That Time I Kissed My Brother's Best Friend

Abieville Love Stories #1

by Julie Christianson

Fireworks plus mistletoe equal one explosive kiss …

Beau Slater sure brings the fireworks. Too bad they’re not the good kind. My brother’s best friend was so smoking hot, he blew up our small-town graduation night with one humiliating almost-kiss. It took me five years, one potential dream job, and three thousand miles to diffuse that horrifying memory.

So when my worst enemy and I are forced together by our meddling mothers for a first-ever Christmas in July, I can’t risk Beau reigniting my heart. Which means I’m probably supremely stupid to enlist him in my plot to teach our manipulative families a lesson.

Still. Beau’s future is a world away from mine, and neither one of us will give up on our dreams. So how hard could it be to fake-date the off-limits man I’m secretly pining for?

The answer is EASY, Kasey.

Just as long as I don’t let this old flame and his sugarplum lips burn me again …

This hilarious and heartwarming closed-door romcom was first published as the novella “My Red, White, & Blue Christmas,” but has since been rewritten and expanded to include bonus chapters and epilogues. Characters from the Apple Valley Love Stories series appear in the story, but this book can be read as a standalone!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Clean Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Enemies To Lovers

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2022

About the author

Julie Christianson writes sweet romantic comedies—but only when she’s not reading them. Born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, she loves her hilarious family, her three crazy rescue dogs, and laughing at her own jokes.

Julie dreamed of being an author the first time she held a crayon, and after the library where she worked closed in 2020, she decided to try her hand at penning her own small-town romcoms.

She’s a former high school English teacher and lapsed marathon runner, the mother of two great kids, and the wife of one very funny man. Her goal is to write books that make you laugh out loud, fall in love, and live happily ever after.

To connect with Julie, follow her on instagram (@juliechristiansonauthor), Facebook (@juliechristiansonauthor) or visit her website, juliechristianson.com.!

Reviews

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading Julie Christianson! When I came across her I knew I would love her books and after reading this fun, super cute novella I can say I was absolutely right!

Kasey and Beau had crushes on each other in high school but several things lead to it being unrequited and unrecognized by the other one. Not to mention the complication of Beau being Kasey’s brother's best friend. Now it's 5 years later, Kasey returns home for her family's Christmas in July celebration where she runs into Beau again only this time she wants revenge.

There were so many things I loved about this book! The lively characters that jumped off the page, the Twilight and Nicolas Cage references, the hilarious family antics, ugly Christmas sweaters in July, the fireworks, that first kiss in the back of a truck, and one of the most amazing, romantic endings ever! All I can say is good job Beau! Kasey, you better not let that one get away!

This book will have you laughing and smiling! I devoured it quickly and wanted more as soon as I finished! The good news is this is a prequel for a new series Julie has coming so I will get my wish! Now time to catch up on all of Julie's other books!

I was given a complementary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute prequel novella for Julie Christianson's upcoming series!

Read it for:

-Christmas in July - fireworks and caroling are so fun together!
-Brother's best friend
-Unrequited crush
-Fake Dating
-Cute romance and swoony kisses
-Awkward and hilarious family antics

I also loved the cameos of characters from the Apple Valley series! This was such a fun read and can't wait for more of the new series! 4.5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kasey is back home in Abieville to celebrate Christmas in July—an idea created by her mom to bring all the family together. With an epic holiday schedule of festivities, this family was so boisterous and fun! I loved them.

As you can gather from the title, this is a romance between Kasey and Beau, her archenemy and brother's best friend. In high school, Beau, with the help of his best friend, pranked Kasey. And she's held a grudge ever since. I love enemies-to-lovers tension, but I struggled with the immaturity of this conflict. Beau was certainly in the wrong at the time, but it seemed silly for Kasey to still harbour such hatred as an adult.

Pranks as a plot device tend to be hit-or-miss with me in general, so you may love this one! I will say, Beau truly proves how sorry he is. The grand gesture is one of the absolute sweetest I've read.

(heat level: kissing only)

[Kerry Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful clean romance

This book was so adorable and very romantic.
A real recipe for a beautiful story, enemies to lovers
The characters are so rounded, warm and fuzzy that you feel like they're your best friends.
I love a small town romance and this delivers.
When Kasey goes back home for her mother's 4th of July /Christmas celebrations she finds herself back in contact with Beau Slater. The boy she fancied the pants off at school and possibly even loved at such a tender age. Yet Beau and Kasey´s brother, Bradley had relentlessly played fun and pranks on Kasey that when she graduated Beau didn't get the opportunity to tell her properly how he felt about her.
When they finally meet again after some years at the celebrations they are forced to have to get on with one another. Only it's difficult. They both have strong feelings for each other, but they pretend that they don't...........................
Highly recommend this adorable, quick read. It's full of romance and coziness and yo can't help feeling so content and utterly happy afterwards. My first time with this author but I am now a huge fan. Anything for that gorgeous feeling you get when you read a book like this.
Kerry Kennedy Author

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fun and sweet book! There was so much to love about it—Celebrating Christmas in July, fun banter, kooky family members, brother's best friend, fake dating, enemies to more, he falls first, swoony kisses, clean and sizzling chemistry, sweet grand gestures. It was a fun read!

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars!

I love Julie Christianson’s books. Not only are they funny and sweet, but there’s a lot of heart in these stories. It was so fun to read this prequel to her Apple Valley Love series and launch for a new series. There’s so much to love about this book: enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, fake dating, Christmas in July, and a happily ever after ending that will leave you swooning! You’ll fall in love with Kasey and Beau and then you’ll want to read the entire Apple Valley series before the next book comes out.

Kasey is a funny, cute writer who has a bit of an obsession with Nicholas Cage and sharpies. She’s traveled home in the heat of July to help her grieving relatives celebrate Christmas. That’s right, Christmas. After her grandma and aunt both lost their husbands, Kasey’s mom employs the whole family to cheer them up with everything from ugly Christmas sweaters and caroling to gingerbread house making. But, it’s also the 4th of July and so mixed in are fireworks and a boat parade. All seems to be going to plan except for one thing, Beau Slater is back in town, her brother’s best friend and her attractive archenemy. As the two seem to be thrown together, the sparks fly, but will there ever be anything more between them than an embarrassing almost kiss?

Beau Slater has secretly had a crush on Kasey for years. Unfortunately, she always seemed to be the butt of his and her brother’s pranks. Though he would love to explore his feelings for her, she’s off limits as his best friend’s little sister, and she also seems to hate him. When their moms seemingly keep throwing them together, he decides to go along with Kasey’s plot to get revenge on both her brother and their meddling families. But will their fake relationship turn into what he’s always dreamed?

This is a sweet, clean, funny story romcom lovers will definitely enjoy. It’s got those laugh out loud moments, quirky family members, a swoony romance, and a grand gesture that will leave you wanting more. So excited for the next book in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

[Latisha Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book and the entire idea of a family doing Christmas in July to cheer up two members of their family who have been recently widowed. It was such a sweet gesture and brought on a lot of comical moments. Ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas caroling in the heat of July. There's banter and touching moments between the family members. And that epilogue is AMAZING! This is set before the Apple Valley series, so it's before their HEAs, but it was fun to get a glimpse of them!

💋That Time I Kissed My Brother's Best Friend is a Sweet Christmas-in-July romantic comedy that is full of banter and swoony moments!

I loved seeing the crossover characters and plot lines from The Apple Valley Love Stories series!

This book had so many fun elements:

💙 Brother's Best Friend
💙 Fake Dating
💙Enemies to More
💙 Forced Proximity
💙 He Falls First (but she's not far behind!)
💙 Small-town Charm
💙 Swoony Kisses
💙 Sizzling Chemistry
💙 Super-Sweet Grand Gestures

**I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Modern Miss Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Thank you @juliechristiansonauthor for the e-arc and happy cover reveal day.

Here’s what I loved about this book:
• the brother’s best friend trope
• Christmas in July- the best of both worlds!
• the feels and the comedy
• all the angst
• swoony kissing scenes
• family <3

You can read this book for the holiday feels or in the summer for those Fourth of July Vibes! This is one of my very favorites from Julie and I think it perfectly blended heart, humor, and angst. I highly recommend picking this one up when it releases!

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆/5
Steam: kisses
TW: loss of family members in the past

[avasbibliotek · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so cute <3

and beau has my heart <33

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

3.5 stars

I liked all the Christmas in July stuff. The family dynamics were so entertaining. But the romance was kind of blah aside from what happened at the end. I felt no chemistry or romantic tension even though it was set up that way. At times I was bored. Then the thing with the prank felt useless in the grand scheme of things. Things just started happening rapidly without any real fanfare. It just didn’t work for me.

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun, short and sweet, Christmas/Christmas in July love story! You’ve got brother’s best friend, some enemies to lovers, a dash of fake dating, and kind of a second chance vibe going on between Kasey and Beau.
I read the original novella and this is a revised and expanded version—so good! ♥️

Things I Loved:
-Christmas in July
-RudolF
-Property of KEG
-Nicolas Cage
-“I should get a gold star for rationalization.”
-The drugs 😂
-“That’s a tall oyster you’ve got there, Kasey.”
-Bracelet
-Elf pjs
-Kasey’s ACE pjs
-The Epilogue 😍

This takes place before all the fun stuff happens in Apple Valley and includes Mac & Daisy and the triplets. It’s so fun to see them in a different setting.
If you like quirky families and small towns, Abieville is somewhere you want to visit!
I am so excited for Brady and Natalie’s story next!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this zany romance! The characters are so great. The plot was fun. The situations made me laugh. And this book has some of my all time favorite Julie Christianson characters in it. You can’t go wrong!

Kasey is such a great character. She’s been asked to come home by her mom for Christmas in July. Her family was trying to cheer up her grandma, Big Mama. So they did all of the traditional Christmas things…during the 4th of July. There’s only one problem, Beau. Beau is Kasey’s brother’s best friend. And he always seems to be there. And Kasey and Beau didn’t have the best relationship in high school.

I loved that the reader got to see Beau’s side of things as well. And Beau still has feelings for Kasey. I loved that he was willing to go along with her crazy ideas. And that he felt bad for how things had turned out.

This is one book you’re not going to want to miss!

I was sent an e-copy of That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

[maiaisreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Time I Kissed My Brother's Best Friend by Julie Christianson

This was a short and easy read. It was a bit unusual to have Christmas in July but they did it to lift up the spirits of two family members. I liked the close family relationships but somehow I didn’t connect well with the main MC’s. I didn’t realized it at first that Kasey was actually the cousin of the McCoy siblings. It was fun to read some of the Apple Valley characters before their own stories were written. Romcom fans will enjoy this Christmas novella. It’s available in #kindleunlimited.

Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.8 stars

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars this was a great escape into a cute romcom that makes me really excited for more books in this new series by Julie Christianson. I loved the connection to the Applevalley series. The characters were quirky and fun and the chemistry worked really well. I like that there was some deeper levels even though it was a novella.
A great quick read that will make you smile and swoon.
I received an advance reader copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Aubree · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not care for this book. It was extremely unoriginal with the main characters returning to their small hometowns from their fancy big city jobs. And with the man assuming he’s not allowed to go for his best friend’s sister. Those are both such tired tropes (why would a brother want his sister to love/marry a stranger over his best friend? I will never understand that trope). Then, it turned around and tried to be unique with the Christmas in July story line which I did not like. It was weird and like the author was compensating for a lack of plot lines by throwing in a bunch of Christmas and Fourth of July activities. There was way too much telling and not enough showing. I did not like the narrative style where both of the narrators acted like they were talking specifically to me. Brady and Beau are too similar of names for characters to have and there were way too many characters overall. Why did we need to be introduced to every single cousin when most of them didn’t even have speaking parts? And trying to follow their text conversations? I didn’t even try. I did not like that we did not get to know anything about the two main characters real lives or even their relationship and what they were like together. They went from this week long visit home hating each other being the majority of the book to jumping six months ahead to a proposal to jumping a year ahead to wedding plans (or something. I was just skimming by this point). What was the point if we never got to see their actual relationship? There are 1 million better romance books out there so I definitely do not recommend this one and I will not read the rest of the series.

Content warning: kissing (barely. This book was not very romantic.)

[Riella Cristobal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rewrite of her novella is now the first in a new series, That Time I Kissed my Brother’s Best Friend is a fun holiday themed rom-com. I was so excited to read another book in the world of the Apple Valley Romances. This expanded story follows Kasey who has returned home in July to celebrate Christmas with her family for her grandmother’s sake, only to find more
What a fun story! It is overall a lighthearted story with fun characters. Kasey loves her family, but they are a lot. From her mom who can feel smothering in her exuberant love, her brother who has reminded in their hometown and their longtime family friends, the Slaters. Her brother’s best friend Beau is also home from his work as a celebrated photographer. After years of torment from the two as children up to high school graduation. She is determined to appease her family, avoid Beau, and return to her journalist career that is finally taking off. Being constantly thrown together by her family is draining on her, as she finds that there may be more to the story than she realized. I enjoyed seeing Kasey’s interactions with her family. They were so funny! It was especially enjoyable knowing the characters from the previous books. Kasey was very passionate, about her work, her feelings for her family, and her feelings for Beau. She was a fun main character though I sometimes felt like she was holding onto the past pranks a bit too much. Beau was sweet. It was nice to also have his POV too, I feel like it really rounded out the story.
The plot moved along pretty quickly, but I think it fit for the genre and the story. There was already a lot of history between the two and they already knew each other in a lot of ways. I enjoyed the family interactions and their role in Kasey and Beau’s relationship. Overall, this was a cute book that made me look forward to the continuation of the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kasey and Beau have been at odds since childhood. Beau and Kasey’s brother Brady would torment and prank her at every turn. Five years after their last meeting, they’re all grown up and moved on with their lives. Kasey’s parents have started a tradition of bringing the whole family and their friends together for a Christmas-in-July celebration. When their mothers begin to meddle, Kasey and Beau find out there may be more between them than long term animosity.

That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend is a sweet romance of teenage crushes turned second chances. This Christmas-in-July book is set before the Apple Valley Love Stories series and features a few familiar faces. This book can be read as a stand-alone or as a prequel.

There is a lot of angst and will they/won’t they but I expect nothing less from a brother’s best friend romance. The mother’s (and other family members) say they weren’t meddling but they absolutely were. I love the Apple Valley universe and I’m glad we get to meet some new characters and learn some background about a few that are already established.

That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend is a charming addition to Julie Christianson’s work and I look forward to reading her next book.

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

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Christmas in July is a familiar theme for merchants trying in increase summer sales, you don't hear much about families recreating the holiday complete with caroling and a visit from St. Nick. But read on for a funny and sweet story of a family that does just that for a week full of scheduled activities, including celebrating the 4th of July. This is a wonderful "do-over" of the book My Red, White, & Blue Christmas published by the author in April 2021. The extended story is a delight to read, and certainly makes for a richer understanding of these cousins of the Mc Coy family. Yes, that McCoy family of Apple Valley.

This is a love story. The story of a family rich in cousins, aunts and uncles who love each other dearly and enjoy their time together. It is also the story of a childhood crush complete with details and unspoken longings. A second chance story that is so much fun to read that I finished it in one sitting! Another delightful book from a talented author.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beau and Kasey

I have absolutely fallen in love with Julie Christiason's writing! Each book of hers that I have read so far has left me smiling like a loon. To me, the best response to a practically perfect book is the huge smile on my face. And that is true for That Time I Kissed My Brother's Best Friend!! Not only have I thoroughly enjoyed Beau and Kasey's story, but I'm also really excited about Natalie and Brady's story! I honestly hate that Kasey and Beau are waiting a whole year and a half to get married. I want them married immediately after their declarations! Lol! Beau's gift for Kasey that he bought her for graduation is so dreamily adorably romantically sweet! *sa-woon* Keep writing, Julie, and I'll keep reading!!

[Kimberley Mcclintock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, this book is even better than before. If you’ve read books by Julie Christianson before you may have come across My Red, White and Blue Christmas. If so, then That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend will be very familar. Julie Christianson has taken a fun, sweet romance and tweaked it to make it even better. This book is now a prequel to another series that Julie will be releasing soon.

If you love brother’s best friend trope, Christmas in July, pushy parents, annoying siblings, big families and a whole lot of sweet moments, then this is a book you have to read. I loved this book just as much the second time as the first.

A fun novella you do not want to miss. Check it out if you haven’t already.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Time I Kissed My Brother's Best Friend is my first book by Julie Christianson, but it won't be my last.

Kasey's brother Brady, and his best friend, Beau, played a cruel joke on Kasey on her graduation day. Five years later, Kasey is still not over it. Neither is Beau.

That Time I Kissed My Brother's Best Friend features:

*brother's best friend

*enemies to lovers

*Christmas in July

*Quirky family members

*Awkward encounters

It is a quick read with plenty of humor. I am looking forward to the next book in the series...the Epilogue sets it up nicely 😉.

[Dawn aka wolfinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…real happiness lies in being yourself and believing you’re worthy of love.”
🇺🇸🎄🇺🇸🎄🇺🇸
🎶 I’ll have a red, white, and blue Christmas! 🎶
Julie’s books will always be the highest rating I can give. They bring me so much joy and happiness! I love all her characters, the settings, the storyline, and I’m always highlighting great thoughts throughout! Plus she mentions ELF (my favorite movie)! Although in this book there was an issue in a sentence, probably was a typo (“It’s also probably why I got into UCLA.”). I’m sure she meant USC!:) ✌️ ❤️💛

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a novella, so things happen at a pretty rapid pace without a whole lot of development. There are things just happening everywhere! But it does start the new series she's making and set up a quirky small town in New York with a quirky family. The characters are likable and sets me up to read her latest book.

[Just · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple & Cute

All the good feelings. I like the Apply Valley series more than this one, but still enjoyed reading this. Plus, I'm looking forward to book two which comes out in 2023!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas in July, brothers best friend, a ton of feels. A quick read, but worth it! Kasey and Beau are a perfect match and then that ending?! Was not expecting it!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauregard Slater is the gem of gems, and I loved getting more of his love for Kasey! If you have read their original story—you definitely want to read this! Not only do you get more details on these two, but this serves as a fantastic set up for Julie’s upcoming spin-off series, eek!!

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!

Cute story! It made me smile and my heart flutter. This is a fast, easy breezy read. Christmas and the 4th of July all in one.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ❤️ Abieville!

These books are so warm and sweet with plenty of humor and swoony moments. This is a brothers best friend/high school crush/enemies to lovers. I can’t get enough of these small town romances. Beau and Kasey make a great pair!

[Amanda Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and a quick read!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaah!!

Julie did it again!! I love her writing style it’s so good!! I fell in love with her apple valley series and I’m so glad I get to read this series now