The Holiday Post

De: L.B. Dunbar

Narrado por: Erin Mallon, Oliver Highpoint

A Spicy, Small-Town, Christmas RomCom

Doc Hollywood meets It’s a Wonderful Life with a hint of The Santa Clause when a globetrotting toy industry mogul is stranded in this small harbor town days before Christmas.

Despite dreams to explore the world, I’ve never been anywhere other than this small harbor town. Single mom, local postmistress, and one-fourth owner of a failing auto repair shop are all the reasons I’ve remained planted where my roots began.

Hideaway Harbor is layered in love for the holidays, enticing visitors to the coastal area for a seasonal respite, so thanks to an unpredicted blizzard, it’s no surprise when a stranger plows into the town’s welcome sign.

What is a surprise is when he’s suddenly—and rather reluctantly by me—an extended-stay guest in my home thanks to no vacancies in town, some pesky matchmaking, and candy cane martinis on a Monday.

There’s something vaguely familiar about this new visitor. The combination of snow and tinsel colored hair. The well-trimmed matching beard. The laugh lines near his coal-colored eyes. How good he looks in the color red. He’s thoughtful and kind, and has a flair for the holiday season, which makes him most likely to make the top of Santa’s good guy (with a hint of bad boy) list.

After some disappointing news concerning the holidays, the hap, hap, happiest time of the year isn’t feeling so spectacular. But my houseguest’s presence builds a snowstorm of emotions in my chest, making my Christmas wish a transfer to the naughty list . . . with him.

Unfortunately, there’s a mystery behind his origins, and he has “not-staying” written all over him. With places to be before the calendar flips to December twenty-fourth, he’ll soon be gone, and I’ve encountered this heartbreaking, lump-of-coal sensation once before.

No matter how short or sweet his visit, there’s no doubt about the magic we make together, leaving me to wonder if love is the greatest adventure we take.

©2025 L.B. Dunbar (P)2025 L.B. Dunbar

What a wonderful holiday story!!

I loved this book so much! It's just what I needed to get in the holiday spirit. The characters, writing and narrators were all perfect!

Usually 5 Star Author

I have all of LB’s ebooks and audios. I've given almost every one 5 stars.

I still wish she would put some of her older books out on audio because they’d also get 5 stars. But I digress.

Note:
If a character has a strong NE accent, as a New Englander, please use someone who sounds like us.

As I was saying:
I usually love LB’s silver foxes 100%. Saint? I'd say about 75%. He’s often whiny, especially when he's with his family towards the end. He seems 15, not 50.

I love the other Xmas short stories that LB has written, but this one? I just couldn't get into. And I dabble in romantic fantasy, so the suspension of belief wouldn't be the first time I've had to. This one? It was a bit too much.

I'll be back in line for LB’s next silver fox and for next year’s Xmas story. This one just tried a little too hard.

Cutest Christmas story

I think this is one of my favorite Christmas stories. number one it's an absolutely cute adorable concept. the fact the author is playing off the movie The Santa Claus is absolutely terrific. dunbars story here is probably one of her best Christmas stories she does mention her other one with the brother who's the firefighter so you'll have to check that one out but this one is just so cute it was fun he's even a little comical at times is a great short story it wasn't overly long. I listen to this on audio and the narrators well Aaron Mellon is always great at Comic deliveries so. but I will say that I enjoyed Oliver as well they both did a terrific job of bringing these characters to life.