Lovable, happy-go-lucky Kelly was as nutty as pecan pie and just as sweet. No, she wasn’t certifiable, but her dependence on Magic 8 balls, tarot cards, and other psychic what-nots would be questionable by some, probably most. But this doesn’t stop her best friend of 10 years, Mark, from loving her anyway.

The problem?

She thinks one of her ex-boyfriends is The One because of a comment made by a stranger, and she sets out to make her love match her Christmas present.

Mark knows he’s The One for Kelly because she’s the only one for him. They know each other better than they know themselves, and their no-nonsense friendship keeps their worlds right.

Mark has most emphatically been added to my book boyfriend harem. I totally adore him and his sometimes grumpy, yet sexy, ways. I liked how he dealt with Kelly, he let her be herself, without having to pretend with her. Kelly is without a doubt a girl’s night out contender, but her refusal to rely on her own heart and mind exasperated me after a while. I still rooted for her, but I did huff and puff and roll my eyes a time or two. I couldn’t help it. Perhaps I was crushing on Mark, or perhaps she went overboard with her superstitions to the point of exhaustion. Doesn’t matter the reason, I huffed and rolled.

But…

I still loved her.

I loved the writing – I laughed out loud a time or 50, and Hallmark Christmas movies? Golden!

An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne is a stand alone holiday novel. I usually very much enjoy Lauren Layne books. They are quick reads filled with witty banter and sweet romance. I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of holiday romances. Like, there's nothing wrong with them. I'm just not super into them. Or maybe the fact is that I haven't read that many of them to have a definite opinion on them. But I did enjoy An Ex for Christmas.

This is the story of Kelly. Our heroine is a bit of the superstitious sort and when a psychic tells her that she has already met the love of her life, Kelly assumes that it's one of her exes. And so begins her quest to locate The One right before Christmas. I liked Kelly. She was a sweet and quirky heroine with exactly the right amount of cuteness. Yes, she was a bit superstitious at times but she genuinely wanted to find her one true love.

On her mission to find the right guy the one person Kelly has with her all along is Mark, her best friend. Problem is, suddenly Kelly is feeling the sparks with Mark but she doesn't want to lose her best friend. I liked Mark. He was a stand up guy who truly cared about Kelly. Mark actually wants more with Kelly but the timing was never right. Now he has a chance and he's not going to let go of it.

Mark and Kelly made for a cute pair. They had been best friends all their lives and they basically knew every nuance of each other's personality. Yes, they've both been with numerous other people through the course of years but the on stable pillar in their life has always been the friendship. I loved how Kelly and Mark were always there for each other.

Lauren Layne truly sets the holiday mood with An Ex for Christmas. Kelly loves Christmas and it shows- whether it's from her decorating skills or from the Christmas music she plays all the time. It was really quite adorable to see the cheerful and bubbly Kelly with stoic Mark. If you are a fan of cozy holiday romances I'd recommend An Ex for Christmas.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

What a sweet book. I loved it, just like I love all the rest of her books! I hadn't read any of her work in a while and on page one, I remembered what I'd been missing.

There’s really no words for how much I love Lauren Layne. I’ve read every single one of her books and I’ve always loved every one. I love the whole friends to lovers situation, so this one was the perfect read.

I felt that this one fell a little short compared to previous Lauren Layne novels. It was a light, enjoyable read, but I wasn't as invested in the characters making the story a bit unbelievable. I also thought the final chapter from Mark's point of view was pretty jarring. The Oxford and Stiletto series still remain her strongest books for me.

An Ex was a little too predictable - I mean, you know almost from the get go how it's all going to end - but it was still a really fun read. The characters were relatable, the string of exes were hilarious (the gardening guy who could hardly bolt fast enough was my favorite), and the writing was solid. Highly recommend.

*ARC via netgalley*

Kelly Byrne is a little superstitious... ok... she bases most of her life choices on things like her Magic 8 Ball. So when she is approached by a psychic who tells her that her true love is someone she has already met... Kelly goes full blown ex hunting.

Mark Blakely, best friend and stoic observer to Kelly's escapades is not happy with Kelly's plan... or her exes. He reminds her that she broke up with them for a reason... but is there more to it than that?

This was a fantastic read. Kelly is quirky and all around hilarious. She is a Christmas fanatic, who seems to move from one outlandish thought to another. Mark comes off as an impassive observer to the whirlwind that is Kelly. But, he would do anything for her and is completely over the fact that she hasn't noticed his feelings for her.

This book was so festive and fun and brings you full force into wanting to celebrate the  holidays and partake in every festive activity you can. Brimming with signature Lauren Layne humor and her always fantastic characters, this book is a must read. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

AN EX FOR CHRISTMAS is a fun and breezy romance perfect for the holiday season. Kelly is still single and meets a psychic who tells her that she already knows her "one". So she writes a list of her ex's and decides that she will meet up each one to see which is her destiny. Her best friend Mark next door thinks she is crazy but is always there for her. And he knows her better than anyone.
The superstitious Kelly is a frustrating heroine who goes through her list in some humorous situations. One problem is that she didn't totally get the meaning of what the psychic meant. She also had trouble seeing the truth that was right before her eyes. And Mark is a great guy, but he needed some communication skills. Together, they give you a fun ride as the truth of true love is revealed. I would add this to my reading list!

AN EX FOR CHRISTMAS is a friends to lovers/slow burn/swoony/romantic holiday comedy that I absolutely adored! Kelly was just so cute, bubbly and quirky. Her love for the holidays, the references to all the Christmas songs and gooey movies, really put me in the spirit and I often found myself humming along with Kelly. I was "pulled into her orbit" from page one because her personality was so fun, flirty and festive! But she wasn't the only charmer in the story..Mark was dreamy, hunky and a slightly possessive sweetheart. Even though it took these two awhile to come together, it was an endearing journey. Lauren Layne once again wrote a fantastical book, a story with humor and a slow burning romance (that eventually explodes to a sexy inferno!). Add in a hot best friend and a touch of whimsy and you've got a book worthy of gracing my READ AGAIN E-SHELF! Told completely from Kelly's POV (except for one quick chapter from Mark). I received, read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I just love Lauren Layne's books and I'm reminded why each time I pick up a new book. An Ex for Christmas is the latest in a long line of her books that I found utterly addictive and charming. It wasn't my first Christmas romance book of the year, but it's certainly one of my favorites so far. It's destined to be a yearly holiday reread. 

Oh, Kelly and Mark. I loved them both so very much. Kelly was almost over-the-top with her love for Christmas, but I found her charming and sweet. She was also superstitious and believed in signs, fate and a Magic 8 Ball. I mean, how can I NOT love that? Mark was more grounded and even a bit grumpy at times, but I do love a grumpy hero so I was here for it. They're the most fun to watch open up. Of course, I'm also a total sucker for a friends first story, so this one basically had my name written all over it from the very start. I was all in as Kelly started revisiting her dreaded exes list to see if maybe one of them could be her true love... all the while trying to ignore the intense chemistry with the man who had been there all along, Mark. 

If you're as addicted to Hallmark Christmas movies as I am, then you need to pick up An Ex for Christmas. It's basically one of those movies, but in book form. It filled me with so much warm and fuzzy holiday spirit. *heart eyes* 

FAVORITE QUOTES

"He looks like a lumberjack version of Clark Kent, Byrne. Other men don't exactly love their girl being besties with sexy, scruffy Superman."

"I'm confused. I don't know whether to treat you like my best friend or my boyfriend."

"Have I already met my one true love?"

Do you like the holidays?
Do you love friends to lovers romance?
Do you love second chance?
Do you love when two characters have such strong chemistry that their tension is off the charts and you can't wait for that intense moment of surrender?!

THEN READ THIS BOOK!
OH MY GEE!!

I am a huge Lauren Layne fan, and this book did not disappoint me one bit!

Kelly is on a mission to find her true love.
Knowing she has already met him leads her on a path to talk to all her ex's to find if chemistry is still there.
Who doesn't like a little mistletoe?!

But what happens if that true love has been there all along?

Mark and Kelly have been best friends for years. But just that...friends.
When they are left alone one Christmas, will the season bring them together in ways they never imagined?

Sometimes predictions and Magic 8 Balls don't always have the right answers...

"I can't be falling for my best friend...can I?"

With snow falling and feelings rising, it's a week of unforgettable moments.
There's humor in every "ex" meeting and even better banter between Mark and Kelly.
They had me laughing and swooning comstantly!

In true Lauren Layne form, you get comedy and fun, but also heart and heat.
These two have passion that burns through the pages, but also so much heart that my own heart was racing in anticpation.

I could have read another whole book about these two!
I adored them!
And can I say that Mark is so dang swoonworthy?! Oh me!
Kelly is a very lucky girl;)

Another great book from Ms. Layne!

"I've been in love with you since the day I met you. I loved you like a boy loves a girl back then, when you were the only one there for me. And now I love you like a man loves a woman, because you're the only one I want. For always."

Cute story and I absolutely fell in love with Kelly. Her quirkiness and superstitions were adorable. I loved the eight ball and all the Christmas routines and traditions. Mark is so patient and sexy. I'm not sure how Kelly held back for so long. These two are so connected and yet mismatched that they worked for me.

An Ex for Christmas is perfect for the holidays!

I love Lauren Layne novels. Fun, sexy and full of holiday cheer she does it again with another book that you just won't be able to put down. I finished this in one sitting. Can't wait to see what she brings us next!!

I have a thing for grumpy heroes, especially of the lumberjack/chef/bespectacled variety, and Lord Jesus is Mark a good one. *fans self*

A fun Christmas read with some grumpiness and a side of sizzle. ;)

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
So, I don’t usually read holiday stories but I’m a Lauren Layne fan, so when this came up for review in my group I said, yea, ok... I'll try it (begrudging voice)! Boy, I’m glad I took a shot on this one!! I loved this story, it was sweet, funny, and poignant! Full of emotion and good feels, the pages flew by with fun Christmas traditions celebrated with humor and new-found attraction that made me laugh and sigh happily. Kelly's best friend forever has been Mark, they've always just been besties. But after a fortune teller gives Kelly a juicy tidbit that she's going to find the love of her life this Christmas and it's someone she already knows, Kelly goes on a manhunt of her exes. Mark tries not to encourage his best friend in this ridiculous search, he's hoping she finally sees him! Turns out Kelly did know her true love previously and he's been waiting for her to open her eyes to him for years. Well told and definitely full of Christmas cheer.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆
Once again, Lauren Layne did not disappoint and delivered a book that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. I love a good rom-com and I couldn't stop myself from becoming fully invested in the story. I have yet to read a book by Layne that hasn’t won me over. An Ex for Christmas was the perfect holiday read to warm your cold winter nights. This book reads just like a Hallmark Christmas movie and I couldn’t help but fall in love with all of Layne’s characters. More specifically, I couldn’t help but swoon at Mark Blakely, the male lead character. Also, the chemistry between Mark and Kelly Byrne, the main character, was just so perfect and believable. I always appreciate a good friends-to-lovers story and Layne knows just how to weave one! Layne always does a spectacular job of drawing me in and keeping me hooked. So, if you also happen to love a good holiday romance then l think you’ll find An Ex for Christmas the perfect book to put you in the holiday spirit!

4 stars for Lauren Layne’s An Ex for Christmas!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is classic Ms. Layne, and very enjoyable because of it. Kelly is a fun character with such an extreme belief in fate that she drives her BFF somewhat crazy. He is much more practical, but humours her because he has always done anything to keep her in his life. But this Christmas, her plan is really causing him pain, and thinking that maybe it is finally time to move on...

Never has it been more obvious to even the most casual observer that these two people are perfect for each other, but somehow Kelly has been completely oblivious – so when she starts to wonder why being near Mark is feeling more appealing than just friends usually does, she doesn't understand what her body is trying to tell her brain. It has to be said that Mark has the patience of a saint, and she is incredibly lucky that he has!

What with Rigby (their shared dog), bartender and ex-girlfriend Erica, and the whole cast of ex-boyfriends, this is a very enjoyable read, with some super humour, some perfectly romantic moments, and some very heated ones.

Great Christmas reading, thank you, Ms. Layne.

Kelly is told by a psychic that she has already met the one. Naturally, she assumes this means he is one of her exes so she decides to figure out which one it is by Christmas. She makes herself an ex list to help her out. Her best friend, Mark, has already seen these guys break her heart once and he doesn't want to watch them do it again. He has feelings for Kelly and hoped she would feel the same for him but he's tired of waiting. Will he give up or will she realize the one has been in front of her this entire time?

I love a good friends to lovers romance. There is no instalove because it's been building through their friendship. The banter between Kelly and Mark was great and I found myself laughing quite a bit! I enjoyed the holiday theme in this book but the ending was a little rushed. Overall, I would highly recommend.

Where to beginning, because An Ex for Christmas was a fun read. Then again, Lauren Layne usually knows how to make a fun read. So, we have Kelly Byrne. She definitely has quirks. I mean she believes in fate, superstitions, and cosmos. Not the most logical girl, but sweet. So when she hears that she has met her true love, she decides to revisit her ex-boyfriends. Seriously, who thinks this is a good idea, there's a reason why they are an ex. Basically we go on a wild ride with Kelly to find her true love. Along for the ride is her best friend Mark. Poor Mark. He gets a front row seat to this train wreck. By the way, tracking down exes is a train wreck waiting to happen.

I love the writing style of this story. We get front row seat to Kelly's adventure on revisiting some of the exes that make the cut. Along the way she learns some things, but doesn't fully grasps the info until towards the end. I adore Mark throughout this whole story, because he puts up with Kelly's craziness, and almost misses out on the best thing in her life. Seriously, this an adorable holiday read. Probably the funnest one I have read so far. I mean who doesn't want to take a wild trip on revisiting ex-boyfriends during Christmas. By the way, Kelly gets a little crazy with the mistletoe. Anyway, you don't want to miss this holiday caper.

Copy provided by LoveSwept via NetGalley

Review by Leah for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

4 Stars!

This was a fun and sexy Christmas story with great characters that played well off of each other. Kelly Byrne is one of those always happy, bubbly types and her BFF Mark is just the opposite. He's not always sad or angry, just a bit broody. She's into the mystical while he's firmly grounded. Ever heard of "opposites attract"? Well, the sparks begin to fly this Christmas break while Kelly is home. After being given some mystical advice, she's on the hunt for her one true love. But she really needs to open her eyes and see who's right in front of her. Will she figure it out in time?

Lauren Layne gives another great story that I really wish I had a fire place to curl up nearby in order to soak in every bit of this book. The storyline is cute, and the backstory beautifully interwoven, and the characters are wonderfully developed. My only question is, where can I get a Mark, and preferably in time for Christmas?

An Ex For Christmas brought a Hallmark movie feel to a book filled with the usual flair of a witty and steamy Lauren Layne novel. Written with a quirky heroine that makes her choices depending upon signs from the universe and her oft used Magic 8-Ball, the story follows her struggle of locating all of her exes to find the one she might’ve missed, all due to a woman with Sight telling her she’s already met her fated true love.

With a wonderfully warm hometown feel and the setting of Christmastime, this story easily developed into a beautiful romance built from deep friendship and years worth of feelings. And because Layne’s known for her charming, quiet heroes that say more without words and are easily magnetic, it was really too easy to fall under Mark’s spell. His stoic nature and patience clashed with Kelly’s whimsicality, but one could instantly sense their compatibility the first scene they had together. Kelly was flawed and deeply romantic, but her inability to see what was in front of her face was all too human–something of which made her very relatable to the reader.

An Ex For Christmas read like a movie, and it was enjoyable all the way through. The humor and wit of her characters made it light, but the deeply constructed romance and steaminess gave it a hearty substance. If you’re looking for a holiday-themed romance, this is the perfect choice; but outside of the holiday featured, it was a wonderful romance that all will enjoy.

I love Lauren Layne’s smart and sassy romances and this one does not disappoint. Kelly is a superstitious teacher and Mark is her down to earth best friend and a hot chef to boot! They co-parent a dog and share a backyard (at her weekend place and his full time home) . Following a strange train platiform encounter Kelly returns to her hometown (and weekend place) for Christmas intent on figuring out which of her exes should be her forever love. There are comical missteps and heartfelt mistakes on the bumpy road to happily ever after. This is was a sexy fun romp in the holiday spirit!