Pretending for Christmas : A Sapphic Holiday Romance

by Alexa Woods

One is hiding her truth. The other is hiding her identity.
When pretending for Christmas turns into the real thing.

Lorna Sterling has the perfect life—on paper.
A wealthy husband. Two picture-perfect kids. And her dream Christmas shop glowing in the middle of the family’s luxury mall.
But behind the tinsel and fairy lights is a truth she can’t say out
She’s trapped in a cold marriage, hiding the part of herself that still knows what real love could feel like.

Riley Moss doesn’t do holiday cheer. Or rich people.
She’s a broke PI who’ll take any case that keeps the lights on—
even going undercover as a mall elf to dig up “evidence” on Lorna so her husband can erase her and keep every cent.
It’s supposed to be simple.
Smile for the customers. Spy on the wife. Collect the paycheck.

Except Lorna isn’t the icy trophy wife Riley expected.
She’s warm. Funny. Lonely. And heartbreakingly brave.
And every moment Riley spends beside her makes the lie between them sharper… and the pull between them hotter.

What happens when pretending turns real? When a forbidden spark becomes the first thing either woman truly wants?
And when the truth comes out—will it destroy Lorna’s life…or finally set her free?

A cozy-but-angsty sapphic Christmas romance filled with undercover secrets, stolen glances, and a love worth risking everything for.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

for lesbian romance books see Alexa Woods (two spaces)

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Youve fallen in love with the woman you’re investigating..

Lorna’s husband hires a private investigator to find evidence of his wife cheating. He wants to invoke the prenup that will give his wife nothing, he’d get the kids she’d get two weekends a month. He hires Riley but he’s upset when she finds no evidence of cheating. Being a sweet guy he tells her to fabricate evidence. Little did he know Lorna and Riley had fallen in love..

Enjoyed this book, the characters, the writing was very good. Did find a few inconsistencies that had me re-reading sections thinking I had read it incorrectly. Haha I’ve liked all of Alexa Woods books she’s a talented writer. Tells a good story.

[Erik S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Amazing

This book was fabulous Alexa. It was hard to put down. I thought the ending was written perfectly. WELL DONE Alexa.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of repetitive sentences ...almost word for word and a lot of reminding the reader of something. So much so that I would literally roll my eyes with "Here we go again." But I loved the story!!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love most of her books but this one has some strange errors in it, not bad enough that I couldn't fill in my own gaps. I did like the storyline and it had a happy ending.

[Mrs Patricia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book hope there will a follow up. A well written book