Who Are The Main Characters In 'Dipped In Holly'?

Oh, 'Dipped in Holly' is one of those romances that just gets cozy holiday vibes right! The two leads are like warm cocoa with extra marshmallows—super comforting but with just enough spark. First, there’s Holly, this stubborn but big-hearted event planner who’s basically allergic to Christmas cheer after a messy breakup. Then there’s Ethan, her childhood best friend’s older brother, who’s all rugged charm and secretly a total softie. He runs a tree farm (yes, that level of Hallmark-core) and bulldozes her Grinch phase with relentless gingerbread house battles and mistletoe ambushes.

What I love is how their dynamic flips—Holly’s the ‘rational’ one who’s actually a closet romantic, while Ethan’s the laid-back guy hiding deep emotional layers. The side characters are gems too: Holly’s chaotic best friend, who‘s basically a human glitter bomb, and Ethan’s gruff-but-supportive dad, who low-key ships them. The book’s strength is how even minor characters feel real, like the grumpy café owner who fuels Holly’s caffeine addiction. It’s the kind of cast where you’d want to crash their fictional holiday party.

Holly and Ethan totally steal the show in 'Dipped in Holly,' but let’s not forget the scene-stealers! There’s Holly’s ex, who’s more of a plot device than a person (thankfully), and Ethan’s golden retriever, who should’ve gotten a ‘Best Supporting Animal’ award for his role in forced proximity tropes. The real magic’s in how the author makes even the town feel like a character—every snowy street and twinkly light adds to the vibe. It’s less about a huge cast and more about how these two bounce off each other (and occasionally into each other’s arms).