Last Christmas Eve, romance writer Holly Jackson's fiance left her at the altar for
her best friend and co-author in front of the entire population of her small
Wisconsin hometown. Afterwards,
back home in Chicago, Holly launches a solo writing career and vows never
to date again, though her resolve is tested as the holidays approach; she's lonely, which is only making her ongoing struggle with writer's block worse. The situation becomes desperate
after Holly lies to her brother to avoid a pity setup, claiming
that she recently started seeing someone and plans to bring him home
for Christmas. She hasn't had much luck with dating apps but figures there has to be at least one decent prospect out there, so she sets up 14 first dates in 14 days at a newly opened restaurant near her apartment. Unfortunately, the restaurant's owner turns out to be Kai Kane, a man who lives in her building and isn't exactly Holly's biggest fan. Kai realizes that the only way to get the woman who's driving him crazy (in more ways than one) out of his restaurant is for her to get a second date, so he decides to help her. He creates a set of dating rules for Holly based on his observations of her behavior, which she agrees to test by continuing her series of first dates with men Kai helps her choose from the app. As he gets to know her better, Kai realizes that he wants to be the only one going out on dates with Holly, but can he convince her that they're a perfect match?
When I started reading this book, I was expecting a typical fluffy holiday rom-com (which would have been fine because I love those!), but it turned out to be so much more than that. While there were plenty of laugh-out-loud funny moments over the course of the story, it was also unexpectedly emotional due to some of the past baggage Kai and Holly needed to work through. They were both a little battered and broken, but together they somehow managed to heal. I adored their witty banter and slow burn chemistry, as well as how cute they were once they got past their initial animosity. If ever two people deserved an HEA, it's Holly and Kai, and I was rooting for them the whole way.
I highly recommend "The Holly Dates" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. It was the first book I've read by this author but won't be the last.
*Review copy provided by the authors via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "The Holly Dates"
All she wanted for Christmas was a boyfriend for the holidays...
All he wanted was for her to take her crappy first dates elsewhere...
Quirky Holly Jackson was unlucky in love, yet her romantic heart refused to give up her search for companionship—even after her fiancé left her at the altar on Christmas Eve.
Grumpy restaurant owner Kai Kane wanted nothing to do with love after his last relationship. Unfortunately for him, when an eccentric Holly kept entering his restaurant nightly with a different first date, his annoyance grew.
When Kai volunteered to help Holly find a suitor it was for one reason only: to get her out of his restaurant and on to a second date with someone at a different location.
Once Kai became Holly's dating coach, her confidence grew.
It was all going great until Kai became increasingly jealous of the connection Holly developed with another man. The more Holly fell for Kai's pick for her, the more overprotective he became.
Kai quickly realized that all wasn't fair when it came to love and the holidays.
He was going to have to step up his game if he wanted a shot at the ultimate prize—being Holly's favorite date.
*The Holly Dates is a steamy, full-length romantic comedy that will put you right in the holiday spirit.*
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