Today for Fiction Friday I’m sharing my book recommendation for Mistletoe Season, a charming Christmas romance novella collection with stories from Pepper Basham, Kathleen Fuller and Sheila Roberts that’s releasing on October 8, 2024.
Here’s the Book Description:
Return to Mistletoe by Kathleen Fuller
Emmy Banks has always loved Christmas. How could she not when she lives in Mistletoe, Missouri? Kieran O’Neill has spent years abroad, renovating an old Irish castle, but returns to Mistletoe for his mother’s seventieth birthday. He reconnects with Emmy, his sister’s close friend, and spends time with her in her charming antique shop. When the weather turns colder, things start to warm up between Emmy and Kieran. But can Emmy risk her heart when she knows he’ll never stay in Mistletoe, and she will never leave?
The Mistletoe Prince by Pepper Basham
Prince Arran St. Clare has lost his freedom and fairytale life in exchange for a three-month “punishment” in the small town of Ransom, North Carolina. To prove he is ready for the royal life for which he was born, Arran must engage in the Christmas charity fundraiser, The Mistletoe Wish. But when kindness, authenticity, and hard work prove more appreciated in Appalachia than a royal pedigree, Arran must face the mirror and find out who he is beyond the crown. Add a beautiful and intelligent woman who doesn’t recognize her own worth, some mistletoe, and a little Christmas magic and it all might be enough to help the rebel-prince understand what truly matters most.
Say No to Mistletoe by Sheila Roberts
Mistletoe is Hailey Fairchild’s kryptonite. Every time she’s kissed someone under the mistletoe it’s led to love disaster. Not a good thing for a romance writer! When she was a gawky high school girl, her hunky neighbor, Carwyn Davies, star of the basketball team (and her dreams), kissed her under the mistletoe on a dare. But the kiss wasn’t a dream come true. It was a mortifying moment she’s never forgotten, and now she’s about to go home for the holidays, unengaged and . . . determined to say no to mistletoe. Especially if Carwyn is anywhere around.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading the three inspirational Christmas romance novellas that each include a fun mistletoe story element.
Return to Mistletoe by Kathleen Fuller
I read the novella collection in order, starting with Emmy and Kieran’s sweet second chances romance story. Years ago, Kieran needed a last minute fill in date for his high school prom and invited Emmy, his younger sister’s best friend. Emmy had a big crush on Kieran in high school and now he’s back in Mistletoe for the first time in twenty plus years. Emmy owns an antique store and she finds Kieran’s Irish charm hard to resist. His life is in Ireland and she’s a single parent with responsibilities in the US. I enjoyed their fun and heartwarming Christmas romance story.
The Mistletoe Prince by Pepper Basham
Pepper’s story featuring Charlotte and Prince Arran from Skymar is the reason I wanted to read the novella collection. I loved Pepper’s royalty romances series set in Skymar. Luke and Ellie, from Loyally Luke, are side characters and it was so fun to vist with them in North Carolina. The meet cute between Charlotte and Arran is ridiculous and memorable for all the wrong reasons. Arran’s trying to overcome his reputation as a royal rogue and make better life choices. He isn’t looking for romance and Charlotte has her reasons for not believing a real life prince would be interested in wooing her. Their friends-to-more royalty romance is sweet and includes a light faith element in the story.
Say No to Mistletoe by Sheila Roberts
Hailey is a romance author who lives in NYC and she’s returning home to Cascade, Washington, for Christmas. She has bookish events lined up in town, including a book signing and a visit to her old high school. She isn’t happy being single and has a fear of mistletoe after multiple disasters in the past. Her high school crush, Carwyn, was her first mistletoe kiss disaster, and he’s now the high school principal who happens to be single. I like second chance teenage crush romances and enjoyed Hailey and Carwyn’s cute Christmas romance story.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
