If you love a good Holiday romance, this book will hit the spot. Mia D'Angelo is third-year pediatric resident. When she thought she met Mr Right, she told her mom. When her boyfriend, Dr. Braxton Hughes realizes that they will be working together, he dumps her. At the same time, Mia finds out that her mother has cancer, so she keeps up the perfect boyfriend updates with her mom, so she doesn’t worry. Now months later, her mom is better and wants to meet her boyfriend home for Christmas. She desperately tries to find someone to be her fake boyfriend, but the only person willing to do it is her ex, Braxton. This is a wonderful second chance/fake relationship romance with really likable characters. This book does deal with childhood cancer, so be aware. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

I received an arc from the author for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book.
Everything about it from start to finish was just perfect for me. It is a second chance, work based romance book with Christmas added in, what isn't to love about that!
This defiantly wont be the last Miranda Liasson book I will read as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

A Heartwarming Small-Town Holiday Romance
by Miranda Liasson

Publisher: Hawthorne House Press
Publication Date: October 4, 2024
Genre: General Fiction (Adult)| Romance
Pages: 254
Rating: 5/5
Received: Advance Review Copy (ARC) from Victory Editing via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts:
This is the most comfortable book I've read this September. At first, this book will make you cry, but ultimately, it will wrap you in a warm hug and leave you feeling uplifted. A heartwarming, soothing, and sweet love story, this novel is a perfect escape from the intensity of modern romance.

Storyline:
Mia's heartbreaking experience of losing her twin sister to leukemia at 9 years old inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. Mia's determination to fight cancer and save lives as a Doctor.
Later, Mia met Dr. Braxton, and they started dating. But just as things were falling into place, Braxton ended their relationship, citing their workplace connection as a reason to keep things platonic.
Mia, however, had already introduced Braxton to her mother as her boyfriend. With Christmas approaching, her mother eagerly anticipated spending the holiday with him. Mia couldn't bear to disappoint her, especially after her recent recovery from breast cancer.
In a tricky spot, Mia thought about finding a fake boyfriend. But then Braxton surprisingly offered to pretend to be her partner for Christmas. Mia agreed, despite feeling a little awkward.
As they spent Christmas with Mia's family, something special happened. Their fake relationship turned into a real second chance.

Characters:
Mia D'Angelo: A compassionate and loving doctor, devoted to her family, relatable, intriguing, and entertaining, with a heart of gold.
Braxton Hughes: A strong, skilled doctor with a guarded heart, complex, wounded, learning to trust and love.
Writing Style:
Miranda Liasson's writing has left an indelible mark on my heart. Her remarkable writing style has captured my heart, seamlessly blending emotional resonance with expert pacing. I'm now a devoted fan, eager to explore her previous works and future works. I'm deeply grateful to Miranda Liasson for crafting this incredible book. Reading it evoked feelings that touched my heart in ways I never expected, leaving me with a profound sense of warmth and connection.

Themes:
Sisterly love and emotion
Family and Support
Health and Recovery
Self-Discovery and Acceptence
The Power of Love and Relationship

Trigger Warning:
This book tackles sensitive topics, so consider your emotional readiness before diving in, especially if you're experiencing grief or caring for a loved one with a serious illness.

Recommendation:
Seeking a heartwarming, feel-good romance? Look no further! This 5-star read is a balm for your soul.

Final Verdict:
A beautiful, emotional, and uplifting tale of love and redemption. Mia and Brax's story will capture your heart.

Rating Breakdown:
Character development: 5/5
Plot and pacing: 5/5
Emotional resonance: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5

Will I Recommend?: Absolutely!
Will I Re-Read?: Definitely!
Release Date: Mark your calendars for October 4, 2024.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from the Victory Editing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've always enjoyed Miranda Liasson's books and this was no exception. The story follows 2 pediatric residents as they visit Mia's family while pretending to be a couple. I enjoyed seeing how they both grew individually throughout the story.

Mia is a loving doctor and Brac is a strong doctor. They work together with a great group of friends. The scene development and character development were great. The emotions felt throughout this book were great.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down.

Thank you NetGalley and Hawthorne House Press for this advanced reader copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Wonderful holiday read! Thank you, Miranda Liasson for a story that made me smile & feel happy. 5 stars!

4.5 stars
While this story deals with some heavy subject matters, it does so with compassion and a depth hand. Those scenes brought tears to my eyes, but also a comforting warmth and relatability.

Brax and Mia are interesting, relatable, intriguing, complex, wounded, strong, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. These two are so much fun to spend time with. Brax is my new book boyfriend – his flaws and all. The secondary characters – including the dog – added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.

If you are currently dealing with grief or the illness of loved one, I would recommend this book with caution – because it may be trigging for you. It’s one to read when you are in that headspace to be able to handle the tough subject matter.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a heartwarming tale. Brax and Mia are heading to her family’s home for the holidays. Brax and Mia broke up months ago but Mia hadn’t told her mother. Brax volunteered to help her out and as time passed , their true feelings were revealed. A misunderstanding occurs and will they be able to overcome their issues. This was a well written, sweet story that was a pleasure to read. I would recommend this book. I was given an arc from Net Galley but this is my honest review.

If you a looking for a cute, second chance Hallmark style romance, this one definitely fits the criteria. I really enjoyed both characters but just wish the book was a little longer. 3.75 stars

I so loved this Christmas story! Just like a warm hug - it takes you on this magical journey of love, loss and how family and finding your own true love completely changes you. The cast of characters will keep you giggling for more! A hallmark movie in a book! Awesome job Miranda!

A sweet easy read, perfect for getting ready for Christmas.
Mia is a Pediatric Resident in a Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee .
I immediately was drawn into the story because I’m a Pediatric nurse.
Brax is senior resident at the same hospital, and they had short romance at the start, but he felt he couldn’t give her what she wanted. He does agree to be her “fake “ boyfriend and go home with her for Christmas, her Mom just recovered from breast cancer.
The holidays are joyful and all Mia could wish for especially when Brax starts to realize he has serious feelings for her.
Very happy, romantic holiday romance.

Take Me Home For Christmas is a cute small town romance that is great for starting holiday reading.
Mia works in a hospital and is competing with her ex boyfriend Brax for a partner position. They are friends but he broke up with her when he found out they would be working together and didn’t want to cause any issues at work. Mia finds herself in a predicament as she is headed home for Christmas and is supposed to bring her boyfriend she has been telling her mom about but she didn’t mention they broke up because her mom was recovering from cancer. Brax ends jumping volunteering to go home with her to her family for the holidays and they end up rekindling feelings .
This is a cute romance full of romance and new beginnings . Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

What a heartwarming holiday story. Mia is a pediatric resident who is terrified of going home for the holidays and owning up to her mother that she lied about having the perfect boyfriend. In a complicated turn of events she ends up with the choice of telling her mom the truth, or taking her ex-boyfriend, who she based the fake boyfriend off of home for Christmas. So of course she brings Brax, the ex-boyfriend home. Brax would do anything to help Mia, including trying to stay away from her to protect her from himself. Yet as the two are together in close proximity during the holidays, truths come out and feelings re-surface. This was a sweet feel good holiday story, but please read the trigger warning to see if you should skip this book for your peace of mind. Excited to see this book is the first in a series, I look forward to re-visiting these characters again!

Mia D'Angelo, a third-year pediatric resident, has a wonderful family and, while working at the hospital, falls for Dr. Braxton Hughes. After a few dates, he breaks up with her, wanting only to remain friends since they work together. Mia continues to let her mother believe they are still dating, but she needs him to accompany her for Christmas. Mia asks another male friend to impersonate Brax, but he cancels at the last minute.
Brax learns that she needs a pretend boyfriend for Christmas and volunteers for the role. Brax avoids relationships as he was raised in foster care and is unfamiliar with family dynamics. During Christmas, Brax is welcomed as part of the family and is overwhelmed by the love the D'Angelo family shares. While spending time with the family he learns more about Mia and why she is a doctor.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this heartwarming story.

This book was so heart warming. It's the perfect Christmas book. I laughed and cried. I will be reading it again at Christmas.

What a sweet, fun, and emotional Christmas love story! I laughed and cried while I rooted for Brax and Mia to find their way through their past obstacles and find happy ever after with each other. A holiday must read!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a heartwarming book to start my holiday reading. Tragic pasts unfold as we read about Mia and Braxton. His mother was a drug addict whose children went into foster care. His younger sister was adopted by a wonderful family but he moved within the foster care system until he aged out. He worked diligently putting himself through college and medical school.

Mia became a doctor after losing her twin to leukemia at 9 years old shortly after Christmas. They meet and have a whirlwind relationship until Braxton new job puts him in close proximity to Mia and he felt it would interfere with their relationship.

She tells her Mom about her new boyfriend but then her Mom is diagnosed with cancer, so when Brax broke it off she didn't want to disappoint her Mom so she kept up the travesty. Flash ahead to Christmas and she's headed home. Her family is expecting her to bring her boyfriend. Brax steps up and what starts out as a fake relationship segues to reality. But can the winter wonderland if love they're living continue?

You'll want to read this 5 star book to find out what happens. You'll laugh and cry along with Mia and Braxton as they chase true love and figure out what's important in life.

Although I received a free ARC , all thoughts and opinions are my own

Take Me Home for Christmas by Miranda Liasson is a not so fake romance with bittersweet overtones involving two doctors currently working in the cancer ward. Chief resident Brax and resident Mia had a hot relationship a while ago that he ended, but Mia hasn’t told her family that she was dumped. Her family is expecting her to bring her boyfriend home for Christmas and to her surprise Brax volunteers to accompany her. The real beauty in this story is how this short visit changes these two, allowing long held secrets finally to be revealed and life choices to change. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

Oh my gosh....another wonderful, heartwarming story from Miranda Liasson. This book has all the "feels" a well written and good story should.
It has all the things I enjoy.......emotional, medical story line, love of family and loyalty, friendships, romance, holiday season and yes, even a dog!!!!
I couldn't put the book down for long because I wanted to see how this would all end.
Any time I read a book by this author I know it is going to be a winner! I was fortunate to receive an early copy and I highly recommend it if you like this type of story.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light quick and easy read. I loved that it was cozy. This was my first my this author but will not be my last. Can’t wait to read more by this author!