Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC of The Holiday Mix-Up!

The Holiday Mix-Up begins with Katie being asked by her dream man, Juan, if she would pretend to be is girlfriend for Christmas. Then Juan walks out of the diner and experiences a traumatic brain injury. But first he had let his entire family know that he would be bringing his "girlfriend" Katie to Christmas dinner. Juan's family immediately pulls her into their circle while she struggles to keep her secret to Juan while also stretching the truth with his family, who she quickly feels embraced by. She also struggles with her developing feelings for Juan's brother, Mateo...

This book was a perfectly fine holiday romance. It seems like a stretch that the family would immediately allow Katie into their inner circle and they only seem remotely worried about their son in the hospital as they busy themselves with preparing for Christmas. The resolution to the family's wine business problems doesn't really add up since they were about to go under, lost a ton of wine, and then miraculously with a few little tweaks would be fine? The resolution with Juan also seemed too easily brushed under the rug.

Not my favorite but I'm not mad that I read it. I think the cover is super cute.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for an ARC of The Holiday Mix-Up.

It was a Hallmark-y, Sweet, Christmas rom-com à la "While You Were Sleeping". (No Spice! Which isn't a bad thing, but I KNOW PEOPLE ASK "but is it spicy?")

Katie is asked to pose as her favorite diner's girlfriend for Christmas dinner, but basically when he walks out the door, he is hit by a van. Well Katie heroically pushes him so he doesn't become holiday-roadkill, no he's in a coma and Katie is stuck with his family swinging in and pulling her into all the Christmas festivities, while Juan is in a coma. But not everyone in the family is feeling quite so holly jolly about Katie joining in. ENTER THE BROTHER, ensure the shenanigans.

I did feel like the author could have let some of the story/information unfold in a more organic or natural way. I did feel like I was being told things, rather than experiencing them. I had a good time with The Holiday Mix-Up and I hope others do too!

What to Expect:
-Northern California Winery Setting
-Meddling. Yet Loving Family Members
-Deep Love & Pride for Latino Heritage
-Fake Relationship
-Gotta Save the Family Business
-CHRISTMAS!

I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC!

If you're searching for the perfect holiday read to get you in the festive spirit, look no further! "The Holiday Mix-Up" is an enchanting tale of love, family, and the unexpected miracles that can happen when worlds collide.

Katie Smith, our lonely-hearted heroine, finds herself in a pinch during the most wonderful time of the year, with nowhere to go for Christmas and a heart full of longing for the charming Juan Martinez. When Juan offers her the opportunity to pose as his girlfriend for the holidays at his family's winery, Katie can't resist the allure of a dreamy winter romance.

But, of course, life isn't all sugarplums and mistletoe. A twist of fate lands Juan in a coma right after the big "news" is revealed to his family. What follows is a delightful concoction of deception, unexpected bonds, and the complex emotions of the holidays.

Katie's inner struggle to reveal the truth to the Martinezes is beautifully portrayed. As the family embraces her with open arms, you can't help but root for the little white lie to turn into something magical. And then there's Mateo Martinez, Juan's charming brother, whose presence adds a delectable layer of tension to the story. His unwavering support for the family's traditions, despite his feelings for Katie, makes for a captivating dynamic.

The winery's uncertain fate and the secrets woven into the plot add layers of intrigue, making it impossible to put this book down. As you turn the pages, you'll find yourself falling in love not only with the characters but also with the enchanting winery setting.

The Holiday Mix-Up is a heartwarming tale that will remind you of the true spirit of Christmas and the power of love and family. With a dash of holiday magic, it serves up a delectable mix of romance, drama, and tradition that will warm your heart and leave you believing in Christmas miracles. Cheers to Katie and Mateo for leading us on this delightful journey of love and redemption!

Rating: 4 / 5⭐️’s

Oh how I loved this one! I was a bit skeptical at first but it was so cute :) I definitely think this is a great holiday read and the romance was adorable as well.

I usually really enjoy cheesy Christmas movies and books, but unfortunately The Holiday Mix-Up was a miss for me.

I liked the general concept of the book, except the fact that Juan and Mateo are brothers. Trust me, dating brothers is never a good idea, yet media constantly suggests that it is. It's messy and just not something I enjoy in books I read. But there was no mess in the book. I actually think it lacked the drama I was anticipating once Katie first realized she had feelings for Mateo, despite fake dating Juan.

I didn't feel like Katie and Mateo had much of a real spark, which stopped me from rooting for them. I liked the characters individually, but ultimately did not care one way or another if wound up together.

The book is fine if you want a light-hearted quick read, but honestly, there are much better holiday books out there.

Not a great start. I hate the idol-worship "oh my gosh a guy like you is too good for a girl like me" attitude, I want more backbone in my heroines.

Oh c'mon, the While You Were Sleeping routine? Two plot tropes in the first two chapters does not bode well for quality.

Nothing stands out about this story. Bland characters, useless heroine, overdone plot.

Such a fun, Christmas rom-com book. It follows along the lines of the movie "While You Were Sleeping". It has the fake dating trope, which is my favorite! Such a cute, holiday read.

The Holiday Mix-up, by Ginny Baird, shares many similar threads to the 1990s movie “While You Were Sleeping,” although the main character, Katie Smith, is of undetermined heritage while the family she becomes attached to is Hispanic of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, unlike those of the movie who were Irish.

And rather than the object of Katie’s affection being a virtual stranger, Juan is one of her regular customers at Daisy’s and has asked her to act the part of his girlfriend at Christmas dinner to get his family off his back. She agrees with him and Juan says they will work out details tomorrow, but when he leaves his wallet behind, Katie runs to catch him and ends up saving his life as a speeding van takes the corner.

Both are transported to the hospital, Katie with minor injuries, Juan in a coma, induced to allow brain swelling to go down. Prior to the accident, Juan had texted family members to tell them all about Katie. And when the Martinez family first encounters Katie in the emergency room, they immediately bring her into the family fold. During the days Juan is unconscious, much happens within the family and for Katie.

This is a fun family romp, with mistaken impressions, misdirected stories, and misguided decisions that bring this sweet story full circle. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it!

A update on the classic “while you were sleeping” a plot that shouldn’t work but Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman make it work.

Katie likes Juan an agrees to be his fake girlfriend for Christmas. Right after Juan and Katie tell his family the news he lands in a coma and Katie can’t come clean. Now she is with Juan’s family pretending to be his girlfriend and getting a little too close to his brother Mateo.

The storyline is crazy, but in the right author’s hands it works. The chemistry is there and it’s a perfectly good holiday story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this heartwarming holiday romance with characters you want to know and root for and a lovely story that I couldn't put down and really wasn't ready for the book to end when I got to the last page. This would make a great Hallmark movie when lonely waitress Katie Smith is asked by gorgeous diner patron Juan Martinez to be his fake girlfriend during his family's holiday festivities. Once again Ginny Baird has given us a must-read and she never disappoints whatsoever so don't miss The Holiday Mix-Up. I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and liked it so much I purchased a copy. This is my voluntary review.

Have you seen the movie "While you were sleeping"? Well, this book is a spin on that one taking place in the California vineyard country with a festive christmas feeling. This was a fun and an enjoyable read, Katie spending christmas with the Puerto Rican Martinez family. I really enjoyed all the festive feelings I felt while reading this one, perfect to read around christmas. For me this book was sometimes slow and very predictable, like watching a typical Hallmark movie.

Another charming holiday romance with fake dating and a wonderful family celebrating the Christmas holiday.

Katie is a waitress in a diner when a customer she has a crush on, Juan, asks her to be his fake date at Christmas so his relatives will stop setting him up. Unfortunately, Juan is hit by a car after Katie keeps him from getting crushed. He’s in a coma now and his family thinks Katie is his girlfriend.

Katie has always wanted a big happy family, especially at Christmas, and she’s having a hard time admitting the truth about her relationship with Juan, especially since he asked her to keep it secret. She tries to tell his brother Matteo, but he doesn’t listen. Katie and Matteo have so much in common and they start to fall for each other. How can they work it out with Juan still in a coma?

You’ll have to read the book to find out the rest, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

When Katie Smith agrees to be a fake date for her diner crush Juan Martinez, she never could have imagined what would happen next. With a near fatal car accident putting Juan in a medically induced coma, Katie gets more than she bargained for as his fake girlfriend. Being fully absorbed into the Martinez family while Juan recovers, she starts to question if her heart is set on the right brother.

Mateo Martinez feels a lot of pressure to keep his family’s winery afloat, even as his older brother tries to derail those plans. When Juan ends up in a coma, Mateo is suspicious of his brother’s sudden new girlfriend but quickly becomes conflicted as his attraction to Katie starts to grow. Will secrets about the business and of the heart tear the Martinez family apart or is a merry Christmas still in store?

Ginny Baird has written a very entertaining holiday rom-com perfect for reading while cozy with a cup of cocoa or coquito. Without giving any spoilers, there are times at which the plot feels far-fetched, however I didn’t feel that took away from the overall enjoyment of the book. This one is spice free for those who prefer their romances without explicit scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance copy to review.

★ ★ ★ | NO 🌶

18+ | Check TW

!! POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD PROCEED WITH CAUTION !!

*A special thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

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I’m at it again with another Christmas read in October. And I’m not sorry about it.

This book was definitely a good read. It read quickly and was just sweet and cozy. If you like classic romantic comedy movies like While You Were Sleeping, this is definitely the book for you. Or if you are just wanting to read something easy and quick with Christmas-y vibes.

My main issue is that this book did a whole lot of telling instead of showing. Now, that can be counteracted by a book with a super unique and memorable plot. But, this didn’t have that.

In the same vein of this book being good for people who like romcoms, this book reads very closely to While You Were Sleeping. So much so, that I would probably say watch the movie instead. There just wasn’t enough uniqueness for it to stand out.

I would like to read more from this author in the future. Maybe something outside of the Christmas genre.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't my favourite. I felt like it dragged a bit and the way Katie and Mateo kept avoiding telling each other anything just felt s bit meh for me. I liked the concept of the story and all of the Christmas vibes, but that's it.

This is the perfect book for anyone who is a fan of the movie “While You Were Sleeping.” I just pictured Katie as a young Sandra Bullock throughout the entire book. The setting, and some characters were a little bit different with this book centered around family winery. Juan is the brother who ends up in a coma and Mateo is the younger brother who is doing everything to help his family. There are many similarities to the movie throughout this book and it’s such a sweet holiday read. I love seeing the differences from the movie and how well this book was adapted to a similar plot. This put me in the holiday spirit, and I think it would put almost anyone in the holiday spirit as well. 4⭐️, 1🌶

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This holiday romance was so incredibly sweet and funny, I loved every minute of it!

Katie has a major crush on Juan, one of her regular customers at the diner she works at, so when he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend for Christmas, she reluctantly agrees in the hopes he will see her in a new light and maybe date her for real.

However, an accident leaves Juan in a coma and Katie is stuck pretending to be his girlfriend in front of his family. As she navigates his big family, she has trouble saying no to the charming Matrinezes and gets roped into spending the week before Christmas hanging out with them.

Besides feeling guilty for lying to them, she is also struggling to keep her feelings in check from Juan’s brother Mateo, the one person that seems to understand her better than everyone. The more time they spend together though, the more they realize they might be kindred spirits.

Things I loved:

🎄 Kindred spirits
🎄 Holiday romance
🎄 Found family
🎄 Pining

Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley, for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really need to learn my lesson now. Kristy, you love cheesy Christmas movies, but not so much Christmas books. Please stop requesting them, because then you must read them. For instance, THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP is billed as an updated WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, which is probably in my top-five movies. I love that movie. I watch it every year. I will watch it when it's not Christmas.

Well, MIX-UP is no SLEEPING. This book hurt me. I get that it's supposed to be a lighthearted, fluffy Christmas story and nearly everyone else seemed to enjoy it, so please take my review as such. The writing here is painful. Nothing is left to the imagination, but instead is explained in excruciating detail with all telling and no showing. Nothing really happens, so we're left with a repetitive plot stuffed with character introspection and people bemoaning about their feelings over and over (and over).

Katie works at a diner, where she meets Juan, a regular customer. For some reason (supposedly to avoid his aunt fixing him up yet again), he asks her to join him and his family for Christmas (as a secret favor), but before she can, he walks into the street and is nearly killed by a van. Katie shoves him out of the way, but he's still placed into a coma by the doctors. His family is led into thinking they are dating, so they take her in. Katie has no living family of her own and welcomes their care and attention. (Honestly this all sounds so much better as described versus the agony we go through to learn this in the book.) Once she meets his family, she meets Juan's younger brother Mateo, whom she immediately crushes on, and it seems the feeling is mutual. In the background is the story that the family's long-held winery is going under, thanks to bad business decisions by Juan. (This is the only remotely interesting plot piece, though where it will end is telegraphed a mile away.)

Katie and Mateo have zero chemistry, but instead opine in the narrative about their potential feelings for one another constantly--only to dismiss that the other could care for them. There is no excitement, banter, or anything fun. Mateo and Juan's grandparents have more zest. Things slowly progress up until Christmas. We all know how everything will end, but there's no real joy about it, because everyone is too busy thinking or repeating themselves for any real happiness. Instead, we execute the Christmas romance playbook step-by-step. I wanted to love this one, but I just couldn't.

If you’re looking for a cozy holiday read then this is definitely the book for you!

The Holiday Mix Up is a fun retelling of While You Were Sleeping infused with some Latin flare and heartwarming Christmas vibes.

Katie Smith is a waitress in a diner preparing to spend the holidays alone after losing her only remaining family member. That is, until Juan (a regular at the diner who Katie has been crushing on) swoops in and makes her an offer that is too good for her to pass up! Not only an invitation to his family’s Christmas dinner but an opportunity to pose as his fake date, too.

Everything sounds great until a twist of fate occurs and Juan ends up in a coma shortly after announcing their new (fake) relationship to his family. As Juan’s family embraces her, Katie finds herself drawn into the role of Juan’s girlfriend. Until she starts developing feelings for Juan’s brother, Mateo.

I was captured from the beginning and loved the combination of family secrets, heightened emotions, and Juan’s impending return from his come. Add in the authors authentic portrayal of a tight knit Puerto Rican family, complete with lively holiday traditions, and you’ve got a charming feel-good read for the holiday season.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

🌟🌟 "The Holiday Mix Up" left me feeling like I might have enjoyed it more during the Christmas season. Perhaps I was in a particularly cynical mood, but I found the story to be excessively happy and painfully predictable.

The book had all the hallmarks of a classic holiday romance, but it failed to offer anything fresh or unique. The plot unfolded exactly as anticipated, leaving little room for surprise or excitement.

"The Holiday Mix Up" is a heartwarming story about Katie, a lonely waitress, who agrees to pretend to be Juan's girlfriend at his family's winery holiday celebration. However, when Juan falls into a coma after revealing their ruse, Katie faces a dilemma. Amid the chaos, she forms a connection with Juan's brother, Mateo, which complicates her feelings. The winery's future is in jeopardy, and the story delves into the struggles of love, loyalty, and the family's traditions. It's a tale of holiday mix-ups and the possibility of a Christmas miracle.

I received my copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and unfortunately, I can't help but feel that this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. If you're in the mood for a feel-good, holiday-themed romance, it might still be worth a read! 📚 #BookReview #TheHolidayMixUp #HolidayRomance