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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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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
October 1, 2024 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593942826
- File size: 300137 KB
- Duration: 10:25:16
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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August 19, 2024
Herring Blake (the Bright Falls series) brings all the queer-community-centric charm and sensuality her readers expect to this feel-good holiday outing. Charlotte Donovan, left at the altar five years ago by her fiancée and longtime best friend Brighton Fairbrook, is now a successful classical violinist in New York City, while aspiring songwriter Brighton has yet to find her niche in Nashville. To both their surprise and horror, they meet again for the first time since the aborted wedding at a “cheery, queery Christmas” with mutual friends in Colorado. What follows is an almost Parent Trap–esque plot in which the exes, forced by their friends to spend time together again, must work through the issues that led to their split. Christmas cheer abounds, and the heroines’ vibrant queer friend group—all of whom have their own romantic journeys to undergo—makes a charming supporting cast. Some of the conflict comes down to frustratingly unnecessary miscommunications, but this is a minor quibble with an otherwise cozy and comforting love story. This is destined for many a keeper shelf. -
Childhood sweethearts get a second chance in this bittersweet holiday romance. Serious, closed-off violinist Charlotte is devoted to her successful classical quartet, and narrator Kristen DiMercurio gives her an unemotional, lower-register voice. Singer-songwriter Brighton is reeling from being kicked out of her own band. Five years earlier, Brighton left Charlotte at the altar; now, they're both unexpectedly guests of the same Colorado family over Christmas. DiMercurio makes Brighton sound meek and clingy when she interacts with Charlotte, whom she calls Lola. Both women have a lot of complicated feelings to work through before they can move forward, and much of the audiobook is a less than jolly listening experience as they endure the forced proximity and reluctantly attend holiday-themed matchmaking events with their friends. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine -
December 6, 2024
Charlotte Donovan, the daughter of a famous, hands-off mother, was left at the altar when her fianc�e, Brighton Fairbrook, ran from the venue. With the holidays closing in, Charlotte's string ensemble, the Rosalind Quartet, is discussing holiday plans. When fellow musician Sloane realizes that Charlotte will be alone for the holidays, she invites Charlotte to spend the holidays with her family in Colorado. When Charlotte arrives, she learns that Sloane's sister Adele has also brought a friend along, who just happens to be Brighton. Desperate to avoid the past, Charlotte pretends not to know Brighton, despite being signed up for a series of holiday dating events. However, as they spend time together, Charlotte and Brighton are forced to face the music and the memories that haunt their pasts. Blake, author of the "Bright Falls" trilogy, is back with a holiday-themed second-chance romance that is as swoony as it is Christmassy. Kristen DiMercurio narrates both Charlotte and Brighton, as well as their gaggle of friends, as they have a cheery, queer Christmas, with heartbreak and hilarity bringing the story together. Though this is a fairly sexy listen, there are many moments that will remind listeners of a Hallmark Christmas movie as the characters participate in over-the-top holiday events and all the ends are tied up nicely. VERDICT A fun, steamy-at-times holiday romance.--Elyssa Everling
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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