This is hands-down the best holiday romance I've had the pleasure of reading. By a mile. If this book doesn't get made into a Hallmark Christmas movie, then it will just be further proof that something is terribly, terribly wrong with this world. ;-) Seriously, even though I love those cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, I tend to avoid the holiday romance books because I usually come away unsatisfied. And now it will be worse because this book will be the one that all others are compared to in my mind, and I already expect that they'll come up lacking. I took a chance on this one because I've enjoyed Ms. Layne's books in the past, and she definitely worked her usual magic in this one. The adorable banter, the laugh-out-loud moments, the quirky 8-ball carrying heroine, the sexy-as-sin hero, and the need-a-fan-to-get-through-the-sexy-times-without-melting chemistry all work together to make this one of my favorite reads by Ms. Layne. I could not get enough of Kelly and Mark, and I devoured this in one sitting because I could not bring myself to take a break until I knew how these two found their way from best friends to soulmates. How does Ms. Layne produce this stuff? I have no clue. But I'm pretty sure she's fueled by some kind of otherworldly power and has put a spell on me because I'm totally enamored of her and her work. I asked my own Magic 8 Ball if Ms. Layne is the High Priestess of Rom-Com, and it said, "You can't handle the Truth!" I'll just take that as a yes.

This little gem is everything a reader could want in a Lauren Layne book!

Whether you are new to LL or a long time fan, you are in for a big treat with An Ex for Christmas. This story is filled with tons of humor and that perfect amount of chemistry between the characters that makes a reader swoon. Most importantly....there is banter, lots of it! Readers of Lauren Layne know that NO ONE does witty banter like she does!

28-year-old Kelly Byrne is an elementary school teacher at an elite private school in Manhattan during the week, but on the weekends she travels a few hours north to her hometown in upstate NY to visit her parents and stay in the house her grandmother left her when she passed away. Her neighbor and best friend since high school, Mark, lives in the house right behind hers and their backyards, well, back up to each other, so they are permanent fixtures in each other's life and even co-parent a dog together. For ten years they have been through both good and bad times, relationships and break ups, and are as close as two friends can be.

A few days before Christmas, highly superstitious Kelly has a very brief encounter with a mysterious woman (I have my own theory on how this woman came to find her, but I will let you draw your own conclusions) who tells her that she has already met her one true love and that she will be with him on Christmas morning. This sets Kelly's wheels turning and makes her think that her one true love must be a guy from her past; and she is determined to reunite with each of her ex boyfriends over the next week to find out which of them is her soulmate. She enlists a rather unwilling Mark in her crazy scheme, and while she crashes and burns with each guy as she goes down the list, she is blind to see that Mark is on the sidelines totally and completely in love with her.

During her little project Kelly begins to feel a strange attraction to Mark that she never felt before, but quickly pushes it aside thinking that the right guy for her has to be one from the list. She considers herself rather average and doesn't think that a guy as good looking or successful as Mark could have any interest in her as more than a friend until he starts acting a bit strange as well. This creates some really hot tension between them, which leads to lots of steam and also lots of heartbreak.

Quite simply, I hung on every...single...word!

I am not usually a fan of holiday romances, as I tend to find them to be very cheesy. It's not that I don't possess the holiday spirit, but its more like I don't like unrealistic, fairytale-type stories. I prefer a little realism and grit in the books I read. This story was perfectly balanced. The characters are totally down-to-earth and relatable, but there is that little spark of joy that can only be felt during the holiday season, and a small town in upstate NY in the winter was the perfect setting.

I absolutely loved this book! It is definitely up there with my other all time favorite Lauren Layne stories!

Lauren Layne has quickly become one of my go to authors and I have to say, I absolutely loved An Ex for Christmas!!!

Kelly is a fun loving teacher who is looking forward to Christmas break. Sending her parents on an anniversary trip means that Kelly will be alone this Christmas. Except she does have her neighbor and best friend Mark to enjoy the holidays with.

When Kelly makes it her mission to go thru her ex list and find her one true love, taking Mark along with her for the ride, the relationship between the two best friends becomes strained.

Kelly is looking for the love of her life and Mark is trying to get Kelly to see what is right in front of her face for the last ten years.

An Ex for Christmas was a fun, magical and had me laughing and crying at the same time. It will definitely be a book that I go back and read it all over again!! This is one of the best holiday books I’ve ever read and I hope to see more about Mark and Kelly!

A must read!!

She is a teacher and its the last day of sxhool for winter break. He is a cook n owner of a restaurant he is also her best friend for years. They know so much about each other. She starts looking at him different when some feelings come forward. She tried to stay in the friend zone but he n her have this connection that is strong n undeniable. I enjoyed this book very much.

Friends to lovers, unrequited love, loving from afar and something always sexy happening in the kitchen -- these are the things that I've grown to love in Ms Layne's books. I've yet to find one that I won't speed read through and speed re-read again. Characters are always memorable; not just the main ones. I can't help but wonder what their love stories are. The banter is great and the characters say stuff that I would actually say in real life. You made me happy, Ms Layne. COngratulations and more power.

After the last kiddo exits her classroom Kelly Byrne starts to feel a little giddy because her Christmas vacation is now underway, and this year she is celebrating it a little differently... she has two weeks to herself and she couldn't be more excited. She is ready to go home and get her vacation started, but before she gets there she bumps into a woman who knows a little more about her than she is comfortable with, the woman claims to be a physic and is certain that Kelly's holiday is about to take a romantic turn. She tells her that one of her ex's is about to come back into her life and sweep her off her feet, so Kelly decides to embrace the woman's prediction and creates an ex-list to narrow down "the one" she is meant to be with. But there is one man that is not on the list and should be... her best friend Mark!

Mark Blakely has had a special place in his heart for his best friend Kelly for years, in hopes that one day it may become more, but Kelly seems to be oblivious to his feelings for her. He has watched her go on date after date, and been there to pick up the pieces after each heartbreak she has had. And now that she has this idea that one of her ex's is supposed to be her "one", Mark is having a hard time watching her set herself up for heartbreak all over again... why can't she see he is the one meant to be the keeper of her heart?

Oh how I loved this story, as soon as I cracked the cover Ms. Layne's wonderful characters took over, and took me on a blissful little literary journey. These two have danced around each other for years, one never knowing that love was possible between them, and the other dying to explore the feelings he felt, and once they both found themselves on the same page it was literary magic! The story line came with lots of moments to love, moments that brought smiles and laughs, and moments that had the room temperature rising a few notches. If you decide to pick up a holiday read this year, make it this one, Ms. Layne's wonderfully crafted story will warm you heart and put you in the holiday spirit!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Lauren Layne is so darn good at writing crisp characters and witty dialogue. The people she creates are so tangible, I always feel like I could stumble upon any one of them in my local coffee shop.

An Ex for Christmas is a friends to lovers story, my very favorite type, and it didn't disappoint. Oh and the Love Actually moment, my heart! The only thing that could have made the story better for me would be if it were told from dual POVs.

Anytime you get a chance to read a Lauren Layne romance, I recommend you go ALL IN. An Ex for Christmas is just one more example why I'll continue to do just that.

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Yet, this matters little, since I’m waiting on the release when I can buy a copy for my best friend so we can moon over it together.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lauren Layne's book are my guilty pleasure! I love them so much! And now An Ex for Christmas?!? OMG I was so happy. This was like the best Christmas type Hallmark movie ever!
Kelly Byrne thinks she is going get back together with an ex by Christmas to make what a psychic come to reality. The problem is, she doesn't know which one. So she goes through her list of exes.

Mark Blakely has been Kelly's friend for years. Nothing more. He isn't an ex, so Kelly is kind of missing what has been in front of her face for years.

Now, at Christmas time, they might see what has been there for years!

4.5 Stars!!!

An Ex for Christmas is the story of Kelly, a woman who believes in fate, horoscopes, and asking her Magic 8 Ball to help her make decisions. When a psychic tells Kelly she's going to be reunited with her true love this Christmas, Kelly takes upon herself to track down all of her ex-boyfriends to figure out which one might the guy for her.

As Kelly reconnects with her exes, none of them create the spark she expects. The only sparks Kelly's feeling are with her best friend, Mark. But Mark's never been interested in Kelly in that way...or has he?

If you want a book that is going to put you in the holiday spirit, look no further. Lauren Layne has got you covered with An Ex for Christmas. This holiday gem was filled with entertaining characters, wonderfully romantic moments, and so much Christmas cheer I almost couldn't stand it.

Kelly was a hoot. This woman took her psychic revelations seriously. She counted on that Magic 8 Ball more than anyone ever should. That's what made her so perfect, though. Kelly was so influenced by possibilities that she couldn't see the realities in front of her. I felt bad for poor Mark. He was a great guy, and he loved that girl so much. I knew if Mark could just get Kelly's head out of the clouds for a moment, she would realize the person she was looking for was right in front of her.

One of my favorite thing about An Ex for Christmas was how seriously Kelly took celebrating the holidays. She put so much energy into creating a merry Christmas. It didn't matter if it was decorating or dressing up, she was always distributing joy around town.

This book was just so much fun. I really, truly believe that the Hallmark Channel needs to make An Ex for Christmas into a holiday movie. It has everything a viewer could want out of a Christmas love story.

Kelly is one of those over the top happy, loving, everyone's best friend sort of people and while I enjoyed her character Mark stole the show for me. It's hard to believe Kelly was so oblivious to his feelings for so long and it's amazing she didn't fall for him sooner. He's kind of brooding but how can you not fall for a guy who just knows he's going to end up taking care of his best friend's pet dog and not only doesn't complain but buys a dog bed, food and toys?! Everything he does just made him wriggle deeper into my heart.

Can I have a Mark in my stocking for Christmas?! I loved him so hard and this book met every expectation I had going in. Lauren Layne has recently joined my must read author list so I jumped at the chance to review this one.

Kelly is one of those over the top happy, loving, everyone's best friend sort of people and while I enjoyed her character Mark stole the show for me. It's hard to believe Kelly was so oblivious to his feelings for so long and it's amazing she didn't fall for him sooner. He's kind of brooding but how can you not fall for a guy who just knows he's going to end up taking care of his best friend's pet dog and not only doesn't complain but buys a dog bed, food and toys?! Everything he does just made him wriggle deeper into my heart.

Watching the journey as Kelly makes her way through her ex-list was a lot of fun and just like Lauren Layne's other books it was a joy to read. It will leave you with a smile on your face and wanting to go pick up another Lauren Layne book asap.

4.5 Feel Good Stars!

"Sometimes the stars just have to align, and you've got to be quick on your feet."

Fate. Kismet. Serendipity. Second Chances. An Ex for Christmas is the perfect feel good holiday romance that you just can't help but swoon over. 

It's that time of year. The weather is turning cooler. The leaves are changing colors and we're all getting out our fall must haves. And I don't know about you guys, but this is my favorite time to dive into holiday reads. I can't get enough of the warmth, magic and the good ol' tug on my heart strings. And let me tell you, An Ex for Christmas certainly knocks it out of the park. 

An Ex for Christmas is the 5th book in the Love Unexpectedly Series, and can be read as a stand-alone novel. An Ex for Christmas follows the story of Kelly and Mark. Kelly is what you might call superstitious. She is obsessed with all things fate related and believes that everything happens for a reason. So, when Kelly has a chance meeting with a psychic just before the holidays, she will stop at nothing to make the prophecy she was told come true....And so begins the "Ex" list. Kelly makes a list of all her ex's hoping that she has already met the one, but you know what they say...sometimes the best things have been under your nose the whole time...

An Ex for Christmas was a total fun read. It will impossible to not get caught up in Kelly's belief's and antics; hoping that she will find the one. I thought Kelly was crazy in the best possible way. I loved that she was so into the fates and didn't let others disbeliefs knock her down. I loved the relationship that Kelly and Mark had. They were the best of friends, and while I knew right away how the story was going to go, it was still a joy to watch it all unfold. 

An Ex for Christmas is the kind of read that you just want to curl up by the fire with. It's fun and entertaining. It's sexy and frustrating and swoon worthy as ever. I loved everything about this book and it certainly made my heart full and happy. A really enjoyable read.

Talk about a book that will put you into the holiday spirit!!! This was just the perfect book and totally what I was looking for.

I am one of those types of people who if I could would start decorating for Christmas in September, so when I got the chance to read this book in September…I jumped at it and I am so glad I did. This book combined two of my favorite things….Christmas and Lauren Layne.

An Ex For Christmas is a standalone holiday love story that totally reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie….and who doesn’t love those??? It is told in primarily Kelly’s POV. This is a friends to lovers story and it will have you laughing, crying, rolling your eyes, but overall falling in love!!! Oh and yes there are some sexy times in this book as well ;)

This truly was a fun and entertaining story about a girl who just wants to find her one true love. But she is also a woman who believes in fate and the cosmos. So when she is told by a woman that she has already met her one true love and they will be together for Christmas, she hatches a plan to figure out who it is. Little does she know it is someone right in front of her face. You will need to read this book to see how her plan works out for her and if she really does get her HEA by Christmas time.

I thought the flow and pace of this story as perfect and there was just enough drama built into the story to keep you turning the pages. This is a fairly quick read but it didn’t lack for anything. This is Lauren Layne at her finest. This is probably one of my favorite books of hers to date!!! I hope she considers writing more holiday themed stories in the future.

This is a definite recommendation to all Lauren Layne fans and anyone who loves a GREAT holiday love story. Or even a friends to lovers story. This is one you won’t want to miss!!!!