Countdown To Us: A Sweet Enemies-To-Lovers New Year's Romance

by Violet McBride

Lila Grant returns to Snowberry Ridge expecting a fresh start—
not a fake engagement with the grumpy, broad-shouldered widower with a guarded heart.

But when the town’s New Year’s Eve Festival needs rescuing,
Mason Blake becomes the only man who can help her pull it off.

Their arrangement is supposed to be simple.
Professional.
Temporary.

Instead, every shared project, every stolen glance, every almost-kiss
turns the tension between them into something hot enough to melt the winter snow.

But as the clock races toward midnight,
their fake romance threatens to become dangerously real.

Old fears rise fast—his grief, her abandonment wounds, and a truth that
could shatter everything they've built.

The festival brought them together.
Their chemistry is pulling them closer.
But when the countdown begins, they’ll have to

Walk away from the best thing they’ve ever felt…
or finally admit they were never pretending at all.

This clean and sweet holiday romance will melt your heart!

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2025

Reviews

[Jenny Lynn Curry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a hallmark movie special so to speak. It starts out in a small snow covered town, where a fake engagement is meant to help the town pay for their town festival.

The found family, fake turns real love, and the community all coming together gives you the warm Ana cozy feeling you want this time of year.

The perfect time to start healing past hurts, working through grief, and loving yourself and others again.

Give it a read, you won’t be disappointed.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I gave this book a 3⭐️rating because I felt it dragged the reader a little bit. There were more than a few times where you read the same thing, but all in all it was a cute story and I love a good happy ending.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has Hallmark movie feels! I truly enjoyed this sweet holiday read. It is the perfect escape from holiday stress.

Mason and Lila are well developed characters who invade the reader’s heart but Mason’s daughter Emma stole mine completely.

I loved how Lila found the strength to fight for herself both to keep the job and in the relationship. Mason finds joy again with Lila and makes the effort to overcome his guilt and fears. Join them as their fake engagement heals their timid hearts giving them a chance for real feelings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Countdown to Us” by Violet McBride

-A sweet, clean holiday romance built around fake engagement and small-town festival chaos. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Lila and widower Mason share simmering tension as forced proximity slowly turns into affection. A mixed but enjoyable read with vulnerable characters, festive charm, and a gentle happily-ever-after.

[Deborah K DeLaVina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Countdown

Countdown To Us is a sweet enemies to lovers romance. Two people who began as enemies forcing her to leave town come back together unexpectedly. He’s grieving the loss of his wife and blaming himself for her death. Add a sweet little girl in the mix for added adventure. What starts as an emotional experience with a fake engagement grows stronger and more intense as they work together.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila Grant and Mason Blake have to work together to make the town’s New Year’s Eve Festival a success, if they can get along long enough to pull it off. Lila’s reputation depends on it. A fake dating friends-to-lovers, sweet, clean holiday read.

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

[Jillmariew · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you drive into town and end up in a snowbank? Your grumpy enemy saves the day. Not only that, but you end up fake engaged to him. I loved the story as it was cute and endearing. Its secondary characters really added to the enjoyment of the read. If you like enemies to lovers, small town romance, and fake engagement storylines, this is a must read.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly? I’m kind of annoyed I read this. They’re hot, they’re cold. Every other page has a pseudo profound declaration or therapist-type prompt. She was needy and insecure. Just… a Hallmark movie the whole way. Meh.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enemies to lovers romance. It is set around Christmas. It is the story of two vulnerable people who have a choice to make. They are forced by the town to become fake engaged to help the town. They have to work together to put the town's holiday festival together. It is a good read.

[Tiffany Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awe. I loved this fake dating, have to work together, book. The characters were super fun to get to know especially the little girl! Love this author!

[T.Albada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books from this author.
The way she captures the small town community spirit.