I received a digital advance reader’s copy (ARC) of Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

It was far too early to be reading a Christmas book, but my access to the digital ARC was going to expire, so I had no choice. Luckily, this was cute!

Make the Season Bright follows Charlotte and Brighton. They were best friends as kids, then fell in love and got engaged. An idyllic love story, that is, until Brighton left Charlotte at the altar. Five years later, Charlotte hasn’t forgiven her ex, and struggles to make meaningful connections with anyone since then, even though her career as a professional musician in NYC has taken off. Meanwhile, Brighton is in Nashville, working as a bartender while trying to make a name for herself as a singer-songwriter-guitarist, while grappling with guilt over what she did to Charlotte. The two reunite when they head to Colorado with their respective best friends, who turn out to be sisters and have unwittingly brought the estranged women to the same family home for the holidays. Charlotte is determined not to acknowledge Brighton, but Brighton wants closure. As they keep being forced into each other’s presence, though, they both realize that things might not be hopelessly broken between them after all.

I’ve read a couple of books by this author now, and though this wasn’t my favorite of hers, it’s still a fun read.

Firstly, it’s a Christmas romcom story, so elements of it are incredibly predictable. Still, an easy, comforting read for the winter isn’t necessarily a bad thing!

The two leads are well-written. Their flaws and personality quirks feel realistic, and while some of their decisions are frustrating, I can still see why they made those choices from context. And their difficulties with making friends or with their dream careers make them sympathetic. I do wish that some of their tension and issues hadn’t been based on a lack of healthy communication, but it does lead to some good character growth.

To be fair, this is a second chance romance, so it makes sense that the characters would have made bad decisions that caused a rift. And seeing them recall some of their better moments, how they helped each other to grow as people, and the ways they still care deeply for each other, was lovely. It’s nice to watch them reevaluate each other and start to heal, both together and separately.

On another note, the rest of the characters are great. I loved Adele and Sloane, as well as Charlotte’s other musician friends. Together with the residents of the small Colorado town where most of the plot occurs, it’s a wonderful cast who feel full of life. There are a lot of sweet moments, as well as funny ones.

Anyway, in the end, Make the Season Bright is a sweet tale of second chances and chasing after one’s goals, about reconnection and forgiveness and being vulnerable with the people who care about you. With an excellent supporting cast, an entertaining setting, and solid emotional beats, the love story between Brighton and Charlotte comes to life well. This isn’t the most astounding book I’ve ever read, but it’s a competently written tale good for a season that isn’t always the most relaxing. It’s a cozy read, like hot chocolate on a chilly day. Actually, that would be the perfect way to read this book. Too bad it’s still hot where I live… If I were you, I’d wait until there’s a chill in the air to dive into this.

Make the Season Bright is available now!