Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Holidays & Hijinks #1

Christmas Side Hustle

Rate this book
Retail worker by day, costume designer by night, Lucy feels pressure from the holiday season with her limited budget. To make some extra cash she posts online for a fake-dating service for the holidays, and things get out of hand. When her boss and theater owner, Lucas, discovers her ploy to get rich quick, he takes matters into his own hands. How will she handle her boss and brother's best friend finding out, and just who booked her Christmas Eve slot?

Lucy Fiore

It's depressing knowing I work my butt off at two jobs and still manage to end up broke for the holidays. Every year I just make it by the skin of my teeth to buy cheap gifts no one appreciates, but this year will be different. I've strategized a plan to keep my finances steady this holiday season with my epic Christmas Side Hustle. After all, a little fake dating never hurt anyone.

Lucas Cloutier

I don't understand why people go mental during the holidays, but I prefer to focus on the winter showcase and stay out of the holiday drama. If only my part-time costume designer, and regrettably my best friend's little sister, could keep her schemes to herself. I don't want to know that she's soliciting fake dates to make ends meet, and I really don't understand how she keeps getting into these ridiculous situations. But now that I know about her side hustle, I can't just leave her to fend for herself.


Christmas Side Hustle is a mature 18+ holiday rom-com full of hijinks and hilarities with a sprinkle of spicy content. This is the first book in the Holidays & Hijinks series and follows the story of Lucy & Lucas. This is intended for mature audiences and contains elements of the brother's best friend trope and the grumpy boss trope.

166 pages, ebook

Published December 6, 2022

25 people are currently reading
205 people want to read

About the author

H.N. DeFore

40 books272 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
43 (36%)
4 stars
40 (33%)
3 stars
22 (18%)
2 stars
13 (10%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Courtney.
120 reviews4 followers
December 25, 2022
I really liked the characters and the story overall BUT the last like 20 minutes gave us a crazy side story that just came out of nowhere and left me with questions. Another thing to note is that it has way too many typos.
40 reviews
January 4, 2023
@booktoklife4me
This writer has a lot of potential. I absolutely loved the story line and this is one of those books that I would set down and then continue thinking about throughout the day, so I had to get back to it. However, there are several things that I didn't like about the writing and characters and I feel that it is better to be honest so as to help the author improve on the book that she is currently writing. She has 5 star potential and I do love her.
Constructive criticism:
1. So many grammatical errors.
2. Mentioning that her love interest is wealthy when you introduce him is enough. It got repetitive when you continued to express how "expensive" his stuff was... This makes the main character seem shallow.
3. I felt uncomfortable about the way that the main character describes other women. She uses really derogatory terms and it makes her unlikable. There is a point at the beginning when she talks about what someone does for a living and how this person would rather be with her... this seems really judgemental of her, especially considering what she is doing as her "side hustle".
4. The male main character is almost perfect but he needs a little bit of work. He seems cold and also like he doesn't really care about her except for sex. He was too nonchalant about everything after they were intimate but somehow, after he picks her up from her Christmas eve date, he was on the opposite side of the spectrum and it was cringy...
Anyhow, if the author reads this, I follow you on tiktok and I actually love your content, and it was difficult to write this review, but I feel that you will benefit more from an honest review rather than if I were to sugarcoat my constructive criticism.
Profile Image for Avery Rodriguez.
20 reviews
October 18, 2023
Oh my word🥵 I absolutely love me a good brothers best friend forbidden romance book, especially if it’s spicy!!
This book follows our two main characters Lucas and Lucy. Lucy plans on getting through the holidays making extra cash by setting up a side hustle that advertises her availability for fake dating. We see a slow burn situationship between Lucy and Lucas as Lucy learns how to navigate her fake dates with mostly creeps and weirdos. I loved being able to see how Lucas’ protectiveness starts to develop and come into play as each date passes, and my lord once that thin restraint of his breaks we get to witness the dirty low down 😏
Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down and finished it within a day. It’s not a long read and I know that I had a grin on my face the entire time. I recommend reading this and then taking a look at the rest of her books in the Holidays&Hijinks series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Allison Comis.
889 reviews11 followers
November 20, 2023
Lucy kicked off the book by setting up fake dates for the holiday season. She needed the cash so this worked out perfectly. She had a lot of bumps in the road. Her boss Lucas and her friend told her it wasn’t a good idea but she did it anyway. The last date was a mystery but it surprised her when she showed up at the address. She ended up telling him to buzz off and she left. She was so upset so she called her boss Lucas. And the rest was history. Great book.
Profile Image for Rose Helg.
2,915 reviews27 followers
November 21, 2023
GREAT Book

I💓 this book. I 💓 Lucy and Lucas. This is a slow burn romance,Christmas books, has Spice, and is Funny, Book. You Will DEFINITELY, Not , want to put this book Down. You will be Hook, on the first chapter. Then, you will be thinking, what she getting into,now. A Must Read , Christmas book.
Profile Image for Gnome Patronus.
436 reviews22 followers
December 5, 2023
⭐️Overall 4/5
🌶️ Spice 3/5
🖤Dark 0/5


Lucy needs some extra cash so of course what better idea then to become a rent a girlfriend. When the paid dates end up not going exactly as planned Lucas, her brothers best friend, is there to help. This is a SLOW burn, but it is worth the wait. The tension, the humor and the build up makes for a wonderful holiday read.
Profile Image for Lisa.
529 reviews16 followers
November 19, 2023
I really liked this book Lucy has liked Lucas from a far for years and finally his being to notice her more and more although his always fancied her but being his best friend sister is the problem until Lucy needs help then all is forgotten but the 2 of them
Would recommend this book
Profile Image for Heather Creeden.
296 reviews25 followers
December 16, 2022
Type: Christmas Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Age range: Mature

Quotes:
“I’ll come over now if you let me do what your dress says.”

Review:
This is such a cute little Christmas story. Lucy is Roger’s little sister and has always had a thing for Lucas. She completely humiliated herself when she was 17 and she knows that he will never look at her the way she wants him to. Not to mention he’s her boss now!

Lucy thinks nothing bad could every happen with a little fake dating for the holidays for some extra cash. It’s not like people are creeps or anything…she has a lot to learn real fast!

It’s fast paced with plenty of holiday spice to make the perfect Christmas cocktail HEA!

Tropes:
- Christmas romance
- Fake Dating
- Brothers best friend
- Forced Proximity


Book Blurb:

Lucy Fiore - it’s depressing knowing I work my butt off at two jobs and still manage to end up broke for the holidays. Every year I just make it by the skin of my teeth to buy cheap gifts no one appreciates, this this year will be different. I’ve strategized a plan to keep my finances steady this holiday season with my epic Christmas Side Hustle. After all, a little fake dating never hurt anyone.

Lucas Cloutier - I don’t understand why people go mental during the holidays, but I prefer to focus on the winter showcase and stay out of the holiday drama. If only my part-time costume designer, and regrettably my best friends little sister, could keep her schemes to herself. I don’t want to know that she’s soliciting fake dates to make ends meet, and I really don’t understand how she keeps getting into these ridiculous situations. But now that I know about her side hustle, I can’t just leave her to fend for herself.
Profile Image for Gwenyth Boggs.
15 reviews
January 1, 2023
While I enjoyed the root of the story, the are very many grammatical errors! Looking forward to book 2!
Profile Image for Heather.
23 reviews
July 6, 2023
A fun holiday romp

If you’re looking for something that’s a mixture of fun, romance, and spice, this is it. The main characters are well thought out and you’ll be rooting for them the whole way.
Profile Image for Elise Ballard.
281 reviews16 followers
February 9, 2024
Great holiday read.

I loved the storyline. There is just a little bit of spice. You could read this in public. I definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Roisin Robbins.
269 reviews12 followers
November 21, 2023
Christmas Side Hustle Review 
H.N DeFore 

Rating 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 3🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is the first Christmas romance book I’ve read and let me tell you it did not disappoint. I absolutely love a good brother's best friend forbidden romance book, especially if it’s spicy!

If you’re looking for something that’s a mixture of fun, romance, and spice, this is it. The main characters are well thought out and you’ll be rooting for them the whole way.

This book follows our two main characters Lucas and Lucy. Lucy is Roger’s little sister and has always had a thing for Lucas. She completely humiliated herself when she was 17 and she knows that he will never look at her the way she wants him to. Not to mention he’s her boss now!

Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down and finished it within a day. It’s not a long read and I know that I had a grin on my face the entire time. I recommend reading this and then taking a look at the rest of her books in the Holidays & Hijinks series.
Profile Image for Charlene Alana  Henderson .
1,323 reviews34 followers
October 22, 2024
I always love Haley's books and this one wasn't any different, her books just always hit the spot! Not matter what reading mood your in.. This is Lucy and Lucas's story. And what a story it was. I loved every minute of it.

I just couldn't get enough of it, I wouldn't put it down once I started reading it. I was hooked from the start. It's a crazy rollercoaster ride that just keeps on giving. I was laughing through out the entire book. I love their chemistry, I just loved them.

It's filled with loads from drama, action, spice and more. The characters, the storyline was written really well. Can't wait to read more in this series. Highly recommend.

Lucy needs some extra money for the holidays, so why not go on some fake dates for the extra cash. What could possibly go wrong.!?

Lucas is her brother's best friend and her boss, he doesn't approve of her idea, but he comes to the rescue when things go tits up.

It's so good , go grab your copy. What you waiting for ? You won't be disappointed, I sure wasn't.

Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,341 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2024
3.5 stars

I found out thst this was DeFore's first book. I had already read a few of her other books in the Sins and Secrets series and I enjoy them. However, I would give you the heads up that if you are more familiar with S&S, DeFore jumps right into the schmexy stuff but in this one has more of the build up and slow burn-esque compared to S&S. Never fear though because we do get some spicy-ness.

I couldn't believe that Luci did the side hustle and still kept on after a few of her experiences... I would have shut that down and I thought I knew who booked her big day but I was wrong. I am happy with how it was handled though.

I have to say the candy cane outfit scene was probably my favorite.

Profile Image for Amanda Reads.
698 reviews9 followers
December 18, 2023
This is the first book of the Holidays and Hijinks Series and is about Lucy and Logan.
Lucy is determined to have money this Christmas and comes up with a crazy side hustle to get it....she decides to offer fake dates for a price and some of them are funny and some aren't so great but anytime she calls Lucas to come to the rescue, he does..she thinks its because Lucas is her brother's best friend but there's alot more to it than that.
Lucas has had a thing for Lucy for a while but he doesn't think it would be a good idea since Lucy's brother is his best friend and he's close with all of Lucy's family...but after being Lucy's knight in shining, he sees he can't stay away from her and that he doesn't want to anymore.
This book has brothers best friend.. Grumpy/ kinda sunshine..and boss/employee tropes.
Profile Image for Amanda Workman.
113 reviews5 followers
November 13, 2023
Brother’s Best friend. Christmas. Fake Dating. Forbidden. Grumpy Boss.

Lucy works two jobs to make ends meet. So, she decides to create a holiday side hustle to bring in some extra income. Lucas is her brother’s best friend, the guy she has had a crush on for years, oh and her boss. Attitudes fly when he finds out about Lucy’s side hustle.

This was a super cute story! There were times it literally made me smile while I was reading. Both of the main characters grow together as the story progresses. There is plenty of drama to keep you interested throughout the entire book. I loved reading this book and did not want to put it down.
There are some spicy scenes and some dirty talking. Its appropriately placed to the plot and very delicious.
Profile Image for Betsy Chapman.
376 reviews13 followers
June 12, 2023
Lucas and Lucy have been dancing around each other for years. Lucas is best friends with Lucy’s brother and Lucas doesn’t want to upset the balance.

Lucy made is struggling with money for the holidays and offers herself as a holiday for those who don’t want to attend holiday parties alone. When Lucas finds out, he gets extra protective of her as well as gives her a raise as a costume designer at the theater he runs.

The chemistry between these two jumps off the page but it’s a slow burn. Between the drama of these two getting together and the set up for the next book for Lucy’s brother and ex-fiancé, this was hard to put down!
1,164 reviews24 followers
January 1, 2024
Grab this Now!!

I can’t get enough of these quick reads! They are cute, have great spice, and the stories are very entertaining.  They are like cookies - you are just gonna have one, and the next thing you know, you are 2 rows in!  


This book is the start of Lucy and Lucas’ romance.  Lucas is Lucy’s brother’s best friend and her boss.  She gets up to no good when she sets out to make extra money over the holidays.  Her antics and situations had me laughing out loud, and although I only meant to start the book, I didn’t stop until I got to the end. If you are looking for a quick read with a great story, grab this one!

Profile Image for Kellie Waldron.
805 reviews17 followers
January 22, 2024
This was a great Christmas story that could be read anytime. Lucas was trying to make the family business be great. Having to be responsible for not only supporting his brothers and sister but his parents. It was a lot of pressure.

Lucy just wanted to work on her dream. She needed money so she was doing "fake" dates for the holidays. Little did she know that she would get stalkers, ex's and generally weird people. She wanted to just date her crush Lucas, but neither felt that the other wanted it.

Having to bail Lucy out of a couple of situations, Lucas may find things different.
Profile Image for Arleigh Salerno.
449 reviews14 followers
December 29, 2024
This is a read that leaves you wanting more... in a good way, of course! Lucas and Lucy are both such a great mix for each other, but do they know that? Lucy has her side hustle to be able to pay for christmas this year... But Lucas... who just happens to be her brothers best friend doesn't want her doing this "side hustle." The banter, protectiveness, and spice are to swoon over. Can't say i didn't feel very nervous for Lucy for her little hustle, but phew, I loved this read.
Profile Image for Chloe.
1,261 reviews3 followers
December 31, 2024
Lucy needs extra cash. She decides to advertise as a fake date for the Christmas season. The fake dates range from interesting to horrendous, but the money is good, and she can always count on her brother's best friend (and her boss) Lucas to bail her out of trouble.

🎄 Fake dating (but not the MCs!)
🎄 Brother's Best Friend
🎄 Boss x employee
🎄 Workplace romance

A fun read set at Christmas time, but not one that will probably stay in my memory.
Profile Image for Celina Harris.
9 reviews
August 28, 2023
This is the first Christmas romance book I’ve read and let me tell you it did not disappoint. Lucy is a stubborn little spitfire and I absolutely loved her. Lucas tries to come off as an uncaring rich jerk but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The slow-burn storyline was absolutely amazing and the spice was mmm *chef’s kiss*
Profile Image for Jaime Cantrell.
696 reviews15 followers
January 21, 2024
I loved reading this. I had me laughing at most parts and wanting to knock some sense into a few of the side characters at others. I loved the storyline. I absolutely loved Lucy and Lucas. Their chemistry was so palatable right from the beginning. Im excited to read the next installment!

As always be mindful of any trigger warnings what I like you may not.

Happy Reading!
818 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2024
Lucy, decides to set her fake dates during the holidays to earn extra money. Lucas, is her brother's best friend and boss. Cue the rescues, drama and fights that turn to flirting and feelings. The Author did an amazing job writing this story with lots of st3amy, s3xy times. The characters and world were very well written and can't wait to read more!
Profile Image for Dahlena Sampson PA.
150 reviews15 followers
March 4, 2024
One of my favorite tropes

Not only is this a semi “enemies to lovers” story but it also got “sibling’s friend” going on. It’s a good read with fun characters and Lucy reminds me of my clumsiness. There’s just the right amount of spice for a short story and the ending was a sweet one.
1,673 reviews21 followers
May 6, 2024
Lucy

Lucy is wanting to make money for Christmas. She decides to do dates for payment in order to make enough for the holiday. Lucas isn't happy when he finds out, but the more he disapproves, the more she wants to go through with her dates.
This book is really good. There is conflict, spice, and drama. I enjoyed this read.
Profile Image for Lauren.
495 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2025
This was a good story. There was A LOT happening in this book. Between their hots for each other, his parents, his brother, her brother, the side hustle, it was a lot. I loved how Lucas didn't back away from Lucy and always had her back. In the end, he DID see her for all those years she thought he didn't.
36 reviews5 followers
June 8, 2023
I loved this book! It was like a Christmas Hallmark movie but with spice! The story was well written. It flowed, things made sense. The spice was spicin’. The second book in the series comes out in a few weeks and I’m excited for it!
Profile Image for Carmen.
21 reviews
November 25, 2023
Holiday romancing

This was a brother’s best friend romance. Definitely a slow burn as the spice didn’t kick in till 70%. The ending seemed a bit rushed but still a cute holiday read.
Profile Image for Dusty Shirley.
979 reviews11 followers
November 27, 2023
Girlfriend for hire.

When you need the extra money for Christmas, of course you sell dates with yourself. Until your brother's best friend finds out. This was such a great read. The trouble poor Luce gets into cracks me up. Luke, of course. Comes to the rescue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.