I received this title as an ARC on Net-galley in exchange for a honest review. Thank you publisher for the copy!

The Good
This is entirely new version of the fake-dating trope I haven't seen before. Ben is chronically single and enlists his coworker Margot to fake date him at his family home for Christmas. The plan goes wonky when Ben's sister Ellie overhears a conversation of theirs out of context and assumes Margot is a gold-digger only interested in Ben's money. Resulting in further hijinx!
I loved Margot so much it's insane. Her story about her Nana, her witty and kindness, her journey figuring out how bad her ex truly treated her. I really liked her and loved reading her POV. Ben also was incredibly sweet and supportive. His issues with feeling like he wasn't enough was very relatable. I liked the subplot with Mitsi the dog and Grandpa with the mysterious "pony". It had a really sweet Christmas vibe.

The Bad
The idea of women dating men with money and not doing a humble bit of refusing said money or else they're gold diggers has always annoyed me. Ellie infantilizes Ben at every turn. Your brother, an adult man, dates a woman and treats her with his own money and therefore she is a terrible villain? Also Ellie lacks self-reflection. She projected so much onto Margot and when she's revealed to be completely wrong she's like "anyways yay! new friend!" like what? It might just be my feminist brainrot at work but it felt like a plot-line from a 90s/00s movie that wouldn't be used today.

Format:
Ebook — Netgalley Arc

The Rating
I give this book a 3/5