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!

3.5🌟
Tropes:
●Brother's best friend
●Enemies to lovers
●Pranks
●Christmas themed
●One house

I liked this book but i didn't love it. It all felt very insta-love-y and i don't like that. The connection felt too physical and i couldn't connect to the characters since it was a shorter book.
Still, it was simple, fun and easy read

This was a sweet read! A little trope-y at times but not painful to read because of it.
Nina was well thought out and the interactions with Tristan believable.
3 stars

I absolutely loved the story of Nina and Tristan. It was a believable hate to love story and I enjoyed reading about Tristan and Nina’s war against each other since they were young.
There was some character development with them both and it was nice to follow that journey with them.
It made me feel pretty Christmassy even though I read it in August!
The ending set up some other romances with the other characters, and I am definitely going to read the other books when they come out.

Super cute and fun read for Christmas in July! There was a lot more emotion than I expected to read which was such a pleasant surprise!

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice: 1.5🔥
Tropes: brothers best friend, holiday romance, forced proximity, childhood enemies to lovers

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC in exchange for my review <3

This is the first book I’ve read by Camilla Isley and I was not disappointed!

It’s the perfect book to gear up and add to your holiday szn collection/TBR. And there were definitely some hints at sequels that I’m excited for.

There is something that really gets me about a good enemies/rivals/prank war trope, and Tristan and Nina did not disappoint. I really don’t have many notes or specific things I can point out as elements I enjoyed, because I just felt that the whole SYNERGY of the story was there and worked for the holiday romcom perfection that it was.

The only thing I wish was… and I have never said this before… that I wish there was MORE!!!! More time to draw out the tension, or their honeymoon phase, or more background behind Dylan and Tristan. MORE EVERYTHING! But again, I fully understand the reason for how it was paced and if it was any longer I very well may have found myself saying “less”

This is a very intense love story but had some funny moments with the pranks that were played. A brother’s best friend realises he has fallen for the brothers sister. Wow fireworks happen. But mother knows best. It was a lovely read with a very neat ending. A perfect Saturday afternoon read.

The perfect read for Christmas in july! It's sweet and heartfelt and a tad spicy. Highly recommended!

I’m a sucker for a happy ending and so I loved this book. It doesn’t matter that the ending waas inevitable, the falling in lust and love was the great part of the book. Nina and Tristan spend half the book in a battle of wills, pulling prank after prank on each other, these ere great to read through and also gave a good emotional description of both of them. Nina, offended by every slight and hurt that makes her feel ugly and Tristan abandoned by his real family and looking for surrogates. The fighting is epic and the getting together is quick, hot and steamy. I guess it has to be when staying with your parents. A great, bouncy read that hooked me in and I read this straight through in one sitting.

This Is Not a Holiday Romance is an easy "holiday" read that will be well received by readers looking for a quick enjoyable read. However, it lacked depth, had an extremely predictable plot and unfortunately in a genre flooded with competition was distinctly average with unmemorable characters.

If you're looking for a light read this would do the job however I feel there are much better alternatives on the market currently.

Thanks to NetGalley for the early preview to this story.

This Is Not a Holiday Romance is a light, easy read that might appeal to fans of straightforward contemporary romance. However, its predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and lack of emotional depth make it an average addition to the genre. Camilla Isley's charming setting and accessible writing style are highlights, but they aren't enough to compensate for the story's shortcomings.

While the novel offers a pleasant escape to a picturesque island, it doesn't provide the compelling narrative or emotional engagement that makes for a truly great romance read. Readers looking for a more substantive and memorable romance may find themselves disappointed with This Is Not a Holiday Romance.

What a cute 4 star holiday romance !

Nina and Tristan have serious chemistry. Can we really believe they never figured that out through all this time ? mmm I don't know, and I don't care. It works thanks to forced proximity and so much "glittery" fun !

The best friend's trope can be tricky (for real, how difficult can it be for a guy to accept his best friend and his sister being in a relationship?) and it's really well done here.

The reader is hooked from the very beginning and cheers for Tristan, the very great guy, and Nina and her complexe.

It's a quick and very funny read that I whole-heartedly recommend.


Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for a honest review.