Make The Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake | Audiobook Review

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Two exes find themselves stuck at the same house for Christmas in this holiday romance by Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn't Date.

It's been five years since Charlotte Donovan was ditched at the altar by her ex-fiancée, and she’s doing more than okay. Sure, her single mother never checks in, but she has her strings ensemble, the Rosalind Quartet, and her life in New York is a dream come true. As the holidays draw near, her ensemble mate Sloane persuades Charlotte and the rest of the quartet to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado—it is much cozier and quieter than Manhattan, and it would guarantee more practice time for the quartet’s upcoming tour. But when Charlotte arrives, she discovers that Sloane’s sister Adele also brought a friend home—and that friend is none other than her ex, Brighton.

All Brighton Fairbrook wanted was to have the holliest, jolliest Christmas—and try to forget that her band kicked her out. But instead, she’s stuck pretending like she and her ex are strangers—which proves to be difficult when Sloane and Adele’s mom signs them all up for a series of Christmas dating events. Charlotte and Brighton are soon entrenched in horseback riding and cookie decorating, but Charlotte still won’t talk to her. Brighton can hardly blame her after what she did.

After a few days, however, things start to slip through. Memories. Music. The way they used to play together—Brighton on guitar, Charlotte on her violin—and it all feels painfully familiar. But it’s all in the past and nothing can melt the ice in their hearts...right?

Why Did I Listen To Make The Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake?

Well, it turns out that November has me feeling the holiday vibes. Plus I needed a little bit of a pick me up after the election news and what better than a sapphic Christmas romance. Make The Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake came into my life at the right time. Also, audiobook meant I could get to it much faster than planned – thank goodness!

What’s The Story Here?

Five years ago Charlotte was left at the altar. She has moved on and now she is in a string quartet called The Rosalind Quartet. She has new plans for her holidays. Charlotte will be going home with one of the members of the quartet to spend the holidays in Colorado. Only when she gets there it turns out that Sloane, the person whose home she goes to, has a sister, Adele. That sister has also brought a guest, none other than Charlotte’s ex-fiance, Brighton. It is about to get real awkward real quick. Brighton and Adele get signed up for a series of holiday events and it turns out that the past comes rushing in.

How Did I Like Make The Season Bright?

I found that I greatly enjoyed Make The Season Bright. I love that it depicts queer joy — an act of resistance these days, am I right? It has a compelling storyline. Brighton and Charlotte are interesting. Brighton has this special song she wrote basically stolen from her by this band that she is kicked out of and the band hits it big. That is a whole other layer. We have second chance romance as a trope. We have there is only one bed. And! Fake dating! I loved it. I will be checking out more books by this author. Oh and the narration is wonderful too. Kristen DiMercurio is the narrator and has an easy to listen to voice – no notes on what could be improved. It is 10 hours and 26 minutes long.

On A Scale Of One To Buddy The Elf, How Much Holiday Spirit Does Make The Season Bright Have?

There are dating competition related events – from horseback riding to baking. We also have cabins and a snow storm. This book has all the charm and all the holiday spirit. I would certainly recommend to all who enjoy that sort of thing – ie people with similar taste in books to me.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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