A review by judeinthestars
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

My first Christmas review of the year! Ashley Herring Blake knows how to write a romcom, obviously, and I knew I could count on her to ease me into the Christmas cheer. In Make the Season Bright, Charlotte and Brighton went from childhood best friends to lovers. Then Brighton left Charlotte at the altar and now, five years later, they find themselves stuck in the same place for Christmas, both having been invited by their respective best friends. Charlotte is all closed off, as the result of Brighton’s betrayal but also because of her uninterested mother, whereas Brighton is outgoing, with very loving and supportive parents. Both of them are musicians, Charlotte plays the violin in a quartet she founded, Brighton is languishing in Nashville after her band found success without her.

As in the Bright Falls series, there’s a fun cast of secondary characters, most of whom would make interesting MCs should the author decide to write spin-offs.

I really enjoyed this audiobook in an easy, lazy way. It’s the equivalent of a Hallmark movie, everyone is too beautiful, too witty, too funny, which is exactly what I want from a book like this. I don’t care if most of it is improbable, if the setting is this impossibly perfect winter wonderland, or whatever. I didn’t expect anything groundbreaking. I just wanted some Christmas spirit, and some romance, and I got all of that.

Kristen DiMercurio’s narration is as good as usual, even though her male voices aren’t always deep enough—I know I’m stereotyping but it’s an audiobook, and the only thing that kept me from confusing one of the guys with one of the female characters was his British accent. Other than that, the rhythm, the tone, the energy were great. And the cover is another very fitting illustration by Leni Kauffman, showcasing the distinctive silver in Charlotte’s hair.

Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDHqlCsIXR4/

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars