Holiday Do Us Part

by J.D. Hollyfield

Easton Cruz was my world.
Our souls collided the day he walked into that bar.
His presence made me whole in a way I hadn’t been before.
He was my forever.

Until one day, he wasn’t.

The beautiful life we were starting to create was destroyed by betrayal.

And after two long years, I was still trying to move on and put my shattered pieces from his deception back together.

Except when the man you hate haunts your dreams, moving on is impossible.

Maybe that’s why my friends tricked me into going for a secluded weekend in the woods. A vacation to heal and finally move on.

But this trip was anything but serene and healing. It was more like a nightmare.

I vowed never to let him in enough to hurt me again. Because I hated him.

The problem is, I loved him more…

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Contemporary, Love, Chemistry

Unknown Binding

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part-time superhero...

USA Today Bestselling author J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, sons, and doxies. With her love for romance, and a head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.

J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor, and Happily Ever After's.

Reviews

[Lori R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second chance romance was a quick, fun and sexy read. I always enjoy the writing of this author. With this quick story, she gives us plenty of humor, steam galore, and sass & snark for days.

Meddling friends are the reason Callie ends up at a cabin she thinks is for a personal, healing get-away. Imagine her surprise (and anger) at seeing her ex answer the door. She hasn’t gotten over their break-up from two years ago, so her attitude and irritation is immediate.

The tension between Callie and Easton was through the roof. They were so mad at each other, but they are also still so very in love, even though they don’t want to admit it.Snow bound for a few days, they try to be civil to one another. It was hilarious to see how Callie tried to convince herself she didn’t want anything to do with him.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved their reunion, the way they bickered was entertaining, and even though it’s a fairly quick read, there’s plenty of heart and fun and happy feels.

[Laura Reads Too Much · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie and Easton are the stars of this tale, a tale of love, betrayal, twists and second chances - and it had me glued!

Callie and Easton were together, head over heels and then it all went to pot...

Callie is still struggling with the split and so her besties send her of on a secluded cabin vacation, give her time to find herself, to move on and to get a fresh start.

But when she arrives at the cabin and realises there's been a mix-up, cue the tension, and the attraction, the sizzling connection, the want; but also the pain!

Easton isn't who I thought he was (shame on me for jumping to conclusions!) And oh my lord, he's ace! Seriously, there's an aura around him that has you melting and I'll be honest, I really felt for him and I even got annoyed at Callie at one stage 😬

I love when this happens, when you read a book and become invested in the characters, where you feel for them, you hope for them, and I loved them!

A good read!







*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie and Easton broke up two years ago, and Callie still has not gotten over him. Callie's friends decides she needs to reset and they sent her on a vacation to the middle of the woods. When Callies arrives a snowstorm hits, and to her surprise she walks up to the cabin (that is hers for the week) to Easton opening the door.

A couple of things:

One, this book was not a HOLIDAY read. If it was, I missed it as the only thing that came close to holiday is SNOW.

Two, this has MISCOMMUNICATION trope written all over it, and it was not indicated when I signed up for this arc. I am not a fan of miscommunication trope, so needless to say this book will not have a high rating.

I did enjoy Callie and Easton, their history, their story, their chemistry, but I didn't enjoy their banter, back and forth of them not listening to each other. It was pretty much the entire book.

Rating: 3.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Trope: novella, E2L, second chance, MISCOMMUNICATION, NOT HOLIDAY, close proximity

***Received an ARC for an honest review***

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Universal

Callie's friends have staged an intervention. They want her to get back to the woman she was before her devastating breakup a couple years ago. So they trick her into taking a vacation, and don't tell her who will also be at the cabin where she'll be spending her vacation. Now she and Easton are stuck together and they're forced to work through the pain they're both still suffering from. This is either their second chance, or they'll walk away with closure at least.



I don't know how many times I've thought this while reading romance - but communication, people!! It's the key to making things work. The whole reason for their breakup was a lack of communication, and boy did it hurt. I hurt for both of them, even as I was really upset that they missed out on happiness because they didn't communicate. This second chance story is an emotional gut check, with lots pain for them to work through, a lot of anger, both misdirected and deserved, but in the end, I was really glad they were able to finally get on the same page.



ARC provided by the author for an honest review.

Review: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Do Us Part by J D Holyfield is an entertaining but heartbreaking enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chance romance between Callie Baker and Easton Cruz. A complicated tale of countless misunderstandings and miscommunication, so can they get past the hurt and anger to find the truth and their HEA.

Callie a freelance graphic designer who is still struggling two years after a devastating break up. Easton was the tattooed bad boy who she loved and saw a future with until he broke her heart. For him it was love at first sight and he fell hard, she was his world and he’d do anything for her.

Her friends Tory and Ashley stage an intervention and book her a cabin in the woods for a holiday so she can take some time to think about things. She reluctantly goes but is shocked when Easton opens the door!

He is as surprised as she is. Neither have got over the other so all the emotions, anger and betrayal from their break up come flooding back. He always thought she a bit crazy but now thinks she’s mad because it is actually his cabin! Yet again he finds her not giving him a chance to explain things.

She calls him a liar and a cheat and he claims she walked out on them after jumping to conclusions. Lots of shouting and screaming at each other but unsurprisingly it always ends very steamy reconciliation.

I was team Easton the whole time and got cross at how much Callie assumed things and kept leaving when things got difficult. My heart broke for him as he’d really fought for their relationship but she wouldn’t listen.

Can they ever resolve their issues? Will Easton rescue her when she keeps storming off? Will new secrets threaten their fragile relationship?
Enjoy the twists as the truth behind their break up is finally revealed. I laughed at the bit of revenge at the end. An angst filled holiday tale about a couple who at the end of the day really love each other.

[B (ReadLikeB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC but all thoughts are my own.

If you're looking for a holiday novella that's packed full of angst, then look no more! You've found what you're looking for.

The story follows Callie and Easton, who have been broken up for about two years. Why? Because of a huge misunderstanding. Callie's friends are tired of seeing her depressed all the time and just not herself since the breakup. They come up with a plan to send Callie on vacation. Where she happens to stumble upon the man himself.

I will say, I found Callie annoying at times. The way she kept storming off instead of just talking and communicating got old, fast. Easton kept trying to explain what happened all those years ago but she refused to listen. And I have to add, miscommunication is at the bottom of my trope list. Easton on the other hand, I was Team Easton from his first appearance. You could tell he was probably even more hurt than she was about their breakup. He never got the chance to fully explain what happened, and even felt the need to move away in order to try and get himself back together.

J.D. did a great job though of putting a lot of details in such a short book. She did a fantastic job of showing flashbacks to their relationship. It really worked with the flow of the story and didn't feel forced or out of place. The amount of emotions she was able to jam in here was impressive as well. The spice was great, I enjoyed the meddling friends, and I'm still laughing over someone getting punched twice in the face.

- Second Chance Romance
- One Bed
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Miscommunication
- Novella

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I found out about this book I immediately wanted to pick it up. Having read this author's work many times before had me wanting to pick it up even more. I so enjoyed this story!

Callie and Easton's journey captured my attention so quickly! These two were each other's everything until it ended it heartbreak. Now two years have passed. Callie is trying to move forward and her friends decide to send her to a cabin to help with that. That's when Easton comes back into her life. Will these two let their anger win and ignore everything they had? or can they face it all and fight for each other?

Both Callie and Easton both had my heart and I going through so many emotions from beginning to end! It wasn't easy for these two. I enjoyed the way they were brought back together and getting to see how they'd not only face their past, but everything that still remained in their hearts for one another. I wanted to talk to Callie and Easton through my kindle. I appreciated their realness. The chemistry and connection they shared was undeniable even when it was hard to admit after everything.

Sometimes a person is meant to be in your life and in your heart which showed through Easton and Callie's journey!

With Holiday Do Us Part, Ms.Hollyfield has created such a good read with heartbreak, the real, and love which all made me feel so much! This story had me going through many emotions while reading which I so enjoyed! I can't wait to read what she brings our way next! 💛



*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Enticing Journey Book Promotions / the author*

[Booklover Judy Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in forst person from an alternating dual POV.
Callie and Easton have a past that was great until one moment ended everything. They both have a lot of hurt from the end of their relationship. There are unresolved feelings, blame, and anger yet they each still love each other deep down. Their chemistry is still strong when they find themselves snowed in at Easton’s cabin with only one bed.
Easton grew on me. I decided pretty early on that I liked the guy. I felt for him and how the relationship had ended. Callie is a very reactive character. She kind of annoyed me at times. I understood her devastation over previous events. Yet, much of their past pain and current angst could have been avoided with a little communication and a little more commitment to each other and the relationship they had been building.
Second chance is a hard trope for me. That said, this was an enjoyable read with hot times and emotional moments along the way. I read it on one leg of a plane flight. If you enjoy second chance romance, you should add this to your TBR.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.

[Angels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brand new author for us and we have to say we enjoyed our first read by them. This story was full of a ton of emotion and drama galore. We did enjoyable the characters especially Tory and her meddling ways.

This enemies-to-lovers romance was filled with heat passion and smoking-hot chemistry. This couple had that hate/love thing going on between them but, it really was all for show and because of the couple's stubbornness. After so many years apart nothing has changed as far as loving one another but, old wounds continue to fester until the truth starts to reveal itself. Let the healing begin...

From the moment we started turning the pages, we were already laughing our butts, off, and for the most part, the story made you laugh and smile throughout it. If it is meant to be it will be and for this couple, they surely were meant for one another and we were glad they were presented with a second chance. Our only thought is we would have liked to have seen this couple confront Russ together and not apart because we felt there should have been some kind of closure together so they both could move on together or separately and it would have been nice to have Russ explain the why of it. We know why but, we wanted to hear him say it.

[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 Stars***

This baby may be a novella, but it packs a huge emotional punch in every way possible.
I honestly went through it all with Easton and Callie, waffling back and forth over whose “team” I was on ~ Spoiler: It ended up being an even split between them ~ because they were both right when it came to their feelings about the cause of the split, but wrong because they failed to communicate when it happened and well…I can’t really fault either there. So, though they drove me batshitcrazy, I did end up liking both of them and am very happy they got their HEA.

Novellas are always a bit of a hit and miss, but this one was a hit. I got a full picture of who Easton and Callie were, what their relationship had been like before the split and them coming back together, making a mess of that and then figuring things out so they could get their HEA. I got all the good parts without the “padding”. So if you’re looking for a kind of OTT at times second chance romance, then this baby is the one for you.

~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~

[Laurenreadingrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m already a fan of Jessica’s book and this novella was no exception, I absolutely loved it and wanted more!
Tropes:
☑️enemies to lovers
☑️forced proximity
☑️only 1 bed
☑️second chance

I absolutely adored and devoured this in one sitting. We meet the FMC, Callie, who is forced into a vacation by her friends. Callie’s car breaks down right where her destination at the cabin. There we meet Eason, who is not only Callie’s ex and the one she didn’t get over, but he’s the one living in the cabin she was supposed to be staying.

I absolutely loved the love/ hate relationship, the angst, the snark. They had broken up two years ago under circumstances not their fault ( not given away the spoiler) but both still deeply love each other.

Can They forget the past and be together? Will Callie forgive Easton so they can move forward? If you like snark, angst, second chance then read this novella❤️

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie & Easton were perfect for each other, and they had a great start to what seemed like it would happily ever after until they split up. It's been a couple years now, and Callie still hasn't come close to getting over it so her friends intervene and send her to a cabin to recharge. Imagine her surprise when Easton opened the door to the cabin, and she definitely wasn't too happy to see him, that's for sure. He's just as surprised, and just as unhappy because he never got over it either so you can only imagine how well this is going to go over since they end up staying in that cabin. I'm a sucker for second chances, but miscommunication issues drive me up the wall, and these two definitely didn't know how to use their words for a cool minute which had me ready to pull my hair out to be honest LOL! However being in these close quarters with the sparks flying, maybe just maybe they'll get it together but I'll never tell! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easton is a tattooed bad boy, and Callie is a freelance graphic designer, and from the moment he walked into a bar, there was an instant attraction between them. Easton and Callie were torn apart by assumptions, and 2-years later Callie is struggling to move on with life. When her friends plan an intervention, Callie reluctantly agrees to go to a secluded weekend in the woods to reflect and heal. When Easton walks into the cabin, Callie is taken aback, and it does not take long for the anger and hurt to affect them both.
This is a well written story which is easy to read, with emotions, humor, heartbreak, betrayal, anger, enemies / lovers, misunderstandings, miscommunication, revelations, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may have been a couple of years since her relationship abruptly ended with Easton however when it comes to the aftermath to Callie at times it feels like yesterday. She is convinced that she needs a little time away but when she shows up at the cabin where she is staying the surprise is on her as he is there as well.

Easton may not have been expecting Callie, but the forced proximity may finally give him the opportunity to work through the events that tore them apart. He knows that he it won’t be easy, but he is up for the challenge.

Callie and Eason take us quite the tumultuous ride filled with emotion and a love that hasn’t diminished despite their time apart and the distance between them.

[Bibliophile Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to start my holiday reading season!

This is the fast-paced story of Callie and Easton.

Miscommunication, assumptions, and stubborn pride rip these two apart. When fate and friendships bring them back together, sparks fly like crazy.

Callie and Easton's relationship is given to the reader in glimpses of flashbacks. It doesn't take away from the flow of the story; it gives the reader a better understanding of what makes Easton and Callie tick.

Set in a beautiful cabin in a snowy forest, this story is going to grab you from the first chapter and not let you go until the very end.

You get heart, heat, and laughs aplenty with this lovely story!

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Do Us Part is a heartwarming and emotional second-chance romance that will leave you feeling all the feels. The story follows Easton Cruz and his former flame, who are brought back together during the holiday season. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the chemistry between them is palpable. The writing is engaging and flows well, making it easy to get lost in the story. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the author adds enough twists and surprises to keep things interesting. Overall, Holiday Do Us Part is a great read for anyone looking for a heartwarming holiday romance.

[Edie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Do Us Part by J.D. Hollyfield

I was hooked from the first page. This novella pulled me in and I did not want to put it down. You are going to truly enjoy this book. Just be prepared because you will feel the heartbreak Callie goes thru. I know I did I felt absolutely heartbreak with all of the heartbreak Callie had been thru. I loved Easter but come on at times I honestly wanted to throttle him. There is so much hurt and unresolved heartache between Callie and Easton that I was not expecting. But I feel like it made the story that much more compelling and meaningful. It’s a book o definitely recommend.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the holidays less than two months away, I have a hankering for holiday romances. J.D. Hollyfield's new novella fits the bill quite nicely. Once in a while, in very special circumstances having meddlesome friends isn't such a bad thing, especially when they have your best interests in mind. Callie and Easton clearly still loved each other, and they needed to clear the air as to what happened two years prior. I appreciated the humor along with the romance, making Holiday Do Us Part a really enjoyable, four-starred read.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this novel! It did not disappoint! From the first page this novella pulled me in and I did not want to put it down. Oh my gosh my heart hurt for all the heartbreak Callie had been thru. There were moments when I wanted to shake Easton for all the misunderstandings. I loved Callie and Easton when they were able to straighten out the past. I love when a novel almost brings me to tears, but finally puts all the pieces of my heart back together. This novella did exactly this for me. I can't wait to see what is coming next from this author.

[Dimaris rossy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I wasn't expecting so much hurt and unresolved heartache between Callie and Easton. But it made the journey even more special. Don't get it wrong. This is not a sappy drama by any means. It's just that they really needed a chance to let it all out. But, that's what friends are for. For that extra push. I really enjoyed this read. The story is entertaining, easy to read, and the characters are easy to support.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0

~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

Callie had her heart destroyed two years ago and still has not recovered. Now her two best friends Tory and Ashley want to send her to a cabin in the mountains to recover and be her old self again until she sees the one man she never expected and sparks fly. Wow this story is hot enough to mrlt any iceberg. I loved these characters so much; so full of life and sass. This is one author I will read again and again.

[Dorothy Bircher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun novella to read. The love hate relationship between Easton and Callie is on point for a second chance romance book. They love each other, but want to hate each other. You can feel the love and chemistry between them through the pages. This book had me laughing with the way they bicker and makes my heart happy with the love that they have for each other, but they're both stubborn af. Of course, love wins in the end and I absolutely love that!!!!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie and Easton…sigh. I was so ready to beat down Easton for Callie! He deserved a good kick in the arse for what he did to Callie 2 years ago. She’s still not over him but her friends have other plans for her. A quick, steamy, i hate you but maybe I don’t hate you that much, kind of read! I loved the storyline and wouldn’t mind my own winter holiday with a hot man like Easton!!

[Ashley Cestra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is hilarious! I really enjoy her writing! She has mastered the art of writing sarcasm! I could hear the conversations in my head…I really enjoyed it!
The plot of this book was elevated, there are some significant details that set it apart from every other winter themed romance!!! ( kudos for writing a winter story vs a Christmas story, I have the hallmark channel- I’m good!)

[Cindy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great winter read but you won’t need a blanket to keep you warm cause this book is HAWT!! Nothing sexier than being snow bound and going on a bender with a hottie! Could NOT put this holiday quickie down until I finished ;)

[KeelyReadsRomance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid romance story. Her friends tricked her into spending a holiday at a cabin owned by by her ex. The chemistry between the 2 was great but the fighting over and over got a bit tiring for me. She was really stubborn and wouldn’t listen to him about him being set up to look like he was cheating. It made her a bit unlikeable for me and she didn’t deserve him. Poor guy.

[Lindsey Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! I loved Callie and Easton, both of whom are rough around the edges. This book is a dash of holiday spice and tons of hilarity!

[Katie Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. Love Callie and Easton.

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The miscommunications were making me angst, more so at the end of the book.

[Lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie and Easton have a roller coaster ride to their HEA. A fantastic read. Loved every minute of it!!A real good bad thing