Katie Bailey for not disappoint again! This adorable Christmas romance was just what I needed. Enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, and hockey romance. All put together for one fantastic story! The narrators of the audiobook were awesome too!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The next installment of the Cyclones hockey team series, Olivia is our FMC, a clumsy, sassy sister to Jake, Cyclones hockey player.

When visiting, she tries to avoid Aaron, also a Cyclones player, who Olivia had a past with in high school. Her plan to avoid him fails when she falls over (literally) into his arms.

Olivia is moving to Atlanta to be closer to her brother, but that means she’s also moving closer to Aaron. Olivia moves into an apartment complex short notice and ends up with random roommates who drive her crazy.

Olivia is not a big Christmas girlie, and she says it’s her least favorite holiday. She remembers fighting, arguing and having to pick what parent to spend holidays with and seeing them move on with new families and their traditions. She appreciates her job of flight attendant to help her escape those holiday woes.

Olivia only sees the negative hard side of Aaron, but she has misjudged him. She gets to know him better when taking him up on the offer to stay with him over the holidays instead of her unhinged roommates who are hosted a 3 day EDM Christmas rave in their apartment.

There was fun banter and spice in this book- brother’s teammate, sports romance, and enemies to lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review !

The thing about me is that I am always in the mood for a Katie Bailey audiobook. This one was another great book with her signature banter, lighthearted characters and swoony romance.

Olivia is a flight attendant who just moved back to Atlanta to be closer to her brother who plays for the Atlanta Cyclones hockey team. One of his teammates is her teenage nemesis Aaron Marino. He's a flirty playboy and she wants nothing to do with him.

I think this book is best read during the fall or winter, but can be read all year long. There is depth and a lot more going on than just a Christmas book.

One of my absolute favorite tropes is in this book but it's about halfway through so I'm not going to say to avoid spoilers.

Both narrators did a great job on the audiobook. It is dual POV with a male and female narrator reading their own chapters, but it is not duet style, which means the male narrator voices all dialogue of any male characters and vice versa. So there is the dreaded "dude is doing a girl voice" situation. But both of them still did a good job and I didn't think twice about it.

Check it out if you are into:
Hockey romance
Closed door
Books set during the holidays
Enemies to lovers
Brother's best friend
Dual POV
Two audiobook narrators

We had cameos from couples from The Quit List and Season's Schemings, both of which I highly recommend. And are we setting up a Dallas and JJJ book for more Atlanta Cyclones players? Yes please.

This was such a fun story, filled with witty banter & so much more.
I absolutely love the chemistry between Aaron & Olivia! All of the banter and snark between them was on point and perfectly executed. I adore Aaron, he is such a sweet guy, he’s a great friend, amazing captain & a good friend.
Olivia is sassy & sweet, she loves her brother, her job & loves to give Aaron hell.
This hate to love, brothers best friend hockey romance was just what I needed! Katie hasn’t disappointed me yet & I am excited for the next book!

Holiday Hostilities is the newest holiday hockey romance from Katie Bailey. I do love me some sports romances and I love dual narrators.

This book had a good brother’s best friend-enemies to lovers-high school crush gone sour. Good banter and tension. Some hot kisses. And sweet family moments.

The audio was very good. It was easy to understand and I had no problems listening at 2.5 speed.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape for the alc, all opinions are my own.

I think I’m running out of nice and creative ways to say “PLEASE READ THIS BOOK”. Especially when it comes to Katie Bailey Christmas books. I’m turning into a broken record at this point but the way she writes banter between not only the main characters, but also all the side characters, is my all time favorite! Olivia and Aaron were So. Much. Fun. Oh and the Maddie & Seb cameos in this book made me smile so hard!! I love this fictional hockey team. They feel like the best kind of big loving family and the way they all support each other and show up for each other is so special! Cannot wait for the next book that’s hinted at the end!!! And to reiterate my first point; PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! The audio is 10/10 AMAZING! Narrators did such a great job with bringing their characters to life! I pretty much listened to it in one sitting!

Hi it’s me again with another hockey romance. I would say I’m sorry but I’m not! Thank you to the author, dreamscape media and netgalley for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this one. Aaron and Olivia were so much fun. And I loved the found family aspect that the hockey team has. It has some of my favorite tropes and you should read if you like:
🥅hockey romance
✈️brothers best friend
🥅enemies-to-lovers
✈️roommates-to-lovers
🥅all the banter
✈️slow burn/closed door

🎧 Can we talk about Abigail Reno and Lee Samuels as the narrators for this one? They nailed Olivia and Aaron. I couldn’t think of better narrators to capture these two.

This is book 2 in the Cyclones Christmas series. I would recommend reading book 1 first and even The Quit List before reading this one but that’s my opinion. I can’t wait for the world to hear these two!

Olivia hates Christmas after her childhood Christmas’ were not the best and the only thing that she hates more than Christmas is Aaron Marino, her brothers best friend. She thinks that he has been a cocky jerk since high school, but when she has to be his roommate and help him out of a sticky situation, her opinion changes. She agrees to go with him to the hockey teams Christmas gala and bid on the date with him so his stalker Brandi can’t. Preparing for the gala and going with Aaron shows her that he isn’t as bad of a guy as she once thought.

This is number two in the Cyclones Christmas Series and I loved Aaron and Olivia! This book had subtle mentions of Christmas but was not fully Christmas obsessed like others and I felt like it was really the perfect amount. Aaron is such a swoony MMC and I think the drama with his hockey team manager/owner and the stalker was a good addition. Brother’s best friend is one of my favorite tropes and the way that Olivia’s brother reacted was exactly what is expected. Overall, I loved this story so much!!

Hockey + Holidays = a definite read for me. Katie Bailey doesn’t disappoint with this fun enemies to lovers and best friend’s younger sister romance. It had all the perfect sexual tension with lots of banter. Olivia and Aaron shine in this holiday romance and I can’t wait to read or listen to the next one in the series. The audiobook was on point for this novel and kept me engaged. Thanks #DreamscapeMedia and #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this great audiobook.

I didn’t think I could like a couple more than Seb + Maddie in Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey, but then along came Aaron and Olivia, and that Enemies-to-lovers banter won out!

Olivia’s been a flight attendant stationed in London Heathrow for the past few years. She’s ready for more family time, so she takes the opportunity to move closer to her brother Jake by accepting a job out of Atlanta. Olivia's new life chapter in Atlanta comes with unexpected turbulence: a living arrangement nightmare and facing her infuriating nemesis, Aaron—the cocky hockey captain and Jake's best friend.

Aaron has worked hard to become Team Captain of the Cyclones. Even though he has a ladies-man reputation, Aaron swore off dating months ago to put all of his time and focus into the team’s success. Aaron is dealing with a relentless stalker threatening to tarnish his reputation, career, and Team Captain position. After taking Olivia home from a team party he sees the living situation she’s in and makes Olivia a proposal that will benefit her current living situation and hopefully take care of his stocker situation. Olivia reluctantly agrees and moves into his home temporarily during the Holidays.

Unfortunately, Olivia learned early in life to guard her heart so the people around her couldn’t let her down. This distrust began with a heartbreaking Christmas when she was young and she’s been avoiding anything that has to do with the holiday (or opening her heart) ever since.

“When I look at myself, I see that in contrast, I’ve been living in fear of investing in important relationships in case those people don’t invest in me, too, and caring about someone turns into something painful.”

Aaron grew up in a loving home with a strong family foundation. This man knows how to see and care for the people in his life! After Olivia opens up about her childhood, Aaron decides to try and replace her bad holiday memories with new “good” memories. These thoughtful “gestures” carefully pull down Olivia’s walls and allow her to see for the first time that she’s worth loving.

“For the first time in my adult life, I’m going to take a leaf out of Aaron’s book and fight or what - who - I love.”

One thing I love most about Katie Bailey’s writing is that she brings the heat into her relationships so well, while still keeping the story closed-door. It’s the perfect level of low spice to show relationships in a healthy intimate way without putting too many details on the page that you wouldn’t want your high school girls to be able to read!

Chapter 29 has one of the best kissing scenes EVER!!

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to preview this ALC. The dual narrators with with dual POV were a perfect addition to the story!!

Romance content: Just [AMAZING] kissing!! Closed-door!

Thank you Katie Bailey, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for my gifted ALC.

Quick Summary: A forbidden love, sports romance and a Xmas wish come true

My Review: Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey is book #2 in the Cyclones Christmas series.

About the Book: "There’s only one thing Olivia Griswold hates more than Christmas: her brother’s best friend, Aaron Marino."

In My Own Words: Olivia G has had a love-hate-barely tolerate relationship with her brother's best friend for a very long time. Who would have ever thought that the two of them could get along enough to help each other out of the unfortunate circumstances they each find themselves in?

About the Audiobook: I was granted a Xmas wish come true! I received access to an audio ARC of this insanely funny, lighthearted sports romance. It was just as good as I knew it would be. The narrators, Abigail Reno and Lee Samuels, injected just the right amount of levity and intensity that these characters deserved. From the featured couple of the moment (Aaron and Olivia) to the extremely quirky roommates at the uh-oh apartment (Sophia and Jake), this dynamic duo made the story come alive. They totally get 5 gold stars.

My Final Say: With that much angsty heat between the two of them, it's no wonder that Aaron and Olivia would break. I loved their love story. The tension, the conflict, the moment of realization - all of it worked. Aaron's Nonna and Mom stole the show. They get a shiny gold star just because! This was totally my kind of romance. Score!

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐💖⭐💖⭐
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was an absolute pleasure to review this work in this format. What a treat! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Consider me to be in a happy ho-ho-ho mood because of this listening experience.

4.5/5 So cute. “Enemies” to lovers. Best friends sister/brothers best friend. He falls first and falls HARD.
A sweet sweet story.

Absolutely loved! I was very much looking forward to this book since I read Season's Scheming's last year.

This is an enemies to lovers & roommates story that I read in what seemed like a blink of an eye. I loved Aaron and Olivia. Olivia cannot stand Aaron, or can she? I enjoyed the dynamic between these two and thought they had great banter and chemistry. I thought it was a fun idea to make these two roommates. I thought it was a clever way to force them to spend time around each other. Plus it added so much yearning, angst and tension to the story! This was probably my favorite part because the anticipation is part of the fun, no?

This is a clean romance but we do get some steamy kisses and innuendos.

Narrators Abigail Reno & Lee Samuels did wonderfully bringing this story to life. I really liked their take on the characters.

A very enjoyable holiday romcom! Would recommend!

I am so here for this newest holiday hockey romance series that has the newest instalment featuring flight attendant Olivia Griswold and her older brother's friend and Pro Hockey teammate, Aaron. This is a second chance, fake dating, forced proximity, dual POV love story that takes place over the holidays and sees Olivia and Aaron realizing their feelings are worth taking a chance on.

I really liked the anxiety rep in the MMC and the way he crochets to help mitigate his stress. Great on audio read by narrators, Abigail Reno and Lee Samuels. I'm excited for Dallas's story next and hope it revolves around his family's Christmas tree farm. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Felt exactly like a Hallmark movie. It was cute, fun, and easy, with a nice amount of holiday cheer. I appreciated this as the follow-up to the first in the series and enjoyed the romance between the FMC and MMC. While there were some serious moments, they came with a lot of levity that made it an easy holiday read.

3.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Short synopsis: Olivia decided to settle down in Atlanta to be closer to her brother. But her roommates are terrible, and she keeps running into her brothers cocky best friend and teammate Aaron Marino.

My thoughts: If you want a holiday book that isn’t super sweet hallmark vibes, this is your sign to pick up the Cyclones Christmas series. I am obsessed with Katie’s writing. The best banter, tension, and laugh out loud moments.

Aaron was such a misunderstood Golden Retriever, I mean…. He crochets stuffed animals before games, invites his team over for Teams-giving dinner, and keeps his cool when crazy fans are being crazy. Olivia is so feisty and says what’s on her mind, and I adore that. She’s fiercely loyal and strong. But the two of them together is so swoony!

I can’t wait for the next book, and if the epilogue is any indication I have an idea of what’s coming and I can’t wait!

The audio on this was perfection! The narrators complimented each other perfectly!

Read if you love:
- Nemesis to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Hockey and team shenanigans
- Brothers best friend
- Hot showers

Thanks to Katie Bailey for the gifted copy of this audiobook!

I absolutely loved reading Holiday Hostilities in physical form, but rereading by audio just elevated the experience even more! Abigail Reno and Lee Samuels do an absolutely perfect job on audio. This is an audiobook you won't want to miss this holiday season!

I was so excited to read this seasonal follow up to my favorite book of 2023. Seasons Schemings was full of perfect, hilarious moments and was just pure joy, but Holiday Hostilities is different and so perfect in a different way. It has the fun, quirky banter but also the most cozy, wholesome moments that just make you feel all kinds of ways. It diggs deeper into truly the importance of truly getting to know the people around you and being there for them in the moments that matter. Plus, the little nods to SS and The Quit List are to die for. I absolutely love the Atlanta Cyclones team and can’t wait to see what Katie Bailey comes up with next! (Although I’m REALLY dying for a Triple J golden retriever story and a Dallas Cooper on the Christmas Tree Farm scene next year 😈)