What do you think?
Rate this book
Christmas in the City #1
His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend
He's the head of design. She's the intern nobody knows. Their goal: convince his ex that they're in love.
What could be better than being asked to help head up a big project at work on her first day? Anything but being asked by her boss to pretend to be his girlfriend for the holidays. But when Ellie meets the crazy ex-girlfriend her boss is trying to avoid, she can’t help but agree to be his fake girlfriend.
Brady doesn’t mind being put in charge of the big Christmas gala at work, but when he's forced to work with his ex-girlfriend, he panics. He is clearly not thinking straight when he asks the new intern to stand in as his girlfriend for the duration of the holidays—to keep his ex at bay—but is pleasantly surprised when she agrees to the scheme.
Thrown together in mishaps and close encounters, Ellie and Brady keep up the ruse for family and friends. Balancing the fake relationship with real feelings, can they fool everyone around them, or are they just fooling themselves?
Each book in the Christmas in the City series can be read as a stand-alone novel. No matter which book you pick up, you'll get a healthy dose of holiday themes, romance and clean & wholesome content.
Book one: His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend
Book two: Snowed In on Main Street
What could be better than being asked to help head up a big project at work on her first day? Anything but being asked by her boss to pretend to be his girlfriend for the holidays. But when Ellie meets the crazy ex-girlfriend her boss is trying to avoid, she can’t help but agree to be his fake girlfriend.
Brady doesn’t mind being put in charge of the big Christmas gala at work, but when he's forced to work with his ex-girlfriend, he panics. He is clearly not thinking straight when he asks the new intern to stand in as his girlfriend for the duration of the holidays—to keep his ex at bay—but is pleasantly surprised when she agrees to the scheme.
Thrown together in mishaps and close encounters, Ellie and Brady keep up the ruse for family and friends. Balancing the fake relationship with real feelings, can they fool everyone around them, or are they just fooling themselves?
Each book in the Christmas in the City series can be read as a stand-alone novel. No matter which book you pick up, you'll get a healthy dose of holiday themes, romance and clean & wholesome content.
Book one: His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend
Book two: Snowed In on Main Street
Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2019
149 people are currently reading
820 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
no-way-jose
June 20, 2024No rating, DNF at 10%.
I went into this book not having read reviews or the synopsis. Had I read any of the reviews, which are all good reviews basically, I would have noticed that this was a clean romance at just 100 pages long.
Which is ok, I can fall in love with a clean story if it’s written well with lovable characters. But….
I could only handle this heroine thru the first chapter, and I was done. She was a screwball, constantly embarrassing herself…
The main one being it’s her first day on the job, she brings coffees/tea (that weren’t asked for) to all of the high big wigs sitting in a big meeting. She interrupts the meeting to pass the cups around to each person (irritating her boss) and accidentally sips the coffee of the guy sitting next to her. She hates coffee so she naturally 🙄 spits her mouthful of coffee all over the floor, again interrupting the meeting.
On her way to find ‘a guy’ (she can’t think of the word janitor) to clean it up, she stops to stomp her high heels on the floor in her frustration. Of course it’s done in front of glass walls that is hosting a different group of guys in a business meeting, so she’s embarrassed all over again.
Maybe I’m too old to read and appreciate shenanigans like this. I didn’t find it cute or funny. And immediately did not care to read the rest of the story.
I went into this book not having read reviews or the synopsis. Had I read any of the reviews, which are all good reviews basically, I would have noticed that this was a clean romance at just 100 pages long.
Which is ok, I can fall in love with a clean story if it’s written well with lovable characters. But….
I could only handle this heroine thru the first chapter, and I was done. She was a screwball, constantly embarrassing herself…
The main one being it’s her first day on the job, she brings coffees/tea (that weren’t asked for) to all of the high big wigs sitting in a big meeting. She interrupts the meeting to pass the cups around to each person (irritating her boss) and accidentally sips the coffee of the guy sitting next to her. She hates coffee so she naturally 🙄 spits her mouthful of coffee all over the floor, again interrupting the meeting.
On her way to find ‘a guy’ (she can’t think of the word janitor) to clean it up, she stops to stomp her high heels on the floor in her frustration. Of course it’s done in front of glass walls that is hosting a different group of guys in a business meeting, so she’s embarrassed all over again.
Maybe I’m too old to read and appreciate shenanigans like this. I didn’t find it cute or funny. And immediately did not care to read the rest of the story.
July 24, 2022
This was my Christmas in July pick this year, and it didn’t disappoint! Short and sweet, a bit of a Hallmark vibe but not quite as cheesy. While I probably prefer Stockton’s Regency stories, I’m adding the next in the series to my TBR. A fun contemporary romance to get you in the Christmas spirit anytime.
December 10, 2021
Cute and sweet!
I loved the family angle to the fake relationship trope. Brady’s grandmother was one of my favorite parts of this story. I loved how she was included in the epilogue, too.
I loved the family angle to the fake relationship trope. Brady’s grandmother was one of my favorite parts of this story. I loved how she was included in the epilogue, too.
December 5, 2025
2,5/5⭐️ ogólnie historia spoko i jak na taką krótką książkę to relacja też git
December 21, 2019
This was a Hallmark like novella.
December 31, 2021
Short, sweet, and clean. I absolutely loved it.
December 22, 2023
This novella read like a hallmark movie!
February 19, 2023
Cute Christmas novella and good introduction to a new to me author.
December 15, 2021
Need a little boost to get into the holiday spirit? Or just need a little Christmas in your life any day of the year? This is the book for you, Ellie will help you with that. Ellie is such a fun, happy, hard working, down to earth kind of gal who loves Christmas it is no wonder that Brady realizes that he has feeling for her. Even if it takes him a minute to see that himself. Thanks to a little Christmas magic though, a grandma who just wants a little more Christmas in her life, and a few other events along the way Brady is able to open his eyes to the possibilities of a future with Ellie.
Wonderful characters, great side characters, interesting scenarios with family, co-workers and city life. His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend had me entertined from the very start. I loved Ellie's enthusiasm for Christmas and how it spreads throughout family, friends and the office. The tension in trying to push the ex-girlfriend off keeps the book interesting and provides Ellie and Brady with the opportunity they might never have had to truly get to know one another and discover what a little bit of Christmas, family time and love can truly do in their lives.
Overall, loved the story. Just what I wanted to read this holiday season (or any day of the year). Kasey Stockton's Christmas in the City books have me hooked and I'm excited to start another one from the series.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers, publisists, and/or author. A review was not required and all opinions are my own.
Wonderful characters, great side characters, interesting scenarios with family, co-workers and city life. His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend had me entertined from the very start. I loved Ellie's enthusiasm for Christmas and how it spreads throughout family, friends and the office. The tension in trying to push the ex-girlfriend off keeps the book interesting and provides Ellie and Brady with the opportunity they might never have had to truly get to know one another and discover what a little bit of Christmas, family time and love can truly do in their lives.
Overall, loved the story. Just what I wanted to read this holiday season (or any day of the year). Kasey Stockton's Christmas in the City books have me hooked and I'm excited to start another one from the series.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers, publisists, and/or author. A review was not required and all opinions are my own.
December 17, 2025
I couldn’t put down this book! It really got me in the Holliday spirit. Despite the great story and lovable characters, I wish there was more resolution after the 3rd act breakup. It seemed too quick and unrealistic.
January 1, 2021
Going into this with the appropriate mind frame of what this book is makes this story a delightful holiday read. I always look forward to watching Hallmark Christmas movies every year, so this is essentially the same type of plot but in book-form. The premise of the book is basically given away in the title. Ellie is excited to start as the new intern for a company. However, she did not anticipate that one of her job functions would be to pretend to be the head of design (Brady)'s girlfriend to keep his determined ex away. Overall this was a feelgood story, and while it wasn't life-changing or deep or anything, it definitely gets you into the holiday spirit. The romance between the main characters is also cute, and I was rooting for Ellie and Brady all the way. So, if you enjoy Hallmark movies and romantic stories, then I recommend this short Christmas read!
December 5, 2024
It’s hard to enjoy romances when they are so short, there’s just not enough time for character development. But overall it was alright
May 19, 2025
Cute,clean read. I love Christmas all year.
I would say 3.5 ⭐️
I would say 3.5 ⭐️
August 30, 2025
This did get me hyped for all the holiday romances I'm going to read this winter. Had to get started a little early
November 23, 2025
Four stars. Overall I really enjoyed this one!
Read
December 6, 2025The audio for this book just did not work for me. I think the premises cute and will likely try again but reading it not listening.
December 30, 2024
Quick, cute novella. Fake dating a co-worker, an annoying ex, a sweet grandma, and Christmas event planning fun.
November 1, 2019
Brady was the design director at a firm in San Francisco. Ellie was an intern who was having a spectacular fail on her first day on the job. Brady had been assigned to oversee the Christmas gala preparations and would have to work with his ex-girlfriend who worked at the museum. Brady wanted to use Ellie as the buffer between Monica and himself. In order to convince Monica, Ellie needed to be his fake girlfriend until the gala. Would they be able to keep the fake relationship a secret while being able to convince Monica that it was real? Would the feelings they began to have be part of the fake facade or become the real deal?
This was a clean contemporary romance around the Christmas holiday season. There was no foul language or descriptive sex scenes and the story was a sweet telling of a fake to real romance.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
This was a clean contemporary romance around the Christmas holiday season. There was no foul language or descriptive sex scenes and the story was a sweet telling of a fake to real romance.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
December 21, 2023
How can a book have too much and yet so little happen? Major characters suddenly introduced in chapter 17 of 19? Seemingly important characters completely undeveloped. Quick read and yes it’s Christmassy, but the story is super weak, overly predictable, and incredibly void of relatable and interesting characters. Would have rather seen a whole series just about the grandmother.
January 5, 2023
This was a super sweet read. Ellie and Brady were adorable. This story had such a cozy feel to it, and I really enjoyed the characters. POOR BRADY. What a ball of nerves he was around his ex! Haha. But I won't lie, his discomfort was super entertaining! A cute holiday read.
December 4, 2025
fake dating
workplace romance
closed door romance
This is a cute fake dating Christmas novella. Ellie and Brady are so good together. Overall, I really liked this story.
You can listen to the audiobook on YouTube.
Content Warning:
-Kisses only
-No language
workplace romance
closed door romance
This is a cute fake dating Christmas novella. Ellie and Brady are so good together. Overall, I really liked this story.
You can listen to the audiobook on YouTube.
Content Warning:
-Kisses only
-No language
February 14, 2025
🌟4/5
❤️🩹2/5
🥰4/5
🌶️0/5
🔎0/5
😰2/5
🎭😂3/5
🎭😭0/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫0/5
🏥0/5
✍🏼5/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Courtesy of StoryGraph
*no triggers listed
Amazing since this book was published 6 years ago but only has 85 reviews on StoryGraph
I honestly can’t remember any either 😬
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
My ONLY complaint is that this was almost too short! It’s more of a novella than a novel but it was too cute!!
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
He's the head of design. She's the intern nobody knows. Their goal: convince his ex that they're in love.
What could be better than being asked to help head up a big project at work on her first day? Anything but being asked by her boss to pretend to be his girlfriend for the holidays. But when Ellie meets the crazy ex-girlfriend her boss is trying to avoid, she can’t help but agree to be his fake girlfriend.
Brady doesn’t mind being put in charge of the big Christmas gala at work, but when he's forced to work with his ex-girlfriend, he panics. He is clearly not thinking straight when he asks the new intern to stand in as his girlfriend for the duration of the holidays—to keep his ex at bay—but is pleasantly surprised when she agrees to the scheme.
Thrown together in mishaps and close encounters, Ellie and Brady keep up the ruse for family and friends. Balancing the fake relationship with real feelings, can they fool everyone around them, or are they just fooling themselves?
Each book in the Christmas in the City series can be read as a stand-alone novel. No matter which book you pick up, you'll get a healthy dose of holiday themes, romance and clean & wholesome content.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
3.53⭐️
based on 85 reviews
MOODS
lighthearted: 80%
funny: 40%
relaxing: 40%
hopeful: 30%
inspiring: 20%
adventurous: 10%
emotional: 10%
Pace
80%
80% of readers chose fast
20%
20% of readers chose medium
Fast
Medium
Plot or character driven?
50%
50% of readers chose Plot
16%
16% of readers chose A mix
33%
33% of readers chose Character
Plot
A mix
Character
Strong character development?
16%
16% of readers chose Yes
66%
66% of readers chose No
16%
16% of readers chose N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Loveable characters?
66%
66% of readers chose Yes
33%
33% of readers chose Complicated
Yes
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters?
100%
100% of readers chose No
No
Flaws of characters a main focus?
20%
20% of readers chose Yes
80%
80% of readers chose No
Yes
No
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, childish, overly ridiculous etc.
**rounded up or down based on how the book left me feeling and because Goodreads doesn’t offer half stars.
***Triggers are listed most to least severe.
❤️🩹2/5
🥰4/5
🌶️0/5
🔎0/5
😰2/5
🎭😂3/5
🎭😭0/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫0/5
🏥0/5
✍🏼5/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Courtesy of StoryGraph
*no triggers listed
Amazing since this book was published 6 years ago but only has 85 reviews on StoryGraph
I honestly can’t remember any either 😬
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
My ONLY complaint is that this was almost too short! It’s more of a novella than a novel but it was too cute!!
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
He's the head of design. She's the intern nobody knows. Their goal: convince his ex that they're in love.
What could be better than being asked to help head up a big project at work on her first day? Anything but being asked by her boss to pretend to be his girlfriend for the holidays. But when Ellie meets the crazy ex-girlfriend her boss is trying to avoid, she can’t help but agree to be his fake girlfriend.
Brady doesn’t mind being put in charge of the big Christmas gala at work, but when he's forced to work with his ex-girlfriend, he panics. He is clearly not thinking straight when he asks the new intern to stand in as his girlfriend for the duration of the holidays—to keep his ex at bay—but is pleasantly surprised when she agrees to the scheme.
Thrown together in mishaps and close encounters, Ellie and Brady keep up the ruse for family and friends. Balancing the fake relationship with real feelings, can they fool everyone around them, or are they just fooling themselves?
Each book in the Christmas in the City series can be read as a stand-alone novel. No matter which book you pick up, you'll get a healthy dose of holiday themes, romance and clean & wholesome content.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
3.53⭐️
based on 85 reviews
MOODS
lighthearted: 80%
funny: 40%
relaxing: 40%
hopeful: 30%
inspiring: 20%
adventurous: 10%
emotional: 10%
Pace
80%
80% of readers chose fast
20%
20% of readers chose medium
Fast
Medium
Plot or character driven?
50%
50% of readers chose Plot
16%
16% of readers chose A mix
33%
33% of readers chose Character
Plot
A mix
Character
Strong character development?
16%
16% of readers chose Yes
66%
66% of readers chose No
16%
16% of readers chose N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Loveable characters?
66%
66% of readers chose Yes
33%
33% of readers chose Complicated
Yes
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters?
100%
100% of readers chose No
No
Flaws of characters a main focus?
20%
20% of readers chose Yes
80%
80% of readers chose No
Yes
No
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, childish, overly ridiculous etc.
**rounded up or down based on how the book left me feeling and because Goodreads doesn’t offer half stars.
***Triggers are listed most to least severe.
November 18, 2019
His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend (Christmas in the City Book 1) By: Kasey StocktonHe's Fall'n For "His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend!"
He's work'n ON a project He NEEDS to Nail...
But UnFortunately, they've saddled Him with the Ex from H€LL!
She's the Gal to Always work Her WAY BACK under His skin,
Just to Fleece His Bank Account... Again & AGAIN!
Thus, as an Insurance Policy...
This Time He'll use "His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend" to RUN interference!
But FIRST, He MUST find "His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend,"
As He's currently a Single Guy!
Which IS where the Newest Intern steps IN,
Seeing the Mess He's IN with His Ex!
Only as TIME goes by...
"His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend" makes Her Mark ON His HEART!
I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT, an ARC of Kasey Stockton's "His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend (Christmas in the City Book 1)." I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
1🌟:Hate IT! Didn't finish; usually only given if/when some contents truly objectionable (i.e. main characters does something awful & gets away w/it!)
2🌟:Don't like IT! Rating means I felt the writing was poor, editing was bad, I don't care for characters, or book had some major flaw.
3🌟: I like IT, BUT! There are minor issues... Rating means there's editing issues, needs character development, is too unrealistic, or has issues– I do not consider it an overall bad rating.
4🌟:I like IT a lot. Great, Solid Story w/ few if any inconsistencies or errors. This is a HIGH Rating, & I rarely give OUT a Higher Rating.
5🌟: I LOVE IT! It's Spectacular, & I'll read IT Over & Over Again. Few books Receive this rating from me. HowEver, those that DO become Classics.
November 26, 2020
This was such a great novella to put you in the Christmas spirit!
🎄
Ellie is starting a new job at an architecture firm as an intern. It’s not off to the best start, after getting coffees for everyone she takes a sip of her tea but spits out hot coffee...in the middle of an important meeting with the CEO. The smug guy who’s drink she had just smiles.
🎄
Brady is going insane. They’re an architecture firm but his boss wants the design team to plan a Christmas party. Excuse gala - as if that make any difference. He doesn’t want to waste time on a party and he’d rather head other projects especially ones without his crazy ex-girlfriend Monica. Unfortunately the gala will be at the museum where she works. Monica has tried to flirt and get his attention but he doesn’t want to get back together but their on and off again relationship proves otherwise. His friend suggests a fake relationship to throw Monica off his scent and Brady asks the new intern for help.
🎄
This was a sweet Christmas story. It screams Hallmark and I loved it! I couldn’t put it down. We need the movie version! I wish it were longer. This is the first book in Kasey’s contemporary Christmas stories but I don’t think they’re connected so we wouldn’t be able to see other characters. Kayla needs her story too!
🎄
Ellie is starting a new job at an architecture firm as an intern. It’s not off to the best start, after getting coffees for everyone she takes a sip of her tea but spits out hot coffee...in the middle of an important meeting with the CEO. The smug guy who’s drink she had just smiles.
🎄
Brady is going insane. They’re an architecture firm but his boss wants the design team to plan a Christmas party. Excuse gala - as if that make any difference. He doesn’t want to waste time on a party and he’d rather head other projects especially ones without his crazy ex-girlfriend Monica. Unfortunately the gala will be at the museum where she works. Monica has tried to flirt and get his attention but he doesn’t want to get back together but their on and off again relationship proves otherwise. His friend suggests a fake relationship to throw Monica off his scent and Brady asks the new intern for help.
🎄
This was a sweet Christmas story. It screams Hallmark and I loved it! I couldn’t put it down. We need the movie version! I wish it were longer. This is the first book in Kasey’s contemporary Christmas stories but I don’t think they’re connected so we wouldn’t be able to see other characters. Kayla needs her story too!
June 22, 2021
I read this in the middle of a heat wave in June and it was still good, lol! I found Ellie funny and totally relatable. Yeah for those awkward moments, ha! There were lots of scenes that were sweet or funny. The ending especially had me thinking "Awww". I think this story is a good one if you'd like to have a light relaxing read with sound writing, pacing, characters and dialogue. Brady and Ellie had great ineractions and banter. There is some fiction with Ellie's mom. I do wish that was touched on a little more. This was a shorter book so things can't be as explored as in other books of course. Overall I don't think this specific plot point was badly done at all. Just my preference is to have known why her mother made her choices. I am now on to read Snowed in on Main Street!
October 12, 2025
His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend was a cute and relatively quick read that had been sitting on my TBR for awhile. I actually listed to this one on audiobook and it was an entertaining way to pass the time as a I drove to and from work. It's full of fun, festive nods to Christmas, which makes it a great read for the holiday season. I enjoyed Ellie's enjoyment of the whole Christmas season. There were also some entertaining moments as well, starting when Ellie spits a coffee she definitely did not order all over the floor when she took a sip thinking it was her tea. You can listen to this audiobook for free on YouTube, which was amazing. It was certainly entertaining enough for me to continue reading through books 2 and 3, also available on YouTube.
March 5, 2020
I have always loved to Kasey Stocktons historical romances and while I don’t often read Contemporary romances I have to say this one was delightful. Kasey pulls this story together with lots of humor, wonderful chemistry, a conniving and manipulative ex girlfriend and the fake romance that turns into a sweet love story. Poor Brady, he just didn’t know how to pull himself out of the clutches of this nasty woman. This is a refreshing, lighthearted read that pulls on your heartstrings. The characters are wonderfully written and the story keeps you turning pages eagerly. Thank you so much Kasey for such a truly engaging and delightful reading experience.
December 6, 2022
This was… fine. It’s a short novella rather than a full length novel. I thought Ellie was darling but Brady wasn’t really doing it for me. His whole shtick was pathetic- He needed a fake girlfriend because he didn’t have enough control to tell his ex-girlfriend no? And I really didn’t think there was enough build up/sparks in the relationship. AND it was very unrealistic that a high power architectural firm would have its architects designing a party for Christmas Eve at all, let alone only a couple of weeks before Christmas. They definitely would have hired party planners and probably done so months in advance.
December 21, 2022
I adored Ellie! She’s sweet, awkward, thoughtful, and strong. Plus, she & Beverly together were just so heartwarming. Definitely my favourite part of the story!
I’m not really sure how I feel about Brady. He and Ellie have some super cute moments, but he’s rather stuck-up in my opinion and his emotional weakness in nothing being able to say “no” to a toxic ex-girlfriend and needing Ellie’s help to fend her off felt like a bit of a red-flag. He does grow by the end of the story though, which was a good thing!
And Monica? Ooooh, that woman gave me anxiety. I don’t understand people like that. 🙈
All in all, a fun workplace/fake dating Christmas romance!
I’m not really sure how I feel about Brady. He and Ellie have some super cute moments, but he’s rather stuck-up in my opinion and his emotional weakness in nothing being able to say “no” to a toxic ex-girlfriend and needing Ellie’s help to fend her off felt like a bit of a red-flag. He does grow by the end of the story though, which was a good thing!
And Monica? Ooooh, that woman gave me anxiety. I don’t understand people like that. 🙈
All in all, a fun workplace/fake dating Christmas romance!
December 13, 2025
Cute story! Not the best execution.
I love a fake relationship that inevitably turns real. And I’m not opposed to workplace relationships that are done tastefully. There’s a lot of great aspects to this story of how Brady asks his new intern, Ellie, to be his fake girlfriend to get his ex that they are working with (Monica) off his tail. But, there are several subtle situations and comments throughout the book that felt inappropriate to me. Not just workplace romance, but other rude and judgmental comments.
The audio narration on this one is not good. I read with a combo of eyes and ears, and I’d definitely recommend reading this one with your eyes if you give it a try.
I love a fake relationship that inevitably turns real. And I’m not opposed to workplace relationships that are done tastefully. There’s a lot of great aspects to this story of how Brady asks his new intern, Ellie, to be his fake girlfriend to get his ex that they are working with (Monica) off his tail. But, there are several subtle situations and comments throughout the book that felt inappropriate to me. Not just workplace romance, but other rude and judgmental comments.
The audio narration on this one is not good. I read with a combo of eyes and ears, and I’d definitely recommend reading this one with your eyes if you give it a try.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews