🌈 Friends to Lovers
🌈 Christmas UK
🌈 Small Town Romance

🌶🌶🌶🌶

Leo and Ella are the very best of friends. They each harboured a tendre for each other in the past but there has never been a right time for them. So while they might be in love with each other, they have never acted on their feelings. But when Ella (who has been having a tough time) gets dumped by her boyfriend and evicted very close to Christmas, Leo steps in and asks her to come and stay with him and his madcap family.

Spending more time together stirs up emotions, exacerbated by exes, family and the Cinderella pantomime they are both involved in. Life reflects art as the two of them discover that they both deserve a happy ending.

If you don't know what a Christmas Panto is, read the author's note on this book - it's really important that you understand how these shows work and the festivity they embody at Christmastime in the UK. The script of the panto features heavily in this book and you really have to be able to imagine what's happening on the stage. I've grown up on Christmas pantos but would be interested to hear what people who hadn't seen one think about the way the panto is written in this story. Even with my experience, I'm not sure it worked. Maybe listening on audio book would help.

Leo and Ella's dynamic is lovely - they are both so sweet. When they started to explore their deeper feelings physically I wasn't convinced but by the end I could see they were meant for each other.

While this isn't my favourite of the series, it was still a fun read.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Evie Alexander for allowing me to read a Net Galley Arc of her upcoming book, Christmas Off Script, which is part of her Foxbrooke series and wille be available on Amazon on November 4th, 2024.

Leo Foxbrooke and Ella Chamberlain have been best friends for a long time, and neither of them has confessed to having crushes on each other when they were teenagers. That all changes when Ella is suddenly dumped by her boyfriend and homeless and the Foxbrookes invite her to stay at their manor. Used to painting the set and being a side character for the Christmas pantomime, Ella and Leo respectively find themselves filling in for the roles of Cinderella and Prince Charming. Kissing her best friend during rehearsals should be easy, but neither Ella or Leo predicts themselves falling hard and fast for each other, but both of them are scared to lose their friendship in case of unrequited love. Can Leo and Ella face their fears for a love that they’ve always wanted?

This story was wonderful. You have Ella, a sweet, caring, talented, beautiful young teacher that takes care of her stepmother and is beloved by the Foxbrookes. You have Leo, a handsome, talented, and protective young man that would do anything for Ella and his family. I enjoyed learning about a Christmas pantomime, and this book makes me want to see one myself someday. Ella’s stepfamily was awful, but I absolutely adored the Foxbrooke’s family dynamic. The banter and synchronicity between Ella and Leo were fantastic. I also loved how protective Ella and Leo were of each other and often put each other first instead of their personal desires when it came to their presumably unrequited feelings. There were a few twists that I didn’t expect throughout the story, and I was delighted by all of them. Overall, if you like great family dynamics, fantastic banter, healthy relationships, Christmas pantomimes, humor, and holiday friends-to-lovers with sweet romance and quite a bit of spice, then I would highly recommend this book. Here’s the link for more information: Amazon.com: Christmas off Script: A Friends to Lovers, Steamy Romantic Comedy (Foxbrooke Book 5) eBook : Alexander, Evie: Kindle Store

In “Christmas Off Script,” best friends Leo Foxbrooke and Ella Chamberlain navigate the complexities of their long-standing friendship as they confront their hidden feelings for each other during the festive season. The story unfolds in the charming setting of Foxbrooke Manor, where Ella, recently dumped by her boyfriend, finds solace with Leo and his family.

Ella has always been there for Leo, but after a breakup leaves her feeling lost and alone, she turns to him for support. As she moves into Foxbrooke Manor, staying next to Leo’s room allows them to spend more time together preparing for the Christmas pantomime. Their roles in the play—Ella as Cinderella and Leo as Prince Charming—bring them closer than ever.

This is a standalone romantic comedy filled with festive spirit, laughter, and a fairytale happy ending that promises to charm readers looking for a heartwarming holiday story.

How can one resist a contemporary retelling of Cinderella with that cover?...there is no way.
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Christmas off script is a book full of British customs, traditions and cozy holiday scenes. Despite everything the characters must overcome, mainly Ella, this is a perfect book to get into the spirit of seeing the beauty in every detail and appreciating friendships and found families.
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and without leaving aside the slow burn of an unconditional friendship of years that stretches until one is about to break everything if they don't kiss in the next paragraph.
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Ella and Leo live their story within a town and a family full of curious characters, of which if you have not read the previous books, like me, you will want to do so soon, because you simply need to know more. And let’s not forget the Manor and every perfect cosy scene Evie Alexander creates for them.
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I have to confess that at times She exasperated me, because even though I have a weak spot for cinderella stories, there comes a point where I want to see them get up and fight for what they want.
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She has a sacrificed life, dedicated to a stepmother and two stepsisters who treat her horribly. With her father in prison and her boyfriend far away, she tries to move forward and have faith. But when on the same day she is left homeless, without a boyfriend and with terrible family news, Ella can only break down.
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but luckily Leo is there to support her, as always, her best friend is there to lift her up and help her move forward. But this time is different, because something changed between them and when they have to live under the same roof it is inevitable to start wondering if their feelings are reciprocal, and could be more between them
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This is a book for fans of friends to lovers, slow burn and cozy holidays, with steamy and beautiful heartwarming scenes.
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Thanks to Evie Alexander and her team for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion.

Lots of imagery in Alexander's writing that made this a grand play within a book. I enjoyed it and the setting. It was funny and perfect for holiday time. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was so cute! I loved this and the cover. Great for Christmas time. Definitely the next barbie and the nutcracker.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this arc of Christmas off Script.
I have read all the other books in the Foxbrooke series and this was just as hilariously funny.
The Cinderella story of the pantomime & of Ella’s real life was very clever, she really went through it poor thing.”
I think Leo must be the perfect man ❤️ he and Ella’s relationship was so cute.
Arthur’s one liners were so funny, someone make him a grandfather already 😂
Looking forward to the next one.

This was such a beautiful almost Nutcracker vibes book. I was swooning at every page! I loved the romance and how beautifully their love story comes into play! I loved the theater aspect and how beautifully this lifelong love story unfolded. Perfect if you’re in the mood for a holiday inspired novel or just a really great love story!