Only for the Holidays

July 29, 2024
Reeling from a breakup, British teen Quincy Parker throws himself into helping out around his family’s farm, which includes assisting in planning the annual Winter Ball, a point of pride and pressure for the Parkers as they will be the first Black family to host the event in the history of White Oak. When his siblings remind him that he needs a date to attend the event, and his mother offers to “ask around,” Quincy knows he must find a partner or risk embarrassment. Meanwhile, “city girl” Tia Solanké and her siblings arrive at the farm’s adjoining inn with their Nigerian-British mother, who wanted to spend Christmas away from London. Before departing, Tia’s boyfriend requested space. Sensing an opportunity to make Quincy’s ex-girlfriend jealous and help Tia save her relationship, the pair decide to attend the Winter Ball as a couple. But inclement weather—and their own developing feelings—might make things more complicated than they anticipated. Bello (Love in Winter Wonderland) 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. Ages 14–up. Agent: Gemma Cooper, Bent Agency.

August 15, 2024
A city girl and a country boy strike a deal to help each other out with their relationship woes. Nigerian British Tia Solank� thought life was going well. But then her boyfriend, Mike, who's Black and Indian, asked her for "space," and her mum announced a surprise two-week winter holiday at a country house. They'd be away from London during Mike's 18th-birthday party, which Tia planned and sees as her one shot to save her relationship. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Quincy Parker is reeling from betrayal--his best friend and now-ex-girlfriend slept together. Perhaps that's why he panics and lies about having a date to their small market town's storied Winter Ball, which for the first time will be hosted by a Black family--his. When the Solank�s arrive at the Parkers' luxurious Georgian farm property, neither teen is impressed by the other, but they nevertheless soon make a deal: Tia will fake date Quincy so his ex will see that he's moved on, and in turn, Quincy will help Tia sneak out to Mike's party for a few hours. It's a perfect plan--until their feelings become real. This charming, straightforward romance with a little added drama will appeal to Hallmark fans. Quincy, Tia, and their siblings feel like fully formed characters, and the portrayal of Tia's blended family is particularly heartwarming. Though the ending feels abrupt, the story appealingly incorporates popular romance tropes. A sweet Christmas love story.(Romance. 13-17)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-Quincy Parker's family runs a luxury guest farm in a wealthy rural community, and they are about to be the first Black family to host the town's generations-old Winter Ball. Their head chef just quit, and the pressure is mounting. Having just been through a painful breakup, Quincy lies to his family about having a date for the event, knowing his single status is an added stress on the event planning. Enter Tia Solank�, a beautiful, slightly prissy girl from London, who is visiting the farm with her family for the holidays. Tia is looking for a way to sneak back to London for her sort-of boyfriend's birthday party, and Quincy needs someone to bring to the ball, to save face for his family and to show his ex he's over her. The two strike a deal to help each other out, and the sparks fly. Quincy and Tia are easy to root for, and their warm and thoughtful families ground this light holiday romance. An abrupt ending might leave some readers wanting more, but they will have had fun getting there. VERDICT A quick and cozy story to curl up with when the weather gets cold.-Beth McIntyre

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 Tia's boyfriend asks for space and Quincy's girlfriend has cheated on him: that's how we meet the heroes of this warm holiday romance. After a difficult year for the family, Tia's mom has organized a winter vacation for them in the countryside. Meanwhile, Quincy needs a date to his town's annual Winter Ball. The two teens find the perfect solution to both of their problems when they agree to fake date in a plot to make Quincy's ex jealous and Tia's boyfriend want her back. Of course, the plan eventually lands the two of them in hot water, not to mention the real feelings they start to have for each other. Bello's new book is a family tale as much as a romance, with a strong emphasis on Tia's and Quincy's relationships with their siblings and parents. Chapters alternate between Tia's and Quincy's first-person narratives, which allows for deliciously swoony moments as the teens slowly fall for each other. Yes, there is mess, but it's realistic, teenage mess, and the book's happy ending will be eminently satisfying to romance lovers.

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