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A Real Man for Christmas

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She'll need a spark of Christmas magic to survive this holiday wedding...

When Margot Adler visits NYC to be the maid of honor in her younger sister’s wedding, she finds herself desperately wishing she had a date. While wandering the city to hide from a never-ending task list, she’s captivated by a male model in a department store Christmas window display. She catches his eye, he winks, and there’s a spark she can’t deny.

To her annoyance, her friends and family insist that he resembles her former love, Josh, and for some strange reason people keep warning her that what they have can’t be real.

Just as her new relationship is heating up, groomsman Josh tries to win back her heart. As the week leading up to the Christmas wedding runs out, Margot is torn between a model boyfriend and a second chance at love with the man she’s never truly forgotten. But with a tiny spark of Christmas magic, Margot just might find her happily ever after.

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2022

48 people are currently reading
2122 people want to read

About the author

Brenda Lowder

13 books759 followers
Brenda Lowder is an award-winning author of lighthearted women's fiction and romantic comedy novels. She lives in Atlanta and loves international travel, fine dining, and air conditioning. She's a big fan of fiction in all its forms--books, films, television, and the lies we tell ourselves. Her brilliant and smoking-hot husband and two princess-scientist daughters love her enough to insist she's still twenty-nine.

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5 stars
37 (20%)
4 stars
47 (26%)
3 stars
55 (31%)
2 stars
26 (14%)
1 star
12 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for ashlee.
370 reviews7 followers
July 18, 2025
This story follows Margot and her journey on finding someone to go with her to her sisters wedding. She see’s Tanner, a window model, and immediately knows she wants him lol. She later comes across her ex, Josh, and he’s trying to get her back. Honestly, this is probably the funnest rom-com I’ve read. I’ve never felt more embarrassed for Margot! This literally had me LOL.

This was a cute, funny and very light rom-com read in a Christmas setting. I’d recommend if you want a quick little palate cleanser with a giggle on the side.
Profile Image for Sofia.
760 reviews66 followers
November 28, 2022
Not anything too special for me but it was okay. Its basically a story about finding true love, losing it and then working your way back to being in love

It was kinda bizarre and weird but also funny and a quick read but it could also be a bit confusing at times

Definitely not very memorable for me but I dont regret reading it
Profile Image for Debbie.
109 reviews14 followers
December 16, 2022
So I won this as a Goodreads giveaway, which means I am supposed to write a review. I hate writing reviews when I didn't enjoy something, because it feels cruel to the person who spent the time and energy writing the book. In any case, here goes nothing...

I felt like the characters were all a little too "quirky" and under-developed for my taste. I didn't feel that there was any connection between the main character and either of her love interests other than being told that there was. The plot was a little weird, and trust me, I can buy into some weird stuff, but it simply didn't work for me in this context.

There were some really fun and funny moments, and I feel like there were a lot of good ideas here but that it lacked development overall.

It was a quick read, and free, so for that I gave it two stars.
Profile Image for Folded Words.
13 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2022
It was surely a magical and heartwarming book to read! A very funny, fast-paced and an awesome novella, bringing out the magic of Christmas!

I loved the characters Margot, Tanner and Josh, and pretty much enjoyed the funny moments that took place between them… at the store or the restaurant. I had a good laugh. Glad I chose this as a Christmas read! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a good light romcom!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Rachel Auer.
167 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2023
This is definitely giving me Lars and The Real Girl vibes!

I really loved the journey I was put on with Margot, Tanner, Lindsey, and Josh in this Christmas wedding story! I loved not knowing what to think about Tanner and whether he was a mannequin or not. I loved how kind Margot's family was to her. I loved the love story at the center of it. The whole thing just drew me in and made me smile. Perfect for anyone looking for a fun New York adventure.
Profile Image for Amber Torres.
113 reviews3 followers
December 23, 2023
This was not at all what I was expecting it to be from the teaser description. It takes a bizarre turn very early on and I’ll admit that half of my compulsion to finish it was to figure out what the hell was really happening. I’m giving this four solid stars because I have literally never laughed so hard I cried while reading a book before and the absurdity of some of the scenes had me rolling in the floor. This was a journey for not only myself but also those that I pulled into this read with me because there was no way I was taking this road alone. This novella will likely live in my head rent free for some time.

Initially some of the characters were terrible (the golden-child little sister that was being insufferable to the future younger sister in law that seemed dead set on accosting random strangers with conversation about suicide 😰), but in the end it was slightly heartwarming that they were incredibly supportive and accepting of a really bizarre situation. If this were ever turned into a movie, I’d watch it in a heartbeat!
Profile Image for Jill Cobb.
Author 2 books7 followers
November 18, 2022
I heart the love triangle between Josh, Margot, and Tanner. The restaurant scene was fantastic and had me laughing. I also enjoyed the sister relationship and how they grew to appreciate each other.
Profile Image for Zuzia.
101 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2023
Magical for sure.... Cute at times but not my cup of tea. If I knew what was the deal with Tanner O wouldn't have read it. 🙃
Profile Image for Monica Matsuo.
11 reviews
December 20, 2022
Such a sweet, funny story that I couldn't put it down and read it in two and a half hours.
Profile Image for Terra Weiss.
Author 13 books96 followers
November 18, 2022
Who doesn't want to sit down and curl up to a holiday story that has laughter, a gorgeous guy, and a touch of magic in Manhattan? I love this sweet and swoony tale that brings all the feels and a very unique--and fun--way of finding love. I laughed out loud at points, which is signature Brenda Lowder. A must read for the holidays.
Profile Image for Jodi.
12 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2022
This book was one of the worst reads. It was like a poor Hallmark movie in a book. The characters had no depth and the story was just shallow. I would have loved to hear more about Josh and Margot’s previous relationship. At least then I could have been rooting for them. Instead, I had no idea what had even happened. Plus, Tanner was just so odd and surface level. He really did nothing to bring the characters together except to cause tension. It just seemed so strange. Not one I would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Megan Johnson.
84 reviews
January 13, 2023
This book was so so cute! I got a little confused in the middle! Maybe even concerned for her health lol but the ending just made everything absolutely perfect! This was so cute and I will be recommending it to anybody and everybody I know!
Profile Image for D. Rivera.
415 reviews
September 7, 2023
What can I say this book had me hooked and loved it all from beginning to end. It was a good read and I am so hooked on Brenda's books. This had it all. Gave me the feels.
Profile Image for Annette Jordan.
2,824 reviews53 followers
November 28, 2022
A Real Man for Christmas by Brenda Lowder was described as a magical holiday romantic comedy and it certainly lived up to that billing, perhaps more literally than I was expecting. The book tells the story of Margot Adler who has flown to New York to be maid of honour at her little sisters dream Christmas wedding. Not only is she feeling a little disgruntled that her sister's life is falling into place a little too easily, she is also dreading being face to face with groomsman Josh, her long term friend who she developed feelings for before he moved to London. When a strikingly handsome model in a department store window catches her eye, she is immediately captivated and to her surprise he seems to return her interest. Sure that he will be the perfect wedding date, Margot eventually introduces him to her surprised family and friends, all of whom point out his striking resemblance to Josh. Will she stick with her new man or fall for Josh's attempts to rekindle there romance ?

There were a lot of things I liked about this book. I loved the setting, there is something magical about New York at Christmas, and I really felt like the author captured that very well. I liked Margot as a character, and found her reactions to her sister's Bridezilla moments very funny and completely believable. I also really liked the chemistry between Margot and Josh, their banter and conversations felt both flirty and like they had known each other for a long time.

The one thing I did not like about the book was Tanner, the male model character. I wish the "twist" for want of a better word was better signposted in the blurb as the magical aspect of this storyline just didn't work for me, and a lot of the comedy around it felt forced.

Overall this was a fun and funny seasonal read, perfect for cosying up with in front of a fire with a mug of hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for BooksToTheGrave.
147 reviews8 followers
December 20, 2022
Margot is in New York for her sister’s wedding. As well as Josh - her former best friend, and ex-love - who she hasn’t speak in five years. She is super excited to finally be in New York, not so much to be attending the wedding.

One day she’s looking at a department store window and sees someone she can only describe as her soulmate. And then, the mannequin winked at her! So, wait! Is it a mannequin or a real live person? She needs to find out and see if there is real a connection between them. The show is over, she enters the store looking for him (him? it?), finds him/it with the help of an employee, and… they have a date scheduled!

This is a different, weird, funny, romantic book, but let’s just go with very original!

Since the beginning, I had that feeling when I’m not sure what I am reading and have no idea what’s going to happen next. I simply kept reading and going with the story.

Ok, until you start to get the grip of the plot, this book is very weird. Once you start guessing what may (emphasis on the may) be happening, it will be so funny and still a bit weird. But the thing is, this book is a good weird.

I don’t want to spoil it, but I have to say that the other characters thinking the whole time that Margot lost her marbles is simply amazing. And, even better than that, is their ability to welcome Margot’s craziness because they love her. It was my favorite part of the book.

I liked reading this story, and if you are looking for something different than usual give it a try! The most original book I read all year, full of funny moments and love! What an original love story!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
292 reviews14 followers
November 24, 2022
Margot travelled to NYC to act as Maid of Honour at her younger sister, Lindsay’s wedding. The sisters have never really got on, and Lindsay is very demanding of her Maid of Honour.

During the stressful days leading up to the wedding, Margot is distracted after meeting a handsome male model, Tanner, and getting to know him better on their dates.

The love of Margot’s life, Josh, left to live and work in London five years previously, and she has struggled to get over him, and believes that now she is dating her new boyfriend, Tanner, she can finally put her feelings for Josh to rest.

Unbeknownst to Margot, Josh is a Groomsman at the wedding, and her family and her best friend are hoping for a reunion between the two of them.

What follows is a love story with a difference, with interference from every direction, but Margot sticks to her guns and asks Tanner to be her date at the wedding.

On the Wedding Day itself, things don’t go exactly to plan, and Margot is escorted down the aisle by Josh, watched by Tanner.

The doubts that her family and friends have about Tanner are finally put to rest, and true love wins out in the end.

I really enjoyed this relatively short romantic romp, and could see it being picked up by the Hallmark Channel, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys lighthearted romcoms.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Karina.
54 reviews
December 8, 2022
A sparkle of magic in Manhattan

A Real Man for Christmas is a sweet and fun festive romance. I’m not usually one for a love triangle but this one played out well.

I do feel that Margot was very strongly in denial as to her true feelings and not really open to dealing with her past heartbreak and the issues in her family - clearly the relationship with her sister was due to both parties, not just one person's fault and as the older sister I think Margot needed to take the lead in addressing that. A little more character development in that area would have been good.

Margot’s family were pretty terrible! Her dad didn’t seem to get involved as much but her mother and sister weren’t the best. I wasn’t that impressed that her sister in particular only changed her behaviour towards Margot because she thought she was mentally unwell.

I really enjoyed the ice skating at the Rockerfeller Center - very Christmassy and romantic. I would have loved more Christmas moments like this and more descriptions of NYC at Christmas in general. Tanner and Josh are both very sweet and wholesome characters and I was curious how the story was going to resolve for the three of them!

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a festive romance with a touch of magic. Perfect for a cosy winter day with a hot chocolate.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lara (Atlas Of Stories).
356 reviews49 followers
November 23, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rating: 4/5

A Christmas novel perfect for the holidays.

The story plays with the idea of Christmas magic, or as a genre magical realism. This one comes in the form of a window mannequin. When the mannequin turns out to be a real person for our main character Margot, it is a dream date and possible boyfriend to get her through the days before her sister's wedding. But her week gets a little more complicated when a very special someone turns up who desperately wants to spend time with her.

This fun holiday romance novel is filled with feel-good romance and soulmate material. Throughout the story I kept wondering how it would end, what happiness awaited us and the characters at the end of the story. I loved reading this sweet romantic novel and swooned for the main characters' love story. The Christmas magic gives this story an original, sometimes funny and overall lovely touch.

I recommend this book to people who like holiday novels with a touch of magical realism.
Profile Image for Tianna ❀.
112 reviews6 followers
December 30, 2022
If I’m honest, I had really high hopes for the story based on what the blurb was but I found it a bit cringey to read. Margot was written to be a very immature, gullible, 27 year old and the romance aspect of things wasn’t very romantic.

I don’t like that Margot was so desperate for love that she came across as oblivious and easy to be manipulated. Every date she went on she had to pay and accepted the excuse of “I left my wallet” when in real life, most 27 year old women would be upset or even suspicious of their date for doing that.

However I did find it funny how everyone reacted to her “stress” and walking on eggshells around her instead of saying anything. It added a lighthearted element that story needed. I enjoyed it.

I would like to see Margot and Josh communicate through their relationship more instead of playing child games with each other.

Overall, it was alright book but I don’t think I would read it again.
1,871 reviews33 followers
December 7, 2022
This was such an original story. I loved the premise!!

Margot is in New York for her younger sister's wedding. Although they do not really get along, their mother made them promise to be in each other's weddings. While out one morning, Margot sees a display with a beautiful mannequin - who winks at her. Mesmerized, she convinces a worker to let her in so she can meet the model, Tanner, who is the mannequin. Margot is floating on a cloud after she and Tanner make a lunch date for the following day.

As she navigates the next few days trying to avoid her sister (and her former boyfriend Josh who is in town for the wedding), all Margot can think about is Tanner… and the odd looks they get while they're out together.

Meanwhile, Josh seems to have a change of mind about Margot and wants to rekindle their romance. Too bad she's with Tanner now…
Profile Image for Robyn Alvarez.
35 reviews
December 16, 2022
This book was not at all what I expected. Honestly, I went in thinking it was going to be a straight forward holiday romance… and I did not get that at all. Romance, yes. But straight forward? Absolutely not.

This book wasn't my personal cup of tea because of Tanner, but I really enjoyed watching Josh and Margot rekindle their love story. I wish there was more of watching them rekindle on a deeper level as it ended up feeling slightly rushed and superficial, but overall I think it was cute.

I don't think I'd read this book again, but also I take the blame because if I knew what it was about going in, I probably wouldn't have read it in the first place.

*Thanks to Book Sirens, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Profile Image for The Mundivagant Bookery.
46 reviews6 followers
December 17, 2022
It is fun to read a book about Christmas magic. I am a firm believer that Christmas magic can be found everywhere and affect anything. This book has Christmas magic, however, for me, it felt like there was some magic missing.

I would have enjoyed Tanner being seen by everyone the way Margot saw him. It would have also been wonderful to see a bit more of a connection that was less focused on the attractiveness of Tanner and Margot. Or Margot having a fling with Tanner, rather than looking to enter a relationship with him.

There is no comparison between a relationship with a real man and one with a mannequin.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
34 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2022
What a cute story! Margot finds herself in NYC over Christmas the reluctant maid of honor for her younger sister's wedding and trying to avoid her childhood best friend/soulmate who left her for London five years earlier. She meets a "live" mannequin, Tanner, in a department store window who looks to all her friends suspiciously like Josh, the man who broke her heart. Only Margot doesn't see it. What happens next is Margot exploring a budding relationship with Tanner while navigating her feelings for Josh, who's pursuing her, and her friends and family, who all think she's under extreme stress once they meet the "model" boyfriend. What a fun twist on a story. Definitely worth the read.
Profile Image for tre.wandereads.
447 reviews
November 27, 2022
It was a pretty kookie read but entertaining enough. It’s a story about finding true love, losing it, being jaded, and finally working your way back to being in love.

Christmas always brings a certain magic with it and it holds true for this couple who have not only experienced a past heartbreak, but are finally ready to rekindle said romance. At least one of them is. The other is fighting tooth and nail to find someone else haha but persistence and real love will always prevail. And what better way to bring that about than a sprinkle of magic!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kimmy.
510 reviews136 followers
December 2, 2022
3.5/5

Second chance romance but make it silly magical Christmas? i’m giggling

This was so so silly. I actually really enjoyed this story, it was so festive and such a quick little read, everything you want in a holiday romcom.

I will admit I was a bit startled at the interesting… take on a love triangle but at the end it was just the holiday magic which was again, bizarre and silly.

I wish there had been either more background or more tension with Margot and Josh to explain their relationship and chemistry but I definitely liked them together.

This book was seriously such a quick fun read!

I received this e-arc via Booksirens in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Andrea Smith.
380 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2022
A Real Man For Christmas

4 Giggling Stars

This book was my seasonal pick this year; it didn't disappoint. I found it a fun, heartwarming, and entertaining read. The story is pretty original with a bizarre twist. I took a chance on this one. It's my first time reading this author, and I prefer fantasy. I really lucked out! This author does a great job with family dynamics, friendship, and relationships. They evoke emotions in their readers and it's felt.

Not going to lie, I'm not a fan of love triangles. So, I found myself irritated for a

while. Lol! Though everything worked itself.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
8 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2023
This books was just OK for me. It was entertaining enough to finish, but I would not recommend it to someone. I wish there have been more focus on Margot and Josh and whatever happened in their past rather than on Tanner as I don't think Tanner really added much to the story, other that to show how desperate Margot was for a significant other. The story also could have been added to; for example, there was many comments from her family about Margot being under stress, but no real explanation as to why everyone was thinking that about her.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and have voluntarily left this review.
457 reviews2 followers
December 11, 2024
I raised to 3 1/2 ⭐️

I liked this, I couldn’t give it more than the 3 1/2 ⭐️ although, because I was so disappointed in the ending. It’s more of a novella, took only a bit of time to read, and it was cute. You could figure out right away what was happening, but you are along for the ride, and it was fun. Until the end. Wah, wah. 😩 So much potential, it felt like the author needed an ending quick, and she gave us the quick and short of it.

Thank you to #goodreadsgiveaways and #BrendaLowder for the kindle copy of the book.
Profile Image for Jamie Fry.
Author 7 books86 followers
November 21, 2022
There's something magical about reading romance books around Christmas, especially if that book is a Holiday Romantic Comedy. This book checked all the boxes; it was sweet, funny, cute, and highly enjoyable. Yes, parts were a little corny, but that's what makes it magical. I recommend this book to anyone searching for a little Christmas magic this holiday season.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.



Profile Image for Nicole.
118 reviews5 followers
November 26, 2022
Margot needs a date to her younger sister's wedding. Tanner is the perfect guy to bring so she can forget about her true love that had left her 5 years prior. Has she found love again?
I'm not quite sure what to think about this book. It was bizarre, quirky, funny, quick, and a bit confusing at times. It definitely had me guessing throughout what this love triangle would bring!
This is a voluntary review of a free book I received from Book Sirens.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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