How to Ruin the Holidays

By: Becky Monson

Narrated by: Holly Warren

After a disastrous family Thanksgiving, all I wanted was to avoid anything holly and jolly this year, so an unexpected business trip seemed like the perfect escape plan...until I landed smack-dab in the middle of a freaking winter wonderland, otherwise known as Carole Cove, Montana. It’s merrier and brighter than the North Pole. The town even comes with its own Mr. Holiday - Noel Holiday, that is. Not only is he holly and jolly, but he’s hotter than the lattes he sells at his café. And for some reason, he would love nothing more than to share the magic of the season with me.

Unfortunately, this little trip of mine isn’t exactly filled with good cheer. But Noel’s kisses have a way of making me believe in Christmas miracles. And a miracle might be exactly what it takes to keep the holidays from being ruined forever.

©2021 Becky Monson (P)2021 Becky Monson

Critic reviews

"Merry Christmas to me! I'm still swooning! Five beautiful stars!" (Jennifer Peel, USA Today best-selling author)

A wonderfully fun holiday read

Mara Scott tries to escape her crazy, dysfunctional family by taking a business trip to Montana but gets snowed in. Not only can't she fly out, but she's trapped in a real live Hallmark Christmas movie and finds herself falling for Noel Holiday. Yes, that's his real name and besides being holly and jolly, his hotness could melt away all that snow.

This is such a fun book, and I'm not just saying that because I share a name with the main character. I laughed so much, and I don't mean I giggled. I laughed out loud. Oh how I wish I were more like Mara Scott. She channels her anger into her "rage crochet" projects! "I've made some beautiful pieces in my anger. Like the scarf I'm currently wearing. It's got perfectly chained rows of delicious hunter-green yarn. And it's full of my hate." Not only did I love her rage crocheting, but I found her inner dialogue and the titles she gives her "holiday movies" like A Real Crap Christmas for Mara hilarious. Mara hates those cheesy Hallmark holiday movies, so when she finds herself in one she can't quite believe it.

I felt for Mara because she's best friends with Cami, who has the most awesome family, and hers is quite the opposite of that. I can definitely see why she's Cami's best friend--I think Mara could be pretty scary if you cross her. She's got a good heart and wanted to do the right thing for the small town of Carole Cove while not letting down her father. I was so proud of her when she left her father's real estate company and hoped it would be the wake-up call her father needed.

I loved Noel, he is definitely book boyfriend material. He and Mara have the best meet-cute which involves mistletoe! Noel is a great brother and always there for everyone. I worried if he ever took time for himself.

This book takes place around Christmas but can be enjoyed anytime you want to read a fun clean rom-com. I received a complimentary audiobook for review, and I think the narrator is awesome. She really got Mara's personality across. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Loved it!

This was such a fun, well written story! The narrator did a fantastic job too.

Perfect book to pass the time while wrapping presents.

I got this book to listen to while wrapping presents, and it was the right pick for sure! If you like Hallmark movies, or even if you don’t and make fun of them, you will like this book. I would love to visit Carol Cove and stay at the Inn and go on a sleigh ride and meet the mean bakery lady. It all sounds fabulous!

Lovely! Funny, gripping and amazing!

I loved how this book made fun of Christmas movies and stories while fulfilling so many of those tropes. I love the length of this audiobook and it was Brilliant!

Cute Story!

Cute story. I liked the secrets and fun that this story brought out. I thought there would have been more Christmas references than the mistletoe (which was cute). I guess I was looking for over-the-top. Holly Warren is the narrator. She does a good job.

Enjoyed both a new to me author and narrator

I enjoyed listening to this story today. Love how Holly brought the story to the next level. The story came alive from the first page until the end. Bonus that I can increase the speed and easily understand all of it. I plan to look into more of what is in their collection.

Another hit

I don’t know why I would expect anything less than another great book. I could not stop with this one. Again filled with all the emotions. ❤️

Love

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 Stars

Becky Monson is for sure an automatic read from me at this point. This sweet holiday story did not disappoint. Her stories are always so witty and funny.

Things I Love:
🧶rage crocheting
🧶 the making fun of Hallmark while being a Hallmark 🤣
🧶the quirky Inn
🧶the name of the Mayor
🧶the epilogue

#booksiveread2023 #beckymonson #howtoruinchristmas

Merry Christmas to me!

I’m still swooning over Mara and Noel’s story. I’ve met my holiday book boyfriend. If you are looking for a fabulous Christmas story, look no further!

Cute Christmas story

I feel like the narrator made this novel come alive. She was perfect for this book. I liked Mara right away. Her friendship and skepticism about the Hallmark town was funny and engaging. The townspeople were quirky in the best way. Noel and Mara together were perfect. A really fun Christmas read or listen in this case.