Holidate Book Review

 I was excited to read this book because I watched the movie with the same name so I was interested to see if it was the same.  Holidate (Dating) by Monica Murphy was a holiday book about trying to make it through the holidays without someone else in your life. It was an interesting title and caught my eye so I was ready to find out what it was about.

 

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 than 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 is 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.

I thought that this was a great book and once I got started it was hard to put down. This book was totally different then the whole movie but enjoyed the story. Candice loves Christmas and was excited to celebrate the season again. She is asked by Charlie's mom to help him through the holiday season and agrees under duress and possible concussion.  It is very important that Charlie take over as the head of his family company and they own a Christmas Tree Farm so the Christmas season is obviously very important. Although it started out reluctantly on both of their parts, Charlie and Candice have so much time to spend together and get to know each other that they learn that they like the other person more then they expected.  You have to pick up the book to read the ups and downs that their relationship goes through and whether it can survive the hectic Christmas season.  There are so many things to do and so many stresses that the season brings. I loved the heartwarming Christmas season and all of the different events that they went to which made this big city seem to have all the charms of the small towns. I hope that you check out this book and enjoy it as much as I did.