5.0 (1 rating)
Better Not Pout: A smalltown, fake HOLI-dating romance (Mistletoe Falls)
A sugar-filled, fake holi-dating, small town romance filled with heat, heart, a couple of temperamental weenie dogs, and heaps of holiday cheer from USA Today Bestselling Author Maren Moore.
A lost letter to Santa gone terribly wrong…or perfectly right?
As the owner of my family’s vintage candy shop, there are two things I’m great at: Sweet treats and Christmas.
Love on the other hand?
Not so much.
So when my best friend insists we write letters to Santa asking for our dream men for Christmas, I figure it’s just a bit of holiday fun…until my letter mysteriously disappears.
And then Wells McCoy moves in next door.
Retired hockey player. New bar owner. Ridiculously handsome.
Infuriatingly expert at pushing all of my buttons.
And somehow, he checks off nearly every box from my dream man wish list.
When Wells unexpectedly steps in to help me save face in front of my ex, we strike a deal: A little fake holi-dating to get us both through the season. No feelings and no strings.
But between confusing mistletoe kisses, cozy nights with his family, and chemistry that feels anything but fake, lines start to blur.
Suddenly, fake feels a lot like falling.
And with the clock ticking down to Christmas, I can’t help but wonder: was it all just a sweet coincidence… or is this Christmas magic after all?
Read this if you love:
Holiday romance
Small town
Fake HOLI-dating
Forced proximity
Dislike to... banging
Hallmark AFTER DARK 🌶️
A lost letter to Santa gone terribly wrong…or perfectly right?
As the owner of my family’s vintage candy shop, there are two things I’m great at: Sweet treats and Christmas.
Love on the other hand?
Not so much.
So when my best friend insists we write letters to Santa asking for our dream men for Christmas, I figure it’s just a bit of holiday fun…until my letter mysteriously disappears.
And then Wells McCoy moves in next door.
Retired hockey player. New bar owner. Ridiculously handsome.
Infuriatingly expert at pushing all of my buttons.
And somehow, he checks off nearly every box from my dream man wish list.
When Wells unexpectedly steps in to help me save face in front of my ex, we strike a deal: A little fake holi-dating to get us both through the season. No feelings and no strings.
But between confusing mistletoe kisses, cozy nights with his family, and chemistry that feels anything but fake, lines start to blur.
Suddenly, fake feels a lot like falling.
And with the clock ticking down to Christmas, I can’t help but wonder: was it all just a sweet coincidence… or is this Christmas magic after all?
Read this if you love:
Holiday romance
Small town
Fake HOLI-dating
Forced proximity
Dislike to... banging
Hallmark AFTER DARK 🌶️
Published: November 9, 2025
Pages: 292
ISBN: 9798218861513
Get This Book
Available in: Paperback
Reader Reviews
5.0
1 rating
Chelsey H.
Sep 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Better Not Pout by Maren Moore
Short Synopsis:
A lost letter to Santa sets off a sugar-sweet chain of events in this small-town holiday romance. When the owner of a vintage candy shop accidentally wishes her dream man into existence, retired hockey player and new bar owner Wells McCoy shows up next door—checking nearly every box. What starts as fake holi-dating to survive the season quickly turns into something much more, thanks to undeniable chemistry, cozy family moments, mistletoe kisses, and a whole lot of Christmas magic.
My Review:
This book was EVERYTHING. Hands down one of my favorite romance reads of the year. I am a sucker for a good fake dating trope, and Better Not Pout absolutely nailed it.
I especially loved how the FMC was written—not stick thin, fully confident, and completely herself. That representation felt so inclusive and genuinely made me feel seen. And the way Wells adored her exactly as she was? That’s the kind of romance that hits straight in the heart.
The banter between these two was perfection—funny, flirty, and full of chemistry that felt anything but fake. Add in small-town holiday vibes, found family moments, and Hallmark-after-dark energy, and I was DONE for.
I fell so hard for this book and these characters, and I would love to see another story with them in the future. If you love fake dating, holiday romance, and MMCs who worship their woman—this one is an absolute must-read 🎅🏼🔥📚
Short Synopsis:
A lost letter to Santa sets off a sugar-sweet chain of events in this small-town holiday romance. When the owner of a vintage candy shop accidentally wishes her dream man into existence, retired hockey player and new bar owner Wells McCoy shows up next door—checking nearly every box. What starts as fake holi-dating to survive the season quickly turns into something much more, thanks to undeniable chemistry, cozy family moments, mistletoe kisses, and a whole lot of Christmas magic.
My Review:
This book was EVERYTHING. Hands down one of my favorite romance reads of the year. I am a sucker for a good fake dating trope, and Better Not Pout absolutely nailed it.
I especially loved how the FMC was written—not stick thin, fully confident, and completely herself. That representation felt so inclusive and genuinely made me feel seen. And the way Wells adored her exactly as she was? That’s the kind of romance that hits straight in the heart.
The banter between these two was perfection—funny, flirty, and full of chemistry that felt anything but fake. Add in small-town holiday vibes, found family moments, and Hallmark-after-dark energy, and I was DONE for.
I fell so hard for this book and these characters, and I would love to see another story with them in the future. If you love fake dating, holiday romance, and MMCs who worship their woman—this one is an absolute must-read 🎅🏼🔥📚