Only for the Holidays - by Abiola Bello

About the Book

Narrated from different viewpoints, Tia and Quincy grapple with the aftermath of their recent breakups and strike a deal: Tia agrees to accompany Quincy to the winter ball as his date in return for his help in winning back her ex, but as their plan progresses so do their feelings for each other.

Book Synopsis

The Love Hypothesis meets The Holiday in this fake dating YA romance about a city girl and country boy's lives colliding at Christmas

City girl Tia Solanké is dreading the festive season. She and her boyfriend are on a break and the last thing she wants is to spend Christmas away from London. Dragged to Saiyan Hedge Farm by her mother, Tia takes an instant dislike to the countryside estate. She falls in horse manure, is chased by sheep and the Wi-Fi sucks. How can she stalk her ex and concoct a foolproof plan to win him back from here?

Country boy Quincy Parker and his family run the farm, and this year they've been selected to host the biggest event in town--the Winter Ball. Preparations are underway, and Quincy is working around the clock to make it a success while recovering from his own devastating breakup. The only problem is, he's told everyone he has a date to the ball, which couldn't be further from the truth.

At first, Tia and Quincy don't see eye to eye--until they realize they both have something to gain by pretending to be a couple. But when a snowstorm threatens to cancel the Winter Ball, their fake relationship is put to the test. Will Tia and Quincy be able to keep up appearances and save the day, or will real feelings get in the way?

Review Quotes

Praise for Only for the Holidays

Selected for the Children's Book Council Teacher Favorites and Librarian Favorites Awards

"A delectably festive YA romcom."
--The Guardian

"Compulsively readable, frothy and fun-filled, this is a highly recommended festive pick-me-up."
--Irish Examiner

"City girl versus country boy makes for some hilarious country fiascoes, which of course, lead to cute romantic moments and grand gestures . . . Grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy."
--Los Angeles Book Review

"This sweet romance intertwines the festive spirit with themes of self-discovery and young love."
--Audible

"A captivating Christmas romcom."
--Waterstones

"This is the perfect read for those cozy evenings when it's cold outside."
--The Black Book Blog (UK)

"A sweet and fun opposites-attract novel that pairs perfectly with a blanket and a comforting mug of hot chocolate."
--Culturefly

"Quincy and Tia are easy to root for, and their warm and thoughtful families ground this light holiday romance . . . A quick and cozy story to curl up with when the weather gets cold."
--School Library Journal

"Bello employs an uplifting tone and combines romance tropes like fake dating with a classic country-boy-meets-city-girl plot to present a swoony romantic comedy that's sure to delight in any season."
--Publishers Weekly

"Deliciously swoony . . . The book's happy ending will be eminently satisfying to romance lovers."
--Booklist

"Charming . . . Will appeal to Hallmark fans . . . A sweet Christmas love story."
--Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Love in Winter Wonderland

A Children's Book Council Teacher Favorites Selection
Best Books to Gift from Book Riot's Hey YA Podcast
An ABA's Best Books for Young Readers
A PNBA Bestseller

"Brimming with heart-swelling chemistry and witty bookworm banter . . . A charming young adult book that will give you all the warm fuzzies."
--Reader's Digest

"Love in Winter Wonderland addresses plenty of critical topics such as the importance of indie bookstores, the effects of gentrification, body diversity, grief over losing a parent, and more."
--TEACH Magazine

"A sweetly seasonal YA romance, interwoven with thoughtful commentary on the Black Lives Matter movement and the importance of community."
--The Guardian

"Abiola Bello introduces us to a winter fairy tale of love, where snowflakes and romance dance together. This heartwarming story explores the magic of the season and reminds us that sometimes love is the greatest gift."
--City Magazine Slovenia

"Love in Winter Wonderland sparkles and shines right off the page thanks to gorgeous writing, witty dialogue, a magical setting and two characters you'll fall head over heels for as they're falling for each other. I love, love, love this book!"
--Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places

"A Black romance set in a Black-owned bookstore at Christmas time--yes please! The chemistry was palpable. The pacing kept me turning pages all night. And the story has stayed with me long after putting it down--the perfect gift for Black girls who crave a screen-worthy holiday romance."
--Joya Goffney, author of Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry

"A dazzling love letter to bookshops, and the power of community."
--Adiba Jaigirdar, author of Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating

"Like your favourite Christmas song, Love in Winter Wonderland is full of warmth, humour and joy. It's both a celebration of community and an affirmation of how thoughtful young love can be. A delightful read!"
--Michelle Quach, author of Not Here to Be Liked

About the Author

Abiola Bello is a British-Nigerian author from London, England. She is the bestselling, award-winning author of the children's series Emily Knight I Am and the YA novel Love in Winter Wonderland, as well as a contributor to The Very Merry Murder Club anthology. Abiola has won London's BIG Read 2019, was a finalist for the People's Book Prize Best Children's Book and was nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Award.