My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely🎄💍 Many thanks to Simon Maverick and Atria Books for the #gifted advanced listening copy of this joyful, full-cast audiobook that blends fake dating, festive chaos, and heart-melting romance in the best possible way!
After catching her boyfriend in flagrante delicto with the Thanksgiving caterer, Fable is reeling—but keeps it together long enough to accept the role of maid of honor in her sister’s Christmas wedding. To complicate matters, her cheating ex is also in the wedding party. Enter Wilder—Fable’s swoony, single dad boss—who’s also been roped in as best man. To avoid awkward family matchmaking and stick it to Brady (the aforementioned ex), Fable and Wilder strike a deal: a fake relationship through the holidays.
What follows is a holiday rom-com packed with Christmas competitions, swoony slow burns, and a fake relationship that starts feeling very real.
I don’t usually gravitate toward billionaire romances, but this one completely won me over. Wilder is a breath of fresh air—non-toxic, emotionally mature, and an amazing father. Fable is ambitious, grounded, and completely her own person. The chemistry between them is electric, and I especially appreciated how Blakely handled the workplace dynamic with care: Wilder may be the boss, but Fable isn’t his direct report, and they even disclose their relationship to HR early on. It’s thoughtful choices like these that make this story feel both swoony and responsible.
Although this is book five in the series, it was my first by Lauren Blakely—and it reads beautifully as a standalone. That said, I’ll definitely be diving into the rest!
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts This full-cast performance is incredible. Featuring Andi Arndt, Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, Connor Crais, Vanessa Edwin, Andi Eloise, Teddy Hamilton, Erin Mallon, Noah B. Perez, Shakira Shute, and Ryan West—this is a masterclass in collaborative narration. Every voice brings charm and energy to the story, and the result is 13 hours and 11 minutes of pure festive joy. A must-listen for audiobook lovers.
What are some books you love on audio?
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 