it was good enough for a debut novel. the taylor swift references and a storyline baes on one of the best songs in evermore bought me, considering the fact that evermore is my favorite TS album. but i did have some issues with the book so i'll be addressing those ig. THE ENTIRE BOOK WAS HIGHLY UNREALISTIC. LIKE THE CHARACTERS, THE STORYLINE, THE CONVERSATIONS, THE DIALOGUES. all of it. ok so tell me who lands an acting gig with one of the biggest networks within a year of moving to LA without any prior experience in that field. not to mention the show was so successful that it was renewed for new seasons even tho the plot seemed mid. then right after that she put out album which was so fucking amazing that it charted at no 1 everywhere and she went on a tour with just those 10 fucking songs and performed to sold out stadiums. now coming to the main guy. (im so sorry i forgot all their names just after one day of reading it) so before that just so you know this book has a dual timeline, one when they were 17 and other when they are 23 or 24 ig im not sure exactly. this guy was just plain. like he had these dialogues that were supposed to be intense in a mature way but came off too bland and dense because his personality couldn't carry those words. like there were no layers to his character, there was no character development so both his teenage and adult personality seemed pretty much the same. hence everytime he said something romantic all i could do was roll my eyes just like cher did in her iconic "ugh, as if". like c'mon even i've had boyfriends and i know for a fact that teenage boys just do not act that way it was like 2015s wattpad story i mean there were a lot i mean A LOT of cringe worthy moments where i just wanted to dnf it but it was also kinda cute so i went on. but hey i dont really blame the author (as if the naivety wasn't enough to give this one away, turns out she really is just 17) because we've all had that one phase in our lives where we think that "if i get into a relationship i'll be the perfect girlfriend/boyfriend ill have this perfect partner who'll be just like the characters i read about". look i get it when we're really young we want an ideal relationship that'll be just too perfect to be true but somehow we think we can make it work but as u grow old you realise "ideal" is just an idea it doesn't exist irl and relationships are supposed to be flawed and nuanced to be true. but kudos to the author for pulling up this book, it is kinda impressive.
coming to the plot, i dont know what to say other than just go and stream tis the damn season and you'll know everything you need to know. pretty much the perfect representation of each other. also i wanted to mention that adults, not to mentions adults who are in entertainment industry do not interact like that, even if they hate each other's guts, there's a protocol they have to follow while interacting in public. so all in all, while i do know a relationship with dynamics like that wouldn't survive irl, like its just part of someone's imaginations who hasn't been kicked by life yet, it was still a sweet and fun throwback to simpler times when even i had those dreams and hopes of a perfect life in my strawberry world with rainbows and unicorns lol.

ARC review -
I was definitely sucked in by the friendship betrayal like that just immediately made me want to read more about aspen
roman definitely feels like he was written by a woman like without a doubt
the more I read the more it felt like a hallmark movie because there was no real or at least no lasting arguments/fights. even teenager them handled a fight within seconds of the topic becoming a thing which felt very adult for them and then very unrealistic
the Keith trigger was mentioned so early on that it felt his name kept popping up at the most random times without really knowing who he was or why he was apart of aspens past
some chapters when looking at the past felt very short and like they could just fill in as her looking back rather than it's own chapter

This was cute and cozy!

A scandal has just messed up her life and Aspen Moore, a famous actress and singer, decides to go back to her hometown early before the holiday season. There, she immediately runs into her high school boyfriend, Roman, who she left behind when she went to pursue her dreams of fame in Los Angeles. The book is told in dual timelines - the first in the present, and the second starting 7 years ago when Aspen first met Roman.

This book is like reading a Christmas Hallmark movie. It has a cute romance with interesting — if a bit underdeveloped — characters and some nice drama (which I wish was even more dramatic at some points!). There are some nods to Taylor Swift throughout the book that I think a fan would appreciate, but wouldn’t stick out as odd to a reader that doesn’t listen to her music. The book does read rather young, which I think actually worked out quite well for the “then” plotline, but could sometimes stick out in the “now.” I really appreciated that even though it was a dual timeline story, there was no “enemies” aspect to the story, which I believe to typically show up in that format.

Overall, this was a fun read fit for not only a Taylor Swift fan, but anyone that may want a fast-paced holiday romance.

*Recommend that you check CW for this book, as well

Thank you to NetGalley, Parson Press, and Kimi Freeman for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Book Review

'Tis the Damn Season (ARC)
by Kimi Freeman
published by Parson Press

Aspen Moore is a young actress/musician who has gained tremendous fame in a short span of time and is starting to experience the pitfalls that go along with it.
After a scandal upends her life, she returns to her hometown where she reconnects with her first love Roman Torres whilst the two help direct a Nativity at their local church. They keep being drawn together but will they make it to forever at the end?

Publication Date UK - 24th Oct

Such a sweet, romanticised hopeful love story that still deals with tough issues such as sexual assault and health troubles.

The @taylorswift song the title inspired is one of my favourites and I enjoyed the subtle nods to her other works throughout.

Every chapter having a corresponding song from a playlist was a nice touch and was great for background music whilst reading and setting the scene.

The dual timeline helped keep things fresh and the action happening at a good pace, I was invested in both timelines equally!

Not a spicy ready by any means, which makes sense when you find out how young the author is. Between other books I'm reading it was refreshing and as a debut novel, Kimi Freeman will definitely be one to keep an eye on as she grows in her writing and in life!

Thank you to @kimifreeman_ , Parson Press and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Tis the Damn Season" delivers a heartwarming and engaging story filled with love, second chances, and the magic of the holiday season. Aspen Moore, a Hollywood starlet, is at the peak of her career but feels something is missing in her life. When a scandal shakes her world, she returns to her Pennsylvania hometown, setting the stage for a reunion with her first love, Roman Torres.

The novel beautifully explores the themes of love, self-discovery, and the importance of home and family. Aspen and Roman's rekindled connection is the heart of the story, and their chemistry is palpable. The push and pull between them, driven by the fear of heartbreak and the allure of what might have been, creates a captivating and emotional journey.

The setting of a small Pennsylvania town during the Christmas season adds a delightful and festive backdrop to the story. The author skillfully captures the charm and warmth of a close-knit community, making readers feel like they are part of the holiday festivities.

Aspen's character is relatable and complex, and her journey of self-reflection and growth is a central element of the narrative. Roman, with his dark brown eyes and unwavering love, is a wonderfully crafted hero who complements Aspen perfectly.

The writing is engaging and evocative, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story and connect with the characters. The pacing is well-executed, with a mix of heartwarming moments, emotional depth, and a touch of drama to keep the plot moving.

"Tis the Damn Season" is a delightful holiday romance that captures the spirit of the season while delivering a compelling love story. It reminds us that sometimes, the things we've been searching for all along can be found in the place where we least expect them. If you're looking for a heartwarming and enchanting Christmas read, this book is a perfect choice.

3.5 Stars!

This is a really good debut and had the feeling of a YA normal people for fans of Taylor Swift and Christmas vibes.
I struggled to follow along all the storylines but it’s such a great debut, I know I’ll be reading whatever Kimi writes next 🥺🫶🏻

This book has a lot of potential and I really liked the premise. I appreciated the dual timeline for building the background between the two main characters Aspen and Roman but felt that in this instance it made the story feel a bit disjointed as it interrupted the flow rather than added to the body of the story on occasion.
I would have liked the characters and their relationship to be fleshed out more. I do think that the personalities of the two main characters were inconsistent at times, and other secondary characters felt more like props than real people.
Knowing that this is a debut novel and that the author is 16, I will say that there’s a lot of good potential and despite this not being a favourite I’d be interested to see how she develops as a writer and what she comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review

'Tis the Damn Season by Kimi Freeman is a heartbreaking and heart-melting contemporary romance told from the point of view of twenty-three-year-old Aspen Moore. If you like Taylor Swift and the holiday season, I think this just might be the book for you. The story line follows many tracks of her music, and of course the title is one of her songs. I'd say she was definitely an inspiration for Kimi to write this story. I found it very enjoyable and easy to read. I fell in love with the two main characters and really felt their emotions through the roller coaster of their relationship.

Aspen moved to Hollywood at the age of eighteen to pursue her dream of singing and acting. The problem is that she had to leave behind her first love, Roman Torres. Her dreams did end up coming true with her getting the leading role in a soap opera, and she has just recently been on tour.

Aspen gets caught up in a scandal with her best friend and her best friend's boyfriend, leading her to move out of their place together. Friendless and homeless, she heads back to Pennsylvania to get away from everything involved with being famous for a while. Upon returning home, she discovers that Roman (Rome) is now working for her father. Surprised by this fact alone and the presence of him at his parents house, she finds herself beginning to feel things for Rome again. Knowing that she needs to keep it strictly as a friendship, she sets her boundaries but enjoys rekindling their friendship while she is back in town. As a favor to Aspen's father, they take over the Christmas production at the local church. Aspen has production and music knowledge, and Rome has an undeniable ease of working with children. You could say that they are the perfect pair! Too many opportunities for Rome and Aspen's feelings to bubble over will leave them both with the need to express words they've long suppressed sharing.

The biggest problem is that the drama didn't end with the scandal that led her to return to Fertsville, as sadly, more lies ahead for her and Rome, a man who has always stayed away from the spotlight. As friendship starts to subside and true love begins to win out, will Aspen be willing to give up her dreams in Hollywood for the love of her life?

Thank you so much to Kimi Freeman, Parson Press, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story! As soon as I read that it was inspired by one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs, I knew had to read it!

I loved that the chapters went back and forth in time and helped explain the relationship. While I definitely think some of the emotions and aspects of the FMC’s career could be more fleshed out, I still really enjoyed the build of the story.

Also, the Christmas play was adorable and I loved seeing the kids grow as the rehearsals went on. 🩵

Thank you to Netgalley and Kimi Freeman for gifting me an arc for an honest review! And kudos to Kimi for being so young and yet so amazing!

A Hollywood starlet caught in a scandal, Aspen Moore is forced to return to her hometown. She reconnects with her first love, Roman Torres. Their past and present are quite contrasting and she knows she should keep her relationship status to him as platonic only but will be she be able to do it?
The characters are quite contrasting yet the way the author has penned down their story kept me hooked till the very end. I had a great time reading this.

Wow. I don’t even know where to begin with this one. This book will probably be one of my top reads for the year. It was so engaging that I read this book in less than 24 hours. If the Taylor Swift references didn’t already make my heart happy enough, the love between Pen and Rome warmed me right up and had me giggling and kicking my feet at their perfection. I laughed, cried, gasped, and cheered while reading this book. As if I wasn’t already obsessed enough, I then found out the author wrote this book at 15! Simply amazing!

I read this as a Taylor Swift fan fiction romance, and from that perspective I thought it was cute. Based on the age of the characters and some of the plot points (backstabbing best friend and the harmful effects of gossip), it read more as a YA romance. I appreciated that it was a holiday-themed romance that could be read anytime during the year, and I look forward to reading more from the author as she continues to grow!

I can see what this was trying to achieve but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I love me a book with short chapters but the story just felt so rushed and surface level it was pretty much “she did this… he said that….”, I don’t know how else to describe it than basic? It read like a YA novel but then there was the random C bomb dropped in there that felt completely out of place and also the mention of SA that didn’t fit with the tone of the book.

I think the whole book is marketed on the fact that it’s full of Taylor Swift references but a lot of them felt so forced, most of it didn’t even relate to her songs other than shoving the title of the song in the chapter somewhere.

I started out hopeful that I would enjoy this but by 40-50% I was just fully skimming it to get to the end.


Thank you to Parson Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I saw this book was inspired by the taylor swift song of the same title, I immediately picked it up. This was a quick and easy read and I basically finished it in one sitting.
However, going into this book with high hopes, I was kind of disappointed.

Firstly I’d like to say that I absolutely loved the playlist and the fact that a song was assigned to each chapter.
But in my opinion, the relationship development could have been done much better and I didn’t like the fact that there was no pining or angst. This book wasn’t for me but i can definitely see a younger audience enjoying it.🫶🏻

*please check TW before reading.

I received this as an ARC and DNF'd at 8% so I will not be giving this any numerical review.

This book is basically Taylor Swift fanfic and follows the 'what if' of "What if Taylor Swift came home for the holidays to her childhood crush who is in love with her/ IE a retelling of "'Tis The Damn Season" where Taylor is not really Taylor." It's a cute idea.

The Good:
- I wanted to read this book but my one worry was that it would have too many Taylor Swift quotes that would get on my nerves. I am happily surprised that I was wrong! There certainly were a few references, but it never felt like I was getting hit over the head with these references. I felt like if I truly linked the book with the playlist then I may feel like it was too much TSwift but since I am not too into playlist I just skipped over that option.
- The pacing felt natural and moved quickly.
- The author laid out the history quickly and clearly.

The Bad:
- Personally, I avoid clean/modern romances and I started to feel like this book was just not for me pretty early on because of how sweet and cute it was. This book feels like a Hallmark movie, which is not my thing but will be someone else's thing. Once church was brought into the book I knew that I just did not want to continue.
- I feel like if you are going to have a book that mentions Church then maybe the title of the book should not curse and point to being a 'dirty/edgy/spicy' Christmas book. I could totally be wrong about this though since I DNF'd so early on.
- I don't like the 'friends to lovers' trope and this is the main trope for this book, so again, just not a book for me.
- I felt like the POV was very YA and that our FMC was very young because she was written like a high schooler. I did not like being in her head and I felt like the writing was not a very mature style. Because of this, she also felt like a 'pick me' girl which I think is a product of the writing and not an actual character trait. Not a bad thing for this style of book, but again, not my jam.

The Ugly:
- Nothing about this book was just plain bad.

As a Taylor fan, I was so excited to read this book. I loved how each chapter tied back to a song creating the ultimate book playlist. It was an easy read and the story did keep me entertained, although I wish there was a bit more substance to it.

This book was great for what it was - a quick, easy read full of tropes (which I love). It also felt relatable - we all have relationships (romantic or not) that we revisit when we're in our hometowns. The Taylor Swift references were abundant, which made the book that much better.

That being said, I'd love to see more depth to the characters and the emotion behind their actions, as well as more detail into what happened between Aspen and Keith, the relationship between Aspen and some of the side characters (like her friendships and her parents), and Roman's relationships with his parents. It felt like things were sort of thrown together, and while everything worked out in the end, it was hard to feel invested in the relationships between each of the characters. We're told how people were close, but we don't necessarily see it reflected in the text.

I love a good romance, and this one was wonderful! It had witty banter, and lovable characters. I was rooting for them the whole way through!

I don't think this one was for me.
It had a very YA feel to it, and just didn't hit my mark.
And it's a total ME problem!
Besides that, it was very cute!

The story is good but it is not engaging enough. Some conversations feel forced and abrupt and the characters are also in a way superficial.