I loved this book. It is a romantic comedy about second chances. I was hooked from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and the story. The author did an amazing job keeping me entertained. I highly recommend this book. I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

4.25 ⭐️

☕️💚 Sweet Christmas Kisses #5 💚☕️
Thank you Abby Greyson & NetGalley for the gifted eARC.

🔔 A Not So Merry Ex-Mas 🔔
Abby Greyson
Publishing Date: October 2, 2024

This is the fifth installment of the Sweet Christmas Kisses Romance Novella Series. I fell behind on doing these in real time in October and November, because life, but I’m back and going to get through the rest!!

I really loved this one! With Christmas themed names and guaranteed HEA, this novella was perfect to help pull me out of my reading slump! Noelle and Cole are former flames who haven’t seen each other in years. Noelle’s grandma passed away and she just got divorced, so now she is returning home to spend the holidays with her BFF Melanie and her husband. Imagine Noelle’s surprise when she arrives and Cole is the only one there.

Forced proximity coupled with a snowstorm, gives us the perfect setting for a rekindled romance. The banter and history between these two was so cute. Their backstories had depth. The burn was slow, and well done, which is hard in a novella! The side characters, while not physically present, had a presence that added to the story. A really enjoyable holiday novella!! I devoured this one in one sitting!

Tropes:

🔔 Dual POV
🔔 Second Chance Romance

🔔 Close Proximity
🔔 Kisses Only
🔔 Meddling Friends
🔔 Slow Burn

Such a cosy, cute, romantic christmas read in the 'Sweet Christmas Kisses' series. I love Greyson's style of writing and was left swooning over Cole. My heart went out to Noelle after all her heartache but was cheering for her as she was able to repair the pieces and give Cole a chance again, albeit 10 years later. I also loved the banter and all the cute christmas bonding.

This was a super cute holiday read, it truly lived up to the festivities. It gave me all the feels I look for when reading a christmas/holiday read. The romance was also great, it was super sweet. The characters were great and I was rooting for them from the start. Can't wait to continue this series.

If I was to dream up the perfect man even my wildest imagination would have fallen short compared to Cole Nichols. Tall, broad shoulders, smile to die for and dreamy green eyes that held a mischievous glint. Add in a heart of gold, always helping others in need. We had planned out every detail of our lives together…including his dream of becoming a major league pitcher.

So when my gran got sick and I needed to take care of her, I gave him the push he needed, breaking my heart, and his, in the process. A decade, and a divorce later, I'm heading back home to start my life over. That new start begins with Christmas at my best friend’s cabin…and the man I’ve done everything to leave behind.

Adorable, super sweet cozy Christmas novel to curl up by the fire. Just the vibes I was looking for with a light read! Loved it! 4.5⭐

Sorry for the late review! Somehow I didn't download this before it was archived, but I got it from Amazon once it was published!

3.75/5

Tis the season for cheesy holiday romances. I mean, the main characters were named Noelle and Cole!? A perfect one sitting (4 for me 😅) cheesy romance novella with the second chance trope. Definitely what I needed to kick of this time of year.

Also, take a shot for every time someone giggled or “bursted out laughing”.

Time for some Christmas romance? Here's one you'll enjoy if you like light reading and fun relationships. With a past, not so much of a future, and an ex nearby, how hard can Christmas be?

Take it on your commute or crack it open when you have an hour or two but little brain power for serious work.

This was a sweet little holiday story that read more like a novella than a full novel. It was the perfect amount of forced proximity, second chance romance to get me in the holiday mood. The epilogue was a lot of content in a short amount of time and I almost wish we had just a few more pages so it didn't feel so rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy!

A Not so Merry Ex-mas was a delightfully cheesy Christmas novella. A fast-paced love story, but watching the two of them quickly fall back in love was adorable. It was predictable but that made me enjoy it even more. Perfect Christmas novella.

I struggled to get into this book. I don't love first-person present tense, and I don't love the "divorced after marrying the bad guy, here's a shot with my old flame" trope. I just found myself annoyed through most of the book. Not for me and I will not be posting a public review.

A Not So Merry Ex-Mas is a wonderful holiday romantic comedy that wraps you in festive cheer and sweet romance. This story vividly portrays the blend of holiday magic and rekindled romance. I enjoyed reading it for its depiction of second chances and the holiday spirit.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

Noelle has always loved Cole Nichols, but when he got picked by a major league baseball team, she decided to stay home and care for her sick grandmother instead of being with him. Now, years later and newly divorced, she returns home to start fresh. To her surprise, she finds out that Cole will be at her best friend's cabin for Christmas Eve. When a blizzard keeps their friends from arriving, Noelle and Cole are left alone together. As old feelings come back, Noelle must choose whether to open her heart again or keep pushing Cole away. This charming story is full of holiday spirit, romance, and hope for a happy ending.

A Not So Merry Ex-Mas has to be one of my favorite Christmas books I have read lately.
The characters – the plot and everything else about this book gave me a feel-good read.
I would absolutely love to read another book with Cole and Noelle in it.
Abby Greyson is another author on my list now to get new books from her.
Thank you NetGalley and Abby Greyson for A Not So Merry Ex-Mas book.
This is my personal review.

⛥☽ 𝘕𝘰𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘦 ᯓᡣ𐭩

This was my first experience with Abby's writing, and it certainly won't be my last. I absolutely adore her writing style and the way she crafts such genuine connections between her characters and the readers. I'm eagerly looking forward to exploring more of her past works and seeing what she has in store for the future!

This story of second chances and random flashbacks, though not usually my favorite, truly captivated me with its charm. The banter between characters was delightful. I also appreciate when books delve into excessive details, even if they don't always advance the plot, as it helps me vividly imagine the scenes. This book did just that, and I loved every moment from start to finish!

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴!

A Not So Merry Ex-Mas was a very quick and cute holiday romance. I would have liked to see more conflict or struggles throughout, as sometimes each chapter seems like it was repeating but with different words. I'd recommend this book to someone that likes simple, realistic romances.

A heartwarming holiday romance that will “put you in the mood” for the upcoming holiday. Noelle was happy for Cole Nichols, the man she loved, when he was selected by a major league baseball team. She needed to stay with her grandmother, who she dearly loved and cared for, which meant that they would be apart. Over time and believing that they had both moved on, she had married someone else and was now divorced. The upset she felt from the last time she had seen Cole has driven a wedge between them that they both regret, but will there be a chance for them to reunite? Cole hopes so and accepts an invitation to spend Christmas Eve with their friends Melanie and Mike at their cabin. Noelle was not aware that Cole would be there and knew her best friend had set her up. When a blizzard moves in that keeps Mel and Mike from arriving, will this be the chance Cole needs to let her know how much he loves her or will Noelle continue to push away the only man she’s ever loved? I really enjoyed this holiday romance. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

This was a fun, quick, christmassy read and it gave me all the feels. This is not a slow burn book and it made me so happy throughout!

Loved reading this book and new author for me. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. I look forward to other books in her collection.

Easily a 4.5 ⭐️

Very cozy and quick Christmas read! Took me about 2 hours if that! Cole and Noelle (also fell in love with her name cause you know… NOEL and it’s Christmas..) have my heart. So happy it’s not a slow burn and I already knew it was going to be a happy ending!

Thank you for the ARC!

A Not So Merry Ex-Mas is a sweet holiday romance. It was a quick read and, in my opinion, lacked depth. Everything happened quickly., causing me not to get emotionally connected.