Falling for Christmas by Carly Phillips
Dare to Fall #4
Holiday Romance
November 12, 2026
❄️Christmas Magic
❄️Forced Proximity
❄️Grumpy Sunshine
❄️Happily Ever After
❄️Holiday Romance
❄️Neighbors to Lovers
❄️Opposites Attract
❄️Protective Alpha
❄️Small Town
❄️Sports Hero
I came to Charleston for a fresh start. Falling for my Christmas-obsessed neighbor wasn’t part of the plan.
Holly Monroe is sunshine wrapped in a big red bow. She lights up her house like Santa lives next door and believes Christmas magic can fix just about anything.
I’m grumpy, guarded, and about as festive as a lump of coal.
But when a community toy drive puts us on the same team, Holly drags me into Christmas chaos—and straight through every wall I’ve spent years building.
Between holiday markets, decorating disasters, and her impossible smile, I start falling for the one woman who sees past my grumpy exterior. She reminds me of the grandmother who made Christmas magical before life took that magic away.
For the first time in years, I’m starting to believe in Christmas. And maybe love.
Then my career forces me to make a choice, and I make the biggest mistake of my life.
Holly deserves someone who chooses her. Now I have one chance to prove I’m that man before I lose the woman who made me believe in happy endings again.
Because sometimes the greatest Christmas miracle isn’t under the tree. It’s finding the person who feels like home.
Grab your copy on Amazon – available in Kindle+: https://www.carlyphillips.com/books/falling-for-xmas/
My new neighbor is hot.
“Can I help you?” he asks.
And he has a nice, deep voice too.
“Uh, yeah,” I say, suddenly remembering that I came here for a reason, and it isn’t to ogle the man. “I just wanted to introduce myself and welcome you to the neighborhood. I’m Holly.” I hold out the container of cookies, and he takes them with a small grin that somehow makes him even more handsome. “They’re shortbread.”
His eyes open wider in appreciation. “Wow, thank you. I’m Clay.” He extends a hand, and when I slide my palm against his, his large hand swallows my own. Callouses brush my fingers and his skin is warm. “So, you must live nearby, right?” he asks.
“Right next door, actually.” I gesture toward my house and his expression shifts from friendly to displeased in seconds.
“Oh, the Christmas house.” He grits out the words, his disdain obvious.
“Well, yes,” I say stiffly. “It is the season. I think it’s beautiful.”
He scoffs and rolls his eyes. “I guess … if you’re into that sort of thing.”
I narrow my gaze. “Who isn’t into Christmas?” Decorations, presents, Hallmark movies, giving to charity and all the scents and smells of the season.
“I’m not into it. No offense, but all that decoration? It’s really a bit much.”
Does he really think saying “no offense” cancels out the insult?
“You are planning to take it all down right after Christmas, aren’t you?” he continues.
“You have a problem with joy and warmth?” I ask in a sharp voice.
He frowns. “Not everyone feels warm and fuzzy about Christmas.”
I reach out and grab the Tupperware container still in his hand. I’m not sharing my delicious shortbread cookies — made from a recipe passed down from my grandmother — with this cheerless, rude Christmas grump.
Falling for Christmas: A Dare to Fall Holiday Novella by Carly Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not usually a Christmas romance girl but novella hit just the right spot for me.
I already loved Holly in Falling for Love, so seeing her get her own HEA with the total opposite was not on my Bingo card, but where we are. The banter between Clayand Holly was so much fun to read and don’t get me started on the chemistry. This was fast paced and i loved seeing him fall for her and her Christmas craziness.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of author’s Review Team***
Meet Carly Phillips:
NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers.
Connect with Carly Phillips: https://linktr.ee/carlyphillips
