Even after the holidays, Fake It ’Til Christmas offers a cozy, charming romance filled with beloved tropes, delightful characters, and a comforting small-town setting.
Title: Fake it 'Til Christmas: A Grumpy Sunshine Romance
Author(s): Claudia Y. Burgoa
Narrator(s): Jason Clarke, Grace Grant
Published by Cyburg Inc LLC on November 14, 2025
Pages: 350
Length: 6 hours 54 minutes
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Format: ALC, ARC 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
From USA Today Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa comes a fake-dating holiday romance filled with slow-burn tension, awkward family dinners, and one grumpy man who might just ruin Christmas for anyone else.
From USA Today Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa comes a fake-dating holiday romance filled with slow-burn tension, awkward family dinners, and one grumpy man who might just ruin Christmas for anyone else.
All I agreed to was a fake relationship.A weekend of pretending I'm in love with my grumpy, emotionally constipated, private-jet-commuting neighbor.Easy, right?
Except nothing about Soren Thorn is easy.He doesn't believe in horoscopes, hates throw pillows, and treats feelings like they're contagious.He's all sighs, black coffee, and unreadable expressions—and for reasons I still don't understand, he needs me to be his girlfriend for one very public, very awkward family event.
I thought I could handle it.Play the part. Make it cute.But then he started trusting me—with real pieces of himself.
Now I know his favorite coffee, some of his secrets, and the exact look he gives when he's about to self-destruct but pretends he's fine.
And I'm starting to realize this whole fake dating thing might be getting too . . . well, not fake.Because I don't just want to survive the weekend.I want to know what it would feel like if none of it were pretend.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
From the moment the story begins, the setup immediately pulls you in. The fake-dating setup and enemies-to-lovers tension create a fun, engaging spark throughout the story.
At the heart of the story are Soren and Winnifred, next-door neighbors who can barely seem to tolerate each other. Their prickly dynamic sets the tone from the outset. This created the perfect foundation for an enemies-to-lovers arc that keeps readers entertained.
When a family situation forces them into a fake-dating arrangement, the fun truly begins. The author uses this setup to full advantage, treating readers to a lively mix of drama, witty banter, and moments of surprising vulnerability. The grumpy-sunshine contrast between Soren and Winnifred is especially compelling. Each clash, misunderstanding, and reluctant moment of connection adds depth and energy to the developing relationship.
The subtle Romeo and Juliet undertone adds tension without disrupting the cozy feel. The holiday backdrop brings warmth to the story as Soren and Winnifred navigate conflict and unexpected affection.
Winnifred’s infectious personality complements Soren’s grumpy demeanor in a way that feels both natural and engaging. Her brightness gradually chips away at his hardened exterior, and soon readers get to see an entirely different side to him. Their chemistry shines through their text conversations, which are lively, humorous, and often more emotionally revealing than their in-person interactions. These digital exchanges are easily among the most enjoyable aspects of the book.
While the central relationship is engaging, some story elements feel underdeveloped. A deeper backstory for Soren and Winnifred would have better supported their initial tension. Additionally, the secondary characters do not contribute much to the plot. The narrative references an existing family feud. However, this thread received minimal attention and didn’t influence the storyline in a meaningful way.
The romance itself unfolds slowly and occasionally borders on feeling stagnant. Fortunately, the protagonists’ banter and text message exchanges inject enough humor and heart to keep readers invested.
Overall, Fake It ’Til Christmas offers a light, trope-driven romance anchored by two contrasting but complementary leads. Soren and Winnifred’s charm make the story enjoyable despite some underdeveloped elements. If you enjoy grumpy-sunshine pairings, fake dating setups, and witty digital flirtation, this book still delivers a satisfying escape.
The story translates beautifully to audio, with Jason Clark and Grace Grant delivering a magical performance. Their narration captures the characters’ nuances, bringing the story to life with authenticity and charm.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Narrator (Audio) | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: | |
About Claudia Y. Burgoa
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she’s the ruler of the house. She’s only partially right. When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At night, she likes to binge watch shows with her equally geeky husband.
