A Merry Little Lie

The Balfour family comes together for a chaotic, slightly claustrophobic, but undeniably heartfelt Christmas gathering in which one relationship is about to combust and another is about to begin…even though no one knows it yet in USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan's new holiday book.

Becky Balfour has to get home for the holidays—and fast. Her brother, Jamie, has arranged a special family party and Becky is certain he’s going to announce his engagement to his new girlfriend. They’ve only been together for three months and no one in the family has met her yet, but Becky is determined to keep an open mind. Unfortunately, the weather isn’t cooperating. Flights are grounded because of the snow so she should be thrilled to run into Will, her brother’s best friend. He’s rented a car and has offered her a ride. Too bad she’d rather walk home than be trapped in a car with Will after that disastrous encounter years ago. But Becky doesn’t have much of a choice…

Jessie Balfour has a secret. She and her husband Declan have separated, and she can’t bear to tell her family. So rather than ruin her brother’s engagement reveal (who gets married after only three months!), she and her husband agree to pretend to be a happy couple until the holidays are over. Hopefully Santa will deliver a massive bottle of gin to help her get through…

Hayley Quinn has always wanted a big family Christmas and now she finally gets one. She’s heard so much about Jamie’s family and she’s thrilled to meet them…but she’s nervous that they don’t know that she and Jamie have already gotten married while on holiday in Thailand. Jamie was hoping to share the news with a big party. But they’ll get over the shock and fall in love with her, right?

Mom Jennifer Balfour is already exhausted and her kids haven’ t even arrived home yet. Between caring for her elderly parents, wrangling her husband, and trying to prepare for this surprise party that her son has foisted on her (does he really need to announce his engagement this way?), Jennifer is stretched thin. When the kids were younger, it was her favorite time of year but now she just can’t wait to have the house back to herself again.

But of course, nothing goes according to plan…