Synopsis

Laurel Grant works as the social media manager for Buckeye State of Mind, an Ohio tourism magazine and website. She most definitely does not run a farm . . . but one tiny misunderstanding leads her boss, Gilbert, to think she owns her twin sister Holly’s farm just outside of Columbus. Laurel only handles the social media for the farm, but she’s happy to keep her little white lie going if it means not getting fired—she cannot be jobless again.

And keep it going she must when Gilbert, recently dumped by his wife, invites himself over for the farm’s big Christmas Eve Eve dinner (as advertised on Meadow Rise Farm’s Instagram, thanks to Laurel herself). Laurel immediately goes into panic mode to figure out how she can trick Gilbert into thinking she’s basically the Martha Stewart of rural Ohio and keep her job in the process.

Laurel and Holly come up with the perfect plan—all Laurel has to do is pretend to own the farm for one dinner. But Laurel shows up at the farm to find an unwelcome guest is waiting: Max Beckett, her nemesis since Holly’s wedding. The annoyingly attractive man she hates will be posing as Laurel’s husband just for the evening, but when a snowstorm traps them all for the entire weekend, Laurel is going to have to figure out how to survive with her job and dignity intact. Whatever the case, this promises to be the most eventful Christmas in ages. . . .

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Review

This was an amazing romantic comedy. I laughed through nearly the whole book with the quick wit and comments from all the characters. They all added to the humor and delight of the book.

Laurel is a hot mess but a loveable one. She somehow manages to get herself into a situation with her boss, and what ensues is just plain fun. There are awkward moments, but it just adds to the depth of the story.

There is tension between Laurel and Max, her pretend husband for this caper. This is due primarily to a situation that happened years ago that was never resolved. Sometimes, what we overhear isn’t the whole story. I loved the dynamic of these two, her trying to teach Max to love Christmas and Max trying to hide his true feelings for Laurel.

The book is peppered with goats, brothers with big mouths, and good, clean fun. If you want a book that will cheer you up or lighten your mood, this is one you will want to check out.

We give it 5 paws up.

About the Author

Kerry Winfrey writes romantic comedies for adults and teens. She is the author of Waiting for Tom Hanks, Not Like the Movies, Very Sincerely Yours, and Just Another Love Song, as well as two young adult novels. She lives with her family in the middle of Ohio.

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