Her Pretend Holiday Beau by Susanne Dietze
Series: Home to Foxtail – Book 2
Publisher:  Harlequin Love Inspired
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 208
Format: paperback
Source: Author
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Will a fake arrangement

prove they’re a perfect match?

Faced with planning the town’s Christmas nativity event, veterinarian Mick Larson turns to his childhood friend for some much-needed help. But florist Sadie Dalton requires something in return: a wedding date. It’s the perfect solution to avoid her now-engaged ex and some well-meaning matchmakers. That is, until a kiss under some mistletoe results in a giant misunderstanding. Now they must pretend to be a real couple through the holidays. But as their friendship slowly blossoms into something more, can they keep up the charade…when they start believing it themselves?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

My Review and Reflections

There is nothing like a fake boyfriend story. Add in a holiday or two, some animals, and a matchmaking couple, and you have romance gold. And, oh, how this story touched my heart in so many ways.

Sadie is kindhearted and helpful to everyone around her. She recognizes others gifts but not her own. She especially notices everything good and kind in her best friend, Mick. Sadie is the perfect mix of introvert and extrovert. She enjoys being behind the scenes but steps to the forefront when needed. Mick is a gentle veterinarian whose heart opens most easily to animals but not to people. He’s let his childhood hurts litter the landscape of his adult life which keeps him from truly loving another person. His desire to expand the shelter attached to the clinic where he is part owner is one of the reasons he finds himself fake dating Sadie. But he continually guards his feelings by reminding himself that this isn’t real.

I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Dutch and Beatie, the couple who cannot stop pairing up Mick and Sadie. Sadie’s family tends to be louder and more vocal, which often leaves her in the background, yet they listen when it truly matters. There are so many people to love in this story that the entire small-town romance comes together beautifully.

This novel offers gentle reminders that we are crafted by God in His image and that we should honor that truth. He made each of us uniquely His. The story also includes many beautiful lessons about the power of prayer. Those prayers do not have to be long or elaborate. We can pause in the moment and lift a quick word to Jesus, who always listens regardless of time or place.

If you want to begin your holiday reading with a heartwarming and meaningful tale, look no further than Her Pretend Holiday Beau.