The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison (Review by Caitlin Winkler)

Rating: 4/5 stars 

Forget just enemies to lovers, give me a romantic past that makes them lovers to enemies to lovers, and I seem to be sold! Fans of romance tropes will LOVE this book! There is also forced proximity (working at the same ski resort/small town) and misguided notions keeping them apart. Adding to the joy of this book is great characters outside of the main couple who add so much to the story! I would love to read future books focusing on some of these characters, such as Liv and Arran! 

Maya can’t believe she is on her way back to her hometown to move in with her parents after leaving her job and ending a long-term relationship. She is not looking forward to the look of disappointment from her father that she isn’t more like her perfect older sister. Deciding to visit a friend on her way, she does not expect to run into her ex from her teenage years, who broke her heart and left her for her friend, Sam. Sam is working a second job to help a friend and bumping into the girl who broke his heart and didn’t feel he was driven enough, was not something he could have seen coming. Both working on the ski slopes for the foreseeable future, they find their paths crossing often and they realize that maybe their reasons for breaking up all those years ago were misguided. Surely the person who said and did those things all those years ago can’t be the same kind and generous person now, right? When truths come to light, will they be able to get a second chance at love? 

This book was such a wonderful romance that just made you feel good reading it! The setting being in the Scottish Highlands really added to the romance. I also love that it incorporated the holidays and a ski resort! There were times where I wished for a bit more spice, but that did not impact my review as more mild romance novels are also incredible and many people prefer them! Don’t get me wrong, there is some mild spice (in my opinion)! Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend! Especially with the weather getting cooler and us getting closer to the holidays!