Good nemesis-to-lovers holiday romance :)

3-3.5 stars

This was an enjoyable story. I liked Neala in this story...Darcy was alright but he kind of struck me the wrong way through most of the story.

Neala is a 25 year old Irish girl that's currently out of work while she's waiting for the hotel she works at to be finished getting renovated. Neala grew up being BFFs with Darcy....they were inseparable until he chose a girl he was crushing on over Neala (wrongly at that) and broke her heart. They became enemies and hated each other from then on. Unfortunately, their families are very close and they are forced together frequently.

Darcy is also 25 years old and works in construction in the small Irish town he grew up in. Darcy never understood that he was at fault for the fall out with Neala and made it his aim in life to make her life miserable. Darcy also screwed around with the very girl he chose over Neala for the next 15 years (the last time taking place mere days before the story begins...).

The story begins a few days before Christmas. Neala is determined to get a particular doll for her niece for Christmas and since the one she ordered online fell through, Neala has to go to the local store to find one. Unfortunately, the doll was also requested by Darcy's nephew and so he also was determined to get one of the dolls. They both end up at the store at the same time and get into a fight over the doll. Neala manages to buy the doll but there are complications that are encouraged by interference from their families.

If I go into much more detail, I'll spoil the story but lets just say that the immature pranks/fighting go on for about the first half of the story. Then something happens that makes them put their hatred aside for a bit but Darcy's idiocy quickly messes things up again, causing much more drama and heartache. Thankfully, this time Darcy realizes he messed up and makes efforts to remedy things so the story ends with Darcy and Neala on good footing and happily planning to go on an actual date.

This was a relatively enjoyable story. I say relatively because there were times that the pranks/fighting was so immature that I wanted to kick Darcy in the balls and was glad to take a break from the story at times to let my frustration tapper off. I liked Neala and yes, she did take part in the pranks/fighting but I always had the sense that she was more realistic about what happened between her and Darcy. I'm glad things worked out between them but Darcy was a dense idiot that caused a lot of angst and drama that wasn't necessary and he (unjustly) blamed it on Neala. At least he got a clue and made things right in the end. Overall, I liked the story regardless of my occasional frustration.

* note - There were 2 narrators, a female for the parts from Neala's PoV and a male for the parts from Darcy's PoV. The female narrator did a very good job. The make narrator had a weird accent (like he was from Boston and trying to affect an Irish accent) and I didn't really like his narration (although I did get used to it after a while).

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Sweet, Adorable, and Hilarious!

Absolutely adored this romantic comedy! It was cute, funny, and had me laughing hard. I loved how the plot borders on the thin line between love, and hate!

I was curious if L.A. Casey would be able to pull off an entertaining story that revolves around two people out to get their hands on the last toy doll for Christmas. Not only did she pull it off, but she far past my expectations with the plot, and delivered a spectacular tale. It was funny, sweet, and heart warming!

Alana Kerr Collins, and Alan Smyth narration was A W E S O M E! They really brought the characters to life, and their performance made all the hilarious scenes 10X's better! I would definitely listen to future books narrated by either Collins or Smyth!

I enjoyed this story, it was worth every minute!

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7 people found this helpful

Great book!

I listened to this book in one day! I loved the humor as well as the angst. The narration was fantastic! I was disappointed when it was over.

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very funny

I love romantic comedy stories that have a lot of wit. However, it isn't your typical boy meets girl they fall in love... the characters were friends but had a falling out and literally hated each other doing cruel pranks I mean really. *Spoiler alert* (who pours red liquid on a girl wearing white pants and yells "she just entered woman hood") just cruel. The narrators were great too their accents made the book feel authentic due to its setting.

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I laughed so hard I choked!

Great listen. At first I was concerned about the accents, but after awhile, i didn't even think about it. The vook was well written, cute and so darn funny!!! One scene had me laughing so hard I choked on my coffee. A unexpected, brilliant read.

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Great narration!

I really enjoyed the story! The narration was outstanding! It was a light fun listen!

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1 person found this helpful

1st half was a bit immature, but it picked up

Would you try another book from L. A. Casey and/or Alana Kerr Collins and Alan Smyth ?

Yes to all. However, I do like the male lead to be a little more alpha, and the lead female seemed to always be striking out at him physically. It got a little old. It sounds like I'm the exception, but I didn't find it as funny as most.

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Simply wonderful

This is the first book that I’ve listened to from this author and I loved it. The characters were fun to listen to and I really enjoyed the fact that it is set in Ireland. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

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Frozen Stars

OMG this book, I can’t even tell you how funny it was. I laughed till I had TEARS, till my sides hurt.
And I am still chuckling. Why did I put off reading this book!

Not only did I get the audio version, but it come with 2 phenomenal narrators who brought this story to life. And the accents!! I have I mentioned I like accents. I soooo do.

Darcy and Neala were friends growing up they kind of had to because their mothers are best friends. Their fathers are best friends. Brothers are best friends. So growing up they were best friends until they weren’t any longer.

And there rivaly didn’t stop when they hit their teens or there early twenties. Not Twenty five and forced to play nice because the moms have had enough of their antics, the tricks and the tension they bring to the families when they are all together, which is a lot because their families are so intertwined.

“I’d have to be vigilant and guard my nipples, but other than that it’d be fun.. right?” – Darcy

Only when Neala promises her niece a doll for Christmas and its sold out everywhere she tries on last store, and who happens to be looking for the very same doll for his nephew… Darcy.

“I’d punch you, only I don’t wanna get moron on my hand.” – Neala

Things only get funnier the more this book goes on. I soo don’t want to give anything away so I will leave you with this…. A bird that can throw down an insult like you wouldn’t believe and one crazy Christmas you won’t soon forget. My sides and face can attest to this.. I think I smiled to much is that even possible?

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion and I am allowed to have it.*

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13 people found this helpful

SO FUNNY MY CHEEKS HURT FROM LAUGHING

If you could sum up Frozen in three words, what would they be?

HILARIOUS, FUN AND FABULOUS

What other book might you compare Frozen to and why?

MEN IN KILTS by Katie MacAlister. Easy fun story that makes you laugh out loud and love the heroine.

Have you listened to any of Alana Kerr Collins and Alan Smyth ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first but they did a great job!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Best comedy of the year. A must see!

Any additional comments?

I will be purchasing more by this author. She is funny, and her book played like a movie in my head. Hilarious.

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1 person found this helpful