This was such a cute holiday read! I loved the returning to your small hometown at Christmas, comfy feels. I didn't love the main characters - they were just okay for me. Being swept up in a romance is sweet, but this moved too fast for me. Some of the spice, and just their general interactions, was a bit too intense for a couple we haven't seen build any trust yet. I went back and forth a bit on how much I enjoyed it

Thank you to Netgalley, Evie James and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars

This was a cute, fun holiday read🎄

Noelle is traveling back to her hometown and gets stranded at the airport due to weather. It so happens that Kol,an angsty pilot is headed back in the same direction that Noelle needs to go and agrees to give her a ride. Add in the massive blizzard that leaves the two strangers with opposite personalities stranded, and you’ve got yourself a Hallmark Christmas Movie in book form. 🎅🏻 This was a quick, easy read for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted Christmas themed romance book.

Rating this a solid 4.5/5 stars. I love a good Christmas book, and this one was different from the others I've been reading recently. Good characters, good story, and I liked how colourful this book felt (it just felt like Christmas lights, I don't know how else to describe it).

This book between Noelle, whose life tends to fall apart around Christmas, and Kol, a former military man now pilot, was Christmas, Spice and all things nice. Kol's flight gets cancelled and he overhears Noelle loudly complaining that the flight crew probably just doesn't want to leave before Christmas. When he politely calls her on that notion, she crumbles like a cookie -- her desperation to get into a town she'd been avoiding before Christmas has him feeling badly enough for her to drive her on his way home. All of her wounds get exposed and he chooses to stay with her as a support and gets snowed in for his trouble. From there, all sparks ignite.
A cute quick holiday romance read but with high spice factor for those who want to be heated from the inside out while reading while Christmas shopping!

#arc
#netgalley
#Christmascancellation

Sometimes its too quick and it took a little bit to break in with a few chapter. I was hooked with the description of the book, having bad luck sometimes creates a good opportunity for something good.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

⭐⭐⭐
Spice Frequency: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
Spice Intensity (how explicit/descriptive and adventurous it is): 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

Read this if you like:
insta-love
one bed/forced proximity
a cute Christmassy setting and retelling of It's a Wonderful Life
emotional and poignant themes of grief and loss
feisty FMC (in and out of the bedroom!)
ex-military MMC
"tough love" from MMC
acts of service and caretaking
banter and play fighting

What I liked:
The poignant themes of grief and loss - Honestly, I wasn't expecting such strong themes of grief and loss throughout the story, but I felt like they were done quite well. Kol had some very insightful quotes about grief, loss, trauma, and moving forward in spite of it, and I loved how he was able to help move Noelle forward through her grief because he had experienced the same thing in the past. Also, the moments with the parents' old house and their Christmas gifts were surprisingly poignant and emotional, and I appreciated that Kol was there for Noelle as a supportive partner and someone who understood grief to encourage her to move forward in her own time.
The banter and non-sexual intimacy between the MCs - I did feel like the two MCs did have very good banter, and matched each other's wit pretty well. I especially liked their moments of emotional vulnerability and non-sexual intimacy, especially when they were able to share their trauma with each other while naked, which was really nice because it separated physical nakedness from sexual intimacy and gave another layer of vulnerability to the trauma revealand when he was able to take care of her.
The smut - I hate when there is a "feisty FMC" and then during the smut scenes, she turns extremely submissive in bed for no reason - this did not happen here, which I appreciated! This book is definitely not femdom but there were some dominant moments from the FMC which matched her feisty personality.
The practical knowledge and acts of service of the MMC - I LOVE a MMC who has a lot of practical knowledge and shows his love for the FMC through acts of service with this knowledge - there were PLENTY of examples of this in this book of this which I enjoyed. I also liked that at the end, the FMC reciprocated the act of service in a big way. The aviation and other knowledge seemed to be well-researched as well.

What I disliked:
The "play fighting" and treatment of the FMC by the MMC - There was a lot of problematic and behavior from Kol to Noelle that was justified by him being able to read her and know that "she wanted it", which is a very slippery slope. For instance, he slapped her ass without consent towards the beginning of the book and would basically "fake-kidnap" her by tossing her over his shoulder whenever she did something that particularly bothered him and she would play-fight back - it kind of seemed a bit too abuse-adjacent for me. A scene that particularly bothered me is that when she was at her parents' grave, she screamed at him that she wanted to be left alone, but because "he knew he didn't mean it" he fake-kidnapped her and took her kicking and screaming back to the house, which unsettled me. I don't really have an issue with these problematic dynamics in books as long as we are warned beforehand, and I did NOT expect something like that in a cutesy Christmas romance. In addition, his love was a very "tough love", which some would appreciate but I personally didn't especially when he told her to "suck it up" - if someone told me that I would treat that as a red flag and break up with them if they did that too many times
The sexism/NLOG (especially from our MMC) - Even though Kol, the MMC, said that he respected women, it didn't really seem like he did? He made some comments at the beginning of the book about not trusting women because they will take half your salary and made sexual advances on Noelle at the beginning of the book when she was in a vulnerable position He also made comments that insinuated that Noelle was "not like the other girls", which irritated me especially given his early book comments.
The insta-love in this book - I don't dislike the insta-love trope if it's done right, but the insta-love wasn't really believable in this book, especially since their relationship to me seemed more like insta-lust + a trauma bond which doesn't seem like a healthy foundation for a relationship.
Some characters did not seem fleshed out - I didn't really think that Kol was a super fleshed out character, which kind of made sense due to his role in the story, but to me he just kind of read like a grumpy guy that helps Noelle through her trauma. Also, the best friend character only appeared and was mentioned in 2 chapters of the book, and I felt like she was there just to have a best friend character and was not needed at all.

I did enjoy reading the book overall, so I would give it 3 stars given my criticisms on the MMC and the character dynamics. Overall, this was a spicy, fast-paced, and funny Christmas insta-love romance that dealt with themes of grief in a very poignant way.

Evie James delivers a delightful blend of humor and heart in Christmas Cancellation. Set against the backdrop of a snow-blanketed small town preparing for the holiday season, This story captures the magic of Christmas, Noelle is going through so many hardships in her life! Her boyfriend just dumped her after stealing her promotion, She’s quit her job, and she has to go back to the hometown she’s avoided for years. The day before Christmas Eve she learns that she needs to be there, or she will lose her inheritance. Of course her flight is then cancelled and she finds herself in forced proximity with Kol the grumpy pilot. While they both come with "baggage" the banter between them is laugh out loud funny. But is there some Christmas magic out there? Read this and find out.
This was a new author for me, thank you to NetGalley for being introduced to Evie James.

I

Pure escapism wrapped up for Christmas! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Evie James’s Christmas Cancellation is a cozy holiday romance packed with festive charm and emotion. Noelle and Kol’s journey through a snowstorm delivers heartfelt moments and steamy sparks, exploring themes of grief, healing, and love. The small-town holiday setting is beautifully atmospheric. it delivers a warm, festive romance perfect for fans of grumpy-sunshine pairings and holiday vibes.

Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC copy of this book to review. Congrats to Evie James on the publication!

Christmas Cancellation is a heartwarming holiday romance set against the backdrop of a snowstorm. Noelle, a workaholic reeling from a tragic loss and betrayal, is determined to reach her hometown by Christmas Eve to claim an inheritance. When a blizzard disrupts her plans, she reluctantly accepts the help of Kol Vinter, a brooding former military pilot who overhears her distress. Forced into close quarters, the two opposites clash but also discover unexpected sparks.

I loved it! This book delivers all the feels for the holidays—snow, Christmas, and that yummy warmth you get from a satisfying love story. I expected this read to be extremely fluffy but was pleasantly surprised by the emotional depth. Not everyone is lucky enough to have someone help them navigate grief, especially at such a vulnerable time of the year, and this connection between Noelle and Kol felt stronger because of their willingness to open their hearts up to one another. The cover is absolutely darling—it is what initially captured my attention. I think it will do wonders to create a first impression for this story.

A bit cliché, but that's exactly what makes it a perfect holiday read for someone who wants romance, a bit of spice and characters that bond nicely on a road trip together. There is substance to both Noelle and Kol and I liked the way they managed to find middle ground, to understand each other and eventually fall in love.

Stranded at Christmas, a ride with a stranger becomes everything. Fast friends, fast feelings, as past hurts are visited and insecurities show themselves. What we think we want and what we need can be quite different and you never know what is around the corner. A very spicy holiday read.

I would like to begin this review and thank Netgalley and the Author for this book.
This book had a really great idea, but I unfortunately had to DNF this one, I will says something in terms of the plot. Firstly, the whole pilot and stranded passenger love story is such a good idea! I found the FMC very immature and just out of touch with reality and her surroundings. Especially the airport scene. She has no regards for others around her and continued screaming into her phone. Her dialogue I found was very speechy and had no dialogue. It was almost as if she was venting the entire time. But I do feel sorry for her as she has been through a lot. This is a great first book from the author, and I hope this feedback helps them! This book just put me into a slump, and just could not continue. It was not up for my pallet, but I really wanted to like this one

This one may not have been for me, but t may be for you! we all just have different tastes and that is okay.

Christmas Cancellation has piles of promise and I wanted so much to absolutely love it, but it just fell so short for me.

Tis the season of flight cancellations, blizzards and family driven angst. Noelle’s life is rapidly falling apart at the seams, after a missed flight becomes the snow pile that breaks her, she has a legit meltdown on the phone with her bestie, in the middle of an airport. Much like a toddler, she has almost no concept of sound traveling, or didn’t care even after some dirty looks. Captain Vinter overhears her bratty tantrum, and has to put her in her place. Because listening while she was, obviously, in distress just wasn’t going to do at all. Yeah. Oh, don’t worry, before you know it he is giving her a ride to where their flight was headed. A few hours in the car leads to paragraphs of dialog, when these two start to talk (throughout the book, this is a thing) its large speeches instead of true conversation. It felt like info dumping or therapy, which Noelle truly should be getting. This girl has been through it.

I really tried to get through it, but the book put me in a reading slump and I am extremely sad it wasn’t for me. It’s been 2 weeks and I finally have to set this aside at 57%. In the middle of the steamy part that just didn’t seem to fit the personalities built up to this point. The FMC was extremely immature, her inner thoughts a bit cringe, and her flirting was confusing. A little subby, a lot bratty, and still holding on to the trauma from the rich/cool girls of her youth. Pile in family loss, this woman is struggling. The MMC was, at times, immature with his reactions but had a lot more characteristics that I found enjoyable. That is, to say, to the point that I had gotten to. I love a good dominant man, but they have known each other half a day and he already is thinking long term thoughts! I get it, he is ready to settle down, but you told her off just hours ago.

Listen, I know that this is the perfect book for many, so I say give it a chance if you like grumpy/sunshine, instalove, dom/brat dynamic and forced(ish) proximity. You may really enjoy Kol and Noelle. I love the names, there is some fun wit and moments that I really enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

Noelle Nichols’ life has fallen apart, she’s lost her job, her boyfriend (although not too sad about that one), her aunty has recently passed away and she has to make it home to Saratoga, before Christmas Eve to claim her inheritance. The only thing standing in her way is a snowstorm and cancelled flight. Enter pilot, Kol Winter. The two embark on a journey, getting to know one another and Noelle discovers Kol might be just what she needs to get her through the Christmas holiday.

Thank you NetGalley for accepting my request to read Christmas Cancellation.

Firstly I don’t usually tend to read stories with reaaalllyyy on the nose names like Noelle and Kol, but I let it slide because I got into this book quite quickly. Their immediate connection was enjoyable to read and both characters had solid back stories which fed into the overall plot.

I think it’s important to take books like this with a pinch of salt, I mean it’s a Christmas Romance, of course it’s going to be a little cheesy and this definitely was but again, I didn’t mind it as it was counteracted quite strongly with deep personal trauma and grief, and how you deal with it. Overall it was a cute, warm and fuzzy, happy ending story and the spice was also well done, it didn’t feel out of place or too much. 

My only qualms were how fast their relationship moved, I understand “falling fast” but even this was like “GIRL YOU JUST MET” but again, pinch of salt. The other thing and one that irked me from start to finish were the nicknames, from the moment he met her, to the end he called her “Stinkerbelle” and I’m afraid that was too much cheese even for me.

I would 100% recommend this book though for a Christmas read!

Tropes: Forced proximity, grumpyxsunshine, one bed, holiday romance, small town, opposites attract.

This book single handedly put me in a reading slump. I DNF'ed this book at about 40%. The plot was terrible, the writing wasn't great and there was nothing redeeming about the FMC. The first chapter really ruined the book for me. She was whiny and unlikable. She had a "poor me" attitude that was annoying.

Also, in the first 20 pages the MMC was talking about how she would look with her mouth around his you know what, and how she would look bent over. It wasn't done in a hot way. It made me get the ick. There was no chemistry from the two main characters.

Overall. This is a big no from me.

Thank you very much to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of Christmas Cancellation! I was very excited to be able to add this one to my Christmas TBR. It's a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite Christmas movies, so a book inspired by George Bailey's story was definitely going to catch my eye!

Kol and Noelle's story is one of highs and lows, ups and downs. Their "meet cute" is more of a "meet meltdown", with Noelle loudly criticizing Kol's airline over a cancelled flight, and Kol deciding to publicly set her misconceptions straight. This "meet meltdown" morphs into a "meet miracle" when Kol recognizes Noelle's desperation, has a change of heart, and decides to offer her a ride upstate. The next 48 hours bring vulnerable conversations, spicy spice, anger, tears, and confessions, as they navigate Christmas in a way they never would have expected.

Let's start with the positive! I love the small town Christmas setting, and the "snowed in together" version of the forced proximity trope is one of my favorite takes. Although I initially was not a huge fan, I came to appreciate Kol's quiet and steady support as Noelle processed the grief associated with being back in her hometown. I also appreciated how mental health and the grieving process were handled--I value any time an author includes the importance of therapy and I felt Noelle's decision at the end of the book was a lovely and creative way to resolve the conflict she had been experiencing and honor her grief and healing. I also felt this book really nicely illustrated the "get to know you" phase of a new friendship and relationship-questions like "what's your favorite color", "what's your favorite childhood memory?" abounded, and I feel this is often missing in instalove stories.

OK, book friends, let me share a few things that didn't work for me and the reason for my rating. Kol and Noelle were both very difficult to like at first. Kol initially came off as smug and chauvinistic, while Noelle came off as flighty and emotionally volatile. While I felt Kol gradually morphed into someone deeper and more steadfast, I did not feel the same could be said for Noelle. She continued to feel immature and reactive through much of the story, and her outbursts weren't always relatable or appropriate for the situation. I did not connect to Kol's nickname for Noelle ("Stinkerbelle"), and although this phased out towards the end of the story, I definitely had a cringe when he used it during play time. I had a hard time with the writing style, including some of the dialogue and repetitive phrasing that occurred through the narrative. And finally, recognizing this is a personal preference, I struggle with the instalove trope, and thought it was hard to reconcile some of their actions and behaviors against the fact that they had known each other less than 48 hours.

Check this one out if you enjoy:
~Instalove/lust
~Snowed in together
~Possessive MMC with a splash of daddy dom
~Feisty FMC with abandonment issues
~Mistaken first impressions
~Small town Christmas
~Going home again
~Healing after grief and loss

Favorite Quote:
"This was a place where I didn't have to be perfect, where people remembered the girl I'd been before life tore me apart. It could be a chance to start over-not somewhere new, but where it all began."

FMC is having the worst time; a breakup, said ex taking her promotion, cancelled flight. MMC offers her a flight and the rest is history!!
I love evies writing style and her characters!

Holiday
Forced Proximity
One Bed
Opposites Attract
Small Town
Blizzard
Afraid to Commit
Not Who I Thought You Were
Former Military Pilot
Angsty Heroine

I love a good holiday read, and this book did not disappoint! It's a wonderful romantic retelling of "It's a Wonderful Life," and I'm here for it! Noelle has great George Bailey vibes - and I live near Saratoga Springs - so that just sealed the deal!

Evie James’s Christmas Cancellation is a heartwarming holiday romance that brings all the right elements together—romantic tension, festive charm, and emotional depth—making it an ideal read for anyone craving a cozy, feel-good story set during the most wonderful time of the year.

If you love any the tropes below this book would be perfect for you.

Tropes:
🎄 Forced Proximity
🎄 One-Bed
🎄 Festive Romance
🎄 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎄 Pilot MMC
🎄 Possessive
🎄 Small Town Romance
🎄 Explicit spice
🎄 Insta-Love


The novel follows Noelle Nichols, a woman whose Christmas season is off to a rocky start. After losing her job, breaking up with her boyfriend, and being pressed for time to claim a Christmas Eve inheritance, she’s already feeling overwhelmed. When a snowstorm grounds her flight out of New York, Noelle finds herself stuck at LaGuardia Airport, her holiday plans all but dashed. In her frustration, she clashes with Kol Vinter, a gruff, ex-military pilot who seems to have no patience for her outburst.

At first, Kol’s tough, no-nonsense demeanour seems like the last thing Noelle needs. But when she reveals how deeply she’s struggling and even wishes she’d never been born, Kol surprises her by offering to drive her back to her hometown of Saratoga Springs. Despite his initial reluctance, he agrees to accompany her on the long, snowy drive—a road trip that forces them into close quarters and slowly but surely sparks a connection.

Their journey together is an absolute joy for readers who love the “grumpy-sunshine” trope. Noelle’s fiery, spirited nature contrasts perfectly with Kol’s stoic and guarded personality. Over the course of their time together, Noelle’s vulnerability begins to chip away at Kol’s tough exterior, and it’s clear that they both have much to teach each other. Kol, who initially seems emotionally closed off, gradually opens up to Noelle’s warmth and resilience, while Noelle learns to see beyond her immediate struggles and find a new perspective on her own life.

The chemistry between Kol and Noelle is undeniable, however their relationship did grow very quickly and was very insta-lovey way. There are plenty of humorous moments—especially when they find themselves in uncomfortable, close situations, like sharing a single bed during a snowstorm—but the emotional depth of their connection sometimes can feel a little forced.
What makes their romance did feel nice in the way Kol becomes a quiet but supportive presence in Noelle’s life, helping her find the strength to heal and move forward, while she teaches him to believe in the magic of second chances and the joy of Christmas again.

James’s depiction of Saratoga Springs provides the perfect backdrop for Noelle’s emotional journey. The town, with its snowy streets, festive decorations, and cozy, holiday traditions, is brimming with Christmas spirit, offering Noelle both a literal and emotional homecoming. As she reconnects with her past, Noelle slowly begins to rediscover the magic of the season, finding healing not only through her romance with Kol but also through her renewed connection with family and community.

Kol’s character adds a layer of complexity to the story. While he starts out as a somewhat detached, holiday-sceptic figure, his own struggles with loss and pain give his eventual acceptance of love and Christmas magic real depth. His evolution from a man who has shut himself off from the world to someone willing to embrace the warmth of connection and possibility is one of the novel’s most rewarding arcs.

Christmas Cancellation is a delightful read for fans of holiday romances that blend humour, heart, and a touch of holiday magic. With its mix of forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and a gradual romance that’s both sweet and steamy, it’s a story that will leave readers feeling uplifted and hopeful. The novel beautifully captures the essence of second chances—not just in love, but in life—and reminds us that the holidays are a time for healing, growth, and rediscovering what truly matters. Evie James delivers a festive, feel-good tale that will make readers laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love and redemption. If you’re looking for a holiday read that offers both heartwarming moments and a deep emotional journey, Christmas Cancellation is the perfect book to curl up with during the festive season.

Rating: 3.75 Stars

Thank you to the publishers and Net galley for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Author for this ARC for an honest review!

I legit loved this book. I, in fact, adored this book. Mystery and adorable moments, a wonderful pilot helps a newly unemployed and dumped beauty through Christmas without family and getting through trauma. I wish I could read this fresh again! X