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The Holiday Exchange
Dawson
I have the most ridiculous crush on Briar, a customer who frequents my café. We never run out of things to talk about, and I find myself looking forward to his visits.
Just when I’m about to ask him on a date, he shows up at Sip and Savor with none other than my twin, who beat me to the punch. Definitely not how I hoped things would go.
Except my brother isn’t the settling-down type, so three months into dating Briar, he chooses the worst time to dump him—right before Christmas and straight after Briar asks Nathan to accompany him home for the holidays.
As I try to console Briar, he surprises me by cooking up a plot straight out of the movies, where I go home to Maine with him, pretending to be his boyfriend.
It’s supposed to be a friendly favor, I get a trip to the perfect Christmas town, and Briar can save face with his family and childhood ex. Only just like back in Boston, we have fun together, get each other, and I swear the spark I always felt between us grows.
But how does a guy tell his twin’s ex that he’s had feelings for him all along? And can what starts out as a holiday exchange turn into the perfect happily ever after?
I have the most ridiculous crush on Briar, a customer who frequents my café. We never run out of things to talk about, and I find myself looking forward to his visits.
Just when I’m about to ask him on a date, he shows up at Sip and Savor with none other than my twin, who beat me to the punch. Definitely not how I hoped things would go.
Except my brother isn’t the settling-down type, so three months into dating Briar, he chooses the worst time to dump him—right before Christmas and straight after Briar asks Nathan to accompany him home for the holidays.
As I try to console Briar, he surprises me by cooking up a plot straight out of the movies, where I go home to Maine with him, pretending to be his boyfriend.
It’s supposed to be a friendly favor, I get a trip to the perfect Christmas town, and Briar can save face with his family and childhood ex. Only just like back in Boston, we have fun together, get each other, and I swear the spark I always felt between us grows.
But how does a guy tell his twin’s ex that he’s had feelings for him all along? And can what starts out as a holiday exchange turn into the perfect happily ever after?
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2025
143 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
115 books7,153 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
November 12, 2025
I've enjoyed these authors' books before, but this isn't one of them. The only positive thing for me is that it's fairly short. Even the small town festive vibes didn't do much for me here, but I liked seeing how well Dawson fit in.
I feel the whole „twin“ situation wasn't necessary for the story at all. There could have been a fake boyfriend trope even without Nathan. I also think it's stupid that Briar actually liked Dawson, but he thought it would be a good idea to date his brother because he didn't know if Dawson liked him back! Yep, makes sense.
Another thing that didn't work for me is the writing. It's quite basic and superficial, and the dialogues sound stilted and unnatural, like a script rather than a real conversation. There's a constant sense of awkwardness, not the cute kind. Made me cringe while reading this.
I feel the whole „twin“ situation wasn't necessary for the story at all. There could have been a fake boyfriend trope even without Nathan. I also think it's stupid that Briar actually liked Dawson, but he thought it would be a good idea to date his brother because he didn't know if Dawson liked him back! Yep, makes sense.
Another thing that didn't work for me is the writing. It's quite basic and superficial, and the dialogues sound stilted and unnatural, like a script rather than a real conversation. There's a constant sense of awkwardness, not the cute kind. Made me cringe while reading this.
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December 3, 2025
RATING 4.5 STARS
The Holiday Exchange by Riley Hart and Christina Lee is a short, oh so sweet, and also steamy holiday novella that will make you all warm and gooey inside. This is just like a Hallmark movie with a little added sizzle.
Dawson Jones owns a little shop in Boston called Sip and Savor. Briar Maxwell is a super adorable, techy guy who works about a block away and for the past two months, he’s been coming into the shop about once a week for a drink and snack. Those afternoons are the highlight of Dawson’s week. They always spend some time visiting and catching up.
It’s on the exact day when Dawson had worked up enough courage to finally ask Briar out when he comes in, only to see him walk in with none other than Dawson’s twin brother, Nathan, who works in the same building as Briar. Being the nice guy Dawson is, he steps back and keeps his feelings to himself while Briar and Nathan begin to date.
Exactly three months later, just before Christmas when Briar is inviting Nathan to come home with him for the holiday to meet his family, Nathan dumps him. Which his brother, Dawson, suspected would happen all along. Because his brother is not a long term relationship kind of guy. While consoling Briar over his breakup, he invites Dawson to come home with him as his fake boyfriend so his parents wouldn’t be disappointed.
Cue the Hallmark movie moments. Briar’s home town of Bright’s Hollow is Dawson’s dream come true. He can’t believe all the beautiful holiday events. And he loves Briar’s family. The whole week is a dream, except for the whole fake boyfriend, thing. Because he wants Briar to be his real boyfriend.
This was a quick read but was packed with so much holiday goodness. These two were so cute together. I so want to go to this town and experience all of it! This is an angst free, feel good story that I’m sure will put you in the holiday mood.
The Holiday Exchange by Riley Hart and Christina Lee is a short, oh so sweet, and also steamy holiday novella that will make you all warm and gooey inside. This is just like a Hallmark movie with a little added sizzle.
Dawson Jones owns a little shop in Boston called Sip and Savor. Briar Maxwell is a super adorable, techy guy who works about a block away and for the past two months, he’s been coming into the shop about once a week for a drink and snack. Those afternoons are the highlight of Dawson’s week. They always spend some time visiting and catching up.
It’s on the exact day when Dawson had worked up enough courage to finally ask Briar out when he comes in, only to see him walk in with none other than Dawson’s twin brother, Nathan, who works in the same building as Briar. Being the nice guy Dawson is, he steps back and keeps his feelings to himself while Briar and Nathan begin to date.
Exactly three months later, just before Christmas when Briar is inviting Nathan to come home with him for the holiday to meet his family, Nathan dumps him. Which his brother, Dawson, suspected would happen all along. Because his brother is not a long term relationship kind of guy. While consoling Briar over his breakup, he invites Dawson to come home with him as his fake boyfriend so his parents wouldn’t be disappointed.
Cue the Hallmark movie moments. Briar’s home town of Bright’s Hollow is Dawson’s dream come true. He can’t believe all the beautiful holiday events. And he loves Briar’s family. The whole week is a dream, except for the whole fake boyfriend, thing. Because he wants Briar to be his real boyfriend.
This was a quick read but was packed with so much holiday goodness. These two were so cute together. I so want to go to this town and experience all of it! This is an angst free, feel good story that I’m sure will put you in the holiday mood.
December 22, 2025
3.5 Stars
This is one of those times I really really need a half-star rating capability on Goodreads. If Letterboxd can do it, you guys can do it too! I believe in you!!
But I digress…
Can someone explain to me how I’ve read literal M/M twin incest stories and frothed at the mouth over them, yet the premise here—with a guy fake-dating and falling for his ex’s twin (within, like, 2 weeks of the breakup)—has me clutching at my pearls Victorian maiden style, all affronted and maybe even a little icked out by the idea of it?!
I honestly can’t explain why this set-up bothered me so much, considering some of the things I’ve read and enjoyed in the past. I think, maybe, I’ve just got a personal hangup over the idea of siblings dating the same people? It makes me uncomfortable… more so if it involves cheating and betrayal, which, thankfully, this story does not. **phew**
Questionable premise aside, MCs Briar and Dawson were both really sweet men, who were extremely sweet together, so even with the twin murkiness, it was all too easy to be swept up in the easy connection these men shared and the effortless manner in which their relationship shifted from friendly acquaintances, to fake boyfriends, to real boyfriends, all in a manner of days.
As a “bring a fake boyfriend home for Christmas” story, this had nothing I hadn’t read many times before, but like Dawson’s absolute adoration for all things Hallmark-y Christmas, I too simply enjoyed the festive activities happening on page, as well as the warm, supportive family vibes and the cozy small-town backdrop under which the story unfolded.
I still kind of wish the ex hadn’t been the love interest’s twin, but it is what it is, and I knew what I was getting into, so all things considered, it ended up playing out under the best possible circumstances, despite my personal hang ups.
This is one of those times I really really need a half-star rating capability on Goodreads. If Letterboxd can do it, you guys can do it too! I believe in you!!
But I digress…
Can someone explain to me how I’ve read literal M/M twin incest stories and frothed at the mouth over them, yet the premise here—with a guy fake-dating and falling for his ex’s twin (within, like, 2 weeks of the breakup)—has me clutching at my pearls Victorian maiden style, all affronted and maybe even a little icked out by the idea of it?!
I honestly can’t explain why this set-up bothered me so much, considering some of the things I’ve read and enjoyed in the past. I think, maybe, I’ve just got a personal hangup over the idea of siblings dating the same people? It makes me uncomfortable… more so if it involves cheating and betrayal, which, thankfully, this story does not. **phew**
Questionable premise aside, MCs Briar and Dawson were both really sweet men, who were extremely sweet together, so even with the twin murkiness, it was all too easy to be swept up in the easy connection these men shared and the effortless manner in which their relationship shifted from friendly acquaintances, to fake boyfriends, to real boyfriends, all in a manner of days.
As a “bring a fake boyfriend home for Christmas” story, this had nothing I hadn’t read many times before, but like Dawson’s absolute adoration for all things Hallmark-y Christmas, I too simply enjoyed the festive activities happening on page, as well as the warm, supportive family vibes and the cozy small-town backdrop under which the story unfolded.
I still kind of wish the ex hadn’t been the love interest’s twin, but it is what it is, and I knew what I was getting into, so all things considered, it ended up playing out under the best possible circumstances, despite my personal hang ups.
won-t-read-bc-nopes
November 2, 2025Just noting this is not a holiday story for me. MC dates one twin, then gets dumped and switches to the other, slept w both. Eww. Imagine the family gatherings. 🥺 Maybe if it had been years between? But this is like dating one twin for several months and getting dumped, within days fake-dating other twin/getting involved with him. Just. Ew.
Probably otherwise a charming Hallmark-esque romance, but, just...not for me.
** adding** OH and I am so dumb. Finally realized...that title...it blatantly revels in the twin exchange. Like they're interchangeable. Extra eww.
Probably otherwise a charming Hallmark-esque romance, but, just...not for me.
** adding** OH and I am so dumb. Finally realized...that title...it blatantly revels in the twin exchange. Like they're interchangeable. Extra eww.
December 25, 2025
4.5 stars ...
Delightfully adorable 🥰...
exactly what I wanted it to be.
Don't have unrealistic expectations
from a 110-page holiday story
and you won't be disappointed.
Delightfully adorable 🥰...
exactly what I wanted it to be.
Don't have unrealistic expectations
from a 110-page holiday story
and you won't be disappointed.
October 20, 2025
3.5*
This is a really sweet festive romance with a definite Hallmark feel to it and I liked it.
Both Briar and Dawson are lovely men, each has a little bit of a fear of inadequacy for various reasons, Briar because his high school sweetheart dumped him as they were heading off to college together, Dawson because his twin brother Nathan is a larger than life character who's overshadowed him.
The premise for the story is pretty much as the Blurb explains, Dawson's got a crush on Briar and is about to ask him out when Nathan swoops in (unknowingly) and starts seeing him instead.
But, as Dawson knows Nathan's not the settling down type he's expecting the relationship to end after a few months, which is exactly what happens just before Christmas.
Therein follows the main narrative as Briar asks Dawson to come home to Maine with him instead of Nathan.
Now, I will say that the twin element of the story was pretty irrelevant really as Briar hadn't told his parents anything about Nathan so Dawson wasn't having to pretend to be him. They could have just been brothers or best friends and it wouldn't have made much difference.
Still, that's a minor niggle in what's otherwise the typical light-hearted fake boyfriends fall in love over small town vibes and friendly people that you'd expect from a Hallmark movie or festive romance.
I'd have liked to have seen a bit more of them once they did get together but they're a really great match and I liked that Dawson helped Briar see his home town and the kindness of the people who lived there clearly again.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review
This is a really sweet festive romance with a definite Hallmark feel to it and I liked it.
Both Briar and Dawson are lovely men, each has a little bit of a fear of inadequacy for various reasons, Briar because his high school sweetheart dumped him as they were heading off to college together, Dawson because his twin brother Nathan is a larger than life character who's overshadowed him.
The premise for the story is pretty much as the Blurb explains, Dawson's got a crush on Briar and is about to ask him out when Nathan swoops in (unknowingly) and starts seeing him instead.
But, as Dawson knows Nathan's not the settling down type he's expecting the relationship to end after a few months, which is exactly what happens just before Christmas.
Therein follows the main narrative as Briar asks Dawson to come home to Maine with him instead of Nathan.
Now, I will say that the twin element of the story was pretty irrelevant really as Briar hadn't told his parents anything about Nathan so Dawson wasn't having to pretend to be him. They could have just been brothers or best friends and it wouldn't have made much difference.
Still, that's a minor niggle in what's otherwise the typical light-hearted fake boyfriends fall in love over small town vibes and friendly people that you'd expect from a Hallmark movie or festive romance.
I'd have liked to have seen a bit more of them once they did get together but they're a really great match and I liked that Dawson helped Briar see his home town and the kindness of the people who lived there clearly again.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review
December 26, 2025
Sweet!
Perfectly sweet adorable and sexy Christmas fun! Very short, 100 pages, so not a ton of development, especially with the secondary characters, but I absolutely adored both main characters! Four stars!
Perfectly sweet adorable and sexy Christmas fun! Very short, 100 pages, so not a ton of development, especially with the secondary characters, but I absolutely adored both main characters! Four stars!
November 11, 2025
This was a quick read but there was nothing new included that I haven’t read before. Usually these two authors together create something more enjoyable but this fell flat.
I have to add, were Dawson and Nathan identical twins? They never said nothing about them looking alike. They had different hairstyles and that’s all I read. I wish there was more to the story.
I have to add, were Dawson and Nathan identical twins? They never said nothing about them looking alike. They had different hairstyles and that’s all I read. I wish there was more to the story.
November 4, 2025
Fun holiday novella set in a small mountain town. Dawson has had a crush on Briar ever since the first time we came into his coffee shop. Just when he's about to ask him out, Briar meets Dawson's brother Nathan at work and they begin dating. When they split just before the holidays, Briar asks Dawson to come home with him for Christmas and act like his boyfriend. The fake relationship begins to feel very real, very fast.
November 4, 2025
This was such a cute and quick read! The perfect book to start off the holiday season for me! Fake dating is one of my all time favorite tropes so I absolutely ate this up.
October 28, 2025
3.5 stars
The Holiday Exchange is a MM holiday romance novella about Dawson and Briar.
Dawson owns a cafe and develops a crush on Briar who has become a frequent customer. Dawson looks forward to Briar’s visits. He finally plans to ask him on a date, but before he can he finds out Briar is dating Nathan, Dawson’s twin brother.
When Briar asks Nathan to go home with him for the holidays, Nathan breaks up with Briar. Dawson consoles Briar, knowing Nathan prefers to keep things casual and usually only lasts three to six months when dating anyone. Briar ends up asking Dawson to go home with him for Christmas and to pretend to be his boyfriend. He doesn’t want to show up alone because of his parents and his ex. Dawson wants to be more adventurous so he agrees.
This story was like the warm Hallmark holiday movies, filled with such sweet moments of Dawson and Briar. Everything was feeling so right and natural between these two, and it wasn’t long before the pretending started to feel real.
Dawson was such a sweet man with a big heart, and I loved how he fit in so well with Briar’s family and their small town. I will say I had a little bit of trouble with Briar falling for Dawson so quickly, especially since he just got dumped by Dawson’s twin brother Nathan. But in the end, I was glad Dawson and Briar both wanted to be together. Overall, this was a sweet and cute holiday romance story.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
The Holiday Exchange is a MM holiday romance novella about Dawson and Briar.
Dawson owns a cafe and develops a crush on Briar who has become a frequent customer. Dawson looks forward to Briar’s visits. He finally plans to ask him on a date, but before he can he finds out Briar is dating Nathan, Dawson’s twin brother.
When Briar asks Nathan to go home with him for the holidays, Nathan breaks up with Briar. Dawson consoles Briar, knowing Nathan prefers to keep things casual and usually only lasts three to six months when dating anyone. Briar ends up asking Dawson to go home with him for Christmas and to pretend to be his boyfriend. He doesn’t want to show up alone because of his parents and his ex. Dawson wants to be more adventurous so he agrees.
This story was like the warm Hallmark holiday movies, filled with such sweet moments of Dawson and Briar. Everything was feeling so right and natural between these two, and it wasn’t long before the pretending started to feel real.
Dawson was such a sweet man with a big heart, and I loved how he fit in so well with Briar’s family and their small town. I will say I had a little bit of trouble with Briar falling for Dawson so quickly, especially since he just got dumped by Dawson’s twin brother Nathan. But in the end, I was glad Dawson and Briar both wanted to be together. Overall, this was a sweet and cute holiday romance story.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
November 10, 2025
This gave me the ick. Another “oh shit” for me in the column of not reading the blurb.
December 21, 2025
3.5 stars
November 22, 2025
₊˚⊹ | 4 ★ read .ᐟ
I can't believe I started my Christmas reads with the sweetest love story!! YES!! I LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH!!
I can't believe I started my Christmas reads with the sweetest love story!! YES!! I LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH!!
November 5, 2025
Rating: 3
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: fake relationship, brother's ex, only one bed
A quick and cute holiday romance!
This was a very sweet read with a strong Hallmark vibe to it - a little familiar treat to kick off the Holiday season! The premise was pretty straight forward: Briar returning home for the holidays with a fake boyfriend, only one bed to share and some charming small town vibes. There was a little twin twist to it though, and it added just a pinch of tension to the story.
Dawson was a total sweetheart and had been crushing on Briar for a bit, and while their relationship had a bit of an unconventional start to it, there was definitely a lot of swoon involved. It was a pretty short read, and the romance felt a little fast paced. I wanted a little more than I got from this one, and I struggled a bit with how fast Briar moved on from one twin to another. Even if he and Dawson had been friendly with each other for a while it still felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to see a bit more chemistry between the characters.
The Holiday Exchange was overall a super sweet and romantic story, with lots of swoon and small town charm!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: fake relationship, brother's ex, only one bed
A quick and cute holiday romance!
This was a very sweet read with a strong Hallmark vibe to it - a little familiar treat to kick off the Holiday season! The premise was pretty straight forward: Briar returning home for the holidays with a fake boyfriend, only one bed to share and some charming small town vibes. There was a little twin twist to it though, and it added just a pinch of tension to the story.
Dawson was a total sweetheart and had been crushing on Briar for a bit, and while their relationship had a bit of an unconventional start to it, there was definitely a lot of swoon involved. It was a pretty short read, and the romance felt a little fast paced. I wanted a little more than I got from this one, and I struggled a bit with how fast Briar moved on from one twin to another. Even if he and Dawson had been friendly with each other for a while it still felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to see a bit more chemistry between the characters.
The Holiday Exchange was overall a super sweet and romantic story, with lots of swoon and small town charm!
-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Read
October 26, 2025this is a sweet holiday novella by two of my favourite authors - Briar and Dawson had an atypical start with Briar dating Nathan, Dawson’s twin because he felt a spark with Dawson but Nathan asked him out however when they break up Briar has committed to taking a boyfriend home to his hallmark picture perfect home town to his parents who have been madly in love forever - this cues a a fake dating scenario with low angst push pull and lots of family hallmark moments at the end of which they develop far deeper feelings, this is a quick feel good read for the holidays.
October 24, 2025
The Holiday Exchange
Riley Hart &
Christina Lee
Briar & Dawson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Fake relationship
Small town
Twins ex-boyfriend
Friends to lovers
Secret crush
Low angst
This was a wonderful holiday romance story.
Super sweet and low angst.
Dawson has had a crush on Briar for a while now.
Dawson owns a beverage shop and sees Briar come in for smoothies until one day Dawson sees Briar come in with his twin brother Nathan and now those two are dating.
A few short months later Briar and Nathan break up, but Briar isn't a pickle and asks Dawson to come home with him and meet his family.
The fake boyfriends trope is such fun reading every time. The pining is what always gets me.
“Thank you for all this. For making my holiday special.” I wink. “Asking you to be my fake boyfriend
These two were so sweet and lovely.
They were so perfect for each other.
Dawson was so sweet and genuinely loved Briar's hometown and his family.
This was short, swoony and sweet.
“Talk about a Hallmark-movie ending.” “Ending?” I tease. “We’re just getting started.”
So glad they found their forever love.
So thankful for this arc.
Riley Hart &
Christina Lee
Briar & Dawson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
Fake relationship
Small town
Twins ex-boyfriend
Friends to lovers
Secret crush
Low angst
This was a wonderful holiday romance story.
Super sweet and low angst.
Dawson has had a crush on Briar for a while now.
Dawson owns a beverage shop and sees Briar come in for smoothies until one day Dawson sees Briar come in with his twin brother Nathan and now those two are dating.
A few short months later Briar and Nathan break up, but Briar isn't a pickle and asks Dawson to come home with him and meet his family.
The fake boyfriends trope is such fun reading every time. The pining is what always gets me.
“Thank you for all this. For making my holiday special.” I wink. “Asking you to be my fake boyfriend
These two were so sweet and lovely.
They were so perfect for each other.
Dawson was so sweet and genuinely loved Briar's hometown and his family.
This was short, swoony and sweet.
“Talk about a Hallmark-movie ending.” “Ending?” I tease. “We’re just getting started.”
So glad they found their forever love.
So thankful for this arc.
November 6, 2025
This is a fake dating holiday romance, featuring Dawson and Briar, and a standalone novella.
Dawson has always had a crush on Briar, but before he could make a move, his twin brother dates, and then dumps, Briar right before Christmas. Dawson then agrees to pose as Briar’s boyfriend for a holiday trip home - that’s what friends do right?
I liked this one, it was low angst and sweet. The twin-swap setup could’ve been a messy drama, but instead it’s handled with warmth and a little slow-burn tension. Their fake-dating holiday in picturesque Maine delivers everything I want in a festive read - twinkling lights, found family, and confessed feelings.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone novella
MM holiday romance
Slow burn
Small town
Fake dating
Twin’s ex boyfriend
Cinnamon roll MC
Secret crush
Friends to more
Home for Christmas
Forced proximity
Only one bed
Admit feelings
Dates
Spicy times
HEA
Dawson has always had a crush on Briar, but before he could make a move, his twin brother dates, and then dumps, Briar right before Christmas. Dawson then agrees to pose as Briar’s boyfriend for a holiday trip home - that’s what friends do right?
I liked this one, it was low angst and sweet. The twin-swap setup could’ve been a messy drama, but instead it’s handled with warmth and a little slow-burn tension. Their fake-dating holiday in picturesque Maine delivers everything I want in a festive read - twinkling lights, found family, and confessed feelings.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone novella
MM holiday romance
Slow burn
Small town
Fake dating
Twin’s ex boyfriend
Cinnamon roll MC
Secret crush
Friends to more
Home for Christmas
Forced proximity
Only one bed
Admit feelings
Dates
Spicy times
HEA
November 4, 2025
3.5 rounding up - Short and sweet holiday novella. If this would have been longer, so we could slowly watch the relationship slowly form, I think the potential was there to be super cute! But for what it was, I still enjoyed it. :)
December 8, 2025
Short and sweet Christmas fake dating novella
Read
November 6, 2025Briar gives me the ick. I honestly thought he'd be this sweet guy. Turns out he's just some selfish dude who takes advantage of the fact that he came across twins who're willing to date him. This whole book gives me the ick. Dates both twins, a few months apart, compares both, kisses and sleeps with both. Yuck. Briar has some expectations for Nathan and when Nathan ditches and says "nope, sayonara bitch" he ASKS the TWIN, Dawson, right to his face, didn't even hesitate, to take Nathan's place. It's bad enough that Dawson already feels inferior to Nathan as a person, Briar just had to twist the knife in that wound by making him take Nathan's place - to show his parents and ex-boyfriend back home that he's not some lonely, single loser. Way to take advantage over someone.
November 11, 2025
Nog geen jingle bells met dit flinterdunne verhaaltje, waarin (uiteraard) een relatie gefaket wordt. Blijkbaar is het in de wereld van kerst romannetjes not done om met kerst relatieloos te zijn; dan kun je beter een relatie faken met de twin van je ex. Dat laatste zou mij nu juist een nachtmerrie lijken.
Een verhaal om snel te vergeten.
Ik ben het al vergeten.
Een verhaal om snel te vergeten.
Ik ben het al vergeten.
November 14, 2025
I have cavities now…
Seriously this story was so fluffy and warm and sweet my teeth were hurting. Dawson is a coffee shop owner and loves talking to Briar who comes in all the time. The day Dawson finally gets the guts to ask him out is the same day Dawson’s twin brother walks in with Briar.
But Briar and Dawson’s twin don’t last long and soon enough Briar is taking Dawson home for Christmas instead of his brother. What starts out as fake becomes very real for the two of them.
I liked this fine. It was just so sweet and wholesome🤣🤣 and I wanted some extra spice in both the plot and their relationship. But that’s on me. The story was adorable and fans of short and lovely MM reads will eat this up.
Seriously this story was so fluffy and warm and sweet my teeth were hurting. Dawson is a coffee shop owner and loves talking to Briar who comes in all the time. The day Dawson finally gets the guts to ask him out is the same day Dawson’s twin brother walks in with Briar.
But Briar and Dawson’s twin don’t last long and soon enough Briar is taking Dawson home for Christmas instead of his brother. What starts out as fake becomes very real for the two of them.
I liked this fine. It was just so sweet and wholesome🤣🤣 and I wanted some extra spice in both the plot and their relationship. But that’s on me. The story was adorable and fans of short and lovely MM reads will eat this up.
October 24, 2025
The Holiday Exchange is a charming bite-sized hallmark-movie-style romance. It's perfect if you're looking for something quick and light for the holiday season. It's not the most memorable book from Riley Hart, but that's not really what you're looking for from a hallmark movie, is it? It's a cute story and Briar and Dawson were good together. It's a novella, so you don't get a ton of content, so just know that going into it. Snuggle up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and read this if you want small town holiday romance vibes.
Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews and Riley Hart for the eARC of this book. These are my honest thoughts.
Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews and Riley Hart for the eARC of this book. These are my honest thoughts.
December 31, 2025
This was the perfect book to end 2025 on (and meet my reading goal with!)
This book was so gay hallmark movie coded and I loved every single second of it!!
The swoon, the holiday magic, the relationship build up! Everything was so cute and swoon worthy and Dawson?? DREAM.BOAT ❤️🥰❤️🥰
This book was so gay hallmark movie coded and I loved every single second of it!!
The swoon, the holiday magic, the relationship build up! Everything was so cute and swoon worthy and Dawson?? DREAM.BOAT ❤️🥰❤️🥰
October 29, 2025
Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Dawson and Briar
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Dawson and Briar
October 18, 2025
Hmmm….ruminating on my rating on this one.
The Holiday Exchange by Riley Hart and Christina Lee is a sweet holiday romance. I absolutely adored Dawson and the beginning set up was great. I love the idea of him having a crush on Briar and his twin brother beating him to the punch. However, once we got into Briar’s head, I was a little uncomfortable. I am not sure if I will be able to articulate why. I never got the feeling that Briar was that into Dawson. And if he truly was attracted to Dawson at the beginning, why would he accept a date from the brother? It made me feel icky to think that Briar was literally just exchanging Dawson for Nathan. The brothers are not alike at all (besides looks), so which one was Briar really attracted to? I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on why it bothered me so much in this book. When Dawson and Briar were being intimate, all I could think was that for three months you slept with his brother. I’ve read many books where one MC dates a sibling’s ex and enjoyed them, but this one just felt off to me. I felt like Dawson deserved a little more love and romance since he was the romantic brother.
I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review.
The Holiday Exchange by Riley Hart and Christina Lee is a sweet holiday romance. I absolutely adored Dawson and the beginning set up was great. I love the idea of him having a crush on Briar and his twin brother beating him to the punch. However, once we got into Briar’s head, I was a little uncomfortable. I am not sure if I will be able to articulate why. I never got the feeling that Briar was that into Dawson. And if he truly was attracted to Dawson at the beginning, why would he accept a date from the brother? It made me feel icky to think that Briar was literally just exchanging Dawson for Nathan. The brothers are not alike at all (besides looks), so which one was Briar really attracted to? I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on why it bothered me so much in this book. When Dawson and Briar were being intimate, all I could think was that for three months you slept with his brother. I’ve read many books where one MC dates a sibling’s ex and enjoyed them, but this one just felt off to me. I felt like Dawson deserved a little more love and romance since he was the romantic brother.
I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
Dawson and Briar!
Briar was dating Nathan, Dawson ‘s twin. Dawson owns a cafe where he saw Briar a lot and was going to ask him out, until he came in with Nathan.
Then after Nathan dumps Briar, Briar asks Dawson to come home to his folks for the holidays and they’d be pretend boyfriends.
When they see what a good match they make, the truth must be told.
The trip was homey, family fun, and eventually the kiss is explosive.
As always the characters are vivid, we get deep thoughts, and a true love to relish. These authors are amazing writers.
Enjoy !
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Briar was dating Nathan, Dawson ‘s twin. Dawson owns a cafe where he saw Briar a lot and was going to ask him out, until he came in with Nathan.
Then after Nathan dumps Briar, Briar asks Dawson to come home to his folks for the holidays and they’d be pretend boyfriends.
When they see what a good match they make, the truth must be told.
The trip was homey, family fun, and eventually the kiss is explosive.
As always the characters are vivid, we get deep thoughts, and a true love to relish. These authors are amazing writers.
Enjoy !
======
November 21, 2025
This was short and sweet. A super cute Christmas novella. Gave me everything I love in a holiday romance. Absolutely loved it!
December 13, 2025
3.5 - sweet & cozy feel-good holiday novella about a smoothie bar owner who has had a crush on his twin's ex and finally makes a move. Dawson's twin brother dumps Briar riiiiight before Christmas and so Dawson concocts a fake dating scheme to bring Briar home to his family for Christmas. I love their cute dates and Dawson's parents are so sweet. "Only one bed" sure makes them grow close and eventually...Dawson reveals his crush. So lovely! Loved the family holiday business and all the small town holiday goings-on - made me long for something just like this.
What to Expect:
*Smoothie bar owner+ Project manager
*Twin’s ex
*longtime crush
*fake dating
*hallmark holiday movie vibes
*family xmas tree farm/holiday shop
*only one bed
What to Expect:
*Smoothie bar owner+ Project manager
*Twin’s ex
*longtime crush
*fake dating
*hallmark holiday movie vibes
*family xmas tree farm/holiday shop
*only one bed
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