Booked for the Holidays

By: Erin Hawkins

Narrated by: Victoria Connolly, Jason Clarke

A steamy brother's best friend, second chance romantic comedy

Last Christmas, I gave Liam Hargrove my heart…

Okay, maybe not my heart. But I was ready to give him something else—until he panicked and dropped me on my ass, bruising both my tailbone and my ego. Now I’d like to forget the whole mortifying mess ever happened.

This year, I’m moving on. I’ve traded my silly crush on my brother’s best friend for a dream come true: opening Blush & Binding, Cedar Hollow’s first romance-only bookstore. With a calendar full of holiday events, this Christmas is going to be my best one yet.

Until Liam shows up.

With my parents’ house overflowing and the local inn booked solid, my mom oh-so-generously offers up my guest room.

Now he’s in my space, helping with inventory, charming my customers just by existing, and reading my annotated romance novels like they’re a guidebook. He says he wants to make it up to me…starting by reenacting a few of my favorite scenes.

His gingerbread house building skills are impressive, so I just might let him.
But this time, I’m not falling so easily—or at least not without a fight.

©2025 Erin Hawkins Books LLC (P)2025 Erin Hawkins Books LLC

The duet narration was amazing!

This duet narration brought the story to life. Erin Hawkins did a great job writing a fun book. It was a great performance by both narrators. Jason Clarke is always amazing, it was very cool to hear him do a british accent. I highly recommend this audiobook!

Book 2?

This one followed up on the Hostile for the Holidays, which I just read, and I didn't realize it until I started, so that was a pleasant surprise.

After the rejection from Liam last year, Junie (Juniper) moved on and built her romance bookstore. She also got some help in an online business forum and became friends. No 3rd act breakup in this one, which I was happy to see.

I wonder if there is a book out there about Liam's brother Beck... I'd be interested to read that one, too.

Jason Clarke doing a British accent perfectly?! Who knew! And those growls... phew!

the male narrator 🥵

this was a great book to start the Christmas season. I loved the male narrator. his voice was mmm. the story was also a 5/5. can't wait to read more from this author

Juniper & Liam

Ah, Victoria Connolly and Jason Clarke in DUET - wonderful, excellent, especially Jason with his British accent as Liam.

I'm going with 3.5-4 stars on this one. It's a cute story but I would have found it more believable if it hadn't taken Liam an entire year to come up with his grand gesture to win Juniper's heart.

She's crushed on her brother's best friend for years. She puts herself out there after they've spent a day together and she thinks she's finally feeling reciprocal sparks. He turns her down and basically runs away for a year. But he didn't turn her down because he didn't feel the same things, he was just... trying to figure out how to navigate changing his entire life for love, not to mention making sure it was okay with his best friend (note: I approve of telling your best friend, but I disagree with having to get their so-called blessing - not specific to this book, this is a general thing for me)

Everyone was on board Liam winning Juniper over. Juniper, being totally in the dark about Liam's motives and what he has planned, is understandably cautious.

I did appreciate the grand gesture, it was pretty well done. I agree with another reviewer who mentioned "you've got mail" vibes, but honestly, that wasn't that big a part of the story and I'm so glad. It could have caused angst in a 3rd act breakup/plot twist, so I liked it the way it was.

Lots of spice, and I agree that there could have been more dating and getting to know one another. I felt like Liam was the littlest bit over-secretive.

Sweet Scale: 4/5
Spicy Scale: 3.5/5

SO GOOD!!!

This book is perfect! It has the perfect plot with the perfect amount of spice! I am not one to buy a holiday book, but this one was so worth it! The narrators are beyond amazing!!! I LOVE a good English accent!!!♥️