Make the Season Bright is the sapphic holiday romance you need in your life

Make the Season Bright is the sapphic holiday romance you need in your life

As a voracious reader with a heart for heartwarming tales, I must say that Ashley Herring Blake’s “Make the Season Bright” is nothing short of a delightful symphony of emotions! With its intricate blend of love, music, and past regrets, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good second chance romance.


This autumn might be known for its spookiness, but in the literary sphere, an array of holiday tales are being released. However, if you’re sensitive to emotional content, beware of “Make the Season Bright” – it could send shivers down your spine! The latest offering from Ashley Herring Blake revolves around love, music, and past regrets. As with many of her books, it’s truly remarkable!

Titled “Make the Season Bright“, this captivating novel offers a dual perspective, delving into the thoughts and feelings of our two main characters, Charlotte Donovan and Brighton Fairbrook. Five years have passed since Brighton abandoned Charlotte on their wedding day. This heartwarming tale provides an opportunity for these two lovebirds to reconnect in a second chance romance!

In the current timeframe, Charlotte has achieved great success as a violinist in New York City. Regrettably, Brighton was ousted from the band that Charlotte founded, which has since skyrocketed to fame. Now, Brighton works at a bar in Nashville and feels too timid to take the stage again.

How do these two cross paths? It turns out that Christmas serves as a catalyst for their meeting. Brighton, who adores everything about Christmas, finds herself without a place to celebrate due to her parents’ overseas trip. However, Charlotte despises the holiday, as it stirs memories of her missing mother and nearly-wedding. December has never been kind to her. Unbeknownst to them, they both know two sisters from the same family, and those sisters extend invitations for Christmas at their respective homes.

Make the Season Bright is the perfect holiday second-chance romance

The two meeting for the first time after five years…it is one of the best scenes in the book. We get both POVs in different chapters, and it’s internal freaking out, abject terror, and sweating. I loved every minute of it. Charlotte decides she is not going to acknowledge that she knows Brighton, and Brighton has to kind of just go with it. But that doesn’t stop her from confronting Charlotte and saying passive-aggressive things at every turn. It’s delightful!

You might be puzzled, wondering how Brighton could possibly be upset, given that she abandoned Charlotte at the altar. However, it’s important to remember their long history together – they go back as far as childhood. So, despite the past, they continue to engage in festive activities like the annual town-wide singles event during Christmas. They playfully flirt with others to provoke jealousy, and they even share an unplanned kiss before deliberately avoiding each other. This tumultuous dynamic is exactly what makes their second chance at romance so intriguing.

The main challenge these characters face is overcoming their pasts and expressing their needs effectively within their relationship. Despite eventually showing their emotions openly (which isn’t a spoiler, as this is a romance), they must still work through lingering issues from previous relationships. By providing glimpses into their past, we understand the reasons behind their actions. It’s truly excellent reading material.

Throughout their vacation, they gradually realize they’re made for each other. However, when one of them abruptly departs…is that it? Definitely not, this is a romance! Rest assured, the moment they reconnect permanently…it was worth every ounce of tension. These two share numerous commonalities, but music is the most significant one. And music significantly influences their journey towards each other. I found myself shedding tears and losing myself in romantic bliss simultaneously.

In Herring Blake’s writing, I find immense delight in his knack for confounding expectations. Initially, I thought I had a clear idea of where the narrative would unfold. Given that Brighton abandoned Charlotte at the altar, you might anticipate who would make the climactic gesture at the end. Discard that assumption! This unpredictability is what I cherish most about Herring Blake’s works. His characters are richly portrayed, their feelings deeply resonant, and there are unexpected twists to keep the story engaging.

If you’re yearning for a heartwarming sapphic Christmas story this holiday season (who wouldn’t?), don’t miss out on Make the Season Bright. You can find it in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.

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2024-10-10 00:44