Book Review: Make the Season Bright
Yes, it’s only October, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to get excited about the holidays! September to December is my absolute favourite time of year, and there’s something extra special about that lead up to Christmas for me. It just feels like the most magical time of the year, as Hallmarky as that sentiment may sound. Little wonder, then, that I am such a fan of the holiday themed romance novel. And to get one from Ashley Herring Blake, a writer whose work I have enjoyed immensely thus far? Yes please.
Make the Season Bright follows Charlotte and Brighton, exes who are forced to spend Christmas together in a small town after their own plans go awry, and their best friends — sisters, unbeknownst to either of them — invite them to come home and spend Christmas with their family. Throw in a week-long singles event designed to pair people up for festive activities and you have two ex-fiancées who have to confront their issues one way or another.
When it comes to second-chance romance, there are two things I’m particularly interested in: making sure we get enough of their history prior to the start of the book, and understanding the stakes of their breakup so it’s extra satisfying when they get back together. These options feel obvious, of course, but the execution of it can really make or break a book for me, and in the case of Make the Season Bright absolutely make it in my opinion. It was one of the few times where the “issue” to overcome didn’t seem like it could be overcome with a single conversation, but one that took work, and compromise. Not to mention the way Herring Blake puts emphasis on their friendships outside of the relationship, as those relationships were equally key in Charlotte and Brighton’s healing journies.
It might be a tad too early for Christmas just now (I wouldn’t know I’m literally listening to Christmas music as I write this) but Make the Season Bright is definitely not to be missed as the weather starts to turn colder.
Make the Season Bright is out now. Special thank you to Berkley for the advance copy for review purposes.
