“She was the bow to my present, the universe of stars to my small round Earth.”This holiday, all the children from the original cast of the album series come home with secrets sure to send their parents and their families into a frenzy. Will they be able to keep them hidden, or will they be exposed with a bang that isn’t at all the New Year’s Eve fireworks that are planned?Edie is so pregnant … planned?
Edie is so pregnant she’s about to burst, but she’s come back to her small town in Tennessee minus her Scottish, whiskey distillery owning husband. What she doesn’t tell anyone is her marriage may be over before it’s had a chance to really begin.
Khiley and Stephen have been soulmates since they could crawl. Unfortunately, the secret they’re keeping may be the one thing to tear them apart forever.
Ty is tired of being compared to his dead, football god of an uncle. He wants to be recognized for his own talent and passion. The chip he’s wearing on his shoulder may be the one thing to keep him from getting the woman he loves and his future in the pros.
Eliza is ready to step into a future with the one man who’s loved her for who she is rather than her famous family. The secret she shares with her Air Force cadet boyfriend is sure to knock everyone for a loop.
Joining Watery Reflection has been an experience most musicians would give a right eye for, but to Mayson, it’s a threat to everything he holds dear, especially his relationship with Grace. Can he set things right before he loses her completely?
Ginny is the family member who keeps everyone else’s dreams on course. She’s the shoulder to cry on and the conscience to guide the way. But when Cole walks into the room, she sees something she wants for herself. Can she have him without sacrificing her family’s happiness?
From award-winning author, LJ Evans, comes six holiday love stories tied together in a colorful ribbon as original as the My Life as an Album series itself. If you loved any of the album series books, you won’t want to miss this soul-filling, wintery goodness inspired by Lady A’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
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5 ALL THE FEELS stars
A Heart-warming Holidays Themed Full-length Story With New Beginnings & Celebrating Milestones!
This book is #5 in the series & Have stories about the kids of the Original Crew, Now adults & In Love/Finding their HEA, as they all come back home for Holidays with Secrets which 1-by-1 get revealed!
I haven’t read the Previous books & after the initial confusion of who’s who (Thanks for the Family tree notes LJ!), I fell in Love with the Story & all the cast of Characters! I have this Series’ books waiting for me in my e-reader now.
The book Shows Them all Planning The Parents’ Surprise Birthday Party & these 6 Couples’ Milestones along with Christmas & New year Celebrations in this one big Holiday RomCom Emotional Drama! (With Multiple POVs!)
~Each Couple have a Uniqueness with them & their “New Starts” that’s so Gorgeous, Endearing & Melted my heart!
•Edie & Garret (Part 1)
These two are Happily married, their baby is due in a week, So Why is Garret not with her here? We see the Problem that’s brewing b/w them in part 1 and in their Part 2 (which ends this book!), We’ll see their Solution (I.e. HEA!).
•Stephen & Khiley
These two have been together & In love since they were kids. Have many plans for their Future, but Will an unplanned surprise change Everything?
•Ty & Maleena
He doesn’t want to keep them a Secret, but she does. What happens when There’s no reason for secrecy anymore? Will they choose a future together?
•Eliza & Brett
With famous Parents, Brett was the only person who’ve loved Eliza for who she is. They’ve taken a big leap towards their future and now it’s time for Her family to find it out..
•Mayson & Grace
Mayson screwed up big time with Grace (Though it was kinda both of their faults!), This is his only Chance to make it right & Have the HEA They both want..
•Ginny & Cole
These two meet for the 1st time here. With him, She feels things she never has before. Both are the Forever-Love Kind of people, Is this Feeling b/w them the start of their Beautiful Journey?
•Edie & Garret (Part 2)
Omg, I’m so happy to see them realise the extent of their love & Resolve their Differences! Cue HEA.
This story packed the punch & it was quite Genius to write it this way! It’s so Lovely to see the love b/w this Big Family, some by blood & Many by choice. The Reactions of our Original Crew (+ the kids’ Siblings & Cousins) as the secrets came out were so fun! It’s so hopeful, All young adults starting a new phase of their Lives. And I loved the Ending.
>>Do grab Dalton & Reese’s Bonus HEA!
This book reminded me of why I fell in love with LJ Evans’ writing in the first place. Her characters are so well-developed and family oriented. Their lives and their passions are shared amongst their extended families and friends who have become part of those families. It seemed like only yesterday I was reading the lives of these new adults in the My Life as an Album series, so seeing all of my favorite characters was like old home week, but all of them having new adult children now took a bit of getting used to. LJ Evans’ writing reminds me of why I love reading, her words and characters are a balm to my heart and soul, one that was sorely needed in this past year, with the world turned upside down.
This book is structured a bit differently, it is seven stories of seven couple fighting their way through life and obstacles that eventually lead them to the loves of their lives. Members of each couple are directly related to the couples in the My Life as an Album series so the readers of those books get a glimpse at their favorite couples in their more mature state. I will tell you ALL the feels are in this book. I laughed, I cried, I sighed and I love the beauty of the words and the heartfelt emotions that rang true for each of the characters. No spoilers here but know that though Jake has been departed from Cam for most of her life, true love never dies even though the person moves on to another love. Her interaction with her nephew, Ty, is reason enough to read this book.
Grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable chair, put on some Christmas music, and celebrate the holidays with these characters, you’ll be so glad you did.
My Life as a Holiday Album is the fifth book in the My Life as an Album series by L.J. Evans. This is my very first book by LJ. I fell in love with the cover and was assured it could be read as a stand alone so I decided to take the leap and I’m so glad I did.
If you have read this series, which I haven’t, then you’ve already fallen in love with the couples of the first four books. This holiday book is comprised of seven short stories. The characters are the children of the main characters of the previous books. I’ll admit that if I already had a connection to the parents, it would have deepened my emotional response to this book. But the author did such a fabulous job of introducing us to each family that I was absolutely fine.
This was genius, really, the way it was put together. Each short story is a different couple, but they are told in an order that ties each one to the other. The parents are all turning fifty and the children all want to throw a surprise party for them under the disguise of a New Year’s Eve party. All the children are home for the holidays. But this holiday, it seems like the children, now adults themselves, are all changing course, spreading their wings and chasing their dreams. The poor parents are surprised with one reveal after another. One thing that impressed me, though, is the closeness of these families. How involved they are in one another’s lives. The way they support one another. And no matter what their children choose to do with their lives, everyone rallies around them with love!
In these stories, you will meet:
Edie Brennan and Garrett Drummond
Stephen Brennan and Khiley Abbott
Ty Waters and Maleena Crandall
Eliza Waters and Brett Davies
Mayson Abbott and Grace Carmen
Ginny Waters and Cole Hensley
I loved this author’s style of writing, loved the way she put this together along with the songs that inspired them. This really was a true holiday story of love, laughter, family and togetherness. I will definitely be checking out other work by her and also look forward to see what she is doing in the future.
I loved taking a trip back to Tennessee and meeting these new characters. LJ Evans has a unique style of writing that reeled me in from book 1. The way she wove the storylines from the past into the present was seamless. Bravo LJ… You continue to entertain me.
A fun, great holiday catch up with your favorites read. I blow through book in no time. I loved all the books in the “My Life” series so this was a much anticipated read for me. We got a glimpse of each couple and where they are now as well a chance to see where they are headed. A lovely, warm feeling total holiday book that I highly recommend.
The children of Cam, Blake, Mia, Derek, Wynn, Lonnie, PJ & Seth are grown up and are spreading their wings to find their place in this world. The lives of Edie, Garrett, Khiley, Stephen, Ty, Maleena, Eliza, Brett, Mayson, Grace, Ginny & Cole are so intertwined together that you don’t realize it’s actually 6 separate stories rolled into one FANTASTIC “album.” FAIR WARNING…have tissues handy when reading any LJ Evans book. Majority you will just tear up or have a small cry. A couple will have you ugly crying before she puts your heart back together again. I HIGHLY recommend reading this album and the entire series (in order.) I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I found out LJ was writing another book for this series AND it was going to feature the original MC’s kids, I literally squeed out loud. I loved that little tease in the extended epilogue especially about Grace and Mayson (Seth’s daughter and Cam’s son). But after reading the whole book now, I can say it definitely held up to my expectations and then some. As always each chapter starts out with the perfect song lyric- this time they are from “holiday albums”. Usually I have a hard time connecting with short stories but that’s not the case here. I connected with the characters instantly. They were wonderful as stand-alones but then she weaves them all together spanning the course of about a week from just before Christmas to New Year’s Eve. I was blown away. I doing think I could pick a favorite storyline. (Ok maybe I can since I was already in love with the idea of Grace and Mayson). My only disappointment was that I didn’t get any scenes with my Love of the original series-Seth. But I did fall more in love with this crazy extended family and I will go cry now because this series is now truly over and I will miss every single one of them.
I was so excited when LJ said she was releasing this book. I absolutely love the holidays, and this is one of my all time favorite series, so it seemed to be the perfect combination! However, as usual, LJ went above and beyond with this book. She took what could have been a fluffy, easy book and turned it into so much more.
This book is full of heart, romance, and characters who learn to overcome struggles and live resiliently wrapped up in holiday traditions, the love of family and friends, and past characters I absolutely adore. It was everything I hoped for and so much more. It’s a holiday book with depth. The way these stories are woven together is perfection. I love that each couple has their own story with their own struggles and successes, but they all flow together to give a complete timeline. It really adds to the overall depth of the book as opposed to an anthology of standalones. Good luck choosing a favorite though. Each of these stories is so special and unique in its own way.
While this can be read without reading the series first, you will definitely fall in love with this group of friends and want to go back to read all of the original stories. You could also read each of these stories individually and out of order, but I really don’t recommend it. I think following the timeline adds a great flow and depth to these stories as you read through in order. But I fully admit I am a read the series in order kinda girl.
This was my first time reading a book by this author and I know it won’t be my last. This book follows six couples. Each has their own novella with different tropes and are somehow related to one another. I absolutely loved every couple but my heart broke for Edie and Garrett the first couple. I couldn’t help but feel every emotion they both felt.
The more I read, the more I fell in love. Each one is so different but the way the author wrote them made you feel apart of what you were reading. This book kept me on an emotional rollercoaster. I ached, I laughed, I swooned and I might of cried but the ending had me swooning after Garrett. I love reading books with interconnected characters because no matter who’s story you were reading the other couples appeared. I could not at any stage put this book down, there was always something going on. I look forward to more books by this author.
I received an arc to give an honest opinion.
” . ‘ ℎ ℎ , ‘ ℎ ℎ . ‘ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ .”
My Life As A Holiday Album is an emotionally heartwarming holiday romance that will put you in the holiday spirit.
Head back to small-town Tennessee where it all began with a boy and a girl who loved each other but never got their happily ever after which paved the path for a group of families and friends to come together to form a bond that is everlasting. All their kids have now grown up and this Christmas their secrets will be revealed as they fight for their happily ever afters, some even similar to their parents.
I was excited to jump into this book and read about the children of the My Life As An Album crew. It was nice to see where Cam, Blake, Mia, Derek, Wynn and Lonnie are now and how their children have grown to be a lot like them. LJ Evans is a master at her craft of weaving music and words together to create stories that are so emotionally realistic that you feel like you are living the story as you read it. As always there is a warning that tissues are recommended while reading. I experienced every emotion from heartbreak that had tears flowing from my eyes to my heart being so full of holiday spirit and love that I had a huge smile and happy tears. I highly recommend this series and all of LJ Evans books.
Story one: Edie & Garrett part 1 (My Life as a Mixtape)
Story two: Khiley & Stephen (My Life as a Mixtape & My Life as a Country Album)
Story three: Ty & Maleena (My Life as a Pop Album)
Story four: Eliza & Brett (My Life as a Pop Album)
Story five: Mayson & Grace (My Life as a Rock Album & My Life as a Country Album)
Story six: Ginny & Cole (My Life as a Rock Album & My Life as a Pop Album)
Story seven: Edie & Garrett part 2 (My Life as a Mixtape)
LJ Evans has given a perfect winertery gift to her readers,giving us the My Life as a Album through the eyes of the children. It Is amazing how My Life as a Holiday Album has brought us full circle in the Album series. This is once again a raw emotional book by LJ Evans. “I love you because you know me inside and out and aren’t running for the hills. I love you because you know that I can’t sit still and find ways to make sure I don’t have to. I love you because you’ve been mine since before I knew what that meant. I love you because you’re my future and everything good in my life.”
Blurb
“She was the bow to my present, the universe of stars to my small round Earth.”
This holiday, all the children from the original cast of the album series come home with secrets sure to send their parents and their families into a frenzy. Will they be able to keep them hidden, or will they be exposed with a bang that isn’t at all the New Year’s Eve fireworks that are planned?
Edie is so pregnant she’s about to burst, but she’s come back to her small town in Tennessee minus her Scottish, whiskey distillery owning husband. What she doesn’t tell anyone is her marriage may be over before it’s had a chance to really begin.
Khiley and Stephen have been soulmates since they could crawl. Unfortunately, the secret they’re keeping may be the one thing to tear them apart forever.
Ty is tired of being compared to his dead, football god of an uncle. He wants to be recognized for his own talent and passion. The chip he’s wearing on his shoulder may be the one thing to keep him from getting the woman he loves and his future in the pros.
Eliza is ready to step into a future with the one man who’s loved her for who she is rather than her famous family. The secret she shares with her Air Force cadet boyfriend is sure to knock everyone for a loop.
Joining Watery Reflection has been an experience most musicians would give a right eye for, but to Mayson, it’s a threat to everything he holds dear, especially his relationship with Grace. Can he set things right before he loses her completely?
Ginny is the family member who keeps everyone else’s dreams on course. She’s the shoulder to cry on and the conscience to guide the way. But when Cole walks into the room, she sees something she wants for herself. Can she have him without sacrificing her family’s happiness?
My Life As a Holiday Album is a smorgasbord of goodness. In this remarkable book we get a glimpse into the lives of the children of LJ’s most beloved characters in her My Life series. LJ gives us the stories of six couples; and the ups and downs of their relationships. Each one seamlessly woven into the next. There is laughter and tears, difficult decisions to be made and through it all, the theme is of love. I loved all of her previous album books, but this one is very special
My Life as a Holiday Album (My Life As A Album #5) a whirlwind romance that takes hold of you like a tropical storm with six different couples. I’m in love with the series; characters and their storylines, their history and the unforgettable world this author has created. I love the family tree and at the end how the author writes the bio of each character. It’s easy to tell this author puts her whole heart and soul writing these stories unforgettable characters. Her signature music choices om the first page of each chapter. I absolutely love the idea of second generation kids book series and absolutely loved all the kids and loved reading about them and their parents making appearances in this book. I absolutely loved each story and can’t pick a favourite.
A wonderful Christmas Holidays read to cherish forever. I need it in my signed bookshelf. I hope it gets turned into audio soon as I need it.
I highly recommend reading this book and the entire series as it breaks your heart into pieces and puts it back together with this unforgettable read.
I cannot say enough about this series. What a wonderful group of characters to follow through their journey. This book follows in the same fantastic order with the next generation. Do yourself a favor and read the entire series start to finish. After the holidays I think I will ignore the world and read them from 1 to 5 again!
Then if you listen to the music along with the chapter it makes it also a musical experience too. I cannot gush enough about my love for this series.
What a fantastic way to start the holidays! LJ Evans’s sweet and timely My Life as a Holiday Album was the perfect read for the holidays, but honestly, any time really. These stories warmed my heart and put a smile on my face. Six couples, six HEAs.
Simple and heartfelt, full of love and hope, real life and how to work through problems and communication – you get it all with that easy style I’ve come to adore from Ms. Evans. Snuggle up and settle down with a read that will brighten your day
My Life as a Holiday Album (My Life as an Album #5) by LJ Evans is a contemporary romance collection of six holiday stories featuring the next generation from the My Life as an Album series. If you’ve read the series, you’ll encounter familiar characters as these stories feature their children, all grown up and experiencing the ups and downs of love and relationships during the holiday season. Each complete story features a different couple and is told in dual POV, but the book is best read from start to finish because the stories follow a continuous linear timeline within the same setting and world.
There are many characters in the book, but the author makes it easy to follow along by providing an introduction and family tree at the beginning of each story. She also includes a series “Who’s Who” listing all the characters and their relationships to one another. I enjoyed getting to know all the children as adults working through various issues to ultimately find their happy endings. I loved the family dynamics and the reactions that followed as each couples’ secrets came to light. I also loved how each story was complete yet seamlessly weaved together with the other stories as part of the larger whole. Full of humor, heart, and holiday warmth, My Life as a Holiday Album is a great addition to the My Life as an Album series.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
What a great way to see what’s been going on with one of my favorite series. I loved that it showed the struggles that is called real life. I know we get to see all the couples but this mostly revolves around Edie and Garrett. I know it ends with (another) HEA but it was breaking my heart what they were going through. I cried liked a baby and I’m not even ashamed of it. It he was mine I’m not sure I’d take him back but I’m a bit hot headed so I’m not the one to listen to.
If it’s not sure I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book!!!
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog *** (less)
This was such a fun, emotional and amazing Christmas story. I loved seeing the kids from the series all grown up and going through different life situations. I was blown away by the emotions I felt when reading. This is truly a gift of the heart that LJ has given her readers, it’s a perfect Christmas present.
So many bite-sized Christmas treats in one great collection! It was wonderful to read about the interwoven love lives of the grown children from the original “My Life As” series. Heartwarming, and at times heart-wrenching, this is a must read! I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review this before it’s release.
This was such a great way to see the six children that have now grown up from LJ Evans My Life As A… series.
It is centered around one holiday and how this series is intertwined between all the families I’ve become so invested in and have come to love.
I truly hope that each one of these characters will be developed more fully into their own full length book as I know that there is so much more to tell to all of their stories.
As many have stated, we are left wanting more and this was such a great introduction to their happy-ever-after.
It also, made me want to listen to each of the audios for the My Life As a…Series as I loved the audios as much as I loved the books.
I love that fact that LJ Evans is not just your typical romance writer. It’s just so much more and the emotional rollercoaster is one of the hardest to be on but so worth the ride.
I think I am one of her biggest fan.