This YA romance is a fun and heartwarming holiday read that blends winter vibes with relatable teen experiences. The story follows Tia and Quincy, who fake date during the Christmas season, and while the romance is sweet, it's the messy, yet endearing, characters that make this book stand out. If you’ve ever had a bad high school relationship or dealt with complicated friendships, you’ll find something to connect with in this story. The dynamics between Tia and Quincy are charming, though some of their interactions can feel cringey, adding to the book’s overall YA authenticity.

While the writing style has its flaws, like repetitive phrasing and some unrealistic character traits (such as underage drinking and cussing from a character who’s meant to be under 18), the fun family dynamics and winter setting make it an enjoyable quick read. There are plenty of cute moments, but the story could have been tighter—some sections feel a bit long, which impacts the pacing towards the end.

Overall, Take Me Home is a great choice for those looking for a light, drama-filled romance with a mix of fake dating, troubled exes, and feel-good moments. It's perfect for a cozy winter read, though with some minor distractions in the writing and character choices.

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.

Only For the Holidays is a cute YA romance to get you into the Christmas spirit! Great characters and keeps you interested throughout.

After completely falling in love with love in winter wonderland I was so excited for this one and it id not disappoint! I absolutely adored our main characters. Their romance was messy and they had lots to learn and work through but it was perfect and reminiscent of the average teenage romance.

Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello is a charming and festive romance that combines the magic of the holiday season with themes of love, self-discovery, and new beginnings. The story follows two characters who find themselves entangled in a holiday romance, navigating the complexities of their growing feelings against the backdrop of family, traditions, and unexpected challenges. Bello's writing is warm and engaging, capturing the joy and emotional depth of the season while exploring the characters’ personal growth. With its blend of romance, humor, and heart, Only for the Holidays is a perfect read for anyone looking for a sweet, feel-good holiday romance.

Despite knowing that contemporary romance books are not my cup of tea, I still decided to read Only for the Holidays, which has a bit of swearing and no on-page spice beyond tension/kisses. In truth, I found this book’s pacing to be more satisfyingly executed than most. However, my grievances stem from the dull plot, the mediocre characters and the way that Tia/Quincy dealt with their overarching conflicts. I honestly felt that Tia was quite whiny. That and her prickly personality truly deterred me from connecting with her. :/ Quincy, however, was nice enough, I suppose, though too hung up on the past. Perhaps it has something to do with EVERY single character bringing up his ex girlfriend 24/7. I would like to conclude by mentioning that this is not to say that this book is not worth reading, but rather a reflection of my struggle to find contemporary romance books that I find even a teensy bit enjoyable. Anyway, I still recommend reading Only for the Holidays if the book description entices you xoxo

This Christmas read was a pleasant surprise. I loved reading this story and was immediately drawn in by the prose. Would read again and again! Pretty sure Santa is going to slip a copy into my stocking this year, wahoo!

This read was something I didn’t know I needed. It was a breath of fresh air as I witnessed Quincy’s and Tia’s relationship evolve. Quincy a young man with a broken heart taking it day by day. Tia a young lady who is trying to hold on to what she thinks is love with both hands. Now let’s sprinkle in a little holiday magic with family, friends and a couple of hiccups along the way and you have the perfect YA holiday romance. This was a holiday movie in a book and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I thought the story was cute, but the writing style wasn't for me. A lot of the writing felt like it came straight out of the character's diaries, not characters developing in a novel. The relationship was sweet and the characters were frustrating which fit with them being 17-18.

Thank you NetGalley and Soho teen for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Reading this book around the Christmas holiday was such a treat! Quincy and Tia finding each other after relationship problems. and the inevitable fake dating trope has peek cozy holiday romance vibes!

This book touches on insecurities, teenage half baked ideas, and overall managing feelings and romance as a young adult.

I waited longer than I intended, but I'm glad I read this book around the Christmas holiday!!

This was a really fun and cute holiday read! I enjoyed it so much while reading it during this time of the Month, so thank you so so much to NetGalley and Soho Teen for providing me with an arc copy of this one!
This one is a city girl meets country guy on a small english christmas town and (obviously) they fall in love during the holidays, it was a really fun YA christmas novel, perfect for this time of the year, and with great family relationships.
I would have loved for them to "hate" eachother a bit more and for Tia not to be so "pick me girl", but all in all, really fun and fast to read :)
3,75 stars.

Okay, first of all, I really liked the setting of this book. It had the perfect Christmas-y and Bridgerton vibes and I was living in it. Tia and Quincy were totally cute and I was looking forward to seeing how both of them deal with their predicaments.

One thing that stuck with me the most is the lovely family dynamics of this book. Both of them love their family so much, and I appreciated how the romance bit of the novel incorporated the family as well.

I’m not usually a fan of cheesy romances, but I can always appreciate a good Christmas read to set the holiday vibe. This one has all the festive feels—snowstorms, small-town drama, and just the right amount of chaos.

Tia’s city-girl energy clashing with Quincy’s small-town charm made for some fun moments, especially with their whole fake relationship situation. Between falling into horse manure (yikes!) and preparing for the Winter Ball, there’s enough going on to keep things light and entertaining. If you’re in the mood for a cozy, holiday read this season, this might just be it.

I rarely read Holiday themed books when it's not the holiday season because I want to be fully immersed in the holiday vibe, irl and in my fictional world at the same time.

But I did not hesitate to sign up when I opened the email offer from @hearourvoicestours for a chance to read Only For The Holidays. I read Abiola's previous book Love in Winter Wonderland last year and enjoyed it. She writes YA stories the way I love them; cute and fun with the typical teenage chaos that most of us can understand or relate to.

I finished Only For The Holidays and when I tell you I LOVED it, I LOVED IT! This Christmas themed, coming of age, romance story did not disappoint! Mrs. S dropped some parenting gems in her conversations with Tia that had me snapping my fingers! My only disappointment was the ending, which suits the title, but I couldn't help but want more. It felt a bit rushed and I wasn't ready for Quincy and Tia to end yet but nevertheless I'm ready for more Holiday themed books bonus if they are cute YA stories like this one!

This is my first time reading a book by Abiola Bello and I must say that I enjoyed the Christmas holiday and Y/A theme. Tia is a city girl from London on break from her boyfriend and finds herself at Saiyan Hedge Farm with her mother. Tia has an instant dislike of the farm and has no desire to be there. Qunicy is a country boy and his family runs the farm. The Winter Ball is on the way and Quincy and his family will be hosting it. Tia and Mike are dating but when he ask Tia for space she is definitely not a happy camper. Quincy is going thru a break up. Quincy finds himself in a dilemma when with no date for the Winter Ball even though he has informed everyone that he has a date. With Tia and Quincy both being without a dates for the Winter Ball they both embark on fating dating each other. Not a bad idea because they are both great for each other. So, what happens when their fake dating turns into the real deal. What is going on with Mike, will he cause problems for Tia and Quincy. This a great read and the book cover is awesome. I don’t get a chance to read many YA books but this is one that I recommend reading.

I received an ARC via Netgalley and Soho Press / Soho Teen I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello is a charming, heartwarming romance that will sweep you off your feet. Bello’s witty writing and lovable characters bring to life a story filled with love, family, and the magic of the holiday season. A perfect feel-good read that leaves you with a smile, making it ideal for fans of festive, romantic comedies.

This was a cute romance between two 18 year olds navigating relationship drama around the holidays. While the central romance is fulfilled, there are side character arcs that feel incomplete. It also felt unrealistic that finances never came up considering they are on opposite ends of the financial spectrum.

I loved Love In Winter Wonderland, so I was ecstatic to hear that Abiola Bello was releasing a new holiday book, and it did not disappoint. The characters, the setting, and the storyline were all fantastic. This book is perfect for anyone who is looking for a cute and quick read over their holiday break.

Tia's heart is broken when her boyfriends asks for a "break." She and her family head out on a Christmas vacation where she meets Quincy, who also recently had his heart shattered. They make a fake dating deal and fight their attraction while trying to figure out where they stand with their exes. This was a fun, holiday read! I felt the pacing was put on fast forward at one point but, overall, I enjoyed it.

This was such a cute and cozy read. Truly a sweet a romance that felt like reading hot cup of tea. Delightful, sweet and really shit the spot for my first Christmas read of the year. It warmed my heart! I loved the relationship between Tia and Quincy infused with the family dynamics on both sides. Truly reminding me that the end of a relationship that you thought might last forever is not the end of your story.