Roxy and Jeff are colleagues that don't get along, but online they are friends, not knowing who the other really is. What will happen when they find out the truth?

Spanning multiple seasons, this book takes the reader on a fun journey through reality and online presence, while also diving into the sometimes debilitating aspects of social anxiety and extreme shyness. This is not a story that takes place solely during the Christmas holiday season.

Jeff and Roxy have a story that plays out much like YOU’VE GOT MAIL, which is such a favorite and fun way to build a relationship. I enjoyed the way Roxy was able to feel a little more confident through a series of messages than she felt in real life working with Jeff. I know people who struggle with massive anxieties and thought the author did a great job of bringing those to light.

The characters are sweet and the plot is so much fun. Although this book is only told through Roxy’s point-of-view, it was pure joy to get to know Jeff and those close to him. I love how everything meshed together so well and kept me entertained.

Content: mild romance

This was just lovely, almost perfect in fact. The debilitating effect of anxiety on the day to day life is beautifully described. The social anxiety, the decisions taken and not taken and the impact on the little things in life, especially in romance and in work. There is a romance, and it is cute, a thawing of a work nemesis and a bonding in an online relationship also add to the telling. The ending is always obvious however the chapters are well crafted and little additions make it such a good book to read. It isn’t a plain romance, but a weaving of a life and all its problems and gifts into a book.

This was such a cute sweet romance with some really relatable themes throughout. The conversation around mental health felt real and Roxy’s relationships being difficult are so relatable.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review. What would have made it 5 stars is bearing a bit from Jeff.

I gave it my all to finish this book. The first 80% was pretty hard to get through. It was filled with cringy dialogue between the FMC and her online friend — it was obnoxiously long-winded, awkward, and digressive on her part. I understand some people struggle with social anxiety and rambling in real life…but stop talking. The social anxiety aspect of the FMC took too big of a role in this story, and the excessiveness of it was not pleasurable to read in the slightest. In addition to that, I thought the random deep conversation with her bosses about feelings was so weird and unnecessary. No where in the story does it ever talk about them having friendly conversations and then BAM let’s have an awkward conversation about feelings and becoming friends, not sure what this had to do with the overall storyline or why it needed to be included?? Also, when the FMC and MMC had their inevitable dispute, his SISTER approaches her and tells her to forgive him? Are we 12??? And the epilogue…not sure what that was but definitely not an epilogue. It would have been nice to have some closure on the characters about their future and where their relationship progressed to. I liked the idea of this story, but the execution was just not it for me.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Shipsvold Press for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book follows Roxy and Jeff coworkers that hate each other but both have a secret guilty pleasure that allows them to bond outside of work while complaining about each other to each other. How zany!
This book follows a you've got mail/shop around the corner vibe which I do love but I felt like I didn't get why MMC/FMC didn't really like each other.

Three things bugged me so much throughout the book.
1. MMC 8 year daughter, I could not find her dialogue believable for a kid? Maybe I just know unintelligent children but I found her to be an adult secondary character, not an eight year old.

2. Roxy is an introvert and socially anxious yet she somehow used to be practicing therapist and burnt out by 28(Great, know your limits, girl) but then became an event planner/personal assistant. All jobs seem to have things that she hates and probably aren't great for her anxiety? She discussed freaking out over video calls but one would assume being an event planner you'd be meeting with all kinds of people and having to have phone calls, video chats, and in person meetings.

3. The dialogue between Jeff and Roxy on their chat server didn't elude to romance, it read as clunky and I wanted to skip those parts but that appeared to be the only relationship building in the book, besides the picnic they had.


Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

**Dance with Me on New Year's Eve**
by Alana Highbury

Roxy has always felt the heavy weight of social anxiety pressing down on her, leaving her feeling isolated and self-conscious. As she navigates her daily life, moments of loneliness loom large, particularly when she begins working alongside her brusque colleague, Jeff. His sharp demeanour and no-nonsense attitude seem to amplify her stress and self-doubt, making the work environment feel even more challenging. In search of an escape from this internal turmoil, Roxy dives into an online game-making community, where she discovers a vibrant world filled with creative minds. It is here that she forms a bond with an intriguing guy who shares her passion for game design, adding a touch of excitement to her life.

What Roxy doesn’t realise, however, is that this charming online friend is Jeff himself. As their real-life interactions shift from a charged animosity to a fragile yet promising friendship, Roxy must confront a complicated web of emotions. Is it possible for her to reconcile her feelings for two men whom she believes are entirely different? Drenched in self-doubt yet yearning for connection, she is caught in a struggle to find happiness and confidence in both her online and offline worlds.

While I found great value in how the author vividly captured Roxy's experience with social anxiety, the central love story fell short for me. The tension and unresolved feelings between Roxy and Jeff lingered for what felt like an eternity, occasionally dragging the pace of the story. The epilogue left me feeling unsatisfied; I wished for a deeper exploration of what happened afterwards, longing to fill in the unanswered questions it posed. Though the romance offered a sweet touch, it lacked the spice that could have elevated the experience. The plot itself was somewhat thin, and I desired more detail to immerse myself fully in the storyline. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read overall. The "enemies to lovers" theme was palpable, but the dialogue, often presented in text format, was not a style that resonated with me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Shipsvold Press for this ARC. I loved this romance book and read it in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley for a prerelease of Dance with Me on New Years Eve, I struggled to get into this book. It had a solid plot line, but the characters personally didn’t drag me in.

this is a sweet and tender enemies to lovers story! I love stories with testing/messaging and the “it was you all along” and this book did both so well!

there is so much love and tenderness in this story. as Roxanne and Jeff learn mor of each other in real life at work and over chat where they don’t know it’s the other they’re talking to. there is so much growth, understanding, and love in this story, it was the ultimate comfort read with the loveliest happily ever after. thank you so much for the arc!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I really liked the author's exploration of anxiety; it is very well-detailed through Roxy's journey, making me think this novel can be positive for those struggling with it, especially because we see her journey through acceptance and love.
That being said, I did not feel the sparks between her and Jeff, maybe a bit more during the chat interactions she had with her online friend, but even then... It did not make click on me. Their rivalry lasted for too long and sometimes the dialogue became too plain. Also, Lila sometimes talked more like a teen than an eight-year-old, throwing me off the story quite a few times.

Dance With Me on New Years Eve is the story of Roxy, who really struggles with social anxiety. The only person Roxy feels like she can be herself with is her online friend, Danny. But when she starts falling for her coworker Jeff, will she still be comfortable meeting Danny on New Years Eve?

The book was a very kind of sweet representative of Roxy's mental health struggles and the burdens of social anxiety. I love a You've Got Mail inspired book, and so this was a quick, fun read!

A swoon worthy enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romcom with You’ve Got Mail vibes! This is my first book by Alana Highbury & won’t be my last. I enjoyed this cute story with great social anxiety rep.

Roxy’s been asked to do the impossible, work with her grumpy fellow coworker Jeff on a new project. Jeff brings out the worst in her & she feels the animosity coming off him whenever they’re together. As she struggles with anxiety, specifically social anxiety, Roxy doesn’t know how she’ll accomplish all she’s been asked to do.

To help her through her self-doubt & debilitating fears, she joins an online community & begins chatting with a guy named Danny. With him, she’s able to open up about herself & her feelings. They even begin working on producing a game together based on their favorite series.

As Roxy grows closer to Danny, she also starts finding out new things about Jeff. He’s not the curmudgeon she thought he was. He has a darling daughter & Roxy finds herself spending time with both of them & enjoying their company. As New Year’s Eve approaches, Roxy finds herself torn between two men. Who will she choose?

This book provided some great insights into social anxiety. Roxy really struggles & at times it was hard to read because I felt so bad for her. I have a loved one who suffers from anxiety & know how difficult it is when those internal voices tell them they’re not enough. Roxy has some parental issues as well. Her mother in particular thinks she’s just “shy” & needs to “just get over it” which is so demeaning to someone who suffers from this. Luckily, Roxy has a best friend & coworker friends who help her see the best in herself & let her know it’s okay if she can’t do all the things.

I loved Jeff & how understanding he was. He definitely has his own baggage which wasn’t explored as much since this was written solely from Roxy’s POV. Every glimpse I got of his character I enjoyed & I appreciated how long he’d liked Roxy. I also enjoyed his daughter Lila & sister Abby.

The ending was so satisfying! That kiss! I loved the twist at the end & how Roxy is able to work through everything.

Highly recommend this closed door, kissing only romcom, easily read as a standalone. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

A Heartwarming Enemies-to-Lovers Romance with a Twist

*Fans of You've Got Mail will love this delightful holiday romance from Alana Highbury, which brings a fresh spin on the classic office romance with hidden identities and plenty of heart. Roxy, a woman struggling with social anxiety and self-doubt, is forced to work more closely with Jeff, her brusque and seemingly unfriendly colleague. The tension between them is palpable, and Roxy’s self-consciousness only grows as she faces her daily interactions with him. But, in a twist of fate, she finds solace and connection in an online gaming community where she befriends a mysterious guy who shares similar game-making goals. Unbeknownst to her, this online friend is none other than Jeff, and their virtual relationship evolves in ways Roxy never anticipated.

This story beautifully captures Roxy’s emotional journey as she grapples with her mental health issues, self-doubt, and the complications of her feelings for two seemingly different men—one she knows in real life, and the other in her online world. Highbury skillfully weaves together the themes of vulnerability, connection, and personal growth in a way that’s both heartwarming and emotionally resonant. The slow-burn romance and gradual shift from enemies to a deeper connection is both believable and satisfying, making this a perfect read for those who enjoy romance with a bit of angst.

The author’s portrayal of Roxy’s internal struggles is authentic and moving, offering a nuanced look at mental health and the challenge of finding happiness and confidence. This closed-door romance is sweet, charming, and full of heart, making it an ideal holiday read. If you're looking for a feel-good romance with depth, this one is not to be missed.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I enjoyed this one a lot!!! I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. Great writing style!! This was a first by this author for me but will not be my last!

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book!

Dance With Me on New Year’s Eve was a fast paced story. It has enemies to lovers, following our FMC Roxy and her colleague Jeff. They don’t really get along, and are thrown into working on a project together at work. As they’re forced to cooperate with each other, they start to see each other in a new light and things start to change.

Along the way, Roxy is also making connections with an online guy, Danny, who she starts to fall for as they work together on creating a board game based on their favorite show.

The book tackles how it feels to live with social anxiety really well, I felt like I could relate to Roxy on that aspect of her life. It was a sweet, fast paced read. I wish there could have been a little more detail as far as the plot, but still a cute read if you needed something quick and easy!

Dance with Me on New Year's Eve is a holiday romance that sweeps you away to a world of sparkling lights, festive music, and second chances. The story follows two characters with messy pasts who find themselves sharing an unexpected connection as the clock counts down to midnight. The romance felt so genuine and warm, and I couldn’t put it down. I loved how the book perfectly captured the magic of New Year's Eve—hopeful, a little bittersweet, and full of possibilities. If you’re looking for a cozy love story to curl up with this holiday season, this one’s a winner.

Dance with Me on New Year's Eve is a beautiful romance that had me hooked from the beginning. Alana Highbury does an exceptional job of portraying the complexities of social anxiety, and as someone who has experienced similar feelings to both Roxy and Jeff, I found the depiction to be both authentic and moving. The way anxiety is explored- how it affects every aspect of life, from work to relationships- felt incredibly real and relatable.

Roxy’s journey of self-discovery and growth was inspiring and her connection with Jeff, which starts as tension-filled and slowly transforms into something much deeper, was a joy to witness. The slow-burn romance between them was done to perfection and I loved how their relationship developed with both characters opening up and overcoming their struggles in their own time.

The online friendship between Roxy and "Danny" added more romance to the story and the twist when Roxy discovers who Danny really is was delightful and made the plot even more lovely. Highbury also does a wonderful job creating a vibrant cast of characters, including Jeff's daughter, Lila, who adds both humor and warmth to the story.

This book is a sweet romance and a thoughtful representation of mental health, personal growth, and the power of connection. It balances lighthearted moments with emotional depth and the result is a story that feels both uplifting and meaningful. If you're looking for a romance that’s tender, relatable, and full of heart, Dance with Me on New Year's Eve is an absolute must-read.

This sweet romance has something for everyone and offers a grumpy- sunshine, single dad, enemies to lovers story with a twist. But this book has a lot more going for it than a romance reader's beloved tropes. The main character suffers from paralyzing social anxiety which affects her work, her nonexistent social life, her relationship with her family, and most of all her self concept. Because of her anxiety, she has no social life. Her only friend is someone else with the same issues, but she is living in another country. Although she she is frozen in real life, she is quite gregarious on the keyboard and strikes up an online friendship with another member of a fan forum. When her boss puts her on a project together with her nemesis, she is forced out of her shell. The forced proximity with the aggravating man brings out the worst in her, and she can't wait to get home and vent with her anonymous online buddy. Highbury populates the novel with interesting characters. Roxy's empathetic character has a lot of depth. Jeff's character evolves as Roxy discovers the hidden layers underneath this stuffed shirt. But the most fun character is his vivacious energetic daughter.

This story explores the mental health issue of anxiety and also how a lack of work life balance can affect one's physical and mental health. But it also has a lot of fun. The basic plot of the anonymous online romance will remind older readers of the 26 year old movie "You've Got Mail". which was an update of the classic anonymous letter writing romance plot. This plot is a classic rom-com staple and Highbury does it with fineness.

Dance with Me on New Years Eve offers one last book in Alana Highbury's fun "Love and Holidays" series. The books may share the same settings and some characters, but the story is completely standalone and readers need not read the other two first.

Holy glittery ball drops, Batman—this book had me swooning harder than a middle school crush! Dance with Me on New Year's Eve is like a Hallmark movie, but better because the characters actually feel like real people you’d want to hang out with. The love story sparkles brighter than a Times Square countdown, and the flirty banter? Chef’s kiss. If you’re not rooting for these two by the time the confetti falls, do you even have a heart?! Don’t sleep on this one—grab some cocoa and dive in. 🕺🎉💃