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San Diego Marines #3
Christmas with You
A Marine does desperate things when he’s faced with a matchmaking, guilt-tripping grandmother.
Most men probably wouldn’t invent a fake girlfriend to keep their family off their backs. But I’m married to the military, and I’m more than happy with my relationship status—no holiday gift-giving pressure here.
But when I find out my grandmother is traveling cross-country to meet the special lady in my life, I need to find a real fake girlfriend. Fast. One bungled attempt later, I find myself talking to Angie Black. Best friend to my best friend’s wife.
After hearing about my desperate search for a Christmas date, she agrees to do it—but why? It’s no secret she doesn’t like me. She doesn’t laugh at my jokes and avoids me like I have a live grenade in my pocket whenever we’re together.
Blindly relieved, I don’t question it. Until her little touches begin to set off fireworks in my belly and her glances linger in unexplainable ways.
My grandmother says we have great chemistry, but it’s probably just the eggnog talking. Because what Angie and I have is about as real as Santa Claus. Right?
Christmas with You is a sweet holiday romance told from alternating POVs, set in the world of The San Diego Marines. Each book can be read as a standalone but are fun to read in order.
230 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2021
597 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Jess Mastorakos
55 books707 followersJess Mastorakos writes sweet military romance books that feature heroes with heart and the strong women they love. She is a proud Marine wife and mama of four. She loves her coffee in a glitter tumbler and planning with an erasable pen.
Get a free novella from her San Diego Marines series, Forever with You, at the link below!
www.jessmastorakos.com/forever-with-you
Get a free novella from her San Diego Marines series, Forever with You, at the link below!
www.jessmastorakos.com/forever-with-you
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 19, 2020
Sweet, Fun
They don't even like each other until faking changes things. First impressions are changed. Then bam. Fake becomes like. Like means invested. Invested means kissing. I really like that part. Kissing means the chance at something more. Especially when family becomes involved. Sweet, fun. This is a good one. I'm really enjoying this series and this author.
They don't even like each other until faking changes things. First impressions are changed. Then bam. Fake becomes like. Like means invested. Invested means kissing. I really like that part. Kissing means the chance at something more. Especially when family becomes involved. Sweet, fun. This is a good one. I'm really enjoying this series and this author.
November 3, 2022
Have you ever started a series that is so good that you wish someone would create a “pause life” remote so you can stop everything and just read? That’s where I’m at right now. I want to sit in my comfy chair with my hot cocoa and sweet treats and just read. Life can be tough when you don't want to adult. 😉
If you follow my blog, you know that I am not a fan of the fake relationship trope. But since all the books I've read in this series have been amazing, I thought what the heck. Let's give it a go. Y'all Ms. Mastorakos is making a liar out of me! I ended up loving this book! I guess I just haven't been reading the right authors. 😉
I absolutely adored Cooper and Angie! Their bantering back and forth had me giggling and made me root for them even more. I loved watching their relationship develop from kinda enemies to friends to something more. Both of them had been in a bad relationship and were so focused on not falling into the same trap again that they didn't realize they were falling in love. They're definitely favorites of mine. 😊
And can we talk about Grandma Jean for just a second? Y'all she was the best! She was always up to something when it came to Cooper and Angie. Sneaky and full of mischief. I loved the role she played in getting them together. It was perfect!
Christmas with You was a great addition to an amazing series. If you're looking for a fun series to escape into, I highly recommend this one. I'm going to have a major book hangover once I finish this series. I am so glad that I discovered Ms. Mastorakos! Her books are just what I needed right now.
And of course I can't forget about my casting! What do you think?!
If you follow my blog, you know that I am not a fan of the fake relationship trope. But since all the books I've read in this series have been amazing, I thought what the heck. Let's give it a go. Y'all Ms. Mastorakos is making a liar out of me! I ended up loving this book! I guess I just haven't been reading the right authors. 😉
I absolutely adored Cooper and Angie! Their bantering back and forth had me giggling and made me root for them even more. I loved watching their relationship develop from kinda enemies to friends to something more. Both of them had been in a bad relationship and were so focused on not falling into the same trap again that they didn't realize they were falling in love. They're definitely favorites of mine. 😊
And can we talk about Grandma Jean for just a second? Y'all she was the best! She was always up to something when it came to Cooper and Angie. Sneaky and full of mischief. I loved the role she played in getting them together. It was perfect!
Christmas with You was a great addition to an amazing series. If you're looking for a fun series to escape into, I highly recommend this one. I'm going to have a major book hangover once I finish this series. I am so glad that I discovered Ms. Mastorakos! Her books are just what I needed right now.
And of course I can't forget about my casting! What do you think?!
July 15, 2023
Sweet, Christmastime, fake-dating, military romance
Cooper's best friend is Vince, who is married to Sara, who is Angie's best friend. Vince and Cooper are currently stationed at the Marine base in San Diego, and Sara's immediate family and Cooper's immediate family live in San Diego as well. Because of their interconnected BFFs, Cooper has known Angie for years, and he has spent all that time continuously teasing her, with Angie sniping right back at him, because he aggravates her so much. Due to that quarrelsome dynamic, as well as the fact that they've been dating other people during this time period, neither has admitted to themselves or anyone else that they find each other physically attractive.
A year ago, Angie struggled through a bad breakup with a cheating boyfriend, but she has remained optimistic enough to keep dating, in order to eventually find a decent man to start a family with. In contrast, Cooper also experienced a bad breakup during his last deployment several years ago, when his girlfriend cheated on him and dumped him. But unlike Angie, he has cynically decided to give up on love. Because he is a Marine, rather than blaming his romance disaster on choosing the wrong person, he has blamed it on his military career, with its frequent deployments for up to seven months at a time. Since he plans on being in the Marines for 20 years, he has decided that he is not going risk getting seriously involved with a woman again until he is 38 years old and retired. Unfortunately for the success of this goal, his beloved, maternal grandmother has been nagging him to settle down and get married for over 18 months. In order to placate her, during the past year, he has been lying to her, claiming that he has a girlfriend. He has gotten away with that ploy until now, by maintaining the lie long distance with his grandmother, but now she says she will be visiting San Diego for several days during Christmas week. Rather than opting to confess his prevarication and seek forgiveness, Cooper chooses to double down on his scheme. Mainly because he realizes the perfect choice for playing the part of his fake girlfriend, someone who absolutely won't take it seriously and demand a real relationship, is right before his eyes. He and Angie make a pact that she will play the part of his fake girlfriend during his grandmother's visit, and he will play the part of her fake boyfriend at the wedding of her ex-boyfriend, a distasteful event she cannot avoid, because the cheating slime is her boss, and she doesn't want to leave her job .
This is a fun, low-angst, G-rated, Christmas novella. There is no foul language and no sensuality beyond a few kisses. Fans of Hallmark movies, in particular, will enjoy this story.
This novella is part of a series of books that have continuing characters from one novel to the next. However, each story ends with a clear HEA and no cliffhanger and can, thus, be read out of order or on their own.
Cooper's best friend is Vince, who is married to Sara, who is Angie's best friend. Vince and Cooper are currently stationed at the Marine base in San Diego, and Sara's immediate family and Cooper's immediate family live in San Diego as well. Because of their interconnected BFFs, Cooper has known Angie for years, and he has spent all that time continuously teasing her, with Angie sniping right back at him, because he aggravates her so much. Due to that quarrelsome dynamic, as well as the fact that they've been dating other people during this time period, neither has admitted to themselves or anyone else that they find each other physically attractive.
A year ago, Angie struggled through a bad breakup with a cheating boyfriend, but she has remained optimistic enough to keep dating, in order to eventually find a decent man to start a family with. In contrast, Cooper also experienced a bad breakup during his last deployment several years ago, when his girlfriend cheated on him and dumped him. But unlike Angie, he has cynically decided to give up on love. Because he is a Marine, rather than blaming his romance disaster on choosing the wrong person, he has blamed it on his military career, with its frequent deployments for up to seven months at a time. Since he plans on being in the Marines for 20 years, he has decided that he is not going risk getting seriously involved with a woman again until he is 38 years old and retired. Unfortunately for the success of this goal, his beloved, maternal grandmother has been nagging him to settle down and get married for over 18 months. In order to placate her, during the past year, he has been lying to her, claiming that he has a girlfriend. He has gotten away with that ploy until now, by maintaining the lie long distance with his grandmother, but now she says she will be visiting San Diego for several days during Christmas week. Rather than opting to confess his prevarication and seek forgiveness, Cooper chooses to double down on his scheme. Mainly because he realizes the perfect choice for playing the part of his fake girlfriend, someone who absolutely won't take it seriously and demand a real relationship, is right before his eyes. He and Angie make a pact that she will play the part of his fake girlfriend during his grandmother's visit, and he will play the part of her fake boyfriend at the wedding of her ex-boyfriend, a distasteful event she cannot avoid, because the cheating slime is her boss, and she doesn't want to leave her job .
This is a fun, low-angst, G-rated, Christmas novella. There is no foul language and no sensuality beyond a few kisses. Fans of Hallmark movies, in particular, will enjoy this story.
This novella is part of a series of books that have continuing characters from one novel to the next. However, each story ends with a clear HEA and no cliffhanger and can, thus, be read out of order or on their own.
December 10, 2022
I’ve been wanting to read more from Jess Mastorakos and I really enjoyed this one! It was sweet and fun! I really quick, light read with likable characters that I fell in love with right away.
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Fake relationships is one of my favorite tropes and this one was done well from the reasons cooper and Angie help each other to the reason they can’t tell the truth snd the moment they realize this could be a real relationship. I devoured this book quickly!
I loved grandma Jean, the bond between Sarah and Angie, Coopers relationship with his family, and of course the swoony first kiss.
If you are looking for a cute holiday read that you won’t want to put down, I recommend this one.
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Fake relationships is one of my favorite tropes and this one was done well from the reasons cooper and Angie help each other to the reason they can’t tell the truth snd the moment they realize this could be a real relationship. I devoured this book quickly!
I loved grandma Jean, the bond between Sarah and Angie, Coopers relationship with his family, and of course the swoony first kiss.
If you are looking for a cute holiday read that you won’t want to put down, I recommend this one.
January 30, 2025
I really liked this book. It was full of good tropes: holiday romance, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and a meddling grandma. Just a lot of fun and cute stuff in this story. Very enjoyable read.
January 2, 2021
I really enjoy how this author writes. Her character conversations flow and feel very natural. I love the whole enemies-to-friends premise of the book and how their eventual relationship evolved. Fake relationship books are always fun to read. A few more heated scenes between Angie and Cooper would have bumped it to a 5 for me. Can’t wait to read the next book!
November 26, 2021
Fake turns real
A cute little love story with a premise that I didn’t believe so I went into it thinking I would of like the story. However, it turned into a nice little story.
Cooper, a Marine, rescues Angie for a bad meet up for a first date. Since he had met her before, he suggested she help him out by being a “fake girlfriend “ in order to fool his family. It turned out Angie needed his assistance by having him pretend to be her boyfriend at a wedding at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding ( who also happens to be her boss.)
Both characters needed the other’s help but didn’t count on possibly liking each other. Since their best friends are a married couple, they will be seeing each other a lot simply in order to hang out with their friends.
Sweet story and possibly believable. It is part of a series which I got into because it is the holiday season and I look for this type of book to read now.
A cute little love story with a premise that I didn’t believe so I went into it thinking I would of like the story. However, it turned into a nice little story.
Cooper, a Marine, rescues Angie for a bad meet up for a first date. Since he had met her before, he suggested she help him out by being a “fake girlfriend “ in order to fool his family. It turned out Angie needed his assistance by having him pretend to be her boyfriend at a wedding at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding ( who also happens to be her boss.)
Both characters needed the other’s help but didn’t count on possibly liking each other. Since their best friends are a married couple, they will be seeing each other a lot simply in order to hang out with their friends.
Sweet story and possibly believable. It is part of a series which I got into because it is the holiday season and I look for this type of book to read now.
December 16, 2020
This was a fun, quick Christmas read! I am not the biggest fake relationship story fan, but this one was cute.
Cooper is deploying soon with the Marines, but before he goes he has to attend all his family's holiday gatehrings with the 'girlfriend' he has lied about for almost a year.
Angie is a friend of a friend, and agrees to one party. But one party turns into more as they begin to actually enjoy each others company. But can they keep up the charade through the New Years?
The only thing that I really didn't like was how idiotic the reasoning was for Cooper to not want a relationship whiled deployed. I mean, I get it, but I felt the book fell short of explaining it well. So it felt like a dumb reason to break up (or rather not make their relationship official). But semantics. It was still cute and entertaining.
Cooper is deploying soon with the Marines, but before he goes he has to attend all his family's holiday gatehrings with the 'girlfriend' he has lied about for almost a year.
Angie is a friend of a friend, and agrees to one party. But one party turns into more as they begin to actually enjoy each others company. But can they keep up the charade through the New Years?
The only thing that I really didn't like was how idiotic the reasoning was for Cooper to not want a relationship whiled deployed. I mean, I get it, but I felt the book fell short of explaining it well. So it felt like a dumb reason to break up (or rather not make their relationship official). But semantics. It was still cute and entertaining.
September 24, 2020
Another great story! Love this series.
I enjoyed Angie and Cooper in Sara and Vince's book (series prequel), so I found it fascinating how two people that disliked each other would end up fake-dating.
What a great story! I loved their polar opposite life choices, childhood's, views on most things. Yet they laughed a lot, had fun together and could still be their annoying selves. 😉😜
I enjoyed Angie and Cooper in Sara and Vince's book (series prequel), so I found it fascinating how two people that disliked each other would end up fake-dating.
What a great story! I loved their polar opposite life choices, childhood's, views on most things. Yet they laughed a lot, had fun together and could still be their annoying selves. 😉😜
November 28, 2020
A fake romance turns out to be a real one
Cooper and Angie have met before and never seem to get along. Cooper has stuck his foot in his mouth by telling his grandma he had a girlfriend. Grandma decides to travel to visit him and meet the new girlfriend that’s a problem begins. The solution only gets muddled when fake becomes real and neither know how to tell each other. I enjoyed the characters, the laughs and the description of the various family members and friends.
Cooper and Angie have met before and never seem to get along. Cooper has stuck his foot in his mouth by telling his grandma he had a girlfriend. Grandma decides to travel to visit him and meet the new girlfriend that’s a problem begins. The solution only gets muddled when fake becomes real and neither know how to tell each other. I enjoyed the characters, the laughs and the description of the various family members and friends.
November 12, 2021
Fake relationship (Grandmother wants him to settle down) between a Marine and his mate's wife's best friend turns into something more, but both sides have already been burnt badly, and are reluctant to listen to their hearts.
Well told, with very likeable characters (too good to be real?), lots of humour (loved the bickering between the two protagonists), and a well proven plot makes this book quite enjoying to read.
I wouldn't mind getting my hands on more books in this series.
Well told, with very likeable characters (too good to be real?), lots of humour (loved the bickering between the two protagonists), and a well proven plot makes this book quite enjoying to read.
I wouldn't mind getting my hands on more books in this series.
June 26, 2023
What a sweet, fake dating romance! I love this world and group of characters the author has made and seeing the different friends finding their love, learning more about them in each of their own books, and watching the continuation of previous characters is so enjoyable! 😍 Cooper and Angie were so fun, and I loved all their banter and playful bickering. Also Cooper’s grandma was a blast 😂 All in all a great read!
January 13, 2024
One day read
I literally read this one in a day! I enjoyed Cooper's and Angie's story. Vince and Sara, their respective best friends married each other and at first the Hero an the Heroine in this story seemed to mix like oil and water, but when they start fake dating what happens if the feelings become real - for both of them? It was also great catching up with Vince and Sara in this story and see how they're doing.
I literally read this one in a day! I enjoyed Cooper's and Angie's story. Vince and Sara, their respective best friends married each other and at first the Hero an the Heroine in this story seemed to mix like oil and water, but when they start fake dating what happens if the feelings become real - for both of them? It was also great catching up with Vince and Sara in this story and see how they're doing.
October 16, 2020
Angie is Sara's best friend, and Cooper is Vince's best friend and fellow Marine. Angie and Cooper didn't like each other. Cooper had been telling his family and grandmother for over a year hat he had a girlfriend, which was a lie. Grandma was coming to town and wanted to meet his girlfriend. Now, he had to find a fake girlfriend to cover up his lie. Guess who he asked!
November 30, 2020
Take or real?
Cooper lied to his Grandma! Big mistake! Now he has to either confess that he does not have a girlfriend or find a girl that will agree to help him by pretending to be his girl. Angie and Cooper mix as well as oil and water. She finally agreed to be his fake girlfriend for a favor from him. Will they be able to fool his family, especially his grandmother??
Cooper lied to his Grandma! Big mistake! Now he has to either confess that he does not have a girlfriend or find a girl that will agree to help him by pretending to be his girl. Angie and Cooper mix as well as oil and water. She finally agreed to be his fake girlfriend for a favor from him. Will they be able to fool his family, especially his grandmother??
February 7, 2021
The author doesn’t disappoint. Another sweet romance when acquaintances become a little more...also a super nice opportunity to have some little updates about characters we have already met in the series - some as supporting characters that will soon come into greater focus in the next books - I hope ;)
March 5, 2021
Loved Cooper & Angie’s story! Such a sweet story about 2 people overcoming their bad past relationships and taking a chance on love. What started as a fake relationship turned into a sweet love story. Loved the sweet meddling grandmother.
Also really enjoyed how some of the characters from past books were involved in some of the scenes.
Also really enjoyed how some of the characters from past books were involved in some of the scenes.
July 27, 2021
A fun read. If you think that you can lie to your family and get away with it, you have another think coming with Cooper's family. A lot of laughs and heartfelt moment for Cooper and Angie as they try to have a fake relationship. Sounds like a great family to be a part of. Well written and easy to read. Thanks Jess.
August 5, 2021
A fun book
Ugh...blind dates! Angie is having dinner with a horrible blind date who just ordered from the children's menu. Cooper (at the bar) chuckles as he overhears their absurd conversation. He steps up to the table and calmly instructing the guy to leave. You'll enjoy reading of the chaos that begins as Cooper makes his plea for Angie to be his fake girlfriend!
Ugh...blind dates! Angie is having dinner with a horrible blind date who just ordered from the children's menu. Cooper (at the bar) chuckles as he overhears their absurd conversation. He steps up to the table and calmly instructing the guy to leave. You'll enjoy reading of the chaos that begins as Cooper makes his plea for Angie to be his fake girlfriend!
September 8, 2021
This was a cute fake romance. It was on the shorter side, but it worked perfectly. It's not overly Christmasy either. I read it in September and didn't find it too festive to read any time. This series is a little younger than I prefer to read, but for the most part, the characters are more mature and more together than a lot of young 20 somethings.
November 29, 2021
Sweet read
Good humour is throughout this book making it easy to read and enjoy fully the situations the main couple are forced into. With a too good to be true family of wealthy people ( a bit unreal) and a background of foster homes ( not fully developed at all) it’s an easy totally romantic read that’s completely clean. Have read better from this authour.
Good humour is throughout this book making it easy to read and enjoy fully the situations the main couple are forced into. With a too good to be true family of wealthy people ( a bit unreal) and a background of foster homes ( not fully developed at all) it’s an easy totally romantic read that’s completely clean. Have read better from this authour.
December 3, 2021
free ebook
he was deploying and pretended to his grandma and family he had a fake girlfriend so they would leave him alone. last time he deployed his girl cheated on him and left him
this girl was having a bad date, he saved her. they didnt really like each other but she agreed to be the fake girlfriend. his family figured it out, but they knew she was right for him. they fell in love
he was deploying and pretended to his grandma and family he had a fake girlfriend so they would leave him alone. last time he deployed his girl cheated on him and left him
this girl was having a bad date, he saved her. they didnt really like each other but she agreed to be the fake girlfriend. his family figured it out, but they knew she was right for him. they fell in love
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2021
EXCELLENT book with super charged chemistry, great dialog and humor. The sparks flying between Cooper and Angie are electric and them trying to fight their attraction is a comic delight. There are heartwarming moments with Cooper's family that make you want to be part of his family as much as Angie does including 'sly as a fox' Grandma Jean.
January 11, 2025
Very enlightening story.
There is a very good lesson in this story. From the beginning Cooper told a lie about having a girlfriend. He wanted to get his grandmother off of his back about dating. Well, his lie is coming back to haunt him. His grandmother is coming to visit and wants to meet her. Now what is he going to do. Read this book for an exciting adventure.
There is a very good lesson in this story. From the beginning Cooper told a lie about having a girlfriend. He wanted to get his grandmother off of his back about dating. Well, his lie is coming back to haunt him. His grandmother is coming to visit and wants to meet her. Now what is he going to do. Read this book for an exciting adventure.
August 1, 2020
Fake relationship
This is a fun story with many twists and turns that keeps you reading. The characters were likable and interesting. This is the first time I have read this author. I'll read some more of her stories.
This is a fun story with many twists and turns that keeps you reading. The characters were likable and interesting. This is the first time I have read this author. I'll read some more of her stories.
November 30, 2020
Great read
This was a fun fake relationship read. I enjoyed the hijinks that Angie and Cooper had while faking a relationship and can't wait to see them as background characters soon! This was a sweet and clean read, I'd rate it PG for kissing.
This was a fun fake relationship read. I enjoyed the hijinks that Angie and Cooper had while faking a relationship and can't wait to see them as background characters soon! This was a sweet and clean read, I'd rate it PG for kissing.
December 31, 2020
Rule number one, never lie to your Grandmother!
Cooper told his Grandmother he had a steady girlfriend. Now he needs to find a stand in for while she is here for the weekend and it runs longer. Not what he expected.
Cooper told his Grandmother he had a steady girlfriend. Now he needs to find a stand in for while she is here for the weekend and it runs longer. Not what he expected.
March 26, 2021
I think the fake relationship trope is my favorite. Especially in stories like this one where the friends and family around the characters realize they are in love before they do.
The story was fun, the characters were great and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.
The story was fun, the characters were great and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews