First, THANK YOU NetGalley, Dr.Melissa Dymond, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first holiday romance book if you can believe it! I have read a variety of romance books but never a Christmas one, so I was excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley! Let me start by saying WOW what a way to start my journey for Christmas romance novels! 😍🎄 I really enjoyed this cute romance story that included forced proximity and enemies to lovers!

On a more personal note, I think I really loved this book because I connected to it in a really meaningful way. ❤️I recently lost my Dad and that has been really tough to deal with and the grieving process is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. In this story, Gwen the main character is going through her own grief of losing her Dad and watching her Mother remarry. This book had me in all my feels relating to every word she mentioned or whenever she thought of her Dad. I really was able to connect to the characters emotions and understand where she was coming from on such a deeper level. Was totally not expecting that but loved every bit of it.

I loved Gwen’s romance with Caleb and it was spicy for sure but not over the top. I wanted more though!! There is so much back story to these characters and I love that every aspect is explained throughout the book. Like if I had a question, chapters down the line it would be answered! So satisfying!! It makes you feel so connected to the characters and makes you have real attachment to them as well. I felt all the emotions when reading this book and I highly recommend it for your next holiday rom com read! Be warned Caleb is definitely going to steal your heart by the end of this book! 😉

I thought this book was cute, but it dragged on super hard halfway through the book, and I didn’t think I’d be able to finish it but I did. Our FMC is a doctor who's dealing with the fact she's going to be alone on christmas, and she's house sitting for her mom and her new step dad. Everything was okayish, until Caleb appears, and Caleb is a huge moviestar and also her stepdad's nephew. He ends up staying in the house and they have to coexist.
For a forced proximity this was kind of okay? Usually I enjoy these books a bit more and in the start I was enjoying it a lot, but it just fell flat and forced halfway through. I thought there romance was cute, but the spice was just eh for me. Both characters were pretty good together though.
I do want to say, I appreciate the author letting readers choose if they want a spicy/open-door version or a clean/closed door. I’ve never seen this before and it helps readers who want to read a story without spice do so.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Melissa Dymond for this Arc in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars

This is one of my first Festive reads of the year so best believe I got cosy to read this book.

A cute Christmas romance where Gwen, a hardworking Nurse, returns home for Christmas to find that her family aren't going to be there this year. Then comes Caleb, the celebrity actor who finds himself in the same house hiding from the outside world. I would like to say I loved Caleb as a character. He may have been closed off but he was also very real and true to who he is.

This book really does show you the importance of Christmas and the festivities we all take part in whether it's singing or putting the decorations up. With the surprise added romance which was, I thought, a slow burn, this book had every emotion you could think of around the holidays.

One of the main Tropes of this book was forced proximity which worked sooo well with the writing of this book. Being stuck with someone you don't want to be stuck with on the holidays what could possibly happen. Your brains can be the judge of that before you read it.

Also the cover!! This was a factor as to why I had to read this book. I suggest you read Holiday Star this December.

Please do ensure you are checking TW just in case there is a topic that is sensitive to you as there is talks about grief, addiction etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Holiday Star by Dr. Melissa Dymond

I fell in LOVE with Caleb and Gwen in this page-turning holiday romance

Synopsis:
One doctor. One movie star.
One house.
One month until Christmas.

What could go wrong?

Dr. Gwen Wright is having a not-so-merry Christmas. For the month of December, she’s alone, house-sitting for her mother and new stepfather. Her surgically precise world gets a plot twist when Caleb Lawson—world-famous movie star on the run from the paparazzi and his secrets—crash lands in her kitchen.

--

I loved Melissa's writing, and how it felt like I was experiencing the characters emotions with them. Caleb's groveling was EVERYTHING 🤌🏻🥵🩷🫣🫶🏻🌶️ She really delivered on all things enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and TENSION and chemistry, while still making it easy to relate to Gwen and Caleb's struggles with mental health, self worth and fearing failure. Even though the two fell for each other fast, it still felt realistic and attainable.

Plus! Even though this is a holiday romance, it really can be read any time of year - their story continues past the holidays!

Holiday Star is available on KU & you can also find it in two versions: spicy 🌶️ and sweet (closed-door)

I already posted on GoodReads and will be sharing on Bookstagram tomorrow! Thank you SO much for the DRC, I can't wait for your next book!!!

Loved this one! It drug on in some places a bit too much, but the plot made up for it. Gwen and Caleb were lovely as a couple and their openness with one another was something to make readers envious! The way both were successful in their careers in various ways, and their family connections or lack thereof, showed up in many different ways which was great to read. To boot - our author has created two stories to fit YOU - closed door plot and an open door plot! This is an amazing adaptation for readers, although I’m sure it was a TON of work! Overall, this story was a great holiday (into the rest of the year) story and made you really think as a reader. Thank you for the opportunity to read as an ARC!

Loved the festive holiday read! Forced proximity, secrets, loss, mommy issues, unlikely friends, best friend betrayal, a girl finally standing up for herself, a sweet gift, and a little bit of spice!!!

*** I just want to say that if you read this book - and you SHOULD read it - I hope you find Chapter 16 as hysterical as I found it. Dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent & falling bring on hysterical laughing - the kind where catching your breath is difficult. I am fairly certain while waiting to pick up my kiddos from school my laughing brought on quite a few looks from other parents thinking a crazy person was in the car. ***

5/5 ⭐️ This is a must read especially for anyone loving Christmas. The book touches on themes of love, mental health, self-doubt, trusting others, grief and facing fears. There is close proximity, opposites attract, sunshine vs grumpy (not for long) & enemies to lovers. Dymond touches on mental health wellness, therapy, art therapy and alcoholism. She approaches each on a serious note but with a gentle lightness to fit into the book.

Gwen is a medical resident; Caleb is an actor worn down by his life. Gwen is house sitting for the holidays for her mom & stepdad. She was excited to spend time with them. Caleb is at the house so he can hide from his life. It is rough working around each other. Plus, Gwen’s need to help, her kind heart & as she gains more understanding of Caleb and his struggles she invites him into her life, her heart. Since Caleb is always being judged & always on display for the world he finds it difficult to trust & open up. As they spend time together, Gwen finds childhood items that invoke old memories & she introduces Caleb to Christmas. He has never celebrated Christmas; he does not even have his own STOCKING! The closer Gwen & Caleb become they find themselves opening their hearts to one another. And although they swear to make it all work - Caleb is forced to walk away.

Afterward, so many changes come about for both Gwen & Caleb. When they come together again Caleb has to work hard to win Gwen back. She does not plan on making it easy; she has to protect herself & protect her heart. This is a must read!!

Such a great book. Loved, loved the characters and the storyline. It was one of those books I couldn’t put down.

I thought this was such a sweet story of two totally different people finding each other! Really enjoyed!

This story was so good! This is my first time reading anything from this author. Both witty and gut wrenching! Definitely will recommend!

Gwen Wright is an ER doctor and is elated to have the whole month of December off from work to spend the holidays at home with her family. Her mom and stepfather drop the news that they're moving to Japan and leave immediately, and since Gwen already has the month off, ask her to stay at their home while it's being remodeled. Needless to say, Gwen is having a not-so-merry Christmas. Just when she's accepted she'll be staying in the house alone, Caleb Lawson, Gwen's new stepdad's movie star nephew, shows up needing a place to hide out from the paparazzi. Reluctantly, she agrees to allow him to stay, and they slowly start to build a friendship that blossoms into more.

This is the first book that I've seen where the author is offering both a spicy, open-door version (obvi the one I picked) and a clean, sweet, closed-door version to cater to all audiences, which I thought was really cool! I loved the holiday vibes of the first half and almost wish it would have been wrapped up there, but after the holidays had come and gone, there's a lot of drama that happens that I could have done without. I did like that you got to see a lot of depth from the characters and them facing their insecurities and fears and there's a good mental health aspect to the book as well. If you like forced proximity, he falls first (and fast) and a little bit of spice, you might want to check this one out!

I really wanted to love this one but it just wasn't quite what I was hoping for!

I’m a total sucker for Christmas romcoms and forced proximity and Holiday Star has both! What better way to get to know someone than being literally stuck with them?!
Holiday Star is about a super hot actor (who is really a jack of all trades!) and a quiet ER doctor. Weird match? Maybe. But this couple totally works and now I need more of Caleb and Gwen!

Also I LOVE the fact that this author is donating 10% of the proceeds from this book to Colon cancer research!

Thank you NetGalley and Dr. Melissa Dymond for a copy of Holiday Star in exchange of my honest review!

Overall, I enjoyed Holly Ever After and appreciate the fact that the author provides two different versions, one spicy and one not. I read the spicy one. I felt that the story was at a good pace and did not drag on because it had me quickly turning to the next page to see what was going to happen next. If you’re looking for a great rom-com for the holiday season then you should consider reading this one.

Wow-what a sweet, dramatic rom com full of truth. I had a hard time putting this down. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read! I loved it!

This was such a cute holiday read! I was sucked into this book from the very beginning. I’m such a sucker for a heartwarming Christmas story. I loved the first half with Gwen giving Caleb his first real Christmas with all the classic traditions. The beginning of their love story was so sweet.

I wasn’t expecting all of the emotions going into the second half of the book, but they really hit me hard. I thought the author did a great job with both Gwen and Caleb’s character growth. They each had their own struggles to overcome and I really enjoyed witnessing that journey for both of them. While the conflict was a bit long, I found the conclusion very satisfying.

While I thought the author put a lot of care and effort into the main two characters and their struggles with mental health/addiction, I thought the conflict with Gwen’s mother was somewhat glossed over. I found her mother’s behavior pretty questionable from what we were shown, but Gwen seemed to agree/go along with what she said and it wasn’t really addressed again. While I thought most of the conflict had sufficient closure, this was the one thing I still had questions about.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it. Thank you NetGalley and the author, Dr. Melissa Dymond for the copy of this book!

Holiday Star was a lighthearted romp between a young doctor struggling to figure out who she wants to be and a mega star who no longer finds any joy in his life. Author Melissa Dymond did not shy from those difficult subjects like loss, breakups, drinking, etc., and I appreciated that she offered different formats for her readers (open door, closed door) depending on their comfort level.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

I think I found my favorite romance trope! I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main couple, Gwen and Caleb a lot and I just loved their story together and separately. Sometimes the dialogue and the conflict between them felt a little immature for them being closer to 30. But outside of that, I loved their banter and just how their relationship developed throughout the book. My one other complaint is that it didn't feel super holiday-ish since Christmas ended halfway through the book. Actually, the second half of the book almost felt a lot different than the first half. And nothing is wrong with that! I didn't mind that the second half didn't have as much holiday content but because of this, I don't know if it should really be considered a holiday read (especially with the title being Holiday Star). I am very excited about the sequel!! I will definitely be reading it. I also really love that the author had two versions-clean, closed door and spicy, open door. I think that really opens the doors for her as she will attract different kinds of readers. I also love that she donates 10% of the proceeds to colon cancer research (especially since this was a theme in the book).

4.25/5 stars!

My first Christmas book of the year! 🎄

Thank you to @netgalley & @melissadymondauthor for sending me this book ❤️

You can’t beat a festive romance & this book delivers. It comes in two different versions too. There’s a spicy version 🌶️ & a version that has all the romance without the spice if that isn’t your thing! Bet you can’t guess which one I read 🙊😅

Holiday Star centres around our two main characters, Gwen & Caleb. Gwen is house sitting for her Mum & Step-Father over Christmas when an unexpected guest, her Step-Father’s movie star nephew decides to show up & use the house as a hideout.

The book follows their journey with Gwen working as a nurse at a hospital & Caleb trying to hide from the paparazzi & the spotlight. It’s a cosy & cute but fun & page-turning read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Caleb is just an absolute sweetheart & Gwen, although she doesn’t think it, in my opinion is a bad ass. I loved the banter & connection they had together & you’ll find yourself rooting for them from start to finish.

It has elements of enemies to lovers (my fave!) forced proximity, celebrity romance & it’s a HEA which is what we all love & need at this time of year 😌

Definitely the sort of book you can snuggle up under the blankets with whilst drinking a hot chocolate! I really enjoyed this book & highly recommended it as a light, easy read perfect for the festive season 🥰

I gave this book a 4 ⭐️ on my Goodreads.

10/10 loved that the author offered 2 versions spicy and not spicy! It helped me recommend this book to my younger cousin without having to worry if it was too much for her.

Easy fun read not too much effort is needed which is exactly what I love in Christmas romances 🤍 and of course he falls first !!! Yes pleaseeee