Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk book review

Laura Pearce thinks she’s scored a bargain on a new flat—until she opens the door and finds her landlord, Callum McClay, straight out of the shower. Things get way worse (and weirder) when Laura makes a spontaneous decision to go home with Callum and pose as his girlfriend. But she can't go as Laura, she has to go along as Callum's made up girlfriend Caroline. She has to pretend to be a vegan Swedish masseuse who doesn't drink and tends to be rude. Cue snow, cozy trains, hostile relatives, her friends turning up as fake family members, and Callum’s ex making things awkward. Between the banter, embarrassing mishaps and a growing attraction, Laura and Callum start to feel more than just actors in a temporary charade. Told from Laura’s funny, sharp voice, this romcom mixes holiday fun and genuine heart—perfect for anyone who likes messy setups that lead to surprisingly real feelings. 

 If you live for fake-dating tropes, warm holiday vibes and characters who trade snappy one-liners like it’s a sport, this one’s right up your alley. The Scottish Highlands setting gives everything that extra cozy, cinematic feel—snowy trains, a grand family house, and those small traditions that make Christmas novels so addictive. Laura is smart, funny and refreshingly competent (neurosurgeon heroine who can roast you and save a life—yes please), and Callum is charming in a quietly awkward, utterly swoony way. He wants to be a pastry chef, but his parents can't accept that. Their chemistry is deliciously slow-burn: lots of near-misses, lingering looks, and those tiny, intimate moments that make you root for them hard. But sit tight for the spice.  You won't be disappointed. The supporting cast amps up both the laughs and the feels. There’s also a bit of realness in the story: sexism in STEM, family expectations, and the awkwardness of pretending to be someone else. Overall, it’s the kind of romcom that’ll have you laughing out loud, sighing at the sweet bits, and closing the book with a smile. A perfect read for the Christmas season.  I loved it!

Is This Real or Just Pretend? by Emily Sullivan book review

Alexandra Atkinson is a very competent financier whose sharp intellect keeps her family’s investment firm afloat—but her gender bars her from inheriting control. With her father nearing retirement and a resistant board demanding a male head, Alex faces losing the authority she quietly commands. Lucien Taylor, a once‑successful supper club owner returning from Paris after a bitter betrayal, needs capital to rebuild his life and support his family. Alex proposes a pragmatic bargain: she will fund Lucien’s venture if he publicly courts her long enough to remove the marriage objection to her board appointment. Their staged engagement, intended as a transactional arrangement, awakens unexpected vulnerabilities. Lucien recognizes the warmth beneath Alex’s composed exterior; Alex finds herself unsettled by an attraction she cannot manipulate. Victorian social strictures, lingering secrets, and repeated miscommunications complicate the pair’s progress from convenience to devotion. 

Historical romance readers will love the Victorian backdrop that provides the rich social constraints that heighten stakes: inheritance rules, patriarchal boards, and reputations that must be managed—all of which amplify the characters’ strategic choices. The author had a great setting, fun dialogue and lots of little details that just really added to the story.  The fake‑courtship premise supplies flirtatious tension and the pleasure of watching a scheme become genuine, with plenty of scenes where professional negotiations bleed into personal exposure. Fans of slow burn will appreciate how attraction simmers before confession, and readers who enjoy character‑driven conflict will be invested in the protagonists’ growth as they learn to trust and communicate. This was an overall fun read.  It was unique.  It kept my attention and I loved all the details.  Who doesn't want a fun HEA?