Book Review: The Holi-Delay by Elle Kayden

October 23, 2026

This was honestly so stinking cute. I will say, though, this was pretty spicy. If you have read any of my other reviews, you probably know that I am not a huge fan of super spicy, but I loved this in spite of it. Though, I will say, if you are easy to swoon, I would maybe skip this one.

We follow the dual story lines of Daniel and Matt. Daniel is stopping in Havenwood for one night on his way to his parents home. He’s still a couple hours out, and could probably make it, but he needs the rest more than he needs to be there already so he stops at the cute and cozy town to stretch his legs and stay the night. Little does he know, he is just in time for the towns Christmas Festival, and wanders into it, and straight into a ridiculous handsome junior mayor who seems to have the whole town on his shoulders. Matt is a jack of all trades who loves to be needed ( and good thing too, because the whole town seems to run on Matt power) and has lived in Havenwood for, well forever. He loves the Christmas festival and all that it entails, all the banners he needs to re-hang eight times, all the Santa throne fixing, all the hot chocolate sipping, and he has it all down to a science. So when someone new shows up, and keeps showing up, he knows it, especially when they are ridiculously handsome and vaguely black-cat-ish. Daniel can’t seem to get himself to leave and before they know it, both of them are smitten.

This was romantic and sweet and so cute. It was mushy and holiday filled. I really did enjoy it. Though I will say, it was rather receptive and not in a good way. There were scenes that didn’t quite make sense and Daniel had the same inner monologue twice, almost word for word. I did really enjoy the book, but it probably could have used another edit or two before going to publishing.

And as always, if there is a book that you would like me to read and review, please reach out to me either via my contact page, or via my e-mail at aly.m.devine@gmail.com

Thank you to the author for creating this story, and NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read it.