Jordan Frost is keeping a big secret from her family—she’s published her first novel using inspiration from some of their craziest moments. Because she used a pen name and a disguise in her author photo, she figures she’s safe until the book starts to gain popularity for its holiday hijinks. Instead of coming clean with them, Jordan devises a hairbrained scheme to keep them all from finding out. Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown by Sheila Roberts is the humorous story of a woman determined to do what it takes to make it through the Christmas season with her secret remaining untold.
The storyline features many flashbacks to the real-life events featured in Jordan’s Christmas book, Family Holiday. There’s also explanatory background chapters to explain Jordan’s complicated relationship with her high school best friend Charles, who recently was no longer content being in the friend zone. Unfortunately these high school flashbacks read a little like YA, which took away from the better parts of the story. Yet readers who enjoy sweet friends to lovers tropes will overlook that and find this to be a satisfying romance, though it’s mainly a family comedy. Overall, this is a cute Christmas story that would make a hilarious movie with a zany cast of characters.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Tanya Eby, who does a good job bringing the characters to life. Have Yourself a Merry Little Meltdown is over-the-top fun and a quick listen (or read). Fans of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Christmas with the Kranks will enjoy adding this book to their holiday reads list. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
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