This was a beautifully written story of a small town girl and her dreams. The main character, Aspen, endures the struggles of high school mean girls and then realizes things don’t really change as you get older, especially when you’re famous. She finds that real friendships/relationships can survive whatever life throws at them. The story inspires one to reach for their dreams and you can get your HEA if you set your mind to it.

This book is amazing it is a one person pov but every chapter goes from the present to seven years ago and it's is a just amazing I can't say anything without spoilers so I'm not but I loved it

Aspen Moore packs up here belongings and moves back home for the winter after a huge scandal and a friend breakup leaves her without her best friend, and roommate. She leaves LA with rumors swirling after her successful first tour. She heads back to Fertsville, PA, her hometown and wheeee her family lives. There she knows she will be heart broken if she lets herself fall back into the arms of her high school boyfriend Rome.

I really enjoyed all the Taylor swift references. Every chapter relates to a song and there were so many Taylor Swift lyrics and themes woven intro he plot. I really liked the story line, but felt many chapters needed almost abruptly and wish some things could have had more background to the stories. I did like that it goes back and forth between present and the past to show how the “ethe road not taken looks real good now” for Aspen and Rome. It’s fun to see the TS Easter eggs!

This was a really fun, christmas read, which also touched on some hard hitting topics. The song choice for the book title fits so well - it's perfect for Taylor Swift fans!

Very enjoyable cosey read. I enjoyed having the contrast between the present day timeline and Romans and Aspens teenage self's. I loved the self growth then even fully grown adults can have in this book!

Trigger warnings at the beginning of this book I think maybe appropriate. Even though there's not a lot of details there are still mentions of triggers.

Probably the most surprising element of this book was the author's acknowledgements and she points out she's 16 yo. That said, while reading, would I have guessed that? Not in the least and I read teenagers' writing for a living. It was really cool to see the interactions between the songs and the story, the Hollywood life vs regular life and simply having some of givens of fame analyzed.

#arc
#netgalley
#tisthedamnseason

'Tis the Damn Season is a cute and fluffy contemporary romance perfect for the holiday season!

Aspen and Roman’s second chance romance while still having remained close friends was such an interesting and healthy take on the popular trope. It was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Everything about the characterizations really made me want to root for them as people and as a couple.

Though I loved the characters, I did struggle with some of their dialogue. At certain points, it tended to stumble into unrealistic territory. I also felt the nods to Taylor Swift song titles were a bit too heavy handed and ended up cheapening the writing instead of enhancing it.

All in all, this was such a cute, enjoyable reading experience with a love story I know will stick with me, and I’m so appreciative to have obtained an ARC.

This was cute and definitely gave the same vibe I get from watching a seasonal hallmark movie. And yes, the title being a Taylor Swift song is what drew me in but actually reading it I found it a bit heavy handed referencing the lyrics. In case you forgot this is a book based off of that song. The writing also feels a bit YA at times even though this is an adult romance.

It was a quick and entertaining read. It's great if you're looking for a book to give you those holiday vibes. It just read a bit juvenile, which is fine, just not a romance that's really gonna stick with me.

I'll admit I was drawn to this book by the Taylor Swift song title. Overall the actual story didn't quite hit the mark for me. I can't quite pinpoint why - I did like the premise, and I did read the whole book, but wasn't feeling compelled to read as much as I do when I'm really into a story.

I was really excited to read this one, as a swiftie and contemporary romance fan. Unfortunately for me it fell short, I felt the Taylor Swift references were just chucked in without actually relating to the chapters, and I didn't really feel anything for the characters. I think the TS references will draw a lot of people in regardless

I am a swifty. However, it took a lot of time for me to get into this book. I didn’t care for this book very much. Nothing captured me. I did love the concept. Tis the damn season is one of my favorite TS songs. I just didn’t like the way this was written. I want to thank Kimi Freeman and Net Galley for this ARC.

I received an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been trying for days to get into this book but I could not. While the premise is wonderful-- a small town girl returning home after some scandal living in the big city set with the backdrop of the holidays, the execution was not for me. I enjoy Hallmark movies-- they're cozy but the constant back and forth between high school and the present felt off. The characters didn't seem to have natural conversation with each other and the situations they were set up to be in felt forced. I was told more than shown things and the things that did happen went the opposite of how the main character wanted them to go. I felt like the main character was re-living her life traumas through other people (the play). I really just felt like I was sneakily reading someone's thoughts in a journal-- or it's the setting of a manuscript for a movie.

Others might like this with the abundance of song references at the beginning of each chapter and throughout the book. There is a trigger warning that wasn't depicted at the beginning of the book.

Both main characters are young adults a few years post high school grad (~23 years old).

This book felt like the biggest and most cosiest wintery hug.

Freeman made this book feel like real life and that is something that was prominent throughout; the characters were honest and true to themselves the entire narrative.

I really warmed to Aspen as the female protagonist of this novel and was rooting for her happy ending the entire book. Aspen stood up for what she felt was right and was so honest about every thought in her head and I loved that about her.

Just a divine read, when snuggled in bed with a blanket.

I wanted to love this book. I really did. I love Taylor Swift and I was instantly reeled in by the concept. The blurb was so intriguing.
The book was a great disappointment. The dynamic between the main characters was weird.
The whole plot, the way they spoke, the character development was all very juvenile and amateurish. Kudos to the author for publishing her book but it needs more work.
The MMC slut shamed the FMC on multiple occasions and called her a whore and you’re telling me that’s acceptable? Nah uh.
The characters were hot and cold. Annoying. Did not vibe with them.
Thank you so much NETGALLEY for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

This feels like it's for people who love fanfiction, Taylor Swift, and Hallmark Christmas movies.

I love all of these so much... that being said, It fell a little flat for me. The relationship happened suddenly and wasn't very believable. The characters could use development and the writing seems stilted. Conversations don't flow naturally.

I do like the dual timeline. I think it's nice to see what it was like for Aspen growing up. It was also nice to see Roman standing up for her and trying to get her out of her shell.

I'm not sure if it's the writing or the fanfiction feeling I get, but this seems very juvenile and could use some editing.

There were definitely some swoon worthy scenes and lines but I think it just overall didn't do it for me. I liked how Aspen was around children that was sweet.


Trigger warnings for SA, leaked information/photos, death of parents, and family illness.

I felt the talk of SA was not done very well.

Wow! A young teen wrote a romance book- what an accomplishment! Also, you can really tell a young teen wrote this romance book....

A really great effort on a first novel. It's a dual timeline story- but it was clear in the "present day" chapters that the author doesn't have the perspective of a life lived beyond 17. As an adult reader-that was roadblock from the jump for me.

A really enjoyable celebrity romance. It was cozy, fun, and very cute. Always love it when the mc's reconnect after not seeing each other for a long period of time. The characters were well developed and so was their story. Would recommend.

The perfect rom com for the festive period. The Taylor Swift references and vibes are just top notch! Such a cute adorable read and I can't wait to read more from this author.

aspen moore's career is going up in flames. her (ex)best friend's boyfriend has accused her of coming on to him while they were on tour for her debut album. sad and alone in la, she decides to return to her home town and her first love roman torres. aspen knows that she must keep their relationship platonic, because roman doesn't want the life that comes with being a celebrity and he isn't going to be leaving fertsville any time soon. will aspen sacrifice it all to stay in fertsville or is their relationship going to go up in flames again.

i found this story to be quite easy to read. despite not overall enjoying it, i couldn't seem to put it down. i will say i quite liked the first 70% of the book. the dual time lines were a great tool to help see the origin of their romance. i liked aspen as a character, but it felt like everyone around her didn't. i didn't like roman at all by the end. he felt very toxic and was constantly putting down aspen's career because of the lack of privacy.

I kindly got this book as an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity.

Rating: 1 ⭐️ DNF
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook
Pages: 356
Spice: -🌶️
POV: First pov
S/S: standalone
Check trigger warnings for any book

I could not continue this book as this just isn’t for me. I’m sure it’s a cute winter holiday romcom but it was too cheesy for me.

The writing style is very easy to read. But the characters feel way too superficial. I’m sure this book will work for someone else!

Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok and instagram