Ex-mas by Kate Brian
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
From: publisher
Interest: cover & plot & author
Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith’s parents just left for vacation, and Lila’s all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa.Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler’s older brother, Beau — a.k.a. Lila’s musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend.
It’ll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love…all over again?
Three words; cutest thing ever!
I’ve never read a novel by Kate Brian, which I’m pretty sure is a felony in the YA lit. world. I’ve never even read any of Kieran’s books! For those of you who don’t know, Kate Brian is a pen name/pseudonym that author Kieran Scott writes under. (Which is a lot more common than you would think!) Anyway, I’ve really been looking forward to reading a Kate Brian novel and then when I saw the synopsis for Ex-mas, I knew this was my chance!
This was one of the cutest feel good books I’ve read in such a long time. And it was just what I was looking for. I’ve been in this serious-tone-book-mode and I needed something light. Now ordinarily I’d call something like this light and fluffy, but while the overall tone of the story is light, there is some deep elements to the novel too.
Writing was fantastic and simplistic, plot flowed nicely, and characterization was great. It’s a little bit on the predictable side, actually it’s not a little predictable, it’s predictable… period. But it’s still really fun to read and watch these two characters. I’m getting those feel good vibes just writing this review and thinking about it!
Definitely recommend this for something cute, fast and fun! Would make an excellent gift for the holidays too!



On Friday, October 23rd 2009
pirate penguin
Kieran also wrote the Non-Blonde cheerleader books (which are really cute!) I didn't know that she wrote another Christmas-sy book. She wrote Jingle Boy under her real name and it's also about Christmas
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Mary Anne Gruen
The title is very cute too! It sounds like the perfect book to cuddle up with on a cold afternoon near Christmas when you want to relax and feel the good holiday feelings.
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com
This sounds SO cute. I can't wait to read it!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
pirate penguin
Kieran also wrote the Non-Blonde cheerleader books (which are really cute!) I didn't know that she wrote another Christmas-sy book. She wrote Jingle Boy under her real name and it's also about Christmas
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Mary Anne Gruen
The title is very cute too! It sounds like the perfect book to cuddle up with on a cold afternoon near Christmas when you want to relax and feel the good holiday feelings.
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
I Heart Monster
Thinking I need this one! Thanks for the review!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com
This sounds SO cute. I can't wait to read it!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
I Heart Monster
Thinking I need this one! Thanks for the review!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
B.A.M. Book Reviews
This book sounds adorable. It sounds like the perfect book to read while there is a blizzard outside and you have hot chocolate. The synopsis is cute, and the cover is very adorable. Nice review!
-Arielle
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
B.A.M. Book Reviews
This book sounds adorable. It sounds like the perfect book to read while there is a blizzard outside and you have hot chocolate. The synopsis is cute, and the cover is very adorable. Nice review!
-Arielle
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Olivia.
You should really read the Private Series soon. It wouldn't take you that long. There really good. I can't wait to read Ex-Mas. I love Kate Brian books
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
prophecygirl
Just ordered a copy of this, it sounds great. Thanks Kristi!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Olivia.
You should really read the Private Series soon. It wouldn't take you that long. There really good. I can't wait to read Ex-Mas. I love Kate Brian books
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
prophecygirl
Just ordered a copy of this, it sounds great. Thanks Kristi!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
brizmus
This sounds great – I love predictable books! Especially when christmas is involved!
(I've actually never heard of the author)
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
brizmus
This sounds great – I love predictable books! Especially when christmas is involved!
(I've actually never heard of the author)
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Steph Su
Ooh, nice. I've been wondering about this book. I'll definitely look into it when I need a light read. It seems like you'll LOVE her book, Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys as well. You should definitely read that!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Ursina
Sounds awesome, great review!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Steph Su
Ooh, nice. I've been wondering about this book. I'll definitely look into it when I need a light read. It seems like you'll LOVE her book, Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys as well. You should definitely read that!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Lauren
This book sounds so cute! I actually saw it at Barnes and Noble the other week, but didn't get it because I thought it wouldn’t be that great. Though, now after seeing your thoughts on it, I think I may give it a chance after all. Thanks for the review!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Ursina
Sounds awesome, great review!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Lauren
This book sounds so cute! I actually saw it at Barnes and Noble the other week, but didn't get it because I thought it wouldn’t be that great. Though, now after seeing your thoughts on it, I think I may give it a chance after all. Thanks for the review!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Bookworm
This book sounds so cute! I'll probably pick it up around Christmastime! And I love the cover…it really makes me want to eat candy canes.
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Bookworm
This book sounds so cute! I'll probably pick it up around Christmastime! And I love the cover…it really makes me want to eat candy canes.
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Thao
I can't wait to get this book. Gotta save it for Christmas Day read. I love stories like this!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Thao
I can't wait to get this book. Gotta save it for Christmas Day read. I love stories like this!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Thao
I can't wait to get this book. Gotta save it for Christmas Day read. I love stories like this!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Thao
I can't wait to get this book. Gotta save it for Christmas Day read. I love stories like this!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Jessica Lawlor
Thank you for letting me know about this one! I just finished Brian's Private series and LOVED it!
On Friday, October 23rd 2009
Jessica Lawlor
Thank you for letting me know about this one! I just finished Brian's Private series and LOVED it!