This book is the epitome of a holiday "hallmark" romance. I honestly think Adele Buck could pitch this storyline to Hallmark, and they'd probably love it. If you're a "here for the vibes" reader, this is a great holiday romance.
Thea and Simon are such a warm, feel-good holiday couple. What I mean by that is, while they are both growing as people throughout the story, the growth isn’t a mountainous hurtle. The two of them are just imperfect people learning to embrace themselves amidst transition and to find balance amongst changing life dynamics.
This story had some of my favorite tropes of forced proximity and he falls first. While I didn’t love some of the tension around their “past” and Simon’s feelings, I did appreciate how this added to the theme of accepting one another for who they are and who they’ve each become. I loved how they were able to compliment one another and show how their differences as people can be embraced and even celebrated with the right partner. Thea’s character did a great job of helping Simon feel seen and appreciated, and every scene where she did this gave me all the holiday romance warm fuzzies. Simon’s thoughtfulness and mindfulness was incredibly sweet and endearing, and he was exactly the type of person Thea needed in her life in this season.
The interactions and characters outside of Thea and Simon is underdeveloped. Thea overcoming her anxious aversion to her squad felt like a checked boxed, not a deep moment of reunion and acceptance. Thea’s relationships with her family members felt like points thrown in to drive the plot or to show how she can “relate” to Simon, rather than natural progression of the story. There was a consistent feeling of plug-and-chug in most of the story outside of Simon and Thea’s interactions. It made the whole story feel shallow overall. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for me. I started reading this when I needed something light and fun, so I appreciated that this was a light and easy read, even if there wasn’t much depth.
My only true complaint is I wish the self-righteous Christian archetype in Mary-Pat’s character wasn’t so aggressive. There is so much hatred in the world, especially during an election year. I want an escape from the social discourse, not an aggressive representation of it in a story where most characters are underdeveloped. I loved the way Thea and Simon bonded during the drag queen story hour. If the author must make a statement, let that be it. Have Mary-Pat be a self-important, judgmental, annoying coworker, and remove the religious aspect. Keep the inclusivity and toss out the hatred. There is enough everywhere in the real world.
Overall, I still really enjoyed this book. I loved Thea and Simon’s progression. I loved the simple joy of two people growing together in a magical time of year. It was full of cliches in the best way, and I think most people who love holiday romances would enjoy this. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s still an enjoyable read for sure.

📖: The Anti-Social Season (First Responders Book #2)

✍️ By: Adele Buck, read Fake Flame and gave it 5 ⭐

📃 Page Count: 261 eBook

🗓️ Publication Date: 10-22-24 | Read 10-19-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Afterglow Books |Harlequin, and Adele Buck for this ARC 🔥! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

🌎Setting: D.C.

Genre: Holiday, Rom-Com, Adult Fic

Tropes: Christmas, unrequited high school crush, opposites attract, dislike to lovers, family drama, found family, grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance

☝🏾POV: 3rd person, single-Thea

⚠️TW: anxiety attack-h

💭Summary: Thea is done with being a firefighter. She hasn't been the same since her coworker Sean's injury, so she decides to resign. Her boss offers her a new opportunity working in digital media because she has a communications degree. She agrees and the librarian in town Simon has been assigned to train her. She doesn't remember him from high school, but he had a big crush on her. As they work together, their attraction turns into more.

🚺 Heroine: Thea Martinelli (32) ten years as a firefighter turned social media coordinator for the Emergency Services Department

🚹 Hero: Simon Osman (32) librarian and part time social media coordinator

🎭Side cast

• Sean and Felix: Thea's former squad mates, BFFs

• Luca: Thea's cousin who was a firefighter but moved out of town w/ his family because the job got too dangerous.

• Mary-Pat: "the Opps," Simon's coworker jealous of him

• Amy: Simon's branch supervisor

• Chloe: Simon's coworker/cheerleader to hook up with Thea

• Ashley: Simon's overbearing sister. Their parents moved to CA to be closer to her.

• Mrs. McAnally/Mrs. M: owns the house Thea rents in exchange for looking out for her.

🤔My Thoughts: I didn't connect with the couple as much as Sean and Eva from book one. Simon was a boring misanthrope and Thea a burnt-out quitter (her word). I liked Simon's sister Ashley more because she brought the drama. I had to skip the step-by-step pasta making and all the work jargon. I had high hopes but was a little disappointing. I will still read more books in the series because of the firefighter trope.

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 4/5
😭: Emotion 4/5
❤️: Couple 3/5
⭐️: Rating 3/5

This was cute and festive but ultimately it was not a true winner for me. They (especially he) were too hung up on high school at their big age. The dialogue felt stiff and repetitive . I do think someone will like it, it just wasn't for me personally.

This story expertly blends humor, tension, and heartfelt moments to craft a love story that feels both genuine and swoon-worthy.

The evolution of Simon and Thea's relationship is masterful. Their muddling through a professional relationship while fighting mutual attraction and some high school baggage felt so authentic. I also thought the familial relationships portrayed in this book were very realistic. Perhaps because I have an overbearing mom and a dad who is frequently resigned to/tired of it?

I so enjoyed this book and I see it's the second book in a series, so I'll be rushing off to read the first one ASAP.

I’m the first to admit I’m an Adele Buck fan girl. So when Harlequin offered me an advanced copy, there was no way I couldn’t jump on the opportunity. I adored Fake Flame and knew Anti-Social Season would be just as good. And I was absolutely right.

First off, I got my favorite flavor of grumpy/sunshine in which one of them (in this case Simon) is a buttoned-up stickler for the rules and the other (Thea) is a giant goofball willing to do anything to make him crack. The balance of stiff and chaotic energy feeds my chaotic gremlin soul and I am 100% here for it every time. The fact that Simon was an undercover smex god who worked hard for his gold stars definitely didn’t hurt my love for him.

I will admit I would have loved a deeper dive into Thea’s anxiety issues. I think the topic was handled well but not given the depth of exploration that I would have liked from someone so bold and brash on the surface.

I’ve been reading Adele for years and I’ve loved watching her talent change and grow and I cannot wait to see what comes next from her. Whatever it is, I’m here for it!

"The Anti-Social Season" – The Steamy Holiday Romance You Didn’t Know You Needed!

Get ready to dive into The Anti-Social Season, the swoon-worthy holiday romance that’s sure to warm you up this winter! This time, fan-favorite Thea (remember her from Fake Flame earlier this year?) takes center stage, and let me tell you, her story is a total delight. When she crosses paths with Simon while trying to navigate the wild world of social media, sparks fly—both in the heart and in all the steamy places!

One of the things that makes this story pop is the dual perspective. You get to see things unfold from both Thea’s and Simon’s points of view, with the narrative smoothly shifting between them—even mid-chapter. Now, I know not everyone is a fan of those in-the-moment perspective changes, but for me, it added so much depth! You really get that full 360-degree view of the romance and tension building in every scene, which only makes the connection between these two feel even more real.

But this book isn’t just about fun and flirty banter. The family dynamics hit close to home, with Thea and Simon navigating the tricky waters of familial expectations. The tension? Absolutely delicious. It’s one thing to fall in love, but advocating for yourself and standing up to your family? That’s the real challenge, and it’s handled so thoughtfully in these pages.

Now, let’s talk spice. This book turns up the heat fast. Thea and Simon’s chemistry is off the charts, and when they start exploring their relationship, things get hot—like, spicier-than-Fake Flame hot (yes, it’s possible!). It’s the perfect mix of sweet holiday romance and scorching passion, making it an irresistible read from start to finish.

So if you’re looking for a holiday romance that’s as heartwarming as it is spicy, look no further. The Anti-Social Season will have you hooked, and Simon and Thea might just become your new favorite couple. Don’t miss out on this one—it’s the perfect holiday treat!

Another home run holiday romance for 2024! This one was an ARC and I had forgotten its premise between requesting it, receiving it, and reading but it was a quick read and I ended up really enjoying it.

Thea and Simon, who sort of knew each other in high school (he had a crush on her, she found him upright), end up as sort of colleagues but she doesn't recognize him when they meet again, so it's a rough start.

She'd been a firefighter for ten years but after seeing her friend and co-worker injured, she developed anxiety and couldn't remain in the job, even after he got better and returned. Instead of having her quit entirely, the county offers her probationary period in a new social media manager role created for Emergency Services, and about a month to prove herself. Simon is a librarian and social media manager for the library, who gets voluntold to help train her in the weeks leading to Christmas.

Even with the awkward beginning, the attraction is immediate on both sides and only grows as they spend more time together, eventually going on a date (and more). The steamy parts were good and scattered throughout (I wouldn't necessarily call it a slow burn or a fast one). The progression of their relationship was lovely, especially as they dealt with family drama on both sides regarding them together and the upcoming holidays, and learned to communicate with one another.

I could tell as I read that the author had worked in libraries because some of the situations and internal thoughts during Simon's POV were spot on what I've experienced or heard from others, and I was right! I didn't know until I went to start reading that this is actually the second book in the series, but it's standalone so it was fine. We did meet one of the MCs from book one, though, so I went back and read it, and it was worth it. I'm looking forward to the next book as well.

Overall, a very enjoyable holiday story, and one I might consider reading again someday. Thanks to Harlequin for the ARC! Available now.

When I read the synopsis of this book I thought it was very cute and wanted to read it. I really wanted to like this book but Thea and Simon were constantly getting in their own way with relationships. One minute they're getting along great and the next they are at each others throats. One person does something wrong and the other is pissed off and so it goes for the other. Eventually they get back together and the cycle begins again. At times I'm still not sure what they were pissed off at each other about.

I think this book would've been better if they weren't constantly pissed off. If they put their differences aside then I honestly think it would've been a better book and not so boring.

Thea and Simon have a complicated relationship, often creating issues where there aren’t any due to miscommunication or overreactions. Despite getting along well, their relationship is frequently disrupted by misunderstandings, which they struggle to address maturely. After periods apart, they reconnect but seem to fall into the same patterns.

This heartwarming story focuses on second chances and new beginnings, with a festive charm that many readers will enjoy. Although their past connection adds depth to the story, it sometimes overshadows their present-day romance. Overall, this is a light, quick holiday read, perfect for fans of workplace romances with a bit of spice and a cosy, uplifting tone.

this is such a cozy, lovely story! I loved the almost second chance aspect of Thea & Simon’s story as former classmates and one sided crush from high school. I loved the communication between the characters & how they grow so close in that. between clearing the air on past misunderstandings, getting to know each other now, and growing in their attraction, they are always communicating how they’re feeling and that made the story so cozy and comfy to read.

it also has some great elements of how our goals and passions and emotions change over time and sometimes it’s that time and change that brings the best relationships. a truly lovely, cozy story!

thank you for the arc!

A cute rom com! But not quite my favorite. Doesn’t mean it isn’t a good story and I do think others will love it. Thea and Simon are great but I wish I had felt more love between them. There just didn’t seem to be much for me. I did skim through some chapters and did enjoy some! I can definitely see how Thea would babe burnout so I’m glad she was able to find something else!

Fun, cute rom com. Thea, a former firefighter, is offered a job as social media manager for the fire department. She is et to learn the ropes with Simon, who works at a library. Little does she know, they went to the same high school and Simin had a crush on her. Off to a rough start, with no sparks flying, they set off on the path to get her ready for her new job.

Personally not for me. I tried to get into it and even gave it two different tries in case it was a mood thing, but I was not able to get past the first 15%. I know a lot of other readers will love this book though.

Adele buck never disappoints. Sexy holiday treat those of us who love love. Book 2 is even better than the first. Extra points for no BS third act break up. Just the kind of holiday romance I want and need.

Thank you to Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

This was a sweet, low-stakes holiday romance that managed to keep things light but never veered into sappy territory.

While I enjoyed this story, it may have benefitted from a little more romantic tension. The couple gets together fairly quickly, there is no third-act break-up, and the majority of the tension in the plot comes from family members. That’s not to say that every contemporary romance needs to be filled with unnecessary drama, or that Simon & Thea have bad chemistry. All the elements for a great book are in place, I just wish the ‘volume’ had been turned up, so to speak.

Even with those issues, I think there is a market for this book and that many people will enjoy it. It’s a light, holiday-themed read that manages to avoid becoming insipid or cheesy and oversentimental.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4 for the NetGalley rating system.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin for an advanced reader copy, provided in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Short and sweet, Thea and Simon were high school classmates who reunite 14 years later when Simon is assigned to mentor Thea in managing social media. Thea was a firefighter for a decade until anxiety caused her to leave and her bosses offered her the social media gig since her insider knowledge could be an asset. Unbeknownst to Thea, Simon had a massive crush on her in high school.

I really enjoyed this book. Simon and Thea are gorgeous together but it felt like they jumped in before really sorting out their issues. Yet I appreciate that as they cropped up they worked to iron them out together. The big issue I had with this book is the pacing. For a short book it really dragged on about 40% of the way through, and Thea’s shame over having to quit firefighting never really got enough depth to be dealt with properly. I’d have thought when she finally invited her old colleagues around to help her with the tree she’d have discussed with Sean how she was spooked from his accident. It also felt like unfinished business for her, maybe I’d have liked to see her process and maybe go back to firefighting?

Overall enjoyable and I look forward to going back to the first book in this series as well as read any further books.

Thanks to Harlequin/Afterglow Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Read if you love:

• Anxiety representation
• Slow burn
• Opposites attract

I really enjoyed this read. Simon’s character was relatable, and I appreciated the anxiety representation in the story. I liked reading about the different family traditions they had and felt that Simon’s conflict with his family added a lot to his character development. At times, the story did feel a little slow. I also wish there had been an epilogue.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series - this one, not so much. It started out okay but I quickly lost interest and skimmed almost the entire second half of the book. I felt there was no chemistry between Thea and Simon and that they jumped into a relationship way too fast. This all takes place between Thanksgiving and New Year's. And for all of Thea's talk about her Italian family and traditions, she doesn't spend Christmas Eve with them?? I thought that was rather unbelievable. And the two of them seemed immature for people in their early 30s. Their family members were awful people and I got sick of reading about them. Thea's landlady, Mrs. M....I thought she was going to be a fun character but turns out she's just a busybody who jumps to conclusions then apologizes for doing so every single time. There just wasn't any substance to this book at all.

The easiest way to explain my feelings on this one are I just needed/wanted more. Thea and Simon connect as the fire department and library's social media coordinators. Thea was formerly a first responder, but has taken on a new role, and Simon has the expertise she needs. Turns out, they know each other from high school - I really would've liked some more flashbacks to solidify that connection and to just more about them in general. Their relationship develops quick - And that's where I really, really wanted more. Yes, it was spicy (and I should pause here and note this is a spicy read, so be ready), but I just wanted more build and depth to how they became a couple. They're both also navigating family "things" - It was messy - There were some holiday connections here, but didn't feel like there was enough to make this a holiday read. I requested this because I was intrigued by this being in a first responder series. Honestly, what I really wanted more of was first responder "stuff" in this one - That's where I thought the uniqueness of the story was going to come. Yes, also important to have that online presence for engagement, so their social media work was needed, but I think that could've helped draw me in! Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this October 2024 release!

It was a delightful and amusing read. I found the portrayal of careers featuring non-traditional genders and the characters' reactions quite enjoyable.