Thursday, February 6, 2025

Holidating – Three Sizzling Holiday Romances by Sarina Bowen

A delightful anthology of holiday romances that perfectly captures the magic, chaos, and unexpected connections of the festive season

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While not perfect, it's a thoroughly enjoyable collection that showcases Bowen's strengths as a romance author. The full-length novel Boyfriend is particularly strong, while the two novellas provide satisfying quick reads perfect for busy holiday seasons.

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In Holidating, USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen offers readers a charming collection of three holiday-themed romances that showcase her talent for creating authentic characters and heartwarming love stories. Each novella brings its own unique flavor to the anthology while maintaining the author’s signature style of witty dialogue, genuine emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry between leads.

The Stories

Boyfriend

The collection opens with its strongest offering – a full-length novel that perfectly balances humor and heart. When Abbi tears a phone number off a flyer advertising a “rent-a-boyfriend” service for Thanksgiving, she doesn’t expect to find herself entangled with Weston, Moo U’s charming star defenseman. Their arrangement begins as a simple solution to avoid family drama but evolves into something deeper as they navigate their growing feelings amidst family complications.

Bowen excels at creating realistic family dynamics, and the tension between Abbi and her stepbrother Price adds a compelling layer to the story. The author handles sensitive topics with care while maintaining the overall warmth of the holiday romance genre.

Crossroads

The second story follows taxi driver Damien Rossi and his favorite client, Nicolette Overland. Their yearly airport meetings during Christmas become the highlight of both their lives, though neither dares to admit it. This novella particularly shines in its exploration of class differences and missed opportunities, though some readers might find the resolution slightly rushed.

Blonde Date

The collection concludes with a charming story about Katie, a college student seeking a “nice guy” date for a holiday Greek event after a bad experience with a fraternity brother. The author skillfully subverts typical “nerdy guy” tropes while delivering a satisfying revenge plot and genuine romance.

Writing Style and Characterization

Bowen’s writing consistently delivers:

  • Natural, flowing dialogue that reveals character
  • Complex family dynamics that feel authentic
  • Well-paced romantic development
  • A perfect balance of humor and emotional depth

The author particularly excels at creating male protagonists who feel real rather than idealized – they’re flawed but endearing, capable of growth while maintaining their distinct personalities.

Strengths

  1. Strong character development across all three stories
  2. Authentic holiday atmosphere without overwhelming the plots
  3. Skillful handling of serious themes within lighter romantic frameworks
  4. Diverse storylines that keep readers engaged
  5. Consistent quality despite varying lengths

Areas for Improvement

  • The transition between stories could be smoother
  • Some secondary characters, particularly in Crossroads, feel underdeveloped
  • Certain plot resolutions, especially in the shorter works, feel slightly rushed
  • A few romantic tropes feel predictable, though well-executed

Target Audience

This collection will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy:

  • College sports romances
  • Holiday-themed love stories
  • Second-chance romance
  • Class-crossing love stories
  • Stories featuring complex family dynamics

Comparative Analysis

Compared to Sarina Bowen’s other works, such as her True North series or Brooklyn Bruisers books, Holidating maintains her high standards while offering something fresh. The holiday setting adds an extra layer of warmth to her characteristic style.

Impact and Engagement

Each story in the collection tackles different aspects of holiday romance while maintaining thematic coherence. The anthology format allows readers to experience various romantic scenarios while staying within the cozy holiday atmosphere. Bowen’s talent for creating chemistry between characters shines consistently across all three stories.

Technical Elements

  • Pacing: Generally well-maintained, though slightly rushed in the novellas
  • Dialogue: Natural and engaging
  • Character Development: Strong, particularly in the full-length novel
  • World-Building: Excellent sense of place and atmosphere
  • Emotional Depth: Consistently good across all stories

Holiday Romance Elements

The collection skillfully incorporates festive elements without letting them overwhelm the core romantic plots. Each story uses its holiday setting to enhance rather than define the narrative, creating authentic seasonal atmosphere while maintaining focus on character development and relationship building.

Final Verdict

While not perfect, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable collection that showcases Bowen’s strengths as a romance author. The full-length novel Boyfriend is particularly strong, while the two novellas provide satisfying quick reads perfect for busy holiday seasons.

Recommendation

Highly recommended for fans of:

  • Holiday romances
  • Sports romance
  • New adult fiction
  • Contemporary romance
  • Character-driven stories

This collection serves as both an excellent introduction to Bowen’s work for new readers and a satisfying addition to her bibliography for existing fans. It’s perfect for cozy winter reading, offering enough depth to engage while maintaining the light, hopeful tone expected of holiday romances.

Reading Experience

The varying lengths of the stories make this collection particularly accessible – readers can easily digest it in multiple sittings or binge through in one festive reading session. Each story stands alone while contributing to the overall warm, romantic holiday atmosphere of the collection.

Conclusion

Despite minor flaws, Holidating by Sarina Bowen succeeds in delivering three engaging holiday romances that will satisfy readers looking for both emotional depth and festive charm. Bowen continues to prove herself as a reliable voice in contemporary romance, skilled at creating authentic characters and compelling love stories regardless of length constraints.

For readers seeking holiday romance that balances real emotional stakes with festive joy, Holidating is a worthy addition to their winter reading list. The collection offers something for every romance reader while maintaining consistently high quality across all three stories.

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While not perfect, it's a thoroughly enjoyable collection that showcases Bowen's strengths as a romance author. The full-length novel Boyfriend is particularly strong, while the two novellas provide satisfying quick reads perfect for busy holiday seasons.Holidating - Three Sizzling Holiday Romances by Sarina Bowen