This forced proximity Christmas romcom between a doctor and a movie star from completely different worlds is so addictive I finished it in one sitting! Also, I love that the author published different versions with and without spice so there’s something for everyone!

*Holiday Star* by Melissa Dymond is a sweet, festive romance that centers around a hero in need of saving, which adds an interesting twist to the typical holiday romance. The story is heartwarming and full of holiday cheer, with a good dose of emotional depth as the characters work through their struggles and find healing together.

However, while the premise is engaging, the pacing felt a bit slow at times, and the plot didn’t have many surprises. The romance between the characters is charming but lacks the spark that could have made it truly stand out. The characters are likable, but I didn’t fully connect with them on an emotional level, which made it harder to become deeply invested in their journey.

Overall, *Holiday Star* is a pleasant, feel-good read perfect for the holiday season, but it doesn’t offer much beyond the standard holiday romance tropes. It's enjoyable for fans of light, festive reads but may leave those looking for more depth or excitement wanting a little more.

Super cute Christmas themed romance about a movie star looking to hide and a workaholic not looking for anything. Loved the Twilight references throughout the book. This is the perfect story to pick up when looking to get into the holiday spirit.

There is really honestly nothing a love more then holiday romance books! They hit everytime and this one was no different! Super cute!

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on heavy subjects like addiction, loss and grief, and losing a parent. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Holiday Star”, set against the backdrop of a cozy December, follows Gwen Wright, a disciplined doctor house-sitting for her family, and Caleb Lawson, a brooding Hollywood star hiding from scandal (who just so happens to be Gwen’s stepdad’s nephew). Filled with forced proximity, this holiday read will warm up your heart without a doubt.

With the perfect mix of festive charm, celebrity allure, and emotional depth, this was such a fun, holiday read. Balancing witty banter with deeper, healing moments as both characters confront personal insecurities, this book will have you wishing for more. Gwen’s down-to-earth nature contrasts beautifully with Caleb’s chaotic life in the spotlight, and their chemistry is undeniable. The “celebrity meets ordinary girl” trope is handled with fresh sincerity, making their journey to love feel authentic rather than overdone.

For readers sensitive to content, Dr. Melissa Dymond thoughtfully offers two versions of the book: one “sweet” (closed-door) and another “spicy” (open-door) with mild explicit scenes. I chose the spicy edition and found the intimate moments to be tasteful, enhancing rather than overshadowing the emotional arc.

If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers with a forced proximity twist, “Holiday Star” will make your holiday season a little brighter. It’s the perfect read to cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and dream of your own celebrity meet-cute.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Melissa Dymond DO in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 01, 2023

A sweet holiday romance with an over the top HEA. I had a good time reading this book- the characters were likable and flawed giving them dimension that's oftentimes lacking in books like these. Both the Gwen and Caleb have some very real issues and traumas and I found myself rooting for them both individually and as a couple. Though Pip is 100% my favorite character.

Things I enjoyed:
-The Christmas bits!
-Characters facing and dealing with problems
-Forced proximity
-The meet cute.
-The HEA

Things I didn't like so much:
-Gwen's mother waiting to give her the news about the job until the DAY BEFORE she was supposed to visit.
-Gwen's mother's reaction to the photo and her subsequent phone call
-Gwen's mother.
-Caleb's mother.
- The constant references to Caleb's scent. Cinnamon. He smell like cinnamon toothpaste. Got it.
-The HEA- I mean.... really WHAT CAN'T THIS COUPLE DO?! It was too much for me.
- The second half of the book seemed to drag a bit.

Over all a quick, fun holiday read that tackles some heavy topics.

The perfect holiday read! Full of festive charm and heartwarming moments, Melissa Dymond brings joy and romance to the season. A true winter delight!

Melissa Dymond’s Holiday Star is a charming festive romance that sparkles with warmth and holiday spirit. The story revolves around a young woman navigating her way through the challenges of the holiday season, including family expectations and personal aspirations, all while discovering the magic of love.

Dymond’s writing is engaging and evocative, beautifully capturing the essence of the holidays with vivid descriptions of festive settings and traditions. The characters are relatable and well-developed, each bringing their own stories and struggles to the mix, making the emotional journey feel authentic.

The pacing is delightful, with a blend of lighthearted moments and deeper reflections on love, family, and the importance of following one’s heart. Themes of hope, redemption, and the joy of connection shine through, making it an uplifting read.

Overall, Holiday Star is a heartwarming and enjoyable read that will resonate with fans of holiday romances. It’s a perfect escape for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the magic of the season while enjoying a sweet love story.

This book was fine but I found it to be overall predictable. I felt the book was way too long for the amount of story and I had to skim a large portion of the book to be able to complete it.

The fact that this book comes in a closed door and SPICY version, immediately yes. Sign me up and OBVIOUSLY for the Spicy version.

Tropes: Doctor, Movie Star, Romance, Forced Proximity, Stepdads Nephew, Grinch, enemies to lovers

Gwen and Caleb are forced to spend the holidays together, can they get past their differences? The angst, the tension, the SPICE. Yes, Yes, Yessss. This is the best Holiday romance I have read in a minute. I love the enemies to lovers trop and Gwen and Caleb just had SO MUCH CHEMISTRY!! The characters in this book just felt so real, the way that Melissa Dymond wrote melted my heart and was everything I needed for a Holiday romance, I felt like I was right there with them on this journey.

Highly recommend!

I appreciate that this author offers her book in two versions-spicy or not spicy. That shows she cares about her readers! This was an adorable story. I loved Gwen as the main character. This had fun holiday romance vibes, and I was here for it!

This romance novel is a beautifully crafted tale that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The characters are well-developed, each with their own struggles and growth arcs, making them relatable and endearing. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, filled with moments of tension, humor, and tenderness that keep readers engaged.

Holiday Star - Spicy by Melissa Dymond is a fun, feel-good romance, ideal for readers who love a bit of celebrity sparkle. If you're into Christmas-themed stories that dive into love, self-discovery, and the magic of the season, this one’s a great pick!

I really enjoyed Holiday Star - especially the fact that there are two versions to enjoy, depending on your preferred level of spice. It takes a minute to get into the plot, but once you're hooked, you're hooked! I am a sucker for holiday romances that also delve into deeper topics, and this story delivered on all fronts. I can't wait to enjoy her next one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
holiday romcom
forced proximity
vulnerable MMC
groveling
addiction
therapy
coming of age
self discovery
spicy romance

Dr. Melissa Dymond never misses, I can always count on her books being 10/10 and this spicy holiday book is no different!

I could not put the book down. I was immediately drawn to Gwen. We had so many similarities and insecurities in common. She was so easily relatable. All the characters were well thought out and created with purpose. The storyline was brilliantly written and held my attention until the very last word. This is not just a story about romance, this is a story about heartache and healing. It’s about grief and recognizing all the ways it affects us in our daily lives. It’s about shattering other people’s expectations of yourself and living your truth. It’s also a story about fighting for what you believe in. To have the courage and strength to dream new dreams and reimagine your life, despite the outside world–or your doubts–standing in the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This was a wonderful book and I'll be purchasing it for the library!

I thought this book was a cute and fun holiday romance. I felt some parts to be repetitive, but all in all, I enjoyed it. I would recommend reading the bonus chapters, because they are in Caleb’s POV, and I think the Christmas Day one was eye-opening into what happened. I wish we would’ve seen some of his POV throughout the story though instead of just having bonus chapters, especially if there is important information that would be useful for the reader. But overall, I enjoyed it and it would be a good read during the holiday season.

This was very cute but ended up lagging a bit half way through for me - some of the drama included felt unnecessary. I’m a sucker for a holiday romance though so I did enjoy this but just felt it should’ve been shorter!

She’s a doctor, her mom remarries and the nephew of the man she marries is a celebrity and the two go through a forced proximity. There’s a lot of different topics mentioned in this book. I thought it was really awesome that for every copy of this book sold, 10% goes to colon cancer research. There’s also 2 different copies of this book, you can get a spicy version or a regular version which I also thought was very well done for each type of audience reading this book.

Very cute book! Loved the characters and a fun plot. Enjoyable holiday read!

Thank you NetGalley and Melissa Dymond!