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 😈)