An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne ... (Love Unexpectedly) ... A wonderful story of best friends to lovers... Kelly and Mark have be best friends for 10 years... Their houses in their hometown share backyards and they also share a fur baby Rigby... She believes in fate him not so much...this story has all the feels ...so many laughs and a few tears... It should be a Hallmark Christmas movie...I am so glad that I got to preview this on NetGalley...I really enjoyed this book.

Kelly and Mark have been best friends for years and even share a fur baby, but they have never crossed that line. Kelly’s a big believer in the Magic 8 ball and unofficial psychic predictions much to Mark’s disgust. When Kelly is told she has already met her true love, she starts trying to locate her former boyfriends instead of looking closer to home. Mark has let Kelly explore her options but he’s ready to take their relationship to the next level. I loved this book, and really enjoyed the characters. They kept me laughing and wanting them to work things out at every turn.

I am a big fan of the authors. This is a stand alone book and her contribution to a Christmas in NY romance. I really loved it and I especially loved the heroine Kelly and her bestie Mark. It is a fantastic holiday romance, 2nd chance at love story and a best friends turning to lovers storyline.

While I LOVED this book there are some things I want to caution you about. One is that it is written in Kelly's view point only. Mark gets one chapter near the end where we hear from him, but thats his only voice in the story. 2nd there are LOTS and LOTS of exes and not just on Kelly's side but also Mark's and a sorta love triangle.

The story was super cute, and Kelly is this adorable, perky woman. She goes home for the holidays but before she can a woman she believes can see the future tells her that she has already met her one true love.

And that starts her holiday quest of figuring out which ex is her true love. Meanwhile she asks her bestie, Mark to help. The story was very sweet, very light reading with a lot of cute people as we go along with Kelly as she reconnects with her former lovers.

3.5 Stars
I'm a fan of both the Oxford and Stilettos series by this author, so I was looking forward to reading this book. So maybe my expectations were too high, because while overall this was fun and cute, I didn't love it. I mean, of course we the readers know where the story is going, but Kelly seemed so willfully blind that I wanted to shake her! And then the stumbling block at the end felt forced and unexpected. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike this book. If I hadn't read any of the authors previous work I probably would have rated it higher, but my hopes were high. This is a quick, light holiday romance, perfect for the Christmas season.

I did a lot of reading catch-up recently while traveling, and this light, seasonal romance went down smoothly.

When eight-ball-consulting Kelly is told by a psychic she encounters in a subway that she will meet the man of her dreams by Christmas, and further, she already knows him, Kelly rushes to her country home to make up a list of her exes and revisit each one.

Naturally, her best friend, Mark, who lives next door (and is so handsome we know right where this is going) is skeptical to the max. But he goes along with her plan, because they are besties. And is there to pat her back (I almost said pat her on the head, though that would imply too much condescension on his part, which isn't the case. If anything, she deserves it, because she is so willfully clueless for so long) when the exes turn out to be very wrong for an entertaining variety of reasons.

We get to know their little town, as everyone ramps up for the Christmas parade. Kelly loves what can only be called the film version of Christmas--not quite commercial, but the sentimental, bright, and colorful aspects, and constantly plays a stream of the most godawful holiday muzak that I had to consciously shut out of my head lest it ear worm me.

This all seems a setup for a superficial heroine, but Layne writes a sympathetic, real Kelly, who has a great deal of love to offer, and who learns from her mistakes. Kelly tries genuinely to be friends with Mark's girlfriends, and one of the strongest threads in the book is the way Kelly and Mark's ex work toward understanding, and even friendship.

There isn't quite as much as Layne's snappy conversations as featured in others of her books, but watching these two come together, step by step, is rewarding for the romance reader who wants to believe that these two characters are a true match for life. Kelly and Mark totally fit that bill.

The only quibble I have is that I would have loved to see Mark's skepticism knocked for a loop with respect to the psychic, who is otherwise pretty much a Plot Motivator. I'd hoped for her to be tied in more, but really, that's a pretty tiny flaw. Overall, it was thoroughly enjoyable if not one of her brighter books.

An amazingly cute, fun and sexy romance about a girl looking for love in the wrong places when the right guy has been there all along.

Spirited, superstitious and a bit wacky Kelly Byrne believes in fate, fortune and psychics. Having been told that she’s met her true love and that she’d be with him by Christmas, she goes on the hunt. Going through her ex-boyfriends list wouldn’t be such a shore if only her heart would cooperate instead of insisting on spending time with her best friend who would never be “the one,” right?

For the past decade, Mark Blakely has loved Kelly from behind their best friend barrier because the timing between them has never been right. He’s lent his shoulder when guys break her heart, he cooks dinner for her, stays with her while she decorates her tree and even half adopted her dog, Rigby. But her ex for Christmas list is just nonsense. Can he convince her that he’s what she’s looking for?

Mark and Kelly’s relationship was absolutely addicting. I just loved the banter between them. It was fun and felt natural in a way that only a true friends can establish. It was infectiously amusing from start to finish. They were there for each other through thick and thin. Ok, it was mostly Mark grumpily but with a ton of affection helping Kelly out, but you no matter what, you felt their bond was as solid as cookies and milk.

It took a while for Kelly to clue into the incredible chemistry between them and a bit more for her to grasp that the depth of their relationship could be so much better is she only gave it a chance, because understandably their friendship was very important to her.

Mark’s love for Kelly was incredibly endearing. Even when he suffered through watching Christmas chick flicks and helped her with her ex list, he always put her happiness first. There’s a special place in my heart for book boyfriends like him.

It took a while for these two to get their act together and there were times when I wanted to throttle Kelly’s Magic 8 ball right along with her, but I was very pleased and incredibly happy with their happily ever after.

Lauren Lane became a fixture in my bookshelf long ago because she never fails to deliver a wonderful story with a great balance between sweet affection, contagious playfulness and appealing romance that has me happily flipping pages.

An Ex for Christmas is a super cute standalone contemporary Christmas romance by Lauren Layne. It is told from the heroine’s point of view and has a happy ending.

This was such a fun book from Ms. Layne and a little like a Hallmark Christmas movie but sexier! The premise is one that we’ve all read many times but there is a fresh and fun feel to the story.

As Kelly is leaving New York where she works during the week for her hometown in upstate NY where she stays each weekend (she has a unique roommate schedule in NY), she meets a woman who tells her she has met her true love. Kelly starts to think of all of her ex’s, and makes plans to reconnect with each to see if there is a spark. Her ‘Magic 8-ball’ addiction is hilarious to help her make decisions.

Kelly and Mark have been best friends for about 10 years and they have both been in relationships with others but are as close as any friends could be. In fact, their previous relationships have suffered at times and their partners were envious and threatened because of their closeness.

As Kelly sees each ex, the results and dialog are hilarious and she is quickly able to mark each person off her list.

She is a chatty person and tells Mark everything and you can tell, just like with many men, that he doesn’t want to hear a lot of what she says. Some crackling hot chemistry starts to emerge between Kelly and Mark but Kelly can only worry about their friendship. She also believes the woman told her that her true love was an ex, so that seems to rule Mark out. Mark is hiding something and I thought it probably interest in Kelly but there’s a secret he hasn’t shared yet.

Kelly considers herself average looking and slightly overweight which irritates Mark when she mentions it. Mark is very handsome and successful as a chef and restaurant owner. It’s funny how Kelly thinks she will cook something but has less than successful results. Mark always knows to be prepared with a meal and he tries out new recipes on Kelly for his restaurant.

As with all of Ms. Layne’s stories, they are entertaining and have great dialogue. This was a sweet story with a little angst but knowing there will be a HEA.

I want to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I’m a fan of Ms. Layne’s!

For Lauren Layne emotion is a central character. Her tales are stories of courage, instances of heartache and in the case of An Ex for Christmas, comedy in all it's shining glory. Second chances don't come along often but for Mark and Kelly, could the first time end of being the last? Psychics, exes and a best friend are the start of something new. The road to happily ever after is paved with angst, pain and of course an abundance of rain, but in the case of these BFF's can the holiday spirit and a sprig of mistletoe, spice up those cold winter nights? Laughter and romance go hand and hand. Light and airy delight!

3.25-3.5 STARS

When it comes to sappy Christmas stories, I’m a total enthusiast. Thus, as a devoted Lauren Layne fan, I was extremely excited to delve between the pages of her latest novel, “An Ex for Christmas.” Needless to say, I wanted so very much to fall in love with this author’s holiday romance. Sadly, Kelly and Mark’s story fell a bit short of my desired expectations.

- Meet Kelly Byrne… a highly superstitious woman who allows a Magic 8 ball to direct every decision in her life.

- Enter Mark Blakely… Kelly’s pragmatic best friend who barely tolerates her quirky, steadfast obsession.

When a psychic tells Kelly that she has already met her one true love, she ramps up her obsession to a whole new level. Convinced that she’ll unite with “the one” by Christmas, Kelly sets out on a quest to track down all of her ex’s” in a matter of days. Unfortunately for Kelly, she’s completely oblivious to the obvious.

While Mark is everything you could ask for in a book boyfriend (and more), Kelly, in contrast, bordered on annoying. No joke… Kelly’s incessant stubbornness made me want to smack some sense into her on numerous occasions! Still, I found the playful dynamic between Kelly & Mark, sweetly endearing. And while I liked the overall premise, the execution of this story was just not up to this author’s usual standards. So, while I found “An Ex for Christmas” to be a mostly enjoyable read, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

Kelly and Mark have been best friends since childhood but the timing was never right for them to take it to the next level. In fact Kelly has been oblivious to the fact that Mark has loved her for years. When a fortuneteller tells her she has already met her one true love she looks everywhere except at Mark. Cute holiday romance!

An Ex for Christmas should be made into a Christmas movie. There would need to be a little adjusting of the sensual scenes and probably need to remove the f-word, but it is a perfect Christmas romance. Kelly Byrne and Mark Blakeley meet in high school and become besties right away, never moving past the friend zone. For ten years, each date and break up with several loves. Then as Kelly is headed home for Christmas break, she is told by a little, old lady who ‘sees’ that she has met her true love. With Kelly having an eight ball and other superstitions to guide her, this turns her whole Christmas season upside down trying to contact former boyfriends.

Her BFF and weekend neighbor Mark has been in love with her the whole time. As one of Mark’s former lovers points out. Whenever Kelly is between relationships, so is Mark, just waiting ……

Watching Kelly contact and scratch off former loves from her ‘ex’ list, hunky Mark begins to lose patience. He even tries to help her with ‘The Mistletoe Test’ of kissing former boyfriends. Until finally, he needs Kelly to open her eyes and see him, see he has been waiting the whole time. Kelly depends way too much on her eight ball fortune telling to stop and listen to her heart.

The connection/comparison to the Christmas movie “Love Actually” is sweet. This is not your typical Lauren Layne book, but it works. I like seeing her branch out to something different. This will be a great book to pick up and read during the Christmas holidays for a light holiday season romance.

This is light, it's funny, and it's got a good heart under all the fluff. Kelly doesn't even SEE Mark most of the time, just treats him as yet another buddy. Right under her nose. Harumph! I can't imagine taking the advice of a psychic to go through all my exes as Kelly does but it's a good mechanism to bring her where she should be. This is a friends-to-lovers romance that will charm you. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Layne has a smooth writing style that makes this one you'll find yourself reading past when you should put it down.

An Ex for Christmas an good interesting romance. Thanks

Christmas songs, mistletoe, a snowman costume wearing cocker spaniel, Christmas trees, an elf costume, magic 8 balls and a psychic are some of the things that you can expect to read about in Lauren Layne's latest romance novel. Lauren Layne is the epitome of a chic manhattanite and her heroines reflect her unique sense of style and sassiness and Kelly Byrne just may be her quirkiest heroine yet. With her over-the-top enthusiasm for Christmas and all things related to it, she will draw you into the holiday spirit. I am not lying when I say that I was listening to Christmas songs while reading this book, even though it's still a long time till Christmas!

If you think that Kelly's love for the holiday season is her only eccentricity than you would be wrong. Kelly also believes psychics and horoscopes and all sorts of signs. In fact she believes that superstition is in fact cosmic wisdom and the universe always finds a way to steer us in the right direction. So when a homeless woman tells her that she has already met the one and will reunite with him before Christmas, she decides to make a list of all her exes and find out whether she misjudged one of them. And there's no one who is better to aid her than her best friend Mark.

Mark Blakely has been Kelly's best friend since high school . They have been through a lot in the last decade and he has witnessed all of her failed relationships. So when Kelly comes to Haven for the holidays and tells him about her plan to find "the one" he is less than enthusiastic. They are not only best friends but also neighbors and share a cute black cocker spaniel. Mark has put up with a lot throughout the years, but will he be able to sit back and watch as Kelly goes on a wild goose chase to rekindle her past love affairs?

This is more than just a friends to lovers romance. Even though the story is told only from Kelly's point of view, we can feel and see Mark's feelings. In fact, we can probably see it much better than Kelly herself who seems to be too immersed in her beliefs to see what is right in front of her. And when she finally does, we get to witness a spark that is enough to light a fire that will burn through any cold winter's night! As always, Layne brings us a story full of magic and passion. A beautiful Christmas romance!

Sure, the holiday seasons are about family and friends, but who are we kidding, they're really about curling up with a blanket and a good book with a happily ever after ending deserving of a Hallmark movie. Well, merry early Christmas, to us, because Lauren Layne has come through like one of those creepy Elfs on the Shelf.

Hold the mistletoe, An Ex for Christmas is the holiday romance novel you didn't know you were waiting for.

Kelly Byrne has never met a superstition she didn't immediatley adapt, so when a psychic tells her she has already met her true love she immediately makes an ex list and starts checking it twice. She hilariously makes her way down the list of disappointing man after disappointing man while her
long time best friend with no benefits, Mark, watches in dismay. Wake up and smell the egg nog, Kelly!

This is a true friends to lovers romance that will not disappoint. I can't wait to read it again in the light of my Christmas tree this year.

I really love Lauren Layne books, and this one was no different. Loved Mark's character...he's adorable, and grumpy.

Oh man... First off, I just wanna say that I'm one of Lauren Layne's biggest fans from the far east... I just love her! I can personally attest to the fact that her stories are such moodboosters!

So this book is a Holiday love story that centers on two bestfriends—Kelly Byrne and Mark Blakely... and yeah, of course it doesnt take a genius to figure out whats going on... You might think its so typically predictable, but nnnnnooo... I mean yeah, it's a holiday love story...sure its gonna end in a HEA, but the journey of getting to that point is just so toe-curling and it gave me butterflies in my tummy! The build up of the main characters towards eachother is so seamless... It's sweet but not the eyeroll-inducing-cheesy kind...plus its funny and frustrating at the same time... Somewhere in the middle I was like, "Mark! Dude, get some balls and tell her already!!" But then Kelly is just so ridiculously oblivious!smh lol...

Its everything you'd want in a holiday love story—and more! I knew from the outset that this book is gonna be one of those that will leave you sighing and wishing that miracles like these would happen in real life... I had heart-eyes practically the entire time reading it!

I cant wait for ya'll to read more about Kelly and Mark's journey! The best Christmas Love Story as far as I'm concerned.

I always enjoy Lauren Layne's books and this was no exception. Superstitious Kelly is told by a mysterious woman that she has already met The One, causing her to embark on a series of reunions with all her exes. It's a slight plot and no reader will be deceived about the outcome but the style is engaging and the characters likeable and flawed enough to seem real. Best of all for me there is significantly less crude language and blaspheming than in many of Lauren Layne's books. A fun read for Christmas.

What a fun and quirky story, I loved every second of it.  It had the small town charm with a real sense of community and family.  You don't see that a lot any more.  With all the hustle and bustle of the big city and family drama that tends to weigh down the emotions in a book. Can I also say that I LOVE this cover.  The red in her socks just makes it pop.

Kelly is someone I'd love to have in my life.  Superstitious-like me, always cheerful, and an overall joy.  She eats up life voraciously and enjoys every second of it.  I love when an authors writes characters that are quirky and fun-that don't take themselves too seriously.

Mark all dark and broody just how I like my H's.  He doesn't say much but, his actions speak way louder than his words.  I really enjoyed his character, he had a lot of depth and a soft spot for dogs!  

This was a sweet, fun, relaxing read.  It makes you want to curl up in front of the fire while the snow comes down with the smell of Christmas cookies filling the air.  It also made me want to put up my Christmas decorations now, though I should probably wait until at least November!