Review: Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely
If you’re looking for a holiday romance that leans fully, unapologetically into the Christmas spirit—like “someone fed a Hallmark movie straight espresso”—then Merry Little Kissmas is the exact brand of festive chaos you want in your life. Lauren Blakely delivers a grumpy/sunshine, brother’s best friend, fake dating delight that manages to be both cozy and emotionally grounded, all wrapped up in twinkle lights and hot cocoa.
Rowan: Certified Holiday Grinch, Single Dad, Secret Softie
I love a good grump, and Rowan is the kind who isn’t just scowly for vibes—he has real history and hurt tied to the holidays. Blakely does a beautiful job showing how his “Christmas is canceled” attitude comes from loss, not just personality. And underneath the prickly exterior is a man who pays attention.
And nothing is more swoony than a grump who observes the tiny details about the sunshine girl he’s trying desperately not to fall for.
Isla: Sunshine Matchmaker With a Holiday Obsession
Isla is that brand of heroine who walks into a room and shifts the entire energy—warm, hopeful, slightly chaotic, and absolutely determined to make things better. As a matchmaker, she’s used to fixing other people’s love lives while ignoring her own, which makes this setup delicious.
Her job?
Find Rowan a date for the Christmas Eve gala.
The problem?
Rowan hates dating, hates Christmas, and hates being set up.
The solution?
Obviously… she fake-dates him. (Listen, we all saw it coming. Doesn’t matter. It’s wonderful.)
Their chemistry snaps from page one. Their banter is flirty, competitive, and just unhinged enough to keep you smiling. It’s impossible not to root for them.
Fake Dating + Christmas Competitions + Snowy Cabin = Holiday Magic
As their “practice dates” start stacking up—Christmas tree farms, cocoa competitions, mistletoe kisses—Isla slowly breaks through Rowan’s walls. The grump/sunshine dynamic hits the perfect balance here. Rowan isn’t cruel; he’s wounded. Isla isn’t naive; she’s hopeful. They fit.
And when they get snowed in at his cabin?
Chef’s kiss.
The cozy tension, the slow softening, the heat simmering between them—it all lands.
Evergreen Falls: A Christmas Explosion of a Setting
Once the story shifts to Evergreen Falls, Blakely throws the holiday spirit at you nonstop. Christmas cookies. Reindeer puns. Tinsel for days. It’s a lot. It’s also kind of delightful. If you love holiday romances, you’ll be swimming in serotonin. If you’re holiday-neutral? Prepare to be gently attacked by festive cheer.
But honestly—that’s part of the fun.
Small Town, Big Heart
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the role Rowan’s daughter, Mia, plays in the story. She’s insightful, observant, and not used as a plot prop. Her scenes with Isla are sweet without veering into saccharine. And watching Rowan try to navigate fatherhood while protecting his heart? That’s where the emotional depth really shines.
Final Thoughts
Merry Little Kissmas is everything I want from a holiday rom-com:
🎄 Cozy
🎄 Emotional
🎄 Funny
🎄 A little spicy
🎄 Packed with swoon
Rowan and Isla balance each other beautifully, and their journey from fake dates to real feelings is handled with warmth and charm. The book leans into its festive vibes hard, but that’s exactly what makes it such a joyful ride.
If you love:
• Grumpy/sunshine
• Brother’s best friend
• Fake dating
• Small town Christmas chaos
• Single dad heroes
• Banter that sparkles
…this one deserves a spot on your December TBR.
A sweet, swoony, peppermint-mocha-of-a-romance that left me smiling.
