Having written a book and gotten it published at such a young age is no mean feat, so kudos to Kimi Freeman for that. But this needed a lot of work. It's not, in my opinion, well written, and relies too heavily on the fan fiction side it clearly comes from.

The romance didn't make sense, and there was a lack of conflict between Aspen and Rowan which made it not as intriguing as other books.

Would be better marketed as YA than adult fiction, and needs trigger warnings for sexual assault.

This book did exactly what it promised, it broke my heart and put it back together again.

I was expecting a cute little holiday romance (cause I went in blind) but I spent half of last night crying while reading this. I can't even really explain why.

The story is told from Aspen's pov on a dual timeline between her present life as a famous actress and in the past as a teenager falling in love.

The teenage angst, the heartache and all the bad things that keep happening to both Aspen and Roman....it just got me right in the feels.

Read this if you enjoy:
- Taylor Swift
- Celebrity Gossip
- Dual Timeline
- Second Chance Romance

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC of this book on exchange for my honest review.

Okay let me start off by saying that the author of this book is only 16, which is incredible! However, after learning this, I agree with most of the reviews that this would’ve performed much better had it been classified as a YA book as opposed to New adult.

The overall story felt very juvenile, and the characters fell a bit flat for me, which was disappointing because some of my favorite tropes are second chance and small town romance. Plus it took place during the holidays.

Was the book cute? Yes, however no heart strings were pulled, which is exactly what I look for in a great romance book.

Thank you so much to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The idea behind this book is fun and I liked the characters, but the execution wasn't great.

The main couple had so many monumental fights that could have been break-up worthy as they said hurtful things to each other, but each fight was just forgotten and never resolved. Roman never really decided to start dating her and be okay with her publicity, he just changed his mind off-page and it felt very strange. Conversations between characters felt unnatural, and Aspen made multiple speeches/statements that were meant to be strong feminist moments for applause, but they made me cringe.

I liked going back and forth between timelines to see how they first fell in love, but the stakes never existed because they're in love the whole time so there's no question of will they get together again. The romance also never felt real, like they said the right things and clearly loved each other, but it didn't have chemistry.

It also very rarely occurred to me that this is a Christmas romance because it was missing that magic feeling.

I enjoyed the story overall, the book just didn't do it justice.

A story with dual timelines featuring a second chance romance, this is a cute story that is modeled after the Taylor Swift song - and just like the song, really doesn't have anything to do with Christmas.
It's a sweet story, no spice, but lovely romance between a pop/TV star and her former high school boyfriend.
The author is still pretty young, and I think her writing will only get better as she matures. The twist at the end (surprise?) was a bit hokey and not necessary.
Loved that each chapter has a song (listed with artist) and instead of a playlist format is actually written along the chapter number.

I really like the characters of this book and I wanted to love the story. The story has some really great parts and O think it had potential…..unfortunately it seemed to have a lot of build up and no available background and then the finale was lackluster for me.

The book moved at a sloth like speed until about 90% then seemed to move quick……like they are married and now pregnant…..like huh?

I think a big part of this was in regards to the age of the writer. This book needs to be marketed as a YA or even teen book, not to adults.

1.5 stars

I'll start off by saying I did like the songs as titles. Especially being Taylor Swift songs. However, this book is not my favorite. The main character Aspen is annoying. The book is told in past and present. I like when it's telling the past story. I enjoyed those portions of the book. Aspen as her present story I cannot stand. She is a push over. She is self centered. I feel like this story jumps all over the place and some of it comes from left field. For example the SA, I'm not sure why that was mentioned at the end just because? There's just no point for it. She mentions Keith a few times creating this narrative that he is bad but doesn't mention any reason as to why, until the end and it's SA. Do not like that. The plays were boring, I skimmed a lot of that part. Congratulations to Kimi for starting Tis the damn season so young and publishing this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kimi Freeman for the ARC for an honest review! My review can also be found on Goodreads.

3.75⭐

I loved the writing and how medium paced it is. The details and showing how the characters feel is amazing. I loved seeing the past. The past years were my favorite chapters to read because I loved seeing the romance. I definitely enjoyed seeing them realize they still love and want each other. The way he loves, cares, and protects her was awesome. He was there. She was there. They were there for each other constantly. They supported each other no matter what.

This book is so cute! I love how easy to read it is and as a debut novel, the author really did a good job! Love it!

The plot is very interesting, the characters are real and human. I love how Rome will call Aspen out on stuff that she did wrong. I feel like towards the end, their relationship became so much better. I absolutely love Rome’s character.

The amount of Taylor Swift references in this book is very good!! It’s not too much that it starts to get boring. Love the way there’s a single song for every chapter, it is so unique. The way this book is inspired by Taylor Swift’s song and it really delivers, I love it so much. Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves Taylor Swift.

I didn’t love this but it was an okay holiday romance. Honestly if the title wasn’t a TS song I probably would have never picked it up.

I received this book as an ARC from IBPA through NetGalley and this review is based on my own opinion.

Aspen is a famous Hollywood star until she gets caught in a scandel. She decides to get back to her hometown Fertsville where she will organize the town musical together with her life long high school crush Roman.
They both agreed to be just friends but their chemistry is undeniable.

This book was so lovely, when I started I just couldn't stop reading so I read this book in one sitting.
It's written in dual pov, one about the present and one around 4-6 years earlier. It was a good way to give the reader some more information about Aspen and her past.
It's supposed to be a holiday romance but apart from them organizing the Christmas musical and having a Thanksgiving dinner it didn't necessarily feel like a holiday story but it was still an easy 5 star read for me.

A second chance! Dual timelines! Celebrity romance! Childhood (high school) friends to lovers! Yet again, I’ve picked up a book without having any idea what it’s about, but I ended up really enjoying the energy between Aspen & Roman even though celebrity romances aren’t typically my thing. This came out a week ago on 10/24, and I have to say I was a little disappointed with how un-holiday it felt, despite the title. Also, this may have been the slowest burn of all time & took until nearly the end of the book for any feelings to be acknowledged. It’s inspired by the Taylor Swift song & comes with a song for each chapter - so if you’re a Taylor Swift fan then that could be a fun added bonus for you! It was cute and an easy read, but I think just wasn’t my favorite niche of romance books.

This was definitely a small town holiday vibes romance. Just in time for the holidays coming up.
Small town are so heart melting, soothes the soul.
I wish there was more of a connection but i didn't really feel the romance but it was definitely more of a romcom, highschool flash back romance.
The slight topic of SA, which should have been a trigger warnings. So i did have to knock it down a peg or two.
Kudos to the author (16 years old!!!!!)

Thank you net galley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the book. Loved that its name was inspired by a Taylor Swift song. Loved chapter playlists. The story could have been better but I still enjoyed myself reading it.

❤️ Holiday Romcom
⏰ Dual Timeline
🎤 Taylor Swift Song Inspired 🥹
🎧 Playlist included 🫶🏻
✨Tropes — slow burn, second chance romance, small town romance, friends to lovers, celebrity drama/celeb fallen from grace, guy falls first

A Hollywood starlet caught in a scandal. The boy she never got over. A Christmas season they'll never forget...
Aspen Moore is living proof that money doesn't buy happiness. At twenty-three years old, the singer-actress has it all. Fame. Fortune. Her own headlining tour. And yet something-or someone-is missing.

When a scandal rocks Aspen's carefully constructed Hollywood life, she's forced to return to her Pennsylvania hometown, where she reconnects with her first love, Roman Torres. Aspen knows they must keep their relationship strictly platonic. This game of push and pull, catch and release she plays with Roman is bad for her. She's not staying in Fertsville, and he's not moving to LA. But their chemistry is undeniable, and amidst rumors and drama, the bright lights of Hollywood begin to pale in comparison to the dark brown eyes she fell in love with all those years ago.

This was such a cute fast read! I loved the chemistry between the main characters and was rooting for them! I loved how Roman loved her. 🥹 Lots of Taylor Swift references which as you know, I LOVE! This holiday read was one that can be read any time of year and the short chapters were so easy to fly through. I normally don’t like slow burn, but I really enjoyed this one!

Please read TW for a few heavier topics.

This book easily got 5 stars from me. It was so interesting that I forgot to check on the reading progress. The concept is great. At first, I thought I won't like it since some of the things of the book matched with another book (can't mention the name) I had read months ago. But after reading some more I knew that nothing is same except those few limited things. It's way better than that book.

I liked Roman so far. The best thing is that he was always there for her. As per his personality, I think those fighting scenes of him weren't necessary. He could've definitely controlled his anger. There are other ways to protect your girl from that nonsense yk.

Aspen, as the main lead, seemed weak to me. There was a lot of character development of her till the end but still she felt like being under control. She couldn't decide anything without other's advice. She saw everything happening in front of her eyes, knew that wasn't the truth, still did nothing and waited for everyone to forget all that as if they would! She could've write a post at least just like she did at the last. Instead of fighting back the problems she chose to escape. That's why I liked Roman more. He didn't care about what others think or say about him.

I loved those kids from the drama. I can imagine them being cute.

The dual timeline was done well except that it was way too fast paced. It would've been better if it had a mention that their story was going on in the background and we were only getting special parts. That way it wouldn't feel fast paced.

Last but not the least, the song choices for the chapters were good.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.

When a scandal hits Aspen’s Hollywood life she returns back to her hometown only to meet her first love Roman. But Aspen realises there’s still chemistry between the pair however she’s determined not to fall for him again. She lives in LA and Roman lives in the small town of Fertsville, the pairs chemistry is undeniable but will Aspen sacrifice everything she worked for, for love?

I absolutely loved reading this book. I loved seeing the characters develop through the book. It had some of my favourite tropes too including grumpy x sunshine, small town romance and second chance romance.

This book is such a good holiday read that follows the past and current events of Aspen and Roman’s relationship.

Through out this read, Aspen learns a lot about herself and the ones she holds dear. Not everyone in her life is as they appear.

This book follows the past and present events which occur between Aspen and the first love of her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters, and the way the story developed. This slow burn is even more rewarding with how things end. Captivating, funny, emotional, so many emotions were felt while reading this book. Highly recommend and will be reading again.

⭐️rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun friends-to-lovers second chance holiday romance. It was sweet and had hallmark vibes that get you in the Christmas mood.🎁

I liked the character arcs for Aspen and Roman and I’m glad they developed and worked through what they needed to in order to finally be together. The dual timeline was also done well and I enjoyed it.

I especially liked the little kids in the play. The play itself was kind of random and weird that it was such a big deal, but I still enjoyed the process and how they got to interact with the kids. It was very sweet😊

All in all, I enjoyed this book. It’s a nice hallmark-y holiday romance to enjoy as the weather gets colder. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, small towns, and directing a Christmas play with cute little kids, then you might enjoy this book!🎄

Note: Review has been submitted (as sierramountainsofbooks) to Amazon and is pending.

When I saw this book, I was immediately intrigued! I adore Taylor Swift, so a book inspired by one of my favorite songs, "'Tis the Damn Season," instantly drew me in.

The book follows a dual timeline. The present timeline follows the life of Aspen, an actress turned popstar, who returns to her hometown after her whole life blows up from a scandal. This leads to her reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend, Roman. They end up spending a lot more time together when they agree to co-direct the Christmas musical for Aspen's dad at his church. The past timeline tells the story of how Roman and Aspen got together in high school and all that happened to get them to the present.

I thought this was a really cute book! The concept was absolutely adorable and it's a great holiday read.
I loved Roman so much. He has the sweetest nickname for Aspen and it had me swooning every time.

It was also really interesting to see Aspen's journey dealing with her fame, but at some points I did find her character a bit frustrating.

The romance also left a bit to be desired. I just wish there was more of a romantic connection between Roman and Aspen in the present, rather than just the past.

Overall, I did like this book and I thought it was really sweet. I would definitely recommend it as a cute holiday read, I just wish there was a bit more romance.