When an auction goes unexpected

Synopsis

An unexpected bid for something special this Christmas

Perpetually single events manager Tiffany Barlow is used to being in control. So when she agrees to take part in the Holly Dates Auction at Thistle Lodge, it’s with a very specific goal in mind: to catch a respectable date for a high-profile event at a nearby castle. What she doesn’t expect is a last-minute twist…

Reserved English teacher Isaac Emery is looking forward to a peaceful, cosy winter at his grandpa’s Christmas Cottage, pretending he’s perfectly content with his books for company. When he accidentally wins a Holly Date experience at a festive fundraiser, he finds himself committed to a date with Tiffany – someone way out of his league.

As the glittering winter ball at the castle approaches, Tiffany is torn between what she’s been brought up to desire and an unexpected attraction to Isaac.

With a little seasonal nudge from his grandpa, Isaac might risk stepping away from the safety of his solitary world, giving both himself and Tiffany a chance to unwrap true love this Christmas.

My review

Tiffany Barlow enjoys her job as an events manager at Briar Rose Events. So when there is an auction at Thistle Lodge, Tiffany suggests to her boss to add Holly Dates. Whereas auctions are often interesting for couples or families, why not organize something that singles will enjoy? People can bid on an experience, like a hike, or ice skating,… And it comes with a companion, or a date. So that the winner won’t have to feel awkward about doing the won activity on their own. When Tiffany herself offers to be the companion, she does with a second agenda. She hopes this way to chat a respectable  date for a high – profile ball at an actual castle, as her mother is best friends with the Countess of Dairvin. But things don’t go as expected, because the winner of the auction is English teacher and rather reserved Isaac Emery. Not that he placed the bid himself, but a colleague of his did it in his name. Isaac would rather spend his free time in his grandpa’s Christmas Cottage, with a good book. Not only did he already dread going to the fundraiser, but now he must also go on a ‘date’ with Tiffany. What Isaac never expected that he would truly enjoy his date with Tiffany and that they have a connection, even if he believes that Tiffany is truly out of his league. And when Tiffany asks him to join her at the ball, after the initial dismissal, he agrees to be her date. Could it be that this Christmas both Tiffany and Isaac something that they weren’t asking for, but what they actually needed?

It may not come as a surprise for you to read that I could not wait to start reading this new chapter in a series that just keeps on being greater and greater! 😊

I have to admit, that it took me a moment to truly like Tiffany. Not that she is a bad person that redeems herself, but because she suggest the Holly Dates for her personal benefit. So as I am single myself, I truly applauded the idea Tiffany came up with. But as she wants to use to find a respectable date herself, I found it just a tiny bit dishonest. However, the better I got to know Tiffany, the more I understood where she was coming from.

Because the better I got to know her, it becomes clear that her idea came from the fact that her family, especially her mother has extreme high expectations. And as Tiffany does not want to be a disappointment to her family, she knows that only finding a respectable match with a status will be sufficient.

Tiffany is in fact a ‘normal’ young woman, perhaps growing up with people with an actual title. But Tiffany doesn’t look down on people, she is a kind, gentle and understanding person. In fact, she also senses that Isaac is out of his depth at their date and she wants to make sure he just feels at ease and that he will enjoy their date.

I have to say, I connected very easily with Isaac. Meaning that I could totally understand how he enjoys more an evening at home, cosy, with a good book to read. For me, that is heaven on earth!

And his awkwardness, his shyness, is also something that I recognized. Because while people that truly know me would say that I am an extrovert, in a large group or new situations, I wish I could hide too.

I found it also so sweet that Isaac made the choice to live with his grandpa Jim. Not only because it is easier for his teaching job, but also and most important, he feels more at ease. Isaac is overwhelmed by his family, the competitiveness of it all. And while his family do love him, it is Grandpa Jim that truly gets him and understands him.

Obviously, I was very curious to see the dynamics between Tiffany and Isaac, as they couldn’t be more different from each other.

However, even if their worlds couldn’t be further apart, there are immediately some sparks between them. Tiffany and Isaac truly have the best of times on the ice, even if they land on hard ice literally 😊.

It was once again sweet reading how Isaac is able to let go of his ‘stiffness’ when he’s around with Tiffany. And how Tiffany is able to see behind the awkwardness and even clumsiness. It made me realize that sometimes, meeting the right person, no matter how mismatched it may initially seem, can make you feel more confident about yourself, how it can give you the right amount of courage to just go for it.

On paper, Tiffany and Isaac would not work. But on paper isn’t the reality (even if indeed their story is on paper and they are fictional characters 😊). Because let’s also be honest here, often we are prejudiced and it is only after truly getting to know a person, that we know one’s real character. And that also gives us the also the courage to stand up for ourselves, for the person we love and to give love a chance.

I absolutely loved this story, perhaps my favourite one thus far, because it shows different personas of characters, yet somehow it all just works. Of course there are ups and downs and even some fearful moments, but I found this truly a heartwarming story to read, with laughs, smiles and ‘aaaaw’ moments! 😊