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Sugar Mountain #1

The Fake Holidate

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The holidays are all merry and bright...

Until your sister decides to marry your ex—on Christmas.

Now I'm heading home to Sugar Mountain for this nightmare of a wedding.

To make matters worse, my work nemesis somehow convinced me to bring him as my date.

He's grumpy and rude—the most infuriating man on the planet. Honestly, forget decking the halls, I'd rather deck him in the face.

It doesn't help that he's unbelievably handsome. But he hates me, or so I thought.

Until one fake date changes everything.

Even my family can't help but fall for his charms.

He's blurring lines, confusing things.

Making me want to jingle his bells.

I don’t know what’s going to happen after this trip.

All I’m sure of is, faking nice has never felt this naughty.

95 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2022

76 people are currently reading
934 people want to read

About the author

Amie Knight

28 books1,430 followers
USA Today bestselling author Amie Knight has been a reader for as long as she could remember and a romance lover since she could get her hands on her momma's books. She’s a dedicated wife and mother with a deep love of music, makeup, and house plants. When she isn't reading and writing, you can catch her jamming out in the car with her two kids and husband to '90s R&B, country, and showtunes. Amie draws inspiration from her childhood in Columbia, South Carolina, and can't imagine living anywhere other than the South.

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5 stars
369 (23%)
4 stars
516 (32%)
3 stars
519 (33%)
2 stars
127 (8%)
1 star
33 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
Profile Image for Tetyana.
367 reviews39 followers
July 22, 2024
3/5
"Іспанський любовний роман" на мінімалках" 😅, але з різдвяною атмосферою. Ну от серйозно, задум ідентичний. Це було мило, весело, смішно, трохи крінжово, з адекватними героями, свинкою і цапом🤣. Незважаючи, що новела така маленька, прям мініатюрна, тут є сюжет, зрозумілі вчинки героїв, і притаманне якесь відчуття завершеності. От буває в новелах, що хочеться ще, якось мало всього, а тут: кінець та й кінець. І скоріш за все я забуду цю історію дуууже швидко🤣
Profile Image for Zey.
226 reviews16 followers
December 31, 2022
Şimdiye kadar okuduğum en iyi novelladan biri. 80 sayfa bu kadar güzel yazılır herhalde. Bence konu olarak benzeyen İspanyol aşk aldatmacasından çok daha iyiydi.
Profile Image for Chiara^•^.
438 reviews121 followers
December 25, 2023
Title: The Fake Holidate
Author: Amie Knight
Tropes: he falls first, coworkers, fake dating, holiday romance, only one bed
Spice: 🌶️
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5

“I’m going to hold your hand. I’m going to grab your ass. And I’m definitely going to kiss that beautiful mouth. And we aren’t done here. Not by a long shot.”

So, I read this amazing novella last week with my best bestie, and let me tell you, it was sweet, spicy, and everything nice! I can definitely say that I enjoyed reading this Christmas novella, especially since it was my first time reading anything by this author. Honestly, I wish it were a full-length book so I could spend more time with these two characters.

The story follows Nick and Clover, and their chemistry is off the charts! From steamy moments to hilarious banter, and heart-melting sweet moments, this novella has it all. Plus, there's a goat and a pet pig - need I say more? It's the perfect holiday read that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

I do wish that the conversation between Clover and her sister was more detailed. To be honest, I think Clover let her sister off too easy. However, I am happy that Clover is no longer with her ex because he is a cheater and a jerk, whereas Nick is a kind and attractive guy.

Based on this novella alone, I'm definitely going to check out more of their work. Seriously, you don't want to miss out on this one. Nick and Clover will steal your heart right from the start and keep you cheering for them till the very end.

”Fuck. You taste like Christmas.”
“What’s Christmas taste like?”
“Mmm. It tastes like my favourite.”
Profile Image for Victoriia  Khmeliuk .
25 reviews11 followers
December 4, 2023
Мило, без драми. Новорічна новелка для підняття настрою. Нагадує обрізані версії новорічних ромкомів від нетфлікса. Початок дуже схожий на Іспанський любовний обман.
Profile Image for Anne OK.
4,124 reviews553 followers
December 7, 2022


Dashing through the snow,
In her Forester Subaru
Up the mountain they go,
Without a single Ho! Ho! Ho!


But, oh what fun it is to read this short, funny and spicey holiday novella with its irresistible take on the fake relationship scenario. This one hits all the feels!

Marvelous characters – including a pig named Wilbur and a one-eared goat named Vincent Van Goat! Those two offered a whole other level of hoots of laughter. The human leads – Clover and Nick – are so perfect together. And Nick’s little twist at the end just made me ooh and aah!

Ending with a wonderful Epilogue wrapping this one up with a bright red bow and a very happy-ever-after!


Profile Image for Kelly.
157 reviews6 followers
December 13, 2022
Short, sweet, and such a fun holiday novella! Less than 100 pages. I ate this UP.

I wish it were a full book! Love a classic "work nemesis has actually been in love with me the entire time" premise and wish I had more time with these two. I've never read anything from this author, but based on this novella alone, I'd definitely read a full length book!

Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Profile Image for AJ.
3,260 reviews1,072 followers
November 21, 2022
3.5 stars!

This is a short and fun novella, a fake relationship/close proximity romance that is sweet and sexy with a feel-good finish.

Clover’s life was thrown into turmoil when she found her boyfriend in bed with her younger sister. She was devastated by the betrayal and ran from her beloved small country town and moved to the city so she wouldn’t have to face either of them. Now, her sister and her ex are getting married, and she’s heading home for the wedding two days before Christmas.

She is stunned when her colleague and workplace grump, Nick, offers to go with her as her fake boyfriend. She’s stunned, considering that Nick barely speaks to her and looks at her with contempt, but he looks like a sexy Clarke Kent, and the man gives a convincing argument. Plus, she’s desperate to look like she’s moved on, so she accepts his offer and they take off for a weekend spent in a cabin in the snow.

It’s a fun set-up, and though Clover may be oblivious, it’s clear that Nick has feelings for her, and he has a motive for their weekend away. It’s in the intense stares, the fake-not-so-fake PDA, and his flirty comments. Nick is not the type to play games and he doesn’t hold anything back, and before too long, his mission becomes clear.

“I’m going to hold your hand. I’m going to grab your ass. And I’m definitely going to kiss that beautiful mouth. And we aren’t done here. Not by a long shot.”

The story moves quickly, but there’s great chemistry, and I was fully on board as Clover and Nick’s relationship shifts from fake to very much real.

It’s a quick read, and I enjoyed watching these two come together. And there’s an epilogue which provides great closure and a glimpse of their future, and I really enjoyed this one.

3.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


Profile Image for Alex (HEABookNerd).
2,462 reviews
January 24, 2024
THE FAKE HOLIDATE was a cute Christmas novella and I enjoyed Clover's funny and sarcastic narration. She can't help but be attracted to her coworker, Nick, even though he's standoffish and grumpy. Their fake dating was cute and flirty and they fall fast for each other, especially because Nick has secretly been pining for Clover since he first met her. Overall, this was pretty surface level with one spicy scene but it's a pretty short novella so that's not unexpected.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:

Nick Parsons was having a She’s All That moment á la mountain man style, and I was totally swooning my ass off.
Profile Image for пустунка .
412 reviews10 followers
August 30, 2024
3/5 ~ 6/10

читати літом різдвяні новели – done ✅
весь час у мене були флешбеки.. іспанський любовний роман не дає про себе забути :)

загалом все не так погано. фейкового хлопця головній героїні знайшли, а значить, і чоловіка. трохи слабенько по описах і розкриттю, але я цей факт приймаю.
Profile Image for Oleksandra Chernyak.
127 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2024
Це була найкраща новела з тих, які я прочитала за цей рік🥰
Це так гарно написано ♥️ головні герої адекватні, без крінжі, атмосфера Різдва ❄️ я б почитала продовження)
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
December 1, 2022
The Fake Holidate is a delightful story that I LOVED a ton, and my one & only complaint is I desperately wished it was longer LOL! Poor Clover, she's coming back home for the first time after catching her sister with her boyfriend, and said sister is now marrying her ex. She's been talked into coming to the wedding, and I have to say she's a better woman than I am because there's not a chance in hell that I would be going to that wedding. Luckily, her grumpy co-worker, Nick, offers to go with her for the fake date so she sets out with a hottie & her scene stealing pig, Wilbur LOL! I laughed quite a bit through this story, and I sure was rooting for Clover & Nick as the sparks were flying so the lines were becoming blurry. So yeah, that's all I'll say about that & if you want to know more, you know what to do! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Caarolinaaa.
74 reviews
December 26, 2022
Fake Dating + She thinks he hates her (so Enemies to Lovers) + One Bed + RomCom + Quick read + *spoiler* They don’t have a 3rd act breakup 🙌🏼

This novella 😍😍 It hit all the right spots, all the tropes I love!! Truly recommend it to anyone looking for something quick and delightful to read this Christmas!

My only complaint is that I wished it was longer 😭
Profile Image for yoo ira.
126 reviews22 followers
December 3, 2023


Відстійно. Погано. Злизано з "Іспанського обману". Наївно. Награно. Притягнуто за вуха.

Давно я не зустрічала такого тупого сюжету й виконання.

ПОДЯКА

Моєму терплячому хлопцю. Нехай ти подумав, що зарізали скотину, а то насправді я не змогла стримати крик душі.

Profile Image for Karla ML.
497 reviews49 followers
December 26, 2022
Me encantan estos clichés navideños!!😍🥰
Profile Image for Luisa Rivas.
2,200 reviews36 followers
November 30, 2022
This story may have been a novella but it has all the elements of a full book. Great characters and a great story that kept me smiling all the time I was reading it.

When I started to read, I thought it was going to be an angsty story because the heroine, Clover, is expected to come back home to her sister’s wedding, and she doesn’t want to go. Clover left her home, Sugar Mountain Resort, when she found out her boyfriend had been cheating with her own sister. And they were now getting married! She hasn’t been home and hasn’t talked to her sister in one year, and after a betrayal like that, I’m not surprised. And yet, her aunt convinced her to go but she’s despairing. Then her work partner offered to go with her, the guy who has been grumpy for the whole year she’s been working there. She accepted the offer because she was desperate but it was the best thing she ever did.

With a Henry Cavill lookalike, her pig Wilbur, off to her home town she went, and it was a wonderful sweet and cute story. Chock full of laughs, tender humor, the give and take of a fake relation that had some strong attractions, it was super entertaining and heartwarming. I loved that Clover drooled every time Nick arrived dressed in new clothes, especially the grey sweatpants! There was a great temptation to climb him like a monkey and lick him all over like Wilbur did in the car. And don’t forget Vincent Van Goat, another pet with a missing ear, but we don’t discuss the ear situation. He and Nick turned into besties and Vincent followed Nick everywhere!

The love story was a surprise for Clover but not for Nick and poor Clover was in for a lot of nice and steamy surprises. This story was adorable and entertaining, and of course, enjoyed in one day.
Profile Image for Alice.
605 reviews10 followers
November 20, 2022
Awwwww! A holiday novella by Amie Knight?
Of course I always find it too short and definitely would like some more. LOL
Yes, I'm a greedy fan!

Clover's sister and her ex-boyfriend want to marry. Right, the guy who broke her heart is now marrying her sister? Ugh! Of course Clover doesn't wanna go!
Buuuut when her hot colleague Nick could help her... maybe it could turn into a very nice weekend, who knows?!

WOW!
WHAT A SEXY AND FUNNY AND CUTE HOLIDAY NOVELLA!
I devoured it and loved every moment of it!
🤗🤗🤗
Amie Knight knows how to make you fall in love with her stories!
A HOT GUY WITH GLASSES? LOOKING LIKE CLARK KENT? 😍😍😍😍😍😍
Nick is this grumpy and sexy kinda introverted guy, who totally gave me goosebumps all the time! All the time! No matter what he did! LOL
And Clover is the sassy and cute woman, who can keep up with him.
I really really loved their story and although I could have finished it in one sitting I postponed the end so I've more of them! LOL
It's a bookaholic logic. Don't question me!

Thank you so much for this wonderful love story! I'm definitely even more in the holiday mood now! And of course I'm waiting for my Nick somewhere out there. Hehehe. 😄
Profile Image for Tricia Bartley.  #AuthorStalker.
1,299 reviews103 followers
November 18, 2022
My first Christmas novella of the season and boy was it a fabulous read!!

🎄Office Romance

🦌Enemies-to-Lovers

🎄Forced Proximity

🦌Fake Dating

The Fake Holidate By Amie Knight had me giggling, fanning myself and peaking over my shoulder making sure no-one was reading my hawt steamy little read!! Haha I loved it!!!

Clover's sister stole her man and her sister announces they are getting married.

Clover loved her sister but how crappy was it that her sister did that to her.

So Clover decided to go back home and go this dreadful wedding, but she was going to go with her head held high and decided she was going to one up her sister.

Buttttt first Cover had to get a man and quick. This is where she gives into her work cubicle mate, he overheard her on the phone and boom..she has a date with her hawt co-worker that she thought hated her.

Y'all such a fun, angsty, spicy read!! Go one click on December 1 and find your next 5 Star read!!!
Profile Image for Mara Ines.
263 reviews7 followers
December 7, 2022
This was so cute!!
Fake dating ✅️ 1 bed ✅️ Henry cavell ✅️ Christmas ✅️ spicy ✅️ Spanish love deception vibes ✅️

Clover sister is getting married to Clovers ex.. so whats better than having Henry Cavell, Clark Kent, superman asking to be ur fake date? Let me tell u.. NOTHING!!!!!
We have a mountain resort, a goat, a pig, superman in sweatpants!!!! Also, MOUNTAIN MAN! Laugh out loud moments and so much heat and chemistry 🔥🔥🥵
Profile Image for Fanny.
2,399 reviews50 followers
February 1, 2023



Mi primera experiencia con la autora no fue tan buena como yo esperaba, no obstante, con The Fake Holidate fue totalmente redimida.

La lectura no solo fue muy tierna sino que ademas me sorprendio gratamente, es de esos libros que realmente disfrutas y deseas que no termine nunca.

En fin, The Fake Holidate es de las mejores novellas Navideñas que he leido este año. Lo recomiendo mucho!

3 Estrellas!
Profile Image for Jaime Reynolds.
1,949 reviews23 followers
November 16, 2022
I loved this story. It’s was a sweet and spicy novella that had me smiling and swooning. A perfect holiday read that to cheer you right up. Who doesn’t love a goat and a pet pig??!! Not to mention a hot man who would do anything for the one he wants. You all need to grab this one right away.
Profile Image for Anastasiia.
46 reviews6 followers
November 28, 2023
Мила та різдвяна новела❄️
Чимось схожа на "Іспанський любовний обман", сама ідея в принципі майже ідентична.
Під кінець книги трохи не сподобався стиль написання, хоча на початку все було гарно написано. Думаю, як би була повноцінна книга, було б набагато краще.
3⭐️
Profile Image for Cristina.
548 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2024
Romance navideño, montañas nevadas, cita falsa con el compañero gruñón del trabajo... y muy divertido. Me ha gustado mucho.
Profile Image for Jeraca.
2,716 reviews31 followers
November 19, 2022
I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review.

I discovered Amie Knight through an anthology, so when I was given the chance to read this book, I jumped on it because I loved her writing and story before. And I'm so glad I did because I loved this book! I normally don't love Christmas themed stories, but this novel I flew through and had no issues enjoying every aspect.

Clover is hilarious and her choice of pet cracks me up. I love her stubborn steak with her sister, cause it's exactly what I would have done, but I love her forgiveness too.

Nick? Superman? Swoon. I would have loved to have gotten his viewpoint a few times but his quite brooding personality drew me in instantly.

I love the environment of Clovers hometown and would love to visit a place like that!

I'm so glad I got the chance to read this novel and I am definitely looking forward to more by this author!
Profile Image for tiffany_reads_books.
104 reviews5 followers
December 2, 2022
This was such a feel good fake dating romance!

Clover and Nick were seriously the cutest duo ever.

Nick comes off and grumpy and Clover thinks that he hates her. He has avoided her and basically ignored her for the almost year that they have worked together.
Clover has been going through a rough time after an awful break up. She fled her hometown for a job in the city to get away and heal.

Now her sister is getting married and she has to go home. She doesn’t want to and then she gets an offer from Nick.

These two together are just fire. They are funny, sweet and the chemistry is amazing. This was a great read and I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Christina Rybka.
1,129 reviews17 followers
November 21, 2022
Clover doesn’t want to go home for her sister’s wedding to her ex boyfriend Ben, but her family is laying on the guilt. Nick her sexy looking co worker who never talks to her offers to go with her as a fake date. She thinks he’s crazy and then says yes and they go for the wedding. Nick is charming her family and her but is this just him pretending or more? Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended Amazing Book. I absolutely love Clover and Nick. This book made me laugh, swoon, and the spice.
Profile Image for Jess (GetbookedwithJessica).
716 reviews43 followers
December 12, 2023
A fake relationship/close proximity romance that is sweet and sexy with a feel-good finish.


Hilarious and startlingly realistic in the sense of having to deal with family and exes even after running away from them, the Fake Holidate is hard to put down. Laugh-out-loud at points, tear-jerking at others, it’s heartfelt and I’d love to see more from Nick and Clover.

And there’s an epilogue which always helps tie it all together which provides great closure and a glimpse of their future, and I really enjoyed this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews

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