I liked Catherine’s storytelling in ‘The Rebound’, but I just love it now in ‘Holiday Romance’ !!
It's a driven-home-for-Christmas Hallmark movie story but only 10x better.
Molly & Andrew’s travel adventure also gave me ‘Leap Day’ movie vibes .. and I’m so here for it :D

QUOTE - “Excuse me, sir,” I say as he rears back, startled. “I think you’re in my seat?”
Andrew Fitzpatrick’s shocked look disappears as soon as he sees me. He grins up at me with those hazel eyes as if I’m the best thing that happened to his day. I know he’s the best thing that’s happened to mine.

10 flights between Chicago O’Hare and Dublin are the foundation for Molly & Andrew’s friendship these last 9 years. Both traveling back home to Ireland for Christmas this year, but not in the first class seats that Molly arranged due to a huge storm and cancelled flights.
This is the start of a seasonal travel adventure to make it to Ireland; and their respective parents; in time for Christmas Eve.

QUOTE - “Blew your mind with that kiss, huh?”
I glance sharply at him, but he’s smiling. He’s joking. “Because I’m just saying, if this is you finally getting into the festive spirit –”
“Okay,” I interrupt, and he laughs. The sound of it makes me feel better.

The story has everything I could ever want from a seasonal rom-com ...
2 supportive friends with great chemistry and witty banter, who share sweet moments and Christmas traditions during their travels. Overtime feelings start to grow, unbeknownst to themselves but soon to be revealed thanks to the help of some airport mistletoe.
Add in some Christmas presents, sweaters, food & atmosphere and you’ll have yourself this heartwarming romance, plus a jolly good time !

QUOTE - “You’ll be grand”

Would recommend to people who love
- Forced proximity - travel adventure edition
- Friends to Lovers
- Christmas romance sparkle
- Single POV

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

*Seriously needed this* Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy for honest review

I picked up this Christmassy book about two days ago after reading a well, ...a shitty book, and it sincerely cleansed my soul and made me whole again. I definitely recommend it.

Coming out on the 4th of October of this year, Holiday romance by Catherine Walsh is FANTASTIC. It's a mixture of Christmas and family, life and love and etc.

Set in Chicago and Ireland, it's a story of Molly and Andrew who were nothing but friends through a girlfriend. Andrew being the charming boyfriend of Molly's friend, Hayley , got dumped and in the twist of fates , they became good, in fact best friends after some years and kept at it. They always travel on the same flight home for Christmas no matter what. Their tenth flight is set apart by a series of events that was caused by a cancelled flight and Andrews love for Christmas with family.
The book is a journey through ten of their flights, which equal ten Christmases, and how they came to realize and accept their love for one another.

What I like most about the book is that it's not too predictable and the author has an awesome control of writing in -media-res. Some points on..

Love: the love portrayed in the novel is so intricate and not fake in any way. It's so smooth it feels like real life. I've read some that are just too mushy and bland. This one is exciting as it can be. Even the love between family is as real as can be. It doesn't give you the sense of 'ew'

Christmas: I love the way Christmas is potrayed as on the differences in the celebration of Christmas on different households. Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean EVERYONE has to celebrate the same or even particularly like it.🤷

I'll stop the spoilers here😉

The book is relaxing and so laid back that you won't want to drop it until you're done.

So Did I mention it's relaxing?

Well, this is certainly a sweet holiday romance! Molly and Andrew live in Chicago and are both originally from Ireland. Despite a rocky start a decade ago, they are now good friends even though they only really see each other for their annual flight back home for the holidays. This year, nothing goes as planned with a winter storm leading to flight cancellations. Molly has to get creative as she is determined to get Andrew to his hometown in time for Christmas dinner.

This is a light, fun read (perfect for enjoying around the holidays with a hot chocolate or your beverage of choice). There are flashbacks between the present and the various flights Molly and Andrew have taken together. The beginning of the story had a lot of dynamism as Molly and Andrew hustle to catch numerous planes, train, bus, ferry, etc. The second half focuses more on their relationship and whether their friendship is really something more...

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Molly and Andrew who have been travelling on the same flight from Chicago to Ireland each year for 10 years to go home for the holidays. On their 10th flight home, they run into some issues and are forced into making a few extra stops on their way.

UGHHHH this book was so cute. I was drawn in right from the start and I stayed interested the whole way through. This book gave me holiday People We Meet On Vacation vibes and I loved it so much. The banter between Molly and Andrew was top notch and their relationship had me giggling with a stupid grin on my face the whole time.

This is the perfect book to get you ready for the holidays and I highly recommend reading it. This was the first book I have read by Catherine but I’ll definitely be reading her other books.

This was one of those books that sucked me in very quickly, and I couldn’t put it down. Molly and Andrew are adorable - best friends who started as friends in a truly cringeworthy moment. The banter is fabulous. The flashbacks are amazing and tie into the story well.

I love this book. It is so amazing. 10/10

This is a great holiday romance. This is the story of Molly and Andrew who become friends through a unique situation and see each other once a year everytime they fly home to Ireland. I loved both of these characters. I've read a lot of rom-coms and I appreciated that this story was a little different. The time they spent together based on airport layovers and long flights and only keeping in touch by phone or text the rest of the year. It gave me all of the feels and set in my favorite time of the year.

This was a delightful read!

I really enjoyed the style of this novel, interspersing Christmas eve flights over the space of 10 years with the "now" - so well executed and really enjoyable.

Molly and Andrew are thrown together by fate a few times before they start taking matters into their own hands and organize their yearly Christmas flight to Ireland (where they both hail from) from Chicago. Except that this year things are different: they're both single AND there's a massive storm that completely derails their *perfect* travel plans.

With the help of a few fun side characters (Gabriella and Oliver!), the two finally make it to Ireland just in time for Christmas Eve and Day - but not without learning something about themselves as they finally lean into a romantic relationship along the way. Maybe it was the Paris bistro, or the airport in Argentina, or maybe even the mistletoe in Chicago, but I like to think that their evening stroll across the Thames in London is one of their beautiful moments that cinches it - makes them take the next step towards whatever they might become together - rather than apart.

Funny, sexy and full of Christmas cheer - this is a great holiday rom-com read :)

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh is a fun Christmas romcom with friends to lovers, dual timeline, and lots of Christmas vibes. I greatly enjoyed reading this book. I loved how each chapter had flashbacks of their previous years of flights together as well as the present day and their struggle to get home for this years holiday. I also love how Molly and Andrew spent their first flight together and how ironic all of it was right after Molly had gotten off of the phone with Hayley. Molly had such a sweet personality and despite her not wanting to go home that much for the holidays, she did everything she could to make sure Andrew would get home since she knew how important that was for him. Andrew had such a strong connection to his family and the holidays and the two of them had quite the adventure getting back home. This adventure lead them to figuring out their true feelings for one another and realizing what was important to the both of them. I will definitely be recommending this one to all my friends this year as a good Christmas romcom to read this holiday season.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

— ARC review —
This is the ultimate Christmas read! if you still don’t have it on your (winter) TBR.. don’t wait any longer! This is such a fun read! I really really love this book.


The story is about Molly and Andrew, two (best) friends, who meet in real life every year when they fly back home to Ireland for Christmas. On their 10th flying-home-together-before-christmas-anniversary there is a huge storm which makes it impossible for them to fly back home. Or not? And what will happen between Molly and Andrew?


The characters in this book are well written and you symphatise with them. Molly is a workaholic and is having a hard time coping with her job in law. Debating if she wants to continue or change her entire career. During this struggle she doesn’t want to be a burden so she keeps it all to herself. Luckily there is cutiepie Andrew who notices something is off and helps Molly by giving advice and such. I really like the dynamic between these two. A lot of goofying around, but serious and honest when it’s needed. And supporting each other through thick and thin.


I definitely will re-read this book during winter/Christmas time! It was not exactly the proper time to read this with 30 degrees outside.


Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Molly and Andrew are friends flying home from Chicago to Ireland to spend the holidays with family. This year marks the tenth anniversary of their first trip together. For seven hours each holiday, they get to catch up with their lives. Andrew is crushed when a snowstorm threatens to thwart their plans, as spending Christmas with his family is extremely important to him, so Molly vows to get him home in time for the celebration. As they travel far and long to avoid the storm, and with the help of their loved ones, Molly and Andrew come to terms with their feelings for each other and decide whether they will risk the friendship that is so dear to both acting on them.

This is a heartwarming, fun, and satisfying read. The plot moves along two timelines: the present day, and a countdown of the past nine holiday trips, allowing us to slowly discover and understand the development of Molly and Andrew’s friendship over the years. The author crafted a story full of relatable and hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud more than once. I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters, especially the effort they put to make each other happy, and the honesty and sensitivity with which they discuss hard subjects, as well the banter between them and with their siblings. The side characters are delightful and smart, especially Zoe, Christian and Hannah, which I hope are getting their own story written in the future. The ending was satisfying. There are so many aspects to the story I loved, but I do not want to spoil it for anybody. So, if you are looking for a funny, friends-to-lovers intelligent read with festive vibes, look no further; this book is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book prior to its release.

I was so excited to receive an arc of this book! I’m from Chicago and love any book based in the city. I also love to travel and especially love Ireland. So this book had it all.

Molly’s best friend Hayley is dating Andrew. Molly had been around him some, but after they bonded over both being from Ireland Hayley decided to keep them away from each other. The funny thing is fate can’t be tampered with. Molly and Andrew end up seated together on their flight home from Christmas. That’s also the time Hayley chooses to break up with Andrew… over text. That flight is awkward to say the least and Andrew doesn’t speak to Molly again.

That is until the next year when, you guessed it, they’re on the same flight again… seated next to each other.

Flying home for Christmas together becomes their thing. They’re good friends. On the 10th flight home together a big storm hits Chicago. Their flight is canceled. Andrew loves Christmas and is really bummed he won’t make it home. Molly decides he’s getting home no matter the cost.

The two set off on a three day adventure trying to get Andrew home in time for Christmas. And they might set off on their own sort of adventure too.

I really enjoyed reading the banter between Molly and Andrew. They’re both hilarious. I was laughing the whole way through. In true friends to lovers fashion I was rooting for them from the start. Andrew is also going to be added to my book boyfriends list asap. He is so funny and sweet to Molly. A true Irish gentleman. This is a great holiday read and will put you into the Christmas spirit! I can’t recommend it enough.

oh. my. GOD. I loved this, I LOVED THIS!!

what starts off as a coincidence turns into a tradition, TURNS INTO CUTE ASS LOVE. genuinely my heart was going to burst reading this. I just want to say that im a grinch and I usually hate holiday romances but this is >>>>>>>>> so so good

I’ve yet to read a book with a story line like this and it was so refreshing to read, watching them fuss over each other every year is so heartwarming.

The characters separately are amazing, I love each of them equally and its easy to remember the side characters. the love and chemistry that brews between them and basically blows up in their face within three stress-induced days. I LOVE IT.

I cant wait to order this when it comes out.

There's something very special about Christmas time: how you get to see people you haven't in months or even years, how the time seems to melt away once you get chatting again and how the magic of the holidays adds a certain something to the rekindling of friend- and relationships. It's a wonderful time for most, especially those who live away and come home to celebrate with those they love.
And thus we meet Molly and Andrew - Irish expats who live in Chicago but have been getting the same flight home to Ireland at Christmas for the last ten years, developing a unique friend(ish)ship in the process.
This year their flight is grounded by a freak snowstorm, and over the course of the following days they start to figure out just how to navigate outside of the boundaries of their normally once-a-year meeting.
Molly is sweet, clever but guarded, not wanting to let herself open up too much and, while glad to get home to her family, has zero interest in the sentiment of Christmas.
Andrew is witty, pithy and absolutely here for the Christmas glitz, magic and any other holiday trapping he can think of. He is the perfect antidote to Molly's steadfastness in relation to the Holiday spirit (or lack thereof).
They work so well together, but also understandably clash, making this story of them forced to spend time together even more adorable, and as they get to know each other you can't help but fall for them.
A sweet, fun, sexy Christmas Rom-com; Cat Walsh can do no wrong!

If you read one festive book this coming Christmas, then this is the one to pick up! The frantic hustle and bustle of the lead up to Christmas and the different family traditions that are depicted are so on point and will resonate with so many.

Catherine Walsh has done it again, landing a brilliant romcom full of nostalgia, craziness and love. This had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions as all her books do. I loved the flashbacks to the previous ten years at Christmas as we are allowed to witness the beautiful development of Molly and Andrew's relationship.

This is my new favourite festive book and I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. I will be recommending this festive book to everyone as the perfect Christmas read!

Be still my heart. It feels impossible to condense everything I loved about this one. There’s simply so much I want to gush about! Following an adventurous journey to get home for the holidays, this friends-to-lovers romance was absolutely delightful.

Molly and Andrew aren’t your typical friends. Both incredibly busy, their relationship is mostly maintained online. But for the past ten years at Christmas, they’ve taken the same flight home to Ireland—their moment to reconnect in person. When a snowstorm cancels their flight, Molly will do anything to help Andrew get home to his family.

On top of their fun shenanigans in present day, you also get flashback chapters! With a glimpse into each of their previous flights, you can truly feel the love slowly building underneath their ten-year friendship. Oh my goodness, it was precious. Andrew and his festive sweaters stole my heart.

Filled with witty banter, pestering siblings, genuine humour, and many heartfelt moments, I simply cannot recommend this enough. Chapter 27 left me on cloud nine!

Holiday Romance is just what it sounds like, and it put me in such a winter holiday mood, despite the heat wave irl. This was my first book by Catherine Walsh, and I’ll definitely be checking out her other books because I had so much fun with this one! Holiday Romance has all the crazy energy of Christmastime and romcoms, with the friends-to-lovers romance and the adventure Molly and Andrew go on in making it home to Ireland from Chicago despite the huge storm over the Atlantic. I smiled through so much of the book and chuckled a couple of times; Molly and Andrew’s banter is silly and sarcastic and deadpan and teasing and fun, and the side characters make some hilarious quips as well.

As one would expect of any self-respecting holiday romcom, the themes of love and family are strong throughout. I particularly loved getting to see how Molly’s perception of her family parallels her perception of the holiday as she transforms from grinch to semi-reluctant Christmas-lover. She goes from thinking that her family wouldn’t miss her presence at Christmastime since they don’t really make a big deal of the holiday to realizing just how much her family loves her and loves having her home. The crazy long journey they take of various connecting flights circumventing the Atlantic storm starts because Molly knows how important being home for Christmas with his family is to Andrew, and she (obliviously) only wants what will make him happy, pushing aside her own excitement at spending Christmas with Andrew in Chicago in favor of making this happen for him. It was at that moment that it became abundantly clear how much she loves Andrew, and I wasn’t disappointed when I got to see all the ways Andrew loves and appreciates Molly as the story unfolded. I was pleased to see that he understood it too, when Andrew’s feelings were made known.

I love that we get to see each of their past nine flights leading up to this one from Molly’s (first person) POV interspersed with their present timeline and tenth flight back to Ireland for Christmas. From witnessing the awkwardness of their first flight, what with Molly’s attempt to protect Andrew’s feelings from day one, to seeing the gifts they got each other, to the way Andrew takes care of Molly, to the way they’d both do anything for each other, I loved getting that insight into their past and present. The building blocks of their decade of friendship, the little ways they understand each other and read each other’s moods, their unconscious habits. I love a good friends-to-lovers romance for the solid foundation that paves the way for the transition to romantic partnership, and Molly and Andrew’s long friendship truly shines.

I couldn’t stop smiling at how adorable they both were. Every time Molly felt a burst of happiness at making Andrew happy, I felt it too. And the way Andrew understands Molly’s anxieties and fears, how well he knows her personality, and how he calms Molly down and puts her at ease every time warmed my heart. Molly’s fears are so relatable that I couldn’t help but empathize with her, and while it was at times frustrating because I wanted to shake some sense into her to get her past those fears (don’t worry, the other characters will get to do that for you, and Molly realizes important things along the way and learns things about herself), I ultimately rooted for her to earn that HEA.

Also can I just say: Andrew’s speech in the midst of his fight with Molly made me swoon so hard because!! The things he said and remembered about their whole friendship up until the present point, where we get to see how he felt about their yearly trips home, it’s everything. Molly only knows her side of each encounter, of course, and she didn’t see what was there all along until this Christmas, but that glimpse of Andrew’s perspective! This man is so romantic, I love him. The buildup of the romance and sexual tension, the confusion of feelings and realizing things were changing and growing, the strong friendship, I love it all. The boisterous and quirky family members and the charming settings and Christmas vibes, the humor and heart, the personal growth and new beginnings all make Holiday Romance a lovely Christmas read.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!

A delightful and compelling christmas love story! I Love the friends to lovers trope, and with all of that beautiful backgrund of traveling through Chicago, Buenos Aires, Dublin , Paris and Cork has made the narrative so wild yet cozy and enjoyable.

I fell in love with this adorable friends-to-lovers romantic comedy. This book has lovable main characters, clear chemistry, witty banter, sweet moments, and a playful yet supportive friendship. I mean, come on! I smiled so much while reading Holiday Romance.

For years, Molly and Andrew have been taking the same flight home for the holidays. Each year, they catch up on each other’s lives at the airport and on the 7+ hours long flight from Chicago to Dublin. Written in two timelines, we see their friendship grow and outlast their various other relationships.

On their 10-year anniversary of being flying friends, a huge storm across the Atlantic grounds all flights. Andrew loves Christmas and is sad to miss being home for the holidays. Molly loves Andrew (as a friend, of course) and is determined to fix this. Here is where the fun travel chaos begins: She is going to get them to Dublin in time for Christmas no matter how many planes, taxis, trains, and ferries it takes. During their long way back to Ireland, they finally figure out how they truly feel about each other.

I adored Molly. She's a bit grumpy, very overworked, and afraid of deviating from a plan. When she finally figures out what she wants for a career and for love, it was so satisfying to see her take a chance on herself. Andrew is a swoon-worthy hero who is creative, loves his family, witty, and is so supportive to Molly. Even the side characters were fun to read. Whether you’re into holiday romances or not, I recommend picking this book up; It’s such a good time!

OMG I ADOOOOOORED THIS BOOK.
Holiday Romance is such a lovable, sweet, cute, and enchanting story. (Give me another synonym for "adorable" and I swear I'll use it to describe this book! No kidding!)
I really loved this super cute friends to lovers story. My heart melted while witnessing Molly and Andrew slowly falling for each other. It was amazing watching them build an unusual but completely honest friendship by always putting the other first, by always being there for each other in every possible way, and by defying any obstacle just to be together. Once they started being attracted by each other, I literally found myself screaming "Yes, go for it! Just kiss already!" That can only mean one thing: the author did an excellent job in describing each character's feelings, fears and hopes. And there's nothing I love more!
I need Holiday Romance to be adapted into a movie, so that every year on Christmas Day I can reread the book and watch the movie. Right now, I really can't think of a better way to spend my next Christmases.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.