How to Ruin the Holidays

By: Becky Monson

Narrated by: Holly Warren

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

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!

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.

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.

Delightful holiday romance

I adored this entertaining, witty, and delightful Christmas love story. If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, you will absolutely love this fun story! I was hooked from the first line, and listened to the entire book in one day. I love Becky Monson’s writing style; she has the best sense of humor. I’m happy Holly Warren’s narration did justice to Becky’s writing, and this book adapts so well to the audio format. I loved this audiobook! Highly recommend!

Nice Hallmark type book

I enjoyed this light read. I really enjoy Becky Monson’s books. No need for foul language or explicit sex scenes. Holly Warren did a great job narrating.

SO CUTE!!!

The only thing that could have made this audio book better was duet narration otherwise this book is PERFECT!

the holidays

Wow just wow - Mara had lots of things going on in her life. Mara and Noel have that instant chemistry but secrets could cause trouble. Liked seeing them work together professionally and personally. I listened to this book on audible and loved the narrator. Her family had issues, her friend was adorable -hoping she gets her own book - Noel's family was so amazing. This book kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Sweet sweet ending.

A sweet holiday romcom

I loved how this played on all the clichés of Hallmark movies! Tha narration was really good. Becky had me laughing out loud with some of the dialogue of this story!