My Favorite Holidate Summary, Characters and Themes

My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely is a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud holiday romance about two individuals who begin a fake relationship only to stumble into something far more genuine.  It captures the spirit of Christmas, the pain of heartbreak, and the magic of second chances.

Centered around Fable, a creative designer reeling from a public breakup, and Wilder, a charismatic single father and billionaire, the novel explores how love can unexpectedly bloom under the guise of pretense.  With snappy banter, memorable holiday antics, emotional depth, and richly drawn characters, this festive tale turns chaos and deception into joy and authenticity.

Summary

Fable, a talented designer with a penchant for humor and resilience, attends a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by her billionaire boss, Wilder Blaine.  She’s accompanied by her boyfriend, Brady, a man whose personality increasingly feels at odds with her own.

During the dinner, Fable notices someone playing footsie with her, and assumes it’s Brady.  However, when Brady invites the event caterer, Iris, to sit at the table, and later disappears under the pretense of wrapping a gift, Fable finds him in the act of cheating—with Iris.

The betrayal is not just physical, but layered with embarrassment and disbelief as she realizes Iris was the one initiating the flirtation at dinner.  Though devastated, Fable suppresses her emotions to avoid overshadowing her sister Charlotte’s surprise engagement that occurs moments later.

Brady, unaware of the emotional wreckage he’s left behind, continues to act clueless and intrusive.  Meanwhile, Fable is forced to interact with him in the days that follow as they’re all pulled into Christmas festivities at Wilder’s Tahoe resort.

She focuses on her design work for Wilder’s football team, only to suffer a minor mishap when she brings an inappropriate shirt to a work meeting.  Rather than reacting with judgment, Wilder responds with humor and kindness, revealing the first signs of emotional chemistry between the two.

As Fable’s trust begins to rebuild, she senses a growing connection with Wilder—one that offers safety, respect, and laughter.

When Wilder’s matchmaking aunt, Bibi, pressures him to find a date for Charlotte’s upcoming wedding, Fable spontaneously claims to be his date, setting the foundation for a pretend romance.  The arrangement is meant to offer Fable a way to maintain dignity after her very public breakup, while giving Wilder a chance to appease his aunt without truly dating.

However, their fake relationship quickly takes on the dimensions of something far more intimate.  The chemistry between them is unmistakable—heightened by inside jokes, small romantic gestures, and a surprising emotional ease.

What begins as a strategy becomes a shared safe space, where both feel seen and valued.

As they prepare for the holidays together, including participating in Christmas competitions and decorating for the season, Wilder and Fable’s connection continues to deepen.  They navigate their fake relationship with increasing difficulty as their emotions grow real.

Wilder finds himself captivated by Fable’s intelligence, warmth, and strength, while Fable admires Wilder’s gentle nature, emotional availability, and devotion to his daughter.  Yet both carry emotional scars—Fable from her father’s abandonment and Brady’s betrayal, and Wilder from his father’s gambling addiction and parental failings.

These shared vulnerabilities allow them to form a bond based on empathy and trust, even as they continue to insist their romance is only pretend.

The turning point arrives during their stay at Wilder’s family resort in Evergreen Falls, where they are forced to share a honeymoon cabin.  Initially reluctant, their closeness erupts into passion, pushing them further into emotional territory they’re not yet ready to confront.

Even as they confess secrets and share dreams—Fable’s desire to launch a jewelry line, Wilder’s fear of replicating his father’s failures—they hesitate to redefine their relationship.

Fable eventually opens up to her sister Charlotte about the ruse, expecting anger but receiving unconditional support.  As Charlotte teams up with Fable in a holiday competition against Brady, their bond strengthens.

Wilder and Fable shine in the games, and their final victory, complete with Wilder dunking Brady in the snow, feels like a moment of redemption and triumph.

However, their happiness is soon shattered when Brady retaliates by exposing a recorded conversation that reveals their relationship began as a lie.  The fallout is immediate.

Wilder is confronted by friends and family, including Bibi, and Fable feels the weight of humiliation once again.  Both assume the other wants to end things, and they part ways in emotional pain.

Fable retreats to her friends for comfort and clarity, while Wilder seeks forgiveness and takes accountability, including confronting his estranged father.  He offers his father help—but only with terms that reflect his emotional growth and boundaries.

Their eventual reunion is raw and sincere.  Fable overhears Wilder’s emotional confrontation with his father and realizes his depth of character and commitment to change.

She finds him, and they confess their love without hesitation or masks.  Their relationship, once built on a charade, is now rooted in truth, affection, and hard-won trust.

Their roles in Charlotte’s wedding—maid of honor and best man—solidify their status as a couple.  Fable, now confident in both love and career, opens her jewelry business and steps into a new venture managing Wilder’s football team, a Christmas gift that reflects his faith in her.

Their story culminates in a Christmas morning proposal from Wilder, which Fable joyfully accepts, symbolizing the beginning of a life forged from honesty, love, and the courage to believe again.

My Favorite Holidate is a celebration of second chances, self-discovery, and the kind of love that grows not in perfection, but in the messy, vulnerable spaces of real life.  Through heartfelt humor, emotional honesty, and a festive backdrop, it delivers a romance that feels both magical and deeply grounded.

Characters

Fable

Fable emerges as the heart and anchor of My Favorite Holidate, a character defined by resilience, wit, and quiet strength.  As a talented designer, she juggles professional ambition with personal vulnerability.

Her journey begins amidst the chaos of a seemingly festive Thanksgiving that quickly spirals into emotional betrayal.  Her confrontation with Brady’s infidelity, particularly in such a humiliating setting, highlights her capacity for emotional control, as she chooses not to upend her sister’s joyful engagement moment despite her own heartbreak.

This restraint speaks volumes about her selflessness and emotional maturity.

Beyond her initial romantic disillusionment, Fable’s development is marked by rediscovery and empowerment.  Her spontaneous alignment with Wilder for the wedding festivities is born out of both a need for self-preservation and an instinct for survival in social warfare.

Yet what begins as a coping mechanism becomes a genuine emotional journey.  Fable’s strength lies not just in her sass or creative flair, but in her profound emotional intelligence.

She listens without judgment, offers empathy, and holds space for others’ pain—especially Wilder’s.  Her willingness to confront her own family trauma, admit her fears, and eventually pursue her dream of launching an eco-friendly jewelry line all underscore her courage and authenticity.

Fable’s evolution from a woman stung by betrayal to one who reclaims her identity and finds love on her own terms makes her a deeply compelling protagonist.

Wilder Blaine

Wilder Blaine is the quintessential modern romantic hero—handsome, successful, but emotionally wounded.  A single father and high-profile businessman, Wilder initially exudes a calm, charming exterior that masks his deep emotional scars.

His strained relationship with his gambling-addicted father and his intense protective instincts toward his daughter, Mac, reveal a man who has learned to survive through control and calculated restraint.  Yet it is through his interactions with Fable that his true self begins to emerge.

Her warmth and candid humor crack open his emotional armor, allowing glimpses of vulnerability and longing that he’s long repressed.

Wilder’s evolution is both romantic and redemptive.  He moves from a man cautiously playing pretend to someone willing to risk his heart.

He defends Fable fiercely, whether in private moments or during public confrontations, and consistently treats her with dignity and admiration.  His dignified handling of Brady’s sabotage and his refusal to retaliate show a maturity rooted in self-awareness and inner strength.

Perhaps most powerfully, Wilder confronts his father not with bitterness, but with boundaries—a moment that solidifies his transformation from reactive to intentional.  His proposal to Fable, paired with his unwavering support of her dreams, signals not just his love but his readiness for true partnership.

Wilder becomes the embodiment of emotional growth and integrity, a man whose greatest strength lies not in his status, but in his capacity to change.

Brady

Brady is the narrative’s primary foil—a character whose flaws serve as a catalyst for Fable’s transformation.  Outwardly charismatic and socially adept, he quickly reveals himself as emotionally immature, egotistical, and deeply inconsiderate.

His betrayal is not just physical but layered in selfishness, from the clandestine affair with Iris to his insensitive attempts to maintain dominance in Fable’s life, even after their breakup.  His inability to recognize boundaries, coupled with his performative masculinity and tone-deaf bravado, makes him both frustrating and pitiful.

What sets Brady apart as an antagonist is not just his infidelity but his audacity.  He inserts himself into conversations, pitches schemes to Wilder, and disrupts events with a sense of entitlement that borders on delusional.

Even when publicly exposed, Brady remains unapologetic and manipulative, using recorded conversations to twist narratives.  His presence in the story serves as a stark contrast to Wilder—where Wilder listens and uplifts, Brady silences and derails.

Ultimately, Brady’s lack of growth solidifies him as a cautionary figure, someone who never evolves because he refuses to reflect.

Charlotte

Charlotte, Fable’s sister, is a beacon of optimism and familial loyalty.  Her joy at getting engaged and her unshakeable belief in her sister’s goodness make her a grounding force in the story.

Charlotte’s relationship with Fable is marked by deep mutual love, even when tested by secrets and emotional confusion.  Her willingness to forgive Fable for lying about the fake relationship—and even join in the act—demonstrates her open heart and sharp loyalty.

Charlotte is also significant as a mirror to Fable.  Where Fable has been hardened by heartbreak and past betrayals, Charlotte still embraces romantic possibility and familial celebration.

However, she is not naïve; once she learns the truth, she becomes an active ally, especially during the holiday games, helping Fable reclaim her voice and dignity.  Charlotte’s presence underscores the importance of chosen family and sisterhood as a source of strength.

Aunt Bibi

Aunt Bibi adds eccentricity and comic relief, but beneath her quirky matchmaking antics lies a shrewd emotional compass.  She is Wilder’s most vocal supporter in the pursuit of love, often nudging him toward emotional vulnerability with well-intentioned meddling.

Her insistence on the honeymoon cabin and her unrelenting curiosity about Wilder’s romantic life are both maddening and effective.  However, Bibi is more than just a comic trope—she represents generational wisdom and belief in love’s messiness.

Her eventual disappointment at being deceived is genuine, yet her forgiveness is swift once she recognizes the sincerity of Wilder and Fable’s feelings.  Bibi’s ability to push others toward authenticity, even through manipulation, makes her a surprising but crucial catalyst in the unfolding romance.

She ultimately champions truth, resilience, and romantic boldness.

Iris

Iris, though a relatively minor character, plays a pivotal role as the catalyst for the breakdown of Fable and Brady’s relationship.  Her actions are duplicitous and unkind—entertaining Brady’s advances while playing footsie under the table during a family dinner—yet she is never fully fleshed out beyond this transgression.

Iris functions more as a symbol of betrayal than a standalone character.  Her presence in the narrative allows the story to pivot sharply from farce to emotional reckoning, setting the stage for Fable’s rediscovery of self-worth.

Leo

Leo, Charlotte’s fiancé and Wilder’s best friend, offers a steady background presence of male friendship and moral support.  His easy rapport with both Wilder and Charlotte demonstrates emotional intelligence and relational maturity.

When the truth about the fake relationship surfaces, Leo’s calm forgiveness and quiet understanding of his friend’s pain mark him as a stabilizing figure.  Leo represents the best of platonic loyalty—present but unobtrusive, dependable yet never overbearing.

His inclusion provides a necessary contrast to Brady’s toxic masculinity and reinforces the theme of authentic connection.

Themes

Emotional Betrayal and the Search for Respect

The story begins with Fable’s experience of betrayal, not just as a sudden, sharp wound but as a lingering violation of her trust and dignity.  Her discovery of Brady’s infidelity is more than just a plot device; it sets the emotional tone for the entire story.

Fable isn’t just reeling from a cheating boyfriend—she’s reckoning with the realization that she’s invested months into a relationship with someone who not only fails to understand her but who actively disrespects her in a public and humiliating way.  The footsie under the table, initially mistaken for a playful gesture, becomes a symbol of how she has misread the intimacy in her relationship.

What makes this theme resonate deeply is that Fable doesn’t respond with dramatic chaos; instead, she contains her pain to protect her sister’s engagement celebration, demonstrating emotional maturity even in heartbreak.  Her restraint highlights a core need: to be seen, respected, and treated as a person of worth—not just a girlfriend or a convenient plus-one.

This foundational moment of betrayal influences her hesitancy in future connections, her cautious navigation of feelings toward Wilder, and her demand for authentic respect in all interactions going forward.  Her emotional arc is shaped by the need to reclaim her narrative and establish her boundaries, not just in love but in every domain of her life.

Authenticity in Love Versus the Performance of Romance

At the heart of My Favorite Holidate is the question of what makes love real.  Fable and Wilder’s relationship begins with pretense—a fake romance designed to mask personal pain and meet social expectations.

Yet, as they move through shared experiences, each performative act begins to draw from something genuine.  From coordinated lies to shared inside jokes, the two construct a narrative that eventually becomes true not through any one defining moment but through accumulated small gestures of kindness, protection, and emotional risk-taking.

Wilder’s ability to finish Fable’s sentences or his unexpected attention to her preferences—like buying her favorite ice cream—signal that something real is growing beneath the surface.  Meanwhile, Fable’s willingness to listen to Wilder’s family issues and show up in emotionally supportive ways also shifts the relationship away from facade.

The theme explores how often people enter relationships with masks on—whether to meet family expectations, protect themselves, or avoid vulnerability—but it also shows that genuine love often forms when both parties drop the script.  The story implies that love isn’t just about grand declarations or choreographed gestures but about who shows up in the small, quiet, unrehearsed moments.

Ultimately, the performance becomes less a deception and more a rehearsal for something real, as both characters begin to inhabit the roles they initially only pretended to play.

Personal Growth Through Vulnerability

Fable and Wilder’s journeys are deeply personal and anchored in their ability to become emotionally vulnerable.  Fable’s decision to break up with Brady, to continue working with dignity afterward, and to eventually admit her feelings to Wilder are all acts of emotional exposure.

Her vulnerability is not limited to romance—it includes confessing to her sister, confronting uncomfortable family memories, and acknowledging her entrepreneurial dreams.  Wilder, similarly, must face his past in the form of a father who repeatedly let him down.

His reluctance to love again stems not just from past heartbreaks but from a pattern of being emotionally let down by the people who were supposed to be dependable.  When he opens up to Fable about his father’s gambling and his own parenting aspirations, he shows a side of himself rarely visible to others.

These honest disclosures not only draw them closer but signal key moments of individual growth.  By leaning into their vulnerability instead of retreating into emotional isolation, both characters shed emotional armor that had previously defined their lives.

The theme reinforces the idea that growth doesn’t always come from triumph or victory; sometimes it stems from choosing to trust someone enough to be seen completely—even if that risks pain.

Redemption and Second Chances

The story doesn’t position love as a perfect, linear journey but rather as a messy process filled with detours and chances to do better.  Wilder’s emotional growth culminates in his confrontation with his estranged father, where he chooses a path of conditional compassion—offering rehab but with boundaries.

This decision is layered with generational implications; Wilder is consciously trying to break the cycle of emotional dysfunction that defined his own upbringing.  His redemption isn’t found in fixing his father, but in setting firm lines that protect his daughter and himself.

Fable, on the other hand, also finds redemption in her own way—by reclaiming agency over her career, finally launching her jewelry line, and stepping into a future where she no longer accepts the bare minimum in love or ambition.  Their relationship itself becomes a form of mutual redemption: they forgive themselves for past missteps and move forward with clearer, more intentional hearts.

Even side characters like Charlotte play into this theme, as her unconditional support of Fable, despite the deception, speaks to the power of giving others the room to grow.  The narrative doesn’t suggest that redemption comes easily, but that it is available to those who are willing to confront hard truths and make courageous choices.

Found Family and Emotional Belonging

The importance of family—both biological and chosen—runs consistently throughout My Favorite Holidate.  For both protagonists, traditional family dynamics are fraught with disappointment.

Fable’s relationship with her father left emotional scars, while Wilder grapples with the ongoing damage caused by his father’s addiction.  Yet, both characters find alternative sources of emotional safety.

Wilder’s daughter, Mac, and his aunt Bibi form the heart of his support system, offering him love and grounding even as they challenge him.  Fable’s bond with her sister Charlotte becomes her emotional anchor, particularly during moments of self-doubt and transition.

What’s notable is how both Fable and Wilder slowly allow each other into these protected inner circles.  The integration of their lives—through holiday traditions, shared competitions, and intimate conversations with each other’s family members—symbolizes a deeper yearning for emotional belonging.

Their relationship isn’t just about romantic compatibility; it’s about creating a new kind of family, one built on mutual care and consistent emotional presence.  In a world where traditional family structures often fall short, the narrative champions the idea that people can choose and build new families, defined not by blood but by love, respect, and shared values.

Through this lens, the story affirms the enduring human need to feel at home with someone.