Right off the bat, I'm not the biggest Swiftie in the world, but I am Taylor Swift fan which lead me to this book. I think that maybe I'm just getting too old for these kinds of stories but I just couldn't get down with the writing. I need more depth to the writing and conversations that happen with the main characters. I feel that a trigger warning is needed, but overall it was a read.

In this book, we follow Aspen, a disgraced celebrity, as she returns to her hometown to recollect herself before she can face the backlash waiting for her in LA. In her hometown, Roman, her high school sweetheart who she's been on and off with, waits for her return so they can fall back into old habits. Through all of the allegations thrown, Aspen maintains her innocence while trying to put together a play for the children at her father’s church.

The concept of this book was amazing. It hit the nail on the head when it came to parallels of the song “tis the damn season” by the one and only taylor swift. It had the angst, the slow burn, and the drama. The fact that this concept was created by a fourteen year-old is crazy, and Kimi deserves all of the praise in the world for it.

That being said, I did rate this book two stars. It was okay. The reason is because it didn't feel like it was made for its target audience. This book is meant for the new adult audience and contains content that make it such, with mentions to rape and heavy trauma. However, the writing style and execution of the idea didn’t feel mature enough to be read by a new adult audience. If some of the mature content was rolled back, this would have made a great book for older YA.

Another thing, the way that the characters interacted within the first couple of chapters felt rushed. For example, Roman approaches Aspen after the disaster that was the talent show and asks if he has a chance with her. According to Aspen, they have never spoken a day in her life, and now he’s asking her out? The progression doesn’t make sense. After, they get close very quickly which is fine but agreeing to hang out with somebody after exchanging four sentences? And then date after hanging out twice? That’s a little too fast.

The other thing that could have made this book seem more mature was the way the trauma of the rape was described. Instead of throwing in the details about what happened in the end, putting it a little earlier would have given us the ability to see how Aspen dealt with the trauma more in depth. It also wouldn’t have felt so rushed. There were hints to it earlier in the book. If leaving it in the end was the best move, then making it more obvious that something happened would have allowed me to see and empathize with Aspen on a deeper level than I was able to.

Of course, no hate to the author. This was a great book for a debut, especially for a sixteen year old. I totally understand how hard it is to write a book for an audience that is older than you.

PS. Thanks to NetGalley and Parson Press for the ARC

This was a quick, easy paced book. Keep in mind that there’s no trigger warning for SA which I found quite disappointing.

Aspen goes back to her hometown after a scandal broke out about her, her best-friend and her friends boyfriend on the internet. Once she gets home she reconnects and directs a play with her ex-boyfriend. This is basically Miss Hollywood runs away from the drama instead addressing it.

SPOILERS!!!

Aspen character was nice to read at the start but as the book went on she got more annoying and selfish. Her going off at her parents and Rome for keeping a secret for her (which I do admit that they shouldn’t have kept that as a secret) while she keeps big secrets from them. Her telling Rome that he betrayed her for not telling her and I’m just here like, he explained why he didn’t say anything. Then she goes on to say that there’s no excuses. At this point she should just keep her mouth shut.

Rome on the other hand, I enjoyed his character but there were times were he should off considered before speaking aloud. Him calling Aspen a slur just because he was pissed off at her, it’s not right at all. There whole relationship also seemed a bit weird, like they got into agreements or disagreements and they would walk away and not talk to each for a while and then come back with him saying ‘i’m sorry’ and it’s all good suddenly? Like where’s the communication?

I loved the whole concept of play directing. Reading about the kids were the highlights of this whole book. I literally could not get enough of it. The relationship Rome and Aspen built with the kids was literally so lovely.

The whole concept of bringing in SA was out of nowhere, like I honestly don’t see the point of it. Then also finding out that her parents didn’t know about that, and she goes my bad.

I feel like half of the story wasn’t necessary like there wasn’t technically any plot. Having the read about their past got a bit repetitive.

The whole reason why I got interested in this book was due to the Taylor Swift songs at the beginning of each chapter.

OMG
LITERALLY THE PERFECT BOOK FOR THE FAN OF TAYLOR SWIFT.
i think the book is very good written, fun and fast paced.
and the alternation of the chapter from past to present? i loved that!!

Very Taylor Swift and that's always a very good thing. Tis the damn season is one of her best songs and the manner in which the author has sort of adapted that in the novel and created a whole experience out of it is admirable.

I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC!

Aspen Moore, the twenty-three-year-old Hollywood starlet, seems to have it all—fame, fortune, and a thriving career. But when a scandal disrupts her glamorous life, she's forced to return to her small Pennsylvania hometown, where she comes face to face with her first love, Roman Torres.

The story unfolds as a delicate dance between the past and the present, as well as the push and pull of unresolved emotions. Aspen and Roman must keep their connection strictly platonic, even though their chemistry is undeniable. The story brilliantly explores the tension between their deep-rooted feelings and the practicalities of their separate lives.

The author masterfully captures the essence of a small-town Christmas and the magic of reconnecting with old flames. The emotional depth of the characters, along with the well-paced plot, keeps you engrossed in the story. Aspen's journey, from the glitz of Hollywood to the simplicity of her hometown, is beautifully depicted, highlighting the contrast between her career aspirations and the meaningful connections she left behind.

The narrative gently delves into themes of love, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness. Aspen's willingness to reconsider her priorities adds a layer of authenticity to her character, making her relatable and endearing.

Tis the Damn Season is a delightful and heartwarming read that encapsulates the holiday spirit and the magic of rediscovering love. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most precious things in life are the ones we've had all along.

For fans of holiday romance and contemporary fiction, this book is a perfect choice. Get ready to be swept away by the enchanting tale of Aspen and Roman and the magic of a Christmas season they'll never forget.

Rating: 4 / 5⭐️’s

i also liked that aspen was able to, in the end, find some healing and open up about the trauma she’s faced. however, i didn’t really like the writing style nor the flow of the book - it felt like it needed A LOT more work to be honest, and as if the story needs to be edited a couple more times. it just didn’t hit the right spot, especially for it to have all these taylor swift references and be based on tis the damn season.

I got about 30 pages in before I decided I really could not finish this novel - I’m sorry but I really could not handle the number of times ‘Fertsville’ was mentioned in the first 30 pages. If you were playing a drinking game you would be super drunk. I wanted to like this so badly for the Taylor Swift vibes. Two starts literally for the Taylor Swift references and the song titles relating to the chapters

This book was mid to me I enjoyed it but I also didn’t think it was anything extraordinary but it was decent! I’d recommend this to several of my reading buddies!

This was so warm and cozy and had no business being as cute as it was!!! The writing is pleasantly fast-paced and easy to binge. I just wish it had a little more angst, especially since it did have a dual timeline (which is my favorite style/technique in a second chance romance). I’m a sucker for a second chance romance because I love the angst, so I just wish this had a little bit more tension and moments that wrenched on the heartstrings. Mostly this induced fuzzy good feelings, which I’m not complaining about at all! I loved the little Taylor Swift Easter eggs, and overall I would recommend this book! 3.5 stars

This is a good palette cleanser type of book. It holds a great storyline that follows both Aspen and Roman through their past and their present. It gave me celebrity/non celebrity feelings. This is a cute second chanced romance book that will be enjoyable. If anything I’d give it about 3.75 stars out if 5. It is adorable and has a few triggers, but I feel that the author is able to both convey and portray them in a great light. It’s a book I would definitely recommend. I personally adored Aspen.

Tis' the Damn Season is a romp through the ups and downs of love, fame, and the chaos of the holiday season!

Aspen, the rockstar with a heart of gold, finds herself in the midst of a tabloid nightmare. Fleeing the paparazzi, she heads back home, only to collide headfirst into her past—enter Roman, the hunky sweetheart with a smile that could melt even the iciest of hearts. Their love story, portrayed through flashbacks and present-day escapades, is a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you eagerly turning the pages.

The holiday spirit in this book isn’t just about twinkling lights and mistletoe—it's about the joy of rediscovering lost friendships, embracing family quirks, and realizing that love, in all its messy glory, is the ultimate gift.

While the plot zips along at a lively pace, there are moments when you’ll want to pause to savor the witty banter and hilarious escapades. If you're looking for a fun-filled romantic comedy sprinkled with holiday magic, then this book is your golden ticket. 🎁📚✨

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I mean, I love the title and was hoping to love the book but didn't. I felt like it was very YA which I wasn't expecting.

Aspen is a renowned celebrity who unexpectedly returns home to her small town. There she reconnects with Roman, her former first love and ex boyfriend. As their chemistry reheats, Aspen realizes she doesn’t want to stay but Roman also doesn’t want to leave.

For a debut book this story was really cute and well done. The banter between the two was perfect and the chemistry was undeniable, but I guess I wanted more. The writing at times wasn’t perfect, but it definitely captures my heart.

If you’re looking at a small town, second-chance romance, definitely check this one out. The cuteness of the story is a good pallet cleanser for a lighter happy romance.

This was a fresh take on a holiday rom-com - a fun read! I liked that it had the drama, secrets and miscommunication troupes typically in these books but not the way they are normally presented. I loved the character development of Aspen throughout the book. With the help of Rome she really came out a stronger person. Her character was likable and relatable, minus the fact that she was famous actor turned singer!

I really liked the back and forth between present day and when they were in high school. The transitions between the 2 time periods was done well and I thought it really helped me understand Aspen better.

⭐ Overall Rating: 3 / 5 stars | 🌶️ Spicy Rating: 0 / 5

📚 Tropes: second chance, return to hometown, he falls first

💞Read this if you enjoy:
-Taylor Swift 🎤
-Celebrity gossip 📰
-Dual timelines 🗓️
-Young love 👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏽

📸SNAPSHOT:
Aspen is a young starlet who is returning home from LA for a few months after a Hollywood rumor gets out of hand. In her small Pennsylvania town, Aspen is reunited with her high school sweetheart and long-time love, Roman. Aspen and Roman broke up when she moved to LA, but they have never quite been able to let each other go. Whenever Aspen is back in town, the two resume their relationship with the understanding that it’s only temporary until Aspen leaves again. Will this be able to last now that Aspen is in town for a longer stay?

Tis the Damn Season jumps between the present day story of Aspen and Roman and the story of them falling in love in high school.

💭 MY THOUGHTS:
**TW: Rape/sexual assault - not said at the beginning of the book.**

I went into this one with high hopes because I am a huge Swiftie. This book is based off the story told in Taylor Swift’s song (same name) on her evermore album.

First, I absolutely loved that the author created a playlist (comprising of mostly Taylor Swift songs) to go with each chapter of the book! I typically don’t listen to music with lyrics while reading, but I couldn’t resist! Such a fun idea, and very clever since the author knows that Swifties are her target audience.

While the characters’ high school timeline was supposed to establish their relationship and show why Aspen and Roman couldn’t let each other go - it did not do that for me at all. They fell in love super quickly in high school and there was never a lot of explanation as to what caused them to fall in love. I know high school love is often characterized by insta-love, but that is also the reason why most high school relationships don’t last. I wish the beginning of their love story would have been a bit deeper. It would have helped the relationship in the present time feel more meaningful.

Overall, I thought this book was cute. I enjoyed each of the main characters and the overall plotlines of the book. However, I felt like the execution of the plotlines fell a bit flat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Parson Press for allowing me an advanced copy of this book for my honest review!

First of all, thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for making this available to read in advance for an honest review.

I'm sorry, I really, REALLY wanted to like this book. But I've been wanting to bang my head into a wall since about the 25% mark. The only reason I managed to finish this was because Roman and Aspen deserved to get back together. Other than that, the writing was choppy, chapters felt unfinished and I'm sorry but the 25 and change chapters set in the past could've been dealt with in 2 flashbacks. Scenes ended without having really started. There was no build up, the character development was uneven or just plain absent. Characters didn't get defining traits. Leila was just there but didn't really get a personality.

And what sealed the deal for me was the surprise pregnancy in the end, which is not anything the author can do about, just not something I like in my fiction.

I felt like this book deserves a very strict editor, a very strong rewrite. After learning the author is only 16, it makes a lot more sense, but in that I'm even MORE astounded that the publisher did not provide a stricter editor and was okay with publishing this.

I think it's best that all the Taylor Swift references went right over my head because I'm pretty sure I would've not enjoyed that either.

All in all, a very disappointing read. Aspen and Roman were cute but deserved to be written better. Ella was adorable.

I'm sorry to say this book just wasn't for me, it felt a little to immature for me and the characters just didn't appeal to me at all.

Ok so this didn't really work for me sadly. I've read a bunch of celebrity and normal person romances this year, and really enjoyed them, so I thought I'd give this one a go as a Christmas-themed version of the trope. But sadly it's just got too much going on - and a pick-me heroine who is in the wrong profession. Looking at the author's social profiles, I think she's really young, so that might explain why something about the character's interactions just felt off, so I'll give it a pass on that front. Hey ho - it may well work better for other people and for people who read New Adult more than me.

📘'Tis the Damn Season by debut author Kimi Freeman published 10/24/23 via Parson Press 📘

🌀Genre: NA, Contemporary Romance, Christmas, 2nd chance romance, and interracial relationship🌀

⚠️Warnings: SA, death of parents, cancer, Parkinson's disease, bullying⚠️

I enjoyed the dual timelines with Aspen Moore and Roman Torres from age 17 to 23 in their relationship. They met in high school where Aspen was bullied by some of Rome's friends-Rina the most vocal. Aspen didn't have any friends and Rome stood up for her. Aspen joined theater and music, her only solace, while Rome was still grieving his father, who was in the military. He was raised by his mother Rosalia- a paralegal. Aspen's father Mark runs a mechanic shop in their hometown Fertsville, PA. They had big plans after high school-Aspen moving to LA, while Rome following in his father's footsteps and attending Temple University. Their plans got derailed when Rome's mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Aspen wanted to stay home with Rome, but he told her to go pursue her dreams.

They broke up but still kept in touch with Aspen visiting Rome periodically.  Rome dropped out of school to pay the bills while his mom went through treatment. Aspen auditioned in LA trying to find her place. She got her big break on a TV show "Soon After." Rome on the other hand, has struggled financially, his mother passed, and he had to sell his childhood home. He moved in a cheap apartment and worked for Aspen's father as a mechanic.

Aspen released her first album and went on tour. Her roommate and BFF Sierra Wong was a supermodel with a rock band boyfriend Cane. Aspen struggled while working on her TV show, especially with her costar Keith Haverton. She told only Sierra and Rome about a horrible ordeal she went through. Sierra's boyfriend Cane accused Aspen of coming on to him, ending her friendship with Sierra. The press made Aspen into a cheater among other horrible things-all lies! She fled back home to her parents and Rome. where they put on this year's Christmas play at her dad's church to take her mind off the scandal. The more time they spend together feelings that never left pull them closer. Rome never cared for the spotlight and with Aspen's life so public, can they really make it work?

The press got even more invasive when Rome's iCloud is hacked revealing risqué pics of them from the past. Sierra and Cane continued to vilify Aspen and Rome in the press. They agreed to take a break from their rekindled romance. Disaster hits and Aspen's dad ends up in the hospital after falling at work. This is where I had a problem. Mark, Aspen's dad, revealed he had Parkinson's disease. Mark, Aspen's mom Linda, and Rome knew about it for 5 months. He didn't want to worry Aspen while she was going through so much. I couldn't understand why they were all mad at her for being upset that no one told her. I went through the same thing when my sister found out she had breast cancer. She didn't tell me or my mom until her surgery because she didn't want to burden us. With close family the motto was always when one person suffered everyone did. Ultimately that revelation make Aspen and Rome confess their love for each other. Aspen reveals her own truth about what happened with Cane and Keith, clearing her name and her career.

⭐ Rating: 4/5⭐


"Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC 💙! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own."