What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Rom-com #2.5
How to Not Be Alone on Christmas
I will survive.
I am not going to think about him this Christmas. I am going to have fun on my Christmapocalypse adventure in the unassuming village of Wintergreen, Florida. The plot is simple: I get away from my house cave, meet new people, and live happily ever after.
Everything does not go to plan when the quaint apocalyptic town I’ve just settled into ends up stuck in a blizzard.
In Florida.
That’s not even where the chaos ends once his car crashes into a tree on the outskirts, leaving my room as the only one with any space left to share.
Ryder Evan, the only man I’ve ever loved, is the grump to end all grumps, and now me, him, and his duck, Jimmy, are stuck together while we navigate the world of Christmapocalypse. However, something about this whole event—from Florida blizzards to my childhood ex showing up—is off in a way that suggests I’m stuck as the lead in a story written by a dozen meddling elves.
I don’t think Melanie Richards’ book How to Not Be Alone on Christmas accounted for a fake apocalypse becoming as real as my subdued feelings. But, well, here we are.
How to Not Be Alone on Christmas is a second-chance satirical romance with plenty of chaos and plenty of well-thought-out plot. Each book in this series has sensual description that is ultimately closed door/fade to black, minimal cursing if any at all, and a swoon-worthy love story. Please reference the reader expectations after the title page for specific details—and please read the author’s note!
I am not going to think about him this Christmas. I am going to have fun on my Christmapocalypse adventure in the unassuming village of Wintergreen, Florida. The plot is simple: I get away from my house cave, meet new people, and live happily ever after.
Everything does not go to plan when the quaint apocalyptic town I’ve just settled into ends up stuck in a blizzard.
In Florida.
That’s not even where the chaos ends once his car crashes into a tree on the outskirts, leaving my room as the only one with any space left to share.
Ryder Evan, the only man I’ve ever loved, is the grump to end all grumps, and now me, him, and his duck, Jimmy, are stuck together while we navigate the world of Christmapocalypse. However, something about this whole event—from Florida blizzards to my childhood ex showing up—is off in a way that suggests I’m stuck as the lead in a story written by a dozen meddling elves.
I don’t think Melanie Richards’ book How to Not Be Alone on Christmas accounted for a fake apocalypse becoming as real as my subdued feelings. But, well, here we are.
How to Not Be Alone on Christmas is a second-chance satirical romance with plenty of chaos and plenty of well-thought-out plot. Each book in this series has sensual description that is ultimately closed door/fade to black, minimal cursing if any at all, and a swoon-worthy love story. Please reference the reader expectations after the title page for specific details—and please read the author’s note!
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2022
54 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Evergreen
37 books326 followersCamilla Evergreen is an alias of USA Today bestselling author Anne Stryker. Originally intended as a dumping ground for all things lacking fantasy, Camilla/Anne came to the shocking discovery that writing sarcastic, chaotic romcoms full of quippy heroines and adoring heroes has a kick to it.
Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla
Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 16, 2024
This was so weird!
This is the weirdest book in the series and laughed so hard when Jimmy the Duck was narrating a chapter after the epilogue 🤣🤣🤣 I enjoyed all the books in the series so much! They're so outrageous and over the top, but oh so fun to read! I finished all seven books in two weeks! I've never read a series this quickly ever before and I am looking forward to reading this author's other books.
This is the weirdest book in the series and laughed so hard when Jimmy the Duck was narrating a chapter after the epilogue 🤣🤣🤣 I enjoyed all the books in the series so much! They're so outrageous and over the top, but oh so fun to read! I finished all seven books in two weeks! I've never read a series this quickly ever before and I am looking forward to reading this author's other books.
June 4, 2024
One of the craziest Christmas stories I've ever read and I still laughed my head off reading it. Glad I know the back story of how it was written so I get the gist better. Clean Christmas romance with some seriously weird events. Happy ending. Candy elves and Jack Frost.
Read
November 6, 2024delightful chaos
Read Ms. Evergreen’s notes, get a feel for her personality, and then proceed with caution because this is a wild ride of holiday themed chaos and fun, and absolutely should be read with the foreknowledge it is intended for hilarious escapism. Serious readers need not apply. I’m a huge fan of this author for a reason. Expect the unexpected, explore tropes turned on their heads, adore romance loving neuroatypical and nontraditional characters who confidently populate worlds all their own. And then come back for more. Lol!
Read Ms. Evergreen’s notes, get a feel for her personality, and then proceed with caution because this is a wild ride of holiday themed chaos and fun, and absolutely should be read with the foreknowledge it is intended for hilarious escapism. Serious readers need not apply. I’m a huge fan of this author for a reason. Expect the unexpected, explore tropes turned on their heads, adore romance loving neuroatypical and nontraditional characters who confidently populate worlds all their own. And then come back for more. Lol!
June 5, 2024
Merry Christmapocalyspe!
This book is hilarious! Meri, orphan, sad single woman that she is, books a Christmas vacation. It’s an end of the world scenario with candy zombies, and overly cheerful elves. She’s hoping for a fun holiday, spent with others, then her ex-boyfriend enters the narrative.
Everything was so random, and there’s a reason for that, and so funny. I absolutely adored this holiday mash-up!
This book is hilarious! Meri, orphan, sad single woman that she is, books a Christmas vacation. It’s an end of the world scenario with candy zombies, and overly cheerful elves. She’s hoping for a fun holiday, spent with others, then her ex-boyfriend enters the narrative.
Everything was so random, and there’s a reason for that, and so funny. I absolutely adored this holiday mash-up!
July 15, 2024
It's helpful to know that this book is the sum of many Instagram reader suggestions, and once knowing that I believe Camilla did a fantastic job weaving together all the crazy to make a cohesive book. And definitely, what's not to love about a pet duck in a diaper named Jimmy?
May 17, 2025
What an odd Christmas tale. Written based off of a crazy bunch of suggestions from her fans, Camilla rose to the occasion even though her hints included blizzards in Florida and an adorable duck named Jimmy. The sunshine sweet female lead, Marigold, has suffered heartbreak for 5 long years when her best friend/boyfriend Ryder, broke up with her and left town. Desperate not to face yet another Christmas all alone she spots an ad for a fantasy Christmas event where guests must survive an apocalpse created by Santa Claus in an effort to rid the world of naughty humans.
Yes, you read it correctly- a Christmapocalpse that will take place from December 1 to Christmas Day. As crazy as it sounds (and kudos to anyone who can just decide to skip working for a month during the busiest holiday season), this event somehow makes sense as you go along... mostly. We readers are fine, its the heroine who stumbles, but somehow keeps smiling. Sticking with all the crazy ideas her fans gave her, Camilla still manages a fun romp through a fantasy landscape that has rules of its own yet allows a healthy dose of reality to keep us grounded.
Ryder, our grump who is firmly connected to reality, and his duck, Jimmy, hit black ice and crashes his car inside the borders of Marigold's fantasy vacation grounds. Being the only person attending the event solo, Marigold is asked to share her room with our surprise guest/former boyfriend AKA the guy who broke her heart and the one she still pines for). Of course, against her wishes our sunshine girl cant say no, especially when Jimmy is so darn cute. Thus the scene is set for the craziest vacation ever. Can Marigold's sunny and fantasy loving excitement be damped by the grump sharing the far side of her bed? Lovers of forced proximity, only one bed, broken hearts, second chances and Christmas antics will enjoy this one. Our leads each have their own charms and the secondary characters are a load of fun who just may deserve a book of their own (Camilla- Jack Frost/Jeffery and Tessa/Charlotte- we need more of them!)
Yes, its silly and not quite the usual way Camilla builds a story, but prepare to be charmed anyway.
Yes, you read it correctly- a Christmapocalpse that will take place from December 1 to Christmas Day. As crazy as it sounds (and kudos to anyone who can just decide to skip working for a month during the busiest holiday season), this event somehow makes sense as you go along... mostly. We readers are fine, its the heroine who stumbles, but somehow keeps smiling. Sticking with all the crazy ideas her fans gave her, Camilla still manages a fun romp through a fantasy landscape that has rules of its own yet allows a healthy dose of reality to keep us grounded.
Ryder, our grump who is firmly connected to reality, and his duck, Jimmy, hit black ice and crashes his car inside the borders of Marigold's fantasy vacation grounds. Being the only person attending the event solo, Marigold is asked to share her room with our surprise guest/former boyfriend AKA the guy who broke her heart and the one she still pines for). Of course, against her wishes our sunshine girl cant say no, especially when Jimmy is so darn cute. Thus the scene is set for the craziest vacation ever. Can Marigold's sunny and fantasy loving excitement be damped by the grump sharing the far side of her bed? Lovers of forced proximity, only one bed, broken hearts, second chances and Christmas antics will enjoy this one. Our leads each have their own charms and the secondary characters are a load of fun who just may deserve a book of their own (Camilla- Jack Frost/Jeffery and Tessa/Charlotte- we need more of them!)
Yes, its silly and not quite the usual way Camilla builds a story, but prepare to be charmed anyway.
February 20, 2025
what…just…happened?!
Marigold is a heartbroken little lady who signs up for an epic 24 day themed Christmas retreat to try to finally get her mind off the boy that abandoned her 5 years ago. It’s Christmas apocalyptic. Christmapocalyptic, if you will.
Ryder is the boy who got away….and then was suddenly back. When Marigold looks out her window during a freak blizzard and sees a car plow into a tree, Ryder was the LAST person she expected to see climb out of the crumpled car. Ok, I take that back. His pet duck, Jimmy, is probably the last creature she expected to see coming out of that car.
With nowhere else to go, Ryder is forced to join the retreat. He and Marigold have to survive until Christmas…or else.
This story was a ROLLERCOASTER. It was sweet….it was cute….it got a little bit Horror there for a minute, in a candy cane sort of way. This book answers the question of: what if she loved the villain and he got away?
Trigger warnings for only one bed, manipulation/deceit, and zombies made of marshmallows.
Marigold is a heartbroken little lady who signs up for an epic 24 day themed Christmas retreat to try to finally get her mind off the boy that abandoned her 5 years ago. It’s Christmas apocalyptic. Christmapocalyptic, if you will.
Ryder is the boy who got away….and then was suddenly back. When Marigold looks out her window during a freak blizzard and sees a car plow into a tree, Ryder was the LAST person she expected to see climb out of the crumpled car. Ok, I take that back. His pet duck, Jimmy, is probably the last creature she expected to see coming out of that car.
With nowhere else to go, Ryder is forced to join the retreat. He and Marigold have to survive until Christmas…or else.
This story was a ROLLERCOASTER. It was sweet….it was cute….it got a little bit Horror there for a minute, in a candy cane sort of way. This book answers the question of: what if she loved the villain and he got away?
Trigger warnings for only one bed, manipulation/deceit, and zombies made of marshmallows.
November 30, 2025
A really cute, fun, and silly holiday romance. And when I say silly I mean VERY SILLY! There is much of this book that is goofy, chaotic, and will not make sense but I had a good time with it! I thought the romance was really sweet, there were some pretty funny jokes, an interesting premise, and Jimmy deserves the world! Jimmy the duck. Jimmy is a duck in case you were wondering. Also, I find second chance romance incredibly hard to get right and I typically don’t enjoy it, but this one worked! One of the things I appreciated most about the novel, is that the author knows how ridiculous this is and she just runs with it! I love how she took this book so seriously while simultaneously understanding that it is absolutely chaotic and makes no sense. That is how you do satire right! If you want a good cozy Christmas story to get into the holiday season, an adorable romance, and a wild adventure all mixed up in the silliest little rom-com that you ever did see you should check out How To Not Be Alone On Christmas 🎄🦆❤️
December 13, 2024
GENRE
-Christmas romcom chaos 😂
CONTENT:
-🤬: none
-❤️: makeouts
-⚠️: foster care rep
This was random and hilarious! Apparently, the author took suggestions on Instagram for what should be in her Christmas book and she squeezed all of the outlandish suggestions into this one delightful novella.
It’s a quick read and it’s funny! You should check it out.
Favorite Quotes:
😂 Who says every story has to be a romance? My Kindle library, that's who.
🥇 He cups my cheek, cold skin to cold skin. "My golden girl.." he whispers. "You are everything to me."
🏠 "You're my home, Marigold," he growls. "You."
😍 "I've outgrown the compulsion to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. I never knew how deeply I enjoyed watching you fly until I had to live without the caress of your wings."
😏 His lips tug into a vicious smirk, and my broken brain has the nerve to be attracted to the menace.
❤️ "I'd remake the world for a taste of your lips. I adore you, gold, and my adoration has no limits."
-Christmas romcom chaos 😂
CONTENT:
-🤬: none
-❤️: makeouts
-⚠️: foster care rep
This was random and hilarious! Apparently, the author took suggestions on Instagram for what should be in her Christmas book and she squeezed all of the outlandish suggestions into this one delightful novella.
It’s a quick read and it’s funny! You should check it out.
Favorite Quotes:
😂 Who says every story has to be a romance? My Kindle library, that's who.
🥇 He cups my cheek, cold skin to cold skin. "My golden girl.." he whispers. "You are everything to me."
🏠 "You're my home, Marigold," he growls. "You."
😍 "I've outgrown the compulsion to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. I never knew how deeply I enjoyed watching you fly until I had to live without the caress of your wings."
😏 His lips tug into a vicious smirk, and my broken brain has the nerve to be attracted to the menace.
❤️ "I'd remake the world for a taste of your lips. I adore you, gold, and my adoration has no limits."
March 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐
This has got to be one of the weirdest books that I have read but that I liked XD. The world was - there is just not way I can do justice to describe it - interesting. I was more interested in Ryan and Jimmy than Ryan and Mari. Jimmy's POV cracked me up and Jimmy made this book fun. I was surprised by the twist towards the end but it isn't a lie if I said I thought something like this was going to come up but I definitely didn't predict it exactly. I would have loved to learn more and connect with both the characters, see Ryan's POV and also understand what went down from the fallout till now and how it all unraveled.
This has got to be one of the weirdest books that I have read but that I liked XD. The world was - there is just not way I can do justice to describe it - interesting. I was more interested in Ryan and Jimmy than Ryan and Mari. Jimmy's POV cracked me up and Jimmy made this book fun. I was surprised by the twist towards the end but it isn't a lie if I said I thought something like this was going to come up but I definitely didn't predict it exactly. I would have loved to learn more and connect with both the characters, see Ryan's POV and also understand what went down from the fallout till now and how it all unraveled.
May 17, 2024
2nd Chance when he destroyed her happiness and abandoned a girl with abandonment issues. He broke her.
She stands her ground when he initially asked for a 2nd chance. And she agrees to give him another chance in the first hour.
I usually enjoy the quickness and grammar perfection of this author bit this has to be a freaking insult.
She stands her ground when he initially asked for a 2nd chance. And she agrees to give him another chance in the first hour.
I usually enjoy the quickness and grammar perfection of this author bit this has to be a freaking insult.
August 13, 2024
Another Great Book
I love this author! Her characters are quirky and the storyline appears to be weird, but this book is so endearing! I loved Marigold from the beginning. I felt sorry for her whole cheering her on. Ryder was a nice surprise, as was Jimmy the duck. Was this whole story a pleasant surprise I didn't see coming? Absolutely! Another winner from Camilla Evergreen.
I love this author! Her characters are quirky and the storyline appears to be weird, but this book is so endearing! I loved Marigold from the beginning. I felt sorry for her whole cheering her on. Ryder was a nice surprise, as was Jimmy the duck. Was this whole story a pleasant surprise I didn't see coming? Absolutely! Another winner from Camilla Evergreen.
September 17, 2024
Continuing my streak of doing NOTHING except reading Camilla Evergreen… stupid work, stupid job, grumble grumble
I set expectations aside and enjoyed the ride that is the Christmapocolypse story. It was delightful, fantastical, and of course, oh so Swoony.
She’s just brilliant and Camilla’s brilliant mind is beautiful.
I set expectations aside and enjoyed the ride that is the Christmapocolypse story. It was delightful, fantastical, and of course, oh so Swoony.
She’s just brilliant and Camilla’s brilliant mind is beautiful.
December 1, 2024
Ryder and Marigold
OMG!!! I'm convinced! Camilla Evergreen is another new favorite author! I will work throughout 2025 to ensure that I own and read every single one of her books. Watch me.
Ryder and Marigold are absotively posolutely adorable as is the whole Christmaspocalypse! How fun was this story!!! #suchfun !!!!!
OMG!!! I'm convinced! Camilla Evergreen is another new favorite author! I will work throughout 2025 to ensure that I own and read every single one of her books. Watch me.
Ryder and Marigold are absotively posolutely adorable as is the whole Christmaspocalypse! How fun was this story!!! #suchfun !!!!!
December 13, 2025
so. much. Christmas.
I love. Allll the elvish mischief, Jack Frost’s charisma, the Christmas aesthetic & beauty, sweet little Jimmy, sunshiny Marigold, and brooding Ryder.
I very, VERY, much recommend this as a Christmas romcom read that hits all the right notes, but sounds new & lovely in tune.
I love. Allll the elvish mischief, Jack Frost’s charisma, the Christmas aesthetic & beauty, sweet little Jimmy, sunshiny Marigold, and brooding Ryder.
I very, VERY, much recommend this as a Christmas romcom read that hits all the right notes, but sounds new & lovely in tune.
December 23, 2025
This might be the most insane Camilla evergreen book to date.
And that’s saying a lot.
Cause….
Camilla be a wee bit crazy on a good day.
AND I LOOOOVE IT
Like all good crazy Camilla Evergreen fans.
Christmas. Apocalypse.
The best Christmas book I’ve ever read.
I need this in a film.
Hallmark needs to pick up the filming rights to this IMMEDIATELY
And that’s saying a lot.
Cause….
Camilla be a wee bit crazy on a good day.
AND I LOOOOVE IT
Like all good crazy Camilla Evergreen fans.
Christmas. Apocalypse.
The best Christmas book I’ve ever read.
I need this in a film.
Hallmark needs to pick up the filming rights to this IMMEDIATELY
December 19, 2022
A little trippy but…. I really liked it! You can just really feel the emotion of the main characters! About 40% in and I semi figured out what was going to happen but then the twists kept convincing me I was wrong so that made it fun to keep reading!
November 29, 2024
Fantasy wonderland
This.book was chock.Full of fantasy and holiday themes, and I loved it! I admit that I was a little confused at times, but in a good way. Highly recommend this nontraditional Christmas themed book.
This.book was chock.Full of fantasy and holiday themes, and I loved it! I admit that I was a little confused at times, but in a good way. Highly recommend this nontraditional Christmas themed book.
December 12, 2024
I was not at all prepared for the delicious chaos when I downloaded this book. Words cannot describe the delightful conglomeration of tropes and ideas that made up this book. It was insanity. It was chaos. It was perfect.
December 11, 2024
Perfectly Unhinged Christmas Story
The was bizarre but adorable. Definitely fits as a Camilla Evergreen book with both the emotional depth and zany antics. Can 100% say that the last chapter was my fav...I love Jimmy!
The was bizarre but adorable. Definitely fits as a Camilla Evergreen book with both the emotional depth and zany antics. Can 100% say that the last chapter was my fav...I love Jimmy!
December 17, 2022
I finish it cause I had but I got confusing or boring
November 9, 2023
jimmy 4 prez
I don’t know how to say this. It was weird as heck, but I loved it. I enjoy the writing so much that it just sucks me in. I love Jimmy.
I don’t know how to say this. It was weird as heck, but I loved it. I enjoy the writing so much that it just sucks me in. I love Jimmy.
Read
December 27, 2024DNF at 60%. Boring.
December 29, 2024
A silly little book about forgiveness and the dark side of grumpy sunshine. Nice (naughty?) little Christmas read.
Read
May 14, 2025Not my style
October 3, 2025
"That is one sexy man changing a duck diaper."
Truthfully the most bizarre book I have ever read.. but also I think it might be my new favorite?
Truthfully the most bizarre book I have ever read.. but also I think it might be my new favorite?
November 25, 2025
Jimmy for President
This book is a quick, fun read that will not only get you to swoon and laugh but will get you ready for the Holiday Season!
This book is a quick, fun read that will not only get you to swoon and laugh but will get you ready for the Holiday Season!
January 13, 2024
This is part of the How to RomCom Series and can be read as a standalone, though reading at least book 1 in the series gives you an idea as to what the self help book/author Marigold is referencing. The book's blurb is straightforward and do be sure to read the author's note to better understand this story. How to Not Be Alone on Christmas is told through Marigold's pov and is a fun Christmas novella.
Although I've read all the other books in the series so I'm familiar with the author's style, I wasn't expecting this story at all. This is a unique Christmas romance and readers who are looking for something different and fresh will like this one. Each chapter will have you unable to guess what will happen next.
Because of their past, Marigold and Ryder's romance is a second chance romance. Though it had been years since they saw each other, they never got over the other. I liked how honest they were with each other and how Ryder was ready to prove that he meant his words. Their romance was a closed door one consisting of descriptive kissing and some innuendo. Aside from the romance, Jimmy the duck steals the scenes and readers will love him. The book is a ride and I enjoyed it very much!
Although I've read all the other books in the series so I'm familiar with the author's style, I wasn't expecting this story at all. This is a unique Christmas romance and readers who are looking for something different and fresh will like this one. Each chapter will have you unable to guess what will happen next.
Because of their past, Marigold and Ryder's romance is a second chance romance. Though it had been years since they saw each other, they never got over the other. I liked how honest they were with each other and how Ryder was ready to prove that he meant his words. Their romance was a closed door one consisting of descriptive kissing and some innuendo. Aside from the romance, Jimmy the duck steals the scenes and readers will love him. The book is a ride and I enjoyed it very much!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews