“The Most Wonderful Timeis a lovable, unexpectedly thought-provoking Christmas romp of a novel from the ever-sparkling pen of Jayne Allen!”Kate Quinn,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Diamond EyeandThe Alice Network

The author of the beloved, bestselling Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy returns with an intriguing blend ofSuch a Fun AgeandThe Holidayanirresistible holiday rom com about heartbreak, hope, love, and the joy that comes from rediscovering oneself.

With Christmas around the corner, Ramona Tucker is desperate to get away. She has been lying to her family about her engagement to Malik, her (ex) fianc. But breakups are fickle, and Ramona is convinced that she can make her pretend wedding real againbutonlyif she can avoid everyone discovering her secret at her mothers over-the-top Christmas Eve party.

Two-thousand miles away in sunny Malibu, Chelsea Flint needs money to hold on to the beloved beachside cottage she shared with her late parents.The taxes are expensive, and her art isnt paying the bills. Once an irresistible star of the Los Angeles art scene, Chelsea seems to have lost that spark that vaulted her to the top. If she doesnt rediscover that magicand sell a paintingsoon, it will be her familys home shes selling instead.

The two women swap homes, just in time, thanks to some careful planning by Ramonas best friend and a sturdy nudge from Chelseas gallerist godmother. Ramonas Malibu dreams of sun and surf are interrupted as her first night brings an unwelcome stranger to her door, making her question who she can trustthe meddling neighbor Joan, or Jay, the handsome beachside fitness instructor with a secret of his own. Chelsea, desperate for Ramona to stay, hides what she knowseven if that means jeopardizing her budding connection with charming Carlos, whose dreams for his future could be the very key to unlock Chelsea from the weight of her past.

Combining escapist fun and sizzling romance, a dose of poignant self-reflection, and a little holiday magic,The Most Wonderful Timeis a warm and relatable novel that will delight at Christmas and throughout the year.