Blog Tour: Holidate (Dating #3) by Monica Murphy

Holidate 
Dating #3

By:
Monica Murphy

Published:
Oct. 15, 2019

Source:
eARC in exchange for a honest review

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Book Synopsis:

Candice Gaines loves Christmas. Not only does she bask in the twinkling lights, sing Christmas carols and go crazy with the decorations, she’s also in the giving spirit, donating much of her time and wealth to various charities in the local area. 

Charlie Sullivan despises Christmas. Though it keeps his family afloat, considering they own Sullivan Family Christmas Tree Farm, the main provider for Christmas trees on the Monterey peninsula. He’d much rather work among the trees versus have to deal with people. 

But Charlie’s parents are taking on more philanthropic projects—and as their oldest child, they want him to be their official public representative. He just has to play nice and convince everyone he’s not a total holiday hater. 

When Charlie’s mom asks Candice to accompany him to a variety of holiday parties and events, she reluctantly agrees. She thinks Charlie is a big ol’ Grinch, but is determined to change his mindset and help him spread Christmas cheer. Charlie finds Candice too chatty, too sweet, too much. Do people like her really exist? 

Why yes, yes they do. The more time they spend together—along with a few kisses under the mistletoe—the more they start to like each other. Hopefully Charlie can convince Candice he doesn’t have a heart that’s two sizes too small before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. 

My Thoughts:

Holidate is the third story in the Dating series.  I love that all of these books stand alone, so you can jump in and read them in any order.  The classic covers are whimsical, and I think they would look great on any bookshelf.

I met Candice Gaines in the previous book, Fake Date.  She was the male lead's little sister, and I instantly fell in love with her effervescent, optimistic personality.  Candice see's the best in everyone, has the biggest heart, and is a do-gooder. We saw the superficial aspects of Candice, but in Holidate we get to see the deeper layers of who she is and what has shaped her.  Candice is lonely and has a lot of pain and sadness that she has stuffed deep down; regarding the loss of her mother at a young age.  Yet on the outside, everyone just see's the smiling, fun loving, energetic, and festive Candice.  My heart broke for her, when I got to truly know her. 

We meet Charlie Sullivan in this story.  He's the sexy, gorgeous, grumpy, lumberjack type.  I love the way Ms. Murphy described him. I pictured him as being the model male specimen, and I loved his gruff and grumpy personality, but what enchanted me the most, was the way that he had an instant soft spot for Candice, and we get to see the way she changes him by just being in his life.  In fact love changes both of them, and I thought this story was so sweet and romantic. 

Charlie's mom, asks Candice to attend some philanthropic holiday functions with her son to help promote the Sullivan Family Christmas Tree Farm.  Charlie doesn't like socializing, and he could really use the guidance from an expert people-person like Candice.  Charlie isn't on board with his mom's plan, but goes along with it to make her happy.  While Candice is reluctant to help at first, she thinks it will be fun to help Charlie; kind of like a reverse My Fair Lady.  They say opposites attract, and with each interaction, Charlie and Candice find themselves falling for one another, but can a lie destroy a love story that is just beginning....

Holidate had me smiling from ear to ear.  It's the perfect holiday romance to curl up with while sipping your hot beverage of choice, relaxing by the fire, and lounging in your pajamas and warm fluffy socks or slippers.  It gave me the warm fuzzies, and made me get in the mood for the approaching holiday season.  While reading the story, I was in need of a Gingerbread Latte, (Candice's favorite,) and could smell the Christmas tree pine scent, hear the classic Christmas music, feel the cold chill in the air, and feel the warmth, love, and excitement of the holiday season.  Holidate was romantic, uplifting, nostalgic, and such a joy for the senses!

Book Teaser:

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About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance. 

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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