Thirteen days. Twelve dates. One very distracting roommate.
Daisy Whitaker has exactly thirteen days to find a plus-one for her brother’s Christmas wedding. Her plan? Twelve dates in less than two weeks. Yes, it’s ridiculous. No, she’s not taking feedback at this time.
Her roommate-slash-best-friend-slash-occasional-fling, Finn Parker, is strictly off the roster. Not because she isn’t attracted to him—she is, which is exactly the problem—but because their casual thing has “no strings” written all over it in permanent marker. And she’s trying to be… responsible now. The kind of person who dates grown-ups who own throw pillows and have five-year plans.
But between snowstorms, bad small talk, and Finn’s irritatingly hot tattoos, Daisy’s twelve-date experiment might turn out to be less about finding the right guy and more about wondering if the best love stories start with someone who already knows your coffee order.
A Very Standard Christmas is perfect for lovers of the Holiday and How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days.
Cute and fun Christmas novella. Daisy needs a date for her brother's Christmas wedding and decides to have 12 dates leading up to it and based them on the Twelve Days of Christmas. Finn is her roommate but they also have a benefits situation going on. Daisy has feelings for Finn but he doesn't feel that way. She goes on dates and each time something happens, Finn is there to help her. He meets up at the bar or picks her up when needed. Going back home for the wedding, Finn and Daisy get closer, can they figure out their feelings towards each other?
Cute, quick spicy read that is perfect for the holidays! Thank you Twisted Chaos for the ARC of A Very Standard Christmas by Sierra Spencer! I quickly was entranced with the roommate situation between Finn & Daisy, they’re hilarious! After she got home from the skating rink date I was like OH! It’s that kind of roommate situation lol I loved that for them and I loved the ending!
This was a cute friends to lovers Christmas story. I enjoyed seeing Daisy go on dates and Finn being there for her after all of them. I loved when they finally understood each other and admitted their feelings.
But even MORE than just that. I absolutely adored Daisy and Finn and even more than the characters I adored Sierra’s writing. She effortlessly makes you feel everything so deep in your core, like you’re right there in the story with them. This story was the perfect bundle of everything you could want in a holiday romcom- laughter, emotions, a dash of spice (or cinnamon 😉), and CHEMISTRY through the roof.
Cheers to my lovely friend on yet another book I think is absolute perfection!
Thirteen days. Twelve dates. One very distracting roommate.
Daisy Whitaker has exactly thirteen days to find a plus-one for her brother’s Christmas wedding. Her plan? Twelve dates in less than two weeks. Yes, it’s ridiculous. No, she’s not taking feedback at this time.
Her roommate-slash-best-friend-slash-occasional-fling, Finn Parker, is strictly off the roster. Not because she isn’t attracted to him—she is, which is exactly the problem—but because their casual thing has “no strings” written all over it in permanent marker. And she’s trying to be… responsible now. The kind of person who dates grown-ups who own throw pillows and have five-year plans.
But between snowstorms, bad small talk, and Finn’s irritatingly hot tattoos, Daisy’s twelve-date experiment might turn out to be less about finding the right guy and more about wondering if the best love stories start with someone who already knows your coffee order.
A Very Standard Christmas is perfect for lovers of the Holiday and How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days. Tropes: Christmas, Thirteen Days, Twelve Dates in Two Weeks, Distracting Roommate, Search for a Plus One, Christmas Wedding, Best Friend Slash Occasional Fling, Snowstorms, Small Talk, Hot Tattoos, Holidays, How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days.
A Very Standard Christmas by Sierra Spencer.
Thirteen days, that’s how long Daisy Whitaker has to find herself a plus-one for her brother’s Christmas wedding. Now she’s concocted an insane plan to find her plus one. She’s going to go on twelve dates in less than two weeks. She knows that it’s ridiculous. And this time, she has no intention of taking any feedback.
She’s already taken her roommate Finn Parker, who also happens to be her best friend and on again off again occasional fling, off the roster. And it’s not because she’s not attracted to him. God knows that she’s attracted to him – that’s the entire problem – and their casual “no strings attached” is written all over their fling in permanent marker. And now Daisy is just trying to be more responsible. She wants to be the kind of person with a five-year plan, throw pillows, the kind of person who dates grown ups.
Now between snowstorms, horrific small talk, and watching Finn’s irritatingly hot tattoos while she’s at home. Daisy’s twelve-date experiment might just make her realize that her experiment is less about finding the right guy and more about realizing that the very best love stories are the ones that start with someone you know already, who knows you as well as you know them, and someone who knows your coffee order as well as you do.
This was such a great Christmas story. I just loved it. As a lover of “How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days”, I just fell in love with this story.
I absolutely fell in love with Daisy and Finn. Both of these characters were beautifully created and they had such wonderful personalities. I loved their growth through the story and their character arcs were so well developed.
The storylines, the plot and the subplots were fleshed out, I loved the way the storyline wove in with both the plot and the subplot and pulled at your heart and you couldn’t help but find yourself enthralled and you couldn’t help but read until the end.
I enjoyed Daisy and Finn's story so much. Daisy's brother is about to get married and she needs a plus one for the wedding. She realizes that most of her relationships in the past have been very unserious. The only constant in her life is Finn, her roommate and best friend. They also have a no strings attached arrangement. Daisy decides since the wedding is in 13 days, she'll go on a date with a different guy every night leading up to the wedding to see which guy she has more compatibility with. Each date night corresponds with theme from the 12 days of Christmas which I thought was a really cool fun way to really get the holiday vibes in there. But as Daisy goes on the dates with the guys an then returns home with Finn, she begins to realize that the reason she doesn't have anyone else thats stable in her life is because of what she shares with Finn. They have such a great connection and the spice is intense between them. The chemistry is amazing and the relationship between the two of them seems so genuine and real. It was a quick story and seemed to tie up nicely at the end. But the writing was very captivating and kept me hooked to the story.
The Perfect Holiday Read: Funny, Swoony, and Unexpectedly Right! Sierra Spencer’s A Very Standard Christmas is a sweet, funny, and satisfying holiday novella. Daisy’s chaotic quest to find a date for a Christmas wedding involves the "12 Dates of Christmas" challenge, leading to a parade of hilariously awkward attempts at romance. But the story's undeniable heart is Finn, Daisy's steady, heroic roommate. He's the one who always shows up, knows her best, and shares a slow-burn chemistry that is pure magic. This book expertly combines family chaos, sparkling banter, and the cozy realization that the perfect love has been right beside you all along. So stinking cute! A must-read for fans of friends-to-lovers and Christmas romance done right. Thank you to the Twisted Chaos PA team and Sierra Spencer the gifted eARC for this honest, spoiler-free review as part of the Christmas Playlist series.
A Very Standard Christmas delivers a cozy holiday romance with plenty of small-town charm and emotional tension. I enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the slow realization of feelings, especially between Daisy and Finn, whose connection is obvious from the start.
That said, Daisy really tested my patience. Sleeping with Finn and then turning around to look for a plus-one for her brother’s wedding had me shaking my head—what is wrong with people? It was hard not to feel frustrated when Finn is clearly her other half, and everyone, but Daisy seems to see it. Still, that emotional blindness adds to the story’s conflict and makes the payoff more satisfying when she finally starts to catch up with her own heart.
Overall, this was a sweet, slightly frustrating (in a good way) Christmas romance that kept me invested. A solid four stars for holiday vibes, believable emotions, and a love story worth rooting for. 🎄💫
“It’s the best kind of expected, the kind you make on purpose.”
Sierra Spencer delivers a warm, funny, and oh-so-swoony holiday novella in A Very Standard Christmas—a story that takes the classic “12 Days of Christmas” theme and turns it into a delightful dating experiment gone beautifully off-course. Daisy needs a date for her brother’s Christmas wedding, and her soon-to-be sister-in-law proposes a festive solution: the “12 Dates of Christmas.” Twelve men. Twelve chances at finding someone worthy of being her plus-one. What follows is a parade of awkward meet-cutes, mismatched personalities, and hilariously doomed attempts at romance. Spencer leans into the chaos with charm—each date idea is fun, creative, and often painfully relatable. And while most of the men are forgettable at best and nap-inducing at worst, Graham gives the experiment a flicker of real potential…almost. But the shining thread woven through every comedic misadventure is Finn—Daisy’s steady, quietly heroic roommate. He’s the one she texts when a date implodes, the one who always shows up, the one who knows her better than any man in the lineup. Their friendship is cozy, comfortable, and low-key electric in a way Daisy tries hard not to see. Spencer builds their chemistry with a slow, irresistible simmer—every rescue, every shared grin, every moment of unspoken longing nudges Daisy closer to the truth she’s trying so hard to avoid. This novella nails the charm of holiday romance: family chaos, sparkling banter, cozy winter atmospheres, and the kind of love that sneaks up on you until it’s suddenly undeniable. Daisy’s journey isn’t just about choosing a date for the wedding—it’s about realizing the perfect person has been beside her all along, toolbox at the ready and heart in hand. Sweet, funny, festive, and warmly romantic, A Very Standard Christmas is a holiday treat for fans of friends-to-lovers, roommates-with-feelings, and Christmas romance done right.
My goodness…the joy I feel whenever I read a book by Sierra is unmatched. Obsessed with everything she releases, and this was no different. It was so fun being back in Connor Bay and seeing where Olivia and Whit are at in the future. Sometimes I get nervous to read about a different couple in a universe, especially if I adored the OGs, but Daisy and Finn were the superstars of this show.
Finn, with his perfectly timed quips, all-knowing stares, and the ability to appear right when you want him to. He was everything! And Daisy, with her somewhat chaotic mind, FILLED TO THE LITERAL BRIM with yearning. I loved them 🩷
Such a fun, little Christmas story. Definitely should add it to your holiday tbr!
”So here’s to love. Not the lightning strike, but the lamp that stays on in the window until you find your way back.” Finn and Daisy’s story feels soft and sweet-like a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day. ☕️❄️ Finn is so kind and attentive to Daisy’s uncertainty and second guessing.
Daisy is trying to find a wedding date for her brothers (Keating Whitaker; Eastern Standard) wedding. 12 dates in 12 days before the wedding and hopefully one of them will impress enough to bring to the wedding.
But then there’s Finn. Her best friend and roommate. Constantly there-not in an overwhelming way but in a steady way. In a, I know the space you need, kind of way. The one who lets her choose at her own pace without pressure. ♥️
Short, fun, holiday romance. Daisy is trying to show people she can take relationships seriously right before her brother's wedding. The wedding is in 13 days so she's going to go on dates themed like the 12 days of Christmas. She's going on dates, while being roommates with a guy she's known since they were kids, and occasionally hooks up with. She's had a crush for a long time but won't admit it. There are dates that go horribly, when she gets home, he's there with movies, blankets, popcorn, and hot chocolate. He saves her. Then there are a couple that don't go too bad, she's trying to get to know them while having fun, but then her roommate shows up and things change. Will they ever admit feelings for each other and take their friends with benefits relationship to the next level.
Daisy and Finn have their very own Christmas countdown to her brother’s wedding. She’s on a series of dates, and they’re not going well, personalities not aligning, awkward dates, charm and a distinct failure to really connect with any of them…
The tension is there, and their friends see it, but the MMC and MFC are either unknowingly or willfully ignorant/blind. I was heavily leaning toward willful behaoviours that drew it out.
Despite mid-book spice, they took their time… and I enjoyed the dynamics of their families and friends… It was enjoyable
A Very Standard Christmas is book five of The Christmas Playlist Series.
I loved the use of The Twelve Days Of Christmas in this story. We are thirteen days away from Christmas and the wedding of Daisy's brother. She needs to find a date and goes on dates everyday to find someone to take. Every day/date has something themed towards the twelve days of Christmas. I thought this was super creative and fun. But doing all of this makes Daisy reflect on her life and the one thing she wants in her life - Finn. Is she willing to take a risk on getting her drummer this Christmas?
A Very Standard Christmas by Sierra Spencer is Book 5 in The Christmas Playlist and it was a super good read. I very much enjoyed it because it was so far from a standard Christmas.
The FMC makes a goal of going on 12 first dates before Christmas, but all the while her heart is half in it. The MMC is an ever supportive roommate/best friend, but lives in the FMC's head rent free.
This is an HEA. It was cute. Predictable with open door and closed door spicy times.
Thank you Sierra and Twisted Chaos for giving me a chance to read this book!
This Christmas Playlist series has got my number. I have been adoring the stories. The story between Daisy and Finn is no different. She starts down this path of 12 dates in 12 days based on the song the 12 Days of Christmas. The winner will get to be her date to her brother’s wedding on Christmas. Meanwhile there’s Finn: her friend, roommate, friend with benefits and so much more. Always there and everything she could want, but her uncertainty just leaves her going on these dates either hating them or questioning why they’re not making her happy in the way she wants.
I wasn't a big fan of this one. Finn and Daisy were cute, sure, but it was so predictable. I would've loved it if there had been more chemistry between any of the dates to at least make me second-guess the outcome.
This was predictable, but not in the 'good romance' kind of way. I was bored while reading and wished it had been better. There was also a scene in the book so early on that kind of just sealed the deal for me. I just couldn't bring myself to turn my Kindle on to read this, and that's never the feeling I want to get from a book.
Sierra never fails to impress me with her lovably imperfect, ever-so-charming characters. It is incredibly impressive how quickly she is able to establish Daisy and Finn’s dynamic and the cozy New England holiday vibes in this novella.
If you’ve ever been on Hinge date, had a crush on a friend, or freaked out about showing up dateless to a wedding, read A Very Standard Christmas!
Daisy needs a date for her brothers Christmas wedding. She decides to go one 12 dates to find her plus one. Some dates go well, and some are destined for disaster.
Her roommate, Finn, becomes her knight-in-shining armor. He is her first call when dates fall apart and her go-to for all things.
I enjoyed the way Daisy and Finn became the perfect Christmas wedding couple!
The book was sweet with the tiniest bit of spice. You can feel the love growing in the background throughout the book as you route for the characters to finally get it together and get together. This gives 90s rom-com vibes throughout it making it a short and fun Christmas read. I received this as an ARC through twisted chaos and above is my honest review. Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️
Oh my goodness this was just too cute. Finn is precious. I love him. I’ll fight Olivia for him. This is a perfect example of the friends to lovers idea. They were amazing friends. And that connection and chemistry definitely lends itself to some mischief, and ultimately couple goals. The banter was phenomenal. I honestly need a longer book featuring these two.
As a certified Sierra Spencer Stan but also a cinnamon hater I can confidently say I loved this. I have been in a SLUMP, so don’t let how long it took me to read this affect your decision to read or not! Sierra, I love you and am obsessed with everything you do. Thank you for this beautiful work, excited for what 2026 has in store!!!
This is definitely a favorite from the playlist. Hilarious, chaotic, and steady. I loved the “twelve” dates and Finn was that stay perfection everyone needs.