Mr. Grumpy’s Christmas Date

Mr Grumpy's Christmas Date
Part of the Betting on Christmas series:
  • Mr. Grumpy's Christmas Date

"gave me all the warm and fuzzies" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pure grumpy-sunshine, fake dating "Holiday Hallmark with Heat" fun!

He's a grinch, she's full of cheer. Can fake dating turn into something sincere?

He’s her rich and grumpy workaholic boss. She’s one of his merriest and most annoying employees. They couldn’t be more opposite. But when he needs a plus-one for a friend’s high society Manhattan yuletide wedding, he’s betting on Christmas to lure her into being his last-minute date.

What he doesn’t count on is her demanding his quid-pro-quo performance as her fake boyfriend for her matchmaking family in snowy upstate New York over the holidays… or them both enjoying fake dating so much.

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Published:
Genres:
Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Romantic Comedy, Smalltown Romance, Steamy Romance

Tags:
Billionaire, Fake Relationship, grumpy hero, grumpy sunshine, Holiday, Holiday Romance, Opposites Attract, RomCom, Smalltown Romance, Spicy Romance, Weddings

Excerpt:

“Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?” Alexander asked Evan.

“Nope.” The other man grinned.

“What’s going on?” Merry asked, eyes narrowed as her gaze ping-ponged between the two executives visiting her lowly work area.

“Our mutual friend here needs a date for a wedding Christmas weekend.”

“Evan…” Alexander grit out between clenched teeth.

“Seriously, dude. Just tell her what day the wedding is. Maybe she can come.” Evan turned back to her. “You’d go right? It should be nice. Where is it?” Evan pivoted again to address Alexander.

“The Plaza,” he mumbled.

Evan let out a long low whistle. “The Plaza at Christmas. That’s going to be gorgeous. Imagine the decorations. You like Christmas decorations, right?” He reached out pointedly and touched one ornament on her mini desk tree.

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“I do,” she answered, playing along as a plan began to form. It took her barely ten seconds to make up her mind. “What day?” she asked.

Both men turned to stare at her.

“The wedding. What’s the date?” she elaborated.

Alexander swallowed visibly, then said, “Saturday, December twenty-third. And apparently there’s a rehearsal dinner Friday as well that, um, I’m supposed to have a date for.”

“He’s a groomsmen,” Evan supplied hooking a thumb in his friend’s direction.

“Hence our trip to the tuxedo shop,” she guessed, putting the pieces together.

He nodded while Evan’s brows shot up with interest. “What trip is this?”

“Nothing,” Alexander said.

She’d been planning on leaving right from work Friday the twenty-second. She had the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off, as did the rest of the company, so she wouldn’t have to return to the city until January first.

But in light of what was waiting for her at home—namely Jeff and her mom pushing them together—those ten days home looked less and less enticing.

It would feel like an eternity. Her favorite time of the year and her first vacation from work since starting and it was all going to be ruined by Jeff showing up and following her around like a lovesick puppy, if she didn’t do something.

But, if she went to this wedding with Alexander, then maybe she could get him to agree to do something for her. Such as come home with her this weekend and scare off her much too friendly high school ex-boyfriend.

Her actually dating someone else might be the only thing to combat her mother’s matchmaking and Jeff’s sudden and unexplained enthusiasm for her a decade after they’d broken up.

“I can make that work,” she blurted.

“What?” Alexander’s eyes flew wide.

“Great!” Evan grinned, speaking over his friend.

“If you do something for me,” she added.

Evan’s brows rose over hazel eyes that sparked with interest. “That sounds intriguing.”

“Why are you still here?” Alexander glared at him, before turning back to her. “What did you have in mind? And remember, I don’t control promotions or raises.”

She waved that away. “It’s not work related. It’s personal.”

“I like the sound of that.”

They both turned to glare at Evan for that comment this time.

“Sorry,” he mumbled but didn’t leave.

“What are you doing this weekend?” she asked Alexander.

He looked understandably cautious as he said, “Uh, nothing, I guess. Why?”

Things were looking promising. Her lips twitched with a smile. “How would you feel about a little road trip?"

COLLAPSE
Reviews:Star Reviewer on Amazon wrote:

This book is an absolute delight, humorous, romantic with lots of Christmas theme “dates” and winter activities with the opposite attract characters giving off all the right feels, making you love them both.

Belinda on Goodreads wrote:

An entertaining holiday story about a grumpy overworked boss who thinks Christmas is just another day, and an over the top Christmas lover...Great characters and fun storyline. 5 Stars

Dana Zamora on Goodreads wrote:

...such a fun loving, family values, heartfelt story. Cat Johnson this is amazing. 5 Stars

Pam Brown on Goodreads wrote:

Absolutely perfect! Xander and Merry were totally awesome! Between his grumpy demeanor and her cheerful outlook on life and the holidays what could go wrong. ...Well written and a wonderful holiday story. 5+ stars.

Schellie Duce on Bookbub wrote:

Xander & Merry had a classic story of grumpy, workaholic/Sunshine, Christmas lover! What an amazing story, I so enjoyed watching them navigate "fake" dating while slowing discovering how much they enjoyed the others company.

This story was HOT with a capital H.O.T. & every bit as steamy & sexy.

Watching an alpha playboy bachelor fall to his knees for the woman he never saw coming, is about the best thing ever!

Hayho on Amazon UK wrote:

FANTASTIC FESTIVE READ
This book is brilliant and lighthearted. Xander is the living embodiment of the grinch and Merry is Christmas on steroids. He needs a date for his best friends wedding and she needs a date to fend off her ex boyfriend. What starts out as helping each other out evolves into so much more.

I really really enjoyed this book. It gave me all the warm and fuzzies.
I loved Xander at the start and loved him even more by the end of the book.


The Betting On Christmas Collection

A big city billionaire with a bride from a small town. A high society New York City wedding with a momzilla being bossy boots. And one crazy bet. Will the bridesmaids and groomsmen find their own dates to the wedding of the century this Christmas, or will they all fall victim to Momzilla's decree? Find out in 10 standalone romances by ten bestselling authors: Zee Irwin, Cat Johnson, Delancey Stewart, Amy Stephens, Tracy Broemmer, Peggy McKenzie, Megan Ryder, Sofia Aves, Kim Law, Harper Cross

Betting on Christmas Collection Authors

 

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION PROMPTS:

  1. How does the author establish the initial dynamic between the main characters as being opposite and potentially conflicting? How does this dynamic evolve throughout the story?
  2. Discuss the theme of personal transformation in the novel. How do the characters' interactions with each other and the holiday season contribute to their growth and change?
  3. The concept of "fake dating" is central to the story. How does the author explore the idea of pretending to be in a relationship? What are the consequences and unexpected outcomes of this arrangement?
  4. Explore the role of family in the novel. How does the protagonist's demanding family influence the plot and shape the characters' decisions? How do their families impact their romantic journey?
  5. Discuss the character development of the main female protagonist. How does she challenge the male protagonist's worldview and bring out different aspects of his personality? How does her role as a coworker affect their relationship?
  6. The setting of the story is during the holiday season. How does the author use the festive backdrop to enhance the romance and the characters' emotional journey? How does the holiday atmosphere contribute to the overall plot?
  7. Examine the theme of work-life balance in the novel. How does the male protagonist's workaholic nature affect his relationships and personal happiness? How does the female protagonist's presence influence his perspective on work and life?
  8. Discuss the supporting characters in the story, particularly the family members. How do their actions and opinions shape the main characters' choices and affect the progression of the story?
  9. Explore the concept of "opposites attract" in the context of the novel. How do the main characters' contrasting personalities and lifestyles create both tension and chemistry in their relationship? Do you find their dynamic believable and well-developed?
  10. Reflect on the role of humor in the story. How does the author use comedic elements to enhance the romance and engage the readers? How does humor contribute to the overall tone and atmosphere of the book?

Remember to encourage members to provide specific examples and references from the book to support their points during the discussion.