This hero needs a holiday miracle or two—and she's just the one to deliver.

A standalone holiday story from New York Times bestselling author Vivian Arend.

Single father Ryan Zhao didn't expect a ghost from his past to literally slide back into his life. His long-time friendship with Madison Joy is a pure, sweet memory, and with the holidays fast approaching, her surprise visit is perfect. Maddy's a breath of fresh air, full of ideas and enthusiasm—and far too attractive to a lonely man like him. Best friends to lovers might be tempting, but it's also dangerous since she's leaving after Christmas.

Madison thrives on fixing things. If Ryan insists she stick around and bother him and his adorable daughter for all of December, she'll do what she can to make his life brighter. Which means reviving their ugly sweater tradition, organizing a not-so-traditional Nutcracker—and fighting to keep from falling in love with her former best friend and his motherless child.

She's already given up her dreams once to help take care of her family. No matter how much he wants her to stay, Ryan refuses to ask her to do it again for him and his little girl. Can holiday magic find a way to take these two lonely hearts from friends to forever?