Review | Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Review of ‘Make the Season Bright’ by Ashley Herring Blake. Can a second-chance romance full of miscommunication, flawed characters, and cozy holiday vibes win you over? In Make the Season Bright, Brighton and Charlotte are thrown back into each other’s lives, bringing festive tension and emotional messiness to the forefront. While the book has its moments of charm—think cookie decorating and snowy adventures—it also left me questioning if these two were truly meant to be. Curious to know if this holiday romance delivers? Keep reading to find out what worked, what didn’t, and whether this book deserves a spot on your TBR.

‘Make the Season Bright’ by Ashley Herring Blake is a cozy yet flawed holiday romance that balances festive charm with the messy complexities of second-chance love

Synopsis

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?

Review

I received a free copy from PRH International in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my review. Thank you for this review copy. #PRHInternationalPartner

When I first picked up Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous cover—seriously, it’s stunning. The story itself had its moments, though I’d say it was just okay overall.

The plot centers on Brighton and Charlotte (aka Lola), two exes forced to spend time together during the holidays while pretending not to know each other. It’s a messy setup, and while their communication was frustratingly bad, I found their relationship strangely fitting by the end. Both characters had their highs and lows—there were times I liked Brighton more and other times Charlotte stood out. While Charlotte could come off as cold and mean, Brighton’s naivety and poor decisions didn’t always sit well with me either. Their flaws made them human, but I wasn’t completely sold on them as a couple.

What truly worked for me were the cozy holiday vibes. From horseback riding to cookie decorating, the festive activities made the story feel warm and charming. The spicy scenes were also a pleasant surprise—well-written and full of chemistry.

On the flip side, the side characters didn’t do much for me. While I appreciated Adele and Sloane toward the end, the rest of the cast felt forgettable despite other readers’ praise.

Final thoughts

Overall, Make the Season Bright is a decent holiday read with its fair share of flaws. If you enjoy second-chance romances and festive settings, it might be worth picking up. For me, it wasn’t a standout, but it had enough charm to keep me reading.

Rating

6/10

Details

• Trigger warnings: The novel addresses themes of parental neglect, alcohol consumption, claustrophobia and leaving a loved one (in this case at the altar).
• Themes: Forgiveness, second chances, the importance of chosen family, and personal growth.
• Representation: The story prominently features LGBTQ+ representation, focusing on a sapphic romance between the main characters.
• Genre: Contemporary romance / holiday fiction.
• Pages: 368 pages.
• Publication date: October 1, 2024.
• Publisher: Berkley.
• About the author: Ashley Herring Blake is an award-winning author known for her heartfelt and inclusive storytelling. She holds a master’s degree in teaching and has authored romance novels, young adult novels, and middle-grade novels. Blake is also a coeditor of the young adult romance anthology Fools in Love. She resides on a small island off the coast of Georgia with her family.