For most of my life, there have been three things I could always count on.
One: No matter how long the traps came up empty, eventually, the catch would pick up, even if the spurt was short lived. Two: Once November came around, the weather always turned, and getting out to haul would become a challenge. And three …
Blair Belmont would always be my best friend. My true ride or die.
But I guess it’s true you don’t ever really know someone, because a year and a half ago, she and her old man declared my family their enemy, cutting us out of their lives completely. She might as well cut off my oxygen supply—because that’s what it feels like without her around.
Now, the girl I’ve secretly been in love with since we were kids hates me, and because of how stubborn she is, getting back in her good graces isn’t going to be easy. The universe throws me a bone when her boat breaks down and I’m the only one around to tow it back to shore. And while her boat is out of commission, I offer her a spot working on the back of mine, surprised as hell when she accepts—bringing us closer.
Yeah … her misfortune sort of helped me out, I’ll admit.
With animosity seemingly growing between us, I’m beginning to think this relationship is doomed—until both of our families end up on the secluded Moose Island, a place where we all used to celebrate Christmas together. And with us each having a cabin to ourselves … I find my way to hers pretty fast.
I’ve never been one to believe in Christmas miracles, but as days pass on the island … it’s hard to ignore the magic.
Hannah Gray spends her days in vacationland, living in a small, quaint town on the coast of Maine. She is an avid reader of contemporary romance and is always in competition with herself to read more books every year.
During the day, she loves on her three perfect-to-her daughters and tries to be the best mom she can be. But once she tucks them in at night--okay, scratch that. Once they fall asleep next to her in her bed--because their bedrooms apparently have monsters in them--she dives into her own fantasy world, staying awake well into the late-night hours, typing away stories about her characters. As much as she loves being a wife and mom--and she certainly does love it--reading and writing are her outlet, giving her a place to travel far away while still physically being with her family.
She married her better half in 2013, and he's been putting up with her craziness every day since. As her anchor, he's her one constant in this insane, forever-changing world.
Hannah truly has the friends to enemies to lovers market cornered. She just writes it so well every time. The push and pull, the pining … gimme.
We’re back in Holiday Harbor and this time we get Easton and Blair’s story. When a family feud breaks their long-time friendship, Easton seizes the opportunity to have Blair work on his lobster boat in hopes of repairing the rift … and hopefully more with a little Christmas miracle.
This one is a bit of a slower burn, but once the spice hits, IT HITS GOOD. I loved getting a Ridge/Stella update. You can’t beat a cute animal sidekick. And I absolutely adore how you can feel the appreciation Hannah has for Maine and for the lobster fishing industry. The writing is authentic, and you can feel it with each chapter.
Hannah Gray is usually an easy choice for me. Her books are packed with emotion, and I almost always know I'm in for a good one. I moved this one right to the top of my TBR because I was SO excited for it. Maybe my expectations were a little too high, or maybe all the right ingredients just didn't quite come together for me this time. Either way, the emotion I felt most often was irritation, which is definitely not what I was expecting.
I had a hard time with both Blair and Easton at different points. Easton talks about how long and how deeply he's loved Blair, but then there's the sleeping around. Ick. It just didn't quite line up for me with the big love story he was supposedly carrying around all those years. And Blair? Girl. You are too darn stubborn for your own good. She jumped to conclusions, took her dad's side, and betrayed the people she claimed to love. I understood that family loyalty can be complicated, but her choices were hard to get past. And while I didn't love how quickly Easton turned on her either, two wrongs don't make a right. The family feud itself was also a whole lot of unnecessary drama that could have been cleared up with one honest, meaningful conversation.
Honestly, the moms, Mal and Katherine, were the ones with the most sense in this whole situation. Shout out to women in their fifties who have it going on! And Mr. Adams wasn't so bad either. I also expected a little more holiday magic from a holiday romance. There are some Christmas moments, but the holiday vibes were pretty light, even halfway through. The fishing and lobstering jargon also pulled me out of the story more than once. Maybe that's on me for choosing a book set in Maine, but I've read similar settings without having that issue.
Once Blair and Easton finally got past all the bull crap, I did enjoy seeing them lean into the deep friendship they had built over the years. That history gave their romantic relationship something meaningful to build on, and I found myself rooting for them again. I just couldn't completely get past the way these two treated each other when they were supposed to be best friends who loved each other. Their “enemies” portion of this story made Blair and Easton harder for me to connect with, and since the characters are such a huge part of what makes a romance work, that definitely affected my enjoyment.
This one had plenty of things I usually love, but it just didn't hit the way I hoped it would. Will I still pick up Hannah Gray's next book? Absolutely. She's an author I really enjoy, and one book that didn't quite work for me isn't going to change that.
Blair and Easton are childhood friends who have always harbored secret feelings, but not once acted on them. Now at 25, they’re sworn enemies after Blair’s father deems his family acting against them in the lobster fishing world.
These two had intense chemistry during their enemies phase. The angst, anger and emotions between these two was perfect. His fun loving personality leads into anger the more he sits with things. Her tough exterior starts to break down when she begins questioning if the anger is worth it. This was so good!
The physical chemistry was hot! A lifetime of pining mixed with a year of anger was perfect combination for these two! I loved their honest feelings with each other whether it be an emotional outburst or calm reflection. It was always raw.
I loved the family dynamics - the meddling moms, the feuding fathers and his 3 ride or die brothers. They were all important characters to their story, but I wish we got a scene of them coming together to sort it all out. I loved how they were all saying FINALLY along with me once these two got together! I enjoyed getting Ridge & Stella updates sprinkled into the book too!
I can’t wait for more from this series and see which brother we get next!
The Holiday Trawl (Holiday Harbor Series Book 2) By Hannah Gray
“I’ve loved you forever, Blair. And I’ve wanted you so f***ing badly for most of my life.” “I’ve loved you for most of my life and you just … you just … never cared.”
“I should make you get on your knees and show me how sorry you really are,”
“You’re dangerous because of how badly I need you. You’re destructive because you have the ability to ruin me—you did ruin me.”
I have been waiting for Blair and Easton’s story and they delivered! Full of angst, family tension and small town drama. Blair and Easton grew up best friends, until drama with their businesses got in the way and sides were picked. Now a year and a half later Blair needs Easton’s help while her boat is out of order. With all that time stuck together these two are forced to confront all the emotions they have ignored. This is a quick twist on holiday romance reads! Really enjoyed it!
Tropes: Holiday Romance Enemies to Lovers Small Town Family Feud Workplace Romance Forced Proximity
↓↓ Did I stop what I was reading to begin this as soon as it was released? Yes, yes I did.
Did I devour it and finish it all in one setting? Also yes, yes I did.
Did I read it too quickly and wish I hadn't? Yes 🫣😩 I want more on these two!
I love anything that Hannah writes and this one delivered on so much. Pining, tension, former friends turned enemies, finding their way back to each other.
Easton and Blair were everything that I hoped they would be. Even when they weren't talking or friends you could tell that their connection was too strong to be out of each other's lives for good.
I really loved watching these two come back together and rekindle their friendship and then some. It was slow but it was worth it.
I can't wait for the next Adam's brother!
𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙴𝙲𝚃 🦞Small Town 🦞Holiday Romance 🦞Workplace Romance 🦞Family Feud 🦞Childhood Friends 🦞Enemies to Lovers 🦞Forced Proximity
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE! Easton and Blair completely stole my heart 🫠 Childhood best friends turned enemies, years of hidden feelings, family drama, and SO MUCH tension? Hannah knows exactly how to make us fall in love with her couples! I loved their banter, the pining, and watching them slowly find their way back to each other. And that slow burn? SO WORTH IT. When things finally heat up... 🥵 Blair is such a boss! Independent, stubborn, and determined to make it in a male-dominated industry. And Easton? Another Adams brother added to my book boyfriend collection! He's grumpy, protective, and has such a soft spot for Blair. I loved them together!
I also adored getting more of the Adams family (the meddling moms had me laughing 😂) and seeing little updates on Ridge and Stella!
And can we talk about how Hannah has made me OBSESSED with Maine?! As a French girlie, I honestly didn't know much about Maine before discovering her books, but now? I AM OBSESSED. And guess what? I'm actually going to Portland for the weekend! No car, a limited budget, but SO much excitement! I've been planning my two-day itinerary and I'm already dying of excitement (and maybe a little envy of everyone who gets to live there 🥹). Hannah, look what you've done!
I can't wait for the next Adams brother! Thanks a lot to @authorhannah_gray for having me on her team 🩷
Another Hannah Gray book boyfriend unlocked! Easton Adams has entered the chat, and he’s a little mean, with good reason …but completely down bad for our girl Blair. And that deliciously filthy mouth? Yes, please!
Meanwhile, Blair is an absolute BOSS in a male-dominated industry. She’s independent, stubborn, and more than capable of holding her own. A family feud may have torn these two apart, but with a little help from their meddling moms.. SERIOUSLY, it’s always the moms with the common sense! …they find their way back to each other and FINALLY take a chance on the feelings that have been there all along.
The Holiday Trawl is a SLOW-BURN, enemies-to-lovers holiday romance packed with tension, second chances, and just the right amount of meddling. It was everything I was craving to get me into the holiday mood! I can’t wait to head back to Holiday Harbor for the two remaining Adams brothers. I honestly don’t know who I’m more excited for …quiet Tucker or flirty Riley!
This book is the perfect read before the holiday season. I really enjoyed this friends to enemies to lovers... Hannah Gray takes us back to Holiday Harbor right before the season hits.
Blair and Easton had been friends for so long and even when they aren't speaking you can tell they still care. I absolutely adored Easton and the way he was there and always looking out for Blair even on the worst of times. Blair is strong and independent, one of my things about her is the fact she doesn't want help and it is so hard for her to ask for it. I felt like I could relate to her so much. She was not cold but not over friendly. But to Easton she is everything.
I smiled through most of this book because these two just screamed they belonged together. I love the holiday scene and the love and family that comes together. I am sure we will get more from the brothers...
Another holiday romance book from my fav girl and she killed it, as usual.
I seriously cannot get enough of this series or these brothers. The dynamic of this family is so good and each brother’s story brings something so different.
I truly loved Easton & Blair’s story so much. The tension, the chemistry, the banter… it was all perfect. And the WANTING my gawd, the burn was so slow but once it hit. IT. HIT.
Hannah really puts ALL of the spice in these slutty little holiday romances. They’re fun, they’re festive, and MAN ARE THEY FRISKY.
I can’t wait until we meet our next Adams brother🤭
🦞Holiday Romance ❄️Small Coastal Town 🦞Childhood Friends ❄️Family Feud 🦞Enemies to Lovers ❄️Forced Proximity 🦞”It’s Always Been You”
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥 by Hannah Gray is the 2nd book in the Holiday Harbor series, featuring a spicy friends to enemies to lovers holiday romance novella for Blair and Easton! I loved the tension of the former best friends turned enemies who definitely have repressed romantic feelings, the drama of the family feud, the banter, and the family holiday aspect. Also, major props for Blair being such a boss in a male-dominated industry!! I adored her ambition and independence! Then there was Easton, who couldn’t stop being the ultimate protective and supportive MMC, even when he’s rightfully angry! If you read my reviews, you know I love a good “eff” it moment, and this slow burn had a delicious pay off!! What a perfectly balanced holiday read! I can’t wait to return to this world again!! 5⭐️ 3🌶️
Blair and Easton grow up being best friends but due to a misunderstanding that lead to a rift between families they have spent the last eighteen months not speaking.
Luckily, with a little Christmas miracle and some help from their mom’s, things get resolved and they finally get the reconnection they have been wanting.
This was a slow burn but when they finally light that spark it is hot. I enjoyed the update on Stella and Ridge and look forward to what is next for Holiday Harbor.
The holiday trawl by @authorhannah_gray ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️ First I would like to say that I absolutely love being a part of your team and getting to dive into all of your books. I am obsessed. And this one was sooooo good. These two have been best friends their entire lives, hidden their true feelings for each other and then a simple misunderstanding gets them to stop speaking to each other. But no matter what happens, these two are inevitable and that love will never go away. I love this so much. Just goes to show that love really does conquer all. I already order the first book in the series and I cannot wait to see what comes next 💥
This was cute and I enjoyed how it went form friends to enemies to lovers. I just really don’t love when it’s all over a misunderstanding. How are they bffs for years and years but they couldn’t have one conversation to clear up the confusion. Bothers me every time. The story was still good and entertaining. I will definitely continue the series.