Reviewed by Lesley

TITLE:  Holli Jolly

SERIES:  Merry Elf-Mas

AUTHOR: Freesia Woodley

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 146 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 17, 2023

BLURB:

Christmas is coming early for these Santa’s helpers.

Holli

Who knew returning a toddler to her dad would turn my world upside down? Now I’m pretending to be the fake boyfriend of the richest guy in town. Between school and work, my life is messy enough. As Jack and I get closer, though, I find myself falling for him and his gentle guidance. Maybe my cousin was right and I need a Daddy after all.

Jack

Since turning forty, I’d all but given up on finding my dream boy. Then fate dropped Holli into my lap. He says he doesn’t have time for a relationship, but I can see he needs me. My sister’s gala is the perfect excuse to get closer to this stubborn boy. I’ll win him over and we’ll have a Holli Jolly Christmas.

This book is part of the Merry Elf-Mas multi-author series. Each story can be read as a standalone, but why not come along for the ride as each of Santa’s elves finds love during the holidays?

Trigger Warning: Mentions of past parental abuse, on page gaslighting by a sibling

REVIEW:

This is the first Christmas book I have read this winter and I loved it. A true Hallmark movie start to my festive reading.

Hollis Rudolph Bell-Jolly (I kid you not) is working 3 part time jobs whilst training to be a pre-school teacher. The latest one is as an elf at Santa’s Village at Frostdale Mall on Evergreen Boulevard, in a town founded by the Winter family – see so Hallmark all the way. He was brought up by the “Ollys” Lolly, Dolly, Polly & Molly after his mother Colly left him with his Nan and aunts.

Jack Winter (of the aforementioned Winter’s family) is a very successful businessman. He is also a single father by choice and is taking his little girl Flora to see Santa when she wanders off and finds herself an elf, Holli. Jack knows Holli is meant to be his boy, and whilst Holli would love to have Jack as his Daddy, he is afraid to be too dependent on anyone, especially after the way his parents treated him.

Jack has told his sister that he has a date for the family annual fundraising gala to get her off his back, but he doesn’t. Maybe if he can convince Holli to be his fake date, meaning they would need to get to know each other, Holli will fall for him for real.

Add in some supportive friends, who are also elves at the mall, some meddling family, different social and economic classes and a toddler and you have a truly charming festive read.

The Daddy/ boy element is only a small part of the story. Apart from Jack helping Holli to make some decisions and Holli calling him Daddy it’s not really the focus of the story, no this is a rich man/poor man, not be taken seriously love story.

I have not read the other books in the series, and this can definitely be read as a standalone story.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon