If you’re looking for a fun, fake dating holiday romcom, Carla Luna’s Santa Maybe is for you!

In Santa Maybe, Rosie has worked her way into management of an historic hotel she loves, only to have the new GM tell her she’d better increase holiday occupancy or else… so she and her team need to find some creative ways to bring in guests and keep their jobs. She also needs to get her family off her back about being single and working too hard.

Fitness trainer Drew is tired of working with his ex and her fiancé, and not super thrilled about attending their holiday wedding and having it thrown in his face. When he meets up with the hotel crew for happy hour, Rosie persuades him to volunteer as Santa at the hotel, and Drew suggests a fake dating ruse. He’ll be Santa and even come to a couple family events if she’ll be his plus-one to the wedding. And they’ve both been crushing on each other for months anyway (not that they’ll admit it).

Loved Santa Maybe! Drew was the perfect sexy Santa and trainer with muscles for days and a lot of sweetness, but also some major fears of having his heart broken again. Rosie was so likeable—thoughtful, hardworking, empathetic and exactly who I’d want as a friend. While Santa Maybe is a quick read, there’s excellent character and relationship development, and you’re definitely ready when the steam kicks in!

Available November 19, 2024. Thank you to Carla Luna for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Rating: 4.5
Themes and Tropes: Fake Relationship, Holidays/Christmas, Difficult Family, Great Side Characters
Steam: Low, a few spicy scenes but nothing crazy
Pair With: Your favorite wine from British Columbia

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