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Holidates #25

Unknown Suitor

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Need a date for a holiday event? A family dinner with nosy relatives pestering you about settling down? The Holidates app is the perfect answer to your busy lifestyle needs. With this dating app, find the perfect rental date; both parties set the terms and conditions, absolutely no strings attached.

Join your favorite instalove authors every month of the year for a new holidate story gone bad...or oh so right. Holidates will prove tested and true to give you ALL the feels and become your new favorite app.

97 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2023

11 people are currently reading
72 people want to read

About the author

Shayna Astor

19 books314 followers
Shayna Astor is a native New Yorker, currently residing upstate with her husband and two children. Getting all four seasons, her favorite are the cool, crisp days of fall.

When Shayna isn't writing, she can be found reading, spending time with her kids, or playing video games with her husband. Being an avid coffee drinker, she can almost always be found with a cup of coffee in her hands.

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5 stars
48 (57%)
4 stars
27 (32%)
3 stars
7 (8%)
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0 (0%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Toni.
46 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2023
At first, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this novella! Much to my surprise, I absolutely loved it! 😍 Link and Val just feel completely head over heels for one another instantly. It's definitely a fairy tale happy ending! It was a slow burn that started to turn me away, but once my attention was captured, it was captured! I will be reading more books by Shayna Astor without a doubt! I was concerned that this being the 25th book, I wouldn't know the back story, but it's definitely something that can be read as a stand-alone! Val's family was so accepting of Link that it made my heart hurt in the best possible way!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
113 reviews3 followers
November 24, 2023
This is the perfect holiday novella to get you in the holiday spirit! Who doesn't love an insta-love during Christmas time?! I loved these two characters and how strong and independent they were in their single lives, and loved even more how they found each other and their immediate attraction! This was such a sweet love story by Shayna, and you could really see the personal touch added to the depth of the characters. Simply sweet and spicy!
Profile Image for Brittani.
189 reviews
December 3, 2023
✨Holiday Romance
✨Insta-Love
✨Found Family

Christmas is quickly approaching, and Valerie desperately needs a date to her family event. Lincoln doesn’t want to spend another year alone for the holiday. Valerie and Lincoln match with each other on the dating app, Holidates—a dating app specifically for finding a date for a holiday event. From the moment they met, there was an instant connection. And as the night goes on, they quickly realize this isn’t just a one-night stand.

If you’re in the mood for a quick, sweet and spicy holiday romance, then look no further!! Seriously, I thought this was such a great read!! I literally read this in one sitting. I love reading insta-love stories in holiday romances, especially Christmas. This just fits the theme of a cute little Hallmark movie, just with some smut. Which by the way, hot as hell! I was blushing during half this book from the connection between Valerie and Lincoln. I also loved the found family aspect in this one too. Valerie’s family immediately welcomed Lincoln with open arms, and it was the sweetest thing.

A huge shoutout to Shayna Astor for the ARC of this incredible novella. I absolutely loved reading this. I will definitely be looking to read more from this series, and for more work by Shayna Astor!!
Profile Image for Bec.
781 reviews17 followers
November 30, 2023
Unknown Suitor was a great, instant love story about Valerie and Lincoln, who meet on the Holidates app when Valerie looks for a date to take to Christmas so she isn't grilled by her family again. Val and Link had a lot in common, understood each other and just clicked. The second half was quite steamy. Overall a cute, short holiday read.
Profile Image for Jessica.
450 reviews20 followers
November 28, 2023
❗️SPOILERS❗️
__________________________
💜"When we lock eyes, something inside me stirs. Something deep down coming to life and making my breath halt."
__________________________

Unknown Suitor is a part of the Holidates collection. It looks like there are 34 stories in this series, some of them not published yet but each story is written by a different author and they evolve around the Holidate app. At the bottom of my review I'm going to post the link to check out the entire collection, as well as a freebie from another author in this series.
__________________________
💜"Who'd have thought that this unknown suitor of mine would have turned out to be the love of my life?"
__________________________
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review. And I have to say I absolutely loved Lincoln and Valerie. Unknown Suitor is an instalove story about a couple who meet on the Holidate app. It was a really quick read and honestly, I thought it was super cute. I love a downright happily ever after where you don't have to worry about any drama along the way.
__________________________
💜"I already know this girl is trouble. And I'll gladly hand myself over to her, let her be my everything. It's what I've always wanted but have been afraid to have."
__________________________
Valerie is a 26 year old preschool teacher from Juniper Grove, New York. At the suggestion of her friend Abby, she joins the Holidate app. She's looking for someone to take home for Christmas so that her family will stop nagging her about dating. Lincoln is a 29 year old entrepreneur. He owns a couple of men's clothing shops. He's on the Holidate app because he's lonely. He doesn't have any family, and he doesn't want to burden his friends around the holidays. When the two of them match, they decide to meet the day of the Christmas party, instead of meeting up before hand. Their connection is instant, they are drawn to each other and Linc seems to fit in perfectly with her family and her family is everything he's ever hoped to have. After a family member brings up her father and upsets her, she excuses herself to escape into her childhood bedroom. Linc goes to her, and after he helps her calm down - things get heated up - he rips her damn tights... Once they finally leave the party, things continue. He rips off her shirt, I have a feeling this man just likes to rip things and I'm okay with it. 🤤 He also knows how to say the right things in the best ways. 🔥
__________________________
💜"The whole ordeal is crazy, and I can hardly believe it myself, but I finally feel like I found my other half, and she's sleeping peacefully in my arms."
__________________________

🎄 "What happens when you rent a date for the holiday, but a phone app matches you to your forever-plus-one."

See the entire collection here ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GVYJRS8

I can't wait to read more from this series. Another book in this series by a different author is currently free. Grab Ciao, Amore by Lynn Yorke here ⬇️
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sarah | Retro Girl Reads.
1,613 reviews93 followers
December 5, 2023
Shayna Astor’s “Unknown Suitor” was a really sweet holiday insta love romance, and it’s about Lincoln and Valerie, two people who meet on the Holidates app. Valerie was in need of a date for the Christmas celebration at her grandmother’s house, and in desperation turned to the Holidates app, where she “met” Lincoln. When Lincoln agreed to go with her, neither of them were expecting the immediate spark between them, but it as the night went on, they weren’t able to deny their chemistry any longer.

This novella was super sweet, and it had a good amount of spice. I could relate to Valerie’s awkwardness and nervousness, which made her a likable character, at least for me. I also found her meddling family to be hilarious and enjoyable, perhaps because it’s so similar to my own. Lincoln was incredibly swoony and well-mannered as well! I loved that he paid attention to Valerie’s needs from the very beginning, even when they were basically strangers. I’d definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Gemma Kitchen.
519 reviews9 followers
December 6, 2023
Another fantastic book by Shayna Astor, and this book is just perfect for this time of the year and has all the feels.
Two strangers who come together for a family Christmas gathering through meeting on a dating app which gives you a date for the holidays. These two know nothing about each bar the odd bit they have talked post matching and there first proper meeting is on the way to Val’s family Christmas gathering. These two connect instantly and it’s not that each don’t have a lot going on in their personal lives, they are strong and independent but together they are something else. Link is accepted into Val’s family like he is another piece of the furniture. These two were destined to be together. This is an instant love story and is quick paced but it never seems rushed, but just right. This is just the perfect novella for this time of the year.
Profile Image for Harmony Kemp (Mistress Jade).
32 reviews6 followers
December 2, 2023
📚✨ ARC Book Review ✨📚

Title: Unknown Suitor
Author: Shayna Astor
Series: Holidates Series

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 4/5
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

What made me giggle about this short, spicy Xmas read was how relevant to the times in which the FMC and MMC met; on a dating app. 😉 Relatable to this day and age, right? And despite the stigma that may surround this type of foundations for a relationship, what sold me on this Novella was the insta-love trope.
Fuck, I'm a sucker for HEA.

✨ Insta-Love
🎄 Holiday Romance
🫶🏾 Found Family
Check out the rest of these awesome Holidates reads!

P.s; keep your toys charged!
Mistress Jade 💋 xoxo

#ShaynaAstor #UnknownSuitor #HolidatesSeries #InstaLove #SpicyXmas #HolidayRomance #MistressJade #
Profile Image for DeeDeeWReads.
1,145 reviews16 followers
December 6, 2023
Two right swipes. An unknown suitor as a date for Christmas Eve at her family's house? Easy, right? Well it became so much more for Val and Lincoln. Two hearts, broken from the loss of family, can they find common ground and maybe a forever connection?

This was a sweet book in the Holidates collection. Christmas time is a happy time, or it's supposed to be. Emotions, anxiety, loss, they can turn a happy time into one that some dread. We all know a couple that two rights swipes led to a HEA, I know I do, but can this be one of them?

I loved the characters, the story, Gram was a riot. Feel good book for when you might not be feeling so good yourself.
Profile Image for Kristi.
431 reviews11 followers
December 16, 2023
Insta attraction and found family come.to life in this fast paced short read by Shayna Astor. Tired of always being alone on the holidays, Lincoln joins the Holidate website and swipes with Valerie when she refuses to go to her Grandmother's family Christmas gathering alone...again.

The two talk briefly prior to the event and there is SOMETHING there. When they meet for the first time, about an hour before the party, it's instant. Lincoln wows Val's family and Val herself with some super steamy defiling of her childhood bedroom and more at her house after.

It's a fun and HEA holiday read that I recommend.
Profile Image for Shyanne Verbitsky.
20 reviews5 followers
November 30, 2023
Okay if you're looking for a holiday-esque super quick, super easy, super sweet, with a good amount of steam for the book's length? This is it (sorry for the use of so many "supers").

I adored this cute insta-love story so much! If I had to force myself to complain about something it would be that it's too short because I want more of Link and Val.

Also, I have to mention I smiled a whole lot at the nod to the Baker siblings. I have to wonder, does this mean we'll see more of Link and Val with a crossover with the Bakers? One can only hope!
1,160 reviews5 followers
December 1, 2023
Valerie is persuaded by her friend to use the Holidates dating app so that she doesn't have to turn up at her large family Christmas celebration single again. Lincoln seems like the perfect option. As they drive to her Gram's house they learn that they shared some similar tragedy when they were children and have more in common than they learnt from their profiles. When one of her aunts upsets Val by being insensitive, their instant chemistry ignites. A hot and steamy short story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for All You Read is Love.
156 reviews13 followers
December 4, 2023
Valerie and Lincoln were so freaking cute.

🎄holiday romance
❤️insta love
🎅fake date from an app

This novella was so cute and perfect to kickstart this holiday month! Gram is a freaking hoot, Valerie and Lincoln are steamy, and the little touches that Shayna added into the book were awesome. The fact that these characters also live in Juniper Grove and the little mention of the Baker Siblings was terrific.

My Christmas wish now is that hopefully someday we get more of this insta love couple. I really enjoyed reading about them.
158 reviews2 followers
November 29, 2023
Unknown Suitor was a quick read. I really
Enjoyed this book and hope to see more of Val and Link in the future. I loved the premise of this story, finding a date for the holidays using an app specific for that. Valerie and Lincoln were well written and way to fall in love with for their own merits. The chemistry they had was amazing. It was a quick whirlwind romance and full of spice. A great short read for the holidays.
Profile Image for Jo Jo O.
300 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2023
This was a fast paced and super sweet holiday read.

Valerie has never used a dating app before, but when faced with her family pressuring her about not having a man in her life for yet another holiday, her friends tell her about holidates.

Her and Lincoln end up having a lot in common and their connection happens pretty fast, but this was still super cute.

Well worth it for some steamy holiday fun.
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,008 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2024
What a fun and festive sweet holiday novella!
I was hooked on Lincoln and Valerie’s story.
Their story starts on the Holidate app and things are quick moving from there.
There’s lots of chemistry between them from the start, it’s definitely insta love at its finest.
Valerie’s family welcomed Lincoln with open arms and he just fit like he always belonged. It was the most heartwarming sight.
This was a highly addictive, super cute and flirty read that was absolutely perfect.
217 reviews
August 2, 2024
a really good book

This was a short fun read. What a great idea Holidates! Often going to holiday parties single is not a good thing. They met on the app she’s a preschool teacher he owns men’s suit stores. It was only going to be one date her Grans Christmas dinner with all the relatives but it led to a wonderful happy ever after. I recommend this book. It will make you feel good.
Profile Image for Katherine.
99 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2023
This holiday novella was super sweet and the perfect book to get you into the Christmas Spirit.

The main characters had such vibrant personalities, and their chemistry and attraction to one another was on another level.

This novella had the perfect amount of steam and spice.
I loved everything about it.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for The Traveling Book Junky.
11 reviews
November 28, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
✨️Holiday
✨️Found family
✨️Love at first sight

This is my first read by Shayna Astor and I will be reading more!!

If you are looking for a cute, short but not too short holiday read with some spice, this is the one for you! I loved Val and Link's story and chemistry!! To say I want more of their story is an understatement!! Highly recommend this fun read!!
Profile Image for Joy Whiteside.
4,809 reviews111 followers
December 2, 2023
This is an amazing story that will grab you and keep you reading until the end. It moves along at a pace that is perfect for the flow of this story, speeding up and slowing down as needed. The characters are amazing and no matter what happens you will fall in love with them. This book has to be read, no doubt about it.
364 reviews3 followers
December 4, 2023
In this light and easy holiday story, Valerie faces the daunting prospect of a solo Family Christmas dinner. But when she downloads and makes a gut decision to swipe on Lincoln on the Holidates App leads to a genuine and unexpected bond! There were moments that truly touched me, yet the happily-ever-after ending filled me with pure happiness!
1 review
December 7, 2023
This novella is so cute! It starts off sweet and with a homey vibe only turn ABSOLUTELY spice within the last half of the book! I mean who doesn’t love instalove? No need to beat around the bush with these two!

Valerie and Lincoln are so cute on their journey from being behind the screen to falling for each other within hours.

Overall a great and quick read! 🖤
Profile Image for Theresa Rivera.
242 reviews11 followers
December 16, 2023
Happily married, but seriously considering trying to find Link on a dating app!!

✅️Insta Lust
✅️Fake Dating
✅️Found Family
✅️Dating App
✅️Ripped Tights 🥵🥵

Val & Link swipe right to avoid being single at Christmas and OMG! the chemistry is HOT!!

Quick, spicy and perfect for the Holidays🎅🎄
Profile Image for Jamie Vincent.
88 reviews3 followers
November 24, 2025
When you do not have a significant other to bring to grandma's for Christmas, you rely on a holiday dating app. Lincoln is on the dating app because he doesn't have any living family. He matches with Valerie and off to grandma's they go! Really easy read. Cute storyline. Will be reading the new book when it comes out at the end of the month.
Profile Image for ChapterChaser1 .
273 reviews10 followers
November 27, 2023
I don't read many Christmas books, I really enjoyed this one, very sweet and spicy, instalove.
The author made me feel from the begining that they belonged to each other.
A well deserved 5 stars, fluid , fast paced writing.
Profile Image for Linda.
684 reviews36 followers
November 30, 2023
What a great holiday romance novella. An unexpected guest for Val’s holiday dinner at her grams house shocks her family. Is he what she expected or just another another fly by night date. I really loved this cute story and as usual brought a tear or two to my eye. I highly recommend reading this.
Profile Image for Amanda.
92 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2023
ARC Review:

I loved, loved, loved this novella! It was fun, hot, and packed a punch of emotion in just a few pages. I felt like I actually knew the characters and understood their motives, and once the spice hits, it hits! Definitely one of my new favorite holiday reads!
Profile Image for Ewok.
184 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2023
2.5
Eh 🤷 They are like "Hi, I'm Lincoln." - "Hey, my name's Val." and describe that as the deepest conversation they ever had, it never clicked so much with someone else..
I get insta-love, but this tried to give me reasons for the insta-ness and they just fell flat.
Profile Image for Candace Munoz.
312 reviews4 followers
November 24, 2025
4 stars ⭐️
2 spice 🌶️

I loved this cute holiday novella. I love how independent Lincoln and Valerie were before they met and how sure of themselves they were. I could feel the chemistry between Lincoln and Valerie. If you love an insta love romance then this book is for you.
Profile Image for Ashley Eckenrode.
48 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2025
I really liked this one! It was super cute and the whole thing was really sweet. I'm glad we got some backstory on both Link and Val and they didn't just hook up right away. Well not right away right away. Definitely had Christmas vibes as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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