Yours for the Season is the latest release from Canadian author Uzma Jalaluddin. Released December 1, 2025, it takes readers from Atlanta to Alaska. Sameera Malik is trying to find her way back to her family and herself. Tom Cooke is working to succeed as a caterer. What happens when meddling parents step in, and Sameera finds herself going to a small town in Alaska at Christmas with Tom’s family?
I want to thank Mindy’s Book Studio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Yours for the Season. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
When Sameera Malik and Tom Cooke meet at a ho-hum holiday party, neither is looking for romance. Sameera’s working ridiculous hours at her law firm and healing from heartache while navigating a recently resolved family estrangement. Tom’s hustling to turn his social media stardom into a real career while fending off his family’s demands to give up his chef dreams and move back home. The two share a few laughs and a samosa-making lesson and go their separate ways.
But when one of Tom’s posts starts a viral rumor that they’re a couple, he suggests they keep up the ruse for a few months. It’s a good proposal, and a fauxmance will help Tom grow his popularity, and, in return, he can help Sameera land a wealthy client. The only problem? Their parents.
When Sameera’s very Muslim parents insist on meeting Tom’s very not Muslim family over Christmas in rural Alaska, the stage is set for misunderstandings, holiday hijinks, and an epic culture clash. As the Maliks and Cookes exchange holiday traditions and endless opinions on their children’s lives, Sameera and Tom realize they have a lot in common—including an attraction that’s starting to feel very real.
Positives
- Under 300 pages.
- Fake dating.
- Clean romance.
Negatives
- Issues with the geography description.
My Opinions
I decided to read Yours for the Season on a whim. I’ve enjoyed reading books by Uzma Jalaluddin before, and I just knew I had to read this one. It was such a great read, and it’s perfect for the holiday season.
Both main characters have unresolved issues with their family. Sameera was cut off from her family for several years because she feared disappointing her family. Tom chose to go to school out of state to spread his wings and get away from his family’s demands. Will spending time with both families help them heal and come together?
My biggest issue with this book is the descriptions of Alaska’s geography. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an expert on Alaska. I’ve been there once, including Juneau. But I’m pretty sure I knew this before going, but the only way to get in and out of Juneau is by plane or boat. Yet in the book, they took the highway from Juneau and drove for a couple of hours to the small town where most of the book is set. Please explain this to me?
Overall, Yours for the Season is a fun Christmas romance. While it flew under the radar this year, it is one you should add to your TBR right now!
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This sounds cute, despite its flaws. I’m not much of a holiday book reader, but it’s Uzma Jalaluddin, so I may give it a shot.
That’s really weird about the geography issue. I also knew that you had to take a boat or plane to get there, and a quick Google search confirms that there are no roads connecting it with the rest of Alaska. Though I did also find that you can take your car on a ferry to & from Juneau, so let’s just pretend that’s what the characters here did. 😉
That’s a weird thing to include if it’s something that’s commonly known about getting to Juneau. Seems like something basic research would cover 🤭 But I do enjoy Uzma Jalaluddin and this does sound interesting so maybe I’ll still keep it on my radar!