Part of the Christmas at Hideaway Harbor series
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241057236-the-holiday-fakers
I picked up this holiday romance from Book Sirens and I'm glad I did this is a really sweet holiday romance that will get you ready for all those hall mark romances that come out around Christmas.
Piper (FMC) is preparing to head home for the holidays only she has a few problems first she told her mom that she would be bringing her boyfriend home for the holidays... only that's off because her boyfriend cheated on her and dumped her for the other woman, she found out that her job is in jeopardy because the owners are merging with a competing company (the one her ex works for... he does the same job and he is the owners son so the chance of them keeping both of them is slim.) Not wanting to disappoint her mom maybe she can find someone to bring home at least they don't really have to be "together"... I guess she could also tell the truth but that's a last resort.
Another problem has emerged in that someone (not her) was photographed with Brody King hollywood star, her brother's best friend, and her long term crush she hasn't spoken to him in years he left their small town and never looked back but now somehow she is being linked to him in the tabloids... how did this even happen?
Brody's career is on the downhill slide he's had some bad publicity after an ex-girlfriend turned their break up around making him look like the bad guy, he also may be struggling with drinking too much and has gotten into a few fights that were also taken out of context with his next job/career on the line his soon to be fired manager feels what he needs is some good publicity in the way of a girl next door girlfriend maybe one that he's known since childhood and maybe being photographed doing some good deeds... in comes a fake dating plan he just needs to go back to his picturesque home town that is like Santa's workshop and a hallmark movie had a baby with his best friends little sister who he had a crush on in high school but was never able to do anything about because he told his friend he wouldn't go after his sister.
At first neither Piper or Brody are on board with this plan but just maybe they can help each other out if Brody could promote a copier for Piper's job maybe that might be enough for her to keep her job in the new year and Piper doesn't even need to really fake her feelings she has been in love with him since she was a teenager... obviously she isn't telling him that but he could be the "boyfriend" she told her family she was bringing it's really win/win. When they get back to the real world after the holidays they just go their separate ways again no problems. Piper is a great artist and does fantasy artwork in her free time (wizards, elves, warriors Brody has been her favorite muse)... and even though she could go off on her own and she would have creative freedom it's scary to think about when she has had the stability of a steady job (until now).
Only once they get back to their home town nothing goes to plan they end up giving up their rooms at the hotel leading to needing to share one bed in Piper's childhood bedroom with her parents down the hall. The first community event that Brody is apart of ends up being at an adult toy shop... how is that going to help his bad boy image? Also his best friend/Piper's older brother is glaring daggers at him at the family get togethers... this is going well so far. Can Brody prove that he's changed and he is truly sorry for staying away for so long?
The longer they share intimate space the harder it is to stay away from each other, old feelings come back in full force but what happens when the holiday magic ends and they have to go back to their real lives? Will they be able to try to be together for real?
This story is filled with loveable lead characters and side characters and Piper's niece Martha is hilarious, the town is so charming it makes me wish that I could move there too. I really hope that Piper's brother's, sister and her best friend will get their own stories and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good holiday rom-com with a good story/romance/spice ratio and some real laugh out loud moments.
*ARC Read *Holiday Romance *small town *Brother's best friend/forbidden relationship
*long term pining *girl next door *Hollywood star MMC *Artist FMC *fake dating --> more
*Book Sirens *2025 *Rom Com *Hallmark meets Spice *One bed/forced proximity
*meddling family *discussions of grieving over lost loved ones (brother's wife, MMC's mother)
**Possible spoiler:
The spicy scenes did kind of get a bit on the cheesy side with the dirty talk and Brody's enormous member that was almost too big to fit (of course) it didn't take away from me enjoying the story but it did feel a bit over the top... but seriously good for you Brody (and Piper good for you girl!)
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