This Christmas read was a pleasant surprise. I loved reading this story and was immediately drawn in by the prose. Would read again and again!

A Christmas romance with an amazing leading man written by a woman. Lots of healthy communication and sexy scenes with Christmas flare.

Thea Martinelli, a burned-out firefighter turned social media coordinator, and Simon Osman, the librarian with a major unrequited crush, are the ultimate "opposites attract" duo. They’re both super cute, but man, they really love to overthink everything.

At first, things are cute and fun, but then… drama. And I mean drama. One minute they’re vibing, the next they’re off doing their own thing because someone misread something or got too butthurt to just talk about it like an adult.

After some time apart (and some seriously steamy make-up moments) they finally decide to take the plunge, and things get wild in the best way.

It’s honestly a quick, spicy little read that’s perfect for winter vibes. The communication between Thea and Simon (especially in the bedroom) was chef’s kiss. Not gonna lie, I didn’t expect it to be that spicy, but here we are. Overall, it’s sweet, simple, and totally hit the spot when I needed a feel-good, holiday romance. Would totally recommend for anyone who wants a short, fun escape with a bit of spice!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thea is a firefighter turned social media person hopefully for the fire department Simon is a librarian and the libraries social media librarian. He's teaching her the ends and outs of social media for work. When sparks fly. I loved both Thea and Simon I mean what's not love about a nerdy librarian with more to him than meets the eye. And of course there's a librarian character that everyone loves to hate and unfortunately Mary-Pat's do exist in the real library world as well. It's technically suppose to be a Christmas rom com but it's mostly the days leading up to Christmas with Christmas mentioned briefly. But unlike most Christmas rom coms it does mention and acknowledge the other December Holidays of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

Overall this was a really cute holiday story. I loved Thea and appreciated seeing her HEA play out after Fake Flame. Simon took a while for me to warm up to, I just didn’t see the chemistry between them at first, but in the end appreciated the slow burn. Once the heat hits though you’re in it! 🔥 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin - Romance/ Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and Adele Buck for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

This is a cozy and steamy holiday romance about two very different people finding a way to make it work.
Simon, a librarian is tasked with teaching Thea a firefighter of ten years, the ropes of her new job as the city's social media safety expert. Thea is burnt-out and needs a new job so she leaves the fire force to try her hand as social media manager. The local hot librarian, Simon remembers Thea from high school and his crush on her. She doesn't remember him at first, getting things off to an awkward start.
As Thea and Simon spend more time together we learn they both have really annoying families that are bothersome and up in their business. I feel like most of the issues stemmed from them being bothered by other people. When they were just by themselves they seem to get along just fine.
I did enjoy the steamy scenes and the snowed in Christmas. It all felt very cozy! And I app the dual POV from two very likable MCs. It was a perfectly okay read.
But because nothing really special stood out to me though. After reading the last book in the series I thought I would enjoy this one more but it just felt like something was missing.
For that I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars.
Thank you to Harlequin Afterglow ama Netgalley for my ARC copy.

This was a really light, cozy Christmas romance. The set up for how Thea and Simon meet and end up working together was unique, and made for a great setting for their chemistry to grow. I liked that the book dealt with some heavier topics — anxiety, grief, family issues — without it consuming the story. It felt like a complex, real-life romance that was still plenty light and fun for the holiday season.

This.Is.So.Cute!
This is my first book from the author and I can say that she didn’t disappoint me. The story follows of an Ex-firefighter called Thea and Simon; the librarian.

Thea’s career as a firefighter is over, But, the department has an offer for her and that is social media coordinator. Even though she doesn’t have any experience towards this particular job, the county has a solution. They are hooking her up with a mentor who runs the library’s social media accounts.

Simon, the library social media director, can’t believe it when his pupil is none other than his high school crush who hardly remember him. But what will happen in his second chance to say what he has in his mind? 

I loved Thea and Simon. They are awkward but adorable, genuine and try to figure things out together. Simon and Thea find themselves sharing more than they ever had with other people. This book felt real for me.

A lighthearted workplace (w/ a smidge of second chance) romance perfect for the holiday season!

Thea, a familiar character for readers of Adele’s first First Responders novel, is trying to decide which direction her life should take now that she is stepping back from her role as a fire fighter when an unexpected opportunity is suddenly on the table, managing emergency services’ social media. This brings her to the public library where she is supposed to meet their social media manager to help her understand her new role. Not only is the librarian she meets ridiculously attractive but he also claims that they know each other…

While each of the main characters are dealing with life changes and the frustrations and stress that occur around the holidays, the story maintains a light energy that makes this an easy read!

3/5 stars. This was just so cringy to me. The dialogue, the awkwardness. It was so hard to get through. Also, the pacing in this was really off. They got together way to quickly with no build-up. But there were moments that I found really beautiful and that put me in the holiday mood. Thank you, NetGalley for the arc

I have loved the Adele Buck books I have read previously, but this one just didn't connect with me. I didn't necessarily dislike it, but I also didn't necessarily like it all that much. MMC librarian Simon and FMC former firefighter Thea apparently went to high school together, where he had a huge crush on her and she pretty much didn't know he existed. They reconnect when he is tapped to help train her for a new job as a social media manager. And then they date, have miscommunication, have (really hot) sex, have more miscommunication, bond over sister issues, and end up with at least a HFN. There just wasn't a lot to this story and I couldn't connect with either of the main characters over what there was. The high school storyline just kind of drops. Thea's issues with giving up firefighting just sort of resolves without any actual work on her part, and Simon's issues with his sister are portrayed as solely hers, and he is allowed to take no responsibility and instead hold on to his resentment. Honestly, the spicy scenes are the main reason this is a 3 star rather than a 2 star read for me.

If someone is looking for a relatively quiet, quick romance read, they will likely enjoy this story. It is part of a series, but works fine as a standalone. 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

I loved these two together and this author always has fun chemistry and spice! Sometimes you just need a quick and sweet romance.

I appreciated that the FMC was transitioning from being a first responder into a more office role and all those feelings around that, I found it to be SO accurate (it's not my specific experience but somewhat close in a different industry). Also, kind of random but I liked the level of grump this MMC was, it was just such a vibe.

Unfortunately, the writing bounces between POVs way too often for me. I think this would have been more impactful if they would alternate per chapter and not every few paragraphs at times.

Thank you to Harlequin for the eARC!

Simon and Thea were high school classmates and their paths intersect again as adults. Problem is, Simon remembers Thea and Thea doesn't remember him at first. They are also at critical points with career decisions, family dynamics, and finding themselves while making room for love. This is a fun read, especially for the holidays.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This was a fun and cozy read. The plot was believable and fun and sets up a lot of close interaction between the main characters, Thea and Simon.

These two are adorably awkward and kind of fumbling with the idea of being around each other. I like Thea’s anxiety at having to find a new way to act and behave in her new work setting. Her environment is different now and it’s a change that unnerves her. Simon has reservations about working with Thea given their history from high school, but I liked that he addressed that early on.

Lots of great communication during spicy scenes without it being stilted and still being sexy. Good communication in general and support of each other. Those early days in a relationship are full of fumbling and getting to know each other and navigating tricky things and this book captures it all. Very lovely to have it set during the holiday season and a touch of family conflict brings some drama to the story.

This was a fun and uncomplicated read that was enjoyable and great for the holiday season!

Thank you to Adele Buck and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book for review.

🎄 The Anti-Social Season by Adele Buck 🎄
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️.5

This was a sweet and SURPRISINGLY steamy read that had me rooting for Simon and Thea from the start. Simon, a quiet librarian, finds himself face-to-face with his high school crush, Thea, who has no memory of him. After resigning as a firefighter, Thea is thrown into a new role in social media, and it’s Simon who has to train her. Watching these two awkward, introverted characters stumble into something more than just work partners was adorable and relatable.

What really stood out was the chemistry between them, especially when Simon, the shy librarian, turns out to be *much* more confident in the bedroom than Thea expected!🔥 Their open and honest communication about both their emotions and desires was refreshing to see in a romance. It’s more than just a slow burn—it’s a story about two people finding someone who really understands them. This book definitely surprised me with how steamy and heartfelt it got!

Adele Buck’s lovely and quiet The Anti-Social Season is for those of us who find the holidays stressful, but still love some parts of it. It’s for the people who have to deal with unreasonable family demands, and co-workers who think they can do your job better. It’s for those of us who don’t want to be perceived, except by the right person. And it’s for those of us who have had to make big life changes because of anxiety.

Thea and Simon went to high school together, but weren’t friends (he had a huge crush on her so naturally he was an ass to her). They went their separate ways and Thea hasn’t thought about him in more than a decade. When Thea tenders her resignation after a decade as a fire fighter, her boss asks if she would like to become the department’s social media manager. Since she has no better plan, she accepts and is given the library’s part time social media manager as a temporary mentor. It’s Simon! After a rocky start, they find they work well together and then they start doing other things well together.

Both Thea and Simon are dealing with changes in their lives that are challenging. After Thea saw Sean get hurt in Fake Flame, she doesn’t want to run into burning buildings anymore. She needs to get up to speed on social media fast if she wants to keep this opportunity to stay a member of emergency services. Simon’s family has moved to the other side of the country, but still demands that he be the guy who does all the work to put the holiday celebration together. While they are figuring out how to be themselves in these new situations, they are more open and vulnerable with each other than they would be otherwise.

Adele Buck writes grownups who are fully adult but still figuring out life, and I love that.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Harlequin and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

A fun, steamy, grumpy x sunshine, dual POV holiday romance that sees male public Librarian, Simon giving social media lessons to Thea, a burnt out firefighter whose new job is to handle the First Responder's social media accounts.

While Simon deals with his demanding family who keep putting pressure on him to travel across the country for the holidays, he finds he'd much rather spend his time with Thea. What follows is a charming and spicy snowed in over the holidays romance that was good on audio.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed this one a lot and would recommend to fans of authors like Tessa Bailey. I mean honestly who can resist a hot, nerdy male librarian lead??

The Anti-Social Season is book two in the First Responders series by Adele Buck.
This was such a cute easy rom com. It was everything I was expecting from that. It had the humour, it had the loveable characters.
This was the perfect holiday rom-com.
A delightful read that will have readers flipping the page’s. Adele Buck's engaging writing style and well-crafted plot make this novel a must-read for anyone in search of a captivating love story with a fiery twist.

Thank You NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

3.5⭐
This is a cute romance set during the holidays with a spice level just above Hallmark, but those are the vibes. It's very low angst, there are no major hurdles to overcome for Simon and Thea in their relationship. Instead, the story seems more focused on their individual emotional growth and ability to set boundaries.
Thea Martinelli is a firefighter who is dealing with some anxiety and mental health struggles after a member of her team is injured on the job. She doesn't want to leave her firehouse family, but she can't stay. When she goes to turn in her resignation, her boss offers her an alternative way to stay in the fire service by taking over as their head of social media. While she has a communications background thanks to her college degree, she doesn't have experience in this area, so she's referred to another county employee who handles the social media for the public library system for some on the job training.
Simon Osman recognizes Thea right away because he had a huge crush on her in high school. Thea is attracted to him right away, but takes a little time to put together their past. He comes off a little timid to me at first.
I appreciated a romance featuring MCs in their 30s, but it was so low drama I didn't really feel invested in the stakes. This book has some good mental health representation in dealing with anxiety, and boundary setting with toxic family members, but overall I wanted a little more drama. It's all a little too easy (totally subjective) for my taste. Overall I would say this is a lighthearted, low-angst, sweet and steamy (There's some spice in there for sure) holiday romance to ease you into the season.
Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin/Afterglow, and Adele Buck for the ARC opportunity.

This is cute, but the opening chapters read like a slice-of-life story with nothing really at stake. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.