of year-the lights, the parties, the smell of cookies baking. But this year only the stench of betrayal hangs in the air. She can't show her face at the many holiday get-togethers after being dumped by her longtime boyfriend. To put a bow on his insult, he leaves Remi with a puppy who is more like a fuzzy, innocent-eyed Piranha. This was shaping up to be the worst Christmas ever, until she spies a handsome man from her past. Cade is back in town, avoiding his ex-fiancée, at least until after the holidays-not that he ever liked the season much. Being left at the altar on Christmas day tends to chill the merriest heart. Handling the situation with grace, he did what any mature adult would do-promptly took a job out of state. Now back home, Cade ventures out and runs into Remi. He hasn't seen his best friend's sister in years but there she is, being dragged around by an unruly pup. It's the first time Cade has laughed in weeks. But before they can properly catch up, his ex shows up. Desperate, Cade wraps an arm around Remi and plants a kiss on her cheek, claiming her as his girlfriend. What says Christmas better than a season of lying, sneaking around, and the real possibility of death when Remi's older brother finds out about their charade?