What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blitz: A Single Dad Christmas Romance
Spending Christmas with my goddaughter and her widowed father feels like a dream, but he’s my late best friend’s husband. I’m not supposed to be falling for him.
When Rafa needs help taking care of eight-year-old Sofi during her winter break, I pack my bags and come play house for the holidays.
Five years after Gabby’s passing, he and I share more than our grief. We stay up late talking by the fire. We cozy up in a living room fort to watch a movie. We kiss under the mistletoe. Until we can’t resist doing more.
I’ve always dreamed of love like this, but we were never meant to end up together. Gabby’s parents might not understand, and we can’t risk Sofi’s happiness if something goes wrong.
We need a sprinkle of magic to make this work. It’s a good thing Christmas is the perfect time for miracles.
When Rafa needs help taking care of eight-year-old Sofi during her winter break, I pack my bags and come play house for the holidays.
Five years after Gabby’s passing, he and I share more than our grief. We stay up late talking by the fire. We cozy up in a living room fort to watch a movie. We kiss under the mistletoe. Until we can’t resist doing more.
I’ve always dreamed of love like this, but we were never meant to end up together. Gabby’s parents might not understand, and we can’t risk Sofi’s happiness if something goes wrong.
We need a sprinkle of magic to make this work. It’s a good thing Christmas is the perfect time for miracles.
- GenresRomance
215 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2026
About the author
Leonor Soliz
18 books373 followersLeonor wrote her first Meet Cute at eight years old and never really stopped. Her stories are cozy and fun: low conflict, slow burn books that will make you swoon... and will reward you with great spice. With a healthy dose of humor, these stories guarantee a happily ever after to her plus size and multicultural characters.
Leonor is a Latina living in Canada, working as a therapist during the day and fitting as much writing to her life as she can. She’s also a multicrafter, trying her hand at watercolor, jewelry, sewing, and anything else that strikes her fancy. She makes her own covers!
Learn more about Leonor at leonorsoliz.com/links.
Leonor is a Latina living in Canada, working as a therapist during the day and fitting as much writing to her life as she can. She’s also a multicrafter, trying her hand at watercolor, jewelry, sewing, and anything else that strikes her fancy. She makes her own covers!
Learn more about Leonor at leonorsoliz.com/links.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 25, 2026
3.75⭐️
I received this book as an ARC, and I'm leaving an honest review voluntarily.
Good, comfy read. The two MCs were a good fit together. I enjoyed some of the other stories in this series better. But it's still a good story!
I received this book as an ARC, and I'm leaving an honest review voluntarily.
Good, comfy read. The two MCs were a good fit together. I enjoyed some of the other stories in this series better. But it's still a good story!
October 28, 2026
ARC Review 🎄❤️
Christmas, close friendships, family traditions, and finding love again when you least expect it — this was such a heartwarming holiday romance! The final instalment in the Seattle Strike series has very little football, instead focusing on what matters most: family, healing, and opening your heart to a new chapter.
I really enjoyed Rafa and Lori’s story and how natural their relationship felt. As a widower and a father, Rafa’s journey was especially meaningful, showing that life continues after loss and that it’s okay to heal, work through grief, go to therapy, and eventually open your heart to a new kind of love.
One of my favourite things was how well Rafa and Lori communicated instead of dragging things out unnecessarily. They were honest about their feelings and their fears, especially when it came to changing their friendship and what that could mean for their family. Lori is Sofi’s godmother and was also Gabi’s best friend before Gabi passed away. Since Lori has grown up close to Gabi’s family, they both worried about how Gabi’s parents would feel about Rafa and Lori becoming more than friends. I really appreciated that these concerns were acknowledged and that they cared about how their relationship could affect the people closest to them.
Their feelings had been changing over the two years before the start of the book, but it was lovely to see them finally acknowledge those feelings and take that step together. I appreciated how the story explored the fear that comes with changing a long-standing friendship while also showing that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting someone you’ve lost.
This was a very quick read for me, and I really enjoyed the cozy Christmas atmosphere and the focus on family. This was my first book by this author and my first in the Seattle Strike series, but I had no trouble following along, and it can easily be read as a standalone.
If you’re looking for a sweet, cozy Christmas romance with great communication, family at its heart, and a reminder that it’s okay to find love again after loss, this is definitely one to pick up! ❤️🎄 I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Christmas, close friendships, family traditions, and finding love again when you least expect it — this was such a heartwarming holiday romance! The final instalment in the Seattle Strike series has very little football, instead focusing on what matters most: family, healing, and opening your heart to a new chapter.
I really enjoyed Rafa and Lori’s story and how natural their relationship felt. As a widower and a father, Rafa’s journey was especially meaningful, showing that life continues after loss and that it’s okay to heal, work through grief, go to therapy, and eventually open your heart to a new kind of love.
One of my favourite things was how well Rafa and Lori communicated instead of dragging things out unnecessarily. They were honest about their feelings and their fears, especially when it came to changing their friendship and what that could mean for their family. Lori is Sofi’s godmother and was also Gabi’s best friend before Gabi passed away. Since Lori has grown up close to Gabi’s family, they both worried about how Gabi’s parents would feel about Rafa and Lori becoming more than friends. I really appreciated that these concerns were acknowledged and that they cared about how their relationship could affect the people closest to them.
Their feelings had been changing over the two years before the start of the book, but it was lovely to see them finally acknowledge those feelings and take that step together. I appreciated how the story explored the fear that comes with changing a long-standing friendship while also showing that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting someone you’ve lost.
This was a very quick read for me, and I really enjoyed the cozy Christmas atmosphere and the focus on family. This was my first book by this author and my first in the Seattle Strike series, but I had no trouble following along, and it can easily be read as a standalone.
If you’re looking for a sweet, cozy Christmas romance with great communication, family at its heart, and a reminder that it’s okay to find love again after loss, this is definitely one to pick up! ❤️🎄 I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
October 26, 2026
I felt like was being welcomed back into the Seattle Strike Series with the final installment, The Blitz. Our wise, single dad Rafa, whose sole focus is ensuring his daughter Sofi is always protected. Letting Sofi grow and explore, lets Rafa do the same.
Rafa, always there for everyone's interventions, but will he need his own. Don't worry those meddlesome, good natured friends make an appearance. Some good natured teasing and coaxing of information.
Set during Christmas time and with his busy schedule he has Sofi's madrina, Lori, come and stay. Lori just happens to be the woman he can't help think about late at night.
They have reasonable qualms about their changing relationship, but have already laid the foundation, so communication comes relatively quick. Thank you, Leonor!
They have similar concerns, Sofi, what would Gabi think, what would their parents think, but there are signs that help lead them in defining their new relationship.
Cozy, quick read with fat rep spice, Latiné rep and that holiday feel. Sad to see the series end, but I know Leonor will have something else in the works.
And you know your limits, so read the author's content warnings
Thank you Leonor Soliz for this ARC. I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rafa, always there for everyone's interventions, but will he need his own. Don't worry those meddlesome, good natured friends make an appearance. Some good natured teasing and coaxing of information.
Set during Christmas time and with his busy schedule he has Sofi's madrina, Lori, come and stay. Lori just happens to be the woman he can't help think about late at night.
They have reasonable qualms about their changing relationship, but have already laid the foundation, so communication comes relatively quick. Thank you, Leonor!
They have similar concerns, Sofi, what would Gabi think, what would their parents think, but there are signs that help lead them in defining their new relationship.
Cozy, quick read with fat rep spice, Latiné rep and that holiday feel. Sad to see the series end, but I know Leonor will have something else in the works.
And you know your limits, so read the author's content warnings
Thank you Leonor Soliz for this ARC. I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 24, 2026
** I received an electronic ARC of this book directly from the author **
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶 - but it felt right for the story
I devoured this book in less than 18 hours. It's more novella length than full length novel. If you enjoyed the rest of the Strike series, you'll likely enjoy this one too, but reading the others is not a prerequisite.
Survivor's guilt is a heck of a thing. Rafa & Lori both loved Gabby and want only the best for Sofi, but, in the process of grieving their mutual loss of Gabby, have come to depend on each other and, ultimately, developed feelings for each other. The guilt they themselves feel - as well as worrying about how not only their own parents but Gabby's will react - is a tangible weight throughout a significant part of the story. How they wrestle with and overcome that guilt is very well handled.
But it's worth all the emotional turmoil (and multiple uses of the Spanish to English translation on my Kindle) for them to get to their HEA as a family.
The spice was spicing - very definitely a sort of slow burn but when it gets there, mmmm. The blanket fort?? Chef's kiss.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶 - but it felt right for the story
I devoured this book in less than 18 hours. It's more novella length than full length novel. If you enjoyed the rest of the Strike series, you'll likely enjoy this one too, but reading the others is not a prerequisite.
Survivor's guilt is a heck of a thing. Rafa & Lori both loved Gabby and want only the best for Sofi, but, in the process of grieving their mutual loss of Gabby, have come to depend on each other and, ultimately, developed feelings for each other. The guilt they themselves feel - as well as worrying about how not only their own parents but Gabby's will react - is a tangible weight throughout a significant part of the story. How they wrestle with and overcome that guilt is very well handled.
But it's worth all the emotional turmoil (and multiple uses of the Spanish to English translation on my Kindle) for them to get to their HEA as a family.
The spice was spicing - very definitely a sort of slow burn but when it gets there, mmmm. The blanket fort?? Chef's kiss.
October 25, 2026
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Leonor Soliz and NetGalley for the ARC.
A cozy, comfort, Christmas read where love grows where grief once was. It's a slow developing love as both Rafa and Lori have to surpass the guilt for their developing feelings towards each other.
Rafa is a great father, he thinks of Sofi, his daughter, above else. He's a good friend and a good person. Lori is a great godmother who wants the best for Sofi. After years from Gabby's death, therapy, healing, they all deserve happiness and love.
It's a short read where two people have to learn to accept life goes on, heal their grief and open themselves to the possibility of love together. We don't get other conflicts besides that, and their personalities don't really shine through, except for their roles as father, godmother, and trying to begin a new chapter together.
It's a short, comfort read, with spice between its pages to keep you warm. Didn't read the other books from the series, so it does good as a standalone as well.
A cozy, comfort, Christmas read where love grows where grief once was. It's a slow developing love as both Rafa and Lori have to surpass the guilt for their developing feelings towards each other.
Rafa is a great father, he thinks of Sofi, his daughter, above else. He's a good friend and a good person. Lori is a great godmother who wants the best for Sofi. After years from Gabby's death, therapy, healing, they all deserve happiness and love.
It's a short read where two people have to learn to accept life goes on, heal their grief and open themselves to the possibility of love together. We don't get other conflicts besides that, and their personalities don't really shine through, except for their roles as father, godmother, and trying to begin a new chapter together.
It's a short, comfort read, with spice between its pages to keep you warm. Didn't read the other books from the series, so it does good as a standalone as well.
October 28, 2026
Received this book as an ARC.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
It is bittersweet writing the last review for the last installment of the Seattle Strike series.
I have loved this whole series. Each one has been amazing. But this one might just have become my favorite.
Rafa single Dad and widow. Just playing football and taking care of his daughter.
Lori Rafa's late wife's best friend and the godmother to his daughter.
It's the Christmas season and Lori is spending it with Rafa and Sofi. Rafa and Lori have already been having some feelings for each other the past couple of years because of how close they got leaning on each other after the passing of his wife and her best friend and Lori being there for Sofi.
Will the magic of Christmas help these two come together as a couple? Will Sofi be okay with them being together? What about everyone else that was affected by his late wife's passing?
This was such a heartwarming read and even brought tears to my eyes a few times.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
It is bittersweet writing the last review for the last installment of the Seattle Strike series.
I have loved this whole series. Each one has been amazing. But this one might just have become my favorite.
Rafa single Dad and widow. Just playing football and taking care of his daughter.
Lori Rafa's late wife's best friend and the godmother to his daughter.
It's the Christmas season and Lori is spending it with Rafa and Sofi. Rafa and Lori have already been having some feelings for each other the past couple of years because of how close they got leaning on each other after the passing of his wife and her best friend and Lori being there for Sofi.
Will the magic of Christmas help these two come together as a couple? Will Sofi be okay with them being together? What about everyone else that was affected by his late wife's passing?
This was such a heartwarming read and even brought tears to my eyes a few times.
October 27, 2026
Lori & Rafa's story is short & sweet... a perfect cozy Christmas read!! This novella is part of the Seattle Strike series, as a standalone.
I like all the characters & how their story plays out. I like the setting also.
While Rafa is a football player, there isn't really much in the book about football as it takes place over Christmas.
The book is told in a dual 1st person POV
Spice level: 3/5
*Christmas cozy romance
*Holiday romance
*Football romance
*sports romance
*he's a widower
*she's his deceased wife's best friend & the godmother of his daughter
*he's a single Dad
Thank you to the author (Leonor Soliz), publisher (Victory Editing) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I like all the characters & how their story plays out. I like the setting also.
While Rafa is a football player, there isn't really much in the book about football as it takes place over Christmas.
The book is told in a dual 1st person POV
Spice level: 3/5
*Christmas cozy romance
*Holiday romance
*Football romance
*sports romance
*he's a widower
*she's his deceased wife's best friend & the godmother of his daughter
*he's a single Dad
Thank you to the author (Leonor Soliz), publisher (Victory Editing) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 26, 2026
I received this book as an ARC. I have read other books in this series so I was excited to read this one. It definitely did not stack up to the others that she has written. The story was cute. But I found a few grammatical mistakes and it took me out of the story.
October 28, 2026
This book was really sweet and i loved it
Rafa, Sofi and Lori deserve the best, and I’m glad they found it together.
The fact that this story takes place during the Christmas holidays makes it even more appealing.
The found family in this series is so good
Rafa, Sofi and Lori deserve the best, and I’m glad they found it together.
The fact that this story takes place during the Christmas holidays makes it even more appealing.
The found family in this series is so good
October 29, 2026
ADVANCED READER COPY,this was5e cherry on top to this awesome series. Rafa and Lori have a hold on my heart. This was a beautiful representation of loss and grief and how to grow from it, Yes it was spicy but ugh it was so beautifully written and worth the slow burn,
October 27, 2026
This was such a cute book to tie the series together. I do wish it was a little rushed went from 0 to 100. The story overall was good
October 25, 2026
This one was a bit sad as we got to learn of Rafa's backstory. I liked that we got to see how Rafa and Lori came together after that sad event in both their lives and helped each other. I thought the author did a good job at talking through the guilt could be felt in a situation like this. I was loving that bot Rafa and Lori worked on building their friendship that then naturally moved into where it was moving.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews