The Great Charade by Gerri Hill is a delightful holiday romance coupled with an awesome fake dating scheme and lots of family drama.
Abby used to enjoy being with her family for the holidays because it was once a joyful and hassle-free time but that’s no longer the case and she really needs a fake girlfriend—someone who wouldn’t mind spending ten days in Red River, New Mexico with her playing the role of a loving partner. None of her friends are willing to be her pretend girlfriend so she asks a gorgeous stranger to help her out.
Nic agreed to the fake dating plan because she wanted to experience a festive, family-oriented and winter wonderland kind of Christmas that she had always longed for when she was a child.
Abby and Nic come from two completely different worlds and they never thought that they would become friends. They certainly didn’t think that their pretend relationship could turn into the real deal. But all good things must come to an end, don’t they? Once they part ways it’s highly unlikely that they’ll see each other again.
But there’s just one problem—Abby still needs a plus one for her brother’s upcoming wedding.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
April: Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I’m here for all the holiday romance novels that feature two endearing and resilient women who fall arse over tit in love with each other when they least expect it. The Great Charade has all of the above and so much more. I couldn’t get enough of the beautiful and cozy descriptions of Abby’s parents’ home and I really felt as though I was enjoying a White Christmas with Nic, Abby and her family in Red River, New Mexico. Abby and Nic were so easy to love and I got seriously attached to them because this wonderful author gave me a front row seat to their conflicting thoughts and emotions as well as the sizzling attraction that was brewing between them.
Cons And Heads Up
April: As much as I enjoyed this lovely story, I really didn’t like the way Gerri Hill dealt with the issue of cheating and strained family relationships. I know this is a holiday novel and it was meant to be a fun and lighthearted read but I still felt as though the author trivialized the painful situation between Abby and her ex-girlfriend, Holly.
Sheena: I totally agree with April. This book is easy to love. The main characters are well drawn and one feels for them both, the family is a delight and I love the Hill/Craden combination in all genres.
In terms of the audiobook itself, Hill wrote a wonderful fake romance and Craden narrated every moment perfectly. Is it possible that the already awesome Abby Craden can be even more awesome?! I swear that’s the case.
The Conclusion
April: After devouring this low angst and adorable holiday romance—I’m ready for the eggnog, scrumptious meals, Christmas decorations and endless late night reading marathons. Don’t read this book before bedtime because you’ll get so caught up with laughing at the antics of some of the characters and you won’t notice that the sun is coming up and you haven’t slept a wink at all!
Sheena: There is a moment in the book when Nic says that she will go with Abby and pretend to be her girlfriend in exchange for sex. At the time I was a little iffy about the whole scenario but I waited to see how Hill handled that exchange when it came around and without me spoiling it, I will say that I was happy with the end result.
I also agree with April about the cheating storyline. I don’t think it needed to be quite as gross as it turned out in order for us to hate Abby’s ex. Having said that, I don’t think it ruined the book in any way.
Excerpt from The Great Charade by Gerri Hill
“I’m…I’m Abby Carpenter.”
The woman nodded. “Nic Bennett. And what can I do for you, Abby Carpenter?”
She took her sunglasses off, and Abby was surprised to find blue eyes looking back at her. With the woman’s dark hair, she’d expected equally dark eyes, but no, a deep and vivid blue stared at her.
“Well, let me start by saying, I’m not really crazy.”
A smile. “That’s good to know. Not sure if that’s a great opening line or not.”
Abby looked behind her to where Sharon was still sitting. Sharon gave her a wide grin and a thumbs up. Abby turned back to the woman—to Nic Bennett. “I…I have a proposition.”
That statement was met with both eyebrows raising. “Okay,” she said slowly. “Are you asking me out?”
“Out?”
“Like on a date? Because I’ve seen you out here before, thought you were watching me.”
Abby tilted her head back and looked into the sky, cursing Sharon for making her do this. “I’m not really asking you out on a date, no. Not like a real date. That’s not why I was watching you.”
Nic motioned to the extra chair. “Why don’t you sit down? You can tell me why you’ve been staring at me.”
“I have not been staring at you!”
The woman grinned. “We both know you have.” She motioned again to the chair. “Have a seat.”
Wow, she was a bit arrogant, wasn’t she? Something told her she should turn around and leave. But those blue eyes were smiling at her, and Abby sat down, her hands clasped together nervously in her lap. God, why hadn’t she rehearsed this? Why had she let Sharon talk her into this? Oh, yeah. Maid of fucking honor.
“So, if I was going to ask you out…do you date women?”
“I do.”
“Okay, good,” she said with relief. “So, Nic, do you have plans for Christmas?”
“Plans?”
“Oh, crap,” she sighed. “Look, I’ll just come out and say it, okay. And yes, I am kinda asking you out. But not on a real date,” she said again. “And I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, that’s why I told you up front that I wasn’t.” She paused only a beat. “I need a date. A girlfriend. For ten days. In Red River, New Mexico. For the holidays. With my family. And my ex.”
Get It Online
When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781642473391
Publisher: Bella Books
Audiobook Publisher: Audible Studios
Narrator: Abby Craden
If you enjoyed The Great Charade by Gerri Hill then you should also look at
Note: I received a free review copy of The Great Charade by Gerri Hill. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
