Merry Little Kissmas
4.4 | 723 ratings
Price: 21.83
Last update: 11-30-2025
Top reviews from the United States
- Romantic_Rush_ReadsFestive, flirty, and spicy!Fake dating, brother’s best friend, and a grumpy single dad who melts faster than snow under Christmas lights?! UHM sounds like a warm hug and tasty cup of hot cocoa- obvi the spicy one. Merry Little Kissmas is pure holiday romance perfection. This one is just so merry and festive and sweet and sexy and SO MUCH FUN!
When Isla, a cheerful matchmaker with a love for all things festive, agrees to find her brother’s best friend Rowan a date for his hockey team’s Christmas gala, she doesn’t expect to fall for him herself. Rowan is everything she’s not, he's stoic, serious, and a self-proclaimed Christmas hater. But between tree lighting contests, hot cocoa mishaps, and one very memorable snowed-in night, their “practice dates” start to feel a little too real. My favorite kind of romantic tension? And this one just sizzles with build up- even if it did feel like more of a slower burn than I'm used to from Lauren.
Lauren Blakely delivers everything you could want in a holiday rom-com: sparkling banter, laugh-out-loud antics, slow-burn tension, and an irresistible mix of humor and heart. Isla is the embodiment of sunshine. She's hopeful, kind, and a little chaotic in the best way. While Rowan is the perfect grump with a soft center. He's a teddy bear on the inside (especially with his daughter), and I loved seeing him fall. Watching her joy melt his icy walls (and win over his adorable daughter, Mia) is equal parts swoony and heartwarming.
The small-town setting of Evergreen Falls adds an extra layer of charm. From snowball fights to community contests, every scene feels cozy and cinematic, like stepping into a Hallmark movie with a bit more spice. It's idyllic and festive and if you want a book that REALLY feels Christmasy, this one really hits the mark.
And if you love audiobooks, the Merry Little Kissmas full-cast production is a treat. Led by Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais, with amazing supporting performances from Teddy Hamilton, Jason Clarke, J.F. Harding, and Soneela Nankani, the narration brings every flirtatious look and heartfelt moment to life. The chemistry is fantastic, the emotional range amazing, and each cast member is perfectly cast. It’s immersive, joyful, and adds even more warmth to an already glowing story. - valreadsSo much fun4.5
Rowan's teammates hire Isla to matchmake Rowan with someone for the Hockey Christmas gala, except Rowan is not interested in falling in love because he's still scarred from his daughter's mom abandoning them during Christmas. However, he decides to play along to appease his teammates. And the last thing he expected was to fall in love with the matchmaker herself.
This fake dating, grumpy x sunshine story between Isla and Rowan was so much fun to read and listen to. I did the immersive reading.
I loved how Rowan slowly let Isla in and forgot his Christmas hatred for her and his daughter. I loved how Isla found someone who would not hide her and appreciate her for who she was. These two made me laugh and swoon so much!
I would’ve loved if the third act break up hadn’t existed because ugh, I feel that Rowan could've handled the situation better. But in the end, I enjoyed how he groveled to gain Isla's forgiveness. That epilogue, set one year later, was perfection and I loved their HEA. - Danielle5 STARS! Festive & swoony holiday romcom!Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely is a delightfully festive and swoon-worthy holiday treat that masterfully blends the fake dating and brother’s best friend tropes with irresistible charm. I listened to the audiobook, narrated in duet by Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais with a full cast including Carlotta Brentan, Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, Adam Gold, Teddy Hamilton, JF Harding, Erin Mallon, Soneela Nankani, and Evan Parker. Blakely’s full cast productions are always wonderful, and this one was no exception. A holiday setting, the fan favorite brother’s best friend trope and all the magic of a holiday romcom, and this was a winner that put me in a seasonal state of mind.
When Isla, a cheery matchmaker who adores everything about Christmas, agrees to find a fake date for Rowan, her brother’s grumpy, Christmas hating, single-dad, pro hockey player best friend, their arrangement quickly unravels amid effortlessly witty banter, Christmas tree farm dates, hot cocoa and a seriously cozy night that sparks the undeniable chemistry sizzling between them.
Blakely’s storytelling shines as the forced proximity and festive cheer soften Rowan’s scowl and ignite a connection that feels both heartwarming and deliciously steamy. With its cozy holiday setting, adorable moments featuring Rowan’s daughter, Mia, and a perfect match romance, this rom-com is an utterly captivating, feel-good holiday escape. Five smooches from me for Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely!