[ARC REVIEW] “Winter Break Up” By: Carrie Aarons

Carrie Aarons is back with another sweet holiday romance!

What is Winter Break Up by Carrie Aarons about?

Going home for my last winter break of college had the same feel as the year my parents told me Santa was fictional; the daunting real world loomed too close without a childish safety net.

Working on our family Christmas tree farm is supposed to be a final, blissful reprieve before adulthood. Or it would have been, if my brother’s best friend didn’t return for his first festive season in our hometown in almost four years.

Why did Mercer Russell stay away in the first place? Oh, well that would be because I broke his heart. High school sweethearts never last, or so they say, so I destroyed us before long distance and university drama ever could.

Now that the soccer star destined for one of the best professional teams in the country is home for one last holiday hoorah, it’s clear I’m still on his naughty list … and not in the good way. Between hauling Douglas firs, helping families select their perfect tree, and assisting my mom on the register, Mercer hasn’t lost any love for those he grew up with. Except I might as well be a lump of coal with the way he glowers at me.

With the past lurking around every corner and our futures uncertain, giving into the burning attraction that could torch a row of spruces would be the worst idea ever. Then again, a fling under the mistletoe might be just the closure we need to extinguish this spark for good.

After all, it would take flying sleigh-level magic to turn a cuffing season hookup into a healing happily ever after … right?

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review:

Carrie is back with another sweet holiday romance! “Winter Break Up” is another great holiday standalone that’s not only a relatively quick read, but also puts you in the holiday spirit! (Plus it pairs perfectly with Taylor Swift’s holiday song, “Christmas Tree Farm”!)

Right from the start of the book, it’s clear that Mercer never got over Emily. Combine that with him being best friends with Emily’s brother, and him working on her family’s Christmas tree farm, and they’re in for a wild winter break. While they’re both grappling with their feelings for each other, they’re also both dealing with their own personal struggles as well, Mercer with is soccer injury, and Emily with her anxiety.

I have absolutely no data to back this up, but in my head, in second chance romances, I feel like it’s usually the guy who breaks up with the girl in the original breakup, so Emily being the one to originally call things off (prior to the start of the book) felt refreshing.

As with most new adult romance books, I recommend it for 18+ due to some of the adult content.

If you’re looking for a sweet second chance romance to get you in the holiday spirit, I really recommend picking up one of Carrie’s holiday romances! If you like this one, she’s released one for the past two years as well, so there’s no shortage of books to read!

Huge thanks to Carrie for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Read my reviews of her other holiday romances:

“If Only in My Dreams” – ARC

“A Wonderful Lie” — ARC

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