☆

[BookishLatinaJenn (Jennifer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - Holiday Hearts Unwrapped by C. K. Darling

“Holiday Hearts Unwrapped” is the kind of festive comfort read that feels like slipping into fuzzy socks, grabbing a peppermint mocha, and letting the Hallmark vibes wash over you in the best way. Let’s talk about where the real magic lives…the audio.

Andi Eloise and Ryan Lee Dunlap are an absolute gift under the tree. The duet narration works perfectly here. Andi brings Savannah’s soft heartbreak and cautious hope to life with a tenderness that made me want to hug this woman through my speakers. Ryan’s Dalton is all slow-burn longing and gruff sweetness, and when these two narrators play off each other, you feel every bit of the thirty years of history between them. If you’re an audiobook girlie, just know you’re in for a treat. Warm. Cozy. Immersive. The kind of performance that makes you forget you’re listening and not actually living in this tiny Georgia town.

The story itself hits all the holiday romance notes we crave: fake dating that’s fooling absolutely no one, a meddling matchmaker with too much time on her hands, couples events that are basically romantic booby traps, mistletoe that should honestly be considered a legal instrument of chaos, and two best friends who are absolutely, unmistakably the last to realize they’re already in love. Dalton trying to fix what he broke, Savannah trying to trust again, Christmas magic doing the heavy lifting when these two are too stubborn to get out of their own way… everything came together in a short, sweet, festive package that left me smiling like an idiot.

Tropes:
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Fake dating
• Second chance romance
• Small-town meddling
• Christmas festival romance
• Holiday magic
• Slow burn

Big thanks to the author and High Gravity Productions for the ALC. If you’re craving a cozy, low-angst, small-town romance wrapped in twinkle lights and nostalgia, put this one on your holiday listening list. The narrators alone make it worth unwrapping. 🎧✨

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Hearts Unwrapped
The Holiday Matchmaker Short Romance Series, Book 1
By: C.K. Darling
Narrated by: Andi Eloise, Ryan Lee Dunlap

Sometimes it just takes that little push to see what is right in front of you. Dalton is shocked to see his childhood best friend, Savvy, back in town for the holidays. Not only that, but she is telling people she is dating him. So when they start getting pushed together by the town matchmaker, feelings begin to stir. But is it worth their thirty year friendship to have a fling at Christmas? Savvy has had feelings for Dalton forever, so this is no stretch for her. But how will it all end? This is the perfect quickie! I love the push pull, the indecision and the true feelings that erupt! It's a wonderful holiday listen, a beautiful present!

Andi Eloise and Ryan Lee Dunlap narrate this gem and it's just that! Eloise is Savvy, bringing all the fake relationship to real feels in a heartbeat and she is amazing. Dunlap is blindsided by his feelings, and he makes it real as he struggles with decisions. Loved this team and the story!

[Jennifer Wycech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town
Friends to lovers
Fake dating

Duet narration - Andi Eloise & Ryan Lee Dunlap

Part of the sweetheart and scones universe.

This is a sweet holiday friends to lovers romance. The narrators did a wonderful job bringing these two characters story to life.

Savvy is back in town for the holidays and wants to avoid the date fix ups by her mom and the town so she tells them her best friend is now her boyfriend. While fake dating things turn into so much more. Finally, Savvy and Dalton are honest with each other about their true feelings.

Sweet and cozy easy, quick read.

[McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and cute holiday romance novella that is right under 100 pages!

It gives all the Hallmark movie holiday cozy vibes! I enjoyed the childhood friends to lovers trope and thought the story flowed nicely! And loved that is was dual POV.

It is sometimes hard to give enough backstory and substance with the shortened amount of pages of a novella, but this author always does a really great job of providing that still.

Overall an enjoyable holiday romance short story!

Thank you to @ckdarlingauthor for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼

[MHT Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Hearts Unwrapped was a cozy small town childhood friends to lovers romance that had all the holiday magic you could want. What made this book a great audiobook? It’s the amazing performances of Andi Eloise and Ryan Lee Dunlap as Savvy and Dalton. Andi and Ryan had the most amazing southern accents that made the Dalton and Savvy even more endearing. I loved the fast paced holiday romance that hit all the right spots.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.K. Darling writes short stories like you have lived in their world all along and already knew the characters. You just flow right along with the story and have all you need to know right there without the need for a long book buildup. Holiday Hearts Unwrapped was such a cute, short and sweet holiday romance. Savvy and Dalton had a fun story. Best friend duo who start fake dating only to start dating for real because they have been in love with each other for years.
Mrs. Havers was a great meddling townsperson and I truly hope we see her again! 🤣
Also, don’t skip the bonus scene!!!

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to jump into one of these short romances. They always seem to come along at the perfect time—right when I need a break from my longer, more strenuous reads—and this one delivered in all the best ways.

C.K. Darling is truly brilliant, and I adore the cozy, small-town world she’s created in Peachwood Grove. The characters feel so real and warm, and Mrs. Havers with her meddling antics? Absolutely entertaining every single time.

Dalton and Savvy are just too cute together. Their chemistry, sweet moments, and holiday charm made my heart so happy. If you're looking for a quick, festive romance that leaves you smiling, Holiday Hearts Unwrapped is one you definitely don’t want to miss. 🎄✨

[Bookish Babe Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read if you like meddling old ladies, small town Christmas hijinx and short but sweet romance. CK Darling never misses with her short romances and this was no different. I’m so glad Ryan Lee Dunlop & Andi Eloise are back to narrated this series because they are the embodiment of Peachwood Grove!

This was great to get in the holiday spirit!

[Amour.Rebelle.Reads (Bran.d) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Holiday Hearts Unwrapped! Dalton and Savi’s story hit all the right notes—sweet, funny, and full of Christmas charm. The friends-to-lovers and fake dating mix was perfection. Ryan Lee Dunlap and Andi Eloise’s duet narration made every moment feel so real. It’s such a cozy, heartwarming listen—perfect for the holidays.

[Yaneisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 ⭐️ | 2.5/5 🌶️

This was such sweet, cozy Christmas romance that takes place in a small town. It honestly gives Hallmark movies vibes and I am here for it! — it sets the tone for Christmas season approaching😌.

In this short story, we explore two best friends who agree to fake dating, but suppressed and unexplored feelings start to arise and lines are blurred.

I really wanted more from this book — and yes, I know it’s a short story but I felt like this book could have benefited from little bit of drama just to shake things up.

[Angelica Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful best friends to lovers/fake dating holiday novella! And the audiobook was perfect. Thank you to CK Darling for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. I love reading and listening to your stories.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thankful to be part of the advanced listener team for the audio of Holiday Hearts Unwrapped. A heartwarming story that was a great start to my holiday reading this season. A quick read/listen with all the swoon-worthy feels.

[Rose Dinsmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

CK does it again-I fell straight back into the magic of Peachwood Grove like Alice down the rabbit hole. This story, like the others before it, it is perfect as is-short and sweet. I finished it in one sitting! But I’m always left wanting more Peachwood Grove. I can’t wait to see what’s next! And, shout out to the two voice actors-they do all the different voices and there is something so comforting in knowing their voices always mean I’ve traveled back to Peachwood Grove.

4 1/2 💜’s.

Closer to 5 than 4.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished listening to this one. Was a great read while I was mowing. I seriously kept thinking it was going to end and then there was more. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Roxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends to lovers with lots of cheer and hesitation. CK knows how to write a short story to keep you engaged. Narrators delivered!!

[Amy Lismore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the best friend to lovers and I love the banter between the characters. I listen to the audio and the narrator did a amazing job, and it was very well written

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute Christmas story! Very Hallmark-esque with a little spice. Even has the meddling town person. Haha!

[Ashleigh Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

CK is always a 5 star from me!

[Erica Gabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

You’ll enjoy this if you like straight to Netflix Christmas movies (which I do) but like half the movie is missing (I don’t). Savvy was super annoying.

But at 100 pages this was quick and christmasy.

Arc

[Danae Southerland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. It was a short, sweet, and cute romance, I enjoyed both characters and the story.

[Kristen Stier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, fun listen. If your into best friends to lovers then is your jam! These are so enjoyable and easy to listen to, short & sweet to the point!

[Hilary Delorey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had the ALC it was cute. Very hallmark. Very small-town with the meddling matchmaker/Ole bitty getting in everyone's businesses lol. Perfect second chance romance/reunion between childhood friends ❤️