The Christmas Veto: A Steamy, Sweet MM Holiday Romance with Fake Fiancés and Real Feels

What happens when the man you once hated becomes your fake fiancé—just in time for the holidays?

In The Christmas Veto, part of Keira Andrews’ Festive Fakes collection, we get a deliciously fun, emotionally satisfying MM fake relationship romance with an enemies-to-lovers twist that’s equal parts spicy, snarky, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Packed with holiday warmth, family pressure, and lingering tension, this story is a reminder that love can bloom in even the frostiest circumstances—especially when it’s the last thing either man planned.

If you’re in the mood for fake fiancé chaos, forced proximity, and a satisfying slow-burn arc wrapped in twinkling lights and family drama, The Christmas Veto is the winter romance that needs to be on your TBR.

One impulsive lie. One fake engagement. And one very inconvenient attraction.

When Ethan shows up at his sister’s engagement party, he’s not expecting to find Gavin, the one person he can’t stand. But the real surprise? His family mistakenly assumes Gavin is Ethan’s fiancé—and Ethan doesn’t correct them.

Why? Because Ethan’s ex is also there, and the last thing he wants is pity. Gavin, of all people, agrees to go along with it. The two men have always clashed—too different, too competitive, too much. But now they’re pretending to be engaged in front of a room full of nosy family members, and the performance quickly starts to feel a little too convincing.

As the fake relationship forces them into close quarters, Gavin and Ethan begin to see each other in a new light—beyond the old grudges and snarky jabs. What follows is a warm, funny, and emotionally rich journey full of small-town Christmas charm and reluctant vulnerability. And yes, the sexual tension crackles like a fire on a cold December night.

Themes & Characters: Fake Fiancés, Found Family, and Enemies Who Fall First

Ethan: sharp edges and soft regrets

Ethan is ambitious, emotionally guarded, and tired of disappointing his family. His fake engagement is meant to be a shield—but it becomes a mirror, forcing him to confront his loneliness and the fear that he might never be truly understood. His journey is one of emotional unthawing, and watching him open up to Gavin is as satisfying as it is tender.

Gavin: charming, confident, and completely unexpected

At first glance, Gavin is everything Ethan resents—easygoing, too good-looking, and infuriatingly composed. But beneath the cool exterior is a man with his own reasons for agreeing to the ruse. Gavin is endlessly patient, a bit mischievous, and the emotional anchor Ethan never saw coming. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the trust that sneaks up and steals the spotlight.

Family drama and holiday intimacy

Set in a festive, family-centric backdrop full of cozy details and Christmas traditions, The Christmas Veto explores what it means to show up for people—even when it’s messy, imperfect, and full of history. The fake engagement trope shines here not just because it’s fun, but because it allows for genuine emotional risk underneath all the pretend smiles.

Romance Tropes You’ll Savor

• Fake fiancé / fake dating
• Enemies to lovers with witty banter
• MM Christmas romance
• Forced proximity over the holidays
• Slow-burn with spicy payoff
• Emotional healing through unexpected connection
• Holiday traditions & found family warmth

Who Will Love The Christmas Veto?

• Readers who adore MM holiday romances with both steam and heart
• Fans of fake relationship tropes done with emotional intelligence
• Anyone who enjoys snarky banter turned into tender confessions
• Romance lovers looking for Christmas books with charm, spice, and emotional arcs
• Devotees of Keira Andrews’ heartfelt writing or similar authors like Lucy Lennox, Annabeth Albert, or Casey McQuiston
• Anyone craving feel-good romantic stories with emotional payoff and family nuance

Final Thoughts

The Christmas Veto is everything you want in a holiday romance: it’s fun, flirty, and full of emotional beats that make the HEA feel earned. Keira Andrews knows how to balance steam with soul, creating characters who don’t just fall in love—they grow into it.

If you love stories where love sneaks up through the lies we tell ourselves—and you enjoy your romance with just the right amount of holiday spice and heartfelt payoff—then this one’s a must-read.

So pour the cocoa, cozy up, and take The Christmas Veto—because sometimes fake love is exactly what your heart’s been waiting for.