She went to the city to build a future… but maybe the life she wanted was back home all along.

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A year after leaving her small town and close-knit friend group, Madigan's big-city dreams are finally coming true: she's received an invitation to an exclusive holiday party, proof that her magazine-writing career is finally taking off—and she's determined to prove she belongs there, even if it means missing Friendsmas, the Christmas tradition she has never skipped before.

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But when she arrives at the elaborate corporate event, everything falls apart. What should have been her big career moment turns into quiet humiliation, leaving her alone to question everything she's been chasing.

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When she calls Luke—her best friend back home—his concern and warmth stir up long-buried feelings for both the hometown and the man she left behind.

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This friends-to-lovers holiday romance short story originally appeared in Home for the Holidays: A Christmastime Anthology, released in November 2025 from And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books. This version of the story has been expanded with a brand-new epilogue that provides a peek at Madigan and Luke's life after the original story ended.

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Praise for Comfort Zone and Joy

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"If someone was looking to get into the Christmas spirit, I'd send them straight to this story. I loved every minute of the holiday vibes, sweet friendship traditions, and heartwarming romance. I can't wait to reread it by the light of my Christmas tree!" —Rachel Lawrence, author of Seashells and Other Souvenirs

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Comfort Zone and Joy: A Holiday Short Story

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