Review of ‘Only for the Holidays’ by Abiola Bello. Discover the sweet charm of a holiday romance that blends festive cheer with heartfelt family dynamics and the timeless city-girl-meets-small-town-boy trope. This lighthearted YA story captures the spirit of Christmas with its relatable characters, playful text exchanges, and cozy atmosphere. While it delivers plenty of holiday vibes and warmth, its youthful tone and occasional frustrations with the characters might not resonate with every reader. Perfect for fans of cheerful seasonal reads, it offers a fun and festive escape that’s worth a cozy afternoon.
‘Only for the Holidays’ by Abiola Bello is a festive and heartwarming YA romance perfect for the holiday season
Synopsis
City girl Tia Solanké is dreading the festive period. She’s on a break with her boyfriend and the last thing she wants to do is spend Christmas away from London. Arriving at Saiyan Hedge Farm, Tia takes an instant disliking to it. She falls in horse manure, is chased by sheep and the Wi-Fi sucks. How is she meant to stalk her ex now and concoct a foolproof plan to win him back?
Country boy Quincy Parker and his family run the farm, and this year they’ve been selected to host the biggest event in the town’s calendar – the Winter Ball. Preparations are underway, and Quincy is working around the clock to make it a success. The only problem is, he’s told everyone he has a date to the ball, when in reality that couldn’t be further from the truth.
At first, Tia and Quincy don’t see eye to eye, until they realise they both have something to gain by pretending to be a couple. But when a snowstorm threatens to cancel the Winter Ball, their fake relationship is put to the test. Will Tia and Quincy be able to keep up the pretence and save the day, or will real feelings get in the way?
Review
I received a free copy from NetGalley and Soho Press in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my review. Thank you for this review copy.
When I say Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello is a perfect festive escape, I mean it! This adorable YA Christmas romance is like a cozy Hallmark movie in book form—classic city-girl-meets-small-town-boy vibes with a touch of modern flair that left me smiling all the way through.
First off, let’s talk about that cover. It’s stunning, festive, and absolutely irresistible—a complete win for me. But what’s inside? Equally charming! The story is brimming with holiday cheer, lighthearted romance, and heartwarming family dynamics that add so much depth to the narrative.
The main characters were lovable, even though they had their frustrating moments. Their quirks and missteps made them feel real, and their banter kept the story alive. I found myself rooting for them, even when I wanted to shake them for their decisions. The text message exchanges scattered throughout the book were such a fun touch! They made the characters feel modern and relatable, while also giving the story a playful vibe that added to its charm.
And oh, the trope! I’m an absolute sucker for the city-girl-meets-small-town-boy storyline, and this book delivered it beautifully. There’s something magical about this setup, especially during the holidays—it’s like stepping into a winter wonderland where anything feels possible. The dynamics between the families in the story were another highlight. Their interactions felt warm and authentic, with just the right amount of holiday chaos to keep things interesting.
That said, the book leaned a bit too young for me at times. It’s solidly YA, which I knew going in, so it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment or rating. But if you’re someone who prefers more mature holiday romances, just keep that in mind.
Final thoughts
Only for the Holidays is a delightful, feel-good read that’s perfect for the holiday season. If you love festive romances with a dash of family drama and a sprinkling of humor, this one’s for you. While it may not have been entirely my speed in terms of maturity, it delivered everything I hoped for in a cozy Christmas tale.
Rating
7/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: The book contains themes of breakups (cheating) and emotional distress as well as drinking and partying
- Themes: Fake dating, personal growth, family dynamics, and holiday festivities
- Representation: The story prominently features a theme of cultural diversity, with characters from Nigerian-British backgrounds
- Genre: Contemporary holiday romance (YA)
- Pages: 336
- Publication date: October 8, 2024
- Publisher: Soho Press (Soho Teen)
- About the author: Abiola Bello is a Nigerian-British, prize-winning children’s and YA author born and raised in London. She wrote her first novel at the age of eight and is an advocate for diversity in books for young people. Bello is known for the award-winning fantasy series Emily Knight and her YA novel Love in Winter Wonderland. She has won London’s BIG Read 2019, was a finalist for the People’s Book Prize Best Children’s Book, and was nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Award
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