Spotlight of The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison

PHOTO SOURCE:

TYPORAMA

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THE CHRISTMAS COMPETITION

ZOE ALLISON

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF CHELSEA PASCOE | BERKLEY | SENIOR PUBLICIST AND SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE AND THE AUTHOR’S GOODREADS WEBSITE.

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A rivals-to-lovers holiday romance set in a charming Scottish village, where two longtime neighbors’ feud escalates into an all-out Christmas decorating war—until unexpected chemistry begins to thaw the frost between them.

THE CHRISTMAS COMPETITION by Zoe Allison delivers cozy small-town charm, festive hijinks, and a satisfying emotional arc about second chances and starting over. With its enemies-to-lovers tension, holiday competition hook, and irresistible Scottish setting, it’s a feel-good seasonal romance perfect for fans of Jenny Bayliss and Christina Lauren.

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October 20, 2026

Berkley Trade Paperback Original

Contemporary Romance

Holiday

Enemies to Lovers

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ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS COMPETITION:

The story: The local rumor mill in Nisa Ansari's small highland town is swirling about the downfall of her marriage, and in desperate need of a distraction, she enters her town’s Christmas house-decorating competition. The competition comes with the added bonus of getting on neighbor Kerr Murdoch’s last nerve. It’s the least she could do, considering her ex-husband left Nisa for Kerr’s girlfriend. And maybe if Kerr smiled or cracked a joke—just once!—his girlfriend would’ve stayed, and Nisa wouldn’t find herself alone during the holidays.

 

Introverted Kerr has trouble feeling comfortable around people he doesn’t know well. Newly single, he decorates his house in remembrance of his mother, who always had a soft spot for Christmas lights. But when Nisa's and Kerr’s decorations end up nearly identical, he incurs Nisa’s wrath.

This means all-out war, complete with gaudy wreaths, twinkle lights, and too many reindeer to count. Never mind that Nisa can’t keep her eyes off Kerr’s toned forearms. Or ignore that he’s a pet-loving veterinarian with a heart of gold. After conceding to her husband’s wishes for years, Nisa is determined to get her way. But as Christmas draws near, Nisa must decide what she actually wants: the familiar rivalry she’s had for years with Kerr, or opening herself up to the chance to fall in love with someone new.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Zoe Allison is a graduate of the RNA's New Writers' Scheme. Alongside her day jobs as a doctor and a writer, she started a TikTok account in 2021 where she regularly shares comedic sketches based on writing, and the romance genre in particular.

**AUTHOR PHOTO TAKEN FROM

THE AUTHOR'S WEB PAGE**

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