I love Ashley Herring Blake in general and this was one of my favourites of hers so far. Both characters were fascinating to get to know, the dual POV worked so well. Lots of secondary characters, but it was super easy to keep track of everyone because the personalities were so well drawn. Loved the dog, loved the cosy Christmas house, loved the drama and eventual resolution. So good!

Make the season bright? More like make the season GAY!! And I love it so much. It’s never too early to read holiday romance and Ashley has instantly become a new favorite author of mine. Second chance usually isn’t my go to trope, but the angst and tension between Charolette and Brighton was soooo good. Both characters aren’t perfect and I love how Ashley writes all her characters to be messy and flawed in a way because that way we can all (almost) relate to them. Thank you Berkeley and NetGalley for the arc!

This was a sweet holiday read filled with humor and coziness. I enjoyed the story of two exes being thrown together by the universe where they are stuck spending the holidays together. Removing my feelings of second chance romances (they are hit or miss for me), it tugs on your emotions with the heart of the story of advocating for yourself, forgiveness, and learning how to let people in. There are some high tension and emotional moments when it comes to Brighten and Charlotte, and finding their path forward. The best friends to each of them were also stars of the book each bringing humor and good advice throughout the story. This is one of the few cases that I wish the story had ended differently. I thought it was going in a different direction, and ultimately while I did like this book there were a few elements that just didn’t work for me.

Romantic tales have always been known to captivate the heart, but none are as gripping as those that feature a scorned or jilted lover, especially one that’s been left at the altar. These types of stories resonate deeply, pulling at readers’ hearts and emotions. The popularity of such romances lies in their exploration of heartbreak, the journey to self-discovery, and the hope for new beginnings. That’s just what Ashley Herring Blake’s new book Make the Season Bright delivers.

Heartbreak has always served as a powerful theme for romances, but when it’s reinforced by someone being stood up at the altar, it works overtime to feed the storyline. The moment when Charlotte Donovan is left standing alone, realizing Brighton Fairbrook is not going to be walking down the aisle towards her, feelings of shock and sadness are quickly replaced by bitterness. This emotional turmoil captures the reader’s attention and creates a connection, making the storytelling more impactive. Blake uses the experience of heartache and rejection as a tool to create a wall around Charlotte’s heart, and it’s effective. The stage is set for tension and drama to occur. Charlotte has learned her lesson; she’ll never let anyone get too close again. But all romance lovers know that pain puts the character on a journey of self discovery and healing, and that’s what we get with Charlotte, especially after she is unexpectedly forced to spend time with her ex over Christmas.

Though I sometimes think that the forced proximity trope is an easy way out to solving the problem of how to get lovers back together, I don’t think so here. Typically, when ex-lovers are forced to share a space, the emotional stakes rise significantly. This naturally leads to intense confrontations and heartfelt conversations, enabling the characters to confront their feelings directly. Blake is spot on with this, making it believable with well-scripted tender scenes. When Charlotte and Brighton find themselves stuck in the same house during the holidays, it pushes them to communicate openly, revealing hidden emotions that have weighed heavy since their breakup. Blake’s approach not only deepens the plot but also allows readers to witness both characters’ growth as they navigate their shared history and road to recovery.

Because heartache and hope are the two major themes Blake uses in this romance, she knows she needs to find a balance between them, otherwise the believability will be thrown askew. She finds a balance by letting forgiveness develop patiently and honestly. She gives the characters time to not only understand their feelings, but embrace them. Their ending was painful, so these women need a safe space to grow in their understanding of past hurts, especially if they are ever going to find the courage to love one another again. Blake accomplishes all of this by letting Charlotte and Brighton face their fears and insecurities inside some tough but well-written scenes. It is inspiring to watch unfold. Such endings always leave readers with a sense of optimism, reinforcing the idea that love can be found again, even after heartbreak.

Final remarks…

Readers want to believe in second chances, and Blake doesn’t disappoint in Make the Season Bright. Though pitched as a “ditched-at-the-altar and now we are forced to spend Christmas together” romance, it more than captures the hearts of readers through its promise of a new beginning. Blake manages to highlight the experience of forgiveness in a captivating and engaging way, reminding everyone that letting go of hurt can lead to growth and love.

Strengths…

Entertaining
Engaging
Heartfelt
Well-written
Likable, investable characters
Well worth the read

Yes, I KNOW …. It's early for the Christmas reads. I can't help myself. I always end up getting to them before Halloween. I just love them. This was another holiday hit for me. I went with both the ebook and audiobook. The audiobook was narrated by Kristen DiMercurio.. She was nice to listen to and I enjoyed her performance.

A second chance romance where our two MC’s, who are exes, are forced to be together, unexpectedly!! We get the back story of their past relationship and why Brighton left Charlotte at the altar five years earlier. This is where there was definitely some miscommunication there. We get to see them work through those problems and communicate better with each other, in a more mature way, to be able to be with each other again. I felt the emotions from these characters, and how they grew throughout the book. I also loved all the holiday themes throughout. Exactly what I love in Holiday books! The baking and snow scenes are really fun. This was a quick, enjoyable read for me.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

"Make the Season Bright" by Ashley Herring Blake is a delightful holiday romance that captures the essence of the season with its charming characters, heartwarming story, and festive atmosphere.

The book follows Charlotte Donovan, a successful violinist who is forced to spend Christmas with her ex-fiancé, Brighton Fairbrook, at his family's cozy Colorado cabin. Despite their past breakup, Charlotte and Brighton find themselves drawn back to each other, rekindling their old spark amidst the holiday cheer.

Blake's writing is as captivating as ever, effortlessly weaving together witty banter, emotional depth, and relatable characters. The supporting cast, including Brighton's sister Adele and their quirky family, adds to the warmth and charm of the story.

The holiday setting provides the perfect backdrop for romance and introspection, with cozy fireplaces, twinkling lights, and festive traditions creating a sense of nostalgia and joy. The story explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the power of love to bring people together.

Overall, "Make the Season Bright" is a heartwarming and enjoyable read that will leave you feeling all the fuzzy feelings of the holiday season. It's perfect for curling up with a cup of hot chocolate and immersing yourself in the magic of Christmas.

Tis the season for an angsty second chance romance delivered in one beautiful, sapphic Christmas romcom. Ashley Herring Blake continues to write the best romances, full of heart and incredible depth. This was a departure from Ashley's Bright Falls trilogy while still maintaining everything we loved about it. I genuinely enjoyed watching Brighton and Charlotte fall in love with each other all over again and I can't wait to see what's next!

Usually I don’t like second chance romance books because they are toxic to each other until they realize that its usually over something that doesn’t matter. And sure enough, this one is just like that. They are definitely toxic toward one another, but they come to their senses eventually.

Ok so the toxic part was just them trying to make sure no one found out they were exes. The way they were so mad at each other but also so into each other still should be studied. Because like bruh she left you at the altar? Idk how you still think she’s hot? And there was just not enough groveling to me. I don’t want to say too much for spoilers, but I just feel like the crime of not knowing where to move didn’t fit the punishment she gave her. Because who even does something like that? That part was crazy. But the little jabs they sent back and forth were so awkward lol Like the chili one? Whether true or not, that’s a weird ass thing to care about lol And if she was eating it, why do YOU care. Idk I just feel like the characters in this book besides the MCs were just there to be there. Because the fact that there was just an “Uhhh” is weird to me. I would have asked right then lol

The romance was just ok. I’m probably biased tho because I hated the girl that left her at the altar for about the whole book. I get it, she was sorry, but I could never trust her again after that. And I didn’t trust that she would hurt her again after that. But once they started getting back together, I did start to see what drew them together. And Idk is this one more spicy than the last ones? Idk it seemed like it was. So, just be prepared for that.

This is probably specific to me, but I do wish there was more Christmas stuff. Like I know there was hot chocolate and then the trivia and the margarita, but Idk, I wanted to see a tree or singing some carols or them going out in the snow and doing something? Idk, but like her name is Bright. I wanted some specific holiday things. That horse thing? Couldn’t it have been a reindeer? Lol Ugh

This one was full of toxicity, but I still enjoyed it. Do I wish some things were different? Yes. But in true Blake fashion, I couldn’t stop reading it. She sucked me into this story like immediately and I couldn’t stop reading it. I had to know how this ended. And I have to say I didn’t care for it. It just didn’t believe that there was a wedding so near in their future? Or maybe this is just me and my Scorpio self with the grudge holding, but for the most part, I would NOT be so keen to do it again so soon. She would have to be the one to ask and there will be no wedding. idc idc idc.

This wasn’t my favorite, but I still enjoyed it. Why? I know this isn’t my favorite trope and I didn’t hold it over its head. I just I enjoyed it for what it was: Toxic and weird. And even with that, I can’t wait to see what she does next!

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

This was a quick read I snapped up in a couple hours between sleep cycles, and is a solid entry in the sapphic romance drama/comedy genre. I appreciate the relationships between multiple characters, whether they be romantic, platonic, or familial, and the cast is an enjoyable ensemble of self proclaimed "Cheery Queeries". I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of sapphic romances!

For sensitive readers this book contains parental neglect, toxic relationships, trauma, grief, betrayal, deception, and graphic sexuality.

This was such a fun holiday romance! I loved the tension and the history between the two main characters, and their friend group really rounded out the story and made it complete. This will become one of my holiday must re-reads!

Make the Season Bright was a book that I was highly anticpating however; it fell flat for me somewhere. I adored the turtledoves festival and the meddling Mom. There was just something about the miscommunication that felt off for me.. But I do recommend others read because, besides that, I enjoyed this LGBTQ positive holiday tale.

Make the Season Bright follows ex-fiancées Charlotte and Brighton when they find themselves stuck in the same small town for the holidays.

It’s a sapphic holiday second chance romance, one of my favorite tropes by one of my favorite authors, so my expectations were high. For the most part, those expectations were met. My biggest gripe is that the tension and angst started out so strong I was tearing up multiple times in the first 70 pages, but as the story progressed a lot of the tension fizzled out and I felt like the MCs forgave each other too easily.

Other than that, the rest of the book was strong. The characters were charming, the small town setting was adorable. Ashley Herring Blake wove in all of the Christmas magic I was looking for, and I liked how satisfying the ending was with all of the plot lines resolving. Would recommend.

I am obsessed with Ashley Herring Blake's adult titles and Make the Season Bright is no exception. Warm, complicated, and unabashedly queer, this one broke my heart a little before putting it back together. A perfect holiday read.

As this was an adult romance, it's not an option for my library, but there are definitely older readers who I would recommend it to. The plot is fun and swoony and I thought the main character was charming and I was rooting for her the whole time.

Thank you Berkley for my e-copy and Libro.fm for my audio copy! All thoughts are my own.

I am an Ashley Herring Blake fangirl. If you are a fan of emotional romances with great banter, like Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry, you NEED to read Blake’s books. I was obsessed with the title and cover so I couldn’t wait to dive in. Like Ashley’s other books, I loved the balance of this book being fun and full of tropey banter and diving into emotional depth of relationships.

Synopsis:

“It's been five years since Charlotte Donovan was ditched at the altar by her ex-fiancée, and she’s doing more than okay. Sure, her single mother never checks in, but she has her strings ensemble, the Rosalind Quartet, and her life in New York is a dream come true. As the holidays draw near, her ensemble mate Sloane persuades Charlotte and the rest of the quartet to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado—it is much cozier and quieter than Manhattan, and it would guarantee more practice time for the quartet’s upcoming tour. But when Charlotte arrives, she discovers that Sloane’s sister Adele also brought a friend home—and that friend is none other than her ex, Brighton.All Brighton Fairbrook wanted was to have the holliest, jolliest Christmas—and try to forget that her band kicked her out. But instead, she’s stuck pretending like she and her ex are strangers—which proves to be difficult when Sloane and Adele’s mom signs them all up for a series of Christmas dating events. Charlotte and Brighton are soon entrenched in horseback riding and cookie decorating, but Charlotte still won’t talk to her. Brighton can hardly blame her after what she did.After a few days, however, things start to slip through. Memories. Music. The way they used to play together—Brighton on guitar, Charlotte on her violin—and it all feels painfully familiar. But it’s all in the past and nothing can melt the ice in their hearts...right?” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Tropes—I am a sucker for a second chance romance, especially in a holiday story.

The Depth—Ashley Herring Blake is the best at blending the heart of a romance with the reality of being in a relationship.

The Festive Elements—So cute and such a fun setting!

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Timeline—I kept getting a little lost in the timing of things and the pacing of some of the elements of the second chance.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 3/5 Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

abandonment / bad break up

Two exes find themselves stuck at the same house for Christmas?? I AM SAT. I love a second-chance romance and forced proximity. Mix in a small-town holiday romance?? God I adored everything about this book.

I am not lying when I say this book made me feel emotions I did not know that I was capable of feeling. This book both made me fall in love with being gay, while also making me question why we are the way we are. 10/10 representation for messy sapphics.

This book is filled to the brim with the magic that is only possible at Christmas, reading it felt like a cup of hot chocolate next to the fireplace.

I don't know who I have more of a crush on tbh, both of the main characters (Brighton & Charlotte) were so well-developed, troubled yet incredibly lovable. The banter, the tension, the VIBES god I need it to be Christmas rn.

I will read anything Ashley Herring Blake writes and I stand by that.

it took me just a min to make sure I had all of the characters figured out but once I did I loved this story!
AHB has a way of creating characters that you just root for. This book was such a cutie. I loved Charlotte and Brighton. At times, they were both a little frustrating, but it's what makes them flawed and relatable.

-sapphic romance
-childhood friends to lovers
-second chance romance
-forced proximity
-musicians
-holiday vibes

AHB does it again with another great book!!

I will read anything Ashley Herring Blake puts out and even though I read this in at the end of summer I was READY for this Holiday inspired novel about a sex pact. It was hot & angsty but also adorable and cute!

This was good! Not as good as the Bright Falls series, but I loved the characters! Brighton was a real standout to me, but I loved Charlotte as well!

This was a delightful second chance romance set at Christmas. This book gave me cozy feelings as well as broke my heart. I loved the angst and also the romance.