ashleyholstrom's Reviews (1.38k)

Whew.

Bee’s mega-successful career as an adult film star takes a turn when her producer casts her in a PG Christmas movie. She’s thrilled about the chance to share her career with a wider audience, but terrified of her identity as Bianca von Honey coming out and ruining the film. Her co-star, Nolan, is an ex-boy band member whose posters she had covering every inch of her teenage bedroom. Oh, and he’s a loyal subscriber to her ClosedDoors account. They’re both trying to have a fresh start in their careers, but things immediately get spicy between them. When they hook up and quickly fall in love on set, things get messy. Secrets can never stay hidden, and there’s so much at stake. But can love conquer it all? You betcha!

✨ From Stay Warm with These Holiday Romances at Crooked Reads, a monthly collection of bite-sized reviews of three books on a theme.

It’s only fitting that on the night Eli Ward returns home for Christmas after years away, he runs into his still-hot, still-charming ex-boyfriend. Eli’s a different person now—post-transition, sober, and recently unemployed after his TV writing gig blew up—and it takes Nick a moment to put the pieces together after their carts bumped into each other. They hang out for the remainder of the holidays, both unsure if the flames are really being rekindled or not. Second Chances in New Port Stephen is such a sweet and funny book about family and love and identity.

✨ From Stay Warm with These Holiday Romances at Crooked Reads, a monthly collection of bite-sized reviews of three books on a theme.

Dani’s given up on love. Her ex was garbage and inspired her to create a list of things she’ll never again do for a man. Max is heir to the Duke of Aquilla and a recovering fuckboy. When the two meet during the holiday season, all is great. They both want nothing to do with love! How convenient! But this is a romance novel we’re talking about, and Max’s father is pressuring him to find a suitable bride. When Dani and Max fall for each other, it’s in slow and sweet moments over the course of a few years, meeting up whenever Max is in New York. In between visits, their text conversations are full of the wittiest banter. And when they admit their feelings for each other, it’s just lovely.

✨ From Stay Warm with These Holiday Romances at Crooked Reads, a monthly collection of bite-sized reviews of three books on a theme.

they're so ANNOYING but the spice is nice so