This book has some of my least favorite tropes and still manages to work. I’m not quite sure what Zoe Allison put into Ex-Mas Holidays but I definitely want more of it!

The MMC, Sam, has a girlfriend for half the book! This is a second chance between teenage sweethearts who broke up over a “silly” miscommunication! The FMC, Maya, has kind of a mean dad! Sam’s girlfriend is The Worst™️ on page for many chapters! AND YET… I loved this.

The vibe is very Talia Hibbert. Scotland but modern and highly multicultural. Casual queerness. Small town but realistic. Festive but homey and approachable. Sweet enough to draw you in and real enough to make you feel things. Great banter, and a really highly unlikable villain. So yeah, Sam has a girlfriend and this is a second chance between high school sweethearts who broke up due to miscommunication but just take my word for it. It’s great. 

I loved how deeply this book delved into emotional intimate partner abuse and had that script gender flipped (Sam’s girlfriend is super manipulative and emotionally abusive to him). The resolution to that plot line is really satisfying but I know that can be hard for some readers to experience so be ready. Additionally Maya’s family troubles were so super realistic and well done. Her dad is really hard on her and expects the moon and stars, but again, the way this plot line resolves will make your heart grow three sizes.

👍🏻Recommended! Fans of contemporary Christmas romance and Talia Hibbert will enjoy this one. Skiers will probably like it even more.