This was such a warm/fuzzy story. I adored Mia and Brax, and enjoyed watching them meet and overcome obstacles together as well as growing individually.
It was honestly the perfect book to start getting me into "the holiday spirit". From the mom's cooking/baking, to the doggy cuddles/interruptions, the whole book just made me smile.
The narrators were new to me, so it took me a little bit to get used to them, but once I did, they just enhanced the story so much more for me!

Christmas’s magic can make Dr. Braxton finally open his heart to love when he has to be fake boyfriend to Dr. Mia and go home for the holidays with her. Funny, romantic, tender, and full of charming moments. A really great romantic story that both narrators Marni Penning and Noah Cumberland, take to the next level as audiobook.

This is a well-written, entertaining, contemporary holiday romance novel. It is a second chance romance with a likable, intelligent female protagonist, an engaging, kind and caring male protagonist, wit, a touch of humor, small town charm, a loving family, supportive friends, a bit of holiday magic, a heartwarming romance, and a gratifying conclusion. I listened to the audio book, and the narrators, Ms. Marni Penning and and Mr. Noah Cumberland, who has a captivating voice, are truly talented and do an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities. I am looking forwarding to reading Caleb's book with great anticipation. Many thanks to Ms. Liasson, NetGalley and Hawthorne House Press/Victory Editing NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced listener copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.

This is a pleasant heart-warming, emotional second chance romance that was perfect to listen to while I was on a road trip.
Mia needed to have a boyfriend to take home for Christmas but had very few guys to choose from. When not being able to find anyone, Brax stepped up and said he would go with her. They had dated earlier but ended when they started working together.
The fake dating has been done by any authors, but Miranda Liasson wrote this book in a way that the story was smooth and easy to read. The two main characters, Mia and Braxton, were likeable and I could feel their chemistry as I read.
I am eager to read the next book in this series The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff.
Thank you NetGalley, Miranda Liasson and Hawthorne House Press for this audiobook. This is my personal review.

Take Me Home for Christmas by Miranda Liasson is a delightful, heartwarming holiday romance filled with charm, humor, and second chances. The story follows Mia D'Angelo, a pediatric resident who fabricates a perfect boyfriend to comfort her mom during a health crisis. But when her family insists on meeting this fictional beau for Christmas, Mia finds herself in a tricky situation. Desperate, she turns to her colleague, Braxton Hughes—her charming yet commitment-phobic rival.

Mia and Brax's chemistry shines throughout the story, as the lines between rivalry and romance blur. Their banter, combined with festive holiday moments and a dash of emotional depth, makes for a feel-good read. Narrators Marni Penning and Noah Cumberland bring the characters to life, adding a warm and engaging touch to this sweet, uplifting tale.

Fans of fake-dating tropes and holiday romances will enjoy this light, cozy escape perfect for the Christmas season.

3.5 stars
Let me start by saying that I am the wrong audience for this book but I think that a lot of people will like this book better than I did. For that reason I'm rating it higher than I would have if I were just judging it for my own enjoyment level.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrators did a good job. No complaints there.
What I didn't like about the book was that so much of their relationship seemed to be based on their hormonal desires and attraction. They seemed to be in heat every time they were around each other. They dated for a couple weeks and then stopped but couldn't stop thinking about the great sex. And the reader heard about it more than once. I started fast forwarding through those parts. I just have no interest in reading about other people's sex lives. It bores me really fast.
What I did like is that they helped each other move forward in their lives. He helped Mia to see where her real medical calling truly was and Mia helped show him that he was worthy of being loved and capable of loving others.

Potential triggers: loss of loved one, sick children
Sex: yes and lots of flirtatious innuendo
Language: yes including deity
Violence: no

this was a cute story about two doctors falling for each other. she lied to her family about how he was part of her life. he was lying to himself that he would be worth a long term marriage. friends and family had to help in getting them to be honest about their feelings. on top of that, work drama was tearing them apart. however, by the end, they both find how they deserve to be treated and what they want to do with their careers, with each other's help.

I really liked the female voice of the audio. the male voice was deeper so I had to pay attention more to know what he was saying.

overall it was a cute holiday romance.

I plan to share this title on my instagram on Friday, Oct 18th.

Miranda Liasson has another winner!! Take Me Home for Christmas was a heartwarming listen that will give you all the feels.

The two narrators were a good choice and really enhanced my enjoyment of the book. Wonderfully romantic and richly emotional, Mia and Brax’s story really tugs at the heartstrings. Both find relationships difficult because of childhood trauma, but ultimately Brax is there for Mia when she needs him. It’s hard to categorize this book as it’s both a fake relationship and second chance romance, since Mia didn’t tell her sick mother that things with Brax were over. It’s sweet and hopeful, despite the theme of childhood cancer and leaves you feeling happy and upbeat. It’s the first in a series and I’m looking forward to exploring subsequent books.

Oh this book was darling! I couldn't get over the sweet characters, the beautiful setting, the amazing journey the story took you on. It was a wonderful story. Loved it! Miranda Liasson knows how to melt your heart with a sweet story.

This was such a cute story - I loved the characters! Mia and Braxton are goals! I liked that there was some humor, sadness, and kindness peppered in with good morals. I listened to this in one sitting I was so enthralled! The narrator was great except for the childs voice, I did not care for that at all.

4 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Publish date: 10/04/2024

Another sweet Christmas-y story!
But this one does have a couple of triggers…
TRIGGERS: *** Leukemia and death of a child. Cancer diagnosis of an adult. Drug addicted mother…causing kids to be placed in the system…***

If you can make it past all of these, then please read this one!

It is heartwarming and swoon worthy one moment 🥰, and then break your heart tear-jerking the next moment. 🥺

🛑🛑 Loose outline to follow. Stop here if you don’t want to know…🛑🛑

Mia DeAngelo is a Pediatric Resident on a Cancer Floor. She is absolutely great with the kids, and gives 110%…all the time. She comes from a good family and has several siblings…and they’re all close!

Braxton Hughes is also a Pediatric Resident on the Cancer Floor. He’s also great with the kids. And, he and Mia are competing for ONE POSITION that is going to be available, for ONE doctor.

Did I mention that the two of them dated last year?
And, Mia’s family still thinks they’re dating…because a family member got very sick, and Mia didn’t have the heart to say that they’d broken up…

So now, as Christmas draws near, they all want to meet him! 😮. And this IS a problem….

And so, we go through the book with this in mind.

Laughing out LOUD one minute. Crying the next. This was a real roller coaster of a book!

4 Big, Healthy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley, HawthorneHousePress and #VictoryEditingNetGalleyCoOp for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This one was released on 10/4/24, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!
Of note: It is touted as book #1, so hopefully, there’s a book #2!

#TakeMeHomeForChristmas by #MirandaLiasson and narrated nicely by #MarniPenning and #NoahCumberland.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

"Take Me Home for Christmas" is the first book in Miranda Liasson's series, "The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff." The book is a charming second-chance romance that captures the essence of a Hallmark movie, so if you're a fan of that style, I highly recommend giving this book a read!

Mia's tragic loss of her twin sister to leukemia inspired her to pursue medicine, fueling her determination to fight cancer. She later began dating Dr. Braxton, but he ended their relationship, citing their workplace connection.

Having already introduced him to her mother as her boyfriend, Mia felt pressured not to disappoint her, especially after her recent recovery from breast cancer. In a bind, she considered finding a fake boyfriend, but Braxton unexpectedly offered to pretend to be her partner for Christmas.

As they celebrated with Mia's family, their pretend relationship blossomed into a genuine second chance.

A special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced access to the audiobook, narrated by Marni Penning (Mia) and Noah Cumberland (Brax). I really enjoyed both narrators!

Publication date-October 4, 2024
#TakeMeHomeforChristmas #NetGalley