⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aaron Marino & Olivia Griswold
- Christmas time
- Grinchy, sassy, grump FMC
- Golden retriever, sunshine, thoughtful MMC
- Hockey romance
- Enemies to more
- Brother’s childhood best friend/teammate
- He falls first
- Forced proximity
- Christmas surprises 🤭😝
- Very “steamy” first kiss 😉 (in water)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 2 in the Cyclones Christmas Series - this is another really fun Christmas book. There are a few hallmark-y moments but it’s fun having the FMC be the Grinch and the MMC be all in on Christmas. Their back and forth banter is so fun. Aaron flirts so hard and Liv’s preconceived notions keeps her from seeing how gone he is for her. This keeps the bite-y back and forth going and entertaining.

There are also fun plot points that come with twists in the book, like a crazy stalker, crazy roommates, an extragent gala, and more. Liv is so feisty that you never know how she’ll react to any given situation and Aaron brings joy to everything he does. They are really fun to read how the opposites attract balance each other out. Their love in the end is so freaking sweet and cute, and will definitely put a smile on your face 💕

This is a very sweet read to get in the joy and festive spirit of celebrating Jesus’ birthday 🎄 HAPPY RELEASE DAY KATIE!!!!

This is a closed door romcom with descriptive makeouts, a few curses, and innuendo.

Songs:
“A nonsense Christmas” by Sabrina Carpenter
“Winter things” by Ariana Grande
“Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter
“Run and hide” by Sabrina Carpenter
“There she goes” by Benson Boone

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC of Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey. All opinions are my own.

When I found out that Season’s Schemings was getting a sequel, I was ecstatic. I loved that book and was excited to return to those characters. I think that the author actually surpassed my high expectations with this book! It was that good.

This story follows Aaron and Olivia who have known each other since they were teens. Aaron’s best friend also happens to be Olivia’s older brother, which means she’s always been off limits to Aaron. After seeing each other for the first time in years, Olivia is annoyed because she still holds a grudge against something Aaron did to her as a teen. Aaron, on the other hand, is secretly so happy to have Olivia back in his life. When they find themselves spending a lot of time together, they soon realize that their thoughts from the past can’t out shadow their chemistry in the present.

One of my favorite things about this book was the tension and banter between Aaron and Olivia. They were constantly going back and forth teasing each other and giving each other a hard time. Their banter was funny and entertaining.

Aaron was honestly such a sweetheart and loved the people around him so well. Olivia, while grumpy quite often, was a very lovable and easygoing character. I liked the fact that she didn’t care about the famous hockey players at all.

There were so many funny scenes in this book that made me laugh out loud. Besides Aaron and Olivia being funny, Aaron’s teammates were hilarious as well.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book! I stayed up late multiple nights just because I didn’t want to put it down.

Katie Bailey did not disappoint with this brothers best friend/enemies to lovers Christmas story. Holiday Hostilities has you instantly hooked with the back and forth between Olivia and Aaron.

Aaron and Olivia are just so much fun to read about and have the best banter. (but really guys their banter is top tier) The chemistry between them was unmatched. I love how Aaron is not who he seemed to be to Olivia and I love her sudden realizations about him.

These side characters added so much here. The Cyclones are basically a giant family and I loved them all. With all these side characters we get to see Maddie and Seb again as well as Holly. Now while we're on the topic of side characters, I will be very impatiently waiting for Dallas's book.

I do enjoy reading an ice hockey book and this was no different. Aaron and Livvy were perfect together and the dialogue between the two of them was witty and funny.
Its a gentle book and I really enjoyed it, my only two nitpicks are that I would have liked to have seen Brandi and the reporter get a more definitive come uppanance.

This was my first title from Katie Bailey and I LOVED it! Perfect read for the holiday season and would highly recommend to anyone.

Holiday Hostilities is the perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit! I absolutely loved Aaron! I mean he crochets stuff animals for sick kids what's not to love. The banter between then in the beginning was so fun and I loved how sweet they were together. I can't wait to read what comes next in this series :)

I have read most of Katie Bailey’s other books and absolutely loved them. That being said, this one was a miss for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and it seemed extra cheesy (which I just might’ve not been in the mood for) and extra tropey. I will still be reading her books in the future!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

4.5 stars

Katie Bailey does a great job at making closed door romances still very steamy and I can't get enough. This was a fun enemies-lovers, brothers best friend, hockey and holiday romance. I loved the chemistry and banter between the two MCs. They were enemies but never cruel to each other. Had a great time and I can't wait to see more from this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Holidays and hockey: what more could you ask for? This is such a feel-good holiday enemies -to-lovers/brother’s best friend romance! Aaron and Olivia’s banter throughout is electric and hilarious. Having the dual POV really lends perspective into both characters and how their relationship grows from beginning to end. Olivia gives Grinch vibes, going from not liking Christmas to her heart growing three sizes and falling in love with the holiday (by way of Aaron)! From Aaron’s POV you know this is a “he fell first” kind of story and to see his efforts in getting Olivia to warm up to him and see a new side is a treat for the eyes!

Although the spice is low, Katie didn’t disappoint! There is also just the right amount of Christmas throughout the story to not be overwhelmed. Realistically I would think you could read this at any time of the year and enjoy it!

⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 2/5

Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey

My first holiday book of the season and it was a good time.

Olivia moved to Atlanta to be near her brother but that means having to put up with his best friend and teammate, Aaron, as well. One thing leads to another and the next thing she knows, Olivia is agreeing his fake date for the team’s charity Christmas gala.

This story was cute and festive even if the cheese was laid on a little thick. There is a whole lot of chemistry, witty banter, and some changing hearts.

Content: innuendo, mild language, heavy make outs

Olivia despises her brother’s best friend, hockey playboy Aaron. But when he offers her his spare room to escape a bad living situation, she reluctantly accepts. Will proximity to her longtime nemesis prove dangerous to her heart?

This is cute and fun and a pleasure to read. Olivia and Aaron are likable characters with more chemistry between them than they’d like to admit. The book is a great choice to bring some laughter to your holiday.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I was so excited when I found out that Katie Bailey wrote another Christmas book because I LOVED Season’s Schemings last year! I just had to get my hands on it and I’m so glad I did!

I LOVED every single minute I spent reading Holiday Hostilities! It had everything you want in an enemies to lovers book set in the holiday season! You could feel how much Olivia hated Aaron on the pages of this book and it was awesome! Their banter was top-tier and their chemistry sizzled! I will not be able to stop thinking about this book for a long time. I highly recommend!

A huge thank you to Eleventh Avenue and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thank you to Eleventh Ave publishing and NetGalley for the advanced E-ARC of this book.
I love Katie Bailey. She is my go- to author for a swoon worthy read. I highly recommend reading Season's Scheming's prior to reading this one. All of the characters are intertwined and the universe that Katie has created is so fun, you won't want to miss the connections.


Olivia and Aaron are the perfect catalysts to each other. They have undeniable chemistry and pent up tension that rivals that of a Pringles lid ready to pop. The titular moment where they give in to each other had me kicking my feet! No one does a "screw it" moment quite like Katie Bailey.

This book is so sweet and swoon worthy. It's closed door, but oozes sexual tension. This book has all the best tropes, along with holiday vibes, making it a cozy, festive romcom to fit all your needs.

Olivia doesn't like to celebrate Christmas as it holds too many bad memories. Instead, she escapes into her job as a flight attendant to jet off to exotic destinations. But when she's left off the schedule this year, she at a loss as to what to do. That's where Aaron comes in. He offers up his home as an escape. Sure, she loathes him, but she'll barely see him. That's a win-win, right?

Read if you like:
-Best Friend's Younger Sister
-Off Limits
-Childhood Rivals
-He Falls First and Hard and He Fell Forever Ago
-Roommates
-Fake Dating
-Slow Burn
-Hocky Hunk

I loved Season's Scheming so much that I knew I needed to read Holiday Hostilities. And Katie did not disappoint. She hit me with all my favorite tropes. Aaron has been carrying a torch all this time. And the way he looks out for Olivia was swoon worthy. This is a holiday hockey romance that is a good blend of all three; neither overwhelming the others. You can read it any time of the year. But why not read it now?

A romcom based on a love hate relationship between a girl and her brothers bestfriend. The banter between these two was quiet and laughable. I enjoyed the story and the flow.

Katie Bailey books are always a good time and this one was no different! Olivia and Aaron were so sweet and I really enjoyed their story. There were a few times where it felt a little over the top to me personally, but still a great time, and I reccomend if you’re looking for a fun, festive hockey romance!

Thank you NetGalley & Eleventh Avenue for letting me read Katie Bailey’s Holiday Hostilities! Fun cast of characters, plenty of opportunities for future stories, perfect for readers wanting romance without open door sex scenes.

Started this one for funsies, next thing I know, I'm already 44% in. Much much better than the first book.

This book had me giggling, kicking my feet, and asking the Lord when am I gonna have my own Aaron.

Olivia hates Aaron, her brother's best friend, due to an incident in the past. As Olivia's work is based in Atlanta, that made her in close proximity with Aaron. When he found out that she's living with a lot of unruly roomates, he offered her his guest bed room.

I love both characters. Their banter, their chemistry and the tension was off the charts! We saw Olivia and how she's putting up a front due to what happened between them and yet still found herself entralled with Aaron as she saw a whole different side to him.

Aaron's facing a lot of pressure as being the captain, not letting his team down and the added social media backlash from his stalker. But he's so down bad for Olivia, and I am here for it.

Their relationship was built on a great foundation where they known each other since high school, then just in each other's radar throughout their lives due to the connection with Jake (Olivia's brother and Aaron's best friend).

They constantly communicate with each other and the transition from dislikes-friends-lovers were pretty seamless. It's also not that lust-y which I really appreciate. I love seeing glimpses of characters from book 1 and the whole hockey team.

I will def be reading the next book!

I freaking love this book. I loved the firts one , but this one was even better, I don't know how Katie does this.

It is so sweet and cute, and I love that this is let say ajar door romance ( not fully cloosed door romance).

And I must say that I love this romance morethat full bloody open door romance.

I love how easy it is, when the wright person comes along, it is just easy to fall in love.

Thanks soooo much for this Arc.

Katie Bailey's books are an auto buy for me, so when I got an arc of Holiday Hostilities I was ecstatic. I loved this book just as much as all of her other ones I have read. However, this one is extra lovely with the Christmas theme and hallmark vibes. This book also encompasses some favorite tropes like brothers best friend, grumpy/sunshine and hockey romance. It was so great, I can't wait to read Katie's next book!

Thank you netgalley for an arc of Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey