A multilayered story centered around a fake boyfriend trope. The two main characters Mia and Brax dated briefly but Mia didn’t tell her family that they broke up. He agrees to pose as her fake boyfriend for the holiday weekend. It quickly becomes a second chance romance, but both of them have issues to work through. I really liked the dual point of view, Mia’s family, and the epilogue. The author gives a content warning for childhood cancer, I would also advise there is limited swearing, references to sex, fade to black romance scenes, and death of a sibling. It was a quick, entertaining read. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I received an advanced copy via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

I love holiday books and this one was so delightful! I highly recommend curling up with a blanket by the fire and reading for that warm and fuzzy feeling!

Miranda Liasson is one of a very few authors whose books I buy without hesitation because she can beautifully incorporate heavier themes that poke at a reader's emotions and talk about hard things, and yet her books always leave me feeling happy and hopeful. This is one of those books.

I have to confess that this review is difficult to write because the book was very hard for me to read from the first pages. Please keep in mind that this is my personal experience, your mileage will vary! Being a 24/7 caregiver who has gone through a hard (and continuing) battle with leukemia with my dad, and then a battle breast cancer with my mom (also ongoing) both in the last five years, there were some still-exposed-nerves hit for me that other readers might not have. I say this not to discourage you from reading this, because the hard parts of the story are actually really handled beautifully and respectfully, but just sharing my personal experience that it wasn't easy to read. I shed more than a few tears reading this one that I didn't expect from a holiday story. This is why I always have kleenex on hand when reading a Miranda book.

Although the heavier themes were harder for me, I adored the scenes where Brax and Mia went to her hometown. It was so realistic, and it really was like a Hallmark movie (that's a compliment) and I devoured every moment in that world happily. I wish I lived somewhere like that. I would never leave. And the humor in the book did add a levity and lightness that made it a great holiday read. (SLIGHT SPOILER to the end of this paragraph.) I especially loved the scene at the party. The confrontation could have gone so many ways, but I really loved the way the way it did. From the dress to the shoes to the conclusion of the drama, it wasn't perfect and it was everything that I could have wanted from the whole situation.

If you're looking for a light, fluffy, emotion-free book for the holidays, this isn't necessarily that, BUT(!) it is a beautiful, well written book with Christmas scenes that are painted so perfectly they could be a painting, and hope for the future, so you should give this one a read.

(Posted to Amazon as a verified purchase review, but the review is pending)

Mia D’Angelo is going home for Christmas. It has been a long year as she is a third-year pediatric resident and does not get a lot of time off. She also has promised her parents that she will bring her boyfriend Brax along for the holidays. There is just one little problem. Brax and Mia broke up months ago and she did not have the heart to tell her parents as her mom was struggling with a health crisis. The countdown is on and Mia is trying to find a Brax replacement.

When Braxton Hughes finds out Mia need a fake boyfriend for Christmas, he is a little weary. He was dating Mia, but broke it off because he does not do long term relationships. They are still friends, but Braxton can not stand the idea that she will take someone else home, so he offers to go along.

What transpires is a family full of warmth ready to welcome Braxton into their family. How long can Mia and Brax keep up the charade? Will the magic of Christmas find it’s way into their hearts?

MirandaLiasson brings us another heartfelt Christmas novel full of family, small town folks and the hope of love. The novel does touch on the loss of loved ones, but it is so beautifully written into the story that I could not imagine it without. The characters are so loveable and you can not help but fall in love them all. I was also excited to see that this is the first book in the Doctors of Oak Bluff series, so I am already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. My sincere thanks to the author Miranda Liasson and Hawthorne House Press for my advanced copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily. Come home for the holidays with Mia and Brax.

Wonderfully romantic and richly emotional, Mia and Brax’s story really tugs at the heartstrings. Both find relationships difficult because of childhood trauma, but ultimately Brax is there for Mia when she needs him. It’s hard to categorize this book as it’s both a fake relationship and second chance romance, since Mia didn’t tell her sick mother that things with Brax were over. It’s sweet and hopeful, despite the theme of childhood cancer and leaves you feeling happy and upbeat. It’s the first in a series and I’m looking forward to exploring subsequent books.

This book was such a heartfelt book that it made me cry. I really liked Mia and how her losing her twin sister at a young age to leukemia led her to become a pediatric doctor in a children's hospital in Wisconsin. I also liked Brax, who worked at the hospital too. The book was special because both characters needed to overcome their pasts in order to have a future they longed for. I was drawn to the characters, their strengths and their vulnerabilities. The more I got to know Brax the more I liked him. He was such a charismatic, loveable character. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

Brax and Mia work together and briefly dated. They are still friends, but the mutual attraction they share is still there just under the surface.

When Mia needs a fake boyfriend to take home for the holidays, Brax offers to help. It doesn't take long before their feelings come to the surface and they fall even deeper for one another. I liked the dual POV because you get to understand their motivations and relationship fears. It allowed me to better connect with them both.

I liked Mia and understood how she thought she was doing what was best even when she should have just been honest. She had a good heart and was a relatable character. Her and Brax were well matched and the story flowed well.

Take Me Home for Christmas by Miranda Liasson is book one of a brand-new series, The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff . I didn’t realize this at first but so glad to begin reading the first of the series. A story sensitive to the work done by these pediatric residents and doctors, romantic yet still full of the struggles that they have been through to get to this place in their lives.

Truly a heartwarming holiday romance that includes Mia D’Angelo, third-year pediatric resident, as well as Dr. Braxton Hughes. Their fake relationship did not start out as fake but ended months before this story or the dating became serious. Strong on emotionally complexity and love for family, I enjoyed it immensely especially the marvelous epilogue. A story for the holidays but also anytime you need a pick-me-up romance.

Take Me Home for Christmas is book 1 in the Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff by Miranda Liasson and a great start to this series. 4.5 stars

Such a sweet Christmas story filled with laughter, romance, white lies, second chances, some angst, fake dating, letting go of the past to find their HEA…read on for Brax and Mia’s story

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley
. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my, I couldn't have loved this Christmas story more! Beautifully written with a fun and entertaining storyline. This book has it all and draws you in from the first page. It's such a good read. and I loved all the characters. The humor and chemistry was everything I could have wanted. A cute holiday romance that is warm, witty, and absolutely wonderful. I just loved it.!

Mia D’Angelo, a third-year paediatric resident, finds herself in desperate need of a boyfriend, after she tells her mother that she has met the One, just to keep her happy when she was ill. However, Mia then has to find the perfect guy to bring home for Christmas. After asking every man that she knows, except for Dr. Braxton Hughes, the biggest commitment-phobe this side of the Mississippi. As she is about to leave, Braxton offers up his assistance.
This is sweet, clean romance between two very likeable characters. The second chance romance was a surprise, which seemed a first to be a fake date. There was plenty of enjoyable banter between Mia and Brax, which lightened up the mood when it dealt with some issues. A warning that the first chapter explores childhood cancer.
This book I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Enjoyed reading this piece. I've been having a slump for a month now and this book cures it. It's fast paced and easy to follow. Although it sometimes seem like reading a fairytale (it is a fairytale Wana lil) that is too good to be true but hey a little sparkle doesn't hurt. Needed this pick me up to lighten my mood. Would love to read the next book in this series soon ❤

I enjoyed reading Take Me Home for Christmas by Miranda Liasson. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Take Me Home for Christmas was so good. I really enjoyed Mia and Brax's emotional second chance romance. I loved their special gifts for each other and the ending was perfect!

What a wonderful book!! It has Christmas the perfect romance, a dog and sadly the word we all dread Cancer but not all people with the C have a sad ending. I love how dedicated Mia is and she is a lovely character. I cried and then I laughed!

Mia D’Angelo is a third year pediatric resident. She loves it. Mia had tragedy in her young life when she lost her twin sister to cancer so many years ago. She also had been hurt before by her cheating ex. Every time she goes home for Christmas, she stays away from her old friends because she’s embarrassed. Will she let that go? She didn’t do anything wrong and she has nothing to be embarrassed about. She’s also competing with Dr. Braxton Hughs. They had a brief affair before he broke it off. They work together and he’s technically her boss. They are also completing against each other for the same job. Who will win? Brax had a hard life too. He and sister were put in foster care and were separated. He never lost touch with her. He made it on his own. He and his sister both made it against all odds. They are very close now. As Christmas approaches, Brax offers to help Mia with her little problem. She told her mother she was still dating Brax because when he broke up with her, her mother just found out she had cancer. She didn’t want her mother to worry about her. He will he be fake boyfriend. Can the two pull it off? Can they fight their red hot chemistry? As they spend time together, can they confide in each other about their past? Can the two heal each other? Will her mother get better? Who will get the job? Both characters are wonderful. They’re kind, loving, have big hearts, deserve the job and to be happy. Sometimes you just have to look at what’s in front of you to find your soulmate. The one who can heal you and help you move forward to the future. WORTH THE READ. It’s emotional, but it all will work out in the end. A Christmas miracle. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

Oh what fun it is to go on a Christmas ride with Miranda Liasson! In her latest, Take Me Home for Christmas, we meet Mia, a pediatric resident, whose tight knit family has overcome more than their share of loss and adversity. In attempt to cheer her mother, she lies about having the perfect boyfriend and commits to bringing him home for Christmas. Enter Brax Hughes, fellow doctor and previous liaison, who agrees to fill in as Mia’s fake boyfriend. The chemistry between these two jumps off the page (cue the mistletoe!), and there connection grows deeper as they return to her hometown and reveal more of themselves to each other. Treat yourself to a Yuletide happily ever after with the first in this new series from Miranda Liasson!

Oh my gosh....another wonderful, heartwarming story from Miranda Liasson. This book has all the "feels" a well written and good story should.
It has all the things I enjoy.......emotional, heartwarming & sweet moments, medical story line, love of family and loyalty, friendships, romance, holiday season and yes, even a dog!!!!
I couldn't put the book down for long because I wanted to see how this would all end.
Any time I read a book by this author I know it is going to be a winner! I was fortunate to receive an early copy and I highly recommend it if you like this type of story.

This story is sweet, poignant, and inspiring. And fun! I cared about the main characters as they wrestled with their personal demons and expectations.

I really liked the growth of the characters in this book. Brax learns how to see his worth and how to be in a relationship. Mia learns how to use her past experiences to help others and to have a relationship that works.