A cute friends-to-lovers story set during the Holiday season.

Kelly and Mark have known each other since they were kids. They're best friends, although seemingly polar opposites in terms of personality. Kelly is a superstitious believer in "fate" and things like fortune tellers and Magic 8 balls. Mark is, well, most decidedly not. Kelly sets off on a quest to reconnect with her exes after being told by a psychic that she's already met her true love.

Kelly's borderline obsession with "superstitious" stuff like horoscopes, Magic 8 Balls and psychics could have come off as totally flaky and annoying, but instead, I found it kind of endearing (although a bit hard to relate to, myself). As her polar opposite, Mark initially comes off as a bit stuffy, and while not supportive of Kelly's quest, still has her back. It seems to be obvious to everyone but Kelly who she should end up with, but her journey to enlightenment was fun to read. The dynamic between Kelly and Mark is cute and although it's a bit of a slow-burn, once they connect, their chemistry is great.

Although part of Layne's LOVE UNEXPECTEDLY series, there is absolutely no reason this couldn't be read as a stand-alone.

*ARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley*

Lauren Layne is one of my happy place authors. You guys know what I'm talking about, right? An author you just know will always make you smile and your heart sing! She's one of those for me. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. I'm actually glad that have books by her I haven't read yet, so I always have a read to lift my spirits if need be!

An Ex for Christmas was delightful and delicious and sexy and fun and just happy! SO, let me give you the gist because it's quite adorable ... So Kelly is ready to meet her destiny. So ready that she turns to a psychic. Said psychic tells her she's already met the man of her destiny. And so goes Kelly off on a dating spree of all her exes ... CUTENESS personified, I tell you! Now Mark ... well, Mark is her best friend. Knows her in and out. They know each other in and out. They are truly an awesome pair! Well, without telling you the whole story-line ... I'll just say Kelly has indeed met Mark already :) OMG THIS BOOK WAS THE FUNNEST!

Copy provided for blog tour review

This friends to lovers story is a perfect distraction outside of the season of goodwill or within it, depending on when you settle down to read it! It's hilarious, funny and a perfect novel for a cosy night in with a glass of mulled wine.

In Kelly Byrne's world, if a psychic tells you you've already met your true love it must be true, right? With Christmas around the corner and the new year not far behind, she devises a plan to track down all her ex-boyfriends to see which one is 'Mr Right', only her happy ever after guy is closer than she thinks.

Mark Blakely thinks his life is turning the right corner when the woman he secretly loves is now available again. It's a tricky situation because she's also his best friend so after waiting all this time he's determined to get his girl until she tells him her crazy plan. A plan that doesn't involve him.

Although highly amusing, Kelly's behaviour is heartbreaking sometimes as she relies on superstitions to make her life choices. It's funny but sad, she relies so much on such silliness to tempt fate, based on a brief conversation with a psychic. However, Mark is a wonderful example of a truly one in a million guy, the perfect man to counterbalance Kelly's crazy ideas.

All the unbelievable and entertaining drama is gift wrapped around a Christmassy backdrop filled with seasonal cheer. The author's love of this season of goodwill shines through in her writing, littered with her signature wit and humour. I'm not a fan of this holiday but even my heart was warmed by this festive happy ever after.

4.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Loveswept via NetGalley***

I love everything about this book....the author did a great job holding my attention. I can't wait to read more books by her.

Are you in the mood for an extremely joyful holiday romance? Then immerse yourself in Lauren Layne's latest offering, An Ex For Christmas. This is a fast-paced and nicely-written read that primarily takes place in upstate New York. The small town of Haven is just a short train ride away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. The story grabbed my attention right from the beginning, and the characters made me laugh, smile, and contemplate the signs of the zodiac. This is the fifth book from Ms. Layne's Love Unexpectedly series, and it can be enjoyed as as standalone.

Grade school teacher Kelly Byrne is a very superstitious person. She analyzes her horoscope everyday and uses one of the three Magic 8 Balls that she owns to manage her life. On her way from NYC to Haven for the holidays, Kelly receives some unsolicited advice from a psychic located on a Subway platform. The psychic tells Kelly that she has already met her true love. This newfound wisdom causes Kelly to hunt down her ex-boyfriends, in order to find out which guy is the one that got away.

Chef Mark Blakely is an all around good guy, and his restaurant is thriving in Haven. He and Kelly are best friends, neighbors, and share the responsibility of their cuddly dog Rigby. Mark has always been in love with Kelly, but Kelly has never picked up on that little fact. Being in the friend zone is especially difficult this Christmas, because Kelly is talking about and spending time with her exes. Luckily, the magic of season creates some sexual tension between them, which evolves into much more.

I liked this entertaining and sexy story. Ms. Layne's vibrant descriptions of the snowy landscapes and seasonal activities, make you want to be in Haven for the holidays. Kelly and Mark are well-defined characters and their sexy times are both loving and hot. Kelly's superstitious beliefs were quite comical at times. Overall, this is an engaging holiday read that should be added to your TBR list.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

This is the first book I have read by Lauren Layne and it will not be my last. I loved it! It is full of humor with a little bit of heartache, a fortune teller, and a whole lot of fun. I enjoyed all of the antics while Kelly Byrne ties to find which of her exes is her one true love. She has to do this before Christmas according to the fortune teller she met in the subway. What a great story that will have you laughing and you will not be able to put the book down.

This was a cute, fun, quick read perfect for anyone who appreciates a good friends to lovers story.
Kelly and Mark have been friends since high school. They share everything, including a back yard and a dog since Kelly splits her time between living in NYC and their hometown 2 hours away. Their adventure kicks off when a fortune teller lets Kelly know that she's already met "the one" and she takes that to mean an ex-boyfriend.
Watching Kelly track down her exes with Mark in the background was interesting and frustrating. I found myself liking Kelly, but I also wanted to reach into the book and shake her for being clueless. To be honest, Kelly is the main reason this isn't a full 4 star read for me. She is a funny and interesting character, but I didn't like how she consistently put herself down nor did I think the constant comments about her weight were constructive; especially considering how she compared herself to Mark. Kelly's self doubt made it a little harder to fully buy into the concept that Mark had been secretly in love with her for so long, mainly because he is portrayed as such a string character.
I enjoyed An Ex for Christmas and loved the premise, I just would have liked to have seen a little bit of a stronger heroine with a more positive body image.

I always love the best friends to lovers theme. Mark and Kelly were fantastic. I loved how well they knew each other and could finish each other's thoughts and sentences. They had such a great friendship and of course shared custody of Rigby. When they decided to take their relationship to the next level, all was good. I totally loved Mark and how we was with Kelly, accepting all her quirkiness and even the really special thing he did for her. He is definitely a swoonworthy man. I am glad she came to her senses and that she understood exactly how deep and real her feelings for Mark were.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

After being told by a psychic that she's already met "The One" and she'll reunite with him by Christmas, Kelly is a woman on a mission to connect with her exes to figure out who the lucky man is. Mark and Kelly have been best friends since high school but he's not really into the psychics, magic 8 balls, and general reliance on fate that Kelly is. He tells her, at every chance, that this plan is ridiculous but Kelly just can't let it go. The lengths that Kelly goes to to track down her exes and ignore her growing feelings for her BFF are hilarious.

This is my first Christmas book for the year and it definitely put me in a holiday mood. I couldn't really get why Kelly was so obsessed with magic 8 balls and psychics but Mark's response to all it was fantastic. He was constantly the voice of reason, the reminder of why these men were exes, and was quietly there waiting for Kelly to get a clue. I loved their friendship and laughed so much. This holiday story was sweet with some heat and the perfect start to the Christmas season.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

4.5 'All I Want for Christmas is Mark' Stars!
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

And again, Lauren Layne delivers another heart-warming love story! Winter is here and Christmas is around the corner so what better way to start getting into the Christmas mood than a friends to lovers love story by one of my favorite authors! I thought (at first) this story would be about exes reuniting but it is more “complicated” than that. This is about two best friends who fall in love (or have been..) with each other.

An Ex for Christmas is a standalone novel, but it belongs to the Love Unexpectedly series (all standalones). This is Lauren’s first Christmas novel and as I said it’s a friends to lovers romance. Kelly and Mark have been best friends for the longest time, Kelly is more than ready to settle down with the love of her life, but, this love is nowhere in sight (according to her..). Our lovely heroine is in fact a believer of all things “fate” so she believes everything an unknown woman tells her: that she already knows said person. A quest starts, Kelly is going though all her exes to find this love, but everything gets complicated when she discovers that she has feelings for her best friend Mark (who *swoon* has loved her from the very beginning).

Some things just weren’t meant to be questioned; they simply were.
Mark and I are one of them, I guess.

As all her other creations, Lauren Layne made An Ex for Christmas a slow burn romance that melted my heart. I found the relationship between Kelly and Mark absolutely adorable. Their friendship is so especial: they have so many fantastic moments together and their chemistry (as friends and later as lovers) is palpable on every single page. In fact, I loved Mark from the very start because he is so clearly protective of Kelly and very much in love with her! I mean, sometimes I wanted to shake Kelly so badly because she does not see that AT ALL! And I just wanted that fantastic man to be happy.

I should be freaked out—I know I should, but truthfully what’s freaking me out more isn’t how wrong this is but how absurdly right it feels. As though his mouth was made for mine, as though we should have been doing this a long time ago.

And here is maybe the only thing that I did not enjoy as much: how Kelly is not able to see what Mark feels for her (and what she feels for him!) until almost the very end of the story. Yeah, they do realize the chemistry between them earlier and the sex (as always) is beautifully written and oh-so-sexy! Lauren’s heroes always do it for me and the slow burn is to die for! But, I felt like the ending was a bit rushed: it was amazing and so sweet but a little rushed. However, I can almost forget all this because I really enjoyed the love story as a whole and because I loved these two together as a couple!

I’m in love with you.
(And don’t bother telling me I’m too late.)
(I’ll win you back. You know I will.)
All I want for Christmas. . .
Is you.

Therefore, my rating for An Ex for Christmas is 4.5 STARS because it was an adorable Christmas-themed love story that holiday lovers will definitely enjoy! If you love this festive holiday and you also happen to love Lauren Layne’s stories, you surely will enjoy this one! Mark and Kelly are great together and their happy ending will melt your heart. So yeah, I am recommending this one, especially if you are a LL and a Christmas fan!

My love for all things written by Lauren Layne gave this book a 4 star rating, as the writing is funny and sassy. A Christmas story with a friends-to-lovers trope is a thing of beauty...but Kelly, our heroine, is a kook! Now, I know people believe in tea leaves, magic eight balls and such, and that's fine. But Kelly's belief has taken over her life, to the point where she can't make a decision without shaking the numerous magics 8's she has in her possession. Now her bff, Mark, humors her about it, for the most part. But I think if I were him and in love with her for years, I would have thrown one at her by this point in time. Kelly is so busy looking at the stars for guidance that she almost loses what's right in front of her. And to me, she was just super annoying.
Now, Kelly together with Mark...the sexy best friend...Layne played the banter between the two of them perfectly.That man has the patience of a saint! And he is what kept me going, despite my initial distaste for Kelly. I did grow to appreciate her, if not love her.
Great read, not overly long but just enough to whet my appetite for more holiday reads!

I love, love, love a good holiday romance. Add in the elements of a friends to lovers trope and I'm toast. Lauren Layne made this book fresh, fun and sweet and I absolutely loved it!

I can read holiday romance any time of year-and I think I'm in the minority in saying that. Which is funny because I don't like to listen to holiday music until after Thanksgiving...but a book? I just love falling into that holiday setting.

Quite frankly, I adored Kelly. I loved her smart, superstitious, sassy self. She was quirky and not afraid of that. It was fun watching her plot and work her way through her list, almost missing what readers were dying for her to realize.

Mark was so patient...and determined. His determination to show Kelly that they were right for each other? Total swoon factor! Plus, who doesn't love a man that can cook? Mark was hot, sexy and had me sighing.

There's a connection between these two that is so much more than just sexy times. They have a shared history, shared loves and dislikes. They know each other inside and out-so they think. I loved watching them unravel for each other, truly showing the other WHY they were just right for one another.

The writing here was sharp and fun. Lauren Layne is a one click author for me because she always engages me as a reader; she has a knack for pulling me into the story and making me feel like I'm there with her characters. This holiday romance definitely put me in the Christmas spirit-and I loved every moment of it. I absolutely recommend this book!

What a delightful Christmas book to start the season with! The great story and character development made this book a very enjoyable and entertaining read!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Christmas comes gift-wrapped to romance readers in the form of Lauren Layne's new book!

An Ex for Christmas is a winter wonderland filled with psychic readings, magic 8 balls, cheesy Christmas movies, snow ball fights, Christmas tree decorating, and mistletoe kisses.

Kelly Byrne is a romantic elementary teacher, with an affinity for fortune-telling, optimism, and happily ever afters. When a psychic tells her that she has already met her "one true love", Kelly begins obsessively going through her Ex-list for all her failed relationships. Thinking she missed something about the men the first go-around, she reunites with them all. All the while, her best friend, Mark is sitting by wishing he could tell Kelly that he's the One for her.

Mark has been in love with her since they were in high school, but he's never had the courage to say anything, instead watching as she was swept off her feet by the next boyfriend. But now, they're both single. Mark tells Kelly this plan is ridiculous and that only bad can come from it. Still, she doesn't relent from her plan. And Mark realizes that it might not be long before Kelly is taken away again by "the One".

Mark and I are close-as close as a guy and girl can be without hooking up (which we've never done- I know you were wondering). But anyway, we're close and yet there are some things we don't see eye to eye on. My "superstition" (his term- I call it "cosmic wisdom") is one of them.

During the weeks before Christmas, Kelly and Mark's relationship changes and the line between sex and friendship and love and friendship becomes hazy. And soon, Kelly will have to choose between the perfect love story and the One that's been right in front of her all this time.

I have high hopes that my Christmas morning will involve naked time with me and the love of my life by the light of the Christmas tree.

Christmas and romantic readers alike will enjoy this friends to lovers story. Indulge in a cup of apple cider or hot cocoa, burn a delicious smelling candle, and open up that Kindle of yours.
While making your holiday feasts, open up this deliciously fun holiday read and you won't regret it!

One of the best friends to lovers romances I have ever read...because you really believe that they are friends. There is a development of that relationship in the story and there is a history between Kelly and Mark that makes them not only interesting but you want to see them work out.

Kelly is oblivious. Mark is in love with her. But, he is also her friend and he supports her. Even when her crazy scheme has her making a list and revisiting her ex-boyfriends because a psychic tells her that her true love is someone she has already met.

Yes, the story isn't necessarily original. But, and this matters, the romance genre is tough. There have to be 2 strong characters, they have to have and develop chemistry, and there is a happily ever after heading your way...so, within this formula it is the challenge of the author to find a way to make the story feel fresh and new. The beauty of this story is the characters, and the writing, as you are charmed and engaged by both, leaving you wanting to keep reading, to know what happens next, and to see how long it takes Kelly to figure out what is right in front of her.

The scenes with them, once she finally figures out what is right in front of her, are wonderful and the side of Mark, the one where he finally gets a chance at the girl, are wonderful and are some of the best I have read. There is something so compelling with reading about someone who is finally getting to have the experience (and the girl) that he has wanted forever. Yes, there are bumps and a few hurdles for them to get past, but they are so worth it to get to the end.

This is a holiday romance. I don't read them as a rule. I picked it up because it is a Lauren Layne, and I will read anything by her. I recommend it, and would read it again, because I absolutely loved it.

This is truly a special story. It is the absolute best Christmas story. I read it in one day; I could not put it down. Kelly had me in stitches from the beginning until the very end. What a great character. And Mark was perfectly adorable. Just biding his time. This story had me floating with happiness. I love Lauren Layne's romantic, special stories. And I totally agree with Kelly, Love Actually is the best Christmas movie.

An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne is a funny friends-to-lovers story. Kelly Byme has a case of the “can’t see the forest for the woods” syndrome, plus a case of obstinacy to boot. It is a fun read even if I wanted to shake her a time or two and say, “Look at the guy, right next to you. You know the one you can count on!”

Smooth-paced with some witty dialogue (a Layne trademark), with a superstitious lead and a likable best friend to round out this fun read. Not too serious but still an appealing Christmas romance by Lauren Layne.

Cute, hallmark Christmas story about best friends who should be lovers. Totally saw this as a movie. Kelly was a clueless doofus who had what she always wanted in her next door neighbor, Mark, and didn’t know it. This was a one afternoon read for me, and the only thing I would have wanted more of was Mark’s POV. We never heard his side of the story or at least in his voice until the last chapter and this was one of those books that I think would have worked well if they had each had alternating chapters. This is just my opinion and certainly no detraction from the book overall. Thanks as always to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read this book for an honest review!

It read like a movie and I could easily seen this being turned into a Hallmark Christmas movie. It was so freaking adorable and so much fun to read. Kelly and Mark's relationship as best friends is swoon worthy. Kelly being oblivious to the fact that Mark was in love with her made for some excruciatingly delicious sexual tension. I loved that Mark was the strong, silent type. You could tell through his actions how he felt about Kelly and that just made him so much more appealing. Normally clueless characters drive me nuts but in this book it just added to Kelly's charm. I think because she took her feelings off the table so early in her friendship with Mark, she never considered the possibility that he may have feelings for her. She was adorably silly and it paired perfectly with Mark's seriousness. I just loved everything this book made me feel!!

I am sooo in love with “An Ex for Christmas” by Lauren Layne! Two of my favorite tropes: Christmas romance and friends-to-lovers all wrapped up in one super sweet, fun and quirky, super romantic read that leaves your heart spilling over with love and happiness. I seriously ran out of my room to my daughters and gushed about this book and how much I loved it. This is definitely going on my “Must read again and again” list!

If you are looking for a quick, seriously funny, full-of-feels romance, this is definitely a one-click you don’t want to miss!