This was such a cute holiday read. The plot was setup well though a little predictable but I am a sucker for him falling first or at the same time. Instant chemistry between the two MCs. They were likable and the little backstory of each was just right. My only critique is the inner monologue was a bit cringe.

Someone get Netflix on the phone because I need to be watching an adaptation of Christmas In Spire of You next year!!!! KC Mills never disappoints so it’s not surprising how much I loved Noel and Kanton. It really read like a movie and had all the things I love in a Christmas story. The grumpy/sunshine, the corny Christmas activities, and the grand gesture. Made me want to decorate my tree immediately! Thanks so much to KC Mills and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC.

Noel had big plans for Christmas, ready to celebrate the holiday with her family while renting out her apartment. But just when she thought everything was set, she fell ill. In the chaos, she forgot to cancel the booking, unaware that Kanton would arrive as scheduled. What unfolds when Ms. Christmas, full of festive cheer, is unexpectedly paired with Mr. Scrooge, a man who seems to embody the spirit of bah humbug? As they navigate the week together, can a sprinkle of Christmas magic transform their perspectives on life and love?

I rated this book a 4.5 star. I really enjoyed the banter between Noel and Kanton! It was top tier! Their relationship seemed really organic, and the chemistry was so good! Simone provided the comedic relief that I didn't even know I needed! I think that this was a good balance between lighthearted Christmas vibes and emotional romance/love story. K.C, Mills is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to see what it released next.

🎄📚 Book Review: Christmas in Spite of You by K.C. Mills. 📚🎄

Tropes:
-Holiday Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Grumpy/Sunshine

What happens when you list your house for the holidays and forget to cancel it when your plans change? Well, you share a one bedroom apartment with a broody businessman, duh! Man this sounds just like the Noel's favorite Christmas Movies. She loves all things Christmas so of course the stranger sharing her apartment would not care about anything Christmassy! It's not a problem because Noel's makes it her mission to make Kanton see the joy in Christmas.

I absolutely love K.C. Mills as a author and I was so excited to get the chance to read this cute forced proximity Christmas Romance. I love the chemistry between the characters and let me be honest. Who wouldn't fall for Noel? She is such a sweet and caring character. If you are looking for love, motivation and all things Christmas, you are going to want to read this one.

This was a great pick to kick off my holiday reading with. I thought the mix-up that led to them having to share an appartment for a week was so fun. If there's one thing I enjoy in a Christmas romance, it's forced proximity, so that worked really well for me. It was a quick and enjoyable read, and it was nice to see these people connecting even though they're very different. This book didn't stand out to me a lot among all of the other holiday romances I've read, but I definitely enjoyed my time with this.

The description of the book made it seem like they would hate each other at the beginning but they never really did. They had a strong attraction to each other that they acted on fairly fast. It was so cute that she was trying to get him to understand the magic of christmas. The part where she gave him children's toys was adorable.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Christmas in Spite of You is the perfect holiday romance for anyone who loves a blend of festive cheer, witty banter, and unexpected connections. Noel and Kanton’s initial friction as reluctant housemates creates plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt tension, while their journey toward understanding each other is both sweet and satisfying.

Noel’s determination to make Christmas magical despite her circumstances brings out the best (and worst) in Kanton, whose transformation from a Scrooge-like businessman to someone who embraces the holiday spirit is a joy to watch. The cozy holiday setting and their opposites-attract dynamic make this a delightful, feel-good read.

If you’re looking for a quick, heartwarming holiday romance, Christmas in Spite of You will leave you ready for your own bit of Christmas magic!

I really enjoyed this book! I would highly recommend this book to my friends. I really enjoy this book!

Synopsis:
When Noel finds herself sick and unable to go home for Christmas, she decides to cancel her house share for the week. Only, there’s a slight problem. She never canceled and now some random stranger is in her house for the holidays.

My thoughts:
This book was a quick read. A little corny at times and there’s miscommunication 🤮 but otherwise, entertaining. I like holiday romances, so this didn’t disappoint. Just wish people would actually open their mouths and talk about stuff. Please. Do it for Christmas.

⭐️: 3/5
🌶️: 2/5

Christmas in Spite of You is a holiday romance that I really liked from start. Noel, with her love for Christmas and endless joy, is the perfect opposite for Kanton, a no-nonsense businessman who’s not a fan of the holidays. When a booking mix-up forces them to share her cozy apartment, sparks fly in more ways than one. Their journey from strangers to something more is full of heartwarming moments, playful banter, and just the right amount of spice. A must-read for the season!

There are two other books that have a holiday house swap in them, but I didn’t finish those. I know that everyone’s holiday is different, but I just can’t take sad holiday books. ESPECIALLY not at this point of life. I needed all the happy. So imagine how scared I was when I opened this and saw this one also had a house swap. But because of one little difference, I enjoyed this one so much more.

Ok so the thing that made this one different than the others was the fact that she ended up staying when he came to stay at her house. So even though he was upset and escaping his current situation, he still had Noel there to help him change his mood around. And that she did.

Ok so the main characters were a little much. Like Noel was shoving Christmas down this poor man’s throat lol But I didn’t actually care about that because I think I would too. I love Christmas and I wouldn’t hold that against her, but it WAS a bit much for a newcomer like he was. She should have pushed him in a little bit at a time lol Kanton was a Scrooge for real lol But at some points he didn’t make sense. Like at the ending when he figured out what happened, he didn’t get mad enough at that other person and he didn’t beg the OTHER person enough for me. Not for the epilogue anyway. He got mad at some of the weirdest things.

The romance between them was cute tho. I loved watching them fall for each other during the different holiday themed things they were doing. I think that’s what made it for me. I needed that Hallmark cozy movie feeling after this craziness that I was going through after the results and let me tell you, this gave me everything that I needed. Oh! Also, I can’t lie lol Him being so hard but basically melting whenever Noel said something had me smiling so hard lol I loved seeing her chip bits of him away.

But, the only thing I didn’t like was the epilogue. We are introduced to his mom and she’s been nothing but terrible to him. And then we see her again and get a sentence about how she changed after what happened and IDK, I wanted more? Like that counts as trauma and was a serious subject. I think she should have done some on page groveling. I get that Noel had boundaries, but I think she deserved more. Noel deserved a stress free Christmas without being on pins and needles. (I will say tho, her pick for her pjs? Impeccable lmao)

Definitely a solid book to get you in the mood for holiday season! I hope that you add this to your TBR! It will truly make you feel like you’re watching those holiday movies that Noel loved so much!

I’m a KC Mills fan already so reading this was a fun. The best friend Simone stole the show so many times with her one-liners. Noelle and Canton were very cute. Canton wasn’t the villian ever really. He folding like laundry for his girl. 🤭

This is was like 2 chapters too long by the time the action started happening I was ready for their HEA. Overall very cute hallmark but hallmark after dark. 😏

Christmas in Spite of You was the perfect pick-me-up this week now that my tree is up! This holiday romance has everything you could want—sweetness, spice, and a lot of charm. Kanton and Noel bring that irresistible grumpy-meets-sunshine chemistry, with each page showing how their personalities balance and challenge one another in the best way. And everyone needs a friend like Simone; she is so funny! If you’re on the lookout for a cozy, heartwarming Christmas read this season, I highly recommend it. I want this to be made into a movie ASAP.
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute, definitely adding Kenton and to my favourite book boyfriend list. I loved Noel’s character as well. A bit cheesy but I loved it.

I enjoyed this forced proximity, dual POV, opposites attract holiday romance that sees Noel putting her home up for a share when she thinks she'll be gone for Christmas only to get sick and forget to cancel, finding herself with an unwanted guest in the form of Grinchy businessman, Kanton.

Spicy, funny and featuring two strong Black leads, this was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Charity Shane and Jahquel J. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this latest by a new to me author.

Thank you, Netgalley, and the published for the arc of wonderful book.

This was such a cute and sweet romance that is perfect for the holiday season. Noel, the FMC, is obsessed with Christmas and all the trappings that go along with it. Kanton, the MMC hasn't had the best experience with it and just wants to work through the holidays, making more money for his successful company. Throw in a little mix-up, and these two end up in a forced proximity situation that gives us all the warm, cozy, feet kicking feels.

This was the first book I've officially read by the author, but Shadows and Whispers will definitely be moving up my tbr after this. Kanton was such a considerate and mindful love interest for Noel, and I adored that he accepted her whole for who she was. Noel is the sweetest FMC ever, and even though her circumstances were challenging, she never gave up or lost her joy.

If you are looking for a really good, cozy, seasonal read that can be enjoyed anytime of the year, then I recommend this gem.

This heartwarming and festive romance is the perfect blend of opposites attract and forced proximity. Following Noel Anderson and Kanton Joseph, they must now stay together since Noel is in no shape to take the trip she planed on, thus, leaving the tenant she is renting to via AirBnb to stay with her. Between their clashing personalities, not to mention their differing views on Christmas, this book pulls the perfect amount of romantic tension and banter.


Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC.

I absolutely adorn the cover. This is my first time reading a book by K.C. Mills and to have that first book be about a Christmas romantic comedy what a joy. To say that Noel is a fan of the Christmas season would be an understatement she absolutely adorns everything about the Christmas season. Noel has quit her job and has started her very own business. Money is a little tight so her best friend suggest that she rent out her apartment during the Christmas holiday because she will be spending it with her family. Noel’s plans don’t work out because she becomes ill. There is a mix up and Kanton the guy who will be staying at her apartment for the holiday shows up. Noel thought that she had canceled the reservations for her apartment but Kanton showed up anyway. Now the two will have to stay at Noel’s small apartment together. The thing is Kanton is not a fan of the Christmas season. Kanton is very much attracted to Noel. As the two navigate the holiday season together they find out that they are both attracted to each other and have great chemistry.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this. It’s gives Hallmark vibes but sexy. This is a Christmas story with actual Christmas moment's. This story have all the ingredients of a good time: forced proximity, he’s a bit of a Scrooge and she’s a Christmas enthusiast. They have chemistry and a connection I enjoyed the banter and Christmas moments. I recommend this book.