Holiday Hijinks

by Samantha Baca

When my boyfriend asked me to go on a weekend getaway to his family’s cabin, I pictured evenings cuddled on the couch by the fireplace and candlelit dinners. Time for us to reconnect, and if I was picking up on all of his mixed signals, maybe he was going to propose.

Unfortunately, it seemed that my romantic weekend was doomed from the start. When we arrived, we were greeted by his parents, who just so happened to hate me. Nothing I did was good enough, and they made sure I knew it.

Everyone has a breaking point, and unfortunately, I reached mine pretty quickly. I didn’t think before I stole my boyfriend’s SUV and made a run for it. But of course, with my luck, I didn’t get far.

The sexy stranger who found me didn’t think I was very amusing as I called him a lumbersnack and commented about how I wanted to eat him like a gingerbread man. But he pulled me out of the car and rescued me anyway.

Being stranded with someone I didn’t know should have been more unnerving, but it wasn’t. He made me feel comfortable, and neither of us could ignore the spark that ignited so quickly between us.

But like all good things, that too came to an end when the storm passed, and the roads were cleared.

Neither of us expected to meet under the circumstances we did, but we also didn’t talk about what would happen next. We had been living in a dreamland, but now it was time to wake up and face reality. The only problem was that we both had different visions of what that looked like.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Holiday Romance, Novella, Romance

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2022

About the author

Samantha lives in the southwest with her husband and two children, where she enjoys writing, drinking iced coffee, and watching the greatest show of all time—Friends. With over 30 books published, Samantha enjoys writing across several different genres, from steamy romantic suspense to laugh-out-loud spicy romantic comedies. She also has a sweet spot for holiday stories, so grab a blanket and get ready to binge some of the sweetest—yet spicy—holiday romance your heart can handle!

Samantha loves connecting with her readers, so here’s a list of where you can find her:

Facebook Reader Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/29457...

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamant...

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/author_samantha...

Webpage:
www.samanthabaca.com

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/authorsamant...

Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/ap/RQAYK9/Sama...

Reviews

[Jessica Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Holiday
-Forced Proximity
-Age gap
-Opposites Attract

This holiday novella is just what you need if you need a quick spicy read. Holly is alittle immature at first but her character development is amazing. I went from not liking her at all to really rooting for to be with Blake.
Holly is so excited to go on a weekend getaway at her boyfriends cabin. She just knows after 5 years together, he’s going to propose. When they arrive they find out that his parents also had the same idea for a getaway. His parents aren’t a fan of Holly and anything that can go wrong does go wrong. After overhearing a conversation where her boyfriend tells his dad he wants to break up with her, she takes his car and leaves. She ends up crashing it into a tree in the snow. Blake, a sexy "lumbersnack", as she calls him, finds her and takes her to his cabin to get out of the storm that traps them for days. Stuck in the cabin for day means one thing, they get close. In more ways than one.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella had everything I wanted in a holiday romantic comedy. This was a forced proximity, age gap, opposites attract romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella and it’s everything I wanted from a quick, spicy, hilarious read. It was really hard for me to like Holly’s character at first, but the way her character developed made me love her. I highly recommend this holiday novella. It was cute, spicy, and hilarious!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Chelsie Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha does it again! This is one of my favorite reads of hers.

Holly and her boyfriend Henry go on a romantic weekend getaway to the family cabin. They realize from the time they pull into the driveway that their trip isn't going to be as expected seeing his parents car in the driveway.
Many events unfold and everybody has a complete breaking point.. Holly especially! She decides to leave in Henry's SUV truck and because of the weather, winds up crashing just down the road.
She is approached by a stranger who she refers to as the "lumbersnack" who takes her back to his cabin to get her out of the weather.
Being with a stranger is exciting isn't it?

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone! It is cute, steamy, and I read it in a few hours! I didn't want to put it down!

Thank you to the author for allowing me to have an Advanced Reader Copy!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Holly's boyfriend of five years, Henry, invites her to spend the weekend before Christmas with him at his family's rustic cabin, she's convinced that he's finally going to propose. It doesn't turn out to be quite the romantic getaway she hoped for, however, when they arrive to find that his parents have also decided to visit the small cabin for the weekend. With a huge snowstorm rolling in, it seems the four of them will be stuck together for the next few days, which is unfortunate for Holly since Henry's parents don't like her. Even more unfortunate is the conversation she overhears between Henry and his father in which he confesses that he plans to break up with Holly, not propose. Desperate to escape the uncomfortable situation, Holly hops into Henry's SUV and drives off, crashing into a tree on the icy road. Luckily, she escapes with only minor injuries and is rescued by ruggedly handsome Blake, who carries her back to his cabin. Their chemistry is instant, and when Blake offers to help an injured Holly bathe, the steam they generate comes from more than just the hot water. The more they get to know each other, the more their feelings grow, but their relationship isn't supposed to be anything more than short-term fun between two people stranded together by the weather. When the snow ends and the roads are finally cleared, will Blake and Holly find that their feelings are here to stay?

I really enjoyed this story! I couldn't help feeling bad for Holly because it seemed like everything that could go wrong for her did go wrong before she met Blake. She seemed like a genuinely sweet and kind person, but there was absolutely nothing she could do to win over Henry's snooty parents. Henry didn't do much to help the situation, and I was cheering when she left him behind in the snow. Blake was a huge upgrade - sometimes taciturn and a bit grumpy, but ultimately so much more caring than Henry could ever hope to be.

I recommend "Holiday Hijinks" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to whatever Samantha Baca writes next.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kassybetweenpages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes
🖤insta-love
🖤age gap
🖤damsel in distress

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The first 55 pgs or so drove me nuts with inconsistency though. Supposedly her and her boyfriend have been together for five years and regularly spend Christmas at his parents house but she didn’t know his mom was a vegetarian, that just seems odd to me. However, the other half of the book I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Chell · Rating 5 out of 5]

the beginning had me cringing, the awkward tension was just too much for me but then Holly found Blake and I loved the story from there on out. Cute, romantic + spicy, my favorite 😌
It wasn’t anything crazy, but for a Christmas novella it definitely hit all the right spots.

[Kristen Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This holiday novella is so sweet and charming, you won't be able to put it down! If you're looking for something to get you into the Christmas spirit, what better than a story about getting snowed in at a remote cabin with a sexy backwoods guy you just met?? Make it Christmas time and you have all you need for a sweet and sexy holiday read! This book fit the recipe for an unlikely pairing, left to fate, and how sometimes you should just let things happen the way they're meant to! Such a true heart-warming love story set at Christmas time!

[Joni Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly, I absolutely loved this story!! My emotions were all over the place then finally they evened off when Holly found something that she didn't think she could have!! Holly was an aspiring actress and living her best life with the love of her life. She had thought at her boyfriend Henry was gonna propose to her on there "romantic" get away to only find out that it was anything but.. She took off in the middle of a snow storm.
Blake a mountain man, living alone out in the woods with his dog Luna. He had heard a crashing sound and went after it, to only find a beautiful girl in the driver's seat of the crashed suv. He had gotten her out and to his house and made sure that she was alright!!
If u want to know more u need to go one click this book!! Its that good!! Its a great holiday read!!

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect Christmas themed novella. While I’m not yet ready to ditch fall and embrace winter I loved this story. These two were so sweet and I loved them immediately. I’m always down to read about a forced proximity snowed in romance and this one did not disappoint.

[Lesanda Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Spicy

Blake is my new book boyfriend. He was so gentle with Holly and just what she needed after the mess with her ex and his uppity family. Great holiday romance.

[Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Holly learned her boyfriend of five years, Henry, wanted to go to his family’s cabin for a weekend getaway just before Christmas, she expected romance and a proposal. Instead, she was met with potential in-laws who hate her, and a slew of things going wrong with zero support from Henry. With nowhere to hide, Holly snags the keys to Henry’s SUV to make a break for it back to LA. But, with the raging winter storm, she doesn’t get far.

When Blake hears the metal grind of a crash and a blaring horn, he knows someone is in trouble. What he didn’t expect was Holly. But, now that she has crashed into his life at his secluded cabin, he can’t imagine her not being there. And, while they both know their attraction is hot and instantaneous, what happens when the storm clears?

Holiday Hijinks was insta-love at its finest! Poor Holly. This girl could not catch a break with the most pretentious set of future inlaws ever! And, let’s be honest, Henry wasn’t acting like a real winner either. Of course she fled, because, good grief! Readers quickly see that Blake is the complete opposite of Henry and everything he is not, which is considerate, compassionate and willing to put Holly’s needs first. Their insta-connection is swoon-worthy and they just seem to fit. But, can insta-love go the distance? You’ll have to read to find out but I promise it’s worth it! This steamy holiday novella can be read in a sitting with a cup of hot cocoa and some holiday snacks and will leave you with all the feels as Blake and Holly navigate being snowed in as strangers turned so much more! 4 stars!

[Book Nerdy 2020 · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLIDAY HIJINKS By Samantha Baca

Holly and her boyfriend go on a romantic weekend to the family cabin, only to find his parents already there. The events that unfold makes Holly leave despite the weather and she meets with an accident. She is rescued by Blake.

😊What i liked -

✔ Christmas Romance/Age Gap/Forced Proximity.
✔ The events were hilarious though they were heartbreaking as well.
✔ I was hooting when Holly left the cabin. ( i actually screamed out loud "way to go holly")
✔ Blake was so sweet and swoony. The way he took care of Holly made me melt into a puddle.
✔ The book is on point with story, character development and Steamilicious spice.

🤔What could have been better -

✔ Oh god I wanted to go into the book and whack Henry and his parents. What a snooty bunch.


📚Who Should read :

👶Beginners
💝Romance Lovers
🎄Christmas Romance
💕Forced Proximity


📈My Rating : 4.5/5


Thank you Samantha Baca for a copy.

[Queen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Holiday Hijinks is a quick, little, holiday-themed novella. Holly is with her longterm boyfriend and his family at a remote cabin when she overhears him talking about breaking up with her. She takes his SUV, leaves, but then promptly crashes it due to the weather. Luckily, Blake is there to rescue her.

The connection between Blake and Holly was instant, and their chemistry was electric. As this was a novella length, I understand that it is hard to really develop the progression of their relationship. But taking it in as it was, Holiday Hijinks was still a sweet and fun novella. A bit of comedy of errors at the beginning, but it showed a great comparison between the ex-boyfriend Henry and the swoony hero Blake, it was a no brainer who was the better choice.

A nice use of the “forced proximity” trope and perfect for the season.

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy!

[Courtney Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Hijinks by Samantha Beca
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-----------------------------------------
• Insta-love • damsel in distress • foced proximity • age gap • Multiple POV • Novella •

Holly was hopeful that after a romantic weekend at a cabin she would be leaving engaged! Mishap after mishap it lead her straight to where she belonged. ❤

This was a great little read to put me in the holiday spirit! I certainly wouldn't complain being snowed in a cabin with a "lumbersnack". ❄️
I enjoyed the characters but wish I had more time with them. It is a novella, so it's a wonderful whirlwind you get caught up in!
I would recommend this to my friends to get in the holiday spirit! Bonus the author herself is really nice and a joy to talk too! ❤️

Book: Novella
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Ending: 😊
Recommend: yes!

[Karrie Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly and her boyfriend go to his family cabin before Christmas for what she thinks is a romantic getaway whete she is expecting a proposal, after all they have been together for 5 years! Color them both surprised to find his parents already at the cabin. After a series of mistakes and mishaps Holly is over it. She over hears Henry telling his father information that sends her packing down the snow covered mountain in his SUV.

After crashing Henry's car into a tree Holly is rescued by handsome lumbersnack, her words, Blake. What transpires is what a steamy version of Halmark romances is made of. After the snow passes and Holly can return home she leaves leaving both her and Blake with matching holes in their hearts.

Such a cure holiday story full of warm hugs and holiday wishes.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Samantha and it was fantastic!! This book is shorter than books I usually read but it didn't matter in the end because the story was so flushed out and well written. Holly is going up to her boyfriend Henry's family cabin and when they arrive Henry's parents are there. These 3 people are awful and I don't see how Holly has stayed with Henry for 5 years. Fed up with the way she's being treated she takes Henry's suv and starts to drive home. Slipping on the snowy ice and crashing into a tree a "lumbersnack 😆" Blake finds her and takes her back to his cabin. They get snowed in and while that's happening Blake is nursing her back to health from injuries from the accident. The chemistry and comfort these two share is phenomenal. Them getting to know one another and Holly bringing back Blake's Christmas spirit. This is a sweet and spicy story with a wonderful Christmas hea!

I am leaving my honest review for a complimentary copy of this book via the author.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly drives to a cabin in the woods with her long-time boyfriend Henry, thinking that this will be the weekend he proposes. But when the cabin is more rustic than she imagined and Henry’s parents are unexpectedly there too, the whole weekend goes off the rails. In her attempt to escape she crashes her car in a snowstorm and is saved by Blake. An insta-love story commences but you will love being along for the ride. The book will get you in the holiday spirit.

I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Sky Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute a spicy read! I’m a sucker for snowed in books! It just feels so cozy 🥰 Let me tell you though, the second hand embarrassment I felt for Holly in the first few chapters!! Ugh! Also I really loved how Blake cared for her ankle and how gentle he was with it in their first couple times together. The Angel ornament story made me cry and Holly finding that ornament later in the book and taking it as a sign made me cry even harder. I love books that make me feel all the different emotions! But also the Bathroom Scene!!! It was sweet and then it was hot 🥵

[ELC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Hijinks By Samantha Baca

Another cute sweet holiday romance. This author gives us great Holiday romances that fill your heart with the holiday spirit and love. Well that is after you want to punch some people like Henry and his parents. I really disliked them all and really wanted to punch them all three. They were complete jerks and needed to get slapped. I was happy that Holly got in that accident and was saved by Blake and Luna. It was a fast paced story and very steamy but I loved every second of it. Definitely recommend.

[Christal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly was expecting something different from her boyfriend Henry at his family's cabin. Unfortunately, it wasn't what she expected when his parents arrived so what could she do? Take Henry's vehicle to escape him and his parents even though the weather was bad. Blake saved her after her crash and they instantly had a connection and attraction. Blake was more of a loner who lived in his cabin by himself for years. Holly brought joy to his life and he brought joy to her as well. This is a sweet and steamy holiday romance with a happy ending that almost didn't happen. Great read!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cant help but to connect with Holly from the start, i absolutely loved her. My heart ached for her and then there were times i absolutely laughed out loud! This story has it all, you have the villian (glares at the parents), the heartbreak, the hilarious moments, the heartwarming moments and definitely the heat (im not talking about from the fireplace). I would love to read more on Holly and Blake!!! A must read novella!!

[Laura R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun Christmas rom-com. Unfortunately for Holly, what was supposed to be a romantic getaway at his family's cabin turns out to be anything but when his parents are also there. And then a series of mishaps lead to her leaving to go back to the city. But the weather leads to her crashing the SUV and meeting Blake. When they get snowed in at his cabin, the chemistry between them is hot and furious. I loved Holly and Blake's connection.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable short and sweet holiday novella about a girl who’s trapped in a cabin with a “lumber snack.” This has everything you could want - forced proximity, one bed, age gap, strip monopoly, and enough spice to make you shiver from more than just the cold snow.
There’s even an audiobook available, however, the narrator wasn’t one of my favorites. She gave everyone a slight attitude that I didn’t think was necessary, but otherwise it was pretty good. Definitely worth reading!

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly is ready for a weekend trip to her boyfriend's family cabin in the woods for, she thinks, her engagement. Well, his parents are already there and everything that could go wrong does. Holly flees from the disaster and it isn't long until she's rescued by Lumbersnack Blake.

This is a quick easy novella and just the thing to get in the holiday spirit - with a little bit of spice. Great characters

[Jamie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute novella. I really felt for Holly as she was dealing with all the mishaps at the beginning of the story. Once the story progressed to her and Blake their chemistry lept off the page. I fell hard for Blake when he talked about Christmas memories with his mom. I loved the duel POV and the HEA.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly perfect for getting you in the Christmas spirit.

This is the second book I've read by Samantha Baca. Not only is she an amazing writer, but this is a perfect novella to read on a holiday travel plane or train ride. I snorted at points, and I absolutely adored Holly's personality.

I'll read more from her in the future!

[Victoria Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about a ride. What does one do when they realize their boyfriend's parents hate them? Well you take his car and flee, least that's what Holly does. Lol She meets Blake during her mad dash. Funny she had way more chemistry with a newfound stranger than her long term boyfriend. A fun holiday read

[Gwen|| Bookish Blondie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute novella about a girl who leaves her ass of a boyfriend after overhearing him absolutely degrade her to his father on what was supposed to be romantic trip for the two of them. She crashes her exes suv into a tree and along comes her rescuer who shows her in the span of a few days how a man should really treat the woman her cares about. This was a very quick and easy read and I loved the trajectory of this story. The HEA while a bit rushed was still very nice.

[Rebecca Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was exactly the kind of quick, steamy read I was looking for! I knew from the first few chapters I would enjoy it because Henry and his family made my blood BOIL. I'm glad it was over soon because I was so mad, I almost set the book down. That's a sign of Samantha Baca's talent. This was my first read from her but definitely not my last!

[Cozy with Miramora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is the perfect thing if you want a quick holiday read, I read it yesterday when I have a quiet moment and finished it in just over an hour! 😍
I didn't like Holly at all in the beginning because I thought she was a little immature but the character development was amazing!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quick Christmas romance! ❤️