Make the Season Bright

By: Ashley Herring Blake

Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio

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?

Critic reviews

“Ashley Herring Blake’s Make the Season Bright is the mulled wine of holiday love stories: sweet, steamy, and completely intoxicating. If you love second-chance romances between former best friends as much as I do, then make sure this one is in your stocking. A delight!”—Carley Fortune, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Summer Will Be Different

“This book is a snowy sapphic delight. Ashley Herring Blake delivers all the yearning you want from a second chance romance, with a full cast of complicated, lovable characters who push each other to change and grow. This one is going straight to the top of my Christmas romance reread list!”—Bridget Morrissey, author of That Summer Feeling

"A sexy, snow-filled confection that will warm your heart no matter the season. The history and heat between the leads had me rooting for a happily ever after while fanning myself to keep from fainting. I adored this deliciously satisfying, joyfully queer holiday romance!"—Rebekah Faubion, author of The Lovers

"Cozy and comforting... This is destined for many a keeper shelf.”—Publishers Weekly

“Blake excels at bringing readers along on the emotional journey of her characters, going from feeling jilted Charlotte’s angst to eventually rooting for a reunion as Brighton’s side of the story is revealed. .. Featuring a hard-won happily ever-after and queer found family, this is a second-chance holiday romance to revel in.”—Library Journal

"Make the Season Bright is the perfect holiday second-chance romance... It's what I love most about Herring Blake's books. The well-developed characters, the very real and complex emotions, and a few surprises to keep everything interesting."—Culturess

"Jam-packed with a fun and diverse cast of characters and holiday merriment, Make the Season Bright is exactly what readers would expect from Herring Blake...Make the Season Bright is a wonderfully modern and refreshing take on the classic small-town Christmas romance."—Shelf Awareness

"Cozy up this festive season with Make the Season Bright, a refreshing second chance sapphic romance that blends humour with heart and delivers all the festive shenanigans your heart could ever desire!"—The Nerd Daily

Beautiful story!

I really love this book! This was my first read by this author and my first queer romance novel. I strongly identified with both of the main characters, and I absolutely loved Wes as well. I would definitely recommend this one.

Fun for the Holidays!

A fun, turn off your brain and enjoy type book! Great narration, lovely setting, and enjoyable plot!

A sapphic Christmas story

This is the hallmark story I never knew I needed. I’m not one for cheesy romcoms but this was a great story.

Casually Queer Christmas

This is a book that encapsulates if "right person, wrong time" got their second chance. I love it so much and it felt so healing to have a casually queer Christmas story.

Make the Season Bright

This book is a sweet sapphic Christmas romance. Five years ago, Brighton left Charlotte at the altar. This Christmas, Charlotte gets invited to a band mate’s family holiday. When she gets there, she finds out that her band mate’s sister also brought a friend and it turns out to be Brighton.

I adored the large cast of characters and their supportive friendships, and the group’s holiday activities really brought the Christmas spirit. Initially, I had a hard time forgiving Brighton for leaving Charlotte at the altar and wasn’t sure I wanted them to get back together, but I came around and was rooting for them in the end. The book felt a little long for me, but I still enjoyed it as a whole. I’d recommend this book if you’re looking for a festive second chance romance!