Make the Season Bright
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Herring Blake (the Bright Falls series) brings all the queer-community-centric charm and sensuality her readers expect to this feel-good holiday outing. Charlotte Donovan, left at the altar five years ago by her fiancée and longtime best friend Brighton Fairbrook, is now a successful classical violinist in New York City, while aspiring songwriter Brighton has yet to find her niche in Nashville. To both their surprise and horror, they meet again for the first time since the aborted wedding at a "cheery, queery Christmas" with mutual friends in Colorado. What follows is an almost Parent Trap--esque plot in which the exes, forced by their friends to spend time together again, must work through the issues that led to their split. Christmas cheer abounds, and the heroines' vibrant queer friend group--all of whom have their own romantic journeys to undergo--makes a charming supporting cast. Some of the conflict comes down to frustratingly unnecessary miscommunications, but this is a minor quibble with an otherwise cozy and comforting love story. This is destined for many a keeper shelf. (Oct.)

Professor and violinist Charlotte always has the worst luck in December, from getting stuck on an elevator to being left at the altar by her fiancée, Brighton. After that heartbreak, Charlotte focused on her music career, forming a successful string quartet. When one member, Sloane, invites the rest of the quartet to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado, Charlotte agrees, but only on the condition that they use the time to practice for their upcoming tour. Meanwhile, Brighton, a struggling singer/songwriter in Nashville, also accepts an invite to the home from her boss--Sloane's sister. When they reunite at Sloan's, Charlotte and Brighton are forced to spend time together and also to attend Christmas singles activities that a meddling mom signed them up for. They slowly come to terms with what tore them apart earlier and how they might move forward together again. Blake (Iris Kelly Doesn't Date) excels at bringing readers along on the emotional journey of her characters, going from feeling jilted Charlotte's angst to eventually rooting for a reunion as Brighton's side of the story is revealed. VERDICT Featuring a hard-won happily ever-after and queer found family, this is a second-chance holiday romance to revel in.--Melissa DeWild

Bestselling author and LJ Best Book author Blake (Delilah Green Doesn't Care) offers a sapphic Christmas story featuring two exes. Five years ago, Brighton abandoned her fiancée Charlotte at the altar. Both musicians have since gone their own ways, until separate invitations to the same cozy Colorado house bring them together again. Prepub Alert. Copyright 2024 Library Journal

Professor and violinist Charlotte always has the worst luck in December, from getting stuck on an elevator to being left at the altar by her fiancée, Brighton. After that heartbreak, Charlotte focused on her music career, forming a successful string quartet. When one member, Sloane, invites the rest of the quartet to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado, Charlotte agrees, but only on the condition that they use the time to practice for their upcoming tour. Meanwhile, Brighton, a struggling singer/songwriter in Nashville, also accepts an invite to the home from her boss—Sloane's sister. When they reunite at Sloan's, Charlotte and Brighton are forced to spend time together and also to attend Christmas singles activities that a meddling mom signed them up for. They slowly come to terms with what tore them apart earlier and how they might move forward together again. Blake (Iris Kelly Doesn't Date) excels at bringing readers along on the emotional journey of her characters, going from feeling jilted Charlotte's angst to eventually rooting for a reunion as Brighton's side of the story is revealed. VERDICT Featuring a hard-won happily ever-after and queer found family, this is a second-chance holiday romance to revel in.—Melissa DeWild

Herring Blake (the Bright Falls series) brings all the queer-community-centric charm and sensuality her readers expect to this feel-good holiday outing. Charlotte Donovan, left at the altar five years ago by her fiancée and longtime best friend Brighton Fairbrook, is now a successful classical violinist in New York City, while aspiring songwriter Brighton has yet to find her niche in Nashville. To both their surprise and horror, they meet again for the first time since the aborted wedding at a "cheery, queery Christmas" with mutual friends in Colorado. What follows is an almost Parent Trap–esque plot in which the exes, forced by their friends to spend time together again, must work through the issues that led to their split. Christmas cheer abounds, and the heroines' vibrant queer friend group—all of whom have their own romantic journeys to undergo—makes a charming supporting cast. Some of the conflict comes down to frustratingly unnecessary miscommunications, but this is a minor quibble with an otherwise cozy and comforting love story. This is destined for many a keeper shelf. (Oct.)