Only for the Holidays

Gr 9 Up–Quincy Parker’s family runs a luxury guest farm in a wealthy rural community, and they are about to be the first Black family to host the town’s generations-old Winter Ball. Their head chef just quit, and the pressure is mounting. Having just been through a painful breakup, Quincy lies to his family about having a date for the event, knowing his single status is an added stress on the event planning. Enter Tia Solanké, a beautiful, slightly prissy girl from London, who is visiting the farm with her family for the holidays. Tia is looking for a way to sneak back to London for her sort-of boyfriend’s birthday party, and Quincy needs someone to bring to the ball, to save face for his family and to show his ex he’s over her. The two strike a deal to help each other out, and the sparks fly. Quincy and Tia are easy to root for, and their warm and thoughtful families ground this light holiday romance. An abrupt ending might leave some readers wanting more, but they will have had fun getting there.