The Holiday Post by L.B. Dunbar

A Romance Novel published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. (11/14/25)

Summary: It’s Never Too Late For Happiness and Romance

“I’ll take an order of one hot Santa lookalike with a side of sexy time.” (Kindle Edition).

Lumi is a single mom and lifelong small-town post office worker whose dull holiday season is upended when a blizzard strands a charming stranger on her doorstep. With no rooms available, he becomes her unexpected houseguest. As they grow closer, his holiday magic and her fear of being left behind collide, forcing Lumi to decide whether this mysterious man with a deadline can be more than a fleeting Christmas miracle.

Keywords:

 Contemporary, Hideaway Harbor, Christmas, Family Business, Mature Main Characters, Small Town 

My Review:

This fourth book in the Hideaway Harbor series hooked me right away, but as the hints piled up that the main love interest, Saint, might actually be Santa (or related to Santa), I grew less and less interested in the story. I went in expecting a contemporary romance, and I got a Santa-adjacent-Christmas-magic version of magical realism. There were so many Holiday puns and Santa insinuations, it started to get distracting.

Still, the book absolutely shines as a warm, character-driven holiday romance, especially when it comes to Lumi. Her journey is relatable in a way that surprised me. Her journey feels relatable and grounded. When I’m finished with my current job, I will also be at a standstill in my life, just like Lumi. I’m also afraid of how to make the change in my life to get to where I want to be. What will I want when that moment happens? It’s easy to let the momentum of daily life dictate the future, and for Lumi, tomorrow feels inevitable until the change arrives in the form of Saint. He is the catalyst for changing the way she’s been thinking about her life and what she wants to do today, tomorrow, and in the future. And who she wants to do it with…

The chemistry between Lumi and Saint is undeniably cozy, and their connection feels earned. Even as mature characters, their love has a youthful, hopeful quality. And while some of the magical elements weren’t for me, the forced-proximity setup remains one of my favorite romance tropes, and it’s done well here.

If you want a sweet, slightly whimsical holiday romcom with heart and Santa magic sprinkled on top, then this book delivers.

I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. on 11/14/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information

Goodreads