I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity

Great Christmas book 🏳️‍🌈

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This is a cosy read. There are a lot of things to like; Erica and Abby make a cute couple and Kayla is lovely:-) I like how it takes it time to develop over a year, instead of being a rushed romance. Good read

A Dear Santa letter sets in motion this lovely fake dating holiday romance. Abby and Erica end up dating for an online magazine. Things become complicated when feelings don’t match the original agreement between the two.

I enjoyed this romance as Brooks never fails to provide logical obstacles for her characters to manoeuvre around. Speaking of characters, Abby, Erica and Kayla are all well developed and likeable. They make you want to continue reading to find out what happens next.

No matter the season, Make Her Wish Come True is sure to please.

I received an advance review copy from Ylva Publishing through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book started off with a string of meet cutes for our protagonists, which was pretty adorable. Abby dreams of being a journalist, but is currently stuck as an assistant working at a trendy lifestyle magazine. Her one rule of dating? No kids - not after she gave up most of her 20s to raise her younger sister. Enter Erica, hot mom of 8 year old Kayla who works two jobs to make ends meet and hasn’t been on a date in, well, 8 years. There is a near-immediate mutual attraction that neither of them is willing to fully acknowledge due to their own situations.

Kayla is a wonderful 8 year old - she is written as a pretty mature kid, but her belief that Santa can bring her mom a partner is a wonderfully naive move, and one that brings Erica and Abby together for their 2nd meet cute and indirectly results in an awkward one sided fake dating scheme. I like that Brooks moved on from this scenario relatively quickly and our protagonists developed a deep bond of friendship and being there for each other as friends. Watching their relationship develop was a delight and I appreciated how honest and open they were with each other (well, apart from the wanting to rip each other’s clothes off).

This was a great read with characters I could completely root for.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Ylva Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m a sucker for a holiday rom-com and this was exactly what the queer community wants during the holidays! The characters were really well fleshed out as well as the story itself. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the cheesy hallmark movies during the holiday season!

I would like to thank netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Lost interest.

I’ve tried starting this book a few times and just can’t get into it. I don’t think it’s right for me which is a bummer because it sounds great.

A fun fake-dating romance that see the leads dating while they think they’re fake dating! The feels are all there, with both girls worried that the other doesn’t feel the same while desperately hoping they do. If that <i>sounds</i> contrived, I can’t help but wonder if I’m the only one that ever experienced that in her life!

A.L. Brooks constructs a neat setup with single mother Erica meeting journalist Abby thanks to daughter Kayla’s letter to Santa. While Kayla is the catalyst for them meeting, Abby’s issue is whether she can commit to dating a parent, after years of parenting her younger sister following their mother’s untimely passing. Erica meanwhile has been guarding her heart to protect her daughter over several years. So surely fake-dating the girl you’re insanely attracted to is the obvious choice?

Yep! Why not? Fun and feels ensue throughout the flowing prose and a dual narrative that helps you urge the MCs to take that last teeny step towards being together. And—all too rare, I find—the child is well written and completely organic to the story. I actually loved Kayla (and this evil witch never loves the kids in her books!).

Ms. Books has written a super-fun and engaging rom with a dash of com that can be read outside of the holiday season too, as it the story spreads over other months of the year.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for this ARC, which I was very pleased to be included in.

Make Her Wish Come True by A.L. Brooks is a true holiday treat for those who enjoy well written romances with fake relationships and a likeable couple. Add in an adorable child and a wish to Santa that provides the catalyst for this story, and you have a delightful tale to read this season.

The characters really make this story. Abby Baxter, Erica Goode, and her daughter Kayla are realistic characters with hopes, desires, and feelings that align with who they are now as well as what they’ve lived through in the past. The secondary characters also work well in the narrative. The story itself is uplifting and a perfect read for this time of the year.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming holiday love story that begins as a fake romance, then try Make Her Wish Come True by A.L. Brooks.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for giving me the chance to read and review this novel

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed the story, it was interesting to read about people who don’t seem rich for once. The romance part held up, it was a nice, slow burn. I honestly have no major flaws to point out :).

https://lesbrary.com/make-her-wish-come-true-by-a-l-brooks/

Make Her Wish Come True by A.L. Brooks was released on October 23, 2003 and is a contemporary romance about two women who are absolutely not in a place to date. Or so they keep telling themselves.

Abby Baxter had to grow up way too fast, stepping in to raise her 12-year-old half-sister after their mom passed away. She’s been working for an online magazine as an administrative assistant until she can break into her dream profession: a journalist. Her prospects seem to get a boost when her friend, a columnist who writes for the magazine, offers Abby a deal: fake date a woman for a story, and she’ll do what she can to get Abby her shot at writing.

Erica Goode has been solely focused on raising her daughter, Kayla, for the last eight years. She works two jobs to help support their family, and has no time for a social life. When she’s presented with the chance to date Abby, and get out of the house in the process, who is she to say no? What follows is a slow-burn romance for two women who have both made sacrifices that many others can’t easily understand—and neither knows quite what to do when presented with someone who understands what the other has been through but recognizes they might not be at the same point in life.

I adored this sweet and charming story about two women trying to find their way after both of their lives took unexpected turns when they were young. Abby is so sure she doesn’t want another child in her life after having to put hers on pause to raise her sister. When she meets Erica and her daughter Kayla, Abby is adamant she can’t be in a real relationship with someone who has a kid. And despite finding Abby incredibly attractive in more ways than one, Erica’s number one priority is her daughter. What I really appreciated about this story was that you couldn’t fault either woman for how they felt and what their limitations were. I understood why Abby was so hesitant. After dropping out of college to care for her sister, Abby knows better than anyone that raising a child is a huge responsibility and, with her sister now in college, it makes sense that she is incredibly reluctant to do it all over again. As much as you want Abby to give this relationship a real chance, I respected that A.L. had Abby take her time. Deciding whether you’re prepared to make all those sacrifices again can’t be something decided overnight. As a reader, I wouldn’t have been able to trust it otherwise—and certainly neither would Erica.

As a parent myself, I found Erica’s emotions around dating to be relatable and true. It’s so hard not to lose yourself in parenting, and you have to make the conscious decision to make time for you to be a “person” outside of that role. As a single parent, Erica feels the added pressure of trying to be everything to her daughter. It’s so easy to think that our kids should be our sole focus all the time. Sure, for a period of time after they’re born, that is how it needs to be, but as kids age, it’s necessary to have an identity outside of “parent” and to be a whole person. With that said, it is often incredibly hard to balance these roles and responsibilities, and to do so without feeling guilt is near impossible. A.L. presents that dilemma in a realistic way, though you can’t help but hope Erica allows herself the happiness she deserves. I also loved the multigenerational parenting that occurred in this story. Erica’s mom is such a huge part of helping raise Kayla, and we see that the concern for your kids never goes away—even when they are grown.

At its heart, this feels like a story about letting go of the past and being willing to be brave enough to see a brighter future. Things can always go wrong, hearts can always be broken, but sometimes those risks are worth taking. Both Erica and Abby have things to lose, but they both also have everything to gain.

Kayla, Erica’s daughter, is cute and precocious. She’s a good kid, and it’s clear in the story that Abby’s reluctance isn’t about Kayla, but about the undertaking of caring for another human being. The way Abby and Kayla’s relationship grows is sweet and organic. Kayla asked Santa for another mom, and the journey to that answer is complicated and real.

While this story has many sweet moments, and I appreciated that any angst along the way was dealt with in a timely manner, it should also be noted that this certainly has some steam that not just Erica and Abby appreciated! Although Erica has known she was bisexual since she was a teenager, she’s never physically been with a woman before, and A.L. builds that tension between her and Abby incredibly well. There is something delicious about the fake dating trope, especially when it’s clear both main characters are fighting that attraction. The series of dates, including skating and romantic dinners, offer plenty of situations for that tension to build and grow.

This is a great book to kick off November!

I really enjoyed the last book I read from this author, but I found this one disappointing. I just couldn’t fully get on board with the premise. Without giving away too many spoilers, the way that the fake dating situation came about was both unethical and far fetched.

It's that time of year where the holiday romances come out and I love a good romance set around Christmas. Make Her Wish Come True is a very sweet holiday read, filled with festive cheer and the possibility of love.

The fake-dating trope is used a little differently in this novel, and without giving away any spoilers, I quite liked the change up. I enjoyed this novel mainly for its authentic characters who grapple with real-life issues, adding depth and relatability to the story.

However, the connection between the charming Santa Letter theme and the contrived fake dating plot felt tenuous, and it was a bit of a struggle to stay invested in the strange storyline. Regardless, it remains a warm, enjoyable tale perfect for those seeking a light-hearted, seasonal escape.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

A light, engaging read, starting with a letter to Santa, with a girl's wish for her mum to have a partner, so she gets to see her mum more. It was interesting that the girl wanted two mums and not two parents, I would have welcomed more exploration of this. I was glad that the deceitful premise was soon ditched in favour of honesty, as that made it easier to relax into the story. The writer creates a good sense of place and time of year through the changing climate which I enjoyed. The characters were believable and Kayla's enthusiasm for healing animals was adorable, overall an enjoyable story.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a lovely, cozy slow burn, perfect to enjoy in a snuggly sweater along with cup of hot cocoa. I’m not usually big on kids, fictional or otherwise, but Kayla was absolutely adorable and stole my heart. Abby and Erica had wonderful chemistry and such a beautiful relationship together. Abby’s sister and Erica’s mother were also both extremely lovable, though I do feel like Abby’s friend Stacey was very manipulative and got let off the hook way too easily.

If you’re a Grinch about Christmas like me, this book will easily make your heart grow three sizes.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

I love fake romances. Abby is a journalist where her coworker suggests she fakes a romance to help advance her career. They receive a letter from a young girl (Kayla) intended for Santa wishing her mother would find love. Erica (Kayla’s mom) agrees to date Abby when Abby discloses her plan. This was a sweet romance with a well developed plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I so love the fake romance turn real romance book and this one doesn't disappoint!
Abby, Erica & Kayla are the main characters in this book. It all centers around Erica's daughter, Kayla,and her letter to Santa wishing for her Mom to find someone to love. This letter went to a newspaper that published it. Abby works at the newspaper and her friend, Stacy is a journalist at the paper too. Stacy and Abby revisit the stories to see if Santa brought them what they wanted. Stacy thinks it would be a great idea for Abby to pretend to date Kayla's mom, Erica and have the paper follow their relationship.
So, it begins as doing things so the fake romance seems real. Of course, that turns into a real romance.
If you love fake romance turn real romance stories, this is one for you!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cute little romance about a single mom and one hoping to climb the career ladder. It was an easy read and the perfect book for a quick, light read. The characters were likable, and the story was cute. This would be a great premise for a Hallmark Channel movie.

What happens when you don't like kids so a relationship with someone with a child is a no no? Well you've got to read Brooks' latest to discover how Abby's steadfast resolve slowly crumbles after meeting Erica and her daughter Kayla. Fake dating to advance a career, a letter to Santa, cute kid and some heat .... it's all in the storyline. Yes, it's a well used trope but with deft writing, some bumps along the way, touches of drama, angst, match making and the stark realization of love and family this turns into a delightful holiday romance.
Brooks knows how to warm my heart!