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A Girlfriend For Christmas
This Christmas, will hearts be broken, or will wishes come true?
Cindy Jeffries has been harboring a crush on Alison Carter, her boss's niece, for months. So when Alison needs a favor, she's more than eager to help out.
Alison, a successful businesswoman, is fed up with her friends' matchmaking efforts. She hopes that introducing Cindy as her girlfriend will put an end to them.
The unusual pact comes with unforeseen consequences. Both of them will have to figure out what matters most in life, and if love is worth taking the risk.
Cindy Jeffries has been harboring a crush on Alison Carter, her boss's niece, for months. So when Alison needs a favor, she's more than eager to help out.
Alison, a successful businesswoman, is fed up with her friends' matchmaking efforts. She hopes that introducing Cindy as her girlfriend will put an end to them.
The unusual pact comes with unforeseen consequences. Both of them will have to figure out what matters most in life, and if love is worth taking the risk.
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About the author
Barbara Winkes
99 books212 followersBarbara Winkes writes suspense and romance with lesbian characters at the center. She has always loved stories in which women persevere and lift each other up. Expect high drama and happy endings.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
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December 19, 2020DNF @ 25% because I didn’t like either character.
November 17, 2020
I am glad that other reviewers liked this story a lot, but for me it was just okay. Though you can’t expect great depth from a novella this was a little too superficial for me. The main characters connected very fast, but I don’t know why. I couldn’t really feel their chemistry and there was little other connection. Still, it kept me reading and it was a sweet enough Christmas story. I am so looking forward to all the sweet Christmas stories I hope are coming and am going to read them all.
November 27, 2021
This wasn’t for me. On several occasions I was tempted to DNF. Both characters are just not for me.
Cindy having Alison on a pedestal for no reason at all, starting a fauxmance for whatever weird reason.
Uninterested friends, lots begging and weird behaviour. I just… no…
This absolutely doesn’t make me less of a grinch, perhaps makes me more of one.
Cindy having Alison on a pedestal for no reason at all, starting a fauxmance for whatever weird reason.
Uninterested friends, lots begging and weird behaviour. I just… no…
This absolutely doesn’t make me less of a grinch, perhaps makes me more of one.
November 26, 2020
I'm trying to get in the Christmas spirit dangit lol. Kindle Unlimited Read.
The setup is for a faux-romance, which while yes we all know that trope in itself is a bit silly and hard to believe, I struggled a lot with the feasibility of the way it was done here. Also the likability of the characters overall in such a strained plot.
Even the author seems to point out the flaws in logic, but never reveals a proper motive for the ploy.
The short of it is - Alison is some high powered business tycoon, she's cut off emotionally, too busy and invested in her work and job - and doesn't want a relationship. However her besties an M-F couple and a F-F Couple insist on setting her up time and time again with men. If she was interested in a relationship it would be with a woman. It's bizarre that she never tells people who are supposedly her best friends this. Or to yknow cut it the heck out in trying to force a relationship onto her.
Instead in her infinite wisdom she decides to ask her Aunt's assistant (Cindy) who is a 'miracle worker' to be her fake girlfriend for a long weekend getaway her besties have planned, along with another potential suitor.
Cindy ends up coming off like a complete lap dog drooling over Alison, having had a crush on her for a year now, meanwhile Alison can't even remember her name and calls her Sydney lol. She agrees to this shenanigan because it's a rich experience she will never get to have (in a posh big magical snowy cabin) and because she is secretly hoping more will come from the scenario.
Right from the start Alison is still completely standoffish towards Cindy, making this incredibly difficult for a relationship that is supposed to done to fool her friends. But Cindy keeps trying. Even when Alison buggers off with the 'potential suitor' dude to talk business and sign contracts for work.
Cindy keeps pining, eventually some kisses happen and undeniable chemistry. But Alison insists she can't give Cindy what she wants. While Cindy becomes an utter doormat, basically serving herself up saying they can make it work, and she will work around her busy schedule etc. It's actually quite pathetic, and made me cringe with the lack of confidence and self respect poor Cindy had in that situation.
The truth comes out about the charade and Alison realizes she's been a bitch to Cindy putting her in an awful situation, and actually cares about her and wants love and affection after all - but it's all a bit too forced for me to believe. It made me sad, not happy.
The setup is for a faux-romance, which while yes we all know that trope in itself is a bit silly and hard to believe, I struggled a lot with the feasibility of the way it was done here. Also the likability of the characters overall in such a strained plot.
Even the author seems to point out the flaws in logic, but never reveals a proper motive for the ploy.
The short of it is - Alison is some high powered business tycoon, she's cut off emotionally, too busy and invested in her work and job - and doesn't want a relationship. However her besties an M-F couple and a F-F Couple insist on setting her up time and time again with men. If she was interested in a relationship it would be with a woman. It's bizarre that she never tells people who are supposedly her best friends this. Or to yknow cut it the heck out in trying to force a relationship onto her.
Instead in her infinite wisdom she decides to ask her Aunt's assistant (Cindy) who is a 'miracle worker' to be her fake girlfriend for a long weekend getaway her besties have planned, along with another potential suitor.
Cindy ends up coming off like a complete lap dog drooling over Alison, having had a crush on her for a year now, meanwhile Alison can't even remember her name and calls her Sydney lol. She agrees to this shenanigan because it's a rich experience she will never get to have (in a posh big magical snowy cabin) and because she is secretly hoping more will come from the scenario.
Right from the start Alison is still completely standoffish towards Cindy, making this incredibly difficult for a relationship that is supposed to done to fool her friends. But Cindy keeps trying. Even when Alison buggers off with the 'potential suitor' dude to talk business and sign contracts for work.
Cindy keeps pining, eventually some kisses happen and undeniable chemistry. But Alison insists she can't give Cindy what she wants. While Cindy becomes an utter doormat, basically serving herself up saying they can make it work, and she will work around her busy schedule etc. It's actually quite pathetic, and made me cringe with the lack of confidence and self respect poor Cindy had in that situation.
The truth comes out about the charade and Alison realizes she's been a bitch to Cindy putting her in an awful situation, and actually cares about her and wants love and affection after all - but it's all a bit too forced for me to believe. It made me sad, not happy.
December 19, 2020
Kindle Unlimited Read.
The setup is for a faux-romance, which while yes we all know that trope in itself is a bit silly and hard to believe, I struggled a lot with the feasibility of the way it was done here. Also the likability of the characters overall in such a strained plot.
Even the author seems to point out the flaws in logic, but never reveals a proper motive for the ploy.
The short of it is - Alison is some high powered business tycoon, she's cut off emotionally, too busy and invested in her work and job - and doesn't want a relationship. However her besties an M-F couple and a F-F Couple insist on setting her up time and time again with men. If she was interested in a relationship it would be with a woman. It's bizarre that she never tells people who are supposedly her best friends this. Or to yknow cut it the heck out in trying to force a relationship onto her.
Instead in her infinite wisdom she decides to ask her Aunt's assistant (Cindy) who is a 'miracle worker' to be her fake girlfriend for a long weekend getaway her besties have planned, along with another potential suitor.
Cindy ends up coming off like a complete lap dog drooling over Alison, having had a crush on her for a year now, meanwhile Alison can't even remember her name and calls her Sydney lol. She agrees to this shenanigan because it's a rich experience she will never get to have (in a posh big magical snowy cabin) and because she is secretly hoping more will come from the scenario.
Right from the start Alison is still completely standoffish towards Cindy, making this incredibly difficult for a relationship that is supposed to done to fool her friends. But Cindy keeps trying. Even when Alison buggers off with the 'potential suitor' dude to talk business and sign contracts for work.
Cindy keeps pining, eventually some kisses happen and undeniable chemistry. But Alison insists she can't give Cindy what she wants. While Cindy becomes an utter doormat, basically serving herself up saying they can make it work, and she will work around her busy schedule etc. It's actually quite pathetic, and made me cringe with the lack of confidence and self respect poor Cindy had in that situation.
The truth comes out about the charade and Alison realizes she's been a bitch to Cindy putting her in an awful situation, and actually cares about her and wants love and affection after all - but it's all a bit too forced for me to believe. It made me sad, not happy.
The setup is for a faux-romance, which while yes we all know that trope in itself is a bit silly and hard to believe, I struggled a lot with the feasibility of the way it was done here. Also the likability of the characters overall in such a strained plot.
Even the author seems to point out the flaws in logic, but never reveals a proper motive for the ploy.
The short of it is - Alison is some high powered business tycoon, she's cut off emotionally, too busy and invested in her work and job - and doesn't want a relationship. However her besties an M-F couple and a F-F Couple insist on setting her up time and time again with men. If she was interested in a relationship it would be with a woman. It's bizarre that she never tells people who are supposedly her best friends this. Or to yknow cut it the heck out in trying to force a relationship onto her.
Instead in her infinite wisdom she decides to ask her Aunt's assistant (Cindy) who is a 'miracle worker' to be her fake girlfriend for a long weekend getaway her besties have planned, along with another potential suitor.
Cindy ends up coming off like a complete lap dog drooling over Alison, having had a crush on her for a year now, meanwhile Alison can't even remember her name and calls her Sydney lol. She agrees to this shenanigan because it's a rich experience she will never get to have (in a posh big magical snowy cabin) and because she is secretly hoping more will come from the scenario.
Right from the start Alison is still completely standoffish towards Cindy, making this incredibly difficult for a relationship that is supposed to done to fool her friends. But Cindy keeps trying. Even when Alison buggers off with the 'potential suitor' dude to talk business and sign contracts for work.
Cindy keeps pining, eventually some kisses happen and undeniable chemistry. But Alison insists she can't give Cindy what she wants. While Cindy becomes an utter doormat, basically serving herself up saying they can make it work, and she will work around her busy schedule etc. It's actually quite pathetic, and made me cringe with the lack of confidence and self respect poor Cindy had in that situation.
The truth comes out about the charade and Alison realizes she's been a bitch to Cindy putting her in an awful situation, and actually cares about her and wants love and affection after all - but it's all a bit too forced for me to believe. It made me sad, not happy.
December 14, 2020
Really enjoyed this one, it had so many of my favourite tropes (fake dating, snowed in, only one bed)!
Read for the 12 Days of Queermas Readathon
Read for the 12 Days of Queermas Readathon
November 13, 2020
Another great Christmas story by Barbara. My heart really went out to Cindy since she has real feelings for Alison. If people are your friends you should be able to tell them the truth. A very quick read and I enjoyed it. This kicks off my holiday reading season.
April 9, 2021
Another great Christmas story by Barbara. My heart really went out to Cindy since she has real feelings for Alison. If people are your friends you should be able to tell them the
December 15, 2020
Nice holiday romance with a satisfying ending.
December 23, 2020
Romance
Another 'Christmas' romance, where love is on Christmas. No festivities. There was a tree with presents. Gift exchange. That was it in regards to Christmas. Build-up felt weak. Chemistry was ok. Angst present. Unresolved issues.
Another 'Christmas' romance, where love is on Christmas. No festivities. There was a tree with presents. Gift exchange. That was it in regards to Christmas. Build-up felt weak. Chemistry was ok. Angst present. Unresolved issues.
November 18, 2022
I’ve been looking for cozy sapphic holiday romances and thought this might be good based on the reviews. I personally found it really uncomfortable, awkward and dry. I thought it might get better later but I didn’t like the quick wrap up of an ending either. :/
December 3, 2021
What do you do when have it all, but don't?
Allison needs a date! Cindy who works for Allison 's aunt fixes everything. What started out as a way to get Allison friends off her back. Backfires when the friends find out why Cindy is there with Allison. Of course Allison does not need anyone to cuddle, befriend, enjoy . Or does she? Short story with a limited background but heavy on the feelings. Enjoy!
Allison needs a date! Cindy who works for Allison 's aunt fixes everything. What started out as a way to get Allison friends off her back. Backfires when the friends find out why Cindy is there with Allison. Of course Allison does not need anyone to cuddle, befriend, enjoy . Or does she? Short story with a limited background but heavy on the feelings. Enjoy!
December 23, 2021
4.5 🌟 The perfect short Christmas story! Highly recommend!! 🏳️🌈
November 11, 2020
I really like this book it had a fun storyline with two characters that were so well developed I just fell in love with both of them. Cindy works as an assistant in the firm owned by Alison‘s family. From the first day Cindy saw Allison she developed a crush on her which was interesting because Allison never talk to her and never gave her the time of day. Until once when she came out of the meeting she walked up to Cindy and said I need a girlfriend and then walked away. Cindy pursued her to find out what she was talking about And that is when all the fun started. Allison needed a fake girlfriend for a holiday weekend because she was tired of being set up with males by her friend, and Allison was not out to her friends. So she thought if she came to this we can get away with a girlfriend they would leave her alone. Cindy was all too happy to oblige in this ruse of a relationship. And then workaholic Allison continue to ignore Cindy and pursue closing a business deal with somebody on the vacation list. Cindy does her best to be patient and “loving“ to Allison but Allison just ignores her. Until it comes out that the relationship was fake And Allison and Cindy retreat and go home. Cindy is beside herself because she really enjoyed the time she spent with Allison and they were glimpses that Allison enjoyed her as well. Cindy knew she deserved better in a relationship than anything she could possibly have with Allison and so was determined to get on with her life and spend a Happy Christmas with her family. When suddenly there was a knock on the door, what could it mean and who could it be? As I said earlier this is just a delightful lovely story and one that’ll be a favorite reread on holiday seasons. I highly recommend this book.
December 30, 2020
Very Sweet!
Alison needs a girlfriend for Christmas who can accompany her on a break away with friends. When she muses such a fact at Cindy, who has had a crush on her since meeting her, Cindy can’t help but offer to help out. While faking a relationship to keep Alison’s friends off her back, both of them start to learn that there might be more they want from life and question if it is worth taking the risk to be together.
I really enjoyed this fake relationship romance from Barbara Winkes. It was a lot of fun, cute, and lovely but also had drama and angst required for such a trope. Different from Babara’s usual style but this story just showed how she can deliver a different genre so well. It was everything I expected, with a little Christmas magic thrown in to brighten the romance element of the story.
Cindy I sympathised with terribly, there is nothing quite like having what you want within reach, yet you can’t quite grasp it, and for such love to be unrequited because the other doesn’t know of the love for them. Alison was oblivious though, for the longest time, even though she contemplated the idea of Cindy and what she might be feeling, she was reluctant to act because she was focused on another love, her career.
As a novella, this was perfect for an angsty Christmas romance for the holiday season and I hope it isn’t the last we see from Cindy and Alison.
Alison needs a girlfriend for Christmas who can accompany her on a break away with friends. When she muses such a fact at Cindy, who has had a crush on her since meeting her, Cindy can’t help but offer to help out. While faking a relationship to keep Alison’s friends off her back, both of them start to learn that there might be more they want from life and question if it is worth taking the risk to be together.
I really enjoyed this fake relationship romance from Barbara Winkes. It was a lot of fun, cute, and lovely but also had drama and angst required for such a trope. Different from Babara’s usual style but this story just showed how she can deliver a different genre so well. It was everything I expected, with a little Christmas magic thrown in to brighten the romance element of the story.
Cindy I sympathised with terribly, there is nothing quite like having what you want within reach, yet you can’t quite grasp it, and for such love to be unrequited because the other doesn’t know of the love for them. Alison was oblivious though, for the longest time, even though she contemplated the idea of Cindy and what she might be feeling, she was reluctant to act because she was focused on another love, her career.
As a novella, this was perfect for an angsty Christmas romance for the holiday season and I hope it isn’t the last we see from Cindy and Alison.
December 16, 2021
3,5 Stars
November 14, 2020
This was my first read from author Barbara Winkes, although I do have several of her books on my TBR list to read, really liked this one and hope she'll write more about Cindy and Alison.
You have Alison whose a workaholic, she doesn't have time for a relationship, yet she wants her friends to stop trying to set up and comes up with the idea of a pretend girlfriend. Then Cindy works for her aunt, she's had a crush on Alison for a year now, takes up her invitation of an all expense paid trip and in return she's to be her pretend girlfriend for Christmas.
The only problem is that while Alison tries too stay the course, she realizes she's in love with Cindy, although she tries to stick with the original plan and gets busted by her friends in the process.
You have Alison whose a workaholic, she doesn't have time for a relationship, yet she wants her friends to stop trying to set up and comes up with the idea of a pretend girlfriend. Then Cindy works for her aunt, she's had a crush on Alison for a year now, takes up her invitation of an all expense paid trip and in return she's to be her pretend girlfriend for Christmas.
The only problem is that while Alison tries too stay the course, she realizes she's in love with Cindy, although she tries to stick with the original plan and gets busted by her friends in the process.
May 26, 2021
Sweet Quick Read!
I always enjoy the fake girlfriend stories but this went a little too fast. I get Allison was self absorbed but she didn’t even want to tune their stories for her lies. And Cindy who’s crush needed a fake girlfriend, jumps in without any regards to her own feelings. There was no respect or self respect in that order with these two characters. Having said that, their was a slight connection and it was enough to engage us to follow the story and how it unravels. In the end it was sweet and heartfelt.
I always enjoy the fake girlfriend stories but this went a little too fast. I get Allison was self absorbed but she didn’t even want to tune their stories for her lies. And Cindy who’s crush needed a fake girlfriend, jumps in without any regards to her own feelings. There was no respect or self respect in that order with these two characters. Having said that, their was a slight connection and it was enough to engage us to follow the story and how it unravels. In the end it was sweet and heartfelt.
November 20, 2020
Sweet and romantic
Sweet and romantic story during Christmas holidays. Two people meant for each other, giving each other a chance for new beginnings.
Sweet and romantic story during Christmas holidays. Two people meant for each other, giving each other a chance for new beginnings.
October 21, 2023
Sweet Christmas Romance
Cindy had a crush on Allison since she had walked into her boss’s office. When Alison needs a fake date for a getaway with friends she volunteers. It becomes all to real when she shows her true feelings. Will Christmas be happy or one big crying time? Great short story.
Cindy had a crush on Allison since she had walked into her boss’s office. When Alison needs a fake date for a getaway with friends she volunteers. It becomes all to real when she shows her true feelings. Will Christmas be happy or one big crying time? Great short story.
November 20, 2023
3 stars. I love Winkes' Christmas stories but this one was unfortunately my least favorite that I've read. Wasn't bad or anything but the plot was flimsy and I wasn't interested in either of the main characters as they felt flat to me. The romance between them was fine but nothing amazing. This was just okay.
January 27, 2021
Cindy has crushed on Alison from her office for quite a while now. When Alison asks Cindy to go on a vacation as her pretend girlfriend Cindy is floored. Should she take the chance of ending up broken-hearted, or could it, would it, end up being real?
November 16, 2021
❤
It was cute. I'm a queer guy, but I like most queer love stories regardless of gender. It didn't drag on or feel like it ended abruptly. I was also amused, because my last name is Jeffries too.
It was cute. I'm a queer guy, but I like most queer love stories regardless of gender. It didn't drag on or feel like it ended abruptly. I was also amused, because my last name is Jeffries too.
November 19, 2021
Perfect
Want a quick read with almost no unnecessary prattle, this is perfect. Want a great ending to an impossible mix of emotion, this is perfect. Holiday happiness, this is perfect.
Want a quick read with almost no unnecessary prattle, this is perfect. Want a great ending to an impossible mix of emotion, this is perfect. Holiday happiness, this is perfect.
December 16, 2021
A.Lovely Holiday
Cindy has a major crush on Allison. Allison needs a girlfriend for a.weekend with friends. It takes a touch of Christmas magic for Allison to see Cindy for who she could be to her.
Cindy has a major crush on Allison. Allison needs a girlfriend for a.weekend with friends. It takes a touch of Christmas magic for Allison to see Cindy for who she could be to her.
January 1, 2025
The book had a cute premise, but felt rushed. Just a bit more about the main characters' backgrounds, feelings and motivations would have made a lot of difference in the flow of this book. So I guess I liked the book enough to want it to be longer, lol.
December 27, 2025
A Girlfriend for Christmas is a fake dating holiday romance with minimal angst. The main characters are rather broadly drawn, which limits the reader’s ability to be fully invested in their romance. Overall, a quick, generally feel-good romp through the season.
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November 23, 2020I thought this story was very sweet and romantic.
I enjoyed it from start to finish.
I enjoyed it from start to finish.
December 19, 2020
Very Sweet
This is a short but sweet lesbian romance. If you enjoy sweet lesbian romance this is for you! Very quick read! Enjoy!
This is a short but sweet lesbian romance. If you enjoy sweet lesbian romance this is for you! Very quick read! Enjoy!
December 1, 2021
A sweet Christmas read
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