The Twelve Days of You

by Ellie K. Wilde

BLAIR BALINSKY’s life is in shambles. With her business just weeks from shutting down and a blindsiding break-up mere days before Christmas, a humiliated Blair has no intention of facing her high-achieving family over the holidays… Until she gets the news she’s been waiting ages to hear: Her long-time crush and town golden-boy, Mason, is headed home after years away. And he’s finally single.

Convinced it’ll set her life back on track, Blair decides to race home and win him over before anyone else gets the chance to. But this close to Christmas, her only choice is to catch a ride with West, Mason’s reclusive, brooding older brother.

WEST MCALLEN has spent years rebuilding his life far from home—and from Blair, after his old feelings for her led to a mistake that got him exiled from town as a teen. But when Blair suddenly appears and begs him for a drive home, he’s unable to deny her. And when their road trip turns into a festive, chaotic hitch-hike across the country, West realizes he might finally have a chance with Blair—and at redemption—while out from under Mason’s shadow.

All he has to do is win her heart before she reaches his brother.

The Twelve Days of You is a spicy, grumpy/sunshine, crush's older brother, estranged friends to lovers, Christmas road trip with a twist romance book.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Forced Proximity, Audiobook, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers

13 pages, Audible Audio

Published November 5, 2026

About the author

Ellie K. Wilde is a Canadian writer of contemporary romance and romantic comedies that make you laugh, swoon... and maybe require a cold shower or two to recover. She enjoys writing stories with dirty-mouthed cinnamon roll heroes and the fiery women who bring them to their knees.

When she's not daydreaming about her next book, you'll find her devouring other romance novels, bingeing reality TV and snuggling with fur babies.

Follow Ellie on Instagram and TikTok @EllieKWildeAuthor

Reviews

[Ananya · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It’s a wonder how drastically things can change in the span of twelve days. But I suppose that’s just the magic of the holidays."

It's the best Christmas romcom! 🎄❄️
Kindest, softest and the most delicious kind of love story

5 STARS. 5.FREAKING.STARS
because omg this story? this characters? this plots? this writing? I'm fallen in love😭

—✧ I was so so engrossed into this from chapter 1! i am just in awe of how this story unfolds across a road trip....just pure bliss. The words in this books are pure magic and so delightful and those diagolues giving me all the butterflies.

—✧ yes it's kinda slow paced but it's engaging and interesting too! It's feels like the most delicious romcom🤤I keep savouring each moment. It's like i didn't wanted it to finish.

—✧ i love the playfulness and creativeness of this story. The events that take place, the people they met during road trip ultimately unravels that forgotten emotions they did have as teenagers back then. It's so cute to watch it unravel along the way of the book.

—✧ They both are so soft toward each other with prefect amount of banter.
WEST IS THE MOST PERFECT BOOK BOYFRIEND OUT THERE! takes care of her when she's sick? check. has a crush on her since childhood? check. gives her a drive to their hometown? check. he draws and paints? check. drew her as a comic character in her memory? check. has that tattooed on him? 100 times check
*sigh* he's the best. He feels like someone who have lived thousand lives.
HOT SAD BOY WHO IS DOWN BAD FOR HIS GIRL!
the little version of him suffered a lot. I want to throw a power-pack punch to his family. They made the innocent kid suffer so much 😭😭

—✧ And don't even get me started on Blair. She understood West like no one else ever did! I absolutely loved the way she didn't back away from the feeling she started developing for West. She treated him just the way he deserves. She was the most kindest soul.

⇒5/5 stars without a doubt! I cannot wait to explore more books by this author!
One of the faves of 2026

*Thank you Love Notes PR for the ARC


✧---------------------------------------------------------✧

❄️🎄—*:･ﾟ✧pre-read✧･ﾟ:*—🎄❄️
TIME FOR CHRISTMAS READS!
this is my first ellie's book! i'm so excited
he's her crush's older brother and he bascially is obsessed with her from DAY1 and got exiled for from the town

*Thank you Love Notes PR for the ARC

[Alya | short TBR clearance era · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
The Twelve Days of You by Ellie K Wilde
Publication date: 5th November 2026

Thoughts
This was so good!! To my surprise it had so much heart in it than I anticipated for a holiday romance. I was hooked from the getgo! Blair and West were so cute together; turns out even in books you can feel the made for each other vibe🥹 I spend my life on this app saying new book boyfriend but listen West got exiled out of town back when they were kids FOR HER do I need to say more??🥹 I mean the fact that he's been in love with her since forever but she's had a crush on his brother; I'd love to see this as an adaptation 🫠 this was my first reading experience with the author but not the last. If you're looking for a holiday romance with adventure, heart and banter I highly recommend adding this to your TBR!


Read if you enjoy
▪︎ Estranged childhood friends
▪︎ Grumpy x sunshine
▪︎ Found family
▪︎ He wants her, she wants his older brother
▪︎ Road trip
▪︎ Banter

Plot Summary
With her business failing and a recent breakup, Blair is determined to win over her longtime crush, Mason, when he returns home for Christmas. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she ends up travelling with his brooding older brother West. As their chaotic road trip brings them closer, Blair may discover that the man she’s been chasing isn’t the one her heart truly wants.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC

My Bookstagram

[joni ౨ৎ · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 4.5 stars
oh my gosh best holiday romance ever!!!!! this was so swoony and fun

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
adoreeeee ellie!! one of my fav sports romance authors and it is crazy how i have yet to read her indie books!!! this cover is SO gorgeous and i know i will adore this!! road trip & crush's older brother?! YES!!!

thank you ellie / team ellie k wilde for the eARC

[fromthestudyof · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE MOTHERFKN STARS

This was sooooo unbelievably good. I’ve read a lot of Ellie’s previous books & loved them - so I knew I was in a treat with this holiday romcom but Ellie did her BIG ONE with this!!!!

West - yearning personified. I love you. You’re perfect.

things to know:
- they from the same small town & ended up owning businesses across from each other in Chicago
- he owns a successful bar
- she co-owns a struggling sandwich shop
- in middle & highschool she had a big crush on his younger brother
- he had a crush on her
- EX - CRUSH’s OLDER BROTHER!!!!!! I feel like I’ve been reborn
- holiday roadtrip where quite literally everything goes wrong
- adjoining motel rooms when their ride breaks down
- she catches him in the shower ………… saying her name

This was sooooo unbelievably good that I haven’t scrolled tiktok in the last 5 hours. That deserves some kind of literary award

[sabrina (books.with.sabrina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Rating: 4⭐️
🫧 Vibes: pining for years
🎶 Song: christmas eve - justin bieber
📖 Favourite Quote: "That's the kind of thing you do when you're falling for someone."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 tldr thoughts: a perfect mix of fun and heartfelt book!

In the package:
📦 friends to lovers
📦 road trip
📦 grumpy x sunshine
📦 forced proximity

Plot: Blair's life is in shambles, she's about to be evicted and her business is failing. She hasn't been home in forever but when she finds out her long-time crush, Mason, will be home for the holidays, she decides to take a trip home. She convinces his brother, West, to take a road trip with her back home. West has never been able to say no to Blair and he wants to win her heart.

Thoughts: I did not expect this book to be so deep and heartfelt 😭 I just wanted to hug both characters and shield them from the world. Especially West from his terrible parents. He's been in love with Blair since high school so the pining and yearning in this book is chefs kiss. I loved both their personalities and the banter between them. The chaotic road trip was a good balance between the deep and emotional moments in the book. I would love to see this one adapted into a movie!

Thank you Ellie K. Wilde and Love Notes PR for the ARC!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on instagram ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25🌟 | 3🌶️

Sometimes a terrible travel companion turns out to be a rather wonderful romantic prospect.

I had such a great time with this one!

I went in expecting a fun holiday romcom, but there was more emotion to the story than I anticipated. The chaotic journey and all the unexpected mishaps kept me entertained, while their shared history made their dynamic even more fun to follow.

Blair and West were adorable together! Her sunshine personality paired so well with his grumpy exterior, but West’s years of pining were definitely my favourite part. He’s so devoted to her, and seeing him finally get the chance to show her how much she means to him was lovely. Their banter felt natural, and I enjoyed watching them find their way back to each other.

I also wasn’t expecting to get quite so attached to these two. Beneath all the Christmas chaos were some genuinely touching moments, and I loved seeing them become each other’s safe place. With plenty of chemistry, forced proximity and a few hilarious road trip disasters, this was such a fun festive read.

I’d happily watch this one as a Christmas movie!

~~~~

A sincere thank you to Ellie K. Wilde and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 🥰📚

I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨

[Suellynn Keil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so addictive. I couldn’t put it down. The absolute perfect holiday read.

I’ll be back in the morning with more 🤭


It’s been weeks since I’ve read this book and I still can’t get over West and Blair or their story. I truly believe this book is the perfect holiday read. I related to both our main characters in so many different ways which I actually appreciate. Truthfully, this was so much more than I was expecting. I giggled and laughed and just had so much fun when I was reading.


If you don’t have it on your winter TBR you should for sure reconsider. I could see myself re reading this every holiday season for sure.

If you enjoy:

Girl next door
Forced proximity
Secret tattoos
Grumpy x sunshine
Found family
Estranged friends
Holiday romance
He wants her, she wants his brother

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS

[Audiobooksgirlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little Christmas chaos, a road trip that doesn't quite go according to plan, and a brooding man who might just be the better choice. Blair Balinsky is determined to get her life back on track, starting with finally winning over her longtime crush, Mason. Unfortunately, getting home for Christmas means accepting a ride from West McAllen, Mason's older brother, who has a complicated history with Blair.
I enjoyed the combination of grumpy and sunshine, forced proximity, and unresolved feelings. There's something particularly entertaining about two people being stuck together long enough to realize that what they've been looking for might have been right in front of them all along.
This one feels like a candy cane martini topped with whipped cream. Sweet, festive, a little indulgent, and with just enough kick to keep things interesting. 🍸🎄
Kirsten Leigh and Lance Greenfield bring Blair and West's story to life through their dual narration, adding another layer to the romantic tension and holiday atmosphere. A festive contemporary romance for anyone who enjoys complicated feelings, second chances, and a little spice with their Christmas cheer.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia, Recorded Books for the gifted ALC.

[Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THERE ARE NO WORDS 😭

[Athena 💗 · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

After reading and LOVING the Oakwood Bay series I was so excited to discover that Ellie K. Wilde wrote a Christmas book. Since I adore this woman’s writing and this cover was delicious, picking it up was a no-brainer.

Right off the bat I could already see the author’s writing shining though. The way she goes into detail when describing each characters reactions makes them leap off the page. The part in the beginning where Blair is responding to her “boyfriend’s” breakup at the bar had me cackling. I could so clearly envision her grabbing the old lady scarf and wrapping it around her outfit to prove a point.

Something I think should have been included into the story was the moment 6 months prior where Blair walks into West’s bar for the first time. We only hear about it but I would have loved to experience it in detail the moment that they first spot each other after years and years apart. In my perfect version of this book Blair would have walked in first, West and her would have had their internal monologue meltdowns and then before she can find the words to say to West, her “boyfriend” walks into the scene and we get the breakup from there.

Other than that I liked the idea of the storyline. A messy dynamic of - girl is friends with two brothers, older brother likes her, she likes younger brother, younger brother likes every girl but her. I was prepared for a very messy yet entertaining time.

The story was a little slow at first but around the 45% mark things really picked up and I became more and more interested into the storyline. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Blair at the start but over the course of the story her character started to grow on me. West was perfection. I love how open and honest he was towards Blair about his feelings towards her. Then the spicy scenes hit and OMG. What is it about this woman’s writing that is just so damn hot?!! I usually get secondhand embarrassment listening to spice on audio and will fast forward through it almost every single time. I did not fast forward these scenes. I think at one point I even audibly gasped at loud. 😂 Damn!!! 😮‍💨

The ending was pretty predictable but satisfying all the same.

So yeah, this is a book I will most definitely be recommending. Great writing, lively characters, lots of humor and spice that will have you fanning yourself off.

A big thank you to RB Media and Ellie K. Wilde for gifting me an ALC of The Twelve Days Of You in exchange for an honest review.

[Micheala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thank you to the author for the early copy! All thoughts are my own.

This had me hooked right from the beginning. I will always love a good winter romcom! The warm, cozy, holiday vibes are some of my favourite. The chaos of the road trip and the forced proximity that came along with it just made those vibes even better.

I really enjoyed Blair and West. I love a grumpy x sunshine dynamic and that plus the childhood friends and all the yearning was so so good. Their banter was fun and sweet and I loved watching them reconnect after so many years apart. As the story went on, their personalities showed up even more and I really liked that they were a safe space for each other to be themselves.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to RB Media/Recorded Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I have to say I was excited to find this book by Wilde. I had no idea it was being published but I loved her Oakwood Bay series so much I jumped right on requesting this. I figured if anyone could do a Christmas story right, it would be her. And maybe it was because it was audio, or maybe the story was just not for me, but it was not at all on par with the other books I have previously read by her.
If I'm basing this book only on the female narrator, Kristen Leigh, I will tell you I would not recommend it. I did not like her at all. She just didn't endear me to the FMC, Blair, in any way. She made her whiney and annoying. I enjoyed the male narrator, Lance Greenfield, enough. He brought out the FMC, West's, character well and made me like him and his grumpiness (which is not truly as grumpy as he seems, of course).
I love a good grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity story. But I hate to say I just had trouble getting on board with this one. I hated how the FMC was initially worried about how she was going to win the MMC's brother, both of whom she knows from high school. And I understand the point was she has a light bulb come on where she sees West is for her, but it just didn't hit me right even though I understood this was part of how her character was supposed to develop. Blaire had a few redeeming qualities. I did understand her need to fit in and the fact that she has spent most of her life as an outcast. But I just wish her entire character development was done a bit better.
That being said, West was my favorite part of this book. I loved how careful he was with Blaire, taking care of her when she needed it. And also, the fact that he's pretty much been crushing on her for so long was chef's kiss. And underneath all his gruff exterior he's an artist which forces him into the sensitive category even though his exterior does not exude that. Add to this how his family treated him and why he took the path he did and he is definitely a mean that has layers.
There was some good banter in the book and if I didn't find Blaire to be as insufferable as she was, I would have given this many more stars. And the themes overall are important: learning to love yourself for who you are, forging connections, being ok when you don't fit in, and learning from past mistakes while forging forward to make a life for yourself that you are proud of.
The pacing of this was SO SLOW. They are on a road trip, which should be fun and grow their relationship, but I was literally bored with all the words.
I feel like this book was written by a totally different author than the one I know and that makes me super sad. That's not to say I won't be reading future books by her, but this one was just not for me. Readers who love the Christmas Hallmark movie vibe but are looking for something with a little more emotional depth will most likely enjoy this one.

[Bookish Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

My holiday romance expectations are ruined forever because no one is ever going to top West McAllen. I completely devoured this book. Blair and West have my entire heart, and I could have stayed trapped in that chaotic, cross-country road trip with them forever.

The banter was top-tier. The snark and the fun were everywhere, but the absolute chokehold the yearning and the "he falls first" dynamic had on me was unreal. West is so brooding and protective, I couldn't handle it. But what really blew me away was how much heart this story actually had. Beneath the festive road trip setup, there's so much messy family drama, damaged relationships, and actual, beautiful healing. The found family aspect made me tear up more than once.

I laughed, I cried, I loved every single second of it. And omg... THE PLATES. If you know, you know. I'm going to be thinking about this one for a very long time. Easy 5 stars.

[Jackie · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

A little slow to win me over, but with plenty of chaos, undeniable chemistry, and more heart than I expected, Blair and West made it worth the wait.
The Twelve Days of You did take me a few chapters to get into and I do think it was a little longer than it needed to be. But as I was reading, I really enjoyed Blair and West together. I loved their banter and the humor. And of course, the chemistry between them was tense. Like extremely tense at times. And those spicy scenes…I’ll just say the chemistry definitely wasn’t lacking.

This was my first book by Ellie K Wilde so I didn’t have any expectations other than hoping it would be a new author I could to my list. What surprised me the most was the emotional side of the story. There’s more to it than just a cute romance. It’s also about learning to accept yourself, feeling like you don’t quite fit in, reconnecting with someone from your past, and moving on from old mistakes. So many themes and so many different plot events going on. It made for an engaging listen/read.

Not quite a favorite, but I ended up having fun with this one and I’m glad I stuck with it! I’m rating it a little lower mainly because it took me a while to get into the story and really connect with the characters. Once I did, though, I enjoyed it!

Thank you to RBmedia for the advance audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Steamy Chapters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC! 🫶🏻

💜 grumpy/sunshine
💜 estranged friends to lovers
💜 crush’s older brother
💜 Christmas road trip
💜 he takes care of her when she’s sick

Narrated by Kirsten Leigh & Lance Greenfield 🎧

I ATEEEE this up! 🔥

I did the audiobook and the narrators did an amazing job!!

Blair and West were everything 🥹
West has been obsessed with Blair since forever, he was so down bad and I’m always here for it 🤭
Blair is so relatable and sweet, I loved her personality 🫶🏻

I was giddy the whole time! It was very romcom coded.
The shower scene 🤭🔥 iykyk

It was so cute and sweet, a perfect holiday read. I really recommend the audiobook! 🎧

[kelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i will say this is not a typical type of trope i like reading, but i will read ANYTHING written by ellie so i had to give it a chance. and im not sorry about it either cause i liked it!! west is TO DIE FOR. he has been in love with her since high school & yall know i love a good childhood (teenagehood for this book tbh) to lovers. he is everything we could want in a man & i need him RN. & i LOVED BLAIR. i did get a little bit irritated at how long it took her to come to terms with not liking his brother, but we all can’t be perfect. i LOVEDDD her personality & i just wanted to give her a big ol hug and smooch bc she got me in my feels.

this book was full of fun adventures, banter that was top tier, A HOT MAN, & big, big feelings that made me cry. thank you to love notes pr & eillie for providing this book for review. all opinions are my own <3

[Annabelle (annabelles.shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

[MARIA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute winter romance!! Thank you Love Notes PR for this arc!!

I had fun with it! It was an easy, short read.

I’ve read In Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde before and from what I remember I loved it.

The book is cozy and a lil hectic but it gives Hallmark rom-com. 🎄❄️

I love me a second-chance romance, and although this wasn’t exactly one, it definitely had that feeling since they were friends in high school before he disappeared. AND THE PINING??? This man had been in love with her since they were kids, and I ate that UP!! I will always fold for a man who’s been secretly head over heels for years. 😭

I also love me a grumpy man who’s not actually grumpy, but is just a big softie for the woman he loves and would do anything for her.

Overall, this was such a fun, cozy winter read, and if you love a little chaos, a festive rom-com and a man who’s been in love with you for years, this one’s worth checking out! 🤍

[Clauds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for providing me with an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Spoiler: he fell first and he fell harder.

This story was so much fun. Honestly I had a blast, I felt like I was on the roadtrip with Blair and West. It made me feel so excited for snow, carols and Christmas decorations. It made me giddy, I was giggling and kicking my feet constantly.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Blair and West. They were so soft, always there for each other. She understood him in a way nobody else ever did. He loved her just as she was and never made her feel like she had to change. Combine that with some great banter and big, hidden feelings, and you have the recipe for a perfect romance. West was the definition of a grumpy and broody guy, but finding out that this all came from the fact that he has been in love with her since high school? Gorgeous. He was yearning. The fact that he had a tattoo in her honour and drew a whole comic series about her was just the cherry on top.

Another aspect I loved was the friendships and family dynamics in this book. Blair had such a supportive best friend, who never let her give up on her dreams or her business. Once she returned home, she had to confront her childhood best friend, who all but took over B's place in her own family. Their conversation about this was so raw and vulnerable, it was refreshing to see them talk it out (eventually) instead of keeping things bottled and letting that create distance between themselves. Blair's family was so supportive to both her and West. The poor guy was so used to having a toxic family that he had no idea what to do with all that love and support.

Together, they got over their insecurities; they learnt so much from each other and ended up creating a life they only used to dream about. They had great chemistry and helped each other grow. Under the romance, this whole books was about learning to accept yourself and not to fall under the weight of the expectations others have from you.

The side characters brought so much fun to the story, especially West's best friend and his pre-teen daughter, Scarlet. Their constant teasing of West was absolutely hilarious, that was his found family. Each character added to the story, from the woman with the house full of creepy dolls to the Dove family of carolers.

The reason this was not a five star for me was the miscommunication. I could have done without the whole drama at the party where West was made to believe that Blair was in love with his brother. The whole issue could have been solved with a conversation, which they eventually had quite quickly.

Still, the book was a great, I had so much fun reading it and loved watching them fall in love the further they got in their trip.

[The Bern Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★★
ARC Review: Yes
I received an advance copy of this book from Love Notes PR in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: November 5, 2026

Standalone or Series: Standalone
POV: First Person, Dual
Genre: Holiday Rom-Com
Vibe: Festive
Pacing: Medium
Third-Act Breakup: Yes
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Cliffhanger: No
Reread-worthy: YES!! EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON!!

Tropes:
✵Forced Proximity
✵He Loves Her, She Loves His Brother
✵Friends to Strangers to Lovers
✵Found Family

Synopsis: With Blaire’s Chicago sandwich shop is just weeks from shutting down, the last thing she wants to do is face her family. But, when she finds out her childhood crush Mason is heading home and is single for the first time in forever, she realizes that this is her moment. West has done a great job of putting distance between his family, his hometown, and his crush on Blaire. But, when she stumbles into his Chicago bar asking for a ride back to their hometown, all his old feelings rush back and he agrees. West doesn’t know that Blaire is after his brother, and Blaire doesn’t know that West is still harboring old feelings for her. As their roadtrip unravels and the two hit many bumps in the road, deeper bonds start to form.

My Thoughts: Ellie K. Wilde you are brilliant. This was just spectacular start to finish. I have never been so giddy reading a holiday book before. From the very beginning, I was entranced by this story. I am such a sucker for a grumpy guy and I loved West’s immediate disdain for Blaire visiting his bar. But finding out that the grumpy energy was because he has a crush on her that has carried through childhood to now was just *chef’s kiss*.

I really connected to Blaire’s character. She was going through a rough time and was afraid of admitting her failure in front of her family. I loved that she had a supportive best friend/business parter who was there to help her pick up the pieces. Her friend refused to let her give up. And when she found out Mason was single, she immediately decided she would be going home, no questions asked. It’s very relatable thinking about that one hot person from high school you’ve been hoping to run into again.

Now West was immediately one of my favorite characters. His begrudging attitude while knowing he was about to be forced into a confined space with the girl of his dreams had me giggling and kicking my feet. This was his dream and nightmare all wrapped into one. AND THE YEARNING!! UGHHHHHH!! I was like please just kiss her already!!!!

I can’t forget to mention the cutest cat who stole the show, Sir Harold Bennington the Third!

The third-act climax really had me gasping and stressing out for both of them. A simple miscommunication spiraled, and I was clutching the edge of my kindle as I flew through to see what happened next.

This was so amazing and I will be recommending this to everyone I know!!


Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more!

[onlyhereforthehea · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️/5

This was a great holiday read that had a little more heart than I expected, and I really enjoyed it!

This one follows Blair, who moved away from home to start her own business, which is currently struggling. Add in a breakup right before Christmas and her brother’s upcoming wedding, and girl is going through it. When she finds out her high school crush is single again, she needs a ride home. And who better to take her than her former best friend, West, who also happens to be her crush’s older brother?

There’s some chaotic road trip fun that keeps things light and entertaining, but Blair and West also bring plenty of tension, chemistry, and unresolved feelings.

I really enjoyed both characters, although I will say the beginning felt a little rocky. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it took me a while to settle into the story. Blair initially came across as a little jealous and bitter, which made it harder to connect with her. Honestly, for the first part of this book, I was sitting pretty firmly at 3.5 stars. But once we hit the halfway point, the story really found its stride, the characters started to smooth out, and by the end, this had bumped itself up to a solid 4 stars for me!

I especially loved exploring Blair and West’s former friendship, what went wrong, and how they were both still carrying hurt from the past despite some pretty deep feelings that never went away. Watching them reconnect was really sweet, and I loved how Blair showed up for West when it came to his family. Seeing some healing in that situation added a layer of heart that I wasn’t necessarily expecting.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable holiday romance! It’s funny, entertaining, well-written, and has just enough spice sprinkled in. I loved that it balanced the lighter Christmas fun with some genuinely heartfelt moments. A really good holiday read!

🌟thank you to Ellie K. Wilde and Love Notes PR for the ARC and the opportunity to provide my honest review.

[Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and RB media for the complementary advanced reader and listener copies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ohhhh this book! I was expecting sweet and simple road trip with lots of spice and banter, I wasn't expecting West to absolutely steal my heart. That man yearned and loved for ages, suppressed by his brothers shadow, and craving the girl-next-door turned woman who never saw him in that way. This was him finally getting his chance to show her that he could mean more, while he constantly fought against his own low self worth, the idea that she was so much more that he deserved, and her own silly notions that West never felt that way about her.

Together they're just pure yearning, missed moments, and undeniable tension the whole way through and it had me hooked! Their chemistry was so good, and the banter was sweet and helped show Blair who she truly was when she was back to her roots, and her safe person, and not who she tried to be just to impress others. It was soft and gentle and endlessly caring in their own unique way. I loved seeing them grow from misfits in their own eyes, to people to carved out a place to belong, a family of their choosing, and success along the way. I also loved the mild vengeance they both finally got in order to get to that place together, and the narrators did a wonderful job of truly bringing these two to life.

All in all, this was sweet, spicy, funny, and the perfect holiday romance.

[Nina - the book bugling · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

The Twelve Days of You is a sweet, funny, and heartwarming holiday romance about a chaotic road trip home for Christmas, childhood crushes, and discovering that the person you've been looking for might have been right in front of you all along. Blair decides she needs to get home for Christmas to reunite with her longtime crush, Mason, but ends up traveling with his grumpy younger brother, West. And oh, West! The yearning, the pining, the secret tattoos, and the way he loves Blair exactly as she is had me swooning. Their chemistry, banter, and all the little moments along the way were absolutely adorable. I also loved watching them work through their insecurities, old wounds, and the expectations they've placed on themselves.

This book had everything I want in a Christmas romance: holiday chaos, quirky side characters, found family, lots of laughs, and some seriously swoony moments. I loved the supportive friendships and seeing West experience the kind of love and acceptance he'd been missing for so long. My only real niggle was a bit of unnecessary miscommunication that could have been avoided with a simple conversation, but it didn't take away too much from the overall enjoyment. I listened to the audiobook, and Kirsten Leigh and Lance Greenfield did a lovely job bringing Blair and West to life. This is a fun, feel good holiday romance with lots of heart!

❄️ Holiday romance
💜 Grumpy x sunshine
❄️ Childhood friends to lovers
💜 He falls first (and harder)
❄️ Road trip
💜 Forced proximity
❄️ Found family
💜 Childhood crush
❄️ First person dual POV

Thank you Ellie K. Wilde, RBmedia | Recorded Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Lauren Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

the twelve days of you by @elliekwildeauthor 🐝
📖 /🎧 book/audiobook review
narrated by: Kirsten Leigh + Lance Greenfield
Length: 343 pages / 10h 24m
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

thank you @rbfictionaudio + @lovenotes.pr for my ARC/ALC • i had the best time immersive reading this book because I couldn’t put it down💜

this is one of those books I’ll file under: giddy and kicking my legs with glee the entire time

i am blair and blair is me. i have never related to a FMC so much.. feels like she’s the odd one out in a group, shy, a bit awkward, called “boring,” happy with her comfortable life. but west. WEST. he sees her as everything BUT boring.

have you ever seen the tv show baby daddy? it reminded me a lot of that — he’s been in love with her since their childhood, but she’s in love with his brother. like just go ahead and rip my heart out already 💔 this man has it so bad for her and I was rooting for him start to finish!!

all you need to know is :
🎄 Christmas rom com
💗he falls first
🚗 hilarious road trip
❄️ feel good start to finish

the narrators : perfection 🤌🏻 portrayed the yearning perfectly (him) and the hopefulness (her) 🥺

[Katrina McQuillan · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Twelve Days of You by Ellie K. Wilde. It is a fantastic holiday romance that completely stole my heart. While the chaotic cross-country road trip kept me hooked, I adored watching Blair grow as a character and seeing the amazing chemistry build between her and West. However, it was the emotional side of the story that really got to me. I actually cried at how heartbreakingly awful West’s parents were to him, and watching him deal with that pain and how Blair supports him through that pain was so moving. It really made me pause and think about my own life, leaving me feeling incredibly lucky to have such wonderful and supportive parents. A wonderful 4.5 🌟 grumpy x sunshine romance.

[My Reading Era · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, fun, and heartwarming story that was absolutely perfect for the holiday season! West has been in love with Blair his entire life, so I adored watching him finally get the girl. These two were beyond adorable together, and I loved how perfectly they complemented each other. Their entire road trip was filled with so many sweet moments, and I enjoyed every minute of their journey. Kirsten Leigh and Lance Greenfield did an incredible job bringing Blair, West, and their sweet relationship to life. Their performances made an already swoony story even sweeter!

Thank you, Ellie K. Wilde and Recorded Books for the ALC.

[Jen Altman · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Christmas chaos, a disastrous road trip, and a brooding man who falls hard? Count me ALL the way in! 🎄

Blair Balinsky is on a mission to get her life together and finally win over her longtime crush, Mason. The catch? Her ride home for the holidays is Mason’s grumpy, brooding older brother, West… who also happens to be her former childhood friend with whom she has plenty of unresolved history. Cue one chaotic cross-country trip filled with hilarious mishaps, bizarre roadside encounters (yes, creepy dolls included!), and forced proximity galore.

Blair is pure sunshine. She’s warm, funny, and capable of making friends absolutely anywhere she goes. West is a certified grump on the outside, but underneath? Ooey gooey cinnamon roll energy. The yearning from West is on an absolute whole other level. Finding out this man has been quietly pining for her since high school? Swoon. And oh yes, the spice is spicing! That shower scene lives rent-free in my head! 🔥

🎧 Audiobook: Kirsten Leigh and Lance Greenfield are a dream team of narrators bringing these characters to life so brilliantly. Their dual narration added so much swoon-worthy emotion and extra holiday magic to the whole experience!

Behind all the festive road-trip shenanigans is a deeply touching story about self-acceptance, confronting past insecurities, and finding where you truly belong. This was the absolute cozy, heartwarming, and deliciously spicy vibe I needed this holiday season! 🤍

[Melissa · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

3.75/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️

🎧 Narrated by Kirsten Leigh & Lance Greenfield

A super cute holiday romcom! And you know what makes a grumpy/sunshine romance even better? When the grump has been secretly pining for YEARS! 😍

I absolutely love the whole I’ve wanted you all along situation, especially when one person has been completely oblivious. Throw in a chaotic Christmas road trip, forced proximity, and a broody hero who’s finally getting his chance, and I’m sold!

Blair and West’s story was sweet, fun, and full of holiday charm. The chemistry was great, the spice hit just right, and the whole thing made for an enjoyable, feel-good listen!

🎧 Audiobook: Kirsten Leigh and Lance Greenfield were fantastic! Both delivered great performances and made this holiday romance even more enjoyable.

Thank you to RB Media for the ALC.

[Jenn (burlingtonbiblio) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review
The Twelve Days of You by Ellie K Wilde

Vibes
✔️ Childhood friend
✔️ Grumpy vs Sunshine
✔️ Fitting in when you’re born to stand out
✔️ Asshat estranged parents
✔️ Sibling rivalry
✔️ High school drama that follows you
✔️ Cat named Harry
✔️ Business owners and Creatives
✔️ Holiday hometown roadtrip (think Plains , Trains and Automobiles)
✔️ Slow burn steam then ends in 🔥

Thoughts
My first holiday read of the season by one of my favourite local Canadian authors was an absolute gift!! The perfect blend of humour, family, and holiday spirit.
Two people, 2 hearts, 12 days, 1 cat and happily ever after

Thanks to Love PR and the author for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

[BookmarkedByDrea · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Ellie has done it again! The story and the spice in this one was top tier. I tend to really enjoy a road trip book and this one was one of the best, the people that we come across on Blair and West’s journey home added such a fun cast of characters to help move the story along. I’m also such a sucker for a “she walks in on him in the shower” moment. The reveal at the end really shocked me and honestly the yearning from West was 10/10. The audiobook for this was so enjoyable the narrators did an amazing job!

Thank you to the RB Media for the advanced listener copy in exchange for review.