Why You’ll Love Take Me Home for Christmas by Miranda Liasson – A Festive Romance Review @mirandaliasson @HawthornPressUK

Take Me Home for Christmas is a festive romance where a fake boyfriend scheme forces two doctors to confront past heartbreaks and find unexpected love under the mistletoe.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Hawthorne House Press, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Mia D’Angelo, a third-year pediatric resident, finds herself in a bind after inventing a “perfect boyfriend” to comfort her mother during a health crisis, only to face family expectations to meet him at Christmas. Desperate, she reluctantly turns to her commitment-phobic co-worker Dr. Braxton Hughes, who’s everything she shouldn’t want in a partner despite his charm, looks, and big heart. As Brax agrees to join her family festivities, Mia struggles to keep things professional, especially as he wins over her family—and even her dog—making her question if “Mr. Wrong” might actually be just right.

My Thoughts:

Take Me Home for Christmas by Miranda Liasson is an absolutely charming holiday romance that hooked me from start to finish. The story follows Mia D’Angelo, a devoted third-year paediatric resident, who spins a tiny white lie to comfort her mother in a time of need. Claiming to have found the perfect man, Mia finds herself in a twist when her so-called Mr Right vanishes. When her family insists on meeting this dream man over Christmas, Mia’s desperate search for a stand-in leads her to Braxton Hughes, her capable but commitment-shy colleague and the last man she’d have chosen for the role.

Liasson cleverly uses alternating points of view, allowing readers to experience both Mia’s and Braxton’s perspectives and understand their pasts. This dual narrative gives insight into Mia’s choice of paediatric oncology, which, as someone familiar with healthcare, I found particularly compelling. Mia’s dedication to family and patients alike is beautifully rendered, revealing just how deeply her life and choices are intertwined with her personal values.

Braxton, meanwhile, has a guarded heart and is hyper-focused on his career, with no real experience in meaningful relationships. Through his journey, Liasson sensitively touches on gender discrimination in medicine, adding depth to his interactions with Mia and shedding light on a real issue in the field.

As the “fake dating” trope unfolds with warmth and humour, Brax’s reluctant holiday visit grows into something far more significant. There’s even a moment that brought tears to my eyes – always a telltale sign of a well-crafted emotional story.

The Narration:

I enjoyed this novel as an audiobook, performed by Marni Penning and Noah Cumberland, who brought the characters and setting to life through their distinct voices. Penning especially excelled, creating unique voices for each character, adding to the immersion. I highly recommend this format to readers who enjoy audiobooks.

Final Thoughts:

For those who love a friends-to-lovers story, rich with family warmth and holiday magic, Take Me Home for Christmas is a perfect winter read. Highly recommended for fans of holiday romance – especially if you’re listening along!

Another Book I’ve Reviewed Written by Miranda Liasson:

Coming Home To Seashell Harbor