This one really frustrated me because I just did not see how the couple would be able to work themselves out. I think I'm really critical of second chance romances over any other trope because it really needs to sell why these two characters should get back together and this one just wasn't it. Brighton didn't seem to have remorse for leaving Charlotte at the altar and their whole breakup in the first place could have been resolved by a conversation. I know that defeats the premise of the book, but it just felt like a weak setup for a book, so I wasn't as committed going forward. It's Ashley Herring Blake so this is still a 3 star read for me (any other author I think it would have been a 2 star honestly.

I think if anyone but Ashley Herring Blake had written this I wouldn't have loved it, because I didn't fully buy that the main characters SHOULD be together, but I love Blake's writing and I loved the supporting cast of characters.

two childhood best friends who fall in love and then out of love meet each other again after 3 years while spending christmas with a group of friends in colorado. what happened between them did you ask? well charlotte was left in the altar by brighton without a single word or explanation, and they haven’t even talk until now. so of course charlotte’s great idea was to pretend not to know brighton and spend the christmas week trying not to relive the most painful moment of her life while hiding it from her friends.

the thing that stayed with me after reading this book was this: know yourself first before deciding to spend your life with someone else. learn what do you like, what do you want to do with your life, what dreams you have and then find someone who will see you and all your dreams and will say: i’m with you, i have my own dreams but let’s make them true together, whatever comes our way we’ll figure it out together.

never force your own dreams into someone else’s life. that’s not how love works. you can’t expect the other person to leave everything for you, sometimes you also have to leave something behind to make it work. and this story teaches us exactly that, the main thing that would make everything better is: talking. say what you think, what you feel, if you feel comfortable with the other person there’s no reason why you should be scared to hear what they’d say, and if you’re scared do it anyway, the only way is through.

charlotte and brighton will stay with me for a while and i’m really in love with their relationship and how they managed their dreams together. christmas time can’t come any sooner, i need you guys to read this.

thank you netgalley and berkley publishing for providing me with an arc in exchange of an honest review.

This is the first book by Ashley Blake that I’ve read and I am HOOKED. Her writing appears so effortless and natural.
Blake alternates character viewpoints so flawlessly, making it clear which character is narrating with the depth of her character development. Not only were Brighton and Charlotte so well developed, but as we’re all the other characters. Wes, Sloane, Adele etc are clear individuals with opinions and actions that made sense to them.
A definite read this holiday season.
I cannot wait to read more from Blake!

This lost and found festive romance was cute and a little bittersweet. The way the central couple had treated one another in the past was a little uncomfortable, but the history of their relationship made the sex scenes slightly spicier than your average romance novel which was greatly appreciated. I loved the way music was written about, with both of our heroes as songstresses. I'll definitely be recommending this one to anyone who likes a seasonal romance and Bright Falls readers.

I’ve been obsessed with Ashley herring Blake since I read Delilah Green. This book lived up to my expectations and then some. As an Elizabeth Scrooge myself, I don’t often like Christmas books. This one however, I will be recommending the day it comes out.

I stopped after chapter 1 (7%) but the author's writing style is very consistent across her body of work and carries into this one as well, so her fans should be pleased. Definitely an easy 3-4 stars with 5 for the right readers. The premise is really cute.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

So much angst, so much emotion and most importantly so much love. Brighton and Charlotte were a joy to read. Another banger romance from Ashley Herring Blake!