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!

A Heartwarming Small-Town Holiday Romance
by Miranda Liasson

Publisher: Hawthorne House Press
Publication Date: October 4, 2024
Genre: General Fiction (Adult)| Romance
Pages: 254
Rating: 5/5
Received: Advance Review Copy (ARC) from Victory Editing via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts:
This is the most comfortable book I've read this September. At first, this book will make you cry, but ultimately, it will wrap you in a warm hug and leave you feeling uplifted. A heartwarming, soothing, and sweet love story, this novel is a perfect escape from the intensity of modern romance.

Storyline:
Mia's heartbreaking experience of losing her twin sister to leukemia at 9 years old inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. Mia's determination to fight cancer and save lives as a Doctor.
Later, Mia met Dr. Braxton, and they started dating. But just as things were falling into place, Braxton ended their relationship, citing their workplace connection as a reason to keep things platonic.
Mia, however, had already introduced Braxton to her mother as her boyfriend. With Christmas approaching, her mother eagerly anticipated spending the holiday with him. Mia couldn't bear to disappoint her, especially after her recent recovery from breast cancer.
In a tricky spot, Mia thought about finding a fake boyfriend. But then Braxton surprisingly offered to pretend to be her partner for Christmas. Mia agreed, despite feeling a little awkward.
As they spent Christmas with Mia's family, something special happened. Their fake relationship turned into a real second chance.

Characters:
Mia D'Angelo: A compassionate and loving doctor, devoted to her family, relatable, intriguing, and entertaining, with a heart of gold.
Braxton Hughes: A strong, skilled doctor with a guarded heart, complex, wounded, learning to trust and love.
Writing Style:
Miranda Liasson's writing has left an indelible mark on my heart. Her remarkable writing style has captured my heart, seamlessly blending emotional resonance with expert pacing. I'm now a devoted fan, eager to explore her previous works and future works. I'm deeply grateful to Miranda Liasson for crafting this incredible book. Reading it evoked feelings that touched my heart in ways I never expected, leaving me with a profound sense of warmth and connection.

Themes:
Sisterly love and emotion
Family and Support
Health and Recovery
Self-Discovery and Acceptence
The Power of Love and Relationship

Trigger Warning:
This book tackles sensitive topics, so consider your emotional readiness before diving in, especially if you're experiencing grief or caring for a loved one with a serious illness.

Recommendation:
Seeking a heartwarming, feel-good romance? Look no further! This 5-star read is a balm for your soul.

Final Verdict:
A beautiful, emotional, and uplifting tale of love and redemption. Mia and Brax's story will capture your heart.

Rating Breakdown:
Character development: 5/5
Plot and pacing: 5/5
Emotional resonance: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5

Will I Recommend?: Absolutely!
Will I Re-Read?: Definitely!
Release Date: Mark your calendars for October 4, 2024.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from the Victory Editing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've always enjoyed Miranda Liasson's books and this was no exception. The story follows 2 pediatric residents as they visit Mia's family while pretending to be a couple. I enjoyed seeing how they both grew individually throughout the story.

Mia is a loving doctor and Brac is a strong doctor. They work together with a great group of friends. The scene development and character development were great. The emotions felt throughout this book were great.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down.

Thank you NetGalley and Hawthorne House Press for this advanced reader copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Wonderful holiday read! Thank you, Miranda Liasson for a story that made me smile & feel happy. 5 stars!

4.5 stars
While this story deals with some heavy subject matters, it does so with compassion and a depth hand. Those scenes brought tears to my eyes, but also a comforting warmth and relatability.

Brax and Mia are interesting, relatable, intriguing, complex, wounded, strong, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. These two are so much fun to spend time with. Brax is my new book boyfriend – his flaws and all. The secondary characters – including the dog – added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.

If you are currently dealing with grief or the illness of loved one, I would recommend this book with caution – because it may be trigging for you. It’s one to read when you are in that headspace to be able to handle the tough subject matter.

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

This was such a heartwarming tale. Brax and Mia are heading to her family’s home for the holidays. Brax and Mia broke up months ago but Mia hadn’t told her mother. Brax volunteered to help her out and as time passed , their true feelings were revealed. A misunderstanding occurs and will they be able to overcome their issues. This was a well written, sweet story that was a pleasure to read. I would recommend this book. I was given an arc from Net Galley but this is my honest review.

If you a looking for a cute, second chance Hallmark style romance, this one definitely fits the criteria. I really enjoyed both characters but just wish the book was a little longer. 3.75 stars