1 star ⭐️

It’s getting one star cause I enjoyed the audio. Love dual narration and the narrators did a great job

The story nope. Wasn’t for me. Only finished it so I could give a review.

Thank you Netgalley & Harlequin audio for the advanced reader’s audio for this book.
Okay I LOVED this. I love a good Christmas movie set romance anyways but this was chef’s kiss. The grumpy/sunshine scorned couple pranking the cheating ex? Pure comedic gold. Also completely irrelevant to the average reader but love the subtle Newfoundland mention 🫶🏻 I looooved how the setting of this story felt hallmark but also had some spice to it. A great spicy read for Christmas time!!

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 ~ 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐉𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 ~ by Lindsay Maple ~ Thanks to Canary Street Press, Harlequin Audio, Netgalley and the author for an ALC of this book to be released on June 17th 2025. So, I love Christmas books and read as many as I can each season. So when I saw this come available as an ARC I put in a request on a whim. This is a Christmas romance that is really different in both those genres and as silly, simple as it was, there was just something that I liked about the story. As a Christmas book, it is July and pays homage to the season rather than being filled with snowy days and as a romance it includes different faces of love and attraction, along with an important friendship first. I think what really drew me in was the two FMCs. Each woman is unapologetically who she is and there is something so beautiful about that. Then, to witness their friendship/relationship blossom was honest and vulnerable because they were so opposite. It is wholesome to a large extent but it does have plenty of spice both M/F and F/F. The hijinks were funny and the depth of the backstory, especially related to Mariah, was strong. I don't know if this would be for all of my reader friends, but I just got lost in the Christmas and summer vibes all mixed up and enjoyed my time with these characters….that grew on me.
Bookish tropes include: grumpy/sunshine, Grinch/Elf, workplace meet-cute, family struggles, friendship, sapphic romance, and an HAE with plenty of Christmas hope. Fun for the summer, or fun at the holidays… it was just an easy read to lean into and relax.
⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐋𝐋! 📚♥️🎄

About 30% in an I'm getting a lot of hookups and romance building with our two FMCs and random guys, but not even a hint of anything between them. If anything it reads like a womens lit, friendship coming of age story I came into this expecting a sapphic romance and it really wasn't giving me anything

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.

I love when a book surprises me and this book did just that. I signed up on a whim and fell in love with the characters and story.

🎬workplace romance
♥️ friends to lovers
🕷️Kevin McCallister style hi-jinks
☀️grumpy/sunshine
💄actress x make up artist
🎄christmas in july
👯‍♀️bisexual awakening

Mariah and Ellie are opposites in looks and personality but after several days together on set they form an unlikely friendship. The two further bond over being cheated on and decide to go after them.

This isn’t “technically” a holiday romance but it does revolve around the filming of a holiday romance so I am counting it. I loved that we really get multiple stories from this story. We get each of the FMC and their romance with a male counterpart, the friendship and budding romance between the FMCs and the bits of scenes from the film they are shooting. No spoilers but I had a feeling it would go the way it did and it was executed perfectly!

If you like Hallmark Christmas movies and the corny, but funny lines then this is the book for you.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

Total John Tucker Must Die x Home Alone vibes except with bisexual spice!!!
I ate this story up!!! The revenge plot was great but I LOVED the dual storyline and also getting to follow the storyline of the movie they were filming too. The narrators did such a great job embodying the characters personalities and truly bringing them to life. I loved the themes of acceptance and personal growth.


This was such a perfect blend of a summer romance and a holiday rom com!!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin audio for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion ♥️

This audiobook was a cheerful, feel-good escape that delivered exactly what I wanted: festive vibes, quirky characters, and a summery twist on holiday romance. Lindsay Maple’s story strikes a fun balance between lighthearted comedy and genuine emotional moments, and the narration really brought the characters to life.

The narrator did a great job capturing the charm and pacing of the story—adding personality without overdoing it. The main character’s journey felt relatable, and the summery setting made the Christmas-in-July theme surprisingly cozy.

A few moments felt a bit predictable, and some side plots could’ve used a little more depth, but overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Perfect for when you need a holiday pick-me-up—no matter the season!

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☆

If I am being honest I picked this book up on a whim because I love a hallmark movie and the cover was super cute. I am glad to say I really enjoyed it! Our book kicks off with both our FMC’s working on a movie set and who both happen to start dating the same guy which then turns into a light revenge plot to get back at him.

The first 20% of this book’s romantic focus was on each FMC’s relationship with the guy. At times, I thought the relationship development there felt a bit more established compared to when our FMC’s got together. I wish we had a bit more development because It felt very insta love. However, I did find their relationship and chemistry to be quite sweet. I really enjoyed their revenge scenes I was laughing aloud throughout!

We are constantly being told Mariah has some trauma from her childhood and family relationships. I do wish some of that was either discussed further or shown on page because the scene with her parents were “normal” and supportive. I also enjoyed the parts of the book where the reader got to see the movie scenes that were being filmed I think it mirrored Ellie and Mariahs relationship development nicely. However, toward the second half of the book it did drag a little for me. I am not sure if it is because there was so much happening in the first half that the second felt a tad underwhelming.

The audiobook was a good time! I love a dual narration and felt that the voice actors brought forth distinct personalities for each character. If you want a sweet, low stakes queer romance that centers Christmas and is spicy this book is for you!

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.