Elle Spencer

Who doesn't want a gay Christmas movie? Holly Hudson asks herself that question and discovers that happy endings aren't only for the movies.

The Holiday Treatment

By day, Holly Hudson’s a story editor for Wifetime Network. By night, she’s the writer for the network’s very cheesy, very straight holiday romance series—Christmas in Evermore. Holly took the job to accomplish exactly one thing: a gay Christmas movie. She’s been shot down before, but things start to look up when Meredith Drake unexpectedly moves into the network’s holiday division. On the heels of a brief (but totally hot) fling, Holly and Meredith agree to keep things professional now that they’ll be working together. Especially since the network has a strict policy about workplace relationships. Instead, they vow to channel their passion into a pitch for the network’s first Christmas movie to feature two female leads. In this contemporary romance, Holly and Meredith work to make the Yuletide gayer while discovering that happy endings aren’t only for the movies.

Cheri Fuller

I think I was in the right place mentally for this book because I couldn't stop reading it. I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep last night. 

Don't get me wrong, there were things that rubbed me the wrong way (interactions with Gwen, an all white cast of characters, much too quick and easy of a resolution) but there were many more that made this a great read. I think this will make it as an entry to my "funk reading list."

I loved the humor in this book. Except for the back and forth between Holly and Gwen. It just felt too mean-spirited to be between BFFs. I understand what Spencer was going for - hell, I have friend where our normal conversations are filled with jabs and snarky remarks but theirs seemed to be too much for me to believe.

The apartment complex reminded me a bit of Tales of the City, except more raunchy and funny. Not a bad thing at all.

The chemistry between Meredith and Holly was super charged and I loved every sex scene. A lot. Their time spent in Hawaii was hilarious and I honestly never wanted that part to end.

I really enjoyed 30 Dates in 30 Days, too, and think Ms. Spencer is quick becoming a go-to author for me. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the chance to enjoy and chat about this one.

KADY BURNS

Tried 3 different times to get into this book. I couldn't get past the second chapter. No idea why, the writing was fine, and the plot seemed to be going down the same as other books I enjoyed. Maybe I will pick up again in the future and give it another go.

Jude Silberfeld

3.5⭐️ – Holly writes the best Christmas movies but hates Christmas. Every year, instead of joining her parents to celebrate – in Christmas Cove, Vermont, of all places – she goes to Hawaii on her own for a few days. And who just happens to be on the same plane? Holly’s work crush, Meredith. Turns out Meredith thinks Holly is as hot as Holly thinks Meredith is and they proceed to give each other the best Christmas ever. Holly is well on her way to becoming a believer again when Meredith gets a promotion that moves their very hot fling into the no-future category. The two women decide to stay professional and work on making Holy’s work dream come true: a gay Christmas movie.

The story is told in third person from Holly’s point of view. At first, I kind of liked her and found her annoying at the same time. She’s an interesting character, however. She’s cynical and sarcastic but she’s also very earnest and open in the right circumstances. She’s insecure and hides behind humour. Because the story is told from Holly’s sole POV, the reader doesn’t get as much insight into Meredith’s mind. It doesn’t help that the author makes her act completely out of character at one point. What we do know is that she’s sexy, elegant, competent and self-assured except when it comes to her family.

I enjoyed the first part of the story a lot. Everything in Hawaii is fun and sexy and promising. The rest of the book feels a lot like going back to real life after vacationing in paradise. It’s not as fun, not as sexy. It’s uncertain. Then comes the breakup because of course there has to be a breakup, even though it feels totally unnecessary as the MCs already have obstacles to navigate. The good news is, it makes so little sense that it doesn’t last long. I rolled my eyes, put the book down, had some lunch, came back and bam! It was magically resolved in a few pages.

There are a few other issues too, but I still recommend this book if you’re looking for a light and cheerful Christmas story. As usual with Elle Spencer, the writing is snappy and vibrant. She made me like Holly a lot by the end and I enjoyed the secondary characters. The Holiday Treatment makes about as much sense as any Christmas movie, and maybe that’s enough.

The Holiday Treatment

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