I really enjoy Mary Kay Andrews' Christmas books so was looking forward to reading this short story. The first half of the book was great and the second half felt very rushed. Like it was supposed to be longer than got cut short. Hoping that someday this short story might be a full length book.
Thanks to net galley for the ARC.

Holiday Hideway was the perfect short story! MKA never disappoints and this story left me wanting an entire book of George and Tilly. All the Hallmark feels and a happy ending! Read immediately!

Thank you Amazon Original Stories and to NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback. This is a cute little small town cat and mouse meet cute short story set during the holiday season. Beautiful short story for the upcoming holiday season!!

Tilly just needs two weeks—two weeks in an empty rental house until she can move into her new place and get her feet back under her. Nobody's been there in months, so it shouldn't be a problem...until one of the new owners shows up, and she can't hide in the attic forever.

This is a short holiday-adjacent story. I'm not sure what it's doing in the "Christian romance" and "Religious romance" categories on Amazon—if there's any religion in here, it went straight over my head—and it's not really a Christmas story, either; although it takes place near the holidays, we really only know it from context clues and a Christmas tree or two.

What interests me most is how much context matters. That is: in a mystery, a stranger (or former classmate) hiding in the attic would be creepy as all get-out. In a thriller, it would be a sign that blood will be spilled by the end of the book. But this is a romance novel, so it's grounds for a meet-cute. Or, alternatively—if Tilly discovered that a strange *man* were hiding in *her* attic and occasionally creeping downstairs to watch her sleep, that would hopefully prompt her to call 911, no matter how much she disliked her ex on the other end of the line. But because "Holiday Hideaway" features a woman hiding in a man's house, the man can just go "Huh. Okay then" and go back to sleep as though he doesn't value his own life.

At any rate, this feels like a setup that probably could have been the basis for a full-length book, but as a short story it made for a very quick not-yet-the-holidays read. It feels a little outdated in places (Tilly doesn't hesitate to slut-shame her ex's dates, for example, and the hospital doesn't hesitate to discharge a confused, concussed man to a total stranger who expresses reluctance to take responsibility), but if you enjoy Andrews' longer works you'll probably enjoy this.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

This was silly 😂went in blind and totally not what I was expecting. Wasnt really giving the holiday vibes I was hoping for

A christmas themed short story from Mary Kay Andrews?! Yes please. Some times life gives you empty rental property managed by your rental agency for shelter during the cold winter.. and sometimes the owner comes back early.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories! #HolidayHideaway #NetGalley.

Tilly is divorced, and her new home won't be ready until the first of the year. She is broke, so she decides to stay in one of her rental agency’s properties. When she moved in, George Holloway is here to sell his granduncle’s house, so she is forced to move up to the attic. She leaves the food on the counter she had just brought in. It didn't take him long to figure out someone else was living there.
He decided to climb up on the roof to fix the leaks. His girlfriend told him not to do it because he was a klutz, and he needed to come home for her big party. Did he listen? NO!!! Of course, he is injured, so Tilly is helping him out. It is interesting to read, how they get along, and all that happens. Going pretty good, and George's girlfriend is being escorted by Tilly's ex-husband to the rental property. It is a fun read, and it went so smooth, it was done before I knew it, but of so satisfying.
I received an ARC by Amazon Original Stories through NetGalley.

I love Mary Kay Andrews and this absolutely charming Christmas novella reminded we why. Well written, funny and full of holiday touches- don’t miss it!

Holiday Hideaway is a holiday themed short story from Mary Kay Andrews. In this quick read we meet Tilly who is squatting in one of the rental properties she manages while she waits to move into her new apartment. The unexpected arrival of George, the grandnephew of the owner who has recently passed away, has her scrambling to figure out where to go.

I am a fan of this author’s past books including, The Santa Suit, and was super excited to get the chance to read an advanced copy of this short story. I was pulled into the story right away and although it was super-fast, I really enjoyed this book. It had all the holiday feels and cozy vibes you are looking for in a holiday romcom. This book publishes on October 29th and I recommend you pick it up for a little holiday cheer!

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC to review in exchange for my honest review.

A short and cute Christmas story to get your holiday reading season started! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Andrews is a must-read author in my book! This was a short and entertaining story. It features dominant characters and a sweet setting. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Tilly is really down on her luck and with her apartment not ready for her yet, she is living in one of the rentals that her company has but no one is staying there. She is surprised by a vehicle driving up and escapes upstairs to the freezing attic!! George had recently inherited the house with some other family members and is there to get the house ready to sell.

Am unfortunate accident leaves Tilly needing to watch George and he realizes that he knows her from high school. He begins to think about his life in Boston and some changes might be coming!

Loved this cute book and recommend you get it on Oct 29!! I just want more time with these characters!!

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Holiday Hideaway release October 29, 2024

Tilly is squatting in one of the vacant vacation rental properties she manages as a rental agent for the month of December until her place is available in January, but is forced to hide out in the attic with her dog when a family member of the recently deceased owner unexpectedly shows up and decides to move in and renovate the place.

The plot was too outrageously over-the-top and far-fetched to take seriously. Setting aside all the missed opportunities to discreetly leave the house, the broken down car, and George’s fall off of the ladder, I can’t get over the fact that he didn’t care she was trespassing and in his attic the whole time all because they were in the same club in high school. How long would he have let her tiptoe around while pretending he had no idea she was there? The full two weeks?!

The romance in this is so dumb and unconvincing. Everything hinges on them both attending the same high school <I>twenty years</I> prior, and two days of being concussed/on meds and bed-ridden due to a broken ankle. A person can change a lot in twenty years…

I might have given this two stars if it wasn’t for the fact that Tilly jumped into George’s lap and started straddling him not even five minutes after he ended things with his fiancée who had just driven away from the property.

Flirting through text messages in a professional context while knowing the recipient is in a committed relationship is a no-go.

If you want a holiday read by this author that’s actually good, check out <I>Bright Lights, Big Christmas.<I>

Tilly, a vacation rental broker, finds herself squatting (or “exercising prudent property management responsibilities”) in one of her business’s unrentable weed-infested properties, a Victorian mansion called the Crowe’s Nest. It’s a temporary residency until she can properly move in January, with her adorable shelter dog Smoosh (the reason she lost her last lease). Unfortunately, the normally absent owner of the property, an irascible and horrible human being, has died and left his millions to a cat. His few descendants are left with the house they consider a decrepit money pit, and great-nephew George has been elected to get it in shape and sell it by Christmas. When George suddenly arrives, Tilly and Smoosh have to hide in the attic — but for how long?

Mary Kay Andrews knows how to write a delightful Christmas story. Last year her “Bright Lights, Big Christmas” book was about an urban Christmas tree farm. “Holiday Hideaway” is a short story, but it still has a big Christmas heart and the perfect sweet romance. An excellent choice to spend a few hours with when you find some holiday downtime. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Vanessa has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It is Christmas, so the fake tree/real tree decision occurs.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Mary Kay Andrews, we need to sit and meet for a coffee or wine...becuase I just have to know how you write the most amazing stories! Every book your read I'm amazed. But I especially loved this one! It was darling. And so honest, and true. I just adored the main character and her sweet story. Wonderful job! Highly recommend this for a great holiday book or book club! -Kelsey Vogeney @little_blue_book_hutch

If you need a quick jolt of holiday cheer then this is definitely the book that you're looking for. Holiday Hideaway is a short story full of humor, warmth and a bit of romance. Pairs well with a fuzzy blanket and a mug of hot cocoa...or maybe a hot bowl of oatmeal.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Holiday Hideaway is a cute short story that's a great addition to Mary Kay Andrews' collection of work. As always with these shorts I wish it was a little longer because it was just so enjoyable to read!

Holiday Hideaway is a delightfully delicious addition to Mary Kay Andrews portfolio. Tilly and her dog Smooch are occupying the wreck of an abandoned house that George has come to sell after the death of his grandfather. This is a short story that features a humorous reacquainting of two old high school friends during a difficult period for each. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this story from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

Holiday Hideaway is a fun, small town, coming home, holiday romance novella. Giving this four shining stars because despite being a short story, there was enough plot, back story, and conflict. I love how Tilly and George's characters go back to their high school memories, I just mostly wish there was more history behind their attraction to give their second chance more weight. Hehe, but the banter was cute, and George singing for Tilly after singing for no one else for years, has my whole heart.

All in all, it's a good holiday romance read. 🎄

Thank you author Mary Kay Andrews and Netgalley. 𖹭

Tilly is broke. She's recently been divorced and lost everything in the divorce. Her apartment isn't available yet so she's squatting in a falling-apart mansion on the waterfront in Maine. Her company does vacation rentals and the place hasn't had a single rental in over a year. So no one will notice, right? Especially at the Christmas holidays. Well, except for the rich guy who just inherited it and decided that the timing was perfect to start renovations so that he and his cousins could sell it.

Tilly is hiding out in the cold attic with her elderly dog because she has no where else to go.

This is a very fun and sweet Christmas story. Anyone can read it and enjoy.