With odd characters and plot points, This Is Not a Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley is about a woman who falls for her brother's best friend whom she initially hated for years after being forced to spend Christmas together.

Summary: Nina Thompson hates her brother's best friend Tristan Montgomery. When they are forced to spend Christmas together at her parents' house, Nina has to get over her dislike towards Tristan to make the holiday more pleasant for all.

Tropes/Genres.
• brother's best friend
• enemies to lovers
• christmas
• holiday
• forced proximity
• reformed playboy (brief)
• contemporary romance
• set in Connecticut

Review: I would like to start off by saying that this is not a rom-com because I didn't laugh while reading this book. The start of the story was enjoyable, and I thought it was descriptive and paid attention to details. However, as the story went on, I realised that the plot wasn't properly developed. The characters also didn't make sense. It's such a shame for a book that is descriptive.

There is barely any chemistry between Nina and Tristan. I mean, they suddenly went from hating and pranking each other to screwing each other and realising they're not that bad. And that's supposed to be love? No, mate, I don't buy it. I understood their conflicts at the start of the book, but I didn't understand the way it suddenly stopped. There's no way his realising that Gremlin was insulting to Nina (which in the first place is quite unbelievable because there's nothing cute about calling a person names, but okay) suddenly flipped the switch and made Nina like him. The transition from "enemies" to "lovers" was simply inadequately portrayed.

Nina is childish. Gosh, how old is she supposed to be? She has to be in her late twenties or early thirties, but she is painfully childish. I mean, yeah, adults can have their childish moments too, and that's okay. But she's ridiculous. She acts like a teenager and refuses to admit that she's wrong when she is, pushing the blame on Tristan instead when everybody in the room can clearly see she was the one who caused it. And she even gets upset that nobody takes her side when she indeed has done something wrong! It's peak teenage behaviour, and I'm not here for it. I feel like there's a way for authors to make unlikeable characters likeable, but Nina doesn't really have any good points to be worth liking.

Tristan is okay, I guess. He never hated Nina, but the way he suddenly fell in "love" with Nina was highly unbelievable. Maybe he's simply sexually attracted to her; I wouldn't doubt it, especially considering his feelings for her changed after he saw her naked. Oh, by the way, that part was weird. He dared her to drop the towel, which she stole from him, knowing very well she would be naked underneath. Even though he claims he didn't think she would actually do it, it's still very weird. You don't just ask people to strip for you.

That being said, I think the author has a weird obsession with flashing because it's happened in the book a lot, albeit accidentally. It can be funny one time, but if you keep doing it, it gets creepy. It gets even worse in that one scene later in the book when Nina's towel accidentally drops in front of Dylan. Her brother. Um, gross? I just don't understand why that scene is even necessary. Sure, maybe you're doing it for a comedic effect, but it's not funny. Not at all.

Anyway, I thought Tristan's backstory was a little touching. Just a little. The third-act breakup was so stupid. Like, of course, it happened that way. The choices he made were also awful in that regard. I barely even understood the logic behind everything that went on in the third-act breakup. At least, for once, Nina made sense. Dylan and Tristan, though, didn't make any sense.

Overall, the start of the story was fine, but as it went on, more and more issues started presenting themselves. The characters aren't that likeable, and the comedy is kind of lame. Regardless, I recommend this book to those who want to read an enemies-to-lovers holiday romance between a woman and her brother's best friend.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the read.

A sparkling enemies-to-lovers romp that proves sometimes the best way to heat up a frosty relationship is to get snowed in together. Nina and Tristan’s prank war reaches new heights as they find themselves trapped amid Christmas cheer, leading to a sizzling, if temporary, romance that defies their icy history. Fans of festive, fun, and flirty reads will adore this charming, holiday-themed adventure. Perfect for those who love their Christmas with a side of chemistry and mischief!

OMG, this was such a cute story. It takes place at Christmas time but really, it could have been a great summer story or any time of the year story.

Now, this is an enemies-to-lovers story, but…is it really? Nina and Tristan met 15 years prior to when the story takes place. Nina was 13 years old and Tristan was 18. Tristan was Dylan's (Nina’s older brother) roommate in college, and freshman year, Tristan was all alone for Christmas. Dylan invited him to spend the holidays with his family and, young teenage Nina had an instant crush. However, 5 years is a big age difference for teenagers, so a few bad jokes and uncalled-for comments on Tristan’s side left Nina feeling embarrassed and hurt and promising revenge. Alas, their “unfriendly friends” war began. Tristan and Nina spent the next 15 years coming up with petty ways to prank each other, embarrass the other in public, and flat-out be nasty. For Tristan, it was a game. For Nina, it was personal.

Until the current day Christmas holidays. Again, Tristan is left alone for the festive season, and his BFF, Dylan, invites him to his parent's house for the holidays. Nina is not too happy so they start the week off “attacking” each other with silly pranks. That is until Tristan learns that it really is personal for Nina and that he had hurt her in the past. Along with an apology comes the realization that there is an attraction and that it is not just one-sided. Sneaking around, they spend the rest of the holiday week pretending to hate each other in front of family but learning to really like each other behind closed doors. The problem is that Dylan is very protective of his little sister and his best friend is like a brother to him. After seeing them spend 15 years arguing, he isn’t able to grasp this 180 in their relationship and also doesn’t appreciate the sneaking around his back. So, who will Tristan choose to be with? Keep his friendship with Dylan or pursue Nina and prove to Dylan that his little sister isn’t just some short-term conquest.

I always enjoy Camila Isley 's books, however this book is not fulfill my expectation. It contain humor, but the humor is not good al her book s before.

Tristan and Nina have chemistry, however I don't really like Nina's personality who childish for 28 y.o. grown woman. And Tristan's personality is too good too be true. Their interaction is felt forced, not natural.

Although with it flaws, I still enjoy this book. It's such a light read for my daily life.

Burned recently by a couple of reads that promised enemies to lovers and then failed to deliver - this one was such a welcome change. Finally!

It was strange reading about Christmas in August but as it's really hot outside and I'm constantly wishing for snow, it actually helped to get in the mood. Nina and Tristan were both funny and darlings at the same time - Nina maaaaybe could have been a bit less of a brat but considering the dynamic with Tristan as it fit. The chemistry was there so the enemies to lovers trope worked very well with them and I love that!

There were some pranks that were honestly hilarious and made me laugh out loud (glitter anyone?). The story is predictable but I liked it, I had a fun time and I could easily see this as a movie.

This book was an interesting cute rom com read ! I managed to read the entire book in one sitting , the enemies to lovers is very intriguing with its funny and witty banter that is sure to make readers laugh ! I loved the relationship between our two mcs and their dynamic such as the pranks and teasing , the part where they met up secrectly felt like straight out of a rom com . The only thing I think is needed to improve on is the background information of each character , etc female mc has only a brief description on why she is insecure about her ears which does not give us a really good description . Other than that I absolutely loved this read and wish the author all the best !

The story centers on Nina Thompson, who plans to enjoy a peaceful Christmas with her family, diving into a good book, indulging in her favorite snacks, and drinking endless cups of hot chocolate. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she learns that Tristan, her brother Dylan’s best friend and roommate—whom she not-so-affectionately calls the "Prince of Darkness"—will be joining them for the holiday. His flight to San Diego is canceled due to bad weather, leaving him stranded and now part of her Christmas.

Nina and Tristan have known each other for nearly 15 years, with a history full of insults, revenge schemes, and endless pranks that keep their mutual irritation alive. Nina despises the nickname "Gremlin" that Tristan has used for her since childhood, while Tristan remains clueless about how deeply his words affect her or how his actions are perceived negatively by Nina.

The moment Tristan arrives, the prank war is back on—let the games begin! But as their bickering escalates and threatens the family’s peaceful holiday, Tristan starts to realize that Nina has been on his mind ever since the day she boldly dropped a towel in front of him. Nina, too, begins to notice that her childhood crush, now her greatest adversary, is sending mixed signals that leave her confused. Their animosity starts to shift into an intense attraction, sparking the idea that maybe they just need to get each other out of their systems. But can one night together really solve the problem, especially when they risk being caught at a family gathering? And what if one night isn’t enough—what if their connection runs deeper than either of them anticipated?

I'm absolutely obsessed with the enemies-to-lovers trope, and this book delivered everything I love about it. The well-crafted tension, the sizzling chemistry between the main characters, and the forced proximity all heightened by sharp, witty banter made this a truly irresistible read. Add in the holiday spirit, the best friend’s little sister dynamic, and some hilariously clever pranks involving glitter and Casio watches, and I was hooked!

In conclusion, this book is a steamy, entertaining, and humorous read that brilliantly combines some of my favorite tropes. I had a blast reading it, and I wholeheartedly recommend it! So, grab your margaritas, daiquiris, or whatever your preferred drink is, and settle in on the couch to fully enjoy this delightful experience!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bollywood Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this highly entertaining romance in exchange for my honest review.

I always enjoy Camilla Isley books. They are sweet, quick predictable rom-coms and that is exactly what I need sometimes. I loved Tristen and Nina and was rooting for them. This book wasn't overly-Christmas themed, at all, but did take place at Christmastime.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nina and Tristan have been at each other’s throats since they were thirteen and eighteen years old, respectively, when Nina’s older brother brought Tristan home from college one holiday. Fast forward fifteen years, and they’re still pranking and insulting each other at every turn. Thank goodness she’s going home for Christmas and he won’t be there. Until his plans unexpectedly change.

Forced into family activities and close quarters, it starts out ugly. Really ugly. The pranks continue and while Tristan can stay mostly calm, Nina can’t and seems determined to ruin everyone’s holiday with her spoiled brat behavior (I get her frustration, but come on, girl, grow up just a little bit). Still, lots of fun to watch them carry on.

And, since we know this is an enemies-to-lovers romance, we know they find a way through their supposed hate and delve into each other’s feelings, insecurities, and misunderstandings. It’s a really quick about-face, but it mostly worked and I loved how they tried to figure out how to be together, what was going on between them, what they wanted, and how sweet they were at times.

Overall, This Is Not a Holiday Romance was a fun, easy, and really enjoyable holiday read. Read this if you want:
• Enemies to Lovers
• Close Proximity
• Sibling’s Best Friend
• Christmas Romance
• Clever Pranks
• Low Spice
• STEM heroine (not a focus of the book, but I love a smart STEM FMC)
• Great Chemistry

Thanks to netgalley for allowing me to review this book. This was a cute and light-hearted romance book which I enjoyed from the first page. I read this within 24 hours which is always a great sign. It was entertaining and the execution of the enemies to lovers storyline was good. I liked how Tristan & Nina threw jabs at each other and their pranks were also very amusing. I liked the characters and enjoyed the book.

I finished this book in a single day, and it was a delightful read. The interactions between the main characters were both entertaining and amusing, even if they occasionally pushed the envelope. That was part of the charm, though. Nina kept Tristan on his toes, and Tristan did the same for Nina, creating a dynamic that was both engaging and fun. The tension between them built up beautifully, leading to a satisfying payoff when they finally gave in. The character growth was really gratifying to witness. Despite their earlier pettiness, it was refreshing to see them find common ground. Nina came to understand the reasons behind Tristan’s behavior, and Tristan, in turn, recognized his past mistakes and made a conscious effort to change.
The slow burn wasn’t the central focus here, but it worked well within the story. I’m a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and this book delivered it with humor, sweetness, and wit. I felt like I was right there with the characters, fully immersed in their world. Overall, it was a funny, charming, and cleverly written book.

This was a cute and light-hearted romance. It was entertaining and the execution of the enemies to lovers storyline was good. I liked how Tristan & Nina threw jabs at each other and their pranks were also very amusing. But there's one thing that puts me off in any book and that's insta-love and it's exactly what this book had. Which is why I felt like Nina & Tristan after a point, just had a physical relationship and not emotional connect. And I didn't like how Tristan was so oblivious about how his words affected Nina in the beginning and Nina was also kind of immature. Still, I liked them as the story went forward. So overall, this was an easy read but the romance part should've been developed well.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

This was hands down the cutest Christmas romance book. Such an entertaining enemies to love read. I only wish it wasn’t such a insta-love story. The pranks were enjoyable to read

This was a fun, light hearted romantic read. It was well written, cute and enjoyable.

A little predictable, yes but it didn’t matter at all.

It was still fun to watch the story of the two main characters pan out.

Thanks for the opportunity to review.

Nothing about this isn’t fun— it’s atmospheric, funny, steamy, and a really good time. These two (Nina and Tristan) had insane chemistry and I love a good best friends brother. It was so Christmas-y, it put me right in the holiday mood. I absolutely tore through this and had fun too!

A romance where the "the little sister of my best friend" trope is added to the "enemies to lovers" ? great. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Un romance dove il tropos "sorella del mio migliore amico" si aggiunge a quello "da nemici ad amanti"? fantastico. Mi sono divertita parecchio.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

I LOVE Camilla Isley. Whenever I need a happily ever after I know that she will not disappoint. This Is Not a Holiday Romance is perfect! I loved this novel a perfect enemies to lovers romcom. The story grabbed me and had me reading as fast as I could. This is a fun, quick, engrossing read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced readers copy. All of my opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

This is Not a Holiday Romance is a cute read. Following the enemies to lovers trope, it tells the story of Nina and her brother's best friend Tristan. Considering that they're both grown adults, they both play pranks on each other which were quite amusing. However, when they actually got together, it was all very sudden which I found quite unrealistic.

I do hope that there is a follow up to this book which follows the lives of the other characters.

Also, if you've watched the Cdrama Hidden Love, you will love this book.

Nothing but the best feels from one of my favorite authors. Even in my dark romance era she gives me all the tingles in my chest. I do not even miss the raunchy over the top “romance” because she has such a way with her stories and instilling the same vibes without being explicit. Not to mention the banter. Always with the best banter. I felt a connection to the MCs even without it being 300+ pages. I read and rate on vibes and this one sure had them all.

Yes, I know we all shy away from the festive C word, especially when it’s meant to be a sizzling summer, but come on, a festive rom com with ALL our favourite tropes? We’re sold.

With all the best tropes, including sworn enemies to lovers, forced proximity and brother’s best friend, This Is Not a Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley will get you wanting to dig out those stockings and all the tinsel, August or not.

This Is Not a Holiday Romance was my very first read from Camilla Isley, and I am telling you know, she’s not a bestselling author for no reason. Move over classic Hallmark Christmas films and hello hilarious steamy firework romances such as this one. The point of vies flick between our two sworn enemies, Nina, sister of Dylan who lives with the devil incarnate, according to Nina, Tristan. Our two protagonists have a rocky relationship, which includes pranking each-other and throughout the years they’ve become more and more competitive, solidifying that distaste one another feels for their opponent. After years of winding each other up, is the world’s longest foreplay battle about to come to a head (*winks*)

When Nina and Tristen are thrown together in a close proximity situation, the chemistry levels spark up a whole new level. I was already smiling and invested post chapter one, but by act 2, I was so hooked that I knew I was not going to put this book down until the final page.

The way Camilla Isley drew me into the characters lives and the batting of insults, we knew where this was going but it was such a great journey getting there. Camilla kept me gripped, smiling and needing more. If you’re a reader in the market for a Christmas-in-summer romance, you NEED to put This Is Not a Holiday Romance at the top of your pre-order list, you will not be disappointed!