'Tis the Damn Season

by Kimi Freeman

A Hollywood starlet caught in a scandal. The boy she never got over. A Christmas season they’ll never forget…

Aspen Moore is living proof that money doesn’t buy happiness. At twenty-three years old, the singer-actress has it all. Fame. Fortune. Her own headlining tour. And yet something—or someone—is missing.

When a scandal rocks Aspen’s carefully constructed Hollywood life, she’s forced to return to her Pennsylvania hometown, where she reconnects with her first love, Roman Torres. Aspen knows they must keep their relationship strictly platonic. This game of push and pull, catch and release she plays with Roman is bad for her. She’s not staying in Fertsville, and he’s not moving to LA. But their chemistry is undeniable, and amidst rumors and drama, the bright lights of Hollywood begin to pale in comparison to the dark brown eyes she fell in love with all those years ago. Could Aspen be willing to give up everything she’s ever wanted for the best thing she’s ever had?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Second Chance, Friends To Lovers, New Adult

356 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

Kimi Freeman is a teen writer of both fiction and poetry who debuted with her novel, 'Tis the Damn Season, at just sixteen years old. A northern New Jersey native, she is often found enjoying a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel or taking trips into New York City, a short distance from her hometown. Her debut poetry collection, Someone Else in the Dark, will be released in May 2024. Follow her on her social media platforms for updates and additional information.

Reviews

[Hershey]

we could call it even
you could call me babe for the weekend
'tis the damn season
write this down

[abi]

WE COULD CALL IT EVEN
YOU COULD CALL ME BABE FOR THE WEEKEND
‘TIS THE DAMN SEASON, WRITE THIS DOWN
I’M STAYING AT MY PARENTS HOUSE
AND THE ROAD NOT TAKEN LOOKS REAL GOOD NOW
(one of the best songs on taylor’s best album, evermore)

[tanveer ⋆｡✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

❝I'm not going to...❞ his tone sharpens,❝...apologize for caring about you, Pen,❞

blurb~

the narrative centers around a renowned celebrity/singer who is forced to her hometown. she reconnects with her former high school sweetheart. she’s not staying in Fertsville, and he’s not moving to La. but their chemistry is undeniable.

writing~

the initial writing exhibited a certain degree of contrivance, as if the narrator's statements were followed by a return to passive agreement. however, it is plausible that this intentional effect was intended by the author. conversely, the latter half of the writing is remarkably poignant, evoking a profound emotional response that moved me to tears. this unexpected turn of events caught me off guard, as i had not anticipated such a powerful impact.

characters~

roman appeared to be an ethereal being, as if divinely dispatched from the celestial realm (literally!). his demeanor was characterized by kindness, gentleness, and an overall delightful disposition. he could aptly be likened to a golden retriever, possessing all the endearing qualities associated with the breed. roman selflessly provided unwavering support to aspen and exhibited a steadfast belief in her abilities that surpassed even her own self-confidence.

from the outset, he was unequivocal in his intentions and emotions towards aspen. i was eager for his POV, as he appeared to possess an attitude of indifference towards societal and interpersonal opinions.

the whole time when i thought what it's like from roman's pov, i heard him sing to aspen, 'you belong with me' by taylor swift (more specifically the following lyrics of the song-
can't you see that i'm the one
who understands you?
been here all along
so, why can't you see?
you belong with me)

❝ I never wanted to wear a suit in the first place. but I'll do it for you.❞

the portrayal of aspen's character appeared needlessly complex. despite my earnest efforts to develop affection for her, it failed to transcend beyond a mere simplistic persona. until approximately 70% of the book, she proved to be a vexing subject to read about. however, the subsequent transformation was nothing short of remarkable. the author adeptly bestowed upon the character the treatment she deserved, culminating in a satisfying conclusion.

I'm thinking about is me, my guitar, and singing to the love of my life.

their relationship~

aspen's tendency to overanalyze situations was complemented by roman's reassuring demeanor, which exuded tranquility and tenderness. however, a profound desire arose within me to explore their shared history in greater depth, yearning for an additional fifty pages of narrative elucidation.

❝Roman Torres, you can be a damn poet when you want to be.❞
...❝Aspen Torres, I'll be whoever you want me to be, as long as it puts a smile on your face. ❞

only one word for cane and keith- karma.

side characters~

i absolutely loved reading about millie and ella! these two little munchkins were just too cute for words. but what really caught me off guard was seeing millie being so kind to ella. it was a heartwarming moment that made me feel proud of millie. however, it also made me sad to think that some parents can be so harsh and always push their kids to be on top, leaving them to pay the price.

leila is simply amazing! that's it. she's not just a friend, she's a true gem that aspen never knew she needed in her life. it's like she appeared out of nowhere (which is true) and suddenly became an integral part of her world. her unwavering loyalty and support are unmatched, and can always count on her to have pen's back no matter what. leila is the kind of friend that everyone needs in their life, and pen's lucky to have her!

final thoughts~

as a debut, this book is truly impressive. the characters, both individually and collectively, are captivating and endearing. additionally, the book is a quick and enjoyable read. it is always a pleasure to delve into the world of high school sweethearts.

i would like to thank Netgalley and the author, Kimi Freeman for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.



–––––
tbr review
SO WE COULD CALL IT EVEN
YOU COULD CALL ME BABE FOR THE WEEKEND
'TIS THE DAMN SEASON, WRITE THIS DOWN

[Teresa González · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, sadly this one was not for me.

My main issue with this book was that it felt really childish when all the characters are around 25 y.o.
BUT, I just found out Kimi, the author, is only sixteen! mindblowing 🤯
Should have stuck with more of a YA/high school theme and then it would have been perfect!

My best description of this book is, holiday teenage romcom so, if this sounds like your thing definitely give it a try!
!!! As a huge FYI, I don't think I saw any TW in the book intro or summary? but be warned that the book touches on SA.

1 star ⭐, because this book is being marketed as New Adult when it clearly isn't.

* ARC provided by Netgalley/Author in exchange for an honest review *

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had no business being as cute as it was! If you’ve ever listened to ‘Tis the damn season by Taylor Swift and thought, ‘I wish there was a book about this couple’ (I mean, who hasn’t?), then you’re in luck because this book was written for you.

This book has:
•Small town/ second chance romance between two former high school sweethearts
•Famous girl x small-town boy: He’s always supported her dreams, and when she makes it big, she just can’t let him go
•She’s a famous singer, and he’s her muse 💕
•Forced proximity: The leads are co-producing the town Christmas play together 🎄

Overall, this was such a sweet read with low angst. If you’re looking for a small-town second-chance romance this holiday season, look no further!

Thank you to Netgalley and Parson Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful - there is no other way to put it. It was extremely juvenile and read like a diary of a middle school child. The dialogue was forced and uncomfortable and did not flow like a real conversation would. After realizing that the author is only 16, this made a lot more sense. Still, this book needs a lot of work for it to be any good.

The characters were all over the place. Aspen was obnoxious and Roman was so lackluster. Their personalities had no depth and I was bored throughout the book. I also didn't understand their relationship in the slightest and their chemistry was non-existent. Again, I feel this has a lot to do with the author's age and lack of life experience.

There is also a random SA that comes out of left field at the end of the book so 1) there needs to be a trigger warning or 2) it needs to be removed from the book because I don't understand why it's in there.

It took everything in me to finish this book and I only did because I got an ARC of it. I don't like to give out 1 star ratings but this book should not be sold as is - there is so much work and editing and better writing that needs to be done to it.

[Rachel Rowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

So it turns out this is really more of a YA contemporary romance - which is not really my thing. I was expecting melancholy late twentysomethings reconnecting with their lost loves, but this definitely has more of a high school/college teen drama vibe.

BUT - I found out Kimi is actually only 16 herself, so it makes sense that she’s writing what she knows! Way to go girl for publishing a whole book at your age!! I’ll be looking out for what she writes next!

Thanks to Netgalley, Kimi and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

[Lilly]

I initially picked up this book because of the title and the fact that the story was based upon the song, "'Tis the Damn Season" by Taylor Swift. Filled with subtle nods to her discography, this was a fun read as someone who enjoys Taylor's music. While I did enjoy this book, the overall feel was more juvenile than adult, which did impact my overall reading experience. Upon further research, I learned that the author is a very young debut author, which fully makes sense in terms of the feel of the novel.

I think this book would be enjoyable for fans of Taylor's music, but I do want to mention though that while this is written by a fairly young author (teenage), there are some triggering components and adult themes to the story, so I would not recommend to younger readers. Given that the author is sixteen, I am curious about future releases from her as she grows into her writing. I think this book would have been a stronger release if it had been written for and marketed toward a YA audience (obviously with some alterations).

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[McKenzie (taken🤭)]

𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹
OMG I CANT WAIT FOR THIS ONE

[PlotTrysts · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not the book I was expecting from the description, "based on 'Tis the Damn Season." What I wanted: a super sexy winter wonderland weekend fling. What I got: a long angst fest filled with flashbacks following controversy and sexual assault with some... not so inspired song lyrics.

This objective review was based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

[fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this is actually really good. I loved how the timeline changes from past &/to present. The chapters were short which made me happy. I mean who doesn't love short chapters? 😆 ALSO, Taylor Swift references?! Are you kidding me?! I would bring up Taylor Swift any way I can, however I can! 🫶🏻😆 Although, I think it would be nice if we got Rome's POV. But I'm really excited for this to get published! Thank you to the authors for giving me an ARC 🤍

[alyssa napolitano · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was such a cute holiday read!!! i absolutely loved the second chance romance of this & how pure the love between roman + aspen was <33 i love books with a past/present timeline and this one did it so well! i also had the most fun noticing all the little taylor swift inspired moments!!

tropes:
-second chance romance
-holiday romance
-one bed
-small town
-closed door

thank you so much to the author for providing me with an arc of this book!

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aspen Moore is a starlit in Hollywood caught in a scandal. She’s proof that money doesn’t buy happiness. Twenty three with fame and fortune but proof that money doesn’t buy happiness. The scandal has caused her to have to return to her hometown in PA where she reconnects with her first love, Roman. She knows it can’t be anything more than friends but their pull is magnetic and cannot be denied.

I loved everything about this story. It’s the right amount of cozy that makes you want to bundle up with hot chocolate and wrap yourself in this book. For a debut, this is good! My only gripe is that some of the chapters ended kind of abrupt or they seemed to miss a little something but overall I really enjoyed it. Having just moved to PA myself, I extra loved the setting and I absolutely loved the Taylor Swift nuggets!! Having a playlist at the very beginning really set the tone. This is one I’m going to want to have a physical copy of and if you’re a Swiftie, you’ll love it!

Thank you NetGalley and Parson Press for the ARC, and giving me the chance to read and review it honestly.

[Teo-(school hiatus)]

Do I have any idea what is this book about? No. Did I add it to my tbr because of its title? Absolutely yes.
So I guess we could call it even...

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this! So much going on, celeb drama, heartbreak, loss, undeniable fire burning love, etc. It's got all of it mixed into one! So many sweet moments and a few tear jerking moments. The ending truly made me tear up. I loved every single sentence of this book. It truly kept me interested, I had to read it in one sitting. I also love that the author themed each chapter and gives a song for each chapter so you can listen to a song with the vibe for the chapter. Love it! Such a great book, wrapped up beautifully at the end! So heartwarming and truly shows determination and how love always prevails!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I didn’t enjoy this story, I will say the writing had a very breezy quality—it was pleasantly fast paced and easy to binge.

Told in past and present, it follows singer-actress Aspen Moore escaping to her hometown after a vicious scandal. While there she reconnects with friend and first love Roman Torres, as together they organize a church Christmas production.

The romance was cute, but it lacked a concrete conflict. I found the unfolding of events a bit nonsensical, many chapters seeming to serve no importance and ending abruptly.

But my main issue was the juvenile tone to the story. I suppose it fit the timeline set in high school, but the maturity in the present timeline (seven years later) did not improve. There was a lot of cattiness between characters, which is simply not the type of drama I enjoy reading about.

(heat level: closed door)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[laura *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and definitely gave the same vibe I get from watching a seasonal hallmark movie. And yes, the title being a Taylor Swift song is what drew me in but actually reading it I found it a bit heavy handed referencing the lyrics. In case you forgot this is a book based off of that song. The writing also feels a bit YA at times even though this is an adult romance.

It was a quick and entertaining read. It's great if you're looking for a book to give you those holiday vibes. It just read a bit juvenile, which is fine, just not a romance that's really gonna stick with me.

[luqman (INACTIVE) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Kimi Freeman for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐ 5 stars

wow. WHAT A BOOK. let me start off with my favourite quote from this book.

"I'm sorry about last night. I should have never been reckless. It was stupid. I'm sorry I scared you. I'm embarrassed and pissed at myself that I was mean to you. I was sad and mad, and I was taking that out on you. Obviously, that's no excuse for what I said and did. If one of us didn't have a life before we got together, it was me. My life hadn't begun until I met you. I just didn't know it yet."

i was liking the book, but from this quote on.. i loved it.

tropes:
> friends-to-lovers
> second chance
> small town

anyways, let start with the plot.
aspen moore is 23 and a singer-songwriter, rich beyond her wildest dreams. she has fame and fortune. her own TOUR. but shes not truly happy.
after a scandal involving her emerges (which is not true), she goes back to her hometown, where she reunites with her first love, roman torres. will they both be able to navigate the twists and turns of their rocky relationship, and will they end up together? and will the people involved with the scandal get the karma they deserve?

obviously, this is a romance book. its a sweet rom-com with no spice, just how i like it with these types of books.
this was a friends-to-lovers kinda book, so it wasnt my favourite, but it was still good.

also, the NICKNAMES were everything. i love how aspen had a nickname for roman, and he had one for her.
and roman, or rome (iykyk). THIS MAN. he was so sweet and kind and caring and loving and just everything. him calling pen 'mi cielo' (my darling) made my heart MELT.
also i was SCREAMING at him saying you are in love the whole book.

and aspen is about the same. even though shes famous, shes so down to earth and she loves everyone and everything. in a nutshell, shes a bundle of joy. i was also SHOUTING at her this love between you and rome IS REAL.

you can hear it in the silence. hear the tension and love and joy and EVERYTHING between roman and aspen.

now.. the moment you've all been waiting for.. THE SWIFTIE REFERENCES!

"nothing new," I reply.

death by a thousand cuts.

perfectly fine, as you can tell.

halfway out the door.

wildest dreams.

fearless.

"Don't blame me,"

I almost do.

'Tis the damn season, I suppose.

Christmas tree farm.

ours.

holy ground

endgame?

it was time to go.

out of the woods.

reputation

so overall a 5 of out of 5 quick and easy read! and also, if you love better than the movies, this is the perfect read for you!

(p.s. i made a playlist like the one in the book. theres a new song for every chapter!) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4X7...

[Lauren Feeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. First, it should be noted that this book contains mentions of sexual assault without Trigger Warnings so please be aware.

‘Tis the Damn Season follows Aspen Moore as she navigates her first career controversy: being accused of coming onto (and hooking up with) her best friend’s boyfriend. Aspen takes this as a sign that she needs a break from the Hollywood scene (where she is not only a famous pop star but also a lead actress of a very successful tv show) and heads home for an extended holiday break with her family.

While I have to give this author props for publishing a book at such a young age, there is a certain romantic naivety that carries throughout the story about relationships and Hollywood. For example, the fmc lands a leading role in a popular tv show within 10 months of arriving to Hollywood and her very first album is wildly successful with several number 1 hits and a world tour. Additionally, the fmc and mmc break up and do not talk for months when she is working in Hollywood but immediately get back together as soon as she is home with no issues. Yet, when she comes home this time and he tries to pursue their relationship, it’s suddenly an issue?

Unfortunately, there are also several inconsistencies with the main character personalities throughout the story too: the fmc is supposedly the love of the mmc’s life yet he slut shames her and calls her an attention whore several times and it’s okay? The fmc states many times that she doesn’t drink and doesn’t going to bars because of all of the people yet loves dancing in a crowded club. These are just some examples I can provide without out having to tag this post as containing spoilers.

I think overall, this is a good starting place for the author. All of the characters could use some fleshing out, the dialog needs some work to feel natural, and general typos and word misses can fixed.

[Shafira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely my favorite romance book of the year!

I can't even begin to explain how much I loved it. Kimi Freeman, the author, has this incredible way of making you sad and laugh and get totally invested in the story. Trust me ;p I was kicking and giggling the whole time I was reading it.

'Tis The Damn Season is a beautiful romance book that will tug at your heartstrings.

The mmc has stolen my heart 🥺. His character is so beautifully written, it's like Kimi made the perfect fictional man come to life, ahhhh ♡

What I adore about it is Rome's selfless love for Aspen. He's so supportive and encourages her to pursue her dreams. He's been there for her for every step of the way, from zero to her big success. relationship goals! 🥺

If you're into Taylor Swift songs and all about that second chance romance where the boy falls harder, then trust me, this book is a must-read for you. Please, give this one a try! Because this book is like a hidden gem that deserves all the attention!

p/s: if you love Better Than The Movies, you will love this book. The slow burn romance in it is just *chef kiss*.

I can't thank Kimi Freeman enough for giving me the chance to dive into this amazing book. ♡

[Spacenaox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 ⭐️

"I like being around you. I like how you make me feel."

Histoire super sympathique, plutôt rapide avec des chapitres pas trop longs, et simple à lire en anglais !

Je ne savais pas trop où aller l'histoire au début et j'ai sentie quelque longueur, mais au bout du tiers, tout c'est "débloqué". J'ai bien aimé le changement entre maintenant et 7 ans auparavant à chaque chapitre (à peu près) ! Comme c'est une trope "second chance" on voit comment était leur relation avant et ça dynamisait un peu l'histoire.

Personnages super sympathique, surtout Roman qui était très cute dès le début ! Le personnage d'Aspen était plutôt intéressant avec sont travaille de chanteuse après un scandal.

Le fait qu'ils devaient s'occuper de la chorale de noël ensemble étaient super sympa. Leur relation entre eux et les différents enfants étaient adorables !

Petite romance très cute et saine, avec des relations familiales saines aussi !

+ pas de smut et taylor swift coded pour les swiftie !

tw possible : mention de vi0l (aucune scène) et deuil

[Readingwithmiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving a review voluntarily :)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As a swiftie, this book was everything i’ve ever dreamed of and more🥹 The fact that the author wrote this at such a young age is super impressive, and has made me insipred to write a book!!

This book had everything i’d ever wanted in a romance!Cute + clean (lack of smut) romance is not something that usually interests me, however this book did everything right! Taylor swift references galore, IE they visited a Christmas Tree farm (Taylor was brought up on one.) As well as this, at the top of every chapter, a song was given, and I actually ended up making a playlist and listening while reading. This book even came with a playlist at the beginning of the book!

Tis the Damn Season made me feel so many emotions (Anger, Sadness, Happiness) Which I do not experience with every book. I absolutely loved how everything was resolved, and loved the Karma (See what I did there😉) that all of her critics and betrayers received. This book did need some slight editing (Due to typos) but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed :)

If you are looking for an entertaining speedy and clean romance read, I definitely reccomend this!!

[Phoebe (readandwright) Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

When I saw the title of this book, I immediately got so excited. I’ve always been a huge fan of Taylor Swift and the folklore/evermore albums are some of my favorites with “tis the damn season” being on repeat for me. When I learned how young the author is, I was even more impressed that she was able to write and publish a book that meant something to her!

I had a tough time trying to figure out the categorization of this book. It takes place in two timelines and since the second timeline takes place when the characters are 18+, normally I’d categorize it has Adult. But it does read on the younger side* and it felt more like a fun YA in my opinion.

*please note I do not thing “reading young” or “reading as YA” is a bad thing. But, I think it’s important to note who I think this book is for/would enjoy it more. I love YA and I’m incredibly impressed with this author’s work ethic and drive! Writing and publishing is HARD!

Overall, I thought this book was cute and I think if the author keeps writing, she will continue to grow and (hopefully) write more Taylor Swift inspired books!

Synopsis:

“Aspen Moore is living proof that money doesn’t buy happiness. At twenty-three years old, the singer-actress has it all. Fame. Fortune. Her own headlining tour. And yet something—or someone—is missing.

When a scandal rocks Aspen’s carefully constructed Hollywood life, she’s forced to return to her Pennsylvania hometown, where she reconnects with her first love, Roman Torres. Aspen knows they must keep their relationship strictly platonic. This game of push and pull, catch and release she plays with Roman is bad for her. She’s not staying in Fertsville, and he’s not moving to LA. But their chemistry is undeniable, and amidst rumors and drama, the bright lights of Hollywood begin to pale in comparison to the dark brown eyes she fell in love with all those years ago. Could Aspen be willing to give up everything she’s ever wanted for the best thing she’s ever had? “—NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Premise—Tis the Damn Season is one of my favorite songs and I’ve always wanted to read a book about the story!

The Structure—I thought a second chance/now and then timeline worked great for this premise.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Pacing—Overall, my biggest issue with this book was the execution of the pacing. Maybe it’s because I had the song in the back of my head. but I just didn’t click with what was prioritized in the story.

Some of the Plot Points—I was a little shocked towards the end when a sexual assault was revealed. I didn’t see it coming at all and I never want to judge characters for their response to something, but something about it felt more like shock value than authentic to the character.

The Dialogue—I didn’t vibe with the dialogue at all. Some of the character all felt/sounded the same and I struggled to find the flow.

Character Authenticity: 3/5 Spice Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 3/5

Content Warnings:

sexual assault, cancer, death of a parent, parkinson’s disease

[noelle ! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I did enjoy the Taylor Swift references and quotes from songs such as Me! and Tis The Damn Season (obviously.) But the writing…whoof. At least 3 times (yes, three) they left a conversation without the second set of quotation marks and left commas anywhere. Sometimes even periods. This bothered me a bit because it took me more time to figure out what they meant to say then read the page. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Lacee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

'Tis the Damn Season by Kimi Freeman is a heartbreaking and heart-melting contemporary romance told from the point of view of twenty-three-year-old Aspen Moore. If you like Taylor Swift and the holiday season, I think this just might be the book for you. The story line follows many tracks of her music, and of course the title is one of her songs. I'd say she was definitely an inspiration for Kimi to write this story. I found it very enjoyable and easy to read. I fell in love with the two main characters and really felt their emotions through the roller coaster of their relationship.

Aspen moved to Hollywood at the age of eighteen to pursue her dream of singing and acting. The problem is that she had to leave behind her first love, Roman Torres. Her dreams did end up coming true with her getting the leading role in a soap opera, and she has just recently been on tour.

Aspen gets caught up in a scandal with her best friend and her best friend's boyfriend, leading her to move out of their place together. Friendless and homeless, she heads back to Pennsylvania to get away from everything involved with being famous for a while. Upon returning home, she discovers that Roman (Rome) is now working for her father. Surprised by this fact alone and the presence of him at his parents house, she finds herself beginning to feel things for Rome again. Knowing that she needs to keep it strictly as a friendship, she sets her boundaries but enjoys rekindling their friendship while she is back in town. As a favor to Aspen's father, they take over the Christmas production at the local church. Aspen has production and music knowledge, and Rome has an undeniable ease of working with children. You could say that they are the perfect pair! Too many opportunities for Rome and Aspen's feelings to bubble over will leave them both with the need to express words they've long suppressed sharing.

The biggest problem is that the drama didn't end with the scandal that led her to return to Fertsville, as sadly, more lies ahead for her and Rome, a man who has always stayed away from the spotlight. As friendship starts to subside and true love begins to win out, will Aspen be willing to give up her dreams in Hollywood for the love of her life?

Thank you so much to Kimi Freeman, Parson Press, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jana]

I think it's an interesting choice to publish a book by a 16-year-old author that is marketed to adults. I decided to DNF the book before learning that, and knowing how young the author was while writing this book, it makes a lot of sense!

I will be honest, I picked this up because of the Taylor Swift lyrics. I was hoping for that yearning of a long-time relationship that keeps getting rekindled.

I didn't get far into the book, but what made me decide to stop reading was the tone that the author had towards women who were not the main character. In chapter 1, Aspen is blamed for a cheating rumor, and loses all of her friends, while they keep their relationship with the man she supposedly cheated with. In chapter 2, a flashback to high school, Aspen is made fun of by the mean girls, and then comforted by the love interest.

This dynamic feels like someone who doesn't trust or like other women, and views them as competition. I don't mind mean girls in books or drama between women, but if EVERY woman is portrayed as a villain, that doesn't interest me.

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked by the title and yes, the entire book has so many lovely Tay Swift references, any swiftie would love this book so much. I love how the author took the idea of the broken hearts in this song and turned it into a healthy friendship and second-chance relationship on page! It was so refreshing and fun to read a second chance relationship where the first chance's breakup was based on mature communication, it created a whole different kinda angst on page to see the present relationship development!

I also liked the various side plots in this story, everything was paced so well!

TWs - invasion of privacy by media, false accusation of cheating leading to a scandal, sexual assault of a woman by a man in a position of power

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

[Michaela · Rating 1 out of 5]

(Arc)

Warning: There is a sexual assault scene in this book that occurs with 0 warning and it was unexpected. I am highly disappointed in the lack of warning, especially for a book that markets itself towards a certain demographic - Taylor Swift fans - and dubs itself as lighthearted.

' 'Tis the Damn Season' is the debut novel by Kimi Freeman and is heavily marketed towards Swifties. There's two plot lines in this novel, present time and 7 years ago and each chapter has a corresponding song from the playlist Freeman put at the front of the book. Did the songs match the chapter? 99% no, so it felt rather redundant. The writing felt underdeveloped and the scenes where characters would interact with each other felt unnatural to say the least. Could this be better with more editing? Of course.

[The Bern Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided an advanced readers copy by NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute. I am a sucker for anything Taylor Swift inspired. The characters were well written and the plot moved along at a great pace. This story follows Aspen as she is caught up in a Hollywood scandal and returns to her hometown to take a break from the drama. There, she reconnects with her friend Roman (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) as they navigate this new normal. This book was cute and sweet and was a fun, quick read. I also loved the subtle mentions of other Taylor Swift songs throughout the book. I am excited to see what is next from this author.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But none of that matters because we know that we’re each other’s endgame. And that’s all that matters to me right now.”

Aspen Moore has gotten to her point in her career where she’s realised fame and money can’t buy your happiness. She’s a singer and actress who followed her dreams and made it big. But when a scandal derails her reputations she decides to head home for the holidays.

She reconnects with her first love Roman and so quickly they fall into a happy place, where she needs to reminder herself to keep it strictly friendly. She knows she’s not staying in Pennsylvania, LA is now her home. But their chemistry is undeniable. Would she give up everything for the shot at a normal life with Roman?

Let’s be real, I downloaded this for the incredible playlist attached and perfectly panned out for each chapter and it really blew my expectations out of the snow. The storyline was perfect, so much love and drama as damaged to unpack, the duel timeline flicking from the present to the past. Small town, best friends who missed their moment and life has just carried on! I didn’t want it to end.