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

Thank you NetGalley, Hawthorne House Press and Miranda Liasson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate that the author has a trigger warning at the beginning of this book as it discusses off page childhood cancer loss and current children cancer patients in treatment.

As a Wisconsin native, I enjoyed this being based in WI and loved the nod to our obsession with cheese.

Brax and Mia dated earlier in the year but broke up because they would be working together. However, Mia couldn’t break it to her mom and instead kept pretending they were still dating. Fast forward to Christmas, when Mia is expected to bring home her boyfriend….only one person can help her out - Brax.

The normal “fake dating” trope is great but I enjoyed seeing the characters each work through some of their own stuff as well (childhood abandonment/feeling not good enough, perfectionism/needing to keep everyone happy, etc) and push each other up open up.

My biggest complaint is the cover - that is a puppy (not a dog that’s been with the family for years) and not even a dachshund!)

Closed door. Fake dating. Only one bed. Second chance.

Every book that I have read by Miranda, I have loved reading. Take Me Home For Christmas is one of her best. I truly think this story would make for a wonderful Hallmark Christmas movie. From the beautiful cover to the end of the book, it captured a love story of a couple named Mia and Brax. Two doctors who worked hard on their careers and showed love for their families and each other. If you like a great Christmas story to read during the holidays, this is the book for you!

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

A wonderful second chance Christmas romance!

Mia failed to tell her parents that her boyfriend dumped her months ago, yet she acted like they’re still together. Now they expect to meet Brax when she comes home for Christmas. What’s a girl to do? Come up with a fake boyfriend and try to get through the visit without them finding out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love this story of Mia and Brax. You will definitely have a lot of “feels” as you get to know them, their families, and their friends. You will get to live through the ups and downs of real life. This is a great Christmas story with wonderful characters. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Oh, dear God, how I loved this book! Mia and Braxton are perfect for each other. And right from the beginning you can feel the tension between them. It's like this invisible cord that just seems to pull each other right to them without them even trying.

Mia and Braxton have both had a lot of traumatic experiences happen in their life, though neither one of them knows it. They'd have to let their guards down around each other in order for them to learn that. Mia had told her mom about having a boyfriend and she was supposed to bring him home for Christmas.

Luckily, Braxton ends up understanding the situation and goes with it. He doesn't want anything permanent. And that's all she wants; all she craves but she doesn't want to let him in on how much she wants that. With her mom having gotten cancer, and now free of it, she feels like everything is extra fragile and she just wants to get through the weekend. However, the more time she spends with Brax and around her family, the more he seems to seep deeper into her soul.

Brax, likewise, is having a hard time being around her without thinking things might be different this time. Will it though? Can he get past all the barriers he has set up for himself to protect himself from her? Only time will tell.

This is an absolutely beautiful story. I loved it so much. I cried in several spots. I couldn't help myself. The moments written were just so utterly perfect and beautiful. I loved loved loved this book so much. It put me right into the Christmas spirit and I am already planning on a re-read closer to Christmas time. I cannot recommend this book more.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Miranda Liasson for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are mine and are completely honest.

This holiday story hit all of the emotions. I laughed, cried and loved the story from beginning to end. Mia and Brax were a perfect fit even if Brax denied it. The story was fun and so full of heart. I really went through the spectrum of emotions through the story. I enjoyed the main characters and loved Mia's family. This is a perfect holiday book that is best enjoyed with some Christmas music in the background and a cup of hot chocolate. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Enjoyable Christmas romp in Wisconsin country! Mia, a pediatric resident, in a career inspired by the loss of her sister to leukemia when they were young.
Brax, also pediatric resident, inspired by another pediatrician that took him under his wing and supported him through medical school.
Both are very accomplished and in fact vying for the same position in the medical group.
Due to a series of events Brax ends up going home with Mia for Christmas as her pretend boyfriend, although both have major feelings for each other. Spending time with Mia's family and outside of work let's those feelings really come to the forefront.
The supporting cast is great and there is definitely room for more stories about this family.
The conflict is mild (around the new job) with assumptions made, but they are resolved pretty easily.
Steam is mild as well, but there's plenty lead up.
Only nitpicky issue was both characters broke the 4th wall with their internal monolog once which was a little distracting.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Miranda Liasson, and Hawthorne House Press for this advanced read in exchange for my honest review.

Wow…. This one grabbed my heart. Miranda being the sweet dear that she is put a trigger warning in this book. At first, that did give me pause because of it being a Christmas book. But because I know Miranda, I knew she would be able to pull this off with no problem. And boy did she.

Such a beautiful story about family, tragedy, and loss. About a young man who made it on his own against all odds. This is Mia and Braxton’s story and it is a lovely one.

Mia and Brax meet each other have a quick fling and then Brax finds out that he’s technically Mia’s boss. And also he feels that he’s not worthy of relationship so he shuts it down immediately. They have remained friends, as they work together in the same hospital. But the attraction is definitely there still.

Mia‘s mom was battling cancer and loved hearing stories about Mia and Brax thinking that they were still a couple. Mia didn’t have the heart to tell her that they had broken up. She felt that the stories that she was telling her mom was helping her deal with her cancer and chemo and everything else. But now it’s time to go home for Christmas and they want Brax to come home with Mia. So the funny thing is it turns out that Brax does go home with her and act as her fake boyfriend. He gets along very well with her family and things are going absolutely fine. Until the secret comes out that the job that they have both been competing for has somewhat been offered to Brax! He didn’t mean to keep this from Mia. They had just agreed not to talk about work.

Brax was called back to the hospital early. Leaving Mia and their relationship hanging on a shoestring.

You definitely need to read the story to find out how it all turns out. Even though it has its sad parts in it, it is still definitely a Christmas miracle book.

I highly recommend this book and any other of Miranda’s books that you happen to come across. She is a fantastic writer.

Such a sweet, heartwarming holiday read.
Miranda Liasson has truly captured the best of holiday emotions.
Mia and Brax are doctors in a children's hospital on the cancer ward who are really good friends (but have been more in the past). They are both beautiful souls with secrets in their past that the other doesn't know. Secrets that are specific causes as to why they walk through life the way they do in the present.
Mia's wanting to ensure a happy holiday for her family is the reason that she has to find someone to play the part of her fake boyfriend that she has been embellishing to her mom. Her first string fake boyfriend can't make it leaving her in a lurch and this is where Brax inevitably steps in. He is so kind and doesn't judge in a situation where judging would be at least a little warranted. I found myself rooting for these two from the start. The way they worked through their walls and worked through all sorts of heavy and typical situations with their friends and families really won me over. It was a story that felt very real and plausible, almost like it was someone's memoir of one of the hardest yet most beautiful times in their lives.
The elements of humor, support, kindness, protection, big brother hijinks, heartfelt moments, facing your past, and realizing the right future isn't always what you plan made this a five star read for me. Thank you Miranda Liasson for sharing this story, I can't wait to return to the doctors of Oak Bluff in future books.

A totally feel good romance that feels like a warm blanket on christmas even. Mia and Brax are co-doctors, who briefly dated before, but Brax broke it off. He has commitment issues, she has a cheating boyfriend who dumped her and a very sick mom. Mias family now wants to meet her perfect boyfriend, so Brax volunteers for the role. Both of them are super nice and need to work on their issues together to find their romance.

Heart warming and a perfect holiday rear.

#netgalley #TakeMeHomeForChristmas

If you love a good Holiday romance, this book will hit the spot. Mia D'Angelo is third-year pediatric resident. When she thought she met Mr Right, she told her mom. When her boyfriend, Dr. Braxton Hughes realizes that they will be working together, he dumps her. At the same time, Mia finds out that her mother has cancer, so she keeps up the perfect boyfriend updates with her mom, so she doesn’t worry. Now months later, her mom is better and wants to meet her boyfriend home for Christmas. She desperately tries to find someone to be her fake boyfriend, but the only person willing to do it is her ex, Braxton. This is a wonderful second chance/fake relationship romance with really likable characters. This book does deal with childhood cancer, so be aware. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

I received an arc from the author for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book.
Everything about it from start to finish was just perfect for me. It is a second chance, work based romance book with Christmas added in, what isn't to love about that!
This defiantly wont be the last Miranda Liasson book I will read as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!