Amazing christmas in july romance, lots of lesbian romance. i'm not normally into lesbian romance but this one was very good.

This was such a fun sapphic romance! Between the spice and quippy writing, Maple creates an engaging and delightful dynamic between our two MCs!

I first want to thank Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read Holly Jolly July by Lindsay Maple. This review is solely my own opinion. I enjoyed reading reading this book. The story follows Ellie, a "small time" actress who never gets the big roles, and Mariah, a budding makeup artist, is looking to break out in "real" movies. We meet Ellie on the first day of the Christmas movie that she is cast in. I really did not like Ellie at the beginning of this story. She was overly bubbly and pushing to be liked by everyone. Well, I am ok with admitting that I truly judged her too soon. Her character grows and opens up throughout the book, and her personality ends up making complete sense. Ellie and Mariah, who is Ellie's makeup artist for the movie and complete opposite of Ellie, end up bonding over the fact that they are both being cheated on. When they discuss this, they decide to enact revenge on the cheaters, but they end up growing closer to each other. The story was a cute read, and like I said, I enjoyed it. I gave it 3.25 stars and definitely recommend it as a fun summer read and then again as a cute holiday read.

Think John Tucker Must Die but the ladies are bisexual and end up falling in love with each other 🥹

This book was hot. Both literally, being set in July, and the sexual tension between the two FMCs. The pining was as thick as a good Christmas tree!

I loved this adorable, steamy and fun grumpy x sunshine, friends to lovers story. It has super sweet moments too (Christmas tree farm IYKYK) and dealt with very real and relatable struggles.

As a theatre lover, I also enjoyed it taking place during a movie shoot, getting to see behind the scenes from both the actors’ and the crew person’s view.

🎧: I’m so glad this was dual narration! The narrators did an excellent job of capturing the essences of the two very different characters, the VO actor for Ellie being bright and bubbly, while Marian was more subdued and grumpy. Excellent and captivating narration.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio for the free copies of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for an advanced digital copy for review!

As someone who grew up watching cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, this book hit all notes of holiday cheer and cheese in the best way. I never found myself rolling my eyes or feeling like it was too fake or overdone; even in the side plot of the movie they’re making, I enjoyed the story!

This had so much heart, character building, wit, and atmosphere that I fell in love with Ellie and Mariah, a Christmas lover and Grinch coming together for their own movie magic romance.

I do think the plot with Jax/Matt was a bit underdeveloped, and I get it was a Home Alone vibe, but it just didn’t land for me.

I adored this and encourage anyone who loves a good holiday romance with substance to check it out!

This book is cute and funny. Not the best thing I ever read, but I have a pleasant time reading it. It’s not that original and it fell flat in some points, but in the end it’s a joyful novel and it’s sapphic. I mean!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Holly Jolly July by Lindsay Maple is a fizzy, feel-good holiday rom-com that wraps classic Christmas charm in a delightfully summery twist. With the backdrop of a low-budget film shoot in a sweltering Canadian town, Maple crafts a world full of cozy tropes, from mismatched roommates to revenge plots gone hilariously rogue. Ellie, the ever-optimistic actress, and Mariah, the prickly makeup artist, start as oil and water, but their slow-burn chemistry simmers into something irresistibly sweet—and spicy. Maple’s witty banter and vivid small-town setting create a story that sparkles with holiday magic, even in the heat.

Ellie and Mariah’s journey from adversaries to allies to lovers is both charming and deeply satisfying, especially as they learn to let down their walls. Lindsay Maple has given readers a full queer romance full of joy, messiness, and authenticity. .

📖 Bookish Thoughts
This one didn’t quite land for me. The pacing felt slow at times, which made it hard to stay engaged. The romance between them didn’t fully click for me. It felt a bit rushed, and I actually thought the MF romance was more fleshed out.

I really liked Ellie. I loved her energy, optimism, and love for the holiday. But I struggled with Mariah. She felt more mean than grumpy, and didn’t connect with her for most of the book.

I went in hoping for cozy grumpy-sunshine vibes and Hallmark-style warmth, but this didn’t quite deliver on that holiday charm. That said, I think there are readers who will enjoy the book.

🗓 Release Date: June 17, 2025

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press, and Harlequin audio for the free e-arc and alc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. This is a fun, beach read. If you love queer romances instalove this will be a winner for you as well. I loved that it was set in Chilliwack British Columbia. It definitely felt like a love letter to Chilliwack I am a fan of Canadian authors and when their books are set in Canada. Definitely give this one a try.

Suggest picking it up.

4/5☆

So freaking cute! If you like cheesy hallmark Christmas movies, this book is for you!

Plot: Ellie and Mariah are working on a set of a Christmas film in the middle of July. Ellie, an actress, and Mariah, a makeup artist. Due to some spoilers I won’t go into, the two become fast friends and a little more.

My Thoughts: I thought this book was so freaking cute! I loved the little twist, and how Ellie and Mariah came together. The extra bonus chapters of the actual movie they were working on was so fun! Was it cheesy? Yes! But did I still love it? Also yes! The Home Alone style pranks throughout this book were so fun, and added a light element to the book. Perfect if you celebrate Christmas in July!

Tags
-Sapphic Romance
-Small Town Vibes
-Christmas Themed
-Pranks & Banter
-Dual POV/First Person
-Open Door (1/5 spice)

This was a FUN, and heartfelt queer Sapphic grumpy x sunshine romcom featuring an actress and a makeup artist who hookup with the same guy then join forces to get revenge and catch feelings along the way.

I loved the great queer rep, the fully three-dimensional characters and the way that the author focuses on each women's journey - one to overcoming grief and the other going through her bi-awakening era. It was great on audio narrated by Lauren Sweet and Angelina Rocca who do a fantastic job voicing each of the female main characters' distinct voices.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! Highly recommended for fans of Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone's Christmas Notch series or Ashley Herring Blake's Dream on, Ramona Riley.

Holly Jolly July had a great twist and fun revenge-on-exes shenanigans, definitely putting the “com” in romcom!

3.5⭐

"No one has made me feel more beautiful, more myself, than Mariah."

I absolutely loved the bisexual rep in this book! I like how we got both FM and FF relationships and spice in one book. I also loved the Christmas vibes, despite it being July. It was cute to see how Ellie went all out to immerse herself in the role with decorations, Christmas movies and more. This book was really funny, especially with the pranks Ellie and Mariah played on their ex boyfriends as payback for cheating on them. They weren't anything serious but the effects were funny. To be honest, I wasn't really a fan of Ellie in the beginning. She was really pushy when it was obviously that Mariah didn't want to talk. She did grow on me eventually, but it took a while. Also, I didn't quite like the ending because they were having fun for a week, but they were both wondering what would happen once the filming of the movie was over. Instead of talking about it though, they just assumed things without communicating properly. Once they finally did talk it out though, the ending was cute. I enjoyed Lindsay Maple's writing and would definitely read more of her books!

Thank you Lindsay Maple and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

this is sadly going to be a dnf for now- i always attempt at least the first 30% but this honestly is not doing much for me

Ellie is an actress who keeps getting cast in smaller roles, headed to small town Chilliwack to from a Christmas romance in July. Mariah is a makeup artist hired for the same project, but she really wants to be doing different films.

Both have local hook ups that seem like they may be going somewhere, but when they find out these guys are cheating on them, they bond together to try and get back at them.

Ellie and Mariah are cute together, very grumpy sunshine in terms of dynamic. I didn't really enjoy the plot that brought them together. That said, you will likely enjoy this sapphic romance if you enjoy bisexual protagonists, getting even after being wronged, Home Alone style pranks, and Hallmark type Christmas movie plots.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will be published on 6/17/25.

Holly Jolly July brings all the fun and romance of a holiday movie, while also providing characters with depth and nuance. It had spice, banter, shenanigans, and more!

Ellie is a Christmas loving actress back to film her 6th Christmas movie in a small town in Canada in the July heat. She is embracing the Christmas in July spirit to its fullest. Mariah on the other hand is less enthused to be a makeup artist for the film, since it means returning to her hometown she thought she'd left behind. Both Ellie and Mariah find some romantic fun with a bartender and Air Bnb Host in the small town, but when they realize the guys are cheating on them they turn to each other for support.

I ate up this rom com. I loved the way the relationship between Mariah and Ellie developed and the journey they took to each other. I also really enjoyed the script of the movie they are filming being included in between chapters. It was a neat story within a story. Mariah's relationship with her parents added nice depth to her character and the story. I did feel the revenge plot was a bit cheesy at times, but did add some levity as well. Overall I would highly recommend this read.

Tropes:
* Grumpy Sunshine
* Workplace Romance
* Christmas Lover/Grinch
* Bi Awakening
* Sapphic Romance

4.5 stars

Ellie is an actress in a holiday film that takes place over two weeks in a small Canadian town. Instead of staying at an offbeat motel with other film staff, she rents an airbnb that’s a little out of ways from the set.

Mariah is a make-up artist that has her eyes on a career with more special effects make up than covering for extras and actresses on a movie set. But here she is and back in her hometown which she was avoiding like the plague for the past few years. And now she’s annoyed with the super peppy actress wearing obnoxious Christmas sweaters that sits in her chair (Ellie).

Mariah would rather stay anywhere than back home with her mom, so she drops into a dive bar out of town to gain some liquid courage before seeing her mom. But instead, she finds an old high school peer whom she crushed on. They not only catch up, but spend the night with some spicy scenes and she is loving it.

Ellie is ready to immerse herself in her holiday script by decorating her Airbnb on all out Christmas. So what better way than to add lights everywhere! Until she blows a fuse and can’t find the breaker box. She calls her Airbnb host who graciously swings by to help her out. And not only is he not an old man, but he’s gorgeous!

Mariah and Ellie eventually hit it off once they both connect on finding some holiday romance while they are working. That is, until, they realize they are both being played.

As they plot their plan for revenge (think Mean Girls, not Carrie Underwood), they find inspiration from the classic holiday film, Home Alone.

As they plan and act on their pranks, Ellie and Mariah find themselves growing closer and closer. Who needs holiday romance with a man, when they can have it with each other?

The revenge plot is hysterical and I found myself laughing at their pranks: skid marks on his underwear, fart machines at work, lacy thongs in the car, and so on. Plus a very Home Alone inspired revenge scene.

Some spicy scenes. 🌶️

Thanks @Netgalley and @ HarlequinPublishing for the advanced digital copy.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of Holly Jolly July.

I have to admit that it took me a few chapters to really get into this book, but once I did, I had a great time reading this story. I especially enjoyed the development of Ellie and Mariah’s relationship. That progression of going from mere co-workers to friends and then more was nicely done and didn’t feel forced as it sometimes can in these types of novels.

The book contains Interstitials that show us the script of the holiday movie that is being filmed. At first, the Interstitials seemed to get in the way of the main storyline of the book, and I was annoyed by their presence although once I started nearing the later chapters, these sections actually added to our understanding of the main storyline between Ellie and Mariah, as well as give a different perspective on what Ellie’s role in the move actually was because that role was much more significant than she was giving herself credit for.

Holly Jolly July was a fun and sometimes emotional ride where I rooted for these opposites to attract and get the love story they deserved, as well as the careers that they could truly shine in.

Solid read. Great bisexual representation, and I enjoyed the revenge plot. I love a grumpy vs sunshine relationship, so I enjoyed the dynamic between the two female MCs. There are both MF and FF spicy scenes. I am not a fan of the MF scenes, but can't fault the other for including good bisexual representation!

In the beginning this book didn't have me, I was a little too annoyed by Ellie and was only invested in Mariah and Jax's storyline. But then EVERYTHING CHANGED with that freaking plot twist! I'm not going to spoil anything but wow. I think the marketing is a little shady but I'm not mad about it. I'm glad I kept reading because the more I read the more Ellie grew on me. She's not my favorite character but I do understand how/why Mariah fell for her. The setting was adorable and I liked that the characters had their own depth. I also really loved the fact that we got to see the script for the movie that Ellie was acting in, between every few chapters. And of course, it mirrored their lives as art typically does.