Shawna

2.5 rounded down.

This book wasn't what expected. Going in blind gets me again.

This book covers a lot of heavy topics, cancer, death, depression, bipolar disorder, bullying. So it isn't a light read at all.

Although both MCs have backstories that impact their personalities, neither is super likeable. The MMC was less annoying to me, but the FMC seemed so disengaged and self centered.

There were to many disagreements and things that seemed unforgivable for them to end up together. They should have been deal breakers, it didn't seem like their personalities matched.

1.5 rounded up.

I am embarrassed this is on my Goodreads. I've never seen so many fetishes put into one book. It wasn't a contemporary romance, it was erotica.

The story would have been sort of good, if there was more of it, but we didn't get enough of that, because we were too busy trying to see how many sex acts we could get in the book.

The corny puns/plays on words were too much. We had sexy acts like “White Christmas” and a “Dirty Santa”. There was pregnancy kinks, group sex... Cringey nicknames. (Some were good, most were cringe)

That said, I didn't DNF and read in one day, but I wouldn't recommend. Lol

3.75 rounded up.

I loved the premise of the book, and the couple was a lot more likeable than last year's The Christmas Wager.

It was nice that it was a romance, but there was a focus and growth and relearning to be yourself after a big life change.

I liked how it was obvious the characters were being themselves when with each other.

A sweet story for the holidays.

3.5 rounded down.

I thought this book was cute and I like a second chance romance when the thing that originally pulled them apart isn't something that should be, insurmountable.

Their slow burn and banter was great, the forced proximity was fun, and the ending was sweet.

There was a lot about this book I enjoyed, however, it was way to long, and if you are looking for a fluffy light Christmas read this is not it.

Most of the characters are kind of unlikeable, but the main love story is sweet. There are some dark themes, so not great for everyone.

I don't understand why this book isn't getting more love, I thought it was great.

I loved both MCs, I liked the love story, I like the growth in each character. I thought the expected conflict although predictable was also believable.

Also, I like Dream Harbour and all the side characters. I really hope I see Iris as a FMC in a future book.

3.5 rounded up.

I really enjoyed Sam and Wren's story. High school sweethearts, second chance romance. No huge miscommunication as a misunderstanding.

I don't love tropes that deal with pregnancy, planned/surprise/trap, but the love story between these two was sweet.

It was the best spice in any of the mistletoe series in my opinion.

It also ran in a parallel timeline to books one and two, but because they weren't main side characters in those books, the overlap wasn't as bothersome as it was in book two.

3.5 rounded down

There are things I really liked about this book and other things that really bothered me.

The main thing that annoyed me was it was running parallel to Book 1. So there was a lot of overlap and I knew how certain things were going to unfold. This really took me out of the story.

I loved the main FMC. I found her very likeable. She has a quick wit and there was really good banter between her and the MMC.

2.5 stars rounded down.

This book just wasn't it for me. I didn't find any of the main characters very likeable. I found the book felt long, like it drug on, and there was no real humour in it.

I loved It Had to Be You, but this one, which I expected to be more like Love Actually in book form, fell flat.

All storylines are same sex, which doesn't really match the cover. I love love, it doesn't matter to me who is falling, but these stories felt a little forced.

Also, there is a plot line with medical issues, and as someone with the same issue, I didn't love how it was represented.

3.5 rounded down.

So, I'd like to say the majority of my books are like 80% romance and 20% spice.

This book was not that! It's atleast 50% spicy. At a minimum. And although it was enjoyable, it is one where you'd need to be careful who you recommended it to.


The spice was good, hot and varied.
The family of the FMC was adorable. I can only assume there will be a book two about her brother.
As much slow burn build up as there can be in a novel this short.
Brothers best friend.

I will note that this is the second book I've read recently where a main character is a audio book voiceover guy type for a job, and although it's okay, I feel like it's a trope I will get tired of. Just like I don't love reading books where the main character is a writer.

2.75 stars rounded up.

If you loved the 90s classic While You Were Sleeping this might be for you, because it's almost the same storyline.

I didn't think this was done as well. I found a lot of the characters a little flat, and the “bad” guy was forgiven so fast even though he seemed to be a real dick. There was no spice and little humor. It was a traditional holiday romance.

This book was enjoyable but long. I feel like all the tiktok hype might be giving it unrealistic expectations.

The best part was side character Max, I hope he gets his own book, or a novella. I loved him.

There was some spicy scenes and the plot of a Christmas competition is always a fun one. However I really think it was dragged out a little too long.

A reverse grumpy sunshine, which I enjoy. And even though the MMC is “alot”, he is sweet.

The ex-con thing was something I didn't expect from a Christmas book, but I thought it was handled well, except the past life drama I thought was a little draggy.

I really enjoyed the epilogue. Aiden showed how sweet he can be.

Also, as guaranteed with Tessa, there was some very nice spice.

3.5 rounded up.

I really enjoy the town of mistletoe and I'm glad there.is a new trilogy about some of the characters that were loveable in the first three books.

I enjoy Codi Hall's writing, and I liked the banter and the storyline here. Both MCs were likeable, and I enjoyed that the FMC was plus sized, however I didn't love how.often it was brought up. Some mentions were important to the plot, but it got really repetitive. Also, the MMC although sweet, thoughtful and ambitious has a streak of toxic masculinity that if outside of the pages of a book, wouldn't be attractive.

3.5 rounded down.

This was an audio book, and I loved the MMCs voice, there was good banter and the romance between the leads was good.

But it is just another Christmas rom com, and although funny and enjoyable, there were many cringy moments and what I would say was the main twist was extremely obvious. Normally I love side characters but in this book, I felt they were too much and distracted from a cute romance..

I wanted to love this book, and although there was so decent banter and cuteness at moments, overall it seemed more serious than what I was looking for in a contemporary holiday romance.

Themes of Narcissistic Partners, trust issues, therapy, and what I would call borderline emotional parental abuse seemed out of place.

I thought this one was really cute and a little different. I enjoyed the thought of most of the building knowing what was going on and the buildup.

This is another novella where I felt completely satisfied. A lfrienemies to lovers with a wee bit of second chance and a snowstorm.

I really enjoyed the MMC. I thought he was charming and sweet.

I absolutely loved this novella and I will wish it was a full length book.

Cute story, good banter.

This is probably a 4 to 5 star book for a lot of people, and I don't blame them.

I went into this book blind, as I always do, and expected a cute, funny, single dad, fluffy holiday romance.

That is not what this is.

This is a story that has ups and down. Talks about disease and death. And although heartwarming, personally, it just wasn't what I was looking for.

3.5 rounded down.

Cute story and a cute array of side characters. This is another one for me that is very much like a hallmark movie and it didn't get hugely Christmas vibes from it. Although it takes place around Christmas, it wasn't overly festive.

3.5 rounded down.

Not a bad little mystery/thriller.

Very... Lucy Foley-esque for me. Dual timelines and a group of main characters with trust issues and questionable morals, tied together by a missing girl.

3.5 rounded down

I thought this was a cute story, not overly Christmas-y, but a unique plot.

Some people don't love Novellas, my best friend being one of them, but I felt like this gave me lots to like, even in a condensed format.

Firstly, pregnancy is right in the title, so I knew what I was getting into, but I don't love a book that centers around a pregnancy.... Surprise or fake. But I wanted to read this one to finish the series.

I felt for a short book, there was a lot of repetition of information, which meant we didn't get as much depth in characters as I would have hoped.

This book was only okay for me. When I read a novella, I like it to feel like I read a whole book, and this one just didn't give me that vibe.

This is a romance between two MMCs, which I always find an interesting read, but the story felt flimsy for me and I only enjoyed one of the characters.