This was a cute holiday romance. I loved the premise--grumpy pilot and sharp-tongued passenger end up driving through a snowstorm together when flights are cancelled.

Noelle's having a rough time: her slimy boyfriend screwed her over at work and dumped her, she quit her job, and she's still grieving the loss of her parents from several years ago. Kol sees her at the airport and hears her latest predicament--she needs to get to Saratoga Springs that day or lose the inheritance from her aunt (and, really, who waits til the last day to do that, grieving or not). So he offers to drive her...

Road trip/snowed in romances are so much fun, and this one had a lot of promise. I just didn't love the writing or the characters. They were fine, nothing terrible, I just found Noelle to be overly dramatic and kind of annoying, and Kol to be closed off and obsessed with control. I didn't really connect with them. But it was still a fun book and there were some really nice scenes, especially the banter in the car and some of their conversations. I just can't go all the way up to four stars.

Cancelled flight, grumpy sunshine pilot & a story about finding yourself among the holidays…if this intrigues you, you will eat up “Christmas Cancellation”. Kol + Noelle find themselves in a forced proximity situation when the grumpy pilots flight plans are cancelled and the newly unemployed blonde are thrown together at the airport on a stormy day before Christmas. With her need to get to her aunts hometown before the end of the day, Kol steps in and assists her in getting her to Saratoga Springs safely as well as navigating grief she’s been holding in for years.

This story was a mixture of light hearted and deep but a holiday book that will leave you with all the warm fuzzy feelings.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

It was a well written spicy book and very good for what it was. The spice guaranteed to give you a flush. The plot was a great setup for the romance to unfold and the characters were cute and balanced each other out. Opposites attract but they have the right amount of similarities to make the romance believable.

I found some themes confusing, like he doesn't play games but he plays games and his opinion changed frequently. So for me it wasn't a 5* but I enjoyed the quick pace and the plot drew me in. I think the characters weren't for me but that's okay. I can see anyone looking for a romantic spicy read appreciating this one!

Book Review: Christmas Cancellation by Evie James

Evie James’s Christmas Cancellation is a modern holiday romance with a heartfelt twist on the classic It’s a Wonderful Life. Set against a backdrop of snowy delays, charming small-town holiday scenes, and unexpected encounters, the novel follows Noelle Nichols, who’s facing more than her share of challenges. Jobless, freshly single, and racing against the clock to claim her inheritance by Christmas Eve, Noelle’s holiday hopes are dashed when a snowstorm grounds her flight out of New York. Stuck in the chaos of LaGuardia, she unleashes her frustration on Captain Kol Vinter, a stoic, ex-military pilot whose brusque exterior conceals a much softer side.

Kol, who is initially less than pleased with Noelle’s fiery attitude, becomes intrigued when he witnesses her moments of vulnerability. When Noelle, overwhelmed by her circumstances, lets slip a wish that she’d never been born, Kol offers to drive her to her hometown of Saratoga Springs, a Christmas haven that has lost its magic for her. The ensuing road trip, filled with holiday mishaps, forced proximity, and undeniable chemistry, becomes the catalyst for both of them to rediscover not just the magic of Christmas, but a spark that seems to light up the holiday season in new and unexpected ways.

The "grumpy-sunshine" dynamic between Kol and Noelle adds depth and warmth to their interactions. Noelle’s spirited, resilient nature brings out a softer side in Kol, whose tough exterior is matched only by his fiercely protective nature. The "one bed" trope leads to hilarious and heartwarming moments as they awkwardly navigate their growing attraction in close quarters. Kol’s gradual shift from detached pilot to attentive companion, who helps Noelle see her worth and reframe her pain, feels natural and tender. Ashenden balances this developing romance with humor and touching scenes that keep the tone both light and heartfelt.

The book’s small-town setting of Saratoga Springs feels alive with holiday cheer and festive details, from snowball fights to cozy fireplaces, which contribute to Noelle’s emotional journey as she returns home. As she reconnects with her past and wrestles with old memories, she begins to heal and find joy in the season again. Meanwhile, Kol’s own reluctance to believe in Christmas magic, tempered by a difficult past, adds complexity to his character, making him more than just a holiday romance hero. His gradual acceptance of love and belonging brings out the story’s central themes of second chances and redemption.

In Christmas Cancellation, James combines classic holiday romance tropes with a modern, fresh twist, creating a story that balances emotional depth with lighthearted moments. Fans of forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and opposites-attract romances will find plenty to enjoy in Noelle and Kol’s story. This novel is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good holiday read that emphasizes healing, self-discovery, and the joy of unexpected love.

With its blend of holiday charm, sizzling chemistry, and tender moments, Christmas Cancellation is a cozy and heartwarming romance that captures the magic of second chances in both life and love. Evie James has crafted a delightful, festive tale that will leave readers laughing, crying, and rooting for Noelle and Kol to find their happily-ever-after. This book is ideal for curling up by the fire with a hot cocoa—guaranteed to leave readers believing in the magic of the season.

This book was so good. I read it in one sitting and it's crazy that the book takes place Uber just a few days time. Kol ( pronounced coal) and Noelle (see the Christmas theme already) meet when her flight out of New York City to Albany New York gets canceled.-- noel needs to get to Saratoga in order to sign some legal papers by the end of the day deadline, Unbeknownst to Noelle well, she's on the phone venting, to her bestie. Kol who was the pilot of the cancel flight over hears her misconceptions about why the flight was cancelled and kind of tells her off when she's done talking to her friend.They have some verbal sparring as Paul is walking away, he in a moment of weakness feels bad and invites her to drive with him home. He lives not far from saratoga and can bring her to the lawyer, she agrees and off they go in in the bright red bronco (keeping the Christmas theme) while they battle the winter storm to try to make it to saratoga by the deadline during the drive, they get to know each other better. While still keeping their secrets at bay, both having a hard time with the holiday- the storm gets worse and worse, and they end up spending christmas together
This book is a lot of things. A little bit spicy a little bit cheesy, but all heart i admit to breaking down in tears once-- the author ties the book very well together at the end and I enjoyed it very much. The book is told with perspective of both Kol and Noelle which I enjoyed- i also loved the easter egg of the decoration at the beginning of each chapter this was a heartwarming Christmas tale

Loved the cover, the idea was so fun but is Evie James a man? This book is literally so sexist for what? The female main character is super whiny and the mmc obviously hates women. This one is a hard pass. And miss girl refers to him as a “daddy”?!? Was not ready for that one lol.

Great book. The plot and characters were realistic. I couldn’t put the book down. It was paced to make the book just the right length.