3.5 stars
Definitely in my Christmas era in November! Very cute cozy Christmas read !! I loved both characters and I loved the storyline of this book. I enjoyed the book a lot but it’s not something id pick up again and again. Once was good, and I’m ready for more by her and more holiday romances!

Heather Garvin does it again! This was such an easy romance to sink into, set in a small town in Florida with characters you can't help but love. The slow build up between Candace and Chase had me grinning at my ARC like an idiot. And don't even get me started on that scene featuring hair clippers. Just read it--you won't regret it.

In November, Christmas books are just perfect. I loved that 'When the Fake Snow Falls' had just the right touch of holiday spirit. Candace Hanes, who’s long sworn off serious relationships, unexpectedly finds herself falling for Chase Mitchell, the charming stranger she thought had been interested in her—only to discover he was actually aiming for the barista behind her. When Chase later asks Candace to be his "date" for his company’s Christmas party, sparks fly as they navigate their so-called "friendship" and a fake romance that quickly feels all too real.
The holiday setting adds just enough Christmas cheer to set a cozy atmosphere without overwhelming the romance. Christmas in Florida feels different, that's why the title makes more sense once you find out the location.
One of the most interesting twists is the presence of Chase’s overbearing female boss, a character as despicable as a modern Cruella. Her constant attempts to blur the lines of professionalism highlight an often-overlooked issue: power dynamics and abuse aren’t limited to male-dominated spaces. As she is also one of Candace's clients, I got enough of her ugly heart, and I felt like she could have used a slap sometimes.
Besides that, this is one romance that’s sure to bring some spice—and a few laughs—long after the season ends.

This book was so sweet. The characters are very loveable, even when they're working against their own self interest, I could easily have read a whole series about all of them.

Personally I relate a lot to our main character Candace. She's strong, independent, funny, stubborn, and does not let herself get stepped on by others.

Chase, the love interest, is successful, flirty, and absolutely smitten. He's willing to persist and slowly break down Candace's walls, and even if he couldn't break them down, I bet he would scale them for her to give him a real chance.

I was very pleased that it did not turn into a catfishing situation, and Candace immediately let him know, as soon as she realised the misunderstanding. Miscommunications also do not last for long, as they usually get resolved immediately, and it's very refreshing to read about characters, who actually communicate with each other, even if one is a little stubborn, but aren't we all when we're hurt?

I really enjoyed this book, and it managed to get me in a festive spirit in November, which isn't normal for me. Would highly recommend to readers, who are looking for a cosy winter romance.

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Heather Garvin for my advanced copy. These are my thoughts:

This was one of my favourite fake dating romances of the year. From the slow burn to the banter and Miles (he was the best roommate!).

This was such a fun story! Candace and Chase had great chemistry and I laughed throughout the whole book.

LOVED the plot twist!

Even though the story is set in Florida and Christmas involves palm trees, string lights and a roast chicken for Christmas lunch, you can feel the Christmas spirit!

Dare I say this is a 4.5 star romance novel. I loved this! It was amazing! I’m a sucker for a fake dating plot line and this book delivered! Perfect cozy romance for the holiday season!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a cute holiday rom-com set in central Florida.

The whole mistake aspect at the beginning was clever and super cute! I also really like how Candace felt fairly realistic. Maybe she didn't pick up on Chase's intentions quickly, but I know I personally would have probably done the same in their situation.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you want a quick holiday romance book set in a warmer setting. If you love strangers-to-friends-to-lovers, face dating, and a golden retriever MMC, then you'll love this book!

Without spice this book would be a solid 3 stars. The mouth on the MMC during those parts was enough to pull it up almost a full star for me. The story is a cute concept, and once I was over the secondhand embarrassment of the miscommunication at the beginning I really enjoyed seeing Candace and Chase get to know each other. It’s relatively low conflict, and feels very Christmasy which is all I ever want from my holiday reads.

Love love love this book! 5 stars all the way. Perfect blend of slow burn and Christmas cheer wrapped into one book. The MMC leaves his receipt to get the number for the barista only for the Candace to think he left it for her, after quickly writing her number they go their separate ways. They start texting each other which sparks a “friendship” when she discovers he wanted the number for the barista.
They start hanging out regardless of them accidentally exchanging numbers, and the more they hang out the more she realizes he’s perfect and he’s already fallen for her.


🔹Christmas theme
🔹friends to lovers

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ . 5

I absolutely loved this book! Chase and Candace had such an incredibly charming relationship from beginning to end. This was a great palate cleanser for me after much fantasy burnout!

The plot consists of a girl named Candace who gives her number to Chase in a coffee shop. It starts with him thinking it’s the cute barista who is just his type and turns into a surprise that it is Candace herself. Let it commence the “fake” dating and rom- com Christmas fun everyone is looking for.

Tropes / vibes
🎄 fake dating
🎄 Christmas love
🎄 hallmark love story
🎄 golden retriever MMC
🎄 slow burn
🎄 some open door spice
🎄 witty and lovable roommate

This book had me kicking my feet and blushing the entire time! I loved it so much! I’m so thankful that I got this arc copy. The only reason I give it 4.5 is because of overuse of just “friends” and let’s not forget my least favorite third act break up! Other than that, absolutely adored it for a simple holiday rom com with heart, charm, banter, and great chemistry of main characters. 🥰 💕

Thank you NetGalley, Heather Garvin and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC copy for an honest review.
#WhentheFakeSnowFalls #NetGalley.

I binged this in less than 24 hours. Sleep? Who needs that.

I adored Chase and his golden retriever vibes as a MMC. I wanted to shake Candace for being THAT girl, but still loved her. Miles made me laugh and appreciate just how amazing best friends can be.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, this is one I would pick up again and again. Such a cute holiday read!

tropes to expect: strangers to friends to lovers, golden retriever, fake dating, slow burn, open door, and a single pov. i’m a firm believer romances hit different with dual pov so i do wish we got that with this one. it’s a well written book, i just did not love it as i didn’t get the christmas vibes i was looking for.

A fun and sexy little Christmas story filled with holiday cheers and great friendships. While I found the main female character, Candace, to need a serious self-esteem check, I like a little cluelessness matched with a man determined to get what he wants. And we love petty revenge and the downfall of bad bosses in this house. A good read for the holiday season. I really enjoyed this one!

If you like a very cosy read, this book is for you! A great read for the month of December/Christmas time. I giggled, laughed and smiled while reading this book. A lovely story (haven't really read anything with a story quite like this one). I found the characters to be relatable. MMC is giving golden retriever vibes and I'm here for it! The story happens around Christmas and it has very light elements of the season. I really liked this aspect of it as it's a great introduction to christmassy reads. Overall, a 4.5 read for me. Very romantic, cosy and delightful story! I think Heather Garvin as just become one of my favourite comfy/cosy authors!

I really enjoyed reading this! This was such a cute read. The fake dating trope in this is a little different from what you typically see in romance books and I loved it so much. I found myself giggling and smiling to myself at so many moments throughout the book. The back and forth banter was EVERYTHING!!! I love a man that is obsessed and let me tell you… Chase was OBSESSED!!!! The only reason I’m not rating this 5 stars is because of It got a little annoying how oblivious Candace was to Chase’s feelings for her. I really disliked the miscommunication but really it was just her with the lack of communication and immaturity. Nonetheless, this was a really great read for me!! I highly recommend.

✨"I accidentally asked you out, and it was the best mistake I've ever made."✨

Chase has a type: the blonde one. So imagine that moment when he finds himself writing her number on the receipt of his last order to ask out the maid of his regular coffee shop... but the receipt ends up in the hands of Candice who is the complete opposite of the blonde maid!

Hence begins an exchange of back-and-forth messages between the two that made me smile and giggle and that continued even after Candice revealed her identity! Message after message, their friendship developed in a natural way, made up of small gestures and genuine conversations that left you with no choice but to cheer for them and to have your heart set on them every time they met.

The author had said that in Chase we would find a new book boyfriend and so it was! He is humble, always says the right thing at the right time, knows what he wants but at the same time is patient and respectful towards Candece's choices and feelings.

Candece, on the other hand, is the black cat of the situation: she has been hurt in the past and it is from her past that she has realised her own value, to be sure of herself and to keep her defences up with everyone except those few people for whom she decides it is worth getting her life "upset". Needless to say, Chase step by step and message by message breaks them all down, right?

✨ A phone number gone to the wrong person. A Christmas in Florida. A lot of fake snow. Two people who didn't know they were made for each other. This was the recipe for a book that I literally devoured in one day ,which made me to make me smile in a way that a book hasn't managed to do in a long time and which I absolutely recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun holiday romp! The characters were well created, and their interactions felt honest and real.

Did I sometimes want to yell at Candance for not taking Chase as his word? Absolutely! Did it make. me like her more because I could totally relate. Yep, it definitely did.

I would recommend this as a fun holiday read!

3 stars! When the Fake Snow Falls is a fun, lighthearted read that I enjoyed overall. While it offered a good break from heavier books, I found some elements lacking. The characters felt a bit one-dimensional, and the storyline was fairly basic, with conflicts that seemed unnecessary and a “big reveal” that was easy to predict. There were parts of the story that didn’t quite make sense or feel relevant, almost as if they were included just for silliness. It also leaned heavily on the gay best friend stereotype, which felt a bit corny. However, despite its flaws, it served as an entertaining palate cleanser.

ARC review ~ 4 ⭐️

If you want a nice mid spice read with a Christmas theme and the following tropes below… then this book is for you!
- Banter
- Slow Burn (3/5 🌶️)
- Fake Dating
- Rom-com
- Green Flags
- Single POV

As soon as I read the dedication, I knew I was gonna love this book. In fact, that dedication was the best I’ve ever read and I cackle every time I think about it or reread it, I love it so much. Though I haven’t read anything else by Heather Garvin, after reading this, I think I’m gonna need more of her work!
It’s got a touch of spice and everything nice~

Before I get to it, thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my review. I had fun reading and I hope others enjoy this title too.

Now, to get down to my review, without spoilers (I hope)

This title was hilarious from the start and it took a turn (in a good way) and got down right to the sloooow burn. This was definitely building up the anticipation for what was to come. I’m looking at you chapter 18-20 🙈😮‍💨 (and then what also came after in chapters later). There were so many times when I found myself smirking or hitting the bed cause of how fricking cute and steamy it got. I couldn’t stop reading.

There were short chapters, which was interesting for a romance novel, but it was also fast paced (story wise) while still maintaining the slow burn. I liked it because its a good read to get into if you feel like you’re in a reading slump, and it was enjoyable since it was a book that could be read in a day or two (depending on how fast you read).

There were moments in the book which made me question the FMC’s constant comparisons to herself to the “type” of girl the MMC likes. It did make me not like that part too much since like cool you could just play it off and leave it at that, instead of bringing it up every now and then. But if this didn’t happen, then I guess this book (and the banter) would’ve been over before it began. Another thing I found annoying which is why I didn’t give it the full 5 stars is because Candace kept seeing how much Chase cared for her and just brushed it off as “fake” or “practice” it made me sad that she couldn’t see what was in front of her, which was someone so caring and was able to look past all those rejections/brush offs she gave him cause they’re “just friends”

Overall, I hope this helps some readers if they want to pick this story up. It honestly just depends on your preferences to stories. For me, I’d definitely recommend and if I could read this story for the first time again, I would.

Sinopsis en español:


Candace Hanes no es ajena a la escena de las citas. De hecho, no ha tenido más que citas casuales desde que su última relación seria terminó hace años. Pero tan pronto como Chase Mitchell le pide su número en un recibo descartado, se encancha.

Excepto que él no le había pedido su número en absoluto. Estaba más interesado en el barista que trabajaba detrás del mostrador.

Tan pronto como Candace se da cuenta de que este hombre irresistible no está interesado en ella, sabe que necesita mantenerlo a distancia. Nadie tan suave, tan carismático, tan caliente tiene nada que ver con ser solo su amigo.

Más fácil decirlo que hacerlo. Especialmente cuando Chase admite que necesita una cita falsa para la fiesta de Navidad de su empresa para evitar que su insoportable jefe lo acorrale bajo el muérdago... otra vez.

Ahora, Candace tiene que encontrar una manera de pasar por citas de práctica, toques sutiles y besos falsos sin hacer daños.

¿Su actuación simplemente mantendrá a raya a su jefe, o Candace tendrá un amor que durará hasta la Navidad que se avende?






Reseña:
Para ser un libro navideño no lo sentí navideño.

Ojalá Chase tuviera povs o aunque fuera el último capítulo fuera narrado por él para poder ver su amor por Candece.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.