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Home for the Holidays
When Iris Abbott, alongside her best friend and roommate Zac Nowak, returns to his hometown, the sleepy familiarity of Indiana holds more than just nostalgia. Little does Iris know that her own journey of self-discovery is about to take an unexpected turn.
Enter Heidi, a breathtaking woman who captivates Iris from the moment their eyes meet. Drawn to each other with an undeniable magnetic pull, Iris and Heidi embark on a clandestine love affair that electrifies their souls. But just as their connection deepens, they uncover a shocking truth—they are not just two women who are attracted to each other, but they are also bound by an unbreakable bond.
As they dance between stolen moments and hidden glances, Iris and Heidi must confront their own fears and find the strength to stand up for their love. Together, they embark on a journey of self-acceptance, challenging the conventions of a society that tries to define who they should be.
Home for the Holidays is a tender and passionate contemporary romance that explores the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of small-town Indiana, it delves into the triumphs and challenges of forbidden love and the transformative power of embracing one's true identity.
Enter Heidi, a breathtaking woman who captivates Iris from the moment their eyes meet. Drawn to each other with an undeniable magnetic pull, Iris and Heidi embark on a clandestine love affair that electrifies their souls. But just as their connection deepens, they uncover a shocking truth—they are not just two women who are attracted to each other, but they are also bound by an unbreakable bond.
As they dance between stolen moments and hidden glances, Iris and Heidi must confront their own fears and find the strength to stand up for their love. Together, they embark on a journey of self-acceptance, challenging the conventions of a society that tries to define who they should be.
Home for the Holidays is a tender and passionate contemporary romance that explores the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of small-town Indiana, it delves into the triumphs and challenges of forbidden love and the transformative power of embracing one's true identity.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2023
159 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Erin Zak
18 books354 followersErin Zak is a sapphic contemporary romance writer who loves older women, imperfect people, and beautiful places. She’s a bit dorky and quirky and tries to make sure every single one of her characters has those same qualities. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @erinzakwrites. You can also listen to her podcast, The Weekly Wine Down, where she gets tipsy with her best friends while discussing any and everything.
www.erinzak.com
www.erinzak.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
December 29, 2025
I love this book. One of the best WLW Christmas books I’ve ever read. The book captures the Holiday feeling perfectly. So much love and happiness in the end.
The chemistry between the two MCs was of the charts and the entire second characters couldn’t have been crafted better.
So if you’re searching for a great Christmas book, please read Erin Zak’s!!!
The chemistry between the two MCs was of the charts and the entire second characters couldn’t have been crafted better.
So if you’re searching for a great Christmas book, please read Erin Zak’s!!!
November 16, 2023
A fantastic age gap love story! Erin weaves a wonderful story with Iris, Zac, Heidi, Evan, the crew from Easy Bake Cafe, little Nora and the rest of the family.
Iris is talked into being Zac's fake girlfriend when she meets Heidi has a quick rendezvous with her and then finds out, she's Zac's mother! The family dynamics are at play, also secrets that need to be told.
This story will latch on to you and not let go. 5 stars!
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Iris is talked into being Zac's fake girlfriend when she meets Heidi has a quick rendezvous with her and then finds out, she's Zac's mother! The family dynamics are at play, also secrets that need to be told.
This story will latch on to you and not let go. 5 stars!
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2024
I have to admit that I've been so distracted this year reading-wise, but I'm proud of my progress. For some reason, I've struggled to finish too many new books.
Thank you, Erin Zak, for making a book funny, raunchy, and as chemistry-packed as this one. I can distinctly remember when I started sweating earlier, realizing the twist that throws everything off, haha.
Big emphasis on chemistry. Zak could show some other authors some tips on making one really *feel* the intensity of Iris and Heidi's connection, be it sexual or romantic. It's such a conundrum they're in, but I'm thankful that we weren't hit over the head with heavy drama because it could have gone that way. I can see how the easily resolved issues and mushy ending could lose a star, but I needed the happy feels in a big way.
By the way, Heidi and Iris are high-quality name choices. Heidi is very MILF-coded and I, too, would be thirsty for her because yum.
Did I mention the sexy scenes are top tier, too? I thought this book was going to kill me (this is good). I want Heidi to smush a muffin all over me (the bakery kind, omg!).
Five stars since it broke my must-reread-older-books-because-I'm-picky spell. ☆☆☆☆☆
Thank you, Erin Zak, for making a book funny, raunchy, and as chemistry-packed as this one. I can distinctly remember when I started sweating earlier, realizing the twist that throws everything off, haha.
Big emphasis on chemistry. Zak could show some other authors some tips on making one really *feel* the intensity of Iris and Heidi's connection, be it sexual or romantic. It's such a conundrum they're in, but I'm thankful that we weren't hit over the head with heavy drama because it could have gone that way. I can see how the easily resolved issues and mushy ending could lose a star, but I needed the happy feels in a big way.
By the way, Heidi and Iris are high-quality name choices. Heidi is very MILF-coded and I, too, would be thirsty for her because yum.
Did I mention the sexy scenes are top tier, too? I thought this book was going to kill me (this is good). I want Heidi to smush a muffin all over me (the bakery kind, omg!).
Five stars since it broke my must-reread-older-books-because-I'm-picky spell. ☆☆☆☆☆
November 24, 2023
Because she loves him, Iris agrees to pretend to be her (much younger) best friend Zak’s girlfriend over the holidays while he gathers the courage to come out to his family. They arrive late in the small town where he grew up, go directly to bed, and in the morning, while everyone else is still sleeping, she meets a woman who takes her breath away. And who, as luck would have it, turns out to be Heidi, Zac’s mom.
Home for the Holidays is a very easy—if not very plausible—book to read. It’s funny and there are a lot of sweet moments, quite a few hot ones too, and some pretty toxic family relationships despite all the love. Good intentions, the road to hell, and all that.
If you’re ready not to take it too seriously, a fake romance and a hot mom make Home for the Holidays a fun and enjoyable book to get into the holiday mood.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
November 29, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
OH MY GOD! Honestly when I went into this I didn’t except to love it as much as i did
This is the best holiday romance i have ever read!!!
I love books filled with drama and this one delivered!!!
The chemistry between Iris and Heidi is mind blowing! I loved them both so much!
And the sex scenes were hot as hell 🥵🥵🥵
I was honestly shocked 😂
Anyway highly recommend!
“I could see perfectly then, and I can see perfectly now, my love. I can see the only woman I’ll ever fall in love with. And I’ve never been happier.”
OH MY GOD! Honestly when I went into this I didn’t except to love it as much as i did
This is the best holiday romance i have ever read!!!
I love books filled with drama and this one delivered!!!
The chemistry between Iris and Heidi is mind blowing! I loved them both so much!
And the sex scenes were hot as hell 🥵🥵🥵
I was honestly shocked 😂
Anyway highly recommend!
December 23, 2023
I had to force myself to finish this book. How in the world is Iris a therapist? She has so many mommy issues and codependency issues with Zak. I did not find her likable. Heidi was lovable but also annoying and immature for her age. What I hated the most was the author’s language, and how many times both characters ended sentences with “hmm?” 39 is too many. It’s not cute, and it gave me the ick. Another part that made me cringe was the phrase “I could feel my orgasm peeking around the corner.” That’s fucking weird. I hated how fast these two hooked up in the beginning. It takes all the mystery and suspense out of the hookup. I liked the ending and the fact that it ended but that’s about it.
December 20, 2023
A solid 4. Was going to be 4.5, but, for me, the epilogue felt too stretched, and, even, in this light genre, do we need everyone in the extended network to have page time and tears of happiness at the end?
Forewarned is forearmed, so don't let that put you off as the age gap works really well in this setup and the chemistry is scorching as both girls fight to keep their hands off each other... Cos, you know, the mix-up and family responsibilities--yay! :)
This story is a lot of fun featuring very strong and likable leads. I loved it overall :).
Forewarned is forearmed, so don't let that put you off as the age gap works really well in this setup and the chemistry is scorching as both girls fight to keep their hands off each other... Cos, you know, the mix-up and family responsibilities--yay! :)
This story is a lot of fun featuring very strong and likable leads. I loved it overall :).
December 11, 2023
Good book, but so convoluted I had trouble remembering who was straight, pan or gay / lesbian. Only sane one was Maddie the dog! Recommended!
November 10, 2023
So what happens when Zac takes his lesbian roommate home as his fake girlfriend for Christmas because he's still in the closet to his family when said roommate has a thing for older women?! A stellar recipe for a fantastic age-gap, instalove, MILF joy! This was a fantastic holiday read. Perfect way to kick off the holiday season and oh am I ready for it. This was very much the perfect blend of sapphic hallmark vibes that flirts with an R rating. This is a hot mess express, laugh-out-loud funny, steamy queer family romcom that had some complexities I wasn't expecting. This was just a fun, light read (even with the heavier topics of self-acceptance and family healing) that brought me so much joy. A perfect holiday read!
I absolutely adored Heidi and Iris. Zac's whole family was utterly charming and I was obsessed with Maddie (because omg she's so precious).
Okay - also - confession: When I read Iris' name in this book, The Holiday film just ran free in my mind, and when Zak made mention of it in the book I legit laughed out loud.
Thank you to the author for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored Heidi and Iris. Zac's whole family was utterly charming and I was obsessed with Maddie (because omg she's so precious).
Okay - also - confession: When I read Iris' name in this book, The Holiday film just ran free in my mind, and when Zak made mention of it in the book I legit laughed out loud.
Thank you to the author for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2023
4 stars. Iris and her best friend, Zac fake date for when he goes home for the holidays. Iris is a lesbian, Zac is gay. Iris meets a hot older woman at a bar and they have sex in the bathroom. Surprise! It’s Zac’s mom. I love it here. I’m a sucker for the best friend’s mom trope.
This was a damn good read. A fantastic and big cast of characters where everyone has their own secrets going on and I completely understood why characters had such hesitations about being truthful. As much as I love the taboo aspect of this type of romance it always makes me anxious for when the best friend finds out. The big blow out here was pretty dramatic so that was fun.
The romance between Iris and Heidi was great. They had fantastic and believable chemistry despite the big age gap and I liked how they communicated with each other. Also, the sexual tension between them was hot and a lot of fun.
This book was light and entertaining and had some great tender moments with heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s definitely one of the better holiday romances that I’ve read lately. I highly recommend it.
This was a damn good read. A fantastic and big cast of characters where everyone has their own secrets going on and I completely understood why characters had such hesitations about being truthful. As much as I love the taboo aspect of this type of romance it always makes me anxious for when the best friend finds out. The big blow out here was pretty dramatic so that was fun.
The romance between Iris and Heidi was great. They had fantastic and believable chemistry despite the big age gap and I liked how they communicated with each other. Also, the sexual tension between them was hot and a lot of fun.
This book was light and entertaining and had some great tender moments with heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s definitely one of the better holiday romances that I’ve read lately. I highly recommend it.
November 11, 2023
The perfect holiday-feel book to read. You can’t help but want to feel feelings..happy feelings 😁 it’s just unfortunate that Australia has a summer Christmas season.
As introductions go, this one shoves the reader into lust straight away. It feels abrupt at first, like heavily stepping on the brakes, but then the author executes a smooth shift so readers eases into book.
It’s messy and lovely (like all families) I love Maddie!!! She’s the cutest character. End of story. There was a lot of selfishness and self-absorption floating around the minor characters which gave the story a lot of ammunition for conflict. It’s also comforting to read a sound mental and emotional reflection happening within the characters. It’s just healthy…..and hopeful for unstable readers to appreciate 😁
P.S There is a shift in the author’s way of writing/style/the way they present the story from their earlier published books. It’s subtle but noticeable (for me anyway) and I appreciate their growth.
As introductions go, this one shoves the reader into lust straight away. It feels abrupt at first, like heavily stepping on the brakes, but then the author executes a smooth shift so readers eases into book.
It’s messy and lovely (like all families) I love Maddie!!! She’s the cutest character. End of story. There was a lot of selfishness and self-absorption floating around the minor characters which gave the story a lot of ammunition for conflict. It’s also comforting to read a sound mental and emotional reflection happening within the characters. It’s just healthy…..and hopeful for unstable readers to appreciate 😁
P.S There is a shift in the author’s way of writing/style/the way they present the story from their earlier published books. It’s subtle but noticeable (for me anyway) and I appreciate their growth.
December 21, 2023
3.5⭐️rounded up. I have a lot of mixed thoughts on this book. I liked the holiday theme and the whole family dynamic including the extended family members. It made a great backdrop for the sex and romance in the story.
I didn’t find the insta sex scene realistic with the age gap and the location. Also a whole family being queer. That didn’t seem real either. But the story was well written and kept my interest. And in the end I liked both Heidi and Iris together. Heidi was my favorite character along with little Nora and the best dog ever.
I didn’t find the insta sex scene realistic with the age gap and the location. Also a whole family being queer. That didn’t seem real either. But the story was well written and kept my interest. And in the end I liked both Heidi and Iris together. Heidi was my favorite character along with little Nora and the best dog ever.
November 17, 2023
Perfect Holiday read
What a perfect way to start the holiday season reads. It’s just the perfect story, sweet, spicy and dramatic in places. A story about self discovery, acceptance, love and family. It would make the perfect scenario for a Hallmark movie.
What a perfect way to start the holiday season reads. It’s just the perfect story, sweet, spicy and dramatic in places. A story about self discovery, acceptance, love and family. It would make the perfect scenario for a Hallmark movie.
November 10, 2023
Home for the Holidays by Erin Zak is a sweet, meant-to-be, small-town, age-gap romance perfect for the holiday season.
This book is so sweet. Iris and Heidi are perfect for each other.
This is one of those instant connection books. Iris and Heidi feel a connection from the moment their eyes meet. It quickly becomes apparent that this connection is not only strong but unbreakable. With so many obstacles in the way and stolen moments that bring such joy, Iris and Heidi must decide whether those obstacles will block them. Or maybe they can take a deep breath, grab onto this forbidden love, and climb over them together.
I enjoyed this book so very much. There is some anguish in it but ultimately it’s a sweet, feel good, hallmark-type romance that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.
Iris and Heidi have things to work through and aspects of themselves that they need to accept. They are both so used to putting others first and living up to expectations. It takes their undeniable connection to get them to reevaluate how they are living their lives. It is hard to look in the mirror and admit that you're not happy with yourself.
The story flows beautifully and the characters are well developed and absolutely gorgeous. The setting is dreamy and picturesque, It’s so swoony.
It's family orientated so there is a whole cast of extras to get to know, make you laugh, or make you mad in some instances. There is the cutest dog who won my heart and a five year old who is both cute and funny.
What I love about this story is that it doesn’t just concentrate on the romantic relationship. It's about friendships and family relations and how all the people in your life can affect the person you become. The MCs have to work on their communication with others for them to be able to be happy with themselves which will ultimately lead them to have a strong relationship together.
The writing is lovely, and I adore how this author writes real dialogue, this book could be a great movie.
This a perfect book to curl up with during the holiday season and I highly recommend doing just that.
This book is so sweet. Iris and Heidi are perfect for each other.
This is one of those instant connection books. Iris and Heidi feel a connection from the moment their eyes meet. It quickly becomes apparent that this connection is not only strong but unbreakable. With so many obstacles in the way and stolen moments that bring such joy, Iris and Heidi must decide whether those obstacles will block them. Or maybe they can take a deep breath, grab onto this forbidden love, and climb over them together.
I enjoyed this book so very much. There is some anguish in it but ultimately it’s a sweet, feel good, hallmark-type romance that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.
Iris and Heidi have things to work through and aspects of themselves that they need to accept. They are both so used to putting others first and living up to expectations. It takes their undeniable connection to get them to reevaluate how they are living their lives. It is hard to look in the mirror and admit that you're not happy with yourself.
The story flows beautifully and the characters are well developed and absolutely gorgeous. The setting is dreamy and picturesque, It’s so swoony.
It's family orientated so there is a whole cast of extras to get to know, make you laugh, or make you mad in some instances. There is the cutest dog who won my heart and a five year old who is both cute and funny.
What I love about this story is that it doesn’t just concentrate on the romantic relationship. It's about friendships and family relations and how all the people in your life can affect the person you become. The MCs have to work on their communication with others for them to be able to be happy with themselves which will ultimately lead them to have a strong relationship together.
The writing is lovely, and I adore how this author writes real dialogue, this book could be a great movie.
This a perfect book to curl up with during the holiday season and I highly recommend doing just that.
November 29, 2023
I am a slow burn kind of girl and using the L word after a matter of days would usually make me roll my eyes. I don't know how, but Zak made it work for me and made me buy instalove (ok almost, I still think it's crazy). Characters are flawed, messy, don't always make the right decision and that's what make them feel so authentic and attaching. I always thought that perfection was in unperfection. In the short period of time the story takes place, so much happens and I wasn't bored for a second. The dual pov really makes us feel how both their world is turned upside down, with instant chemistry. The forbidden MILF trope was well written, and the outcome in the battle between the devil and the angel on each shoulder was a forgone conclusion; though in one scene, I think they changed their mind like three times and I was screaming "just bang already" at my reader. Zak brought side characters that can be equally messy or bring comfort, making you feel like you stepped in a welcoming and messy family. Zak found the balance between comedy, emotions and spice. If you are looking for a holiday romance, embark on this joyful mess, it's a really good one.
December 8, 2023
Crazy Holiday Shenanigans and a Very Happy New Year!
I loved this book! I kind of had some assumptions to how this book would go, and I was proved right in the best of ways while still getting many surprises throughout! Wonderfully written. The character growth for not only the MCs but some side characters as well was beautiful, emotional, sometimes funny and sometimes very sexy. The sexy times were quite spicy and fueled the plot along. Lots of tension and some angst but the way these characters were able to communicate, with heart, was refreshing and just lovely. I highly recommend!
I loved this book! I kind of had some assumptions to how this book would go, and I was proved right in the best of ways while still getting many surprises throughout! Wonderfully written. The character growth for not only the MCs but some side characters as well was beautiful, emotional, sometimes funny and sometimes very sexy. The sexy times were quite spicy and fueled the plot along. Lots of tension and some angst but the way these characters were able to communicate, with heart, was refreshing and just lovely. I highly recommend!
November 21, 2025
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this! It made me laugh out loud several times! It’s a great Christmas read and I highly recommend it! Lula also did a fantastic job of the narration, especially with how many side characters there was in this book, giving them all unique voices. She did a great job at portraying the humour and witty writing.
Written in third person with 2x POVs. Narrated by Lula Larkin. Fake Dating, Age Gap (26 years), Best Friends Mum, Femme/Femme, Forbidden Romance, Coming Out. 4x Spicy Scenes.
I really enjoyed this! It made me laugh out loud several times! It’s a great Christmas read and I highly recommend it! Lula also did a fantastic job of the narration, especially with how many side characters there was in this book, giving them all unique voices. She did a great job at portraying the humour and witty writing.
Written in third person with 2x POVs. Narrated by Lula Larkin. Fake Dating, Age Gap (26 years), Best Friends Mum, Femme/Femme, Forbidden Romance, Coming Out. 4x Spicy Scenes.
December 5, 2023
I loved the creativity - a fake engagement, the fiancée interested in his mom. Age gap - MCs in late 30s and mid-50s. Loved the maturity of the characters.
The family relationships, humor and or course knowing your family loves and accepts you just for you.
Very sweet holiday romance.
The family relationships, humor and or course knowing your family loves and accepts you just for you.
Very sweet holiday romance.
December 24, 2023
“Do your hands ache? Like…when you think about…”
“Everything aches for you.”
This was cute! It was missing a little something for me, because I can't say I was totally convinced by this romance, but it had a lot of elements that I love. Age gap, fake dating, home for the holidays, best friend's mom. All tropes that I really like. But I have to admit, the characters didn't really win me over.
Iris doesn't have any plans for Christmas this year, so when her best friend asks her to go home with him and be his fake girlfriend for the holidays, she reluctantly agrees, even though they're both gay. He's nervous about coming out to his family, and thinks that his Type-A mother won't take it well. Meanwhile, Heidi, his mom, had her own lesbian awakening a while ago, and simply hasn't gotten herself to tell her family yet. This one one of those fake dating situations where not a lot of people actually buy into the fake dating lie, so that was a source of amusement by itself. Also, Iris and Heidi have a chance meeting and an intense connection before they realise who the other person is, and they're of course mortified when they figure it out. It leads to a lot of clandestine meetings, a lot of push and pull, everything you'd expect out of a good old forbidden romance. But honestly, the fact that the timeline for this is SO short really did stymie my enjoyment. 80% of the book takes place between December 21st to 25th. There have been books that convinced me that characters have fallen in love in shorter periods of time, but this didn't really manage that? I feel like I can count the number of conversations they actually had on one hand. They have a bunch of intense steamy sex and that was great, but the spark of romance wasn't really there for me. And honestly, I just didn't like either of these women a lot, particularly Heidi.
I did like a lot of the humour and quips, and it's always enjoyable reading a holiday romance with a huge family and a lot of cute Christmas traditions and activities. So that part of it was fun. Especially given the fact that so many other members of the family were queer. Even though I wasn't in love with Iris and Heidi's romance, there were parts that I really enjoyed. And the big dramatic blow up at the end managed to to fun and harrowing in a good way, rather than an annoying way. So I enjoyed this overall! Will definitely check out the author again.
January 19, 2025
Maybe my expectations were in the wrong place after seeing how highly this was rated but even after I intentionally reset my expectations to zero so I could read it for what it is I just couldn’t get through it.
The writing itself felt like a bad fanfic. There is so much exposition through painfully cringy dialogue it’s like there’s an invisible third person in the room at all times who they must provide context for.
Even the plot makes no sense. I went in with the intention of forgiving the shoehorned and cliche setup for the sake of the story because it seemed like cheesy, lighthearted fun but even after that it just gets worse.
The primary conflict was apparently entirely spurious and the characters were all emotionally immature to the extent that they all felt like they were the same age and that age is apparently fourteen. I honestly did not believe that Heidi was in her fifties and I definitely did not believe for even a second that Iris was a grown-ass woman, let alone a therapist.
DNF
The writing itself felt like a bad fanfic. There is so much exposition through painfully cringy dialogue it’s like there’s an invisible third person in the room at all times who they must provide context for.
Even the plot makes no sense. I went in with the intention of forgiving the shoehorned and cliche setup for the sake of the story because it seemed like cheesy, lighthearted fun but even after that it just gets worse.
The primary conflict was apparently entirely spurious and the characters were all emotionally immature to the extent that they all felt like they were the same age and that age is apparently fourteen. I honestly did not believe that Heidi was in her fifties and I definitely did not believe for even a second that Iris was a grown-ass woman, let alone a therapist.
DNF
November 20, 2025
OMG, this is such an amazing book! An instant FAVORITE Holiday story! It's cute, sexy, funny, and sprinkled with drama... what more could you ask for? It's my first book from this author, but I am excited to read more from Erin Zak.
***UPDATE 11/19/25 - I first read this in 2023. I've read it 3 years in a row for the holidays and I still love it! 🥰
***UPDATE 11/19/25 - I first read this in 2023. I've read it 3 years in a row for the holidays and I still love it! 🥰
November 13, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This is my second time reading Home for the Holidays and I enjoyed it once again.
Fun, chaotic, celebratory, and sexy. It’s a good holiday read.
This is my second time reading Home for the Holidays and I enjoyed it once again.
Fun, chaotic, celebratory, and sexy. It’s a good holiday read.
November 21, 2023
I absolutely agree with the other reviewers who say that this is one of the best Christmas lesfic novels they've read. I loved every bit of it. Zak has been more miss than hit for me in the past but this book was a complete delight and I am so excited to see what she writes next.
Read
June 11, 2025dnf at 12% i cringed one too many times and i can’t look past wtf Heidi and Sandy got going on and the way Heidi reacted to the situation…
November 9, 2023
Oh Iris and Heidi, my favorite holiday couple to date! This story is the perfect company for the season. Put on your ugly Christmas sweater and pretend (or not) that it’s snowing outside. An age gap holiday tale to make you all warm and fuzzy inside.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Iris is living in New York with her best friend Zac. The prefect relationship because she’s as lesbian as the day is long and he’s a raging gay man. At least when he’s in New York. Being at home in Vale Park with his mom and brothers is a whole other story, seen as he never came out to them. His strained relationship with his family is why he convinces Iris to pose as his girlfriend and go home with him for the holidays. Iris. Does. Not. Want. To. Do. This! Like, at all. But being the good friend she is, she reluctantly agrees. Once in Vale Park her life is about to get slapped upside the head when she meets the most intriguing, gorgeous woman at the bakery in town. Heidi is everything she has been looking for. Until she runs into her again…
Heidi runs a bakery in Vale Park. She hasn’t been content with her life, since she recently admitted to herself that she’s a lesbian. She isn’t out to her family. Her relationships with them is not where she would likei them to be. Especially with her youngest son Zac. She doesn’t know where it went wrong exactly, she does now however that she didn’t expect him to show up with a girlfriend she has never heard about. A girlfriend who she apparently did very naughty things with in her bakeries bathroom!
From the first sentence Zak grabbed onto me and pulled me into the story. I was snort laughing by page two. And then like the flip of a switch my heart broke for Zac. Erin Zak sure has an inexplicable way with words. She takes you by the hand and will make you care for her characters in an instant.
I’m just in love with Iris and Heidi. The way they find everything they ever wanted in each other and then have to deal with all the consequences in order to be together. Oh and then the sizzle and absolute hotness when they finally get together, woohoooo!
The eclectic bunch of people that gather around the Christmas tree makes for a very diverse family picture. It’s great reading about all these LGBTQ+ characters trying to live their life honestly and authentically.
The side characters are very well developed. Their connection to the main characters is what paints a very realistic picture of Heidi and Iris. These are women you would love to know. I would die for an invitation to their holiday celebration.
Home for the Holidays is another example of Erin Zak’s talent. Make sure you put this one on the top of your Christmas list!
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Iris is living in New York with her best friend Zac. The prefect relationship because she’s as lesbian as the day is long and he’s a raging gay man. At least when he’s in New York. Being at home in Vale Park with his mom and brothers is a whole other story, seen as he never came out to them. His strained relationship with his family is why he convinces Iris to pose as his girlfriend and go home with him for the holidays. Iris. Does. Not. Want. To. Do. This! Like, at all. But being the good friend she is, she reluctantly agrees. Once in Vale Park her life is about to get slapped upside the head when she meets the most intriguing, gorgeous woman at the bakery in town. Heidi is everything she has been looking for. Until she runs into her again…
Heidi runs a bakery in Vale Park. She hasn’t been content with her life, since she recently admitted to herself that she’s a lesbian. She isn’t out to her family. Her relationships with them is not where she would likei them to be. Especially with her youngest son Zac. She doesn’t know where it went wrong exactly, she does now however that she didn’t expect him to show up with a girlfriend she has never heard about. A girlfriend who she apparently did very naughty things with in her bakeries bathroom!
From the first sentence Zak grabbed onto me and pulled me into the story. I was snort laughing by page two. And then like the flip of a switch my heart broke for Zac. Erin Zak sure has an inexplicable way with words. She takes you by the hand and will make you care for her characters in an instant.
I’m just in love with Iris and Heidi. The way they find everything they ever wanted in each other and then have to deal with all the consequences in order to be together. Oh and then the sizzle and absolute hotness when they finally get together, woohoooo!
The eclectic bunch of people that gather around the Christmas tree makes for a very diverse family picture. It’s great reading about all these LGBTQ+ characters trying to live their life honestly and authentically.
The side characters are very well developed. Their connection to the main characters is what paints a very realistic picture of Heidi and Iris. These are women you would love to know. I would die for an invitation to their holiday celebration.
Home for the Holidays is another example of Erin Zak’s talent. Make sure you put this one on the top of your Christmas list!
December 11, 2025
I love a good fake dating trope but this one omg was it amazing. Home for the holidays was that with a twist Zac is gay and not out to his family ask his best friend iris who is a lesbian pretend to be he’s girlfriend there’s just one problem iris fell for Heidi and fell hard but Heidi is her best friends and fake boyfriends mum. The spice and slow burn of love and sexual tension was to die for. Absolutely loved this book and was a great holiday read
November 10, 2023
MILF and Cookies for the Holidays
I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book as much as this one! Erin Zak seasons this story with her own blend of spice, sweetness, savory and lots of sass, with some angst and more than a few laughs. This book is perfect in every way, a perfect holiday - or any day - story!
I have read all of Erin Zak's books and have loved them all, some of them enough to read them several times. This one shot right to the top of the "My-Favorite-Erin-Zak-Books" list.
Iris Abbott is a therapist in New York City, and a lesbian. She lives with a gay man, Zachary Nowak, her lovely best friend and confidant. Zac wants Iris to go with him to the tiny town of Vale Park, Indiana for the Christmas holidays, to pose as his girlfriend. Never mind that his whole family has known or suspected for most of his life that he's gay. He's naive enough to think they don't know and could never guess.
The thing about the Nowak family is that almost all of them are on one end of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum or the other. Zac just doesn't know how they'll take his coming out, if he can get up the nerve.
I promise not to give away the tremendous plot twist that happens when Iris and Zac blow into Vale Park, but I bet your jaw will drop like mine did!
What I WILL say is that Erin Zak's seduction scenes should be engraved somewhere as a guide to how to write one.
I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book as much as this one! Erin Zak seasons this story with her own blend of spice, sweetness, savory and lots of sass, with some angst and more than a few laughs. This book is perfect in every way, a perfect holiday - or any day - story!
I have read all of Erin Zak's books and have loved them all, some of them enough to read them several times. This one shot right to the top of the "My-Favorite-Erin-Zak-Books" list.
Iris Abbott is a therapist in New York City, and a lesbian. She lives with a gay man, Zachary Nowak, her lovely best friend and confidant. Zac wants Iris to go with him to the tiny town of Vale Park, Indiana for the Christmas holidays, to pose as his girlfriend. Never mind that his whole family has known or suspected for most of his life that he's gay. He's naive enough to think they don't know and could never guess.
The thing about the Nowak family is that almost all of them are on one end of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum or the other. Zac just doesn't know how they'll take his coming out, if he can get up the nerve.
I promise not to give away the tremendous plot twist that happens when Iris and Zac blow into Vale Park, but I bet your jaw will drop like mine did!
What I WILL say is that Erin Zak's seduction scenes should be engraved somewhere as a guide to how to write one.
December 26, 2023
I enjoyed this, sickly sweet and nothing new, but still delicious. Very pretty and professional formatting, with lovely fonts for each heading/chapter title.
A simple age gap, forbidden holiday romance, sapphic main couple and many other LGBTQ+ characters, although at one point mocks identifying as Pansexual and implies he is gay/that pan is just a progressive nonsense term…
At times the characters were rude/harsh and annoying, but overall I love most of them, a few inconsistencies and a little messy but fairly well written. Written in dual POV and easy to inhale, I recommend for a sappy Christmas romance.
A simple age gap, forbidden holiday romance, sapphic main couple and many other LGBTQ+ characters, although at one point mocks identifying as Pansexual and implies he is gay/that pan is just a progressive nonsense term…
At times the characters were rude/harsh and annoying, but overall I love most of them, a few inconsistencies and a little messy but fairly well written. Written in dual POV and easy to inhale, I recommend for a sappy Christmas romance.
November 19, 2023
Home for the Holidays by Erin Zak is a captivating romance novel that intricately interlaces love, genuine connection, self-discovery and personal growth. With a picturesque Midwestern small town as its backdrop, the story immerses readers in the enchanting experience of falling in love during the holiday season.
The central themes of personal growth, the freedom to love and the significance of family are artfully depicted within this heartfelt narrative. The characters undergo transformative journeys, embracing their true identities and reconciling fractured relationships with family, friends and former lovers. Zak adeptly infuses the story with depth and sincerity, skillfully portraying vulnerability, longing and optimism. The storytelling resonates with readers, working to evoke genuine empathy and connection.
Readers will be enamored with the heartwarming nature of this book, finding its focus on family, concealed truths, and emotionally stirring storytelling authentic, raw and honest. This novel delves into profound truths about people and relationships, leaving a lasting impact on its readers. Yet, at the same time, Home for the Holidays deserves serious praise for its unique blend of light-heartedness. Zak expertly balances the intense emotions with well-placed humor, ultimately creating an incredibly immersive reading experience.
Home for the Holidays will be one of the best romances you read this holiday season, if not this year! It is an ideal holiday read, reminding readers to embrace life and cherish the company of loved ones. The book's honest portrayal of love, relationships and identity creates a captivating narrative that resonates with the heart. Zak's evocative storytelling leaves an enduring impression on readers, establishing this novel as a romance that will linger in the memory long after the final page has been turned.
Strengths…
Well-written
Endearingly told
Masterfully developed characters
Charming, heartfelt romance
The central themes of personal growth, the freedom to love and the significance of family are artfully depicted within this heartfelt narrative. The characters undergo transformative journeys, embracing their true identities and reconciling fractured relationships with family, friends and former lovers. Zak adeptly infuses the story with depth and sincerity, skillfully portraying vulnerability, longing and optimism. The storytelling resonates with readers, working to evoke genuine empathy and connection.
Readers will be enamored with the heartwarming nature of this book, finding its focus on family, concealed truths, and emotionally stirring storytelling authentic, raw and honest. This novel delves into profound truths about people and relationships, leaving a lasting impact on its readers. Yet, at the same time, Home for the Holidays deserves serious praise for its unique blend of light-heartedness. Zak expertly balances the intense emotions with well-placed humor, ultimately creating an incredibly immersive reading experience.
Home for the Holidays will be one of the best romances you read this holiday season, if not this year! It is an ideal holiday read, reminding readers to embrace life and cherish the company of loved ones. The book's honest portrayal of love, relationships and identity creates a captivating narrative that resonates with the heart. Zak's evocative storytelling leaves an enduring impression on readers, establishing this novel as a romance that will linger in the memory long after the final page has been turned.
Strengths…
Well-written
Endearingly told
Masterfully developed characters
Charming, heartfelt romance
December 18, 2025
I absolutely adored Home for the Holidays! It was just the perfect cozy holiday read heartwarming, funny, and sexy in all the right ways. I was actually gasping when the love interest was revealed, and even though I didn’t see it coming, I ended up loving it so much.
The age‑gap and fake‑dating tropes were fun, and the chemistry between Iris and Heidi was 🔥. The holiday setting gave it all the cozy Christmas vibes, and I loved how family and self‑discovery were wrapped up in the story too. I’m a sucker for that kind of festive romance.
The age‑gap and fake‑dating tropes were fun, and the chemistry between Iris and Heidi was 🔥. The holiday setting gave it all the cozy Christmas vibes, and I loved how family and self‑discovery were wrapped up in the story too. I’m a sucker for that kind of festive romance.
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