Ex-Mas: A Christmas Love Hate Story

This book is too cute! I have loved all of Kate Brian's books that I've read - and this one was no exception! Ex-Mas is a fun, lighter read. I read Ex-Mas in one sitting. The writing is fantastic and the plot is adorable. It's actually rather predictable, but that's what makes it so great. I love how Ms. Brian weaves elements of lessons such as honesty, thankfullness, and just being yourself throughout the story. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the realistic factor of two 8 year olds getting on a train alone to several states away. That wouldn't really ever happen. Beau was my favorite character - he was down to earth and easy to relate to. Lila got on my nerves a few times. Cooper and Tyler were so cute! Cooper was so innocent, and just wanted to help Santa. I would definately recommend this book! It's one of those books that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy after you finish reading.

My Thoughts: Another great book from Kate Brian. I read Megan Meade's Guide To The McGowan Boys and loved it! This one is just as good, if not better! We are introduced to Lila who has it all, college boyfriend, popular best friend, and all the guys want her and the girl's want to be her! We also are introduced to her annoying little brother Cooper. Well, things go down and Cooper thinks he needs to save Santa so Cooper and his friend Tyler take off to save Santa! Lila gets tangled up with Tyler's older brother Beau aka Lila's ex boyfriend and they have to go after them! Of course I liked Beau from the first mention. He was my kind of guy. The two youngsters hopped on a bus so now Lila and Beau have to drive 7 hours to find them! This book was a bit predictable in places but I still loved it! And the things I wanted to happen, some of them did happen! While others totally blew me away!!! This is the book to read around Christmas time, or even while the weather is still cold! Perfect book for this time of year! Overall: I loved it! Awesome book! It left me with a big grin on my face saying, awwwwww. I'm so happy! Rush to the store and buy this now! While you at it, also pick up Megan Meade's Guide To The McGowan Boys! Cover: This cover is amazing! I love it! I love the candy cane and its even shiny and pretty in person!

Okay, let me start of with saying that when I first opened this book I wanted to chuck it. Lila was selfish, vain, and a snob. I really didn't like her. I could barely stand her. But I told myself I could get through it, that maybe the story was worth it. And it was. Lila totally redeemed herself in the end. I came to sympathize with her at the end of the story. I think it's pretty amazing that an author can get me to love a character I previously hated. Plus, I think that's what the story is about--Lila realizing her mistakes and learning from them. The story was very adorable. I made a lot of awe sounds and did laugh out loud a couple of times. The chemistry between Beau and Lila, I thought, was great. I think they did make a great couple (I like my couples feisty). Their arguments and banter were highly entertaining. If you're looking for a holiday read then it's worth checking out.

Lila Beckwith has come a long way in the last three years. Ever since she ditched Beau, learned to tame her wild locks, befriended Carly Hollander, and landed Carly's older brother, Erik, as a boyfriend, she's been at the top of the North Valley High School social scene. And tonight she's going to secure that position. Her parents are FINALLY, for the first time Lila can remember, going away for a few days. They are leaving Lila and her 8-year-old brother, Cooper, home alone. And Lila is throwing THE party of the year. It's the start of Christmas break and she's had everything planned to perfection for ages. The only glitch in the problem is that before her parents leave, Lila gives Cooper such a hard time that he snoops on her computer and discovers her party plans. He tattles on her before they can leave, and Lila is totally grounded. Her parents are going to call and check in on her throughout the night, and she better answer the phone. If Lila has any hopes of getting her dream car for her 18th birthday in January, she can do nothing but agree. So the party is history, and one of her other friends jumps in and offers to have it instead. In her misery, Lila goes and retrieves Cooper from his best friend, Tyler's, house. But when she gets there, she has to deal with her old boyfriend, Beau, Tyler's older brother. To make matters worse, Cooper and Tyler can't be found. In their house search, Lila and Beau discover an Amtrak map on the computer with a destination further north. Cooper saw an article on Santa and global warming that Lila had to study over the break, and now the two boys have taken it upon themselves to save Santa from disaster. What ensues is a mad dash by Lila and Beau to intercept the boys on their train trip north. They only have two days to get the boys and safely return home before Lila's parents and Beau's mom discover them missing. Reminiscent of such movies as "The Sure Thing" and even "Road Trip," the reader knows that there will be crazy adventures along the way. At the beginning, Lila can't imagine anything worse than being stuck in a car with Beau for such a long trip. But throughout the journey, Lila comes to know Beau and even herself far better than she ever expected. As with all of Ms. Brian's works, EX-MAS will be gobbled up by teenage girls. The story is fast-paced and sweet, and just in time for this holiday season. Reviewed by: Jaglvr

I picked up this book looking for a bit of early holiday reading, wanting a good Christmas romance YA novel. At first I was a little skeptical about the length, because I always want more of Kate Brian's writing, but I didn't need to fear. Ex-mas is essentially about a girl who is on the cusp of becoming the ultimate popular girl at her high school when Christmas break comes along. She's about to throw a party that will not only be the culmination of her hard work in the popular group from the last three years, but will finally place her firmly into the desired top spot. She seems to have everything--friends, hot/perfect college boyfriend, and a party (and hopefully a car). But then, unexpectedly, she ends up in her ex's car searching for their brothers, hoping to find them before either one of their parents finds out they're missing. Having read the title, the blurb on the back, and the enticing cover, I figured the book was not going to hand me any surprises, following a straight formula, and mostly being about the relationship and trip between the main character and her ex. I was right. Nothing in the basic story line is that original, but the telling of it (as it usually is with Kate Brian) is fun, funny, and heartbreaking at the same time. The ending felt a little rushed, but it could also be that I didn't want it to end. With Ms. Brian telling the story, you know you're going to just sit back and enjoy. As always, I was left with wanting more Kate Brian. I really enjoyed this story, more than a few of the author's other single titles. I would recommend this if you are looking for something fun, light, and simply good or if you're a fan of her other single titles.