Holidate

By: Monica Murphy

Narrated by: Virginia Rose, Teddy Hamilton

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2019 Monica Murphy (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Enjoyableenough but needed more oommfff and sexy times

If you like hallmark and clean romances, this is definitely the book for you. I really loved the premise, and I enjoyed a lot of aspects of the story. The characters were sweet and likable, and there were some really great parts. However, I feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities for this story to evolve. I would have liked to see more courtship moments of them put together, talking and relating. While they connected at the beginning it just sorta stalled out and never delved deeper. Add in the fact that any intimacy was glossed over and all that was shown was kissing and some talk of light touches, it made the entire book seem far more immature and high school like, which is an issue when the main characters are in their 20’s, and for the Hero closer to the 30 year mark. I would have really liked to see some sexy times, considering you are left hanging and there is talk about previous relationships flopping in the bedroom early on. I had a hard time getting beyond all the lead ups and then no delivery on multiple things not just physical connections of the characters. Over all this was pretty enjoyable, but it doesn’t really spark interest in me to keep on with the series, and it felt more like just something to listen to while I wait for the books I really want to be released. It was just filler for me. Over all it was good but not great, I used a credit but I wouldn’t say it’s credit worthy, maybe a whisper synch audio but definitely not a credit.

Holiday Love Story

This is an interesting mix of two people trying to cope through the holidays in completely opposite ways and end up helping eachother. Cute.

good clean romance

clean romance. very sweet ending. Hallmark styled. loved the whole thing! two main characters had depth and growth. happy ending. LOVED IT!

waste of time

not for me. boring and didnt like the narrator. over acting. its a waste of credit.

Hearts heal at Christmas

This story is beautiful written and tell a story of two people, who hurt emotionally in different ways. With the help of Christmas events they find what they were missing, each other. This is the first book I have listened to or read lately that shows a relationship can happen without the sex.
The narrators did an excellent presentation of bring families together.

You’re missing the point

For everyone complaining about the lack of sex in this book, you’re missing the point of the continuous reference to Hallmark movies. The heroine of the story is a sweet ‘Hallmark-like’ character that isn’t even supposed to have her kiss until the final scene…like in a Hallmark movie. This is one book in a series and this particular book isn’t focused on the physical but rather the heart of a young woman who lost her mother at a very young age who finds the right man to help her heal from the loss and embrace the memories she has tried so hard to run from. Embrace this story, I’m sure there will be plenty of steam in book 4 of the series :)

good

I haven't listened to Teddy Hamilton I love his voice..I loved him in Birthday girl. and am looking to find more audiobooks with him 📚

narrators were perfect

Absolutely loved the narrators. They made the audiobook very good. The female narrators sounded older than the character age but it didn't bother me. The male narrator had the perfect voice. the story was good

Feel Good Listen!

Holidate is the absolute perfect feel good holiday book! I enjoyed this book so much and it definitely kept me in the holiday mood! I love both characters Candace and Charlie! Their connection is what sweet romance is made of!

Virginia Rose and Teddy Hamilton’s performance of Candace and Charlie is perfection! They both delivered these characters so well!

Perfect for the holidays

This book was the perfect listen for around the holidays. I love that Charlie’s family runs a Christmas tree farm and the whole story revolves around tree lighting ceremonies and holidays parties, it totally got me in the holiday spirit.