Aaron and Olivia and to be honest her brother too were the perfect addition to this series. I loved Maggie and Seb's story so I was excited to read book 2. It did not disappoint. The growth and strength to not be set in the mold society, family or your own mind forces on you was displayed beautifully here. And that press conference moment... swoon.

I genuinely loved this story and was a nice way to kick start my holiday season!

Katie Bailey does it again! I have read previous books by her and she didn't disappoint again! This is a fun enemies to lovers, forced proximity hockey romance. Along with a brothers best friend story! It was sweet and fun! I hope Katie continues with this series so we can hear more stories from the others guys on the team!

Holiday Hostilities is an enemies to lovers, hockey romance. The writing is excellent, I enjoyed the pace and the characters. Highly recommend.

Holiday Hostilities is a festive and joyful holiday novel. This book can be read as a standalone but I personally think it was more enjoyable after having read the previous Katie Bailey book(s).

I adored Katie Bailey’s holiday read of 2023, Season’s Schemings, and whereas I found the beginning of this book to be a bit slow I nevertheless was swept away by the story fairly quickly and the Christmas shenanigans were on point as well.

If you are looking for a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form – I know I am, always – with cozy vibes and some great banter then this one is for you! Enjoy!

I loved this book even more than I expected would. I have read and loved all her other books so it shouldn't be a surprise that I and this one.

Your will enjoy this if you like...

-enemies to lovers
-forced proximity
-grumpy sunshine
-older brother’s best friend

Enjoy!!

This was a strong sequel in the Cyclones Christmas series, it had that feel that I wanted and enjoyed from the first book. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed how it was used in the romantic comedy for the holidays. I enjoyed the way Katie Bailey wrote this and had that element that I was hoping for.

I’ve read a lot of Katie Bailey’s books, and I keep coming back because her stories are always simple, heartwarming, and exactly what you need when you want a little romance to take your mind off things.

This story follows Olivia Griswold, who hates two things: Christmas and her brother’s best friend, Aaron Marino. He’s the NHL’s favorite playboy, adored by fans but despised by her since high school. When Aaron offers Olivia an escape from her nightmare roommates in exchange for being his date to his hockey team’s Christmas gala, it seems simple enough—until proximity stirs up a whole lot more than holiday cheer.

This book hits all the tropey goodness you could want: enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, all wrapped in a festive holiday setting. Honestly, these are all the reasons I picked it up in the first place.

That said, I had a hard time fully connecting with this one. It felt a little young for my taste, and even though it touches on some meaningful topics, it didn’t quite stick the landing for me emotionally. Still, I loved the nod to Monterrey! As someone from there, it was so fun to see a character representing my city—and drinking Dos Equis like a true regia. If there’s ever a whole story about her, sign me up as a consultant!

Overall, it was a sweet, light read and a great palate cleanser between my romantasy binge. Big thanks to Katie Bailey, NetGalley, and Eleventh Avenue for sharing this story with me—I can’t wait to see what Katie comes up with next!

A Holiday, Hockey, He Falls First, Hot Romance.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️

Olivia has been enemies with Aaron since they were teens and he became friends with her older brother. Their constant insults and jabs ended one disastrous night his senior year, but now they're back in the same town after several years apart and picked up right where they left off. The bickering continues until Olivia needs an escape from her crazy roommates and Aaron needs someone to bid on him at the Christmas charity gala. Can they stop the fighting long enough to help each other out?

I always love it when she's the grump (or grinch in this case) and this book did not disappoint. I have been loving this cover on Instagram, I stop scrolling every time it appears, so was thrilled for the chance to read the ARC thanks to NetGalley and Eleventh Avenue Pub. Katie Bailey always delivers with great stories, characters and comedy and did that here. Olivia's reason for avoiding all things Christmas is completely understandable, but Aaron works hard to help her see another side of the season. I'll be going back to read Season's Schemings and hope to see more of the Cyclones in future books. I also appreciate that I can share Katie's books with my teen daughter because I know she keeps it clean. Highly recommend to fans of clean holiday romcoms.

Katie Bailey’s books are a MUST READ for me. Great clean romance stories. This story was so great! Tropes like enemies to lovers, housemates, forbidden love, best friends sister, forced proximity, and all happening at Christmas!

A fun, adorable, and festive enemies to lovers holiday romcom!

A fun, adorable, and festive enemies to lovers holiday romcom!

Flight attendant Olivia hopes to set down some semblance of roots near her brother in Atlanta. Her roommate situation is pretty dire, but she doesn’t want to be the third wheel in her brother’s happy relationship by crashing at his place.

Problem solved? Her brother’s best friend and fellow hockey player, Aaron, offers her a place to stay in his gorgeous house. All she has to do is go to a charity auction and bid on a date with him so his stalker can’t get any closer to him. Simple, right? Only she’s loathed Aaron ever since she met the cocky player in high school, yet also feels the chemistry between them.

Holiday Hostilities is just the cutest. Aaron has an absolute heart of gold under his playboy exterior, and Olivia slowly realizes she may have been mistaken about him. The banter is witty, there are lots of both sweet and funny moments, and the story comes together beautifully. Plus the side characters and found-family feeling of the hockey team made it even better.

Though it’s a no-spice romcom (nothing more than some passionate kisses), you can feel the tension and enjoy the banter. Best part? No third-act breakup!

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Review: 4.2
Themes and Tropes: Brother's best friend, enemies to lovers, hockey, he falls first, great banter, holiday romcom
Steam: None/Closed Door

Another amazing Christmas story from Katie Bailey . Aaron and Olivia know each other for over ten years because he is her big brother best friend from school and now they are teammates on Atlanta's hockey Cyclon hockey team . Olivia after 8 years working and living in England as flight attendant she return to Atlanta to be close with her brother Jake . The only negative is that she has to co exist with Aoron Marino her nemesis . Every time time they meet they bickering until he asks her to come live at his place while she is looking for a new place to live and he can take her as his date at the Christmas Gala the team is organise . Living at his house she discover that the man she thought he was is not real but he really loves and cares about lot of things . Will she be able to resist him ? I loved all the hockey players and I would love to read the story of Reagan and Jimmy .
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

Katie Bailey’s books are always adorably sweet and adding the holiday season makes for a festive good time.

Aaron and Olivia have been at odds for years, even without seeing each other much at all. As Olivia’s brother’s best friend and teammate, Aaron is still there whether she likes it or not. Unsurprisingly, they both have a different point of view on the event that led to the contentious relationship they have now. A little bit of faking to save Aaron’s reputation and captaincy plus a side of forced proximity gives them the opportunity to lay their armor down to love rather than fight.

This was another super cute read from Katie Bailey and she’s a great go-to if you’re looking for a sweet, spice-free read. Thank you to NetGalley and Eleventh Avenue for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

There’s only one thing Olivia Griswold hates more than Christmas: her brother’s best friend, Aaron Marino. The NHL’s favorite playboy has hordes of adoring fans, but to her, he’s still the cocky jerk she’s loathed since high school. But when Aaron hears Olivia’s spending the holidays with her roommates from hell, he offers her a place to escape to. His place, to be exact.

In return, all she has to do is be his date to his hockey team’s Christmas gala. It seems simple enough, but Olivia soon discovers that sleeping behind enemy lines is a dangerous game—especially when the enemy looks like that. Olivia knows she’s playing with fire, but she won’t let herself get burned again.

Katie Bailey is the queen of banter. This story was so much fun. I love Olivia's attitude, Aaron's tenderness, and the heat of their relationship, despite the low spice. Excellent holiday romance for the season! 4.5⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Okay, this was my first book I've read by Katie , but now I think I am hooked! This story was so great! Tropes like enemies to lovers, housemates, forbidden love, best friends sister, forced proximity, and all happening at Christmas! Once again we have a THIN line between love and hate.... Olivia and Aaron are known for their hate for each other. They are always at odds, and always teasing each other. But do they really despise each other or is all of that their way of keeping their feelings in check?!

When Olivia needs a place to spend Christmas and Aaron needs help getting a stalker away from him they call a truce and help each other. She moves in with him for a few weeks, and she bids on him at the charity auction- to keep the stalker from winning. They think it's all a safe bet, given they can't stand each other. So no one is bothered that the two are now room mates. But a whole lot of forced proximity, movie nights, scramble, meals, parties, etc. Start to pull down all their reasons for hating each other and THAT is when things get tricky. They aren't supposed to date. He would be at risk of losing his position as captain if anymore relationship drama hits the press. And most of all... Olivia is Jake (Aarons best friend's) little sister. A relationship can't happen. Plus, she's moving out soon.... and that's that. But is it?!

This story was wonderful. It was definitely a more steamier read than my normal, and it also had some innuendo and mild language. But all in all, it was still a closed door romance, which was just what I was looking for! All in all 4.5 rounded to 5 for me. I can't wait to read the next book!

I didn’t think I could like a couple more than Seb + Maddie in Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey, but then along came Aaron and Olivia, and that Enemies-to-lovers banter won out!

Olivia’s been a flight attendant stationed in London Heathrow for the past few years. She’s ready for more family time, so she takes the opportunity to move closer to her brother Jake by accepting a job out of Atlanta. Olivia's new life chapter in Atlanta comes with unexpected turbulence: a living arrangement nightmare and facing her infuriating nemesis, Aaron—the cocky hockey captain and Jake's best friend.

Aaron has worked hard to become Team Captain of the Cyclones. Even though he has a ladies-man reputation, Aaron swore off dating months ago to put all of his time and focus into the team’s success. Aaron is dealing with a relentless stalker threatening to tarnish his reputation, career, and Team Captain position. After taking Olivia home from a team party he sees the living situation she’s in and makes Olivia a proposal that will benefit her current living situation and hopefully take care of his stocker situation. Olivia reluctantly agrees and moves into his home temporarily during the Holidays.

Unfortunately, Olivia learned early in life to guard her heart so the people around her couldn’t let her down. This distrust began with a heartbreaking Christmas when she was young and she’s been avoiding anything that has to do with the holiday (or opening her heart) ever since.

“When I look at myself, I see that in contrast, I’ve been living in fear of investing in important relationships in case those people don’t invest in me, too, and caring about someone turns into something painful.”

Aaron grew up in a loving home with a strong family foundation. This man knows how to see and care for the people in his life! After Olivia opens up about her childhood, Aaron decides to try and replace her bad holiday memories with new “good” memories. These thoughtful “gestures” carefully pull down Olivia’s walls and allow her to see for the first time that she’s worth loving.

“For the first time in my adult life, I’m going to take a leaf out of Aaron’s book and fight or what - who - I love.”

One thing I love most about Katie Bailey’s writing is that she brings the heat into her relationships so well, while still keeping the story closed-door. It’s the perfect level of low spice to show relationships in a healthy intimate way without putting too many details on the page that you wouldn’t want your high school girls to be able to read!

There’s a water scene with one of the best kissing scenes EVER!!

From steamy arguments to quiet moments of unexpected connection, Katie Bailey once again proves that enemies can make the best lovers—especially when mutual walls come crashing down.

Publish Date: November 22, 2024

Romance content: Just [AMAZING] kissing!! Closed-door!

Low spice, highly entertaining! I enjoyed this story and will grab the first book and look forward to more from Bailey. It's perfect for the holiday-loving reader.

I absolutely love Katie Bailey’s books!!! They have the chemistry and banter but without the spice and she is just hilarious!!! This one was no exception.

I read Seasons Schemings last Christmas and loved it and was so excited for the 2nd book in this series! It delivered everything I was hoping for! Christmas cozy vibes, hockey romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, brother’s best friend??? give it to me!!!

This was just so cute and perfect for the holiday season!! I can’t wait for Katie’s next book! 🤭