This delivered absolutely everything it promised. Hallmark vibes, second chance romance, sapphic, humour and forced dating.
Oh, its also an emotional rollercoster.

Oh my gosh! This was a wonderful Christmas read! I absolutely adored this book and I would recommend for a fun, easy to read Christmas story.

A super fun holiday rom-com that follows ex-fiancees Brighton and Charlotte as they unexpectedly reconnect five years after Brighton left Charlotte at the altar, as they both wind up invited to the same family Christmas ... lots of music and winter activities, Christmas cheer, and angst. I really loved these characters, and their stories both individuals and together. Wonderful supporting cast too!! (Sloane and Wes have my heart <3)

If you like complex, at times messy characters, second-chance romance and Christmas rom-coms, I'd definitely recommend Make The Season Bright :)

🎄 make the season bright review 🎄

A queer, Christmas, hallmark style rom-com is exactly what my brain needed 😍

Charlotte (Lola) and Brighton share a messy history and never thought they’d see each other again. Being somewhat forced together at their friends’ family’s place in Colorado for the holidays was not in either of their plans💞

Cue so many adorable laugh out loud moments, cheesy rom-com style set ups, and a perfect writing style, everything in this story just works so well!
I loved reading about their history that was slowly unveiled and the “cheery queery” gang of friends made for an amusing read ☺️

This was the first story by Ashley that I’ve read, and I will DEFINITELY be reading more!! The writing and the plot and everything was just perfect💖

Tropes:
🎄 forced proximity
🕊️ lovers to exes to lovers
🎄 one true love
🕊️ queer rep

Make The Season Bright is an adult, second-chance sapphic Christmas romance with a phenomenal cast of characters. Anything written by Ashley Herring Blake is an immediate read for me – I loved the Bright Falls series and am eagerly awaiting their next novel, “Dream On, Ramona Riley”.

In this story we meet Charlotte and Brighton; childhood best friends turned lovers. The two were about to be married, but in a last-minute choice, Brighton left Charlotte at the altar. Both go their separate ways, forming their own paths – In fact, neither have spoken a word to each other since. This part of their lives has almost become a fictional memory. This is, of course, until we rejoin Charlotte and Brighton five years later, where they have unintentially landed themselves in the same household for Christmas, thanks to their unknowing friends. The story follows these characters as they attempt to reconcile and move on. This is made rather difficult through the romance of Two Turtledoves, an annual Christmas matchmaking event they are both participating in, and the misplaced encouragement by each of their respective friend groups, both of which seem to continue to forcibly place them together.

Herring Blake has a unique talent in writing group dynamics – I loved each character within the supporting cast, often enjoying their portrayal more than the main characters themselves! Despite my love of some characters, I found it difficult to connect to the main characters, Charlotte and Brighton. These characters are flawed and messy, leading to tension filled chapters which oftentimes I found to be unresolved and bittersweet. They do, by the end of the novel, experience significant personal growth respectively, which made them far more palatable as characters.

Overall, this novel was an easy read, and while not my favourite by this author, I do think this is a worthwhile read during the festive season if you are looking for a sapphic second-chance romance.

I love Christmas romances and I’m glad to continue adding sapphic Christmas romances to my reading list. I am not the biggest fan of second chance romance and this one just didn’t convince me to love it. I also really did not like the miscommunication trope and the third act breakup really just made me sigh in frustration. While I am complaining about the dislikes, there were also parts of the book I did like. I am a big AHB fan and will continue to read future published books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

queer? check! christmas? check! angst, tension, and pining? CHECK!!!

It’s been five years since Charlotte Donovan was ditched at the altar by her ex-fiancée, and she’s doing more than okay. She has her strings ensemble, the Rosalind Quartet, and her life in New York is a dream come true. Charlottes friend/bandmate (Sloane) convinces her to spend Christmas with her and her family. But we she arrives she discovers that Sloane’s sister Adele also brought a friend home - and that friend is her Charlottes ex-fiancée, Brighton. Now they are both stuck pretending to be strangers, all the while partaking in all sorts of Christmassy adventures.

i really really enjoyed this book, it’s so perfect for heading into the christmas season (which started like at the beginning of september for me by the way). I will always devour a second chance romance, add in a sprinkle of found family, and a dash of yearning. AND IM THERE!!!!!!

ALSO they are both musicians, Charlotte is a violinist and Brighton is a Singer/Guitarist, which honestly made my band kid heart sing.

4 stars
TW; toxic parent and childhood environment, trauma from upbringing, struggles with mental health and feeling lost

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts of my own.

A cheery, queery Christmas is a great slogan for this book. Does it read like a Hallmark movie when they reach the small Colorado township for Christmas? You bet. So if you enjoy those types of movies, but with some fabulous queer protagonists, then you're going to have a blast with Make the Season Bright.

Whilst there is a lot to unpack in this novel, the overall wholesome "I never stopped loving her" vibes with the adorable Christmas backdrop makes for a delightful read. Exes Brighton and Charlotte end up at the same house for Christmas without knowing the other would be there, and it's very evident from the get-go that these two women are still so in love with each other. There's a lot of hurt from their messy departure at the altar five years previously to work through, and when they both start talking about what happened and healing together, their romance blooms beautifully.

I appreciated the supporting cast a lot, for not only offering a lot of humour and hijinks but for the developing friendships that complimented the main romantic storyline. Charlotte and Brighton really grew as individuals during this journey, and it felt rewarding to be along for the ride.

I will say, this is the author's steamiest book that I've read, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the intimacy worked alongside some of the more emotional portions of this read. Ashley Herring Blake captured two people in love and rediscovering who they left behind in a way that felt real and fulfilling, and I'm eager to read what this author will pen next.

I am obsessed with all things Ashley Herring Blake and this book does not dissapoint!

The dynamic with the two FMC’s are incredible, the time of year the story is set! Obviously makes it fun! You could feel the chemistry the FMC’s had!

I completely inhaled this series! ♥️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hachette for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a beautiful story, the second chance romance, a fun loving queer cast of characters (and the aro rep omg) was a good recipe for a fun and very enjoyable reading experience!

I highly recommend checking this out, to get into the spirit of the festive season, and to feel all warm and fuzzy!

In this house, we live for the holigays and Ashley Herring Blake did not mess around!

A second chance at love at Christmastime blesses exes Charlotte and Brighton when they find themselves in a situation neither of themselves thought they would ever be in - especially with it ended.

Make the Seasons Bright was an absolute delight to read and I'll probably be making it a tradition to revisit the turtledove traditions of this little universe.

In "Make the Season Bright," Ashley Herring Blake crafts a heartfelt holiday romance that navigates the complexities of love, regret, and the possibility of second chances. The story revolves around Charlotte Donovan, who, five years after being left at the altar, has built a fulfilling life as a musician in New York. However, her plans for a cozy Christmas with her quartet in Colorado take an unexpected turn when she finds herself sharing space with her ex-fiancée, Brighton Fairbrook.

Blake's writing shines in its exploration of the characters' emotional landscapes. The tension between Charlotte and Brighton is palpable as they grapple with their shared past while being thrust into festive activities that force them to confront their unresolved feelings. The author skillfully balances humor and poignancy, particularly through the awkwardness of their interactions and the backdrop of holiday traditions like cookie decorating and horseback riding.

The narrative's strength lies in its ability to reveal that relationships are often more intricate than they appear. As Charlotte and Brighton navigate their feelings amidst family dynamics and holiday cheer, readers are treated to a nuanced portrayal of how love can be both a source of joy and heartache. The book resonates with themes of forgiveness and understanding, ultimately suggesting that healing is possible even when the past looms large.

Overall, "Make the Season Bright" is a charming read that captures the spirit of the holidays while delving into the complexities of rekindled romance. It is a reminder that sometimes, what we think we know about love can change when faced with the realities of our shared histories.

𝓜𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓑𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽

This super cosy Christmas second chance romance story is an absolute treat.

Charlotte and Brighton were childhood friends, turning into each others firsts everything. They are now musicians, Charlotte is now a wildly successful violinist and Brighton is/was a singer songwriter who plays the guitar. When they decided to get married, being in love was never in doubt, but Brighton left Charlotte at the altar anyway. After five years of no contact and living in different cities, these two found themselves being temporarily adopted by their closest friends (who are sisters) during the Christmas holiday so they weren't alone. Cue the forced proximity!!!

The group of friends were so fun, they made every scene they were in interesting and their dialogue was realistic and relatable, and helped Charlotte and Brighton grow and overcome their individual barriers to come together.

I think I might be in the minority (so far at least), because I think Charlotte didn't need to apologise for anything and Brighton should have done way way more grovelling. Charlotte didn't need to apologise for Brighton not communicating about her feelings and reservations but that just might be me. She may have not pushed Brighton for information but she was not at equal fault for being LEFT AT THE ALTAR?!

However, I am very happy with the ending, it wrapped all characters up in a nice little bow (pun intended)

𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘕𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮.

Rating: 3.75/5

What to expect:
- Betrayal
- Forced proximity
- Fake dating (mild)
- LGBTQ+ representation
- Sapphic romance
- Second chance romance
- Miscommunication (mostly off page or in flash backs)
- Holiday
- Super cosy
- Flashbacks

Thank you to Hachette ANZ | Piatkus for approving this arc for a review!

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake 🎄🎅🏼

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

𝘼 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙝 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚!

I absolutely adore the Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake, so I was so excited to see her releasing a Christmas book! I am Christmas obsessed, so I love reading all the festive romance books 🎄.

Immediately reading this I remembered how much I love Ashley Herring Blake’s writing style. I find it so easy to get into and quickly fall in love with the characters and world she’s created 💖.

I really loved all the side characters in this book, they were so funny and sweet and gave a lot of life to this book ✨. I also loved the Christmas setting, it felt very festive and fun and put me in the holiday mood (I know it’s only September but imagine it’s December 🤣).

The one thing that I didn’t love as much was actually the romance itself, and I don’t know how to describe it other than I didn’t believe in it? The initial interactions between our love interests felt very dramatic and out of character for the reserved shy characters she’d described. I did like some of the banter and bickering between them but it was weirdly public 😅. Then when they got together it felt so sudden that I wasn’t really rooting for them, and then add in some miscommunication and I was like I don’t buy this.

If you want a fun, festive Christmas romance that feels like a hallmark movie, I would definitely recommend 🎄. The world, the festivities, the writing and the characters were all really amazing ❤️. I was just a bit disappointed personally with the execution of the romance itself, given how much I love this authors other work 🥲. But I would definitely still recommend as a Christmas time read!

A vibrant, emotional roller-coaster set against snowy slopes, music and chaotic friends. I loved the complexity of Bright and Lolas relationship, and how the second chance unfurled slowly and authentically. The characters felt raw and honest, like they could just leap off the page. The conclusion felt honest the characters, and all threads were nicely wrapped up. Another outstanding by the author!

I needed a good book, and this completely delivered. I think this is my new favourite from Ashley Herring Blake.

It follows Charlotte and Brighton, two exes who find themselves together for a Christmas vacation with friends. You know it's going to be interesting when exes are involved and no one else knows about their history.

This was an enjoyable read, perfect for the holidays. The side characters were great, in particular I enjoyed Adele and Sloane.

While there was some angst and lack of communication, I got it. It made sense, and it wasn't cringeworthy.

Would recommend, so pick this up for a great weekend read.

I was excited to read this book, but maybe it wasn’t for me.
I love Christmas and reading this book during the winter season in Australia? Heck yes, I’m all for it.
The writing was very good, which is why I gave this book a 3 star review.
I also liked the friendship between Charlotte and Wes, I found that so cute.

On to the stuff that I did not enjoy:
This book made me realise that I do not like second chance and the miscommunication tropes

I understood the reasonings a bit more as I got through the book. However, Brighton at the start was really entitled and rude, I just really disliked her. It made me frustrated, made my reading experience bad, to the point where I was considering dropping it.

All of these could have been avoided by communicating with each other. It’s hypocritical to expect someone to see your struggles while you’re trying to hide it and also without saying it. I’m being petty maybe but when Brighton found out that Charlotte was crying in the bathroom, why did Brighton not think that maybe this was also the same reason Charlotte thought when Brighton was struggling?

The resolution and how the relationship progressed between the 2 main characters were too quick and too unrealistic for me to get past it.

However, I still recommend if you like holiday themed, second chance, and want a cute queer read

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This book was messy, and that's great, because I love messy. The characters were messy. The relationships were messy. The friendships were messy. It was all very messy and very dramatic and I loved (almost!) every minute of it.

Of the two leads, I have to admit, I felt more sympathetic towards Charlotte. Brighton certainly went through her fair share of crap situations after their breakup, too, but Charlotte's pain was real and raw and all too understandable. So early on in the story I found myself taking sides - Charlotte's version of events made the most sense to me. However, as we learn Brighton's story, Brighton's reasons behind the breakup, I found the ice in my heart melting for her, too. These were two women put in a series of circumstances they were perhaps too young to handle, and trying to handle them anyway.

So how wonderful they get the opportunity as adults to make it right! But of course, this is a romance book, and it wouldn't be a romance book without a bit of miscommunication and a third act break up. Still, by that point, this book has you hooked - Ashley Herring Blake has a way with characters that will have you on the edge of your seat, begging for more. Speaking of characters, the supporting cast, including Manish, Elle, Wes, Sloane, and Adele, were extraordinary. In some scenes, they stole the show entirely, but Sloane and Adele - as Charlotte and Brighton's best friends - were the most well developed of them all.

The tropes were so much fun. The snowed in, sharing a bed, huddling for warmth, saving her life, all had me wanting for more. I love that for a book that could have easily overdone it on the tropes Ashley Herring Blake actually kept it quite simple. Still, the tropes that were used were used so effectively. And the whole concept of Two Turtledoves was so cheesy it circled all the way back around to sweet.

Finally, I loved how important music was in this story, and how important it was to Charlotte and Brighton. It really added depth to the story and their characters.

I will be looking for Dream On, Ramona Riley when it becomes available!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley/Hachette Australia & New Zealand, and Ashley Herring Blake for this opportunity.

Make the Season Bright has some tropes I absolutely love, like snowed in, and some I hate, such as miscommunication. Much of this book is based around miscommunication and if Charlotte and Brighton would have just sat down after the last Turtledoves event and actually talked to one another it would have been more rewarding. I didn't see the point of the third act breakup as they weren't actually together. They could have been empowered together, instead of going through the feelings of a 'break up' all over again.

The parts I did love, like the horse riding incident, showed how much Charlotte still loved Brighton and how she wanted to help her and make her feel better. They had undeniable chemistry and as they came together and let their guards down, all they wanted was to be loved and love one another.

I also loved that Brighton was able to stand up to her old band with her friend by her side. That was pretty damn good. The ending of this book was sweet and showed that sometimes second chances are all you need.

If you love Christmas-themed romances with a touch of second-chance romance and the cozy atmosphere that a holiday-themed book brings, then this could certainly be for you.

Firstly, what's interesting to me is that this is perhaps the third sapphic-themed romance where the FMC has been left at the altar—I'll ponder that another time.

Overall, this book was atmospheric and cozy; those were probably the highlights for me. I felt like this book could have stood to lose 50+ pages, and I found myself really tired towards the end, skimming from about the 85% mark.

Friends to lovers is not always my cup of tea, but in this instance, where we had the chance for a second chance romance, I felt there was something left to be desired about the relationship here. I didn't connect with it and I didn't necessarily find myself rooting for the couple in the end.

I think I could have maybe appreciated things more if we dropped the music aspect and focused on the small town, two turtle doves thing, and perhaps had the FMCs running into each other a little bit later in the story. I found the believability that they were both friends with Adele and Sloane too much of a coincidence, however, I guess these things do happen in romances.