{"product_id":"the-exmas-holidays-isbn-9780593550076","title":"The Ex-Mas Holidays","description":"\u003cb\u003eIt’s hard to escape your ex when you’re working together over Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, but being stuck together might be the best possible present in this sparkling new contemporary romance.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Maya Bashir is dreading her drive home for Christmas and having to explain that she's just left her high-paying job and a long-term relationship, so a brief detour to her friend’s festive party doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. Until Maya walks in to find the last person she wants to see. Sam, the boy who broke her heart eight years ago. And he’s serving drinks. Naked.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Sam Holland is working an extra job on the sly to help his friend get by. But little did he expect Maya Bashir to come barrelling back into his life, learning about his secret side-hustle and taking back her old job alongside him at his daytime role as a ski instructor on the slopes of the Scottish Highlands.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e As both Sam and Maya realize that their reason for heartbreak so many years ago wasn’t entirely as it seemed, they must learn to stand up for what they want the most…or else miss their second chance at love.\u003ci\u003e“The Ex-Mas Holidays\u003c\/i\u003e has all the Christmas trimmings: snowy ski slopes, sparkling lights, and family drama, not to mention all the hot cocoa you can drink!”—\u003cb\u003eAmy E. Reichert, author of \u003ci\u003eOnce Upon a December\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eThe Ex-Mas Holidays \u003c\/i\u003eis a burst of sunshine for the season. Zoe Allison captures the magic of second chance romance with characters whose chemistry is undeniable and whose growth is endearing. Do yourself a favor and snuggle up with this book as the weather turns chilly.\"—\u003cb\u003eDenise Williams, author of \u003ci\u003eDo You Take This Man\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"The Ex-Mas Holidays \u003c\/i\u003eis the perfect winter read—warm and cosy and packed with feels and festive fun. I’m completely in love with Glenavie, and with its residents! I can’t wait to read more from Zoe in the future.\"—\u003cb\u003eKatherine Dyson, author of \u003ci\u003eLily Bennett's Bucket List\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Zoe Allison has written a truly gorgeous Christmasy nearly lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story that will remind you just what happiness is.\"—\u003cb\u003eLucy Keeling, author of \u003ci\u003eJust Friends in Vegas\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Fans of this genre, and Christmas novels, will love this one.\"—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eRedCarpetCrash\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eZoe Allison\u003c\/b\u003e is a graduate of the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme. Alongside her day jobs as a doctor and a writer, she started a TikTok account in 2021 where she regularly shares comedic sketches based on writing, and the romance genre in particular.One\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhere the hell are you, you foot-crippling little devils?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya rummaged in the passenger-side footwell among various bags in order to find her heels, kicking off her trainers in favor of the more fitting party footwear.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUpon opening the car door to a blast of ice-cold air, she paused to put on her jacket before climbing out. How is it possible for the temperature to drop about fifty bloody degrees when I've only traveled forty miles north? Goodness knows how much colder it'd be when she continued on up the road later that evening.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs she strode out along the gentle incline of the driveway, she was distracted by the imposing size of the massive mansions on the cul-de-sac. Her feet went out from under her, and she only just managed to grab hold of a railing, narrowly preventing a fall onto her backside. \"Shit!\" Looking up, she checked that none of Kirsty's posh neighbors were around to hear her yelling that expletive. A glance back down confirmed the subtle shimmer of ice on the paving. \"Bloody hell. Stupid winter weather.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA thought crossed her mind-was it a good idea to leave all her worldly possessions in the boot, outside, in the dark? It's a nice area. Should be okay.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere was something sad about the fact that her whole life fit in the back of her car. Sacrificing all the big items of furniture to Rich had seemed sensible when they divided it up-he was going to a new flat after all. No point wasting money on storage when I'm going to be a sad twentysomething living in my childhood bedroom for the foreseeable future. It's not as if there had been loads of stuff anyway. Their flat and ultimately their mortgage had been modest with her having chosen to work at a small accountancy firm and Rich opting to take on a finance role for a charity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThough there had been a couple of items that had sentimental value, and were smaller. Such as the vintage Royal Albert afternoon tea plate that she would have loved to bring home in order for her and Liv to place scones upon it and pretend to take tea with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. But it had been a gift from Rich's mum, therefore Maya had relinquished it to him. Rich didn't even like afternoon tea, or scones. And he certainly wasn't partial to either Darcy or Bingley. But still, it was the right thing to do and, in any case, she was getting too old to be pretending that she was a character in a Jane Austen novel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya picked her way to the front door, arms outstretched and legs akimbo, like the most inept trapeze artist in existence. There were a couple more slips, and she heartily wished that she'd kept those damned trainers on, but she'd come too far to turn back now.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Come on, Maya. Grow a pair of ovaries.\" Fixing her gaze on the doorway, and wondering where this newfound habit of talking to herself had come from, she continued on her mission. Without further incident she managed to complete her quest, and arrived on the sanctity of the doorstep, in order to ring the bell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlowing out a relieved breath, she watched it puff into little clouds of condensation, misting up the beautiful stained glass window embedded in the door. The realization that she wouldn't know anybody at the party except for Kirsty hit, and she fiddled with her charm bracelet.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe door opened with a flood of warmth. \"You made it.\" Kirsty grabbed hold of her in a tight hug.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Hi,\" Maya said, her voice muffled by Kirsty's sequined shoulder. \"You look fab. And your new house is fantastic.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty released her with a smile, transitioning into a curtsy. \"Why, thank you.\" Straightening up, she winked. \"Come in. That's everybody here now. And I do mean everybody.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya stepped inside to secure less slippery footing. Before she could ask why Kirsty had emphasized the everybody, she was ushered down the wide hallway and into a large living room. The surroundings resembled something out of a show home, all clean lines and glass.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty pointed to each of her friends in turn. \"These are my neighbors Donna and Karen. And this is Isabelle and Una from work . . .\" She went on, introducing Maya to around ten women.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFixing a smile on her face, Maya attempted to cover the fact that the names were immediately slipping her mind like water through a sieve.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty held out her hands. \"Let me take your coat.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya removed it, adjusting her gold off-the-shoulder top. \"Can I help with anything in the kitchen?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Absolutely not,\" Kirsty said, giving her a mock-stern stare. \"It's all in hand.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor some reason, that statement raised a raucous cheer from the small crowd of women, which almost made Maya jump. It was nice that everyone was able to relax and not be on kitchen duty, but she wasn't sure why it merited such an energetic response. What were they all on? Snowballs and Christmas cheer, most likely.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe others began chatting among themselves, and Kirsty touched Maya's arm. \"What drink order can I put in for you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya wished she could get a hearty slug of whatever was fueling the rest of these women, but there was driving to be done, and disapproving fathers to be faced. \"Just a Diet Coke, please. I'm not staying over.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You're driving back to Glenavie tonight?\" Kirsty asked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya played with her charm bracelet, her stomach tightening. \"I figured it was better to face the music sooner rather than later.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty embraced her, giving her a squeeze. \"Hopefully you'll settle in quickly. But are you sure you can't stay? The roads are icy.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya shook her head, plastering a smile on her face. \"I'm in the mindset to get there now.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty nodded. \"You can backtrack at any time if you have a change of heart. Maybe you'll fancy joining in the fun a bit more once you see what I've got in store.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya raised her eyebrows. Kirsty certainly seemed rather cloak-and-dagger this evening.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Have a seat,\" Kirsty said, with a wink. \"I'll be back in a sec.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya sat on the massive, soft gray sofa next to a couple of the other guests. The room was so stylishly decorated that it was difficult to keep her envious eyes off all the furnishings. It was clearly a new build, and Kirsty had the place done out to the nines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA smiling woman wearing a black jumpsuit shifted over to take Maya's hand in a shake. \"I'm Isabelle.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya returned her smile. \"Maya. Nice to meet you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIsabelle sipped her wine as she nodded toward the large living room window. \"I can't believe how cold it's getting.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I know,\" the woman next to Isabelle piped up. \"I can't believe that it's so soon until Christmas.\" She leaned across Isabelle to address Maya, her black tasseled top nearly dangling into Isabelle's drink. \"Hi, I'm Una.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya shook Una's hand across Isabelle's front, nearly clotheslining poor Isabelle in the process. \"Great to meet you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUna let out a loud sigh. \"I haven't gotten nearly enough Christmas shopping done yet.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Tell me about it,\" Isabelle replied, rolling her eyes. \"I'm never going to get it done in time.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya's shoulders relaxed a little. Typical Scottish winter conversation made talking to new people easier. \"Same. I've not even bought one present yet, because I'm in the middle of moving home. Literally. All my stuff is outside in the car.\" She stopped talking, aware that her mouth was running away with her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Really?\" Isabelle asked, raising her eyebrows. \"You're moving house tonight?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Yeah,\" Maya replied. She wished she had a drink in order to soothe her feelings of inadequacy-something stronger than the Diet Coke that Kirsty was fetching. She cleared her throat. \"I'm moving home because I lost my job.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Aw,\" Una said, reaching across Isabelle to take Maya's hand and nearly falling into Isabelle's lap. \"Sorry to hear that. Especially at Christmas.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ah, it's fine,\" Maya said, waving her other hand and plastering on a grin. \"Worse things happen at sea.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy she was comparing her plight to a maritime incident, she had no idea. Since when did sailors lose their jobs, boyfriends, and flats, plus have to go home with their tails between their legs to face their disappointed fathers? Though, granted, Moby Dick probably would be worse. Or Jaws. Or Godzilla.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIsabelle leaned back, shooting Maya a sympathetic look. \"But still. That must be very stressful. Where's home?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Glenavie,\" Maya replied, coming out of her sea monster ruminations. \"Not too far from Glencoe.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ski country,\" Una said, a dreamy expression on her face. \"Lovely. At least it'll be nice and Christmassy.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe image of her Highland hometown entered Maya's mind, adorned in twinkly Christmas lights and dusted with snow. Christmas in Glenavie was her favorite time of year. The idea of that infused a little comfort into her veins.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty reappeared with a couple of plates of nibbles, passing them around the room. \"There's more stuff in the oven, so help yourselves. Oh, and, Maya, your drink's coming.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"No rush.\" Maya sat back to listen to her new acquaintances. It occurred to her that Kirsty had said her drink was \"coming,\" so who was fetching it if not Kirsty?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe heard the door open behind her. The other women's voices rose by a number of decibels, plus an octave or two. Turning her head to find out what the kerfuffle was about, Maya was greeted by the sight of a firm and perfectly shaped naked male bottom across the huge floor space. A well-toned man had his back to her as he handed out drinks, not wearing a stitch of clothing except for a tiny apron around his waist, the strings of which were entwined with tinsel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya laughed, finally realizing why Kirsty had been behaving in that \"nudge-nudge, wink-wink\" manner. Plus, why the women seemed drunk on more than just alcohol. They were also high on the sight of a hot naked man. She raised her eyebrows, turning back to Isabelle and Una. \"Kirsty's hired one of those naked waiters, I see.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Yes,\" said Isabelle, smiling. \"He's been preparing and serving our drinks. What a treat.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya shook her head. \"That's what she meant when I arrived. She was being all cryptic and like 'everybody' is here.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIsabelle laughed. \"She is rather pleased with herself.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I'm rather pleased too,\" Una said, eyeing the man's back. \"He's bloody gorgeous.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I wouldn't know,\" Maya replied with a shrug and a smile. \"I've not seen his face yet.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUna sighed. \"The back of him is as appealing as the front.\" She placed her hand onto her forehead in a mock swoon. \"Sandy-brown hair, ravishing amber eyes, and a sexy closely trimmed beard. My favorite.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIsabelle snorted. \"Don't pretend that you've been looking at his face, Una. Not with that perfectly chiseled torso.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUna laughed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSandy-brown hair and ravishing amber eyes. Maya had known a man of that description before, minus the beard. Though she'd been eager to forget him, and that task had taken her a little while. The realization hit that, very soon, she might see him on a more regular basis. Another reason to dread going back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty was gesturing to the naked waiter. \"The Diet Coke is for the lady over there, on the sofa.\" Kirsty pointed toward Maya.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Here you go,\" Una whispered. \"Brace yourself.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya smiled, shaking her head. Who was this guy? Chris Hemsworth? She was sure he couldn't be that devastating.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe man turned. Maya's smile froze on her face, her jaw dropping as she took in his familiar, handsome features with a sinking heart. \"Sam?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis face fell, the creaminess of his cheeks staining pink. \"Maya.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTwo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chatter across the room continued, but Maya's section fell silent. Kirsty, Isabelle, and Una stared at her, clearly confused as to how she knew hot-naked-guy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe glanced around, double-checking that there were no secret cameras and that she wasn't on one of those prank TV shows. Unfortunately, it seemed real.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA million questions ran through her mind. The most pressing of which was Why the hell are you naked in my mate's house? Though it was closely followed by Why did you lead me on, then dump me? However, she didn't feel able to voice those queries, not in front of all these strangers. Especially when she hadn't seen him apart from in passing over the last eight years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya cleared her throat. \"Hi. You look . . .\" Naked? Hot AF? \"Well.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSam raised an eyebrow, assessing her with a cool stare.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe shifted in her seat. Despite him not wearing a stitch apart from that tiny apron, it felt as if he had the upper hand, towering over her while she stayed put on the sofa. Maya tried to get up, but for a moment she wasn't sure that her legs would hold her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I am well, thanks,\" Sam replied, his face perfectly neutral. \"And you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBloody hell, this is beyond awkward. \"Mm-hmm. Fine, fine.\" That minuscule apron was practically at her eyeline, and she couldn't bear it any longer, so she summoned the power to stand. However, she was then greeted by a better view of his naked torso and muscular arms, not to mention his amber eyes, which were still penetrating her inner being like some sort of alien mind probe.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Anyway,\" Maya said, fixing her eyes on the doorway. \"I've got to pee. Just had a long journey from Glasgow, you know? Tiny bladder and all that.\" She squeezed her eyes tight in discomfort as she walked across the room, closing the door behind her to pause at the bottom of the stairs. Feeling that it was safer to retreat up there, she climbed them, heading into the bathroom and shutting the door. She perched on the edge of the bath, taking a breath. This was worse than Moby Dick, Jaws, or Godzilla.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere was a knock at the door, and Kirsty stuck her head around it. \"Are you okay? What's going on?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya blew her fringe out of her eyes. \"Don't ask.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty entered, taking a seat next to her on the uncomfortable porcelain. \"How the hell do you know the naked waiter?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaya rubbed her temples. \"Remember freshers' week, when I told you I'd not long been dumped by that guy at home?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Hmm,\" Kirsty said, frowning. \"Not really.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"It was at that tequila night at the students' union.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirsty pursed her lips, clearly not recalling.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I got off my head and sang 'Wrecking Ball' by Miley Cyrus at the karaoke and then cried to you about it in the toilets,\" Maya said, raising her eyebrows at the apparent revelation that Kirsty hadn't been paying attention to her display of teenage angst. Or perhaps that was a good thing, given how she'd murdered poor Miley's song.","brand":"Berkley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300374794469,"sku":"NP9780593550076","price":17.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780593550076.jpg?v=1767739241","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/the-exmas-holidays-isbn-9780593550076","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}