Stuck Faking Christmas: A Sweet Best Friends to Lovers Romance

by Sophie Shelton

I fake-dated my childhood best friend to save our festival—then confessed I love him on live radio.

Carter's been my person since high school, the guy who fixes things before I ask.

Coming home after my career imploded was temporary. Co-chairing the Christmas market was my redemption.

One viral photo later, we're Evergreen Falls' favorite couple. The market gets donations, sponsorships, a radio segment. All we have to do is keep pretending.
Which gets harder every day.

Carter guides my hands carving ornaments, his body against mine, and I forget to breathe.
He wraps his arms around me when cameras aren’t rolling.
He kisses me under mistletoe for a photo op, and I forget we're pretending.

When he walks out in his gala suit, he takes my breath away.

Then he says he loves me. Choosing him means staying in Evergreen Falls, but I spent eight years proving I could make it somewhere bigger.

I have to decide. The career I fought for or the man I realize I've loved my whole life.

This is a Sweet Kisses-only romance with all of the sizzle but none of the steam.

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR

Reviews

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I am still blushing from this book. I don’t think I have ever gone through so many emotions so quickly with a book before. Within the first chapter I felt it all. My heartstrings were tugged and never released. This was a beyond realistic representation of friends to lovers. It was absolutely precious. I just wanna curl up on a couch with some hot cocoa and a Carter, watching Elf of course. I need this kind of love and support in my life. The utterly deep connection between Brooke and Carter is something from a fairytale. It’s beyond description. Sophie created a world that felt real and as if I was a part of this community. It was like watching a Hallmark movie. I definitely need more.

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was oh so, so good!! Brooke was the best FMC, even though she would probably say she wasn't!! She goes home after her scummy, scrappy ex boyfriend stole her work and got the promotion she had been working for. What a creep! She thinks she isn't enough and my heart broke for how much damage her ex did to her. She was fantastic and I loved how she jumped right i. To help Carter save the Christmas festival. Carter, probably top 5 fav MMC! He knows Brooke so well and n is always there to keep her from spiraling. He is gentle and supportive and utterly lost for her! Their story was so sweet, heartbreaking and warming at the same time. I loved them so much!!

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this fun story, it grabbed me from the beginning, and I didn’t want to put it down. Brooke has a jerk of an ex that stole her promotion, so she goes home where her best friend Carter is willing to help her heal, but can he hide his real feelings as the whole town is in support of their relationship? While trying to save the Christmas market, Brooke jumps in so willing to help but this is also when the fun begins. The banter in this book is so great, the sweet and swoony romance is just what I love in a story. Such a fun story that kept me smiling, with fun Christmas spirit.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Stuck Facing Christmas” by Sophie Shelton

-A warm, hopeful Christmas love story where patience finally earns its reward. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
Carter’s steadfast devotion meets Brooke’s shaken confidence in a tender, small-town holiday setup. Their pretend romance in Evergreen Falls melts into something real as meddling locals nudge them closer. Moments under twinkling lights uncover the feelings they’ve both kept buried. I recommend this wonderful story.

[Vernon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great new book from Sophie Shelton. I was invested in this book from the first page. The loyalty of Carter and Brooke's blindness to his feelings keep you on the edge of your seat. Then the small town matchmakers kick in and a “fake” relationship begins. A great read which establishes “proof that hope and patience and love that waits is worth it”. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.

[Karen "Kay" · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Christmas read. You will fall in love with Brooke and Carter. Carter has been in love with Brooke, his best friend since high school. Brooke is now back home on a 30 day leave from her job after her promotion was stolen by her now ex-boyfriend who used her ideas. Carter is trying to save the Christmas festival and Brooke jumps in to help him. A great story with a HEA.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Colleen Meister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great one. So swoony and heartfelt. Best friends to lovers, he always loved her. Just so wholesome and sweet. Small conflict, quickly resolved and ended perfectly. Loved it.