How Different The Dating World Is
The 12 Bad Dates Before Christmas centers on a hardworking single architect whose demanding mother issues her an ultimatum: go on 12 dates before Christmas or allow the church cupids. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the story came from my daughter, who uses dating apps and has endured her fair share of bad dates. She often shares her experiences—and some of the messages she receives—with me, and I couldn’t help but be entertained by the challenges of modern dating. It made me realize how different the dating world is today compared to when I was dating in the 1980s. Back then, we met people at bars, not by swiping through profiles on an app. The contrast between those two worlds sparked the idea for The 12 Bad Dates Before Christmas and all the hilarious, awkward, and heartwarming situations that followed.
Why did you choose St. Augustine as the setting for this holiday romance?
I chose St. Augustine as the setting because I live just fifteen minutes from its historic downtown and spend a lot of time shopping, dining, and exploring the area. There’s something magical about the city’s charm, rich history, and welcoming atmosphere that draws people in year-round. During the holidays, it becomes even more enchanting, making it the perfect backdrop for a heartwarming Christmas romance.
Which of Evie’s “bad dates” was your favorite to write—and which one made you laugh the most?
My favorite was the catfishing date in Chapter 9. Even though the date wasn’t what she expected, it led to an unexpected friendship. Steven was a sweet, lonely older man who was simply looking for someone to talk to. The best part was seeing her connect him with friends from her mom’s church, turning a disappointing date into something truly heartwarming.
Beneath the humor, the book explores fulfillment, vulnerability, and readiness for love. What message do you hope readers take away?
I hope readers walk away believing that love is worth the risk. It can be messy, awkward, and unpredictable, but it can also be the greatest adventure of all. Sometimes, while we’re searching for love in all the wrong places, we discover it has been quietly waiting for us where we least expected it.
Author Links: Facebook | nldideo.com
Evie Holliday has everything she thought she wanted—a thriving career as an architect in the charming town of St. Augustine, her sweet but spirited cat, Raven, and her ever-faithful best friend and roommate, Lanie. But when her well-meaning mother delivers a holiday ultimatum—go on twelve dates before Christmas or let the “Church Cupids” take over—Evie agrees to prove she can find love on her own terms.
Twelve dates. What could go wrong?
Between awkward encounters and unexpected mishaps, Evie begins to wonder if love is worth the chaos… until she meets Ryan McCormick at Peace, Love and Little Donuts. Kind, steady, and devoted to his teenage daughter, Ryan isn’t part of her plan—but he might be exactly what her heart needs.
Ryan McCormick has always put his family and his job as a police officer first. Falling for Evie wasn’t in his plans—but neither was watching her walk into one bad date after another. The more their paths cross, the harder it becomes to ignore what’s growing between them.
With Christmas approaching and time running out, Evie must decide if she’ll stick to her plan… or take a chance on a love that feels like it was meant to be all along.
Posted on June 27, 2026, in Interviews and tagged author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, NL DiDeo, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, romance, story, The 12 Bad Dates Before Christmas, womens fiction, writer, writing. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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