My December Darling Summary, Characters and Themes

My December Darling by Lauren Asher is a heartwarming holiday romance novella set in the cozy, small-town world of Lake Wisteria. 

The story follows Catalina Martinez, a guarded and independent woman who finds herself in an awkward situation—attending her sister’s wedding to her ex-boyfriend, Aiden. Adding to the chaos is Luke Darling, Aiden’s best friend and a charming ER doctor who has always been off-limits. As Catalina and Luke are thrown together during the holiday season, sparks fly, but so do complications. This novella is a delightful mix of slow-burn romance, emotional growth, and festive charm, making it the perfect Christmas love story.

Summary

Catalina Martinez never imagined spending the holidays preparing for her sister’s wedding to her ex-boyfriend, Aiden. Though she insists she has moved on, the tension is undeniable. But the real complication? 

Luke Darling—Aiden’s best friend and the town’s charismatic ER doctor. He’s everything Catalina doesn’t want to deal with—charming, persistent, and irritatingly attractive. 

However, as they keep crossing paths during wedding preparations and holiday festivities, resisting him becomes increasingly difficult.

The story opens with Catalina attending a family gathering, where she’s immediately confronted with old wounds. Her sister, Gabriela, is engaged to Aiden, and while Catalina tells herself it doesn’t bother her, seeing them together stings. Adding to the awkwardness is Luke, who has always been Aiden’s closest friend. Catalina tries to avoid him, but Luke—who has secretly harbored feelings for her—refuses to let her push him away. 

Their interactions are laced with teasing, tension, and unspoken attraction, setting the stage for their slow-burn romance.

Forced into close proximity, Catalina and Luke keep running into each other—whether at family gatherings or at the hospital, where Catalina takes on a temporary job. Their snarky banter turns flirtatious, and despite her walls, Catalina starts to see a different side of Luke.

A pivotal moment occurs when Catalina and Luke are paired in a gingerbread house competition against Gabriela and Aiden. Their teamwork is filled with friendly rivalry, accidental touches, and undeniable chemistry. Catalina begins to feel something she refuses to name. 

When Luke starts sending her playful texts, she finds herself responding—something she never expected.

Another turning point is Luke’s thoughtful gesture—buying an espresso machine for the hospital after Catalina complains about the terrible coffee. It’s a small act, but it chips away at Catalina’s defenses. Luke isn’t just flirting for fun; he genuinely cares.

Despite her growing feelings, Catalina resists the idea of love. She’s been hurt before and doesn’t trust easily. Meanwhile, Luke, though confident, realizes Catalina isn’t ready for a relationship and starts questioning whether pursuing her is worth the risk.

Things escalate during a Christmas ice-skating event, where Catalina and Luke share an intimate moment under twinkling lights. They almost kiss, but at the last second, Catalina pulls away, too scared to let herself fall. Luke, however, remains patient. He tells her he’s interested but won’t push her into something she’s not ready for.

Her internal conflict deepens as wedding preparations force her to reflect on her own past and future. Catalina’s mother pressures her to settle down, reinforcing her fear that love is just another obligation she will never get right. But Luke’s unwavering patience starts cracking her fears open.

In the final chapters, Catalina finally acknowledges her feelings. At Gabriela and Aiden’s wedding, surrounded by love and celebration, she realizes she wants something real with Luke—but the idea still terrifies her. She considers leaving town after the wedding, believing it’s safer to walk away than risk heartbreak.

But Luke surprises her. Instead of begging her to stay, he tells her to wait until she’s ready. That simple, heartfelt declaration is what finally breaks down her last walls.

In a beautifully romantic finale, Catalina stops running and chooses love. She and Luke share a long-awaited kiss, sealing their newfound relationship with the magic of the holiday season.

The epilogue gives a glimpse into their future, where Catalina and Luke are officially together, proving that sometimes, love is worth the risk—even when it’s unexpected.

Characters

Catalina Martinez

Catalina Martinez is a strong-willed, independent woman who carries deep emotional wounds from her past. Having endured heartbreak and disappointment, she has developed a defensive and somewhat cynical approach to relationships.

Her ex-boyfriend, Aiden, left her emotionally unfulfilled, and his engagement to her sister, Gabriela, only solidifies her belief that she is always second-best. This familial betrayal contributes to her reluctance to trust and open up to new love.

Catalina’s sarcasm, cold exterior, and habit of pushing people away are mechanisms she has honed to protect herself from further pain. However, beneath her tough shell is a woman longing for love and acceptance.

As the story progresses, she slowly allows herself to believe in the possibility of happiness, particularly through her interactions with Luke. Her journey is not just about romance; it is about learning to let go of past disappointments, forgiving those who have hurt her, and, most importantly, forgiving herself for being afraid of love.

By the end of the novella, Catalina undergoes a transformation from someone who views love as a liability to someone who is willing to take a leap of faith for the right person.

Luke Darling

Luke Darling is the epitome of patience, warmth, and quiet persistence. Unlike Catalina, who has built walls around her heart, Luke is open about his emotions and is unafraid to pursue what he wants.

As Aiden’s best friend, Luke has been aware of Catalina for years, but it is only when they are forced into close proximity that he realizes how deeply he is drawn to her. He is not the type to be deterred by her cold demeanor, instead choosing to break through her defenses with charm, humor, and unshakable kindness.

As an ER doctor, he embodies a natural caretaker personality, always ensuring that those around him are cared for—even those who reject his help. What makes Luke a compelling romantic lead is his unwavering belief in Catalina’s worth, even when she cannot see it herself.

He never pressures her into feelings she isn’t ready for but remains a constant, proving through his actions that love can be safe and secure rather than fleeting and painful. His character arc isn’t one of change but of quiet resilience; he remains steady, proving that true love is not about grand declarations but about consistent, everyday choices to show up for the one you love.

Gabriela Martinez

Gabriela is, in many ways, the emotional foil to Catalina. Where Catalina is guarded, Gabriela is open; where Catalina is cynical, Gabriela is hopeful.

She genuinely wants her sister to be happy, but her actions—particularly her engagement to Aiden—show an obliviousness to the depth of Catalina’s wounds. Gabriela does not set out to hurt Catalina, yet she inadvertently exacerbates her sister’s feelings of inadequacy by choosing to marry someone from Catalina’s past.

While she is well-meaning, she represents the kind of optimism that refuses to acknowledge that some wounds take time to heal. However, as the story progresses, there is an underlying sense that Gabriela does care about Catalina deeply, even if she does not always understand her struggles.

She is not the villain of the story, but rather an example of how people can wound others even without intending to, simply by following their own version of happiness.

Aiden

Aiden is less of a fully fleshed-out character and more of a narrative device that serves to highlight Catalina’s growth. While he was once an important figure in Catalina’s life, their relationship lacked true depth, making his transition to being Gabriela’s fiancé more of a painful inconvenience than an earth-shattering betrayal.

He represents Catalina’s fear of always being second-best and reinforces her belief that she is unworthy of deep, all-consuming love. However, his role is ultimately passive; he does not actively seek to hurt Catalina, nor does he play a significant part in her healing.

He simply exists as a reminder of her past and serves as a contrast to Luke, who represents the kind of love Catalina never thought she could have.

Themes

Inescapable Family Ties and the Struggle to Define Oneself Outside of Expectations

One of the most compelling themes in My December Darling is the inescapable influence of family and the difficulty of forging an identity outside of deeply ingrained expectations. Catalina’s struggle is not just about romance but about defining herself in a family where she has always felt like an afterthought.

Her mother’s well-meaning but pressuring attitude, combined with Gabriela’s seemingly effortless ability to fit into the perfect mold, leaves Catalina feeling like she does not belong. The fact that her sister is marrying her ex-boyfriend only exacerbates the feeling that she is destined to be second choice, both in love and in her family’s regard.

This theme is crucial because it underscores that Catalina’s hesitancy toward love is not just about heartbreak but about years of feeling like she is not enough. The story ultimately challenges the idea that family dictates worth, showing that Catalina must learn to see herself as valuable regardless of how others perceive her.

The Fear of Vulnerability and the Defense Mechanisms That Keep People Stagnant

A central conflict in Catalina’s character arc is her deep-seated fear of vulnerability. She has spent years perfecting the art of appearing indifferent, using sarcasm, emotional detachment, and avoidance as shields against getting hurt.

However, these very defense mechanisms keep her from experiencing true happiness. This theme delves into the universal human struggle of wanting connection but fearing the pain that often accompanies it.

Catalina’s interactions with Luke force her to confront the idea that vulnerability is not synonymous with weakness. Love, in its truest form, is a risk, but it is a risk worth taking.

Her journey emphasizes that guarding oneself too fiercely against pain also means guarding against joy, and that the only way to truly live is to accept both.

The Unspoken Complexity of Loving Someone Who Challenges Your Worldview

Unlike the trope of opposites attracting simply for the sake of contrast, Catalina and Luke’s relationship embodies a much deeper tension—one where Catalina sees Luke’s kindness and openness not as appealing qualities but as threats to her carefully maintained emotional walls.

His persistent belief in love, in the possibility of happiness, and in seeing the best in people directly contradicts Catalina’s worldview, which has been shaped by disappointment.

This theme is fascinating because it goes beyond mere attraction and delves into the idea that love is not always about finding someone who complements you but someone who challenges you to be better.

Luke forces Catalina to rethink her self-imposed limitations, pushing her to consider a reality where she is not just someone left behind but someone worthy of being pursued.

The Holiday Season as Both a Backdrop and a Metaphor for Emotional Renewal

The Christmas setting is not just decorative but serves as a powerful metaphor for transformation and renewal. The holiday season is often associated with warmth, family, and joy—things that Catalina has convinced herself she does not need.

However, as she becomes involved in holiday traditions like ice skating and gingerbread house competitions, these seemingly small events act as catalysts for emotional change. The festive atmosphere makes it harder for Catalina to cling to her cynicism, forcing her to engage with love and connection in ways she would normally avoid.

The holiday season represents the possibility of second chances, of magic in the unexpected, and of allowing oneself to hope for something better. By the end of the story, Catalina’s personal journey aligns with the themes of Christmas—learning to believe in love, in new beginnings, and in the idea that happiness is worth the risk.