Holiday cheer abounds in this heartwarming story. Mia wants to make her family happy. She even made up a fake boyfriend. The moment of truth has arrived. She needs a fake boyfriend. Brax and Mia dated for a short period of time, but Brax is not the guy you are looking for if you want a relationship. Mr. Wrong cannot possibly be Mr. Right.

They are both pediatric doctors who are competing for the same position. So, now you have added another obstacle to get in their way. But sometimes Cupid comes calling when it is least expected.

The fake dating trope is always interesting to read about, and this one was a lot of fun. All of the characters were unique and engaging. I love to read a romance, but a Christmas romance just makes it a little sweeter. You can never go wrong with anything this author pens, as she has a special knack for the sweet side of romance.

Thank you to Hawthorne House Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A life canvas that speaks volumes. From over the top to sentimental, Liasson takes emotions on a tempting rollercoaster that the heart won't soon forget. Take Me Home For Christmas reads like a holiday card. A reminder of humor, heart and hope that captivates the senses and touches the soul.

This is a marvelous story that had me laughing one moment and so teary I could barely read the next. Mia D'Angelo and Braxton Hughes are meant for each other but they refuse to acknowledge it. When Mia has been feeding her mom a fictional account of her Romance with Brax who she broke up with months ago she is stuck. Her mom who is recovering from cancer is expects her to bring her boyfriend home for Christmas. Brax agrees to go and it really gets interesting. There is a lot of emotion around a lost sibling, sick children, and cancer but it is all artfully handled by the author. The secondary characters and back stories add richness to the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Read it to be swept away in a great feel good story.

Take Me Home For Christmas
The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff Series - Book 1
By Miranda Liasson

October 2024

Contemporary Romance


Mia D'Angelo cared deeply. She cared for the patients at the children's hospital where she worked and, even more so, her family. That was the only explanation she could have for the difficulty she found herself in. It hadn't started out as a lie. She had been dating Dr Braxton Hughes, and she had told her family. She found him engaging, attentive, attractive, and basically everything she'd want in a partner. And she had relayed all this to her family. All was true. She simply had kept to herself the part where he'd dumped her.

Mia's mother had been going through treatments for breast cancer and she hadn't wanted to upset or worry her. So she had continued to tell truthful tales of the wonderful Brax Hughes, only leaving out that he was now her ex. Now they expected her to bring him home for Christmas, and she was out of options as to who she could ask to be her fake boyfriend.

Brax couldn't have found a better person than Mia, but he had numerous reasons he wasn't the best person for her. He continued to look forward to working with her, and no, he wasn't jealous when that annoying Drake claimed Mia needed him for something. What could Mia possibly need from Drake that he couldn’t do for her?

Next thing he knew, he was volunteering to pretend to be, well, himself, but also Mia's boyfriend. His childhood didn't have magical Christmas memories, but the D'Angelo family appeared to be picture perfect. But not everything is as it seems. Years earlier, cancer had taken Mia's twin, and now her mother was a cancer survivor. Life gives everyone challenges, and Brax has to decide whether the challenges of his past will prevent him from accepting the brilliant future he could have with Mia.

Take Me Home For Christmas is an emotional read. First, there is a Trigger Warning regarding childhood cancer. The story starts with Mia telling of her sister and how her death affected her. It was intense, especially when you later learn that her mother had been battling cancer. Which was why the family's holiday was extra special that year. It was enjoyable to experience their traditions and her brothers' ribbing of Brax. Everyone was simply entertaining. The romance between Mia and Brax felt true. There had never been a lack of feeling, just the need to let go of the past. I am excited to see that this is now a series and look forward to the next story.



Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

Miranda Liaason has a talent for creating believable characters and situations that make the reader want more. Take Me Home for Christmas does not disappoint. It has humor and an original storyline with romance without unnecessarily explicit scenes.

This book was a little different from Ms. Liasson’s previous books in that it deals with the difficult subject of a family’s loss of a child to leukemia. There is some sadness, but also a lot of humorous scenes.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to Ms. Liasson’s next one. Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The beginning of a new series from Miranda Liasson. I really enjoy medical romances so that already upped my pleasure in the story. Mia D’Angelo is a third year pediatric resident. She has been telling her mother about her boyfriend for the last year and now she needs to bring him home for the holidays. She and Dr. Braxton Hughes actually dated a few weeks but he broke it off asking to remain friends when he realized he was going to be over her as chief resident.

Another Dr. friend was going to pose as Brax to her family but has other plans. Brax is a good guy and volunteers to take his place. So this is a fake relationship but they’ve shared intimacies and are familiar with each other. They know each other as caring doctors but the trip to her hometown gives them time to learn more about one another. He grew up in foster care and is fascinated by her welcoming family. Mia has avoided going home as her ex boyfriend who she was involved with for six years is still there.

This story works for me on many levels. It touched my emotions and let me feel the holiday spirit. The cover is cute but is the wrong dog breed from the story. I’ve read a couple of the author's previous series. And this is my first five star book for her. It is exactly what I wanted in a holiday romance.

I had a lot going on in my life and "Take Me Home for Christmas" was the escape I needed to destress and recharge. The timeline is a little tight, but I would still call this a second chance romance which is one of my favorite tropes. Add in a Christmas theme, a little bit of a the fake boyfriend trope, and this reader was very happy. I can't wait for more in the series.

I have loved all of Miranda Lissason books I've read over the years. This one included! She has done a wonderful job with Take Me Home for Christmas. I laughed, I cried and I routed for Mia and Brax. From the very start, you can feel the pull between both characters and just know that they belong together.

Take Me Home for Christmas is a touching story about two pediatric doctors who both would do anything for their patients and each other. The story starts off with Mia looking for a fake boyfriend to get through Christmas with her family but turns into so much more. Read along on Mia and Brax's journey that they take both together and separately to become the best versions of themselves while enjoying the Christmas holiday.

This is a must read book! Especially with the Holiday Season quickly coming upon us. Who doesn't love some romance and Christmas Cheer thrown together?

This book would be a perfect Hallmark Christmas movie! I am rooting for it 2025!!
If you like sweet romance, this author is for you. All of her books are low on steam but high in romance and love. Her characters are realistic with maybe a little more shine than realty but gee, real life is too real sometimes, you know what I mean?! They are people who you will want to have an HEA. In this story, the reader will especially feel that way about Mia who lost her twin sister when they were 8yo to cancer. Because of her family’s trials, Mia has become an exceptional pediatric resident. Her latest dilemma comes in bringing home her pretend boyfriend. Too complicated to explain here and should be read to appreciate. Brax hears through the very chatty grapevine that Mia needs a pretend date for Christmas weekend. He volunteers! This starts a chain of events which are funny, poignant, tearful, and fortuitous. My favorite two lines: about Gracie: “she lived in Technicolor” and from Brax: “I don’t want to dump you. I just want to deserve you.” You will learn about his troubled past and why he thinks that. Thoroughly loved this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of it through NetGalley.

This first story in the series , takes us to Oak Bluff and to a group of medical residents who are working non-stop to become physicians. One of them is Dr. Mia D’Angelo. Mia lost her twin sister Gracie to leukemia when she was very young. That loss inspired Mia to become a doctor working with kids with cancer.
Meanwhile Dr. Brax/Braxton Hughes. the chief resident for the 1 year residents, has worked hard to overcome adversity and get where to he is nowadays.
Last summer, these two had a short lived relationship. But when Brax broke up with Mia, he really left her heartbroken, though the attraction didn’t ameliorate.
When Mia is due to go home for Christmas, she finds herself in a bind. Mia had told her mother about this wonderful boyfriend, Brax, in order to keep her mother’s spirit high while she was undergoing chemo, never mentioning the break up. Brax offers to help and what starts as make believe becomes complicated.
Will they survive the holiday? Will seeing a real family have an effect on Brax? Will they both learn that love is possible in their lives?
This was a story about family. It’s a story about overcoming a great loss. It’s also a reminder that our past, especially that of a child, affects us as adults. Sometimes guiding us to become whom we are today.
A reminder that though life can be messing, finding “the One” , will make it all worthwhile.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

What a wonderful and heartfelt Christmas read.

Mia has a big dilemma when she led her mother to believe she was still in a relationship with Brax a fellow doctor. She was keeping her mother’s spirits up while she was undergoing cancer treatment. So, she just continued with fake relationship, until push comes to shove, and her mother wanted her to bring Brax home for Christmas, so Mia had to either tell her mother and break her heart or find someone to bring home for Christmas. When Brax hears of her situation, he volunteers for Christmas. But both Mia and Brax are keeping secrets and when they come out, can their newfound friendship and budding love find a way to a future not only in their medical careers but their love life too.

This story was so full of Christmas cheer and also a lot of heartfelt moments that you cannot help but love it. Mia and Brax are so suited together, and it takes Christmas and her family and friends to see that they are meant to be together. It will have you laughing at some of the antics in the hospital and have you also catching a falling tear as this has a lot of moments with children who are suffering with cancer and other medical afflictions. And Mia’s dog Cooper will bring a lot of wonderful moments to the story. And little Emma, Mia’s niece who just can’t wait for Christmas. This is a wonderful book full of Christmas and romance.

I fell in love with the cute cover and enjoyed this compelling and entertaining romance.
A mix of classic romance trope, a could be lover that is a bit unpredictable, Christmas with family that wants to meet your boyfriend.
Entertaining, recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really enjoyed this cute Christmas romance! I loved the workplace vibes along with the second chance between these two. I especially liked that the second chance only a six month time frame and it was more because of him not thinking he was good enough for anyone. I loved the fake dating and all the Christmas throughout. I’ve read this author before, so I knew going in what style of writing I was going to read, and it did not disappoint. If you are looking for a fade to black workplace Christmas romance, I highly suggest this one! I seriously didn’t want to put it down!

If you follow my reviews, then you know how much I love Christmas themed stories. Heck, all holiday stories are ones that I love to read. Just looking at the adorable cover got me in the mood.

This is a sweet, fun holiday story that I think you'll really enjoy. The characters are very likable and draw you in. You've got to love a fake dating romance. With this one there is a bit of a twist. At one time they did date but with them working together it was better off that they are friends. We all know how that works when you are really into someone.

As much as these two want each other they have different ideas on what their futures look like. Something we can all understand. You'll enjoy reading on how they work out their differences and watch them fall in love.

This is a sweet romance that you'll really enjoy. I will mention that for me the fact that the author wrote it in first person dimmed it for me. Not a fan of first person so those who also don't like that should know that. Everyone else, put this on your list of holiday reads.

A heart tugging wonderful Christmas story surrounding the special doctors who deal with children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Mia D’Angelo knows exactly what families suffer through when their child has cancer. Which has lead her to this calling, but fears keep her from her full potential.
Dr. Braxton Hughes the charming heartthrob on the ward had a short fling with Mia, but once he realized she will be working with him he breaks it off. A conflict of interest. But the feelings don’t go away and being just friends isn’t enough and when Mia needs a favor he jumps at the chance.
Love the characters and so happy that this will be a series. Thank you #NetGallery for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #TakeMeHomeForChristmas

Mia and Brax work at the same hospitals and previously dated, however Mia did not tell her family that her and Brax broke up now with the holidays coming up they are looking forward to meeting Brax. Mia now needs to come with a plan to bring a fake boyfriend.

Brax gets wind that Mia needs a fake boyfriend to bring home and steps up to help with her plan. Could they be around each for a period of time with not having feelings resurface? How will this pan out?

This is a feel good Christmas story, it'll make you cry a little, and make you laugh as they chase true life and figure out what's important and with such a sweet ending. The author does a good job writing these character's that you'll grow to love.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Pub Dat Oct 4, 2024

Take Me Home For Christmas
Miranda Liasson
October 04, 2024

When Dr. Mia D’Angelo gets a short break in her resident program, she plans to spend the four days at home for Christmas. Her mother is completing her chemo regimen and her outlook remained good. In return, Mia promised her mother that she would bring her boyfriend home with her if he was available in the rotation. What she did not want to let her family know was that Dr. Braxton Hughes, Mia’s long time love was not going to be with her. He had broken up with her after summer. Since then Mia has not had the strength to bring this to her family’s attention. As one thing led to another, she could find no doctor free to spend the time at her home in Wisconsin (as a stand in for Braxton.) She hated disappointing her mom but decided that she would arrive, then tell her folks that Brax could not accompany her.
Take Me Home For Christmas will be published by Hawthorne House Press on October 4, 2024. I was able to read Miranda Liasson’s latest novel via NetGalley with an invitation from her staff. I enjoyed this holiday book from start to finish. It was a delight yet many of Mia’s pediatric cancer visits with her patients were sad. Readers are aware of how devastating cancer can be. In children, it is a heart breaker for parents and family. It is one that should not be missed. Take Me Home For Christmas has its humor however and subsequently is a great holiday read. Do enjoy this one!

All the possible emotions are wrapped inside this wonderful Christmas story. From now on, when I think of Christmas story “must read for the season” books, this will be in the list. Loved it!

Another home run, from Ms. Liasson! I love Mia and Brax. Mia told her mom she was bringing a boyfriend home for Christmas.. Problem was she didn't have a boyfriend. Her friend was going to play her boyfriend. But he had to back out at the last minute. Next up, Her ex Brax steps up to be the pretend boyfriend. Will it be a disaster or will the find their happily ever after?

Mia lied to her mom with the best intentions -- embellishing stories of a relationship that no longer exists in order to keep her mom's spirits high through chemo. Mia also said she'd bring her boyfriend home for Christmas. ...Oops. Brax, her coworker and the guy she thought was The One but who ended it for reasons of his own before it could even really begin, offers to come with her. Can they play pretend for one weekend?

Tropes:
- fake dating
- second chance
- coworkers
- close family
- healing journeys
- closed door

I loved this book immediately and finished it in a day. The writing was cozy and welcoming. The story touched on big themes without getting too deep, keeping it on the lighter side but still heartfelt. The characters were likable and relatable too.

My primary gripe is this: Whenever an author writes "Dear Reader" or breaks the fourth wall (unless the book starts out that way and you know what I mean), I get an ick. It happened twice but I forgive it. I also wish there was some spice, but that's just personal preference. ;)

For personal reasons, this story was cathartic. My dad's identical twin died from cancer last year. Watching him wither away as he tried like hell to fight it... Nothing can adequately capture that experience, but I appreciated some moments of this book on a deeper level, And I thank the author for that.

This was my first book by Miranda Liasson and it definitely won't be my last. Excited for the rest of the series!

TW: cancer, sibling death