Hunk for the Holidays

Hunk for the Holidays knows exactly what it is: a light Christmas love story that exists just to entertain. Lane leans into the charm of a slightly ridiculous premise and, woo hoo, makes it work. The book is warm, funny, and unembarrassed about its own cheer, which is all a holiday romance needs to be.

I confess, I often enjoy the “I fell for my male escort” trope. Done well, the setup allows for unexpected connection and, usually, hot sex. Lane delivers on both fronts—Hunk for the Holidays is sexy, funny, and an enjoyable way to spend a winter’s afternoon.

Our heroine, Cassie McPherson, worn down by her family’s matchmaking, has hired escorts before—just someone to stand beside her at yet another McPherson gathering. So when James Sutton appears in her office, she naturally assumes the agency has sent her a holiday upgrade. James, who arrived expecting a business meeting with her father, steps into the role with deceptive ease. Why not try it? He’s her family’s chief business competitor and the proximity might give him an edge. Besides, the moment they see each other, the sparks are undeniable.

I liked Cassie and James. She wants more than the narrow path her father imagines for her, though she hasn’t yet figured out how to seize it. James is an alpha who’s used to being in charge, but Cassie refuses to play along, and he finds that both maddening and appealing. It’s clear they suit each other and it’s good fun to watch them slowly figure that out. 

Lane surrounds them with an amusing supporting cast. Cassie’s boisterous brothers argue as if it were a competitive sport, her aunt meddles with abandon, and the neighbors behave as though the McPhersons’ business were their own. There’s even a sweet secondary romance for her brother Rory. (I’m a sucker for a good secondary romance, and this one is a winner.)

The premise requires some suspension of disbelief—surely someone in this family has looked up their chief competitor—but the novel’s charm makes that easy to ignore. Cassie is genuinely likable, James’s alpha edge works for the story, and the whole thing moves with enough spark and momentum to keep you engaged. Hunk for the Holidays is funny, sexy, and satisfying—exactly the sort of romance that can make December reading feel like a treat.