Now this is how a novella should be done! I'll read novella's occasionally, but honestly, my expectations typically reside alongside grubs, earthworms and the dead.

It's gotta be hard to pull off, to pack a full fledged story in such a pinched parcel. Shaved corners, rushed scenes, gurn-worthy-insta love, shallow characters and janky banter all vying for space and attention.

But not here. This book has likely ruined me for all future novella's. Incredible storytelling. A swoon-worthy cast with depth I imagine is difficult to attain in a short novel setting.

The MC's were fully fleshed out, as was the riotous side character, Marv, and all his wonky conspiracy theories, with his shirts firmly secured inside the waistband of his sweatpants. I mean this dude was somethin' special, lmfao!

The text convo's interspersed throughout were chef's kiss. There's even coded text (S/O to Marv again!), which I'm proud to say I figured out ~ (I mean.... once I knew they weren't just mad ravings brought to the page via Ashley bangin' & clangin' on her keyboard)! It was crazy clever and entertaining and absolutely hilarious! *(Call me if you need help with that, wink wink!)*

It truly was the perfect merry novella. Well rounded and fully balanced, if your emotions had checkboxes next to them, none would be left hanging.

Pqrsmno dmnomnt abde pqrsttupghid! (Ayo again to Marv, my good buddy, lmao!) READ. IT!

Thank you again, Ashley, for the early access! I’m always grateful!

Pubs 10/30, y’all!🥳

Ashley Manley’s The Holiday Club is a delightful novella that blends charm, emotional depth, and holiday magic into a compact, satisfying read. It’s the kind of story that warms your heart like a mug of hot cocoa in front of a crackling fire—and whether you’re a longtime fan of Christmas romances or simply someone who enjoys character-driven stories, there’s a lot to love here.

5 big holiday stars!

This book should be on everyone’s festive TBR!
It’s a novella and whilst I wish it were longer and we got to see lots more of these characters, that’s just because I loved them so much, not because the story felt rushed or incomplete.

Hollis has just finalised a nasty divorce and out of spite her ex husband will only agree to sign the paperwork if they split the holidays with their 4 kids so that he has them for every holiday one year, and then she gets them for all holidays the next year. This means she won’t get to spend any weekends in the run up to Christmas with her children, or any time around Christmas itself. My heart broke for her in the first chapter, but she soon meets Jay and Marv and invites herself in to their ‘holiday club’ which looks a little different to how she’s celebrated the festive season in the past.

This story is super festive and heart warming as we watch Hollis realise that maybe the traditions she was so upset about missing aren’t really what matters most. And maybe she can make new traditions with new people. I loved the chemistry between her and Jay, and how their relationship developed, and Marv was a fantastic, very funny character!

Highly recommend picking this one up when it releases on 30th October. Huge thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

oh everyone needs to read this book. what a gorgeous time i just had. this was a book i thought would be lovely but went above and beyond that and then some. this is how to comfort people via a book. this is how to make people smile from head to toe from heart to soul.
i am even more impressed when authors manage to somehow give us a whole story in this space and pages. and somehow when done right it actually feels more special and hits with a deeper impact. because only whats very needed has to be inside. there is no room for fluff or mistakes. you've got this short window to take people through your whole journey as an author. that is pressure.
but Ashley has done this to perfection.
the characters were just as cherished. the plot took you all the way from start to finish. you have the main ones that hold your heart and you have the side ones who are just as important and special in their own right. i mean come on, you all know which characters im talking about here.
Hollis learns a lot about Christmas and the beauty of what that means and how could she not with the help of Jay. i mean Jay...swooooooooooooooooooon. but Hollis right from the start had my heart. i wanted to scoop her up, i wanted to be alongside her and support her and big her up but i also wanted to show her how to hold on to the brightness again. with every no point we meet with her i was rooting for her more and more. if anyone was about to come and cross my gal they'd better be warned.
the plot sparkles alongside the characters in this book. you have the humour, the depth and the love in all senses of the word.
this is a short novella but somehow we still get the perfect balance between Jay and Hollis. we still got to see how much they might change or learn within themselves and each other. we still got to fall in love. but wow did i not want this book to end.
i actually got sad when this book ended. but i mean that because this book was just too good. this book needs buying for everyone then kept on every persons bookshelf forever more. they can look over to it every now and then and remember to smile

Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Manley, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for a digital ARC of The Holiday Club.

I am not a novella girlie, but the excitement I felt when I was approved for this was unmatched. Ashley Manley has easily become one of my favorite authors and this Christmas novella did not dissapoint. I don't know how she does it, but her books are sheer perfection. I loved it and want everyone to read. The first chapter had me LIVID! Then the bowling alley and Jay. The moustache, who would have thought! Perfect read to tide me over until her next release.

I have *one* thing I wish she had done differently, and that's do an epilogue a year later. I wanted that SO bad, but not enough to knock it down a star.

THE MOST PERFECT HOLIDAY NOVELLA!!!! I love Ashley Manley's writing, that's no secret, and The Holiday Club didn't lack anything due to the lesser pages. Somehow Ashley packed every page with heart and soul. She brought the magic of Christmas to life with her characters and story. Love everything about this book.

5 BRIGHT & GLOWING STARS!!!! 🙌🏻

You can’t help but fall in love with Hollis,Jay & even crazy Marv.

So so good. 😆🥰🛸🎳🎄🎅😻🎃

As a mom who went through a divorce when my daughter was five and had to share holidays with my ex, I really connected with Hollis and understood how she was feeling.

It’s tough to pull off fully developed characters and a satisfying story in a novella, but Ashley does it like a pro. Her talent shines on every single page. I especially loved Marv and his coded text messages. He reminds me of a couple of my own family members 😆 Jay was just perfect. The chemistry and spice between him and Hollis 🙌🏻 Spot on. 🔥

If you’re looking for a holiday read that has it all…heart, humor, and heat… The Holiday Club is it! I found myself giggling throughout (one of my favorite things about Ashley’s writing). Her quirky, awkward FMC comments are just chef’s kiss. “Big gloves.” 😂🧤

Thank you Ashley for the arc.
I loved every single page. Never stop writing!!

Release date 10/30/25. Preorder the kindle version now and then buy the physical book on release day. 🙌🏻 This is certainly one you will need for your shelf.

This book was like a warm chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven. Is there anything better?? I loved it. It was sweet, full of holiday cheer and had the perfect amount of spice. It made me laugh out loud. Hollis is a woman after my own heart and Jay is the man we all need. Mustache and all. And no story is complete without the kooky side kick. Marv had me cackling. Definitely add this book to your Holiday reading list!
Thank you Ashley Manley & NetGalley for the EARC!

Let me start by saying I'm not a huge fan of novella's. They always feel like I went from having an appetizer at a dinner party and skipping right over the main menu all the while heading face planted firmly in the dessert. It never feels fulfilling and even can leave you feeling like something is missing. I tell you all this because I tend to find myself reading a novella with a little chip on my shoulder (which is probably not the best way to start a galley book review.. LOL) But, I'm here to tell you that I was pleasantly surprised and maybe even a little impressed that I was enjoying this Christmas Novella by Ashely Manley so much so that while I wanted more, I am also feeling that special buzz of afterglow from a really well-told story. Yes, we would LOVE to see the years and years that followed Hollis and Jay (and Marv.... let's not forget this special friend that probably knows TOO much about TOO much) but at the same time... this book fulfilled my desire to get into the holiday spirit. Dare I say even find my own way of shaking up my traditions that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and tired.

Hollis's ex-husband is a cheating jerk who knows that the holidays mean so much more to her than most people. In an effort to get back at her for getting half in the divorce, he is forcing her to give up all her holidays for one year with their 4 children. The agreement is 1 whole year switched back and forth spending time with the kids for the holidays. He literally is trying to hurt her by making this part of the divorce agreement. So she agrees to this and it leads her to find two men at the bowling alley who have devised their own holiday traditions better known as "The Holiday Club". There's so much warmth and raw honesty to the way this couple slowly reveals their feelings and "really LIKE likes each other"., The scene when Jay takes Hollis to a combined business of pancakes and oddities because she likes that mash up of the strange in one location was the moment I could tell Jay had just hooked her completely! (also loved the little nod to Now to Forever with the mention of Ledger and the birding store and boxing gym!). The little gems sprinkled in Hollis's articles were so brilliantly done that I had to screen shot and save a few of my favorite quotes. The definition of tradition really hit home for me when she said that that it's like an unwrapped present that you find another layer of paper beneath.... I love this because the mystery of it all is what do YOU make of your holiday. HOW do you make it something special for you and your loved ones. Finally, the best ending is when you realize that you have felt the love of the characters, you would love to hang out with these people and you contemplate the deeper meaning of what's it all for! Like Ashley writes " The season is far from black and white. It's an iridescent blend of reds, greens and every other color. It changes based on what we need! You know you've read something good when you will be thinking about a certain line from a book long after you've closed the last page! Dammit, Ashley... I cannot hate a novella length book anymore! Thanks *eye roll*

Novellas often leave me wanting more and a bit…underwhelmed. I’m so glad that this time, it was not at all the case! This story was a super sweet tale of learning to appreciate the small things and let go of control to just embrace the messy chaos we call life. I really loved and related to Hollis, our female main character - mom of four and maker of Christmas magic for her family. When life throws her a holiday curve ball, she meets Jay and Marv when she’s hitting her version of rock bottom despair. I won’t give away spoilers but I’ll say that this romantic holiday adventure was as sweet as it was spicy and I really enjoyed it (though I’m not surprised because I have loved Manley’s other books as well!).

Thank you so much NetGalley and Ashley Manley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions are my own.