This book got me ready got me ready for the holiday season. I love the option of reading two versions of this book. This book is the first time I have seen that and I appreciate that.

I just finished Holiday Star by Melissa Dymond and here are my thoughts

Gwen, a doctor, is spending Christmas alone. Her mother and her new husband have her house sitting and everyone is gone for the holidays. Everyone except her mothers husband's nephew who happens to be Caleb Lawson, the world famous and sexy movie star. He is hiding out at their house while they are gone.

Sharing a small space that is being renovated isn’t either of their idea of a fun christmas but the more time they spend getting to know each other, the more they start to open up. Caleb has never done christmas being he was a child actor and was always on set and Gwen loves it all. Can their opposite personalities find common ground and will the growing attraction they feel wake them both up?

This book is too cute and I just found out this one is the super clean one and the author released the naughty version of it too!
I really loved Gwen. She felt real to me. I could totally understand how she felt about her mother getting remarried. I understood Caleb too. Not ever being a kid, always in the spotlight. Having the time he did with Gwen opened him up to knowing there was more inside of him. I loved watching that. Seeing the chances in them was the highlight of the book for me.
I love Christmas books so this one already was a winner in my books but the writing was lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed it all. I cannot wait for the next installment.
The tropes…
*Grumpy/sunshine*
*Opposites attract*
*Forced proximity*
4 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Melissa Dymond for my gifted copy!

Super cute romance alert, perfect for Christmas time!

I really enjoyed this book, I’ve been looking for good Christmas and holiday themed reads, and this one fit the bill. The main character Gwen is an ER doctor, whose life is turned upside down as she gets to know her new cousin-in-law Caleb after her mother and his uncle get married. Still grieving the loss of her father, and feeling a bit uneasy with her mother’s new marriage, Caleb coming in as a whirlwind doesn’t help matters. Especially with him being America’s biggest movie star. If you like enemies-to-lovers, fluffy romance, an ode to family and keeping close to the ones we love, this book is for you.

Another really neat thing, Dr. Melissa Dymond is offering two different types of the book, a “spicy” version (with more graphic language and sexier scenes, hotter) and a “sweet” version (with tame language and leave-it-to-the-imagination scenes, gentler and fluffy). I love this idea to reach more people and give them the choice, without sacrificing the story!

Very much recommend. And thank you to NetGalley, Dr. Melissa Dymond, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advanced copy and opportunity to read Holiday Star.

This book reminds me of the great contemporary novels/chic flick of the 2000s.
I’m talking about Sophie Kinsella, Alexander Potter and Jennifer Crusie
The first 25-30% part of the book didn’t catch my attention probably because we’re given the backstory of the main character from the get-go and the main story happens within the house
The beginning part of the book also take place around Christmas

Now let’s talk about the plot
Dr Gwen is excited to spend the holidays with her family in California, she haven’t had the opportunity to see her family over the holidays for years because of her work as a doctor yet now all her plans are ruined as her mother and her new husband will be temporarily moving to Japan
Now she’s house-sitting in California with only her dog Pip to keep her company
One night she heard someone around the house and she took a swing at the intruder
Who would have thought that the person would be Caleb Lawson; the world-renowned actor nephew of her new stepfather?
But Caleb no longer looked like the charismatic, easy-going, and charming superstar she’d met at her mother’s wedding, now he looked world-weary and he’s just trying to hide from the world.
Will these two unlikely paring be able to spend the holidays together? Or do the old-adage of opposite attract strikes once again?

Overall it’s an enjoyable read especially since we’re nearing the holiday seasons.
We see a bit of drama, a bit of healing and some groveling which is a recipe for the perfect romance.
It’s a 4/5 stars for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a really lovely Christmas read which tackled a few more serious issues than most in the genre. The character of Gwen was so lovely you found yourself really rooting for her. Highly recommended.

I read this wonderful holiday book in a day and night. I was the spicy version which was raunchy and naughty.
This book had depth though, usually the book would end when they got together but this carried on with their story and their friendships, Individual lives too. There were some great friendships too in this and it was just a great book for romance readers and especially Christmas ones too.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Holiday star is a festive novel by Melissa Dymond.
The novel comes in two different varieties, a sweet clean version and a spicy romance version. So the choice is there for the reader, which I loved.
I really enjoyed this festive romance novel. It had everything that I could want in a Christmas romance novel and more.
The story was easy to follow and the characters were likeable and the two main characters chemistry was off the charts. A very enjoyable read that I highly recommend.
💖 Thank you to netgalley and the author, Melissa Dymond for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

If you like the Disney movie "Starstruck" this book is for you. "Holiday Star" is about an ER Doctor named Gwen and a Hollywood actor named Caleb who meet in an unexpected way and they both start to fall for each other. As you read more in the book you find out certain things about Caleb and about Gwen that start to affect their relationship with each other. This book had a lot of very descriptive spicy scenes which I was not a fan of, however, there is a clean version available. It is a great book to read around Christmas time. I enjoyed how there were different relationships that helped both characters succeed in their own ways. I also enjoyed how Gwen and Caleb both brought out the best in each other physically and psychologically. Overall, this book is a great holiday rom-com that will make you laugh and pull at your heartstrings!

First off thank you to netgalley for a copy and to the author for this book. Its the perfect book to start off your holiday season. If you want a book to get you im the spirit and all the romantic feels. Definitely got me in the Christmas spirit. I would recommend and read again.

I adored this story! Any book that has enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity is an instant must read for me and throw in a celebrity romance....I'm all over that!

Highly recommend, it was pure festive perfection!!

I could not put this one down!! Holiday Star will capture you right away and is an absolute gem of an enemies-to-lovers story in a holiday setting! It beautifully portrays the captivating journey of Gwen and Caleb, who unexpectedly find themselves trapped together during the holiday season. Gwen, an ER doctor managing her writing and house-sitting duties, showcases a strong-willed persona that perfectly contrasts with Caleb, the elusive Oscar-winning celebrity seeking solace away from the public eye. Beyond its delightful romance, the novel gracefully navigates complex emotional themes such as grief, addiction, and terminal illness, weaving a layer of depth that resonates long after the final page.

This stunning debut is a testament to the author's exceptional storytelling abilities, offering a seamless blend of heartwarming moments and captivating twists that leave a lasting impression. This is the perfect read for the upcoming holiday season but could be read any time of year as the storyline spans throughout all seasons. I loved it and the ending is a chef kiss! Overall, Holiday Star emerges as a heartfelt and captivating Christmas romance, celebrating the triumph of love amidst life's trials and tribulations. I can’t wait to see what Melissa Dymond comes up with next!!

Thank you, NetGalley and Melissa Daymond for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Holiday Star was released on November 1, 2023!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you're looking for a cute Hallmark Christmas romance this is the book for you! Gwen's character growth as she discovers what Caleb can bring to her safe and predictable life as she struggles with grief is something anyone can relate to.

I read the clean version! There is a spicy version as well.

This is the most darling Christmas book! I am always one for the famous guy meets hometown girl storyline.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is the perfect read for this time of year! Honestly, it’s great for anytime of the year as it isn’t Christmas throughout, but the Christmas vibes have got me all in the mood to put up my tree and get my house decorated!

I’m so impressed this is a debut novel! It was so emotionally captivating and kept me turning the pages wanting more! I quite literally laughed out loud at parts, and my heart physically hurt during others. Such a roller coaster, but in a good way!

There are some heavy topics addressed such as mental health, addiction, cancer, on page description of a cut and getting stitches, among other things. So if you’re sensitive to any of these things proceed carefully.

Some things that I LOVED were…

🎄This wasn’t a love at first sight. The relationship felt so much more natural in the way it developed from not caring for the guy, to building a friendship, to then falling in love.

🌟The MCs were so supportive of each other in their individual problems and some of the focus was on their healing and not just the romance.

🎄The side characters were so fun to get to know and such a big part of the story.

🌟There is both a clean version and a spicy version available! I read the spicy version, and it wasn’t too much spice which was great as sometimes it takes away from the story when there’s too much.

🎄10% of the proceeds are donated to colon cancer research! (Would love to see the author update on donations.)

Overall I loved how unique this one was. Not your typical romance novel for sure. I highly recommend especially in the season that we are in!

Great job, Melissa! I can’t wait to read your next one!

2 version: Sweet or Spicy
I read the sweet and would love to also read the spicy version 😜
Caleb & 🌶️ = 🤤
.
This book had me crying throughout 🥲.
.
Melissa brought so many different emotions in - grief, addition, self-talk - I could connect with the characters, especially Gwen.
.
If you haven't read it already add it to your Christmas TBR. Available on Kindle Unlimited AU.
.
Thank you so much Melissa and @netgalley for letting me read a copy 🤍 means so much

This book was cute and a solid debut by the author. It was a cozy read. Just be clear - it is Christmas book but the entire book doesn’t surround the holiday. It’s an open door romance but in my opinion light on the spice.

I would definitely read another book by this author and look forward to some more from her. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley for an honest review.

Holiday Star By Melissa Dymond

I really could not connect with the main characters until about 50% through. I think the book dragged on, and you could've skipped the first half and the book would be much better. That being said, I loved watching these characters work on themselves and grow themselves and then work on the relationship. This really felt like a real relationship instead of something that isn't realistic. 3.5/5 stars. Would recommend.

5/5 Stars ⭐️
ARC Copy
I absolutely loved this book! It was such a good read that was heartfelt, cute, and perfect for the Christmas holidays. I loved how we got to see Gwen overcome some of her struggles throughout the book and become an even more amazing character. I also loved how we got to see Caleb in a bit of a different light than what he was originally portrayed as. This is one of my new favorite Christmas reads and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

I absolutely adored this book. It was a beautiful Christmas rom-com that gets you in just the right mood for the holiday season. The characters were easy to love and to understand. It was easy to connect to both of them, especially as I also lost a parent to cancer at a young age.

The author really hit the nail on the head for what it's like to lose a parent at young age - how people fall into roles they think they need to fill, how families all react differently to grieve, and how much a family will change due to the loss.

Our FMC, Gwen is closed off to people with good reason. It was easy to see where she was coming from in her reactions to everything in the book. Our MMC, Caleb is now my new book boyfriend. Love everything about him.

I would highly recommend this book, especially for this time of the year. I read it every second I got a chance to in one weekend. I will read anything by this author now.

See more at my instagram (including my own personal connections to the book) @bookish_starry_skies

𝐻𝑜𝓁𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇 ⭐️ 𝑀𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓈𝒶 𝒟𝓎𝓂𝑜𝓃𝒹
************** *******************

Release Date: 1st November 2023
Page Count: 378
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One doctor. One movie star. One house.

One month until Christmas.

What could go wrong?

Wow! I really enjoyed this book! It was a page turner for me! The anticipation of what will happen between Gwen and celebrity Caleb was just too much! I just couldn’t put this down!
This book has the perfect mix of spice, love, tension, chemistry and adventure as we follow the journey between Gwen and Caleb and the struggles they face to achieve love 💕
This book has left me looking forward to reading another Melissa Dymond!

Thank you to @netgalley and @melissadymondauthor for allowing me to read a copy pre-release.

#melissadymondauthor #melissadymond #bookreview #5stars #review #books #christmasread #christmasbook #bookrelease #holidayread #holidayreading #readingaddict #reader