Thank you so much to Amazon for the early review copy!

This was a short novella about a recently divorced woman squatting in one of the properties she manages. But when she has a visitor, the rightful owner trying to sell the property, she finds herself playing hide and seek from him day after day in the same house.

This one was a fun and cute book that definitely got me in the festive spirit! I thought it was the perfect length and feel like she managed to pack a punch even in the short amount of time.

Definitely recommend adding to your Christmas wishlist!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing/Amazon Original Stories for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful holiday short story by the queen, Mary Kay Andrews. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Tilly is down on her luck. Recently divorced and broke, she's living in one of her rental agency's properties until she can move into her new apartment. Then the owner shows up and Tilly is forced to hide in the attic. George is back in town to get the house ready for sale after his granduncle died.

As you would expect from Mary Kay Andrews, this is just a sweet holiday romance that will have you rooting for the characters and laughing along with them. You can easily read it in a sitting - don't miss it as we head into the holiday season!

This short story is fun and sweet with a sprinkle of Christmas with all the charm of a Mary Kay Andrews book. Tilly, recently divorced from her husband, currently has no place to live. She works for a property management company and decides to stay in one of the homes no one has rented out in over a year. Of course as soon as she arrives with groceries and her dog, a family member of the home owner shows up. She has no choice but to go hide in the attic. She ends up realizing she knows who that man is. Being a MKA book, there is a love connection and sure it is slightly predictable but it made for an enjoyable read!

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories, Mary Kay Andrews, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

A very quick read to get you into the holiday mood. Very cute and has a dog whom has trust issues, I like that in a book

Mary Kay Andrews isn’t just the Queen of the Beach Read, she’s also a Queen of Christmas, and this year she’s got a fun and flirty novella that’s just the right length to fit into the busy holiday season!

Divorced and recently evicted from her apartment, property manager Tilly hatches a plan to secretly stay in one of her employer’s rental properties, an old Victorian mansion known as Crowe’s Next. No sooner does she settle in than the nephew of the owner shows up, forcing Tilly to hide out in the attic with her dog Smoosh. Cue the hilarious near-misses and bantering text exchanges! This is a delightful little read and the romance between Tilly and George is as sweet as a candy cane!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Mary Kay Andrews brings us a little cheer with Holiday Hideaway. Tilly's new place isn't ready yet so she decides to hideout in an empty rental until then. Little does she know, there is a new owner and he is coming to clean the place out. Tilly retreats to the attic with her dog and some how manages to keep herself hidden for a few days but then George starts to suspect something.
Tilly and George make a cute little couple and makes you want to continue reading about them. This is a short story and can be read in a few hours. But in traditional Mary Kay Andrews' style, she makes you laugh and feel good. I always enjoy her storytelling. I would recommend this short story to others and will always continue to seek out Mary Kay Andrew's new work. 4 stars for me. Special thanks to NetGalley, Mary Kay Andrews, and Amazon Original Stories for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
#HolidayHideaway #NetGalley.

Holiday Hideaway is a short story by Mary Kay Andrews. Tilly is struggling to put her life together after a divorce from her husband. She has lost her apartment and is waiting for her new place to be available. Tilly works for a vacation rental company. She is camping in a house that hasn’t been rented in over a year. Tilly unexpectedly finds out that the owner has passed away and his nephew, George, has come to inspect the house before selling it. Being a true rom-com, things don’t go as planned. Holiday Hideaway has a very predictable ending but is a cute Christmasy story none the less. I felt like the characters are well defined. And the happy ending is worth the read.

Tilly Farriday is newly divorced and is homeless at Christmas. But lucky for her she can stay in one of her rental agency’s vacant properties, Crowe’s Nest for the next two weeks until her new home is ready. What she didn’t count on was George Holloway, the great nephew of the deceased owner arriving to get the house ready to sell.

A fun, short read that will make you laugh out loud. I mean what kind of shenanigans can happen when someone is “squatting” in a house and someone shows up, right?


Thank you to NetGalley for this Advance Reader’s Copy. (Psst—available now for free on Amazon if you have prime!)

If you’re in the mood for a quick, zero-spice Christmas romance, this story delivers all the festive feels! It centers on a newly single woman seeking refuge in a quaint attic, a grumpy elderly shelter dog, and a charming guy who’s just inherited a sprawling Victorian mansion. Sparks fly, a little Christmas magic gets sprinkled in, and… you can guess where it’s heading!

As cozy as it was, I couldn’t help but wish the story had a bit more breathing room. The romance goes from a remeet-cute to a happily-ever-after at warp speed, making the quick connection a bit hard to buy. A longer novella—or even a full novel—would’ve made it a much stronger, more believable read. Then again, holiday magic doesn’t usually wait around, right?

A charming read, but not one I’d place on my “every Christmas reread” shelf.

Mary Kay Andrews never fails to disappoint. I have loved her books since her Callahan Garrity days. This novella hits it out of the park with the most unexpected meet-cute between a squatter, her dog and businessman. I love everything that Mary Kay writes and eagerly await each new novel. This is the perfect dessert after her most recent book or as an appetizer while waiting for her next. Highly recommend.

ARC Review! ✨

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews 📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a good start to the Holiday reading season with this one!

I always love a Mary Kay Andrews book. They’re always the best books to just cozy up on the couch with.

I loved Tilly as a character — she was so likable.

This was just published TODAY & is now available on Kindle Unlimited to read, or listen!

This was a great light-hearted read and would definitely recommend it as we’re getting into the holiday season 🫶🏻

💭: “Tilly Farriday isn’t feeling very jolly this season. Recently divorced and broke, she’s squatting in one of her rental agency’s properties until her new home is ready. The sprinkles on top of the burnt Christmas cookie that is her life? The new owner shows up early, forcing Tilly to hide in the attic to save her job…and what remains of her dignity.
George Holloway is here to sell his granduncle’s house—and to reconsider whether he and his fiancée are right for each other. Amid home repairs, George notices strange noises and missing food, but as much as he gets his rental agent on the phone, Tilly dodges every invitation to meet. He’s sure that someone’s here with him, and it’s certainly not the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, or Future.
As Tilly and George circle each other, they both wonder where their lives are headed and if, maybe, meeting each other is just the Christmas miracle they need.”

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The Christmas holidays would NOT be complete without a lively and charming story from Mary Kay Andrews! The queen returns following Bright Lights, Big Christmas with her latest Amazon Original novella, HOLIDAY HIDEAWAY —assured to put you in the holiday spirit with another mischievous, naughty/nice, and hilarious, entertaining adventure! Santa would be proud.

About...

Meet Tilly Farriday, a thirtysomething woman who finds herself in a tough spot. It's the holiday season, and she's facing the daunting reality of having nowhere to go.

She recently divorced and gave up her home, then kicked out of her apartment due to her lovable dog, Smoosh. Her next place will not be ready yet, so she has no money or place to live.

She decides to squat in one of her rental agency's properties until her new place is ready. Since it is not rented out, she should be safe.

But she did not count on the new owner appearing unexpectedly and ruining her well-laid plans.

George Holloway arrives to sell his grand uncle’s vacation house. He is getting demands from his controlling fiancée, but he is here to make a list of things to do to get the house ready to sell.

The last thing Tilly needs is to have him call the cops (her ex), who would be more than happy to lock her up for trespassing.

Tilly had brought some groceries, but those were left downstairs, and she is hiding out in the attic while texting back and forth with the new owner.

Soon, George suspects something is happening when he hears noises and finds food missing.

But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that George and Tilly might just have more in common than they initially thought, adding an unexpected twist to this holiday rom-com!

My thoughts...

Drawing you in immediately with the dazzling front cover, MKA's winning signature style, and two laugh-out-loud characters that will keep you entertained in this witty cat-and-mouse holiday game.

I love the fun banter (texting) between the two with a Hallmark Christmas vibe.

MKA knows her vacation rentals, and this was the perfect book! Her books are my favorite for summer and the holidays. A read in one sitting—a delightful Christmas rom-com. A favorite author, I have read all her books and would not miss one!

Recs...

This is for fans of the author who enjoy MKA's delicious holiday treats!

I'm grateful to Amazon Originals for providing me with a digital advanced review copy via NetGalley and allowing me to share my honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 29, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
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A perfect, sweet holiday short story by MKA! Loved Tilly and George as the main characters. Wish the ending didn’t feel so rushed; maybe the past of T and G could have been explored more or an epilogue…definitely worth a read!

What a charming holiday novella! George and Tilly have a sweet meet-cute just a few days before Christmas. A The only thing that would have made this one better was if it was longer.

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews was such a cute holiday novella.
This was a charming tale, with lovely descriptions, nice characters, and sweet side stories that made me want to spend more time in the pages.

Mary Kay Andrews knows how to write a delightful Christmas story. “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!

I always expect to smile and laugh while reading a book by Mary Kay Andrews and Holiday Hideaway delivered. While hiding out in an empty house that the property management company who employs her, the new owner surprises her forcing her to hideout in the attic. When he falls off a ladder doing repairs and she takes him to the ER, the shenanigans ensue. Suffice to say, when George's girlfriend arrives with the local sheriff, Denny (Tillys cheating ex), heads are gonna roll. You'll want to read this hilarious holiday romance to find out how it all ends.

Although I received a free ARC ebook from Netgalley and the publisher, all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Tilly has hit rock bottom, and at Christmas no less! Divorced and homeless she has resorted to squatting in a clients unrented rental home for a couple of weeks, Things don't seem like they can get much worse, but then one of the new owner's shows up - and she knows him! Now TIlly is not only squatting, but she is doing it in the attic in hiding while George, the new owner, eats her food downstairs. George himself is at a turning point in his life, and he is surprised to find some Christmas joy in his exchanges with his rental agent, Tilly. But then a Christmas miracle (?) happens, George falls off a ladder and Tilly is forced to rescue him. What could possibly go right when these two are forced together in close proximity for the holiday?

I ended up really enjoying this short story. You really grow to love the MC's and want the best for them. This was a refreshingly original Christmas story with Mary Kay Andrew's signature cozy and feel good romance. She magically is able to take a Hallmark-ish tale and make it more palatable, still sweet but not sickeningly so.

Because this is such a quick book, it jumps right into the story without you really knowing much about Tilly and it leads to a couple of cringey moments, what with her squatting in a clients house and all. It is a very fast plot, but rather than a HEA it is more of a Chance to be Happily Ever After. Making the story believable and that much more enjoyable.

I will always read anything by Mary Kay Andrews and this short story is a very good example as to why. She does non-spicy romance perfect by having such a great plot and making you feel like you are getting a warm hug at the end of the book. I am so glad that she has yet again delivered an enjoyable Christmas read that will make you believe in love and life again. I will be recommending this one far and wide, especially with the holidays coming up!

I recently read Mary Kay Andrews "Bright Lights, Big Christmas" and was excited to. get an ARC copy of this short story! It is a cute, witty, fun Christmas story that is a perfect read in between cookie batches. Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints!

I was looking for a light-hearted Christmas story, and this was exactly what I needed! This was such a fantastic holiday novella with humor, charm, and all the cozy vibes that make a Christmas romcom irresistible!

The story centers on Tilly, who’s going through a rough patch—recently divorced and, unfortunately, squatting in one of the properties she manages. When George, the new owner, shows up unexpectedly, Tilly’s attempts to stay hidden and dodge him are hilarious! The two have a surprising past connection, which makes their dynamic even more interesting.

The text exchanges between them are witty and fun, and I loved how both characters found themselves questioning where they’re headed in life. Tilly’s down-on-her-luck situation mixed with George’s own uncertainties made it easy to root for them. Plus, the cozy small-town setting made me feel like I was right there with them in the middle of a Christmas movie.

This is a perfect holiday romance with plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something sweet, uplifting, and just the right amount of magical for the holiday season!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.