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Verdict: A Hallmark movie inside a book: closeted actress Emily is filming a holiday movie at Red Tractor Farm, and the heartbroken, Christmas-hating tree farmer Dana is assigned to show her around. Early readers love the grumpy/sunshine pair and the festive setting; a few felt a heavier harassment subplot and repeated second-guessing crowded the romance.
Best for: Readers who want a queer Hallmark-style Christmas romance with some depth.
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9/5 — a 4.34 Goodreads average across 32 ratings, 4.04 on StoryGraph from 7 reviews, and 4.6 stars across 6 Amazon ratings)
Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, holiday romance, forced proximity, closeted actress, found family, small town.
Deck the Hauls is Elizabeth Luly’s 2026 contemporary lesbian romance, the fourth Sapphire Springs book. Emily Rossi’s acting career stalled after a night she would rather forget; a HolLove holiday movie at Red Tractor Farm is her chance to get back on track — if she stays in the closet.
It holds a 4.34 average across 32 Goodreads ratings, with 93% of them four or five stars, 4.04 on StoryGraph from 7 reviews, and 4.6 stars across 6 Amazon ratings. It was released in late September 2026 and most reviews so far are from advance readers.
What Is Deck the Hauls About?
Dana Hoffman, still reeling from a messy breakup, has sworn off dating and Christmas and just wants peace in her cabin among the pines. Instead she has to show a gorgeous actress around while a film crew takes over.
Emily makes it her mission to make Dana love Christmas again — and Dana starts to thaw. Both must decide whether to risk their hearts and careers.
What Works in This Book
- Grumpy/sunshine done kindly: One reader praises mutual respect and support instead of the enemies-to-lovers pipeline.
- Festive setting: Christmas trees, ice skating, markets and gingerbread — “a Hallmark movie inside a Hallmark movie.”
- Series cameos: Readers love seeing the Sapphire Springs friend group again.
- Handling of harm: One reader appreciated that the harassed character stands up for herself.
Book Synopsis
A closeted actress and a Christmas-hating tree farmer on a holiday film set.
Can she make the grinch love Christmas — and her?
My Review
Early readers say it balances heavier plotlines with a light tone, and one longtime fan calls it their new favourite in the series.
The critiques: one reader felt the harassment storyline took focus from the love story, another found the constant doubting frustrating and one character’s resolution too quick, and one found the will-they-won’t-they tedious. One reader disagreed with how Dana’s past betrayal (her girlfriend left her for her brother) was resolved.
My honest note: Cosy and festive, with more weight than the title suggests.
| Element | In Deck the Hauls |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Emily Rossi (actress) & Dana Hoffman (Christmas tree farmer) |
| Core tropes | Grumpy/sunshine, holiday romance, closeted actress |
| Setting | Red Tractor Farm, Sapphire Springs, during filming |
| Heat level | 🌶️🌶️ |
| Length | 363 pages (Kindle listing) |
| Series | Sapphire Springs #4 — standalone |
| Content notes | Sexual harassment depicted; past harassment and assault mentioned |
How Spicy Is Deck the Hauls?
Moderately, per the heat rating on our list; readers focus more on the festive romance than the spice.
The author warns of sexual harassment on the page and mentions of past harassment and assault.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you want a queer holiday movie in book form. It is on our cozy lesbian romance list.
You may want to skip it if: harassment storylines are a hard no.
In short: Grinch meets Christmas girl.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 43% five stars, 50% four, 3% three, 3% two and none at one star.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): Grumpy/sunshine first. Second, festive setting. Third, series cameos. Fourth, the heroine’s agency.
What readers argue about and complain about: A heavy subplot, above everything. Second, second-guessing. Third, quick resolutions.
The comparison worth making first: Not Just Gal Pals, the first Sapphire Springs book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the other Sapphire Springs books?
No — the author says it stands alone, though series readers enjoy cameos from earlier couples.
What content warnings does Deck the Hauls have?
The author flags depictions of sexual harassment and mentions of past sexual harassment and assault (not detailed).
Is it enemies to lovers?
No. Readers say it is grumpy/sunshine without manufactured bickering — the leads connect quickly and support each other.
How spicy is it?
Moderate, per the heat rating on our list.
Is Deck the Hauls on Kindle Unlimited?
Yes, when we checked.
If You Loved Deck the Hauls, Read These Next
Start the series with Not Just Gal Pals, or try Breakup Buddies. Browse our cozy list or the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
Deck the Hauls sets out to be a sapphic Hallmark Christmas, and early readers say it is. What holds it back is a heavier subplot that not everyone wanted. Recommended for the season. Check Deck the Hauls on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, Deck the Hauls ranks as a good holiday romance — festive, earnest.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★★☆ 3.9/5
- ✓ 4.34 average across 32 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 93% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 4.04 on StoryGraph from 7 reviews
- ✓ 4.6 stars across 6 Amazon ratings
Romance ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ Grumpy/sunshine
- ✓ Mutual support
- ✓ Second-guessing
- ✓ Quick connection
Characters ★★★★☆ 3.9/5
- ✓ Protective Dana
- ✓ Resilient Emily
- ✓ Series cast
- ✓ Hard to connect for one
Writing ★★★★☆ 3.7/5
- ✓ Hallmark-style
- ✓ Good pacing
- ✓ Cringy film dialogue for one
- ✓ Dual POV
Emotional Impact ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ Heavier themes
- ✓ Heartbreak
- ✓ Festive
- ✓ Hopeful
Heat Level ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- ✓ Moderate
- ✓ Per our list
- ✓ Adult
- ✓ Not the focus
Ending ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ Warm
- ✓ Christmas
- ✓ Quick resolution for one
- ✓ Satisfying
Re-read Value ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ On Kindle Unlimited
- ✓ Holiday reread
- ✓ 363 pages
- ✓ Sapphire Springs #4
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