The Ex-Mas Breakup

By: Zoe York

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

When the spicy “exes with benefits” summer fling escalates to a “fake dating for the holidays” rom-com full of kick-your-feet feelings!

A booty call with your ex? Bad decision, Rory.

I really thought it would be a one-time thing. A hormonal moment of weakness where I text him a funny ha-ha realization that I’m ovulating and he knows what that means–I can’t turn my brain off. He used to be so good at helping with that....

Then Garrett shows up very quickly. Bickering leads to banging, and it’s better than ever, raw and real and super satisfying. So maybe we didn't work out as a couple, but “exes with benefits” has a nice ring to it, at least until I finish my residency. Just once a month.

A Christmas road trip? Disaster ahead, Garrett.

I know I messed up when I broke Rory’s heart eight months ago.

I also know we can’t spend more than ninety minutes together without everything crumbling, and the drive back to Pine Harbour is six times that long. Too bad leaving Rory behind—or for good—just isn’t an option. Whether she likes it or not, I’m her guy. Her ride home.

And when we arrive at her parents’ Christmas tree farm and discover her sister in tears over a breakup of her own, Rory takes one pleading look at me and suddenly I’m her “boyfriend” again. And there’s only one bed....

Fake dating your ex to save Christmas…what could go wrong?

A brand new Christmas rom com that weaves cozy whimsy and sizzling heat throughout a very festive happily ever after from New York Times bestselling author Zoe York!

©2025 Zoe York (P)2025 Zoe York

Sweet and Spicy Second Chance Romance

Garrett and Rory's story is sweet and spicy. It's a charming Christmas second chance romance, and I thoroughly enjoyed the fun family dynamic. Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross did an excellent job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Garrett and Rory

The Ex Mas Break Up is an exes with benefits romantic comedy between once engaged but failed couple, Garrett and Rory. When Rory is to go home for the holidays, she asks Garrett to spend the holidays with her as her fake boyfriend, but Garrett has a different intention as he wants their relationship to be forever. This holiday romantic comedy is a great second chance relationship with amazing characters, emotional ups and downs, a few twists, and a fun but great steamy romance.
I received a copy of this audio book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

ex's with benefits

This was a fun book that has the plot of two people that broke up but keep getting back together for hook ups but what happens with the hook ups turn into something morn. Plenty of steamy scenes.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

An Exes with Benefits Story

The Ex-Mas Break-up is Rory and Garrett’s story, a fake dating story of two exes at the holiday season. Rory and Garrett are exes with benefits, but Rory hasn't told her family that they have broken up. Garrett agrees to pretend to be with Rory when she plans to go home for the holidays. Along the way, they both realize that the chemistry they once had never went away.

There are open door scenes, but there are heartfelt scenes of reconciliation, second chances, and communication between Rory and Garrett. There are humorous moments as well. Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross deliver a great duet narration!

Thank you to Zoe York for the advanced audio copy and the opportunity to read and review the book!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Second Chance Romance

Solid 3.5

I enjoyed the overall experience of this book, though I’ll admit I struggled to fully connect with Rory. I often felt bad for Garret, who seemed to give more emotionally throughout the story. The rom‑com label didn’t quite land for me — I usually expect consistent laughs or at least a lighthearted tone, and this leaned more toward emotional beats than comedic ones. Personally, I would have categorized it as a second‑chance romance with a dash of fake dating.

One thing I did appreciate was their long relationship history before the breakup. It made their reunion feel more grounded and gave their journey back to each other a sense of rediscovery rather than insta‑reconnection.

The narrators made the book - rating 5!

Kai Kennicott & Wren Ross were wonderful choices.

If you enjoy second‑chance stories and/or fake dating tropes, this is definitely one to check out.