Merry Little Kissmas

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Connor Crais, Carlotta Brentan, Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, Adam Gold, Teddy Hamilton, JF Harding, Erin Mallon, Soneela Nankani, Evan Parker

A full-cast holiday romance extravaganza performed in duet by Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin, and with a full cast of your favorite narrators including including Carlotta Brentan, Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, Adam Gold, Teddy Hamilton, JF Harding, Erin Mallon, Soneela Nankani, and Evan Parker.

Wanted: A fresh shot at love for the holidays. But fake dating my brother’s grumpy best friend? He’s my new client, for Santa’s sake!

As a professional matchmaker, my biggest job this holiday season should be simple: find a date for the sexy single dad hockey player—aka my brother’s best friend—for his team’s fancy Christmas Eve gala. Sure Rowan’s hot as a crackling fire and spicier than a gingerbread man, but he hasn’t just sworn off romance. The Christmas hater has made a bet that I can’t find him a holidate.

What’s a matchmaker to do?

Win, of course. Even if it means fake dating the grinch myself to get him ready for the real thing.

Only…these fake dates at Christmas tree farms and hot cocoa competitions in the snowy small town of Evergreen Falls start to feel a little too real as I get to know the man behind the scowl. Somewhere between kisses under the mistletoe and a snowed-in night in his cabin curled up by the fire (where the stockings aren’t the only thing hung), I realize I’m in over my elf-loving head.

And when Rowan opens up to me at last about his painful past, I’m determined to give my brother’s best friend the holiday he deserves.

But what if the only gift I want him to unwrap this season is… me?

Tropes: Holiday romance, brother’s best friend, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, small town, Christmas competition, matchmaker romance, workplace romance, hockey romance

©2025 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2025 Lauren Blakely Books

Great Audiobook!

This was a very christmasy read! We get the grumpy anti-christmas Rowan and the holiday loving matchmaker Isla. I love a good grumpy/sunshine, and loved seeing Isla melt Rowan's grumpy side. There was just enough christmasy fun to work for this time of year, but not an overwhelming amount. This was a really cute read, I adored the two of them working through traumatic dating pasts and find happily ever after. Bonus the audiobook has a full cast too, which makes it all the better!

Great narrators!

The narrators include some of my favorites! Cute, quick, Christmas listen. The duet style is great. Perfect to get me in the mood to put my tree up!

Lauren Blakely does it again!

Even though this book was long, I still didn't want it to end. I read it in two days and hated to have to pause it for...well life. The cast of narrators are among my favorites although I thought Mia's voice was a bit annoying at times. Still, I give it five stars for a job well done. It will put the grumpiest of grumps in a holiday spirit.

Start the Holiday season early!

Lauren Blakely had me at Kissmas! Christmas is my favorite holiday romance trope and I was all in from the start of this one. Grumpy Rowan has no interest in getting married again, but pressure from teammates has him signed up with Isla, Jason's little sister who is a matchmaker. Her reputation precedes her, but he is just doing this to shut his friends up. How to get around the fuss? Convince Isla to take him on dates and begin a fake relationship. But is it really fake? As Isla gets closer to Rowan and his daughter, things begin to change. How you ask? Well, I can't tell you, it's something you will have to listen for. Romance, trees, fun dates, sneaking kisses, and did I say trees? This is just all around fun with just the right amount of Christmas spice! A fabulous way to start my holiday season(and yes, I like to start early!)

An all star cast tells this story, but the main characters are Rowan played by Connor Crais and Isla by Vanessa Edwin. These two are in my top listens, both so talented that each time I can't help but fall for their characters and just root on the sidelines. The voices fit their characters perfectly, like Blakely had them in her head when she was writing the story. Add in Carlotta Brentan, Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, Adam Gold, Teddy Hamilton, JF Harding, Erin Mallon, Soneela Nankani and Evan Parker with reprisals and extras, this is a present all in itself!

Fun holiday romance

Merry Little Kissmas was a sweet, forbidden romance that will put your heart in the holiday spirit. Rowan and Isla were the complete opposite, he’s the grumpy, single dad and a hockey player who dislikes Christmas and Isla is the matchmaker who loves the holiday season. I loved these two from the start and loved seeing their attraction grow to love. There is the forbidden element with Isla being his best friend’s younger sister. I loved seeing the relationship between Isla and Rowan’s daughter also. These two were a lot of fun and I enjoyed their romance.

The audiobook is full cast lead by Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais who brought to life the chemistry and romance for Isla and Rowan. I loved the full cast, some returning favorites and new to the series. I had a lot of fun listening. Thank you Lauren and her team for an early listen.

Loved this one!!!

I absolutely loved this book!!! It was one of those reads/listens that I didn’t want to end! I got hooked right away and didn’t want to put it down!!!

This author has quickly become a must read author for me!! I have loved every book I’ve read by her so far and this book was no exception!! This one had me laughing so much with a touch of the feels!!! This one will define her you into the Christmas spirit!!

If you are an audio lover this is a must listen! It is duet style with a full cast! The narrators were all so good! While I read and listened in tandem for most of this book, there were times that I would just lay back and fully get immersed in the movie that wasn’t playing out in my mind! The narrators brought so much life to the story!!!

So if you’re in the mood for a Christmas, grumpy/sunshine, brothers best friend, sports romance look no further!!

Love a Full cast!! its like a movie in your ear!

I think this story had just the right amount of spice to pot. I love a book with banter so it was amazing!!! I havent even alot of books 5 stars this year but I love this!!! ps listen to the very end its so cute!!! 😍

🎧⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

🎄A Christmas Romance That Delivers Holiday Magic. Lauren hits it out of the park again with this heartwarming holiday tale!
At the center is Rowan, a swoon-worthy single dad with a serious grinch streak when it comes to Christmas.
Enter Isla, a spirited matchmaker who lives and breathes holiday cheer.✨ Their dynamic is pure festive fun, especially when Rowan reluctantly agrees to be set up for the town’s annual Christmas Gala.🎉

What begins as a playful setup turns into something deeper.💘 Isla’s determination and Rowan’s quiet charm spark a chemistry that’s impossible to ignore. Add in his adorable daughter Mia👧 and a backdrop of twinkling lights,🌟 cozy traditions, and heartfelt moments, and you’ve got a romance that’s both warm and captivating.

🎧The full-cast duet narration adds an extra sprinkle of magic, beautifully performed and emotionally rich. It’s the kind of audio that wraps around you like a cozy blanket.
A perfect blend of opposites attract, holiday hijinks, and unexpected love, a must-listen for fans of Christmas romance!

Date Coaching Turns Real

Audiobook Review Full Cast of Narrators with Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin in duet
Date Coaching turns real
Isla is a date coach. She's asked to help Rowan learn to date but the problem is he's her brother's friend. Now they have to fake date for the hockey team's Christmas gala. I really liked this story it's not only about fake dating turning a little too real but both Isla an Rowan learn to trust and love again. Rowan's daughter is so cute an helps with trying to make Isla part of their family. This is a wonderful holiday story that can be listened to any time of the year.Audiobook Review Full Cast of Narrators with Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin in duet
Date Coaching turns real
Isla is a date coach. She's asked to help Rowan learn to date but the problem is he's her brother's friend. Now they have to fake date for the hockey team's Christmas gala. I really liked this story it's not only about fake dating turning a little too real but both Isla an Rowan learn to trust and love again. Rowan's daughter is so cute an helps with trying to make Isla part of their family. This is a wonderful holiday story that can be listened to any time of the year.

My Favorite Holiday!!

Nothing better than a juicy love story full of romance and fun!!! Lauren doesn’t disappoint at all. Excited for her next love story! PS - keep the guys you have voicing the heroes! So 🫣♥️🫣