A big favor. Mistaken identity. One interesting Thanksgiving dinner.
ATHENA If there’s anything I hate more than Warren family holidays, I can’t think of it. The last two years have been real doozies too. My brothers’ choices have made my life a living hell. Because now all the Warren focus has fallen on me. What they want from me. What they expect from me now that I’m about to graduate. I couldn’t care less, though. My only goal going home this Thanksgiving is to ensure everyone around that table understands exactly how I feel about their expectations. And I have just the plan to do it. All I need is a fake boyfriend who can really get under their skin.
ISAAC All I wanted was a little time away from stresses of work. The cross-country motorcycle trip was just what I needed. Pulling into sunny California and climbing off my bike feels like a fresh start. But when a beautiful woman mistakes me for someone else and says she needs my help… I can’t resist, despite knowing it means going back to the East Coast. And that I’ll be walking into the Warren lion den for Thanksgiving dinner. No one knows who I am, and I plan to keep it that way. Until I realize the fake relationship I have with Athena is turning into something very real.
When an entire relationship is based on lies, will the truth destroy new romance or will love be discovered in time to ring in the holidays?
This book was well worth the wait! Athena and Isaiah had out of this world chemistry and their hilarious barbs had me laughing and loving them more!
Athena is ready to take her life into her own hands but before she attends the family thanksgiving feast she wants to be carefree! Well she gets more than she bargained for when she puts an add in a ride share group and finds herself on the back of a motorcycle with a hot man who had her questioning everything!
Isaiah on the other hand was finishing up a trip when fate stepped in and had him intervening. Now with a beautiful girl holding on to him he finds himself sacrificing and doing what he can to keep her smiling and laughing! Their conversations are easy and before you know it both are struggling with what comes after the trip is over!
Filled with quick Witt and angst this book will surely warm you heart this holiday season!
This was an excellent story. Rich families trying to control their children as they get older. Not gonna happen! Were going to do what we want. What started out as saving a college girl from being taken advantage of turned into true love. A few hiccups in their journey, but what relationship doesn't have them. This story will have you laughing & then feeling the heartache. Very well written story.
It was ok -Spoilers- So I liked how this story started i liked Bikes and Athena. I liked the general concept of the story but there were a lot of things that were off as well.
-Firstly they don't really talk much about anything. The riding i get but the story is a lot of inner monologue, theres very little actual chatting and bonding between the characters. -Secondly when Athena finds out the truth.. she doesn't take any responsibility for being naïve and doing what she did. and I really didn't like that even though Bikes lied to her she treats him like a full on criminal, when in actuality he was pretty much a perfect gentleman the whole time and not once crossed the line. -Thirdly the complete change of the Warren family. One minute they are unbearable the next there almost like a normal family. It didn't work or make sense. I would have worked if they used Athena finding out about Bikes lie as a catalyst and snapped airing her full on thoughts and feelings about her family. That would have given them a shock and something to think about to bring about the change. -Finally I really hated that they made Bikes submissive. I mean i understand he's hurting because Athena by this point is just being completely unreasonable but to have him cry? For how the author portrayed his character i felt crying was not something he would do and it did ruin the book for me. I had hoped that Athena grandparents would step in and tell her she was being stupid that he took care of her and protected her while she was off being carefree and naïve accepting rides from strangers when it clearly says everyone knows who she is.
This was a great ending for this series! I knew whomever ended up with Athena would have to be able to look past the exterior and see her for who she really is. Isaiah was that person. Athena is going home for Thanksgiving and decides to get a ride instead of taking the family plane. Enter Isaiah, who offers her a ride on the back of his motorcycle. The ride East was a turning point for both of them. I really enjoyed reading their journey to happiness. What a journey it was!
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done
If you love tropes, this book is full of them! Mistaken identity, lying to protect, fake date, holidays, billionaires, misunderstanding, family drama, and the list goes on. Isaiah and Athena are brilliant. I had my suspicions about a few things, and I was totally right. There was a bit of a twist that surprised me. A Christmas miracle. Which makes it even more amazing. This was a little less “dirty Hallmark Christmas movie” than the other two books in the series, but that didn’t take away from the fun of the story. I still loved the book and the sparks between them.
Yeah, we get Athena's story. She is one fiesty gal. She is required to go home for the holidays. she refused the family jet. She meets Isiah. Mistaken Identity.. He offers her a ride to NYC. They take the scenic route. She is carefree and enjoying it. One they hit her family's home all comes crashing down around her. this was my favorite book in the Warren Family.
This story was by far my favorite from the Warren family holiday series! I have always loved Athena and now we get to meet Isaiah, the guy who won her heart. I loved getting to see their relationship form and develop, from all the fun times and bets to the heart breaking times. It’s sad that this is the end and we have to say goodbye to this amazing family.
Athena Warren (Princess) is an American Princess or at least the equivalent of one. Her father is a Senator for New York and her grandfather is a former United States Supreme Court Justice. It would be impossible not to know the Warrens they are always in or on the news. Her mom is a nightmare who has already scared off two-thirds of her children for not falling into the proper line, to meet her perfect dreams for them or what she deemed approved perfect. The Warrens tend to always be in the spotlight, whether they like it or not.
The one who has always bucked the system is Athena since the age of two, she has always made her mother want to pull out her hair. She always tried to do her Warren duty, but the older she got the harder it got to conform. Her mother, father, and grandfather asked far too much for all three of their grandchildren. Yet giving nothing in return. No time, no affection, not anything. Money doesn’t buy you loyalty it buys you separation. However, the three siblings are very close, along with the added addition to one of her brother's family's.
And all three adore their meddling g-ma. She was very sweet. Now, Athena’s character is nothing like you might think she is daring, adventurous, opinionated, naive, argumentive, scared, insecure, and a newbie. She needs to be home by Thanksgiving, and there is no way she is taking the family jet. Nope, and give her mom time to set her up with many of her mom’s friends' sons. Nope! Her idea is to rideshare from California to New York. A site a lot of people use to hitch a ride. But Prez272 ended up being a one sleazeball.
While Isaiah Wolf Frost (Bikes) was washing off the grime of the road from riding his motorcycle cross-country, he overheard the sexual innuendos that Prez272 was boasting to his friends. Going to find a seat in the bar & grill that gave him the best view of his bike. Before he knew it she was walking straight for him and she said Prez272. There are a few things Athena might wanted to ask before leaving the next day. I don't know like, how big is the car? Then she might have found out it was a motorcycle. LoL! Can he help he was dressed like the giant douchebag was? No! If she had mistaken him for that idiot, so be it. He just wished he didn’t have to lie to her. He was afraid if he told her she wouldn’t believe him and bolt.
Even though he thought she was naive she was not a flake, nor spoilt, and did not complain once. A real trooper. It had to be the clothing, by the way, she walked straight for him. But, it was not smooth sailing for these two people who are highly attracted to one another. It is bumpy and filled with hot sexy banter, close sleepless nights, and days with Athena's arms wrapped around Isaiah’s middle. Very fun Thanksgiving book.
In "Holiday Fake Date," authors Gwyn McNamee and Christy Anderson deliver a delightful romantic comedy filled with mistaken identities, familial chaos, and unexpected sparks flying across the Thanksgiving dinner table.
The story revolves around Athena, a woman determined to disrupt her family's holiday expectations with the ultimate weapon: a fake boyfriend. Enter Isaac, who innocently becomes the pawn in Athena's plan after she mistakes him for someone else. What starts as a simple ruse to ruffle feathers quickly evolves into something neither of them expected—a genuine connection that grows stronger with each passing day.
Athena's character is portrayed with a refreshing blend of strength and vulnerability. Her defiance against family pressures and her determination to chart her own course in life make her instantly relatable. Isaac, on the other hand, is the perfect foil to Athena's spirited nature. His laid-back demeanor and willingness to go along with the fake relationship add layers of humor and charm to the narrative.
The authors excel in creating a vivid, engaging backdrop for their characters. From the tense Thanksgiving dinner where secrets threaten to unravel, to the scenic cross-country motorcycle trip that kicks off the story, each setting is vividly depicted, enhancing the reader's immersion into the plot.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of the consequences of deception and the evolution of emotions. As Athena and Isaac navigate their growing feelings for each other amidst the tangled web of lies, the story raises poignant questions about trust and authenticity in relationships. The emotional journey they undertake feels authentic and heartfelt, making their eventual resolution all the more satisfying.
"Holiday Fake Date" is not just a romantic escapade but also a story about self-discovery and the courage to defy expectations. It's a perfect blend of humor, heart, and holiday spirit that will leave readers rooting for Athena and Isaac until the very last page.
In conclusion, Gwyn McNamee and Christy Anderson have crafted a captivating romantic comedy that stands out with its witty dialogue, engaging characters, and heartfelt moments. "Holiday Fake Date" is a must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good story that combines holiday cheer with a dash of romance.
Totally loved this holiday season story and getting back in touch with the Warren's. This time around, it is Athena's turn to thumb her nose at her parents and do something today unacceptable.
Athena and Isaiah have off-the-chart chemistry, that they both feel, and I loved how the story plays that up, letting the sexual tension build. All the flirting, soft touches, innuendos, and holding back gives their relationship the chance it needs to grab hold of their hearts and not let go. Their journey grabbed me and kept me engaged. I hated putting it down and looked forward to each chapter and where it would take them.
What started off as a Holiday Fake Date themed story also gave us so much more. A case of mistaken identity, a protective gentleman at heart doing the right thing, a lie by omission that blows up, a virgin finding her "one", and the heart-broken "princess" who feels betrayed. All these events swirl together to give you a great romance.
I particularly loved the cross-country motorcycle trip that Athena and Isaiah did. What a sense of freedom they both got experiencing so many iconic places together.
In the end, I felt Athena's reaction was a little over the top but I had to remind myself that Athena is only 21. She would not take the truth and Isaiah's explanations lightly. This brought the necessary angst to the story though as we got to feel the love Isaiah and Athena shared being torn to shreds before it got better.
The family dynamics in book three really came a long way and it was nice to see the Warren's stand together and realize what is most important in life -- family.
This three book series is about the Warren family children. All adults now with overbearing parents and grandparents who have lots of money and power. This one features the only daughter, Athena, who is also the youngest child and the most rebellious. Her mother has been trying to set her up with an "appropriate" young man for holiday company but she is not having any of it. She arranges for a ride share from California to New York for thanksgiving and ends up on the back of a motorcycle for the entire trip with Isaiah, a stranger who she thinks is homeless but has actually saved her from a harmful situation she created. The two strangers have a good time getting to know each other and begin to care deeply about the other. Everything hits the fan when she discovers Isaiah is actually from a very rich, well known family. She gets stuck on the fact that he has "lied" to her by not telling her he's rich and his family is famous. She won't listen when he tries to explain everything to her and orders him to leave, stating she never wants to see him again. There's lots wrong with this story and I wanted to yell at Athena and her family for not appreciating the fact that Isaiah saved their daughter from possible rape or even death. The only one in the Warren family who has any sense is the grandmother. Anyway, this is another made for holiday T.V. movie plot that's okay but not great as a novella.
Flimsy plot; could’ve had a lot of potential. Athena is from a very wealthy, influential family but she feels cornered and pressured by her parents to be perfect and marry a rich, powerful guy, so she rebels by driving home for thanksgiving with a total stranger instead of taking the family jet. Isaiah overhears a guy at the bar bragging about his plans to seduce Athena on the trip, so when she enters and assumes Isaiah is that guy, she keeps silent and agrees to take her home. So far, so good. But what annoyed me was the fact that Isaiah could’ve told her who he was after leaving that bar, convincing her to travel together. Then they could have gotten close and decide on faking their relationship. That would have made much more sense. Because now this book wasn’t about a fake romance but about a fake identity. This book could have been great but it fell short in my opinion.
Holiday Fake Date is the third book in "The Holiday Series" and it can be read as a stand-alone book – as that is what I did. I also feel that I have not really missed anything by not reading the first two books. I will, however read them as I enjoyed this book and would like to see what happed with Artie and Archie.
We ride along with Isaiah and Athena on their cross-country trip from California to New York via motorcycle. Bikes and Princess stop at various places/landmarks to make this experience one of a lifetime. Along the way these two will fall in love, but an issue of trust comes into play and that is something that they both must work at.
This was a quick read for me and really enjoyed it.
Holiday Fake Date is Athena’s chance at a HEA! This story has everything I look for in holiday reads. What’s better then meeting a hunky slightly older biker whom happens to be a billionaire? Nothing.
As the baby of the Warren family Athena has always struggled with her parents expectations when it comes to her personal life. When she meets Isaiah and comes up with the perfect plan, a fake boyfriend for the holidays.
I really enjoyed this story. I adored Isaiah and really all the characters. I especially loved the Arch memories, it just added so much more to the story, made it feel real. Definitely recommend for a quick holiday read.
I loved all three of the Warren Family books, but I think Athena’s was my favorite. The dynamic between them was so feisty and fun. She needed Isaiah. These authors know how to tell the best stories. I don’t know how they do it, but I need them to keep doing it.
This book was so good. The push & pull between them was delicious. I loved the Warren’s Greek names, and the Frost’s all had biblical names. It probably didn’t have a deeper meaning, but I connected with it. These two crazy families coming together. Bunny standing with her daughter in the end. The Warren’s grandmother😍😍😍.
Holiday Fake Date is my favorite book of this series, it nudges book 2 out by just a pinch mainly because I liked these characters a bit more than any of the others. This book had a bit more drama than the others and while I’m not a fan of drama or angst, the circumstances of the story made it somewhat warranted. Two strangers, a cross country motorcycle trip in November (a bit unrealistic IMHO), many stops along Route 66, a bet for a fake date with some gnarly consequences, and both characters realizing there was more the other than they expected led to intense chemistry, mutual admiration, and an entertaining romance.
Athena’s mother has decided to set her up for a date when she goes home for Thanksgiving. So she decides not to go home alone. Isaiah just stopped to use the restroom and to get a beer before another long ride on his motorcycle when he overhears a group of boys taking about Athena. He is sitting at a table by the window when she comes up to talk to him. Because he is dressed the same as the punk in the restroom she assumes he is her ride home for Thanksgiving. He decides to save her from the sleaze in the bathroom and agrees to drive her home. From California to New York on a motorcycle. A fact he didn’t inform her about before hand. It makes for an interesting story.
The last of the single Warren siblings is given an ultimatum. Athena's not happy about it and is mad at her brothers for managing to get what they want. As the youngest and female she feels trapped.
She will do anything to rebel against her parents.
Her ride to Thanksgiving saves her from immature college lads but she's not immune to him.
Isaac is minding his own business and is homeward bound when he overhears the lads talking about Athena. Older, wiser and knowing the Warren family, he takes matters into his own hands. He's surprised when he takes in the magic that is Athena.
Cute holiday read with lots of twists. Great end to a family trilogy.
HOLIDAY FAKE DATE is the third book in "The Holiday Series" and it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone book.
This is a quick read; we get to revisit past characters and are introduced to new. There is one character who I am particularly curious about and wonder if there can't be more to this series featuring rhe "Frost Twins" and "Cliff".
I would recommend Athena and Isaiah's story - not just at the holidays.
Holiday Fake Date: (A Fake Relationship Mistaken Identity Age Gap Virgin Billionaire Holiday Romanc)
The love story of Athena and Isaiah. The last of the Warren children find love. Isaiah over hear plans to ruin Athena on their trip to New York, so he takes his place. Athena thinks he is a poor college student and her run to New York. Will they find love? Will she learn the true about Isaiah? Great story.
This is a fast fun and interesting story.Althena and Isaiah met purely by chance after he overheard a conversation from a guy bragging how he was going to ruin her on the shared trip home to NewYork.Pretending to be a fellow college student who offer the right they set off on the journey.A sizzling chemistry is buzzing between these two Would it lead to happy after when Althea finds out that Isaiah is hidings something.
What a way to fall in love with the U.S. again. Traveling on the back of a motorcycle with a hot guy. Fun times! Lessons learned tolerance, packing light, and open to adventure. And ultimately about yourself, hard and soft boundaries. This was a fun book with heated stares, as well as rides in the clear outdoors. The writer has a great sense of humor with memory recurrences from the heroes youth, while they're on the road. So much fun.
This book was a major improvement on the first book in the series. It was a beautiful story that started out as a misunderstanding between two people, but which quickly developed into a lovely friendship, and then love. It was beautiful reading about the adventures these two had on their motorbike trip across America. I looked up some of the locations they went to, and they are now on my bucket list of places to visit!!!
I loved everything about this book, the lovely flow of the story, the plot, the characters, especially Princess and Bikes, and the travelogue. Every time they made a stop I researched the city on line and learned so much historical stuff. Favourite - Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona and the Glen Frey Statue. Epic. Thoroughly enjoyed book, read and re-read several times. Night recommended.
This is the first book by this author I've read. It's the third and last part of the Holiday series. The books are standalones. I didn't get the feeling I missed something by skipping the first two books. I really enjoyed the almost clean romance. It is well written and had only two names mixed up towards the end. I could relate to feeling freedom and joy riding a bike and the growing love between the protagonists.
Athena and Isaiah were amazing. Great chemistry, fun banter. Athena is ready to live a little and take her life into her own hands for once. Fate is a funny thing it intervenes when you least expect it to. Isaiah is a welcome distraction, but will these two become more after the holiday is over? I guess you’ll have to read to find out.
I love the Warren family! Each story in the series gives us a steamy tale to lie back and snuggle up to. Holiday Fake Date kicked off my holiday season and it didn't disappoint. I loved reading how Athena and Isaiah's relationship developed throughout the story. It was holiday perfection!
Holiday Fake Date is the third and final book of the Warren Family Holidays series. What an ending it was!! The Warrens are a very intense family. Athena is trying to be her own person without the family’s interference. When she meets Isiah the sparks fly. The chemistry is undeniable. Read this book to find out what happens. It was my favorite of the three. Get yours today!!