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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fun, spicy Christmas in July romance! I loved the premise and enjoyed the bi representation. The narration was great and really brought Mariah and Ellie to life! There is a lot of spice at the beginning of the story!
One of my main issues with the story was the inclusion of the movie scenes. I felt like they distracted from the main story and didn’t really add anything. Every time I heard an excerpt from the movie it took me out of the budding romance between Mariah and Ellie! My other issue was the at times cringy and juvenile dialogue. Plus the scene with the lube on the ground just wasn’t funny to me.
Overall, it’s a cute holiday romance, but a bit more spicy and juvenile than I typically like. I think a lot of readers will really enjoy it though!
We all love those cheesy Christmas movies and this book is a behind the camera cheesy love story. This books is perfect for those who want to start reading MF and FF romance.
Mariah and Ellie meet on the set of a Christmas movie, and while Ellie is all smiles, Mariah is just trying to do her job. And as the story goes on they realize they do have more in common than they thought. They both are "dating" the same guy, who is feeding them both lines about wanting to be with them and building a future. So when they find this out, they come up with some ideas for revenge. (Think Home Alone and John Tucker Must Die). And through their time planning revenge and Mariah crashing at Ellie's AirBNB they get closer and Ellie realizes she may be into girls after all.
I loved being able to read about the movie as well, I liked that we got those scenes to see why Ellie should be a lead role actress.
BI/Lesbian Romance
Workplace Romance
Grumpy/Sunshine
Meet Cute
Friends/Lovers
I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Lauren Sweet and Angelina Rocca did an amazing job narrating this audiobook.
Mariah and Ellie meet on the set of a Christmas movie, and while Ellie is all smiles, Mariah is just trying to do her job. And as the story goes on they realize they do have more in common than they thought. They both are "dating" the same guy, who is feeding them both lines about wanting to be with them and building a future. So when they find this out, they come up with some ideas for revenge. (Think Home Alone and John Tucker Must Die). And through their time planning revenge and Mariah crashing at Ellie's AirBNB they get closer and Ellie realizes she may be into girls after all.
I loved being able to read about the movie as well, I liked that we got those scenes to see why Ellie should be a lead role actress.
BI/Lesbian Romance
Workplace Romance
Grumpy/Sunshine
Meet Cute
Friends/Lovers
I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Lauren Sweet and Angelina Rocca did an amazing job narrating this audiobook.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to Harlequin audio, Lindsay Maple, and NetGalley for an ALC of this book! Thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Overall, this was such a cute and enjoyable listen!! It’s also the perfect listen or read for anyone wanting to read queer rep for Pride, but Christmas is their favorite holiday or time of the year. It gives the perfect Christmas during summer vibes when there’s talk of the fake snow, needing AC, overheating in sweaters, but still has the cozy feel of a Christmas time love story. It also has a good grumpy x sunshine trope and are also somewhat an “opposites attract” situation that balance each other out well.
I loved the premise of it starting with the two women finding out they’re seeing the same guy, guy lying when asked about exclusivity, and then them pranking said guy and falling for each other in the process! I liked that one already knew she’s bi and the other having a realization about her sexuality during the story, but I do wish there was a bit more discussion around that realization. It seemed like a flip was switched and that was that, she was all good to go. Maybe it’s like that for some people, but for me and others I know, there might be a specific moment of realization but that came with time for processing after, and that seemed a bit glazed over.
Again, I loved the premise of this story and think it’s a very cute story and would recommend it for a fun Christmas-y story with bi rep! It’s just that one thing that took me a tiny bit out of the story for a moment (but got back into it quickly after).
Overall, this was such a cute and enjoyable listen!! It’s also the perfect listen or read for anyone wanting to read queer rep for Pride, but Christmas is their favorite holiday or time of the year. It gives the perfect Christmas during summer vibes when there’s talk of the fake snow, needing AC, overheating in sweaters, but still has the cozy feel of a Christmas time love story. It also has a good grumpy x sunshine trope and are also somewhat an “opposites attract” situation that balance each other out well.
I loved the premise of it starting with the two women finding out they’re seeing the same guy, guy lying when asked about exclusivity, and then them pranking said guy and falling for each other in the process! I liked that one already knew she’s bi and the other having a realization about her sexuality during the story, but I do wish there was a bit more discussion around that realization. It seemed like a flip was switched and that was that, she was all good to go. Maybe it’s like that for some people, but for me and others I know, there might be a specific moment of realization but that came with time for processing after, and that seemed a bit glazed over.
Again, I loved the premise of this story and think it’s a very cute story and would recommend it for a fun Christmas-y story with bi rep! It’s just that one thing that took me a tiny bit out of the story for a moment (but got back into it quickly after).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Death
References to offpage drug use and an overdose death (does not happen to any characters in the story, it’s part of a story from a character’s past).
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank you Harlequin Audio, NetGalley, and author Lindsay Maple for an advanced listener copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Holly Jolly July brings us Ellie - a super perky Christmas Loving supporting actress and her makeup artist Mariah. Mariah is back in the hometown she has avoided for years as a makeup artist for a holiday film. Initially irritated by Ellie’s steady upbeat chatter, they ultimately bond over stories of the hot guys they are hooking up with. When they find out their guys are cheating on them, Ellie and Mariah set out for revenge - “Home Alone” style.
What follows had me laughing out loud at the situations these two get themselves into. Think Lucy & Ethel vibes. This book brings us grumpy/sunshine, sapphic romance, friends to lovers and a story within a story.
While we have the main story arc, we also have scenes from the movie Ellie is filming. I found myself wishing the movie story had a pull and chemistry similar to the main story. But that was the only slight miss for me.
Our narrators, Lauren Sweet and Angelina Rocca were terrific! They were so engaging I did want to stop listening!!! The spice was spicing, the antics had me laughing - and they easily transitioned from tender and serious to silly and angry.
This audiobook was a delight and I recommend if you could use a little holiday magic, some laughs and a side of spice.
I SWEAR THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR ME WOW.
I loved the bisexual rep, and the two different ways the women found their way into their own sexuality. I thought Ellie's story was SO relatable and vulnerable. Mariah's story was also a classic case of queer girls not knowing how to navigate friendships without feelings. I really enjoyed both women so much, and when they were together they were the perfect grumpy/sunshine pairing.
The Christmas theme that Ellie brings to her method acting was absolutely adorable and something I would totally do. I loved that she fully committed to it and that she loved Christmas so much.
The movie scenes were an unexpected bonus. That cheesy/hallmark holiday movie vibe was perfect. I loved that literally everyone acknowledges that they're not the best movies, they're predictable, corny and sometimes outright terrible, yet we all love them. Getting to know Annie and James with their little Christmas romance was honestly so precious. Plus I predicted the ending, and it was still so satisfying.
Mariah's personal trauma with her family and having to revisit her family home was also really well written. She clearly had some unresolved feelings there and the author treated her story with respect.
Lastly, without spoiling the entire thing because I loved it so much, THE PRANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Childish? Absolutely. Hilarious? Ab-so-fucking-lutely. They were all hilarious and I was laughing out loud on several occasions.
BRAVO. Loved this book. Love Lindsay Maple and I cannot wait to read what she writes next!
I loved the bisexual rep, and the two different ways the women found their way into their own sexuality. I thought Ellie's story was SO relatable and vulnerable. Mariah's story was also a classic case of queer girls not knowing how to navigate friendships without feelings. I really enjoyed both women so much, and when they were together they were the perfect grumpy/sunshine pairing.
The Christmas theme that Ellie brings to her method acting was absolutely adorable and something I would totally do. I loved that she fully committed to it and that she loved Christmas so much.
The movie scenes were an unexpected bonus. That cheesy/hallmark holiday movie vibe was perfect. I loved that literally everyone acknowledges that they're not the best movies, they're predictable, corny and sometimes outright terrible, yet we all love them. Getting to know Annie and James with their little Christmas romance was honestly so precious. Plus I predicted the ending, and it was still so satisfying.
Mariah's personal trauma with her family and having to revisit her family home was also really well written. She clearly had some unresolved feelings there and the author treated her story with respect.
Lastly, without spoiling the entire thing because I loved it so much, THE PRANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Childish? Absolutely. Hilarious? Ab-so-fucking-lutely. They were all hilarious and I was laughing out loud on several occasions.
BRAVO. Loved this book. Love Lindsay Maple and I cannot wait to read what she writes next!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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!!
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!!
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.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death, Car accident
slow-paced
📖 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 side 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 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.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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)
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)