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Mr. Maybe by Christmas
It's November and Cassidy is single and desperate. Okay, maybe desperate is a little too strong. But with thirty hurtling at her like a meteorite and a year-long romantic drought behind her, she's determined to find someone - anyone - to bring home for Christmas and prove to herself and everyone else that she is girlfriend material.
So with the unhelpful help of her roommate, her sister, and a hot Viking bartender (who is, alas, married), Cassidy embarks on a quest through the battlefield of online dating to find herself someone who is good enough for now.
But as she goes on bad first date after worse first date and finds herself in the middle of her friends' imploding relationships, will Cassidy ever notice that her single-minded quest for Mr. Maybe is blinding her to Mr. Right?
Mr. Maybe By Christmas is a light romantic comedy with heart. Fans of Hallmark Movies and Sophie Kinsella gather here!
So with the unhelpful help of her roommate, her sister, and a hot Viking bartender (who is, alas, married), Cassidy embarks on a quest through the battlefield of online dating to find herself someone who is good enough for now.
But as she goes on bad first date after worse first date and finds herself in the middle of her friends' imploding relationships, will Cassidy ever notice that her single-minded quest for Mr. Maybe is blinding her to Mr. Right?
Mr. Maybe By Christmas is a light romantic comedy with heart. Fans of Hallmark Movies and Sophie Kinsella gather here!
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Killarney Traynor
14 books216 followersKillarney Traynor is a New England-born novelist, writer, actor, bibliophile, martial artist, and history buff. A member of Authors Elite and American Christian Fiction Writers, she is the author of Summer Shadows and Necessary Evil.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 8, 2025
Cass is heading into another holiday season single, and decides to set herself a challenge: to find not Mr Right, but Mr Maybe, by Christmas, which leads to a string of mostly terrible, but endlessly entertaining, first dates. Helping (and sometimes hindering) her along the way are: her best friend and roommate Kayla, chaotic, brutally honest, but always coming from a place of love; her older sister Renee, happily married and endlessly eager to share her not-always-requested wisdom; and Cousteau, the charming “Viking” bartender who serves up cocktails and encouragement in equal measure as Cass recounts each dating disaster at the trendy bar, Speakeasy.
As a woman in her late twenties watching friends settle down while still hoping for her own Mr Right, I felt so seen by this book. The unsolicited advice, the disappointments, the quiet self-doubt, it all rang true. Cass’s self-deprecating humour and unwavering optimism were infectious, even after so many bad dates, she kept showing up with hope and heart, and I laughed (and cringed) right alongside her.
I also loved the recurring cocktail theme. Unlike Cass, I do love a good G&T, so I especially enjoyed the various concoctions that accompanied each date’s postmortem at Speakeasy, and I feel like I now have a whole list I want to try!
The writing was engaging and vivid; the descriptions of the town, the venues, and even Cass’s outfits made it easy to picture everything like a snowy, festive rom-com playing out in my head. I had a strong suspicion of where the story was headed, but it still kept me guessing until the end. It really is the perfect holiday romance, cozy weekend read, funny, warm, and full of heart. Think early-2000s rom-com vibes, with a hint of He’s Just Not That Into You!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As a woman in her late twenties watching friends settle down while still hoping for her own Mr Right, I felt so seen by this book. The unsolicited advice, the disappointments, the quiet self-doubt, it all rang true. Cass’s self-deprecating humour and unwavering optimism were infectious, even after so many bad dates, she kept showing up with hope and heart, and I laughed (and cringed) right alongside her.
I also loved the recurring cocktail theme. Unlike Cass, I do love a good G&T, so I especially enjoyed the various concoctions that accompanied each date’s postmortem at Speakeasy, and I feel like I now have a whole list I want to try!
The writing was engaging and vivid; the descriptions of the town, the venues, and even Cass’s outfits made it easy to picture everything like a snowy, festive rom-com playing out in my head. I had a strong suspicion of where the story was headed, but it still kept me guessing until the end. It really is the perfect holiday romance, cozy weekend read, funny, warm, and full of heart. Think early-2000s rom-com vibes, with a hint of He’s Just Not That Into You!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 15, 2025
I never thought I will enjoy this book as much as I did. And certainly, I cannot remember the last time I laughed out loud reading one. Also, as an introvert, I deeply felt for Cassidy as she tried so hard to fit in, to find connection.
The story is quite simple: it follows Cassidy, who, approaching thirty, is determined to find a date, to bring to her family's Christmas Eve dinner. Feeling the pressure to settle down, she tries online dating with the guidance of her best friend, her sister, and a charming, but married, bartender.
The characters were so unique and intriguing, that I could follow the story without making a cheat sheet with all the people appearing in the book. I got invested in the story from the beginning and after a few chapters, I just couldn’t put it down. I was rooting for Cassidy, the big-hearted, quirky girl, laughing at the absurd dates, swooning over the hot Viking bartender, and cheering on all the girls in the story.
The writing was light and fluent, and the scenery realistic, I loved the description of the places, and the outfits Cassidy chose for all of her outings. Also, the interactions between the girls, and between Cassidy and her family were endearing and lifelike.
While it is a romantic comedy (and very good at it), it’s also a journey to self-discovery, and we can see by the end of the book the confidence Cassidy gains in herself, and learn that it is okay to not be perfect, and accept ourselves for who we are.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story is quite simple: it follows Cassidy, who, approaching thirty, is determined to find a date, to bring to her family's Christmas Eve dinner. Feeling the pressure to settle down, she tries online dating with the guidance of her best friend, her sister, and a charming, but married, bartender.
The characters were so unique and intriguing, that I could follow the story without making a cheat sheet with all the people appearing in the book. I got invested in the story from the beginning and after a few chapters, I just couldn’t put it down. I was rooting for Cassidy, the big-hearted, quirky girl, laughing at the absurd dates, swooning over the hot Viking bartender, and cheering on all the girls in the story.
The writing was light and fluent, and the scenery realistic, I loved the description of the places, and the outfits Cassidy chose for all of her outings. Also, the interactions between the girls, and between Cassidy and her family were endearing and lifelike.
While it is a romantic comedy (and very good at it), it’s also a journey to self-discovery, and we can see by the end of the book the confidence Cassidy gains in herself, and learn that it is okay to not be perfect, and accept ourselves for who we are.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2025
This book will have you laughing out loud, wishing for a drink with your friends, and hoping for love.
This is a sort of coming of age story -adult edition- for Cass. She is about to enter her 30s, and wants to find that special someone who can accompany her to Christmas with her family. Her choice is to embark on a series of first dates that always end up in terrible results. But she has a great group of friends that support her and join in for a drink after each failed attempt.
This is not a love story per se. instead is a book about self discovery, about friendship, about learning to put yourself and feelings first, about taking chances, about maturity. The book is so relatable, and the characters endearing, you will love each date, you will love the fallouts, and will enjoy all the details.
A great cozy read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a sort of coming of age story -adult edition- for Cass. She is about to enter her 30s, and wants to find that special someone who can accompany her to Christmas with her family. Her choice is to embark on a series of first dates that always end up in terrible results. But she has a great group of friends that support her and join in for a drink after each failed attempt.
This is not a love story per se. instead is a book about self discovery, about friendship, about learning to put yourself and feelings first, about taking chances, about maturity. The book is so relatable, and the characters endearing, you will love each date, you will love the fallouts, and will enjoy all the details.
A great cozy read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 14, 2025
This was....not great. I'm still not entirely sure this took place in the US. Despite the author being American she threw in a lot of British phrases that oftentimes didn't truly fit with the situation. There were also just times where things were written correctly, but felt off. Once, Cass's mom is telling her she needs to go talk to someone because then she won't be their victim anymore. Cass replies, "I'm not a victim!" and her mother responds "Then start acting like it!" She means to start acting like "not a victim", but it feels like she's saying to start acting like the victim. I don't know. The writing wasn't great, or needed a lot more editing. The story itself was okay, but the ridiculous way Cass acted 90% of the time was really off putting. And if Kayla is how a best friend acts, no thank you.
November 20, 2025
A delightful romantic comedy that blends humor, online dating, and the cozy charm of a Hallmark movie. The characters are instantly lovable, and the gradual build‑up of the relationship between the two leads feels authentic and heartfelt. The author has a real gift for creating realistic, relatable personalities that draw you in. The writing flows smoothly, immersing you in every emotional twist—capturing both the angst and the tender moments of love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 2, 2025
Cute rom-com.
I did go in expecting more spice, as this was recommended to me based on my reading habits, which trend toward both darker and spicier.
But, this was a quick, fun, seasonal read that I would recommend to anyone looking for lighthearted holiday fare.
I did get slightly annoyed when the FMC’s name would go from Cassidy to Cassie; how are men supposed to remember if the author can’t? But, then I just assumed it was a nickname and moved on.
Sweet story.
Zero spice.
Lots of gin.
4 stars.
I did go in expecting more spice, as this was recommended to me based on my reading habits, which trend toward both darker and spicier.
But, this was a quick, fun, seasonal read that I would recommend to anyone looking for lighthearted holiday fare.
I did get slightly annoyed when the FMC’s name would go from Cassidy to Cassie; how are men supposed to remember if the author can’t? But, then I just assumed it was a nickname and moved on.
Sweet story.
Zero spice.
Lots of gin.
4 stars.
November 19, 2025
loved it !! love Cass and her friends... this is her story about finding Mr. Maybe for Christmas and all those horrible first dates... a fun fast paced rom/com drama... and all those post date drinks at the Speakeasy...and the outfits for the dates... it's funny !!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews