a good romantic christmassy read. Loved the dynamic between the love interests and the tension and resolution between the family members involved. some actions by certain characters should have been resolved however a good read overall

After Maya is made redundant when she loses her job, flat and boyfriend she returns home to her parents. On the way she manages to bump into her old boyfriend, Sam, who is naked apart from a tiny apron. Once home she has to decide whether to look for a new accountancy job, that she hates, or make a new life for herself.
There are several serious themes in this book - emotional abuse, abandonment issues and pressure to have a "real" job, rather than one you actually enjoy. Balanced against that is the glorious location, the support from friends and, above all that, Maya's excellent sense of humour. A slow burn, one to make you think, but all wrapped up in a positive Christmas theme and well worth reading.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This was a decent book; it wasn't a favourite, but it was still good. I normally don't like second chances, but in this case, they didn't properly date before, so there weren't any awkward moments from when they were dating before. I found it weird the way the parents are referred to in 3rd person as names, and it felt like a mix between 1st and 3rd person. The book took a while to get into, but when I would read it, I would read quite a lot at a time. The naked butler idea was so funny, like the way they meet again and she gets a view of his ass. Maya is way too kind for her own good and needs to grow a backbone, which she does at the end, and I was so proud of her. Sam also needs one, but his now-ex just walked all over him. They were so adorable and smitten with each other from the start. Cat is your stereotypical best friend trying to steal your crush. I loved Ilv, Yvonne, and Ben; they were so nice and helpful. Okay, he needs to be less hard on his kids. This book needs to be read in the middle of winter while sitting and watching the snow fall with a blanket wrapped around you and a hot drink.

In this book we meet Maya, the recently dumped, recently redundant accountant who is in the process of going back home when she stops off at a friend’s Christmas party on the way home to be greeted by a naked butler who happens to be her best friend’s brother, Sam, who she had a fling with many years ago. What happens when they get back to their hometown and Maya ends up spending a lot more time with Sam than she intended

I adored this book, it was a really nice easy Christmas read. I loved that it was based in Scotland and all the little bit about the area. I loved the Maya’s humour and the way Sam cannot help but find her funny. I will always love a dual pov, it was interesting seeing how Sam and Maya viewed things completely differently about their previous fling. I also loved the supporting characters and I feel like there is definitely room for some spin-off books!

I quickly became attached to the characters. Sam and Maya are two captivating characters. I love how they both have different personalities.

This book has several enjoyable moments but also depicts a journey to seek happiness and pursue their dreams.

If you're looking for a slow burn with the right mix of romance, fun moments, and self-discovery, this book is for you.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC.

It’s just like every hallmark Xmas movie, predictable xmassy romances.
Girl has heart broken moves back to hometown fall in love with ex who is in a shitty relationship.

Did I see it all coming from the first chapter? Yes.
Did I keep reading? Of course, I loved it for the same reason we watch the hallmark Xmas movies.

it was beautiful slow burn (70% before a kiss?)

Have a few eye roll moments, like why maya has to give everyone a copious amount of nick names!?
Lots of characters to keep track of with their own bits going on but leaves it open for other books?

Chapter 25 tho… did not see that coming. …

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

I highly recommend this book. Expected publication date October 10th 2023

4.75 ⭐

I really enjoyed this book such good wintery/Christmas vibes

I liked both the main characters, there were a couple of times I got a little frustrated with the MMC but all worked out okay in the end

This is a slow burn (literally don't kiss until 70%) and I'm not a huge lover of slow burns, however there was flirting, chemistry, both MCs internally gushing about their feelings for each other, "dates" (kinda not actual dates as the MMC is in a different relationship for majority of the book - no cheating happens) - all of this I love and made the build up to the kiss so worth it

Chapter 25 had me shocked - I didn't see it coming, it was worth it tho

The humour in this book was spot on and exactly my cup of tea

- 'hey so I told this girl that keeps hitting on me that you're my girlfriend so maybe we should kiss so she leaves me alone'
- second chance
- medaling sibling/best friend
- coworkers
- winter/christmas setting

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the arc - all opinions are my own

My first book by this author, it won't be my last. Loved the setting, based loosely on an area I know well in the north of Scotland. Maya is in a tough position, trying to please her parents, maintain a relationship with her older sister, who has it all...and sidestep that boy from her past, Sam, the one who broke her heart. So many laugh-out-loud, snort moments in this book. It had me smiling constantly, except at one character, whom I wanted to thump! Who needs friends when....? Not everything is at it seems and as the truth came out, some more serious topics were alluded to, too. A book about standing up for yourself and what you believe in, and those you believe in. A fun, fresh romcom with bags of heart and a sterling cast. Roll on the next one!

A cute entertaining read. With great characters, some funny situations and a feel good Christmas storyline.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the author/publisher for an ARC of this book.

Getting into the holiday season early with this book! A second- chance romance set in Scotland? Sign me up. This was a cute entertaining read in which i thought the characters where relatable and well developed. Second chance romances are hit or miss with me and miscommunication tropes are my least favourite of some of the more popular ones. BUT... this did play into the story well. Their banter and puns were cute. If you are looking for a slow burn second chance romance that has no major drama and gets you in the festive spirit, check out this book! A solid 3 stars.
Ps. Loveeeeee the cover art.

Let's be honest, this one didn't raise my Christmas spirit. If I knew there was cheating (emotional cheating is still cheating in my opinion) through the major part of the book, I wouldn't have requested it. The miscommunication was just as bad if we want to be honest. I can put up with it in small doses but to have it run through an entire story is just not for me.

The characters fell a little bit flat. But I appreciated the Christmas theme wasn't overdone. The story itself could have been a bit tighter, I feel like the nearly 400 pages was a little too much for this.

All in all, this one wasn't for me but the writing style was nice regardless.

Thank you to HQ Digital and Zoe Allison for letting me have an arc review copy of The Ex-Mas Holiday.

For me, the perfect festive read is a book that surprises me by finding an angle that adopts the beauty of the festive ambiance without going over the top on the sappy, Christmas spirit and perfect day where somehow all the problems of the world vanish with a dusting of snow. Zoe Allison has delivered for me one of the best winter & festive books I’ve read in years. Honesty from chapter one, I became addicted and couldn’t help cackling with laughter to the butt-naked chef ex-boyfriend encounter (modesty only preserved by the tiny apron). It’s the best hook in a book I have read in a long time!

This romance has so much to unpack about the modern world, modern relationships with lovers, friends, and family, and the complexities of living an authentic life and balancing all the expectations placed on us. There are some darker elements implanted in the plot relating to Sam’s life situation. It was a brave angle to bring elements of how men can be victims in a controlling, abusive relationship. I loved the soulful depths and reflection of the impact of abiding in a controlling relationship can have on the victim. I felt the outcome of the story was so clever to acknowledge the speed at which Maya and Sam fell into their relationship and reflects their character journeys with their mindfulness and sense of self about how they grow a healthy relationship in the future.

Zoe Allison’s a master crafter of characters who feel immensely real because of their human flaws spilling over the pages, conflicted wants and desires, and fears holding them back from flourishing. I got chills about how the character’s weaknesses were manipulated by others who they loved to control or influence them. You can’t help be root for Maya to overcome her people-pleasing tendencies and her conflict avoidance to allow her to be true to herself. I could dedicate a whole review to Sam – he made me cry, laugh, and broke my heart. I wanted to climb into the pages, hug him, and then give his deviant ex-girlfriend a good old Glasgow kiss and a piece of my mind! I was so glad Maya shook up his world and helped him rescue himself.

I will acknowledge, that a simple conversation between Sam and Maya as teenagers might have solved the whole issue. Even if they’d talked earlier in the book, I don’t think it would have made this read as fun as it was. The characters' flaws Maya avoiding conflict and Sam’s self-doubt and inner crisis about people abandoning him because he wasn’t good enough, made it clear this had to be resolved before these two love birds could come together. Some might feel this is dragged out in the story, but actually, it cleverly positioned chest pieces in the plot ramping up conflict as the serious little light bulb moments on the Christmas lights come on for Sam and Maya.

The writing and pacing in the Ex-mas Holiday is a perfect balance. The description of the snowy Scotland is vivid, cozy and full of plenty of winter wonderland scenes that is compliments the plot moving from the darkness to the light of start of the happy ending Maya and Sam have ahead in their lives.

This was a very cheery Xmas themed story that I really enjoyed. Our main character is Maya and she has returned home for the holidays and has to face her Dad's disappointment that she hasn't managed to secure a 'proper' job with prospects. However, she bumps into her ex Sam and the story follows the two of them as they work their way through life. This is a funny cute Xmas story that I would read again.

I would like to thank the author, publication company and NetGalley for granting me early access to this title.

The Ex-Mas Holidays was a book that I was quite excited about when I found out that I given permission to read it before release. Who doesn't love a good festive read?

And that is precisely what this story is, a cosy, easy, festive read to get anyone into the spirit of Christmas!

The main characters Maya and Sam are both instantly likeable. Maya Bashir is an accountant that recently lost her job and has had to move back in with her parents and take on temporary employment at a ski resort that she had previously worked in years ago, alongside the very handsome Sam Holland a fellow ski instructor. The two had a brief romantic past, however fate is able to bring them to the same party many years later. Although, don't expect them to meet once again in the most conventional way. Seeing them meet for the "first time" in this book is rather humorous, yet oh so awkward at the same time. I loved it!

The thing that I felt was one of the most important parts of this story is the importance of awareness of the fact that men can be victims of emotional abuse too. There is an underlying plot of living with a partner who manipulates and gaslights them. So some readers may be sensitive to this. This part of the story was well written in a very sensitive and respectful way.

As much as I enjoyed this story, there were a few details that I wasn't so keen on, but please do bare in mind that these are down to my preferences as a reader, and not in any way a reflection on the author. The book contains the well known miscommunication trope, this is not a style of plot that I am a huge fan of in all honesty, so due to this, I felt like some part of the story were a little frustrating to read, although this does help build up some tension, so in another way, it may be helpful to some readers, just not myself.
There were also parts of sentences that I felt didn't need to be added into the book, for example there is a part of the plot where a hot beverage is offered and the addition of "and they accepted" was put in. I felt this wasn't needed, a simple yes or no response from the characters would have sufficed.

The story itself was enjoyable to read, but a part of me really wished that it was written as a dual POV (point of view), I think this would have made a bit of a bigger impact on the reader.

I do think this would be a lovely and humorous read for any bookworm in preparation for the Christmas/festive season, and it was one that I am more than happy to recommend to others.

A slow burn of a romance that is perfect for reading all tucked up warm indoors. The misunderstanding that kept Sam and Maya apart bubbles under most of the book, and I was waiting to see how it came out, some excellent friends, a riotous bitch of an ex friend and one of the best opening chapters I’ve read in a long time!

This was a beautifully written second chance at love Christmas story but it was also a lot more than that.

The story touched on some tough subjects, that men can be victims of domestic abuse, trying to live up to your parents expectations and figuring out your place in the world, the one that makes you happy in your relationship, family and job, and if it's possible to have it all!

There was some fun mixed in and one particular moment, which involved the mention of a certain Boris Johnson, which made me totally laugh out loud. I'm hoping I can erase the mentioned image from my brain at some point, you just need to read this to find out what I'm going on about!

There was lots of Christmas imagery, obviously lots of snow but also lights, trees and plenty of hot chocolate! This was a great seasonal read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Ex-Mas Holidays is written by Zoe Allison is a fun, Christmassy second chance at rom-com romance.
Set in the Snowy Scottish Highlands. Maya Bashir has lost her house, job and boyfriend and has had to move back in with her parents. Her father is very interfering and critical and isn’t impressed when she starts working part time at the local ski resort where her former boyfriend, Sam Holland, also works. She first meets Sam invert unusual circumstances. He is working as a naked butler at friend’s Christmas party. There is chemistry between the pair but also lots of issues that need clearing up thanks to someone who interfered in their relationship in the past. Sparks fly, but will there be love or slush under the Christmas tree.

The novel is a Christmassy, heartwarming, cheerful read that also touches and deals very well with the issue of toxic relationships and emotions abuse. This is what sets it apart and above the traditional rom-com romance.

This novel is more than just relationships but also family and friendships. Other themes drawn out in the storyline include how misunderstandings and miscommunication plus outside interference and meddling can destroy a relationship. The characters are all relatable to the reader and the storyline is well throughout and well paced.



I received this book via Netgalley and GQ Digital in exchange for a honest review.

This was an interesting story with how it explored toxic relationships but it was also a story filled with love, family, friendships and misunderstandings, a perfect read to curl up with this Christmas

Maya and Sam are flawed but appealing characters in The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison. The story spins on the feeding of false information by outsiders and lack of communication on the part of the leads. There's nothing new in that but the plot is handled well and at a realistic speed. The secondary issues of self-worth and family issues are also believably described. The addition of a strong supporting cast and good scene-setting make this an engaging romance.

Who doesn't love a Christmas book?
This ticks all my boxes
- Christmas
- romance
- humorous
- little bit angst
- second chance

Maya is down and out but it's the holidays so she's home and who does she bump into but her ex. Hello second chance romance.

Perfect cosy December read