Publication Date: October 20, 2026
Long time nemeses and rival neighbors butt heads in a fierce competition for first place in their neighborhood’s Christmas house-decorating competition in this high-spirited holiday romance.
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.
The holiday season typically sparks happiness and joy, but two neighbors channel their emotions into next-level pettiness.
Divided by a two-year grudge, Nisa Ansari and Kerr Murdoch go all out for bragging rights in The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison. The end result is a spicy romantic comedy full of heart.
Their circumstances offer plenty of laughs as they engage in a battle of gaudy holiday light shows. Between Nisa’s human patients and Kerr’s furry patients, they share a desire for compassion.
As their decorating battle escalates, it’s tempting for readers to get caught up in the drama and ignore the attraction between Nisa and Kerr.
The Christmas Competition offers a lively, spirited cast of characters caught up in the chaos of the holiday.
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.
