Christmas in Spite of You is a holiday romance that I really liked from start. Noel, with her love for Christmas and endless joy, is the perfect opposite for Kanton, a no-nonsense businessman who’s not a fan of the holidays. When a booking mix-up forces them to share her cozy apartment, sparks fly in more ways than one. Their journey from strangers to something more is full of heartwarming moments, playful banter, and just the right amount of spice. A must-read for the season!

There are two other books that have a holiday house swap in them, but I didn’t finish those. I know that everyone’s holiday is different, but I just can’t take sad holiday books. ESPECIALLY not at this point of life. I needed all the happy. So imagine how scared I was when I opened this and saw this one also had a house swap. But because of one little difference, I enjoyed this one so much more.

Ok so the thing that made this one different than the others was the fact that she ended up staying when he came to stay at her house. So even though he was upset and escaping his current situation, he still had Noel there to help him change his mood around. And that she did.

Ok so the main characters were a little much. Like Noel was shoving Christmas down this poor man’s throat lol But I didn’t actually care about that because I think I would too. I love Christmas and I wouldn’t hold that against her, but it WAS a bit much for a newcomer like he was. She should have pushed him in a little bit at a time lol Kanton was a Scrooge for real lol But at some points he didn’t make sense. Like at the ending when he figured out what happened, he didn’t get mad enough at that other person and he didn’t beg the OTHER person enough for me. Not for the epilogue anyway. He got mad at some of the weirdest things.

The romance between them was cute tho. I loved watching them fall for each other during the different holiday themed things they were doing. I think that’s what made it for me. I needed that Hallmark cozy movie feeling after this craziness that I was going through after the results and let me tell you, this gave me everything that I needed. Oh! Also, I can’t lie lol Him being so hard but basically melting whenever Noel said something had me smiling so hard lol I loved seeing her chip bits of him away.

But, the only thing I didn’t like was the epilogue. We are introduced to his mom and she’s been nothing but terrible to him. And then we see her again and get a sentence about how she changed after what happened and IDK, I wanted more? Like that counts as trauma and was a serious subject. I think she should have done some on page groveling. I get that Noel had boundaries, but I think she deserved more. Noel deserved a stress free Christmas without being on pins and needles. (I will say tho, her pick for her pjs? Impeccable lmao)

Definitely a solid book to get you in the mood for holiday season! I hope that you add this to your TBR! It will truly make you feel like you’re watching those holiday movies that Noel loved so much!

I’m a KC Mills fan already so reading this was a fun. The best friend Simone stole the show so many times with her one-liners. Noelle and Canton were very cute. Canton wasn’t the villian ever really. He folding like laundry for his girl. 🤭

This is was like 2 chapters too long by the time the action started happening I was ready for their HEA. Overall very cute hallmark but hallmark after dark. 😏

Christmas in Spite of You was the perfect pick-me-up this week now that my tree is up! This holiday romance has everything you could want—sweetness, spice, and a lot of charm. Kanton and Noel bring that irresistible grumpy-meets-sunshine chemistry, with each page showing how their personalities balance and challenge one another in the best way. And everyone needs a friend like Simone; she is so funny! If you’re on the lookout for a cozy, heartwarming Christmas read this season, I highly recommend it. I want this to be made into a movie ASAP.
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute, definitely adding Kenton and to my favourite book boyfriend list. I loved Noel’s character as well. A bit cheesy but I loved it.

I enjoyed this forced proximity, dual POV, opposites attract holiday romance that sees Noel putting her home up for a share when she thinks she'll be gone for Christmas only to get sick and forget to cancel, finding herself with an unwanted guest in the form of Grinchy businessman, Kanton.

Spicy, funny and featuring two strong Black leads, this was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Charity Shane and Jahquel J. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this latest by a new to me author.

Thank you, Netgalley, and the published for the arc of wonderful book.

This was such a cute and sweet romance that is perfect for the holiday season. Noel, the FMC, is obsessed with Christmas and all the trappings that go along with it. Kanton, the MMC hasn't had the best experience with it and just wants to work through the holidays, making more money for his successful company. Throw in a little mix-up, and these two end up in a forced proximity situation that gives us all the warm, cozy, feet kicking feels.

This was the first book I've officially read by the author, but Shadows and Whispers will definitely be moving up my tbr after this. Kanton was such a considerate and mindful love interest for Noel, and I adored that he accepted her whole for who she was. Noel is the sweetest FMC ever, and even though her circumstances were challenging, she never gave up or lost her joy.

If you are looking for a really good, cozy, seasonal read that can be enjoyed anytime of the year, then I recommend this gem.

This heartwarming and festive romance is the perfect blend of opposites attract and forced proximity. Following Noel Anderson and Kanton Joseph, they must now stay together since Noel is in no shape to take the trip she planed on, thus, leaving the tenant she is renting to via AirBnb to stay with her. Between their clashing personalities, not to mention their differing views on Christmas, this book pulls the perfect amount of romantic tension and banter.


Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC.

I absolutely adorn the cover. This is my first time reading a book by K.C. Mills and to have that first book be about a Christmas romantic comedy what a joy. To say that Noel is a fan of the Christmas season would be an understatement she absolutely adorns everything about the Christmas season. Noel has quit her job and has started her very own business. Money is a little tight so her best friend suggest that she rent out her apartment during the Christmas holiday because she will be spending it with her family. Noel’s plans don’t work out because she becomes ill. There is a mix up and Kanton the guy who will be staying at her apartment for the holiday shows up. Noel thought that she had canceled the reservations for her apartment but Kanton showed up anyway. Now the two will have to stay at Noel’s small apartment together. The thing is Kanton is not a fan of the Christmas season. Kanton is very much attracted to Noel. As the two navigate the holiday season together they find out that they are both attracted to each other and have great chemistry.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this. It’s gives Hallmark vibes but sexy. This is a Christmas story with actual Christmas moment's. This story have all the ingredients of a good time: forced proximity, he’s a bit of a Scrooge and she’s a Christmas enthusiast. They have chemistry and a connection I enjoyed the banter and Christmas moments. I recommend this book.

Somebody get hallmark on the line right now! Think of Love in the Villa but Christmas. This was too cute. You’ve got forced proximity and grumpy/sunshine, or should I say Cindy Lou x Grinch lol. Perfect for Christmas lovers.

Thank you KC Mills, Black Odyssey Media, and NetGalley for the eARC.

This was a lot of fun! It was a cute perfect, holiday read! The writing was easy enough to follow and I loved how much Kanton needed Noel, hilarious banter, too!

Christmas in Spite of You" by K.C. Mills is a fun, cozy holiday romance that brings together two opposites in a shared Airbnb. Noel and Kanton clash from the start, but their week together slowly melts the tension, leading to unexpected sparks. The story is lighthearted with plenty of Christmas vibes, and their banter keeps things lively. The cover is super cute too, which adds to the charm of this sweet holiday read. Perfect for anyone looking for an easy, festive romance! This is just in time for the holiday season

Overall: 4
Spice: 2

I love witty banter and being forced to enjoy Christmas to win a contract you need for work add in a dash of stubbornness and sprinkle of attraction and you have a cute holiday rom com.

Black romance at Christmas was just what i needed. Loved the two leads. This was fun and entertaining. I look forward to reading more. This was a perfect read for holidays.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

This was such a cute Holiday romance book! I love a sunshine/grumpy, opposites attract story, and this one lived up to that!

This was a good ride from start to finish and gave me all the Christmas vibes.

I really enjoyed this holiday edition of the grumpy x sunshine trope! I didn’t think I could love that trope anymore. Christmas in spite of you is literally the cutest hallmark movie feeling book! Noel and Kanton are forced to spend the holidays together after an SharedSpace (think Airbnb).

Noel definitely is such a sweet character, but sometimes jumped to the wildest conclusions LOL and Kanton was just to die for. Their word banter and chemistry was off the charts and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The book had a good balance of plot as spice and everything made alot of sense to me. I also kinda loved all the holiday activities that Kanton and Noel were able to do - I love Christmas so I enjoy getting to experience that.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Black Odsessy Media for the e-ARC!

Not a very likely storyline but a cute one anyway. Perfect for a holiday hideaway read or just because.

I think maybe it was just too early in the year to read this but... it was an OK read. I just wasn't in the holiday spirit but as a story itself it wasn't bad. I enjoy KC Mills writing.

Noel recently quit her job and started her own business, but things aren't going well enough. When money gets really tight, her best friend suggests putting her apartment up on a website to rent out over the holidays, which Noel will be spending with her family anyways. Someone actually books it, but then Noel gets ill and has to cancel her travel plans - and the reservation for her flat, obviously. But the cancellation doesn't go through, so when Kanton, who's in town for a very important business opportunity, arrives at her doorstep, the two have to make do over Christmas.
This was a very sweet book! I love forced proximity as a trope and this was a very funny way to use it. Noel and Kanton are both very different, endearing characters and it was very fun to see how they fall for each other and all that comes inbetween them. Will definitely pick up another romance by K. C. Mills!