Holiday Romance

Holiday Romance is the first book in Catherine Walsh’s Fitzpatrick Christmas series. The next book, considered Book 1.5 in the series, is A Mistletoe Kiss (2023), followed by Book 2, Snowed In (2023). The novel follows Molly and Andrew, two Irish expatriates living in Chicago who have maintained a decade-long tradition of flying home to Ireland together for Christmas. A snowstorm grounds their flight and forces them to confront the romantic feelings they’ve suppressed. The romantic comedy explores themes of The Emotional Significance of Homecoming, The Tension Between Self-Definition and Expectations, and The Benefits of Surrendering Control.

Catherine Walsh is an Irish author from Dublin. She has a degree in popular literature and worked in publishing and non-profits in London before writing full-time in Ireland. Walsh is a bestselling romantic comedy author, with books translated into over 20 languages and topping Amazon charts. Holiday Romance and Snowed In are Kindle Unlimited hits. Known for creating relatable characters and blending humor, heart, and Irish charm, her debut, One Night Only (2021), marked her rise in contemporary romance.

The source material for this guide comes from the 2022 Bookouture eBook version.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of sexual content, substance use, addiction, cursing, and mental illness.

Plot Summary

Molly is in college at Northwestern University and is preparing to fly home to visit her family in Ireland for Christmas. Just before she leaves, her roommate, Hayley, tells her she cheated on her boyfriend, Andrew, and is planning on breaking up with him. Molly pleads with Hayley to wait until after the holidays. As Molly boards her plane, she realizes she is seated next to Andrew, who is also Irish and flying home. Hayley texts Andrew, and, knowing what is coming, Molly awkwardly grabs the phone from him and feigns flying anxiety.

Over the next few years, Molly and Andrew develop a friendship and begin scheduling their flights home to Ireland together. Molly dislikes Christmas, but Andrew and his family are close and enjoy all the Christmas traditions. Andrew tries to convince Molly to become a Christmas lover.

After graduation, both Molly and Andrew remain in Chicago. Molly becomes a high-powered attorney with a stressful workload. Andrew becomes a professional photographer. Molly is deeply unsatisfied with her career and contemplates quitting her job, but she doesn’t know what she wants to do. Molly and Andrew remain friends but don’t see each other much, aside from talking on the phone and taking their annual flight.

On Molly and Andrew’s 10th anniversary of flying home together, a historic snowstorm hits, grounding all flights passing over the Atlantic. Stranded at the airport, they concede to spending the holidays together in Chicago. Andrew shares that he’s recently sober. Molly doesn’t mind forgoing the trip since her family isn’t big on Christmas anyway, but Andrew is disappointed. Molly is excited to have a weekend alone with Andrew in the city. On the way out of the airport, they pass under mistletoe, and Molly spontaneously kisses Andrew. She wants to kiss him again.

At the last minute, Molly’s friend and co-worker, Gabriela, secures them two seats on a flight to Buenos Aires, which will take them around the storm. From there, they must fly to Paris and then to Ireland. It’s an outrageous travel scheme, but Molly, knowing how much it means to Andrew to see his family on Christmas, says yes. They don’t talk about the kiss until they are on their way to Paris. Molly begins acting awkward, and Andrew forces her to tell him what’s wrong. Molly confesses that she enjoyed kissing him but worries about what it means for their friendship. Andrew suggests they kiss again to see if the effect is the same. When they kiss, Molly likes it even more and wonders what is changing between them.

Molly’s luggage doesn’t make it to Paris. After they go into the city to eat and buy Molly new clothes, Molly tells Andrew about her desire to change careers. He encourages her to follow her heart even if it’s scary. They fly to London and stay with Andrew’s cousin, Oliver. After a night out enjoying the Christmas scene, they return home and passionately kiss. Oliver interrupts them, returning home intoxicated and needing help. The next day, they catch a train to the ferry station. Molly is exhausted, but when the ferry arrives in Dublin and she sees her pregnant twin sister, Zoe, the journey feels worth it.

Zoe drives them to their home, where Andrew intends to catch a bus to Cork, but shortly after they arrive, Zoe goes into early labor, and Andrew drives them to the hospital. It’s Christmas Eve, and Andrew forgoes catching the last bus to stay with Molly at the hospital until her parents arrive. Zoe gives birth to a baby boy, but seeing the developing connection between Molly and Andrew, she encourages Molly to travel to Cork and spend Christmas Day with him. She and her parents will be in the hospital.

Andrew loves the idea, and they arrive at Andrew’s family farm just as the sun is rising on Christmas Day. There’s only one spare room and one bed, and Molly and Andrew fall asleep together for a few hours before the family celebrations. Andrew’s family welcomes Molly with open arms, and she especially enjoys meeting Hannah, Andrew’s youngest sibling, with whom he is closest. At the family Christmas dinner, Andrew shares with his family that he is newly sober. After dinner, Molly participates in the family movie night tradition.

Afterwards, when they’re alone, Andrew gifts Molly a snow globe with an airplane inside, representing their relationship. Molly shares that she’s decided to quit her job and embrace her passion for food by becoming a food tour guide. Andrew supports her idea. They go to bed and are intimate for the first time. It feels so right that Molly wonders why she ever doubted their relationship.

The next day, Molly prepares to return to Dublin. She learns from Andrew’s brother, Christian, that Andrew is considering moving back to Ireland. Molly is hurt that Andrew didn’t tell her. She confronts him, and he explains that he’s changed his plans. She doesn’t want him to give up his family for her. Andrew reveals that he has been in love with her since the day they met 10 years ago. He wants to be together in Chicago. Molly says she needs time to think, and Christian drives her to Dublin. On the way, Christian explains how much Andrew cares for her. When they arrive at her home, Andrew and Hannah pull up soon after, having chased her down. Andrew and Molly communicate their desires, and Andrew assuages her fears. Andrew spends the day with her family. One year later, Molly and Andrew are living together, and Molly’s food tour business is thriving. They pick up their families at the Chicago airport for Christmas.