Plot Summary
Thanksgiving Revelations and Betrayal
Fable attends Thanksgiving dinner with her boyfriend Brady at her boss Wilder's home, surrounded by family and friends. The evening is filled with warmth, games, and holiday cheer—until Fable discovers Brady cheating with the caterer, Iris, in a secret tryst. The betrayal is public and humiliating, shattering Fable's trust and leaving her reeling. The holiday spirit is tainted by heartbreak, and Fable is forced to confront the end of her relationship amidst the backdrop of family celebrations and her boss's watchful, compassionate eyes.
A Proposal and a Breakup
As Fable reels from Brady's infidelity, her sister Charlotte's boyfriend Leo proposes in a heartfelt, public moment. The family is swept up in joy, but Fable's pain lingers beneath the surface. She's asked to be maid of honor, and Brady—oblivious to the damage he's caused—is named a groomsman. The wedding is set for Christmas Eve at Wilder's luxurious cabins, and Fable must navigate the awkwardness of her ex's presence while hiding her heartbreak to protect her sister's happiness.
The Fake Dating Pact
With the wedding approaching and Brady flaunting his new relationship with Iris, Fable dreads facing them both. Wilder, her billionaire boss and the best man, proposes a solution: they'll pretend to date through the holidays, helping each other save face and avoid meddling relatives. The pact is practical—revenge for Fable, a plus-one for Wilder—but as they plan their ruse, sparks of genuine attraction begin to flicker beneath the surface, complicating their carefully constructed façade. This fake dating arrangement becomes the foundation of their evolving relationship.
Office Mishaps and New Beginnings
Back at work, Fable and Wilder's partnership is tested by a series of comic mishaps—glitter mishaps, accidental sexts, and a memorable "practice kiss." Their chemistry is undeniable, but both are wary of crossing professional lines. As they prepare for the company's holiday festivities and the upcoming Christmas games, their fake relationship becomes a source of comfort and excitement, blurring the boundaries between pretense and reality.
The Christmas Games Invitation
Wilder invites Fable to join his family and friends at his Tahoe cabins for the annual Christmas games—a week of festive challenges leading up to the wedding. The event promises snowball fights, tree decorating, and plenty of opportunities to outshine Brady and Iris. Fable and Wilder strategize to win, but the real stakes are emotional: each shared moment draws them closer, and the line between fake and real grows ever thinner. The forced proximity intensifies their connection.
Practice Makes Perfect
To sell their romance, Fable and Wilder agree to "practice" public displays of affection. What starts as staged hand-holding and chaste kisses quickly escalates into genuine desire. Their first real kiss under the mistletoe is electric, leaving both shaken by the intensity of their feelings. The games become a backdrop for their growing intimacy, and their partnership shifts from strategic to deeply personal.
Family, Friends, and Facades
As the holiday week unfolds, Fable leans on her close-knit group of friends for advice and comfort, while Wilder's daughter Mac and his aunt Bibi become unexpected allies. Both Fable and Wilder struggle with family baggage—her parents' toxic history, his father's addiction—and the need to protect those they love. Their fake relationship becomes a safe haven, but the pressure to keep up appearances weighs heavily.
The First Real Kiss
During a holiday party, Fable and Wilder are caught beneath the mistletoe and share a kiss that is anything but fake. The chemistry is undeniable, and the kiss leaves them both breathless and wanting more. The moment marks a turning point: their feelings are no longer just for show, and both begin to question what they truly want from each other beyond the holiday charade. This symbolic moment deepens their connection.
Holiday Payback and Private Longings
Fable relishes small victories over Brady and Iris during the Christmas games, but her focus shifts as her connection with Wilder deepens. Their private moments become more charged, culminating in a passionate encounter that blurs the line between fake and real. Both are haunted by doubts—can something that started as a lie become genuine?—but neither can deny the pull between them.
From Pretend to Passion
Alone together in the honeymoon cabin, Fable and Wilder give in to their desires, sharing nights of vulnerability and pleasure. Their intimacy is no longer just for show; it's a refuge from the chaos outside. As they open up about their fears and dreams, they begin to imagine a future together, even as the specter of their original fake dating agreement—and the risk of heartbreak—looms. The forced proximity has transformed into genuine intimacy.
Secrets, Setbacks, and Sisterhood
The pressure of keeping up the fake relationship takes its toll. Fable confides in her sister Charlotte, revealing the truth about her arrangement with Wilder. Meanwhile, Brady, sensing an opportunity for revenge, exposes their secret to the entire town during the Christmas games. The public exposure is immediate: trust is broken, friendships are strained, and Fable and Wilder are forced to confront the consequences of their deception.
Snowball Fights and Christmas Magic
In the aftermath of the scandal, Fable and Wilder are separated by guilt and misunderstanding. Both must reckon with their pasts—her fear of being hurt, his struggle to trust after family betrayal. With the help of friends and family, they find the courage to fight for each other. A climactic snowball fight and a heartfelt confession pave the way for forgiveness, healing, and the possibility of a love that lasts beyond the holidays. The holiday magic brings them together.
The Truth Comes Out
On Christmas Eve, Fable and Wilder finally admit their true feelings, choosing honesty and vulnerability over self-protection. Wilder confronts his father's addiction and sets boundaries, inspired by Fable's support. Together, they face their families, own up to their mistakes, and commit to building a future based on trust and real affection. Their love, once hidden behind a façade, is now celebrated openly.
Heartbreak and Healing
Fable and Wilder's journey is marked by moments of pain and self-doubt, but also by growth and resilience. They learn to forgive themselves and each other, to accept help, and to believe in the possibility of happiness. The wedding becomes a symbol of new beginnings—not just for Charlotte and Leo, but for Fable and Wilder as well. Surrounded by loved ones, they step into a future defined by hope and extraordinary love.
Love Wins the Holiday
In the epilogue, Fable and Wilder's love story continues beyond the holiday season. Fable opens her dream jewelry shop, and Wilder supports her ambitions. Their blended family—complete with Mac, Bibi, and even Wilder's father in recovery—celebrates Christmas together, creating new traditions and memories. Wilder proposes, and Fable says yes, proving that sometimes, the best love stories begin with a little holiday magic and a lot of courage.
Characters
Fable Calloway
Fable is a talented designer with a passion for eco-friendly jewelry and a deep loyalty to her family and friends. Scarred by her parents' tumultuous relationship and her own history of failed romances, she's wary of vulnerability and quick to hide her pain behind humor and hard work. Her breakup with Brady is a catalyst for growth, pushing her to confront her fears and open herself to real love. Through her fake dating pact with Wilder, Fable learns to trust, to fight for her own happiness, and to believe she deserves extraordinary affection. Her journey is one of self-discovery, healing, and ultimately, joy.
Wilder Blaine
A billionaire sports team owner and single father, Wilder is outwardly confident and in control, but privately haunted by his father's addiction and a fear of emotional risk. He's fiercely protective of his daughter Mac and deeply loyal to his family, but struggles to let anyone in. The fake dating arrangement with Fable begins as a strategic move but quickly exposes his longing for connection and his capacity for deep, passionate love. Wilder's arc is about learning to trust—not just others, but himself—and to embrace the messiness and magic of real relationships.
Brady
Brady is Fable's ex-boyfriend, whose infidelity sets the story in motion. Superficially affable and competitive, he's driven by ego and a need for validation. His actions reveal a lack of empathy and maturity, and his attempts at revenge only serve to highlight his own insecurities. Brady's downfall is a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-absorption and the importance of accountability. His public exposure of Fable and Wilder's secret backfires.
Charlotte Calloway
Fable's younger sister, Charlotte is the heart of the family—a source of joy, encouragement, and stability. Her whirlwind engagement and Christmas Eve wedding provide the backdrop for the story's emotional highs and lows. Charlotte's unwavering belief in love and her ability to forgive inspire Fable to take risks and pursue her own happiness.
Leo Whitlock
Leo is Charlotte's fiancé and Wilder's best friend. His proposal and subsequent support for both Fable and Wilder anchor the story in genuine affection and trust. Leo's easygoing nature and commitment to family make him a model of healthy masculinity and partnership.
Mac Blaine
Wilder's eleven-year-old daughter, Mac is wise beyond her years and serves as both comic relief and emotional anchor. Her matchmaking schemes and candid observations push Wilder and Fable toward honesty and vulnerability. Mac's presence highlights the importance of chosen family and the power of unconditional love.
Bibi
Wilder's aunt Bibi is a force of nature—part matchmaker, part holiday enthusiast, and all heart. Her relentless pursuit of romance for Wilder is both a source of comedy and a catalyst for the story's central conflict. Bibi's eventual acceptance and support underscore the value of forgiveness and the joy of found family.
Iris
The caterer who becomes Brady's new girlfriend, Iris is more a plot device than a fully realized character. Her role is to catalyze Fable's breakup and to serve as a foil for Fable's growth. Iris's presence is a reminder that not all relationships are meant to last, and that self-respect is more important than revenge.
Fable's Mother
Scarred by years of betrayal, Fable's mother is a cautionary figure—a reminder of the dangers of settling for less than one deserves. Her journey toward independence and happiness inspires Fable to break the cycle of pain and to seek out real, lasting love. Her story represents generational trauma that Fable must overcome.
Wilder's Father
Wilder's father is a source of pain and anxiety, his gambling addiction casting a long shadow over Wilder's life. His eventual decision to seek help and Wilder's choice to set boundaries mark a turning point in the story, symbolizing the possibility of healing and the importance of self-care. His addiction is part of the family dynamics that shape Wilder's character.
Plot Devices
Fake Dating and Forced Proximity
The central plot device is the fake dating arrangement between Fable and Wilder, designed to save face and avoid family meddling. Forced proximity—through shared cabins, holiday games, and wedding duties—creates opportunities for intimacy, vulnerability, and eventual passion. The device is used to explore themes of trust, self-discovery, and the blurred line between pretense and authenticity.
Holiday Competition and Games
The Christmas games serve as both a literal and metaphorical battleground, allowing characters to confront their insecurities, prove their worth, and bond through teamwork. The competitions provide structure, stakes, and comic relief, while also highlighting the importance of play, tradition, and community. The games create forced proximity for Fable and Wilder.
Public Exposure and Scandal
The threat—and eventual reality—of public exposure heightens tension and forces characters to confront the consequences of their actions. Brady's public unmasking of Fable and Wilder's fake relationship serves as a crucible, testing their commitment to each other and their willingness to fight for real love.
Family Dynamics and Generational Trauma
Both Fable and Wilder are shaped by their parents' failures—infidelity, addiction, and emotional neglect. The story uses flashbacks, confessions, and parallel arcs to explore how the past informs the present, and how breaking cycles of pain requires courage, honesty, and support. Fable's mother and Wilder's father represent these generational patterns.
Symbolism and Motifs
Snow, Christmas lights, and homemade gifts recur throughout the narrative, symbolizing hope, transformation, and the possibility of new beginnings. The motif of "home for the holidays" is reimagined as the creation of chosen family and the embrace of real, messy, extraordinary love.
Analysis
Lauren Blakely's My Favorite Holidate is a sparkling, emotionally resonant holiday romance that uses the familiar trope of fake dating to explore deeper themes of trust, vulnerability, and self-worth. At its heart, the novel is about two people learning to let go of the past—family trauma, failed relationships, and the fear of being hurt—to embrace the messy, magical possibility of real love. The holiday setting amplifies both the stakes and the sense of hope, using festive games and traditions as a crucible for growth and connection. Blakely's characters are richly drawn, with Fable's journey from guarded cynic to joyful partner mirroring Wilder's evolution from stoic provider to open-hearted lover. The novel's humor, warmth, and unabashed celebration of pleasure are balanced by moments of genuine pain and self-reflection, making the eventual happy ending feel earned and deeply satisfying. Ultimately, My Favorite Holidate is a testament to the power of honesty, the importance of chosen family, and the enduring magic of love—at Christmas and beyond.
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