Two exes find themselves stuck at the same house for Christmas in this holiday romance by Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.
It’s been five years since Charlotte Donovan was ditched at the altar by her ex-fiancée, and she’s doing more than okay. Sure, her single mother never checks in, but she has her strings ensemble, the Rosalind Quartet, and her life in New York is a dream come true. As the holidays draw near, her ensemble mate Sloane persuades Charlotte and the rest of the quartet to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado—it is much cozier and quieter than Manhattan, and it would guarantee more practice time for the quartet’s upcoming tour. But when Charlotte arrives, she discovers that Sloane’s sister Adele also brought a friend home—and that friend is none other than her ex, Brighton.
All Brighton Fairbrook wanted was to have the holliest, jolliest Christmas—and try to forget that her band kicked her out. But instead, she’s stuck pretending like she and her ex are strangers—which proves to be difficult when Sloane and Adele’s mom signs them all up for a series of Christmas dating events. Charlotte and Brighton are soon entrenched in horseback riding and cookie decorating, but Charlotte still won’t talk to her. Brighton can hardly blame her after what she did.
After a few days, however, things start to slip through. Memories. Music. The way they used to play together—Brighton on guitar, Charlotte on her violin—and it all feels painfully familiar. But it’s all in the past and nothing can melt the ice in their hearts…right?
Two exes find themselves stuck at the same house for Christmas in this holiday romance by Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.
It’s been five years since Charlotte Donovan was ditched at the altar by her ex-fiancée, and she’s doing more than okay. Sure, her single mother never checks in, but she has her strings ensemble, the Rosalind Quartet, and her life in New York is a dream come true. As the holidays draw near, her ensemble mate Sloane persuades Charlotte and the rest of the quartet to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado—it is much cozier and quieter than Manhattan, and it would guarantee more practice time for the quartet’s upcoming tour. But when Charlotte arrives, she discovers that Sloane’s sister Adele also brought a friend home—and that friend is none other than her ex, Brighton.
All Brighton Fairbrook wanted was to have the holliest, jolliest Christmas—and try to forget that her band kicked her out. But instead, she’s stuck pretending like she and her ex are strangers—which proves to be difficult when Sloane and Adele’s mom signs them all up for a series of Christmas dating events. Charlotte and Brighton are soon entrenched in horseback riding and cookie decorating, but Charlotte still won’t talk to her. Brighton can hardly blame her after what she did.
After a few days, however, things start to slip through. Memories. Music. The way they used to play together—Brighton on guitar, Charlotte on her violin—and it all feels painfully familiar. But it’s all in the past and nothing can melt the ice in their hearts…right?
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5 books in catalog
Contemporary queer fiction across middle grade, young adult, and adult romance categories has been significantly shaped by stories centering identity, family dynamics, and romantic self-discovery, exemplified by the Bright Falls series beginning with Delilah Green Doesn't Care. Ashley Herring Blake established her presence in contemporary literature through award-winning young adult and middle grade novels before expanding into popular adult romance.
Ashley Herring Blake held a Master's degree in teaching after attending Berry College, initially enrolling as a voice major before turning to education and creative writing. In addition to her career as an author, she has worked in publishing as an editor and literary agent. Blake made her debut in young adult fiction with Suffer Love and How to Make a Wish, followed by Girl Made of Stars, which was selected as a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Moving into middle grade literature, her debut category novel, Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, was named a Stonewall Honor Book as well as a Kirkus, School Library Journal, NYPL, and NPR Best Book of 2018. She expanded her middle grade catalog with The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James and Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea.
Blake transitioned into adult contemporary romance with her Bright Falls series published by Berkley, launching with Delilah Green Doesn't Care, Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail, and Iris Kelly Doesn't Date. Her adult romantic fiction also includes novels such as Make the Season Bright and Dream On, Ramona Riley. Outside of writing, Blake enjoys coffee, cold weather, cats, melancholy music, and organizing her personal library by color. A mother of two sons, she resides on an island off the coast of Georgia and maintains an active online presence at ashleyherringblake.com and via social media at @ashleyhblake.
Across age groups, Blake's fiction focuses on queer identity, emotional healing, grief, and complex interpersonal dynamics. Her middle grade and young adult books explore young protagonists navigating first crushes, coming out, and processing emotional trauma or loss with nuanced vulnerability. In her adult romances, she blends humor and emotional realism, creating imperfect characters who confront personal insecurities while finding love within supportive queer communities.
5 books in catalog
Contemporary queer fiction across middle grade, young adult, and adult romance categories has been significantly shaped by stories centering identity, family dynamics, and romantic self-discovery, exemplified by the Bright Falls series beginning with Delilah Green Doesn't Care. Ashley Herring Blake established her presence in contemporary literature through award-winning young adult and middle grade novels before expanding into popular adult romance.
Ashley Herring Blake held a Master's degree in teaching after attending Berry College, initially enrolling as a voice major before turning to education and creative writing. In addition to her career as an author, she has worked in publishing as an editor and literary agent. Blake made her debut in young adult fiction with Suffer Love and How to Make a Wish, followed by Girl Made of Stars, which was selected as a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Moving into middle grade literature, her debut category novel, Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, was named a Stonewall Honor Book as well as a Kirkus, School Library Journal, NYPL, and NPR Best Book of 2018. She expanded her middle grade catalog with The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James and Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea.
Blake transitioned into adult contemporary romance with her Bright Falls series published by Berkley, launching with Delilah Green Doesn't Care, Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail, and Iris Kelly Doesn't Date. Her adult romantic fiction also includes novels such as Make the Season Bright and Dream On, Ramona Riley. Outside of writing, Blake enjoys coffee, cold weather, cats, melancholy music, and organizing her personal library by color. A mother of two sons, she resides on an island off the coast of Georgia and maintains an active online presence at ashleyherringblake.com and via social media at @ashleyhblake.
Across age groups, Blake's fiction focuses on queer identity, emotional healing, grief, and complex interpersonal dynamics. Her middle grade and young adult books explore young protagonists navigating first crushes, coming out, and processing emotional trauma or loss with nuanced vulnerability. In her adult romances, she blends humor and emotional realism, creating imperfect characters who confront personal insecurities while finding love within supportive queer communities.
