Come incasinarsi la vita prima di Natale [How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas]

by A.J. Pine

A steamy, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about mistakes we make and the chances we take on the road to love.

After a snowstorm grounds her flight, Lucy makes a last-ditch effort to get home for Christmas using a rideshare app. She thinks she’ll be taking a road trip with a stranger…but the guy who shows up is someone she knows all too well. He’s the hook-up she ghosted a few months ago, and now she’ll be stuck in a car with him for the most awkward road trip of her life.

Making matters worse, he’s even more gorgeous than she remembers—too bad things between them are frostier than the North Pole. Will the long ride home allow them to get to know each other in surprising new ways? And more importantly, will the season warm things up and send sparks flying yet again? Whatever happens, one thing is it’s going to take a whole lot of Christmas magic to unlock their guarded hearts.

A.J. Pine

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Audible Audio

First published November 16, 2023

About the author

A teen librarian by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can’t seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s the author of the If Only series (Entangled Embrace), the Only You series (Berkley/Intermix), the Kingston Ale House series (Entangled Select), and the Crossroads Ranch series (Forever Romance). When she finds that 25th hour in the day, she might indulge in a tiny bit of TV where she nourishes her undying love of vampires, superheroes, and a certain high-functioning sociopath detective. She hails from the far off galaxy of the Chicago suburbs.

Reviews

[Ashley Lackey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Misleading title. She didn't try to lose him at all! 😂

[Hilary Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm convinced Christmas novellas were written for the soul purpose of helping readers smash their Good reads reading goal before the end of the year.

This was included in my Audible membership and an adorable short rom com. Ghosted after a one night hook up and suddenly paired up again by a ride share app. Stuck in a town named Tinsel. Predictable adorableness ensues. Funny characters made this a treat of a listen.

[benedicta · Rating 3 out of 5]

really cute late christmas audiobook listen 💗 I loved everything especially the characters and it was engaging! It just felt like something was missing in terms of enjoying it, some kind of disconnect I think but I couldn't place a finger on what exactly it was 🥺🥺 but still love the cuteness overload and humor

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A flirty and spicy Christmas book 🎄🔥🔥🔥 A awkward rekindle of a one night stand 🤗

[paula ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐

Oh my god... Probably the worst audiobook I've ever listened to, I swear. She doesn't deserves him tho 🥴

The audiobook was SO cringeworthy that, literally, I considered DNF more than once, but I stayed strong. I hope you appreciate the effort I made to finish this 🙂‍↕️

The FMC is UNBEARABLE, oh ​​my god, I kept thinking: oh my god, girl, shut up for a minute.

The way it's narrated (at least in Spanish, which is how I'm listening to it) is HORRIBLE. The voices are incredibly cringe, the dialogue is cringe... And let's not forget that the protagonists are panting and moaning in the audiobook... wtf??? I've never heard an audiobook like this, and it made me feel super uncomfortable 🤢

In conclusion, the 1.5 is thanks to Eric, the MMC, who, in my opinion, is the most noteworthy part of the story.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another distinctly average Christmas romance. I liked the town of Tinsel and it's inhabitants, but even the effervescent Mable couldn't carry this. The main characters just didn't feel well connected as a couple and there's a lot of miscommunication that drove me insane.

[Melanie Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an audible original and the male voice of this book sounds like it should be reading a thriller suspense novel and not a cheesy Christmas rom com. I did bring it up from a 2 to a 3 when I finished.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

That whole motel scene is worth the four stars alone. 😂

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lucy Green's flight to Minnesota is cancelled because of a winter storm, she turns to a rideshare app and agrees to share expenses on a drive from Chicago to Minneapolis. As she climbs into the car, Lucy discovers the driver is the one-night stand she ghosted a few weeks ago. Eric is still upset that Lucy left without a word. He thought they had a connection. The six-hour drive ahead of them is going to feel like six days...especially when their car breaks down and they are stuck in the little town of Tinsel, Wisconsin.

As many have mentioned, this story had the feel of a Hallmark Christmas movie with added sex scenes. The town is an ideal place to spend the holiday. It includes a bunch of colorful characters. The romance itself was just average. There was nothing new with this story. The highlight of the story was the phone conversations with Lucy's younger sister who is a fan of true crime shows. She is convinced that Lucy has agree to a ride with a serial killer. Overall, a cute story. My rating: 3 Stars.

[Fanny Reads ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este audiolibro me duró lo que dura uno en decir “no era tan difícil hablarlo”, porque sí, es de esos romances donde todo nace, crece y se complica por una gloriosa falta de comunicación, ya sabes, esa cosa que al parecer nadie en la ficción ha descubierto todavía 😭💀

Pero bueno, fuera de eso, fue lindo, muy ligero, muy de época navideña con vibe de chocolatito caliente y lucesitas prendidas, se siente como un descansito mental, de esos que escuchas mientras haces otra cosa y aún así te saca una sonrisa, porque la química está ahí, el drama es lo justo y necesario, y el final te deja con ese “awww” inevitable aunque ya supieras exactamente hacia dónde iba desde el minuto uno 🎄💚

En resumen, cortito, divertido, cero complicaciones, y perfecto si quieres algo dulce para pasar el rato sin exigirle demasiado al cerebro ✨

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cute and Cozy Holiday Escape Read

This is a cute, short audiobook that’s a great way to start off your holiday reads. I needed to escape today and this did the trick.

The beginning was a bit cringey, I am not the biggest fan of the horny senior side character gag, it makes me gag. But if anyone likes horny swinging seniors as comedy fodder maybe you’ll like that part better than I did.
I think the ending went on a bit too long because the author really wanted us to see all the moments of the HEA, and sometimes I love that but it’s not necessary in a short novella. Kinda just makes things drag a bit. So this was a mid three star rounded up because it was well narrated.

[Amber Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was...not good. Also the audiobook narrator sounded like he was about to jump out of my backseat to sexually assault me and throw my body in a ravine. Pretty wild for a story about two people meeting on an app to fuck.

[Krista crone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute hallmark like romcom that had me smiling and laughing throughout.

[Darbin O’Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanted a quick little audible that didn’t cost me credits so I picked this up for the holiday season. This was really funny and a little spicier than most free Audible only books.

I recommend for those that want a little holiday pick me up

[Cimone Smolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring, what did I expect 🤣

[Fanny ♡ (fanny_priceyre) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una linda historia navideña 🎄

Muy divertida para pasar el rato. ✨🎉

[Grace (bookish_things_and_dragons) · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

First of all, can she really call herself a Minnesotan when she didn't even consider road tripping in the first place? Midwesterners understand.

I have absolutely no idea where the title came from. In no way did she attempt to lose this man.

There were so many things about this book that had me both confused and concerned. From the town they were staying in, to the big fight they had at the end. It was all over the top and not the kind of sexy I think they were going for.

[Noelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Main takeaways:
1. The male narrator sounded like he should be narrating a Jack Reacher novel
2. I did not care about any of the characters
3. The main character’s initials (Lucy Eleanor Green) spell LEG

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fun, forced proximity, dual POV, second chance holiday romance with an equal measure of spice and laugh out loud moments! Two seeming strangers arrange to share a ride home for the holidays only to discover they had a one night stand that left them both wanting more.

Only available on audio for now, this was excellent narrated by Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke and is perfect for fans of authors like Codi Hall or Cara Bastone. Highly recommended if you want a light-hearted quick holiday listen and would be ideal for a holiday road trip!

[Elizabeth ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute romcom, it reminded me of a Hallmark movie ❤️

[Madeline Hawthorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly what I expected from a cheesy Christmas romance. Think a Hallmark movie but with sex and cursing.

[Kate McMurry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Free Audible novella

The FMC had a one-night stand in November and callously ghosted the guy. It is currently Christmastime, and there are no flights for her to go home to Minneapolis for the holidays because of a blizzard. She is thrilled to get a ride with someone going the same direction, but is very unhappy when the guy she ghosted is driving the tiny car that will be her ride for 8-10, physically and emotionally uncomfortable hours.

The premise is improbable, and the story jumps around between the present and past, making it difficult to follow. On top of that, I didn't particularly like the FMC.

Unfortunately, it is also especially hard for me to force myself to keep slogging ahead with a story I don't enjoy when it is in the form of an audiobook. That format takes at least four times as long to get through a story. I finally gave up.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Full RTC

[Megan | _The.Brunette.Bookworm_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was an easy and quick listen, just wasn’t for me. Found it fell flat :(

[Kim | Everbooky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le titre n’a aucun sens.

[Penelope DeWeerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had to describe this one in three words it would be 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓉, 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓉 & 𝒸𝑜𝓏𝓎. It’s very predictable, but that’s exactly what is expected in these Christmas rom coms. When you’re in the mood for a cute, comfy read for the holidays, this is it. ❄️☃️

[Ascher Alchier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tinsel is adorable & this was the sweetest Christmas story on 24.
I loved it!

[Bre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cute mega cute AND the characters were heading to the twin cities?! Sleighhhhhh. Hehe this was a fun lil road trip and they wind up in a stars hollow-esque meets hallmark town. Yes please.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a light Christmas read, How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas, is middle of the road. The title seems misplaced after reading, while the cover art suits the story.

The main characters owe a lot to modern day apps.

Lucy is stranded thanks to a winter storm and as a last ditch effort to make it home for the holidays she decides to utilize a ride share app. Who arrives, but the guy she ghosted at Thanksgiving after hooking up via a (you guessed it) hook up app.

Eric and Lucy decide to try to be adults and not allow their awkward past to keep them from sharing expenses on a six hour drive from Chicago to Minneapolis. Car trouble lands them in Tinsel, Wisconsin. Tinsel true to its name is Christmas on steroids. It’s over the top and fun to read about. I wouldn’t mind killing a little time in a town like this.

I preferred the supporting characters over the main characters. Lucy’s sister, Desi, (that’s right) is obsessed with true crime and her texts and phone calls added some great scenes. The senior citizen population of Tinsel alone kept me engaged throughout sections of this audiobook. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have finished it without their comedic input. I don’t have what I’d consider a refined sense of humor. Elderly characters dropping hilarious sexual innuendoes and kicky one-liners had me cracking up and saved the book for me.

I didn’t buy into the main characters as a couple. Eric and Lucy made sure to say they had amazing chemistry, but I wasn’t convinced. Besides it takes more than chemistry, physical attraction, and a few steamy encounters to build a strong connection. There’s miscommunication galore 🙄 it’s annoying.

I probably won’t remember what this book was about in another month. It’s an ok read, if you need a little Christmas fix and have some time on your hands.

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

December 2023
Audiobook edition
4h 9m (1.3x speed)

It was quirky and cheesy, ridiculous in places and felt like a second chance santa set up. My main issue with this one was the disconnect with the narrators. Lucy was fine and the voices with Eric were fine, the narration for him though felt less romance and more action movie trailer voice over and it took me a while to get used to it every time. I liked Desi, she was fun with all her true crime stuff. The makeup then break up and make up again was a little eh. The whole Kyle thing, gah. Tinsel was bizarre but in a fun way. I'm glad they went back. It was the supporting characters I preferred for this one.