Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy.

Who knew I would read a festive romance before Christmas? I didn’t think I would but with The Ex-Mas Holidays I didn’t mind getting a festive read in early.

Read if you love:
- Festive reads
- Meet cutes
- Second chance romances

The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

It’s hard to escape your ex when you’re working together over Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, but being stuck together might be the best possible present in this sparkling new contemporary romance.
 
Maya Bashir is dreading her drive home for Christmas and having to explain that she's just left her high-paying job and a long-term relationship, so a brief detour to her friend’s festive party doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. Until Maya walks in to find the last person she wants to see. Sam, the boy who broke her heart eight years ago. And he’s serving drinks. Naked.
 
Sam Holland is working an extra job on the sly to help his friend get by. But little did he expect Maya Bashir to come barrelling back into his life, learning about his secret side-hustle and taking back her old job alongside him at his daytime role as a ski instructor on the slopes of the Scottish Highlands.
 
As both Sam and Maya realize that their reason for heartbreak so many years ago wasn’t entirely as it seemed, they must learn to stand up for what they want the most…or else miss their second chance at love.

My Opinion

This is a second chance, festive romance - what is holding you back? This is the first book I have read by Zoe Allison but I picked this book as it has a beautiful cover, and I haven't regretted it. This has a slow-burn romance and is such a festive book that it is going to be a great addition to any festive reading list.

Rating 4/5

★★★✩✩

While The Ex-Mas Holidays tries to deliver a feel-good enemies-to-lovers romance, it ultimately falls a little short. The Scottish Highlands make a charming holiday setting, but the story relies too heavily on a tired miscommunication plot device. The central relationship lacks the fiery chemistry you expect from a good enemies-to-lovers tale. Still, Zoe Allison's easy writing style makes this a pleasant enough read for when you're in the mood for something lighthearted. Just don't expect to be swept off your feet. With stronger character development and a fresher storyline, this could have been a true seasonal delight. As is, it's a mediocre 3-star read.

The meet-cute in this book is the most hilarious I have read in ages! It sets the tone of fun in the story, but this is also full of emotional growth and a glorious slow burn. The friendships and family around the main couple are just as important and it’s all surrounded by a gorgeous snowy, Christmas setting.

This was a perfect cosy, feel-good story for the holiday period! Maya and Sam's second-chance romance was very lovely to read. I would definitely recommend this to friends and family.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc for an exchange with an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison. A lovely Christmassy read but not just a book to read at Christmas, you can read it whenever you like. A great easy to read book, it hooked me in straight away. The main characters Sam and Maya were likeable. Maya recently made redundant goes back home and bumps into her ex Sam. Story was set in the Scottish Highlands and skiing featured through the book as this is where Sam and then Maya work. A great read.

This was a cute read and I liked how the author wrote about experiences in a mixed race family & when a friend is in a toxic relationship. Both of which were covered very well.

Thank you to netgalley for the book.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an enjoyable, easy read and Maya and Sam were engaging lead characters. The supporting cast were also well developed and believable.

Imagine you’ve just been made redundant, you’re long term relationship is over and you’re on your way to move back in with your parents. Horrendous right? But then when you stop at your friends on the way for a party, it gets worse, the guy from home who broke your heart is there, and he’s naked working as a naked waiter. This is literally what happens to Maya. Then she ends up working with him…
On the other hand, Sam is working an extra job to try to get some extra money to help a friend out, when his ex who didn’t think he was good enough for her walks in to the party. Then his car brakes down and he’s miles from home on a freezing cold frosty night.

This was a slow starter for me. It was told from a dual perspective which was good BUT it meant that it was really obvious what the ‘twist’ was and I was just reading waiting for them to work it out. It was a warm and fuzzy festive read though and it made me really want to go skiing in Scotland…

I really enjoyed this as a book full of miscommunication leading to a second chance romance. I really hope we will get Liv and Arran’s story and Elise and Nico’s in the future. I believe it’s being hinted at and then we can see Sam and Maya’s relationship progress.

Sam & Maya run into each other after 8 years while he is a butler in the buff for one of her friends parties. Sam needs the extra cash as his ski instructor gig isn't enough and Maya is back home after loosing her accounting job and splitting from her boyfriend.

The ski resort needs an extra pair of hands and as Maya used to work there she voulenters, but with Sam & Maya back working together it seems unresolved feelings might be coming back.

Alot if this book is the miscommunication trope which I normally like to see resolved quite quickly but tbh there was alot going on which leant into the story really well.

I also liked the take on Sam's relationship wirh his current girlfriend which highlights her gaslighting him and him not realising and the issues around that, it was a nice change from always being the FMC in the toxic relationship. Maya really does help Sam push through with his issues and you can tell the love between them is still there.

A cosy second chance romance. The festive setting was so cosy and I really enjoyed the UK setting.

Maya and Sam were both likeable main characters which made them easy to root for. There were also great secondary characters that enriched the story.

There is some miscommunication in this book but it’s done really well so don’t let that put you off.

It was such a cute and enjoyable read, I’d definitely recommend you give it a try for the festive period!

This was a perfect cosy, feel-good story for the Christmas period! I really enjoyed my time reading Maya and Sam's second-chance romance, it was beautiful.

This was a cute and enjoyable read! I loved the second chance vibes and it was so fun to read. Miscommunication is often NOT my fave but it was done with more depth in this book and worked well.
I absolutely loved the setting, so snowy and festive, and I liked the ski resort and the passion people had for skiing. Both characters were really likeable and I was rooting for them to end up together. At points, the book was a little slower pace than I usually like from a romance, and it was definitely a slow burn, but it was worth the wait.
Overall, a lovely christmassy read full of heart, romance, second chances and hope.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for this E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A fun Christmassy read. Exactly what you’d expect from the title and cover really. The beginning is super fun and provides a lot of background for the past and it’ll make you smile a lot. I enjoyed the characters in this and loved the family dynamic too. I’d read this each year for sure. Fun.

I loved the setting of the story, it had the cosy Christmas vibes I was hoping for. I also love that this is set in the UK.

There's great humour and the characters were a lot of fun! I wasn't a fan of the cheating though (emotional cheating) and miscommunication isn't really something I like in a book. Things could have been resolved with one conversation.

But I like Zoe's writing and will definitely look out for her books on the future. This one just wasn't my cup of tea :)

A good Christmas romance. Misunderstandings in the past, reconnection, make friends, 'just have the talk already!' Took a whole to get there, but worth it!

Firstly, a big thank you to HQ Stories and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a 4/4.5 star read for me. This book is a delightful, romance filled, festive read. I love Christmas, and this had such a Christmassy vibe to it. Romance and Christmas… What’s not to love???

Maya and Sam are great characters who are absolutely destined to be together, and this book follows them as they try to find a second chance at love with one another. Their interactions feel very natural, and I liked that it was a slow burn romance, nothing felt forced or rushed.

This book may be full of festive cheer and a desire for old lovers to reunite, but it also explores deeper issues such as emotionally abusive/toxic relationships and finding your own path in life, straying from what is expected of us or what people want for us. It’s about finding your happiness, and this book shows that sometimes, our happiness can come from unexpected places.

This book contains great side characters which help bring the plot to life. Some side characters can fade into the background, but these ones definitely didn’t, and I loved that.

This is definitely a must read this Christmas.

I know I know I’m reading a Christmas book and it’s in November but my god this book was the tonic I needed. I loved this little festive romance with the enemies to lovers vibe. I was laughing from the first chapter and it never failed to put a smile on my face. However the mental abuse in a relationship was a little hard to read as that hit very close to home for me but overall loved the book.