Elle Spencer has out done herself with The Holiday Treatment. I found myself laughing so much during the office party scene that started this book, that I just knew it would be the best one yet. And man was I right! I loved everything about this book: the humor, the sexy dialogue, the heartbreak, the supporting characters, all of it! Holly and Meredith had off the chart chemistry from the first moment they are in the same scene. Again can’t say how much I laughed during that airport luggage scene. Holly’s character had the best inner monologues I’ve read in a long time. I was 100% on board for these 2 lovely ladies to find their HEA.I want to be a part of this friend group. I also have to say how timely this book is, because I am only days away from being able to watch the Happiest Season on Hulu. As a straight woman I can say that I know I’ not the only member of the straight community to be excited for this movie! Its Holly’s dream come true IRL!

This book was fun for the first 40-50% of the book. Then it was more of a Holly fantasizing every two minutes and not much else happening kind of book.

I wanted more character development to happen and I gave up after 70% into the book. I was looking for a Christmas read and got mostly sex. Which is fine, but I wasn't feeling it after the midpoint.

This is a holiday rom-com book where Holly Hudson works for a very straight-tv network where she writes the holiday rom-com movies. The last thing she expected thought was to discover that she could also have her happy ending with the woman she had been crushing and working with, Meredith Drake.

This book started slower than I hoped, and I didn't really find it that funny, which I am ok with. I was glad when the book picked up the pace and I could get into the story a bit more. While the book was cute and well written, this has not been my favourite book by Elle Spencer. I thought there ware too many supporting characters, specially at the beginning, when I just wanted to know about my two main characters and what was happening with them.

Overall, it was a cute book and a good easy read for over the holidays.

I received the ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Three and a half stars. I was really looking forwards to my first Elle Spencer book, since I keep seeing her name. I was also intrigued by the premise: two women working together to produce the ultimate lesbian Christmas movie? Yes!
Understandably, I was disappointed when there wasn't on-page screenwriting or pitching of said Christmas movie, and how it was more of a plot device than anything. I guess I've been spoiled when it comes to seeing the mini story being produced within the main story. The plot that we do get is fine, it's just not exactly as advertised. For one, 40% of the book was taken up by the holiday fling. I liked the amount of space dedicated to it in terms of pages, but the book is short, and it meant that there was no time for the development of their relationship. I'm sure the length is partly because of the holiday theme, but it made a potentially great story into a trainwreck at certain points. Everything we know about Meredith is gleaned from their one night in Hawaii, and afterwards, she just becomes a name for Holly's object of lust. It was such a shame, because I loved both characters for that first 40%. I like how down-to-earth Meredith seems, especially since we only see her through the tinted lens of Holly's infatuation. (I mean, really, she was talking about forever after one kiss.) The pacing would have been much better if they had met earlier, had their night, and only then do we get into the scenes with Holly's friends. I think Gwen got more screentime than Meredith did, and while a wide supporting cast can be nice, this was less than ideal for a romance. The shorter the book, the more time needs to be devoted to the protagonist and love interest. Plus, it seemed like Holly's friends were all similar in personality, and it was hard to keep track after a while.
I don't think the timeline worked very well here. There's the intense focus on a 24 hour period, and then after that, every new chapter skips over weeks. They decide to go the stealth-dating route, and we don't get to see any of it until the next dramatic plot points. It's nice that the author wanted the story to span a year, and additional one before the epilogue, but it was too much for such a short story, and for a holiday romance at that.
The obligatory 80% conflict moment? Sucked. I hated it. It was only made worse by the choppy timeline, since we had no idea what was characteristic for Meredith, or if this had been a long time coming. Instead we were blindsided along with Holly, who was fed the same promise over and over, until it was time to follow through and Meredith just didn't. I sort of see where she's coming from, business-wise, but it was just a horrible thing to say and do. Ugh. I couldn't forgive her after that, especially when we aren't given much explanation as to how the issue was resolved on her end. I'm glad that Holly didn't absorb any of the blame for their fallout.
There was so much potential! Some sections felt like they would warrant a five star rating, because the writing is good, and there are so many adorable lines or moments. Yet there were many places that the author just seemed to drop the ball. Hopefully my next Elle Spencer read goes better.

I really enjoyed this book. Holly works as a writer for the Wifetime Network. She has been very successful for penning the straight romance series. However, she has been trying for years for the network to film a lesbian romance.
When there is a new boss, Meredith, at the network's holiday division, Holly tries again to pitch her lesbian film. Meredith doesn't outright turn her down, but tells her the reality of that happening is slim. What isn't slim, is the attraction both have for each other. They know that the network frowns on relationships within the workplace. So, they decide to cool it.
Holly dives into writing the best script she has ever written. Will Meredith go to bat for her so it will become a reality? Will the romance between the women be ignited? Read this and find out!
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

By day Holly is an editor at WifeTime but in the evenings she devoted to writing romantic tales of holiday love. Very, very straight holiday love. Holly is not very, very straight. Holly's goal has always been to write a same-sex holiday romance but at each turn is shot down by the network. That is until the woman with who Holly has had a hot but brief affair gets a job in her department. Company rules dictate that co-workers can not be involved and there is clear passion between Holly and Meredith. They vow to take that passion and channel it into a same-sex movie pitch. Holly and her friends will keep you laughing from the first page to the last.

This holiday book is one that I will be revisiting every Christmas season for years to come. Elle has taken the spirit of Hallmark Channel movies and incorporated that into a wonderful WLW novel. All of the characters we developed so well, including the main characters, Holly and Meredith. I absolutely loved the humorous nature of Holly and her wit with others around her. She is an adorable character that I grew to love very quickly. Meredith is more of the professional, hard to read type of character. I could see where the angst point was going to come from, but I kept hoping Meredith wasn't going to be involved with it. Unfortunately, she was, but as good HEA stories go, she was able to redeem herself by the end.

I really enjoyed this novel and I think anyone looking for a fun holiday read will enjoy it as well.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Wow what a pleasant surprise. This books starts at Christmas and then follows the characters for a year until the following Christmas. But the Christmas vibes we get at the end of this book are so great and so worth it.

Now for the romance. Holly is a Christmas movie script writer at the Wifetime channel and her dream is to write a gay Christmas movie. She crushes on one of her coworkers, Meredith. They both happen to spend Christmas at the same hotel in Hawaii, and things go from there. I liked how this didn’t follow the “typical” format of a romance novel. They get together close to the beginning but then conflict keeps them apart for a big part of the book. I liked learning about Holly and her family, I really enjoyed her friend group as well. I feel like we didn’t end up learning much about Meredith, but I believed their chemistry and love for each other.

The last 20% of this book was just so wonderful. I’m so happy to have read this, and it definitely put me in the holiday mood.

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This one should have been right up my alley, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The MCs are Holly (Holiday) Hudson, a writer of Xmas movies for ‘Wifetime’, which is some sort of Lifetime/Hallmark type channel, but the catch is she dislikes Xmas, she also has a crush on Meredith Drake, one of the executives at Wifetime. Through a series of circumstances they both end up in Hawaii for Xmas and hook up. This part of the story was actually quite funny and entertaining.

Once they get back from the holidays, Meredith is promoted, and this puts the brakes on their relationship. They still interact at work, pine after each other, and eventually decide to see each other in secret, but then the ‘drama’ is inserted in the form of Meredith choosing her new role over both Holly and Holly’s long held dream of writing a gay Christmas movie. I honestly couldn’t see Meredith doing this, and it also seemed counter to the reasons why she said she wanted to keep the job, so didn’t make much sense.

Holly also has one of the most ‘extra’ group of friends I’ve read in a book, and they all sounded exactly the same (I love sarcasm, but when it’s every secondary characters go to, it’s too much). I honestly just endured those scenes, they were really annoying.

The book seemed to be written to mirror the cheesy Xmas movies, so ends with the usual sappy stuff you’d expect from a rom commy type scenes. If you enjoy holiday movies and books, you would likely enjoy this, maybe I should have read it closer to Xmas. 3 stars

Oh my gosh, The Holiday Treatment by Elle Spencer is one of the most delightful, uplifting, and hilariously funny novels I have read all year! It is a snarky, witty, sexy story that will leave you laughing and maybe even shedding a few tears as you read.

The story revolves around two women who both work for the Wifetime Channel. Holly Hudson is the writer for one of their most popular Christmas programs, but her most fervent wish is to write a Gay Christmas movie for the channel, something that has never been done before. She may get her chance when Meredith Drake joins the holiday division. Unfortunately, that also means the budding relationship the two women started over the Christmas holidays will have to end because of company policy.

Holly and Meredith’s love story is not all hearts and flowers and sex. There is also the angst, misunderstandings, and heartache we always see in a good romantic comedy. The three major settings in this tale (Hawaii, L.A., and Christmas Cove, Vermont) are perfect for the tale. The main characters are loveable, the secondary characters are larger than life, and the romance is the kind that makes you smile and say "aww" as you sniffle a few times and reach for a tissue.
This is an easy to read, enjoyable, holiday related romantic comedy that is perfect to cuddle up with this time of year…especially this year. I totally enjoyed this novel, and I hope you will too.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

I have to admit my expectations were high when it came to this book.

The first book I read from Elle Spencer was "Casting Lacey" and that book captivated me completely, after that I read "Waiting for you" and that was a different type of book, but I loved it nonetheless.

I guess that it was bound to happen, Elle having a charming book that had every chance of winning, but failed to do so.

To explain this further, the characters were lovable but I felt like the pace of the entire book was rushed. Something major would happen and then we would a time jump in which we missed a whole bunch of things that took away from the story. For example, the main couple gets together and then we get a 5 month jump in which their relationship thrived and within 5 pages of the book, the couple breaks up. That does not make any sense.

Another time jump was when the main couple broke up, we get a moment in which everything is flowing smoothly and then in the next page they are in the middle of a falling out that causes them to break up.

Lastly, the main couple got together out of the blue, there was no big romantic gesture... I mean, there was, but it was quick and nothing out of the ordinary, it did not make sense.

It was a read to get into the holiday spirit, but it was not a memorable book and definitely not Elle Spencer's best work.

I'm really in the mood for Christmas rom-coms this year (an anomaly, for sure!) and was lucky enough to snag a copy of this as my first for the season. I loved Casting Lacey when I read it a few years back, but haven't read an Elle Spencer novel since. I liked The Holiday Treatment but there were a few bumps for me.

I found this novel literally LOL funny and I found myself with a big grin on my face in public while reading parts of this. Holly is a hilarious main character, who I both laughed with and laughed at throughout this novel. There were moments were I cringed on her behalf, but then afterwards laughed at the ridiculousness she'd create for herself. On the other hand, we had Meredith - who I liked initially but by the end of the novel I wasn't sure of how I felt for her. The conflict resolution in this felt very superficial - Meredith betrays Holly, says its resolved but that's literally all we get for our conclusion. I felt it was unresolved and I was left with multiple questions - especially in regard to how I am left feeling towards Meredith. Did she truly redeem herself? I'm uncertain!

At some points I had issues following the storyline, primarily when Holly's friends were involved. I think the dialogue between them all was good, but it was just hard to distinguish their voices at time.

Overall, a decent holiday romance that delivered on the laughs.

This book really is delightful in it's execution of tropical holiday fun. Author Elle Spencer excels in creating a balance of meet cute and steamy scenes between our two characters that is sure to have you eagerly turning the page. This light read is nothing short of fun escapism from the day to day drone. After reading this I'm ready for the holidays!

This book by Elle Spencer is very confusing to read.

It's about a screenplay writer Holly, whom has a crush on her boss,
They end up in Hawai at the same hotel for the Christmas holidays.

I didn't finish the book,
It's written very confusing, because of the thoughts of the characters.

I didn't understand the first chapters, Holly has several monologues with her thoughts.
Also, when Holly answers a question, she answers in her thoughts first and after that she answers the question.
I've tried to read the book without the thoughts, it gets better, but several key elements of the story are written in the thoughts of Holly.

Thank you Bold Strokes Books and Nettgaley for this ARC

[Content warning: homophobia]

I finished this book on a perfect day, aka the trailer release day of the sapphic Christmas rom com “Happiest Season,” where, and I quote the book, “lesbian Twitter” was freaking out about it. You should see my timeline. And I also want to quote Kyle Krieger (soccer player Ali Krieger’s brother) on the Krashlyn wedding, “we get happy endings, too.” I love that speech and will probably be repeatedly quoting it.

Growing up in Christmas Cove, Vermont (not a real place but Christmas Cove, Maine is) and named Holiday, lesbian disaster Holly Hudson (34) cannot be more sick of Christmas. Ironically, she is the writer of Wifetime Network’s very straight Christmas rom com series <i>Evermore</i>. When she visits Hawaii again for the holiday, Holly finds her crush, Wifetime’s development executive Meredith Drake, there as well. As their brief fling ends in Hawaii, what is next for Holly back at work? Can she finally have her gay movie approved while getting her own real-life rom com as well?

Angsty relationships in romance aren’t really my thing, nor are lusty flings, but “The Holiday Treatment” is so funny, though at times a little over the top, it was totally worth all the angst as well as all the lust I couldn’t quite understand. With the main relationship of Holly and Meredith being more lust-to-love and Meredith’s questionable ethics, I am rather ambivalent about the romance aspect of the book. Also, the story reads like two separate novellas with two story arcs where the first one is the hot fling in Hawaii and the second is about the rest of the relationship.

There were also a few time jumps and occasions where people acted out of character that I had trouble with. However, I do love Holly’s chaotic group of friends/tenants, namely Gwen, Griffin, Ty, and Dez. Especially Gwen and Griffin. Please protect them at all costs. Even though there would never be books about their love lives, I’d read them all if there were.

“The Holiday Treatment” is well-written and the details connect nicely between chapters. And an awkward disaster lesbian is what we all need in a romance. While I don’t think Meredith deserves Holly, the ending was so on-brand for them both I couldn’t help but be happy for them.

Just a wonderful holiday read. As always, Ms. Spencer delivers a story that is full of fun characters and what I love most, lots and lots of dialog.

The MC, Holly (and you will love her full name) and Meredith and well liked and flushed out fully-you get a lot of family with Holly, and one no so nice sister with Mer. I liked that the story line did cover many many months, so it wasn't a jump in bed one weekend and move in the next weekend kind of love story. The angst of having to work together and keeping in quiet I understood, but it still killed me they couldn't just jump right out of the work closet right away. Having some of the story take place at Holly's apartment complex brought us so many fun sub-characters, I soooo want Gwen to be my best friend!

I loved Holly's childhood town, it remined me of a town in Michigan we visited a few times when I grew up, Frankenmuth, the Christmas town of Michigan.

All in all, just a wonderful holiday story to immerse yourself in by the evening fire and a few glasses of wine.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.

To see my Amazon review, it is under CC-A spirited holiday story

If you've ever clamored for queer Hallmark Christmas movies, this holiday romance between Wifetime network writer Holly Hudson (who is notoriously not into Christmas, despite penning popular movies about it) and the holiday division's new executive, Meredith Drake, satisfies. They meet while on vacation, but struggle against their attraction when they return to work.

Wonderfully drawn characters and relationships, full of humor and heart, create the kind of close community atmosphere I enjoy in made-for-tv holiday movies. While some aspects towards the end feel a little rushed, it is, overall, a delightful, affirming addition to Christmas romance world.

#HEA #Christmas #ChristmasRomance #Romance #Holiday #HolidayRomance #ff #QueerRomance #ElleSpencer #TheHolidayTreatment #HallmarkMakeThisAMovie #BoldStrokesBooks

Meredith Drake worked hard to reach the position she now enjoyed. Mind you she is not done climbing but for now she is happy working with the writer who has given the ‘WifeTime Network’ their number one hit series ‘Christmas in Evermore’. The main problem is the fact that the writer, Holly Hudson,doesn’t want to work on another show that only features straight couples. Being gay herself she feels it’s time for the network to catch up with where the country is headed. Not too many were against LGBTQ rights, well there are some out there but their numbers are shrinking.
Holly grew up hating Christmas mainly because the small town her family lived in celebrated the holiday year round being that was the one industry that brought the town some much needed tourism. She wanted to make a name for herself wiring TV movies. Now she had her friends that all lived in the same apartment complex. Strange, funny friends who all were involved in the industry at one time. Some still worked but they all felt it was their job to look out for Holly.
Meredith grew up in a happy family that even as an adult she enjoyed being around. Even her sister who’d decided she wanted her wedding to take place in Hawaii. Now she was there to help with whatever her sister might need. When her plane arrives she realizes she's traveling with the one and only Holly Hudson. Unknown to each other was the fact that both women Had a crush on the other.
After having a great time in Hawaii they made plans to keep wherever this was when they landed home. Trouble began when Meredith was given a promotion and company policy frowned upon relationship between management and front line workers.
Ms Spencer has given us one of the nicest Christmas stories combining the holiday with a lesbian romance. Very likeable MC’s and a supporting cast that help make this a book you won’t want to put down. A truly feel good story .
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

What a fun and humorous story. I especially enjoyed the sharp-witted friends of Holly. In my opinion, that was the best part of the read. Meredith Drake, new VP, and a little mysterious. Holly Hudson, talented script writer, with an interesting name and family. Christmas theme story with a shout out to Hallmark, is cheesy but laugh out loud funny. I also enjoyed hanging with Holly's parents in her hometown, so very Hallmark. Although the read made me smile, I felt like something was missing. Maybe it was you learn much about Holly and very little about Meredith or how Meredith's character unfolded.

This is a Christmas-themed story, with really hilarious scenes involving Holly and her friends. What a group! Any of them would deserve a spin-off of their own. There are really funny sitiations that have made reading quite amusing and entertaining. That gang has very sharp tongues, a self-critical but constructive attitude and an enormous sense of humor, they are a charm each of them.

And regarding the love story between Holly and Meredith, it had all the ballots to be a disaster. First, because the thing between them had to be just a vacation affair, Christmas in Hawaii, a dream from my point of view. And second, because they are boss and subordinate, in a way. Meredith is an executive at the production company Holly scripts for. Scripts that Holly hates but can't help but have to do year after year. Because they are scripts for a series of Christmas romances and she loathe Christmas. A contempt that comes from being born in a town that only lives for Christmas, throughout the year, and from which she could not leave sooner.

The story is delightful from beginning to end, although the ending may be somewhat cheesy, but it is a Christmas romance, it cannot be otherwise.