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Book Review: That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe (Abieville Love Stories #4) by Julie Christianson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 338 pages
Author: Julie Christianson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My holly jolly Christmas just went up in smoke. Literally …

Playing nursemaid to Bradford “Three” Fuller is the last thing I need for Christmas.

But for the next few days, I’m stuck in charge of my ex’s sparkling eyes, his ridiculous abs, and his (mostly) accidental kisses.

I don’t have a choice.

You see, Three’s only hurt because of me. And not like he hurt me a decade ago. Like … I literally concussed the man with a fire extinguisher.

Still, a make-or-break mission for my parents is what brought me back to the small town where he crushed my tender heart in the first place.

And if I screw up, I risk my mother’s approval plus the job at my father’s law firm I’ve worked for my entire life.

So I sure hope Santa stuffs my stocking full of self-control. And a defibrillator.

Because my heart just may be broken by this second chance with Three …

That Time we Kissed Under the Mistletoe is a full-length, closed-door romantic comedy in the Abieville Love Stories series, but the book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

As with all Julie Christianson’s romcoms, you’ll find plenty of sizzling chemistry, but no content beyond kisses.

CUTE AND LIGHT.

Sometimes what you need is a cute holiday romance and this hit that spot for me. I enjoyed the audiobook too (though I struggled with the FMC narrator a little). I haven’t read the other books in this series and had no issues loving on this one. It can easily be read as a standalone.

I loved all of the forced proximity moments for this second chance duo. The small town atmosphere with the holiday cheer was sweet and made for a nice listen. I loved that this was soft. Sara and Three were clearly into each other [again] from the moment they saw each other and I was smitten with the quiet scenes between them.

The lack of third act break-up was perfect. I loved that there was still character growth and tough conversations and the slight build of tension you need, but without the drama that can be oh so frustrating. I was charmed and another great read for my Christmas romance list.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Thorn Season (Thorn Season #1) by Kiera Azar

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Kiera Azar
Publisher: Storytide
Release Date: September 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Shadow and Bone meets The Selection in this first book in Kiera Azar’s sharp, sexy, and twisty debut YA romantasy trilogy!

In the Kingdom of Daradon, a persecuted few are Wielders, in possession of a magical Spectre–a shimmering thread that can extend beyond their visible body to give a loving caress, pick a lock . . . even kill. Feared for this ability, Wielders have always been Hunted.

Alissa Paine, heiress and daughter of a Hunter family . . . is also a Wielder. At eighteen, Alissa knows she’s escaped execution thus far only due to painful self-control and the efforts of her beloved father.

Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal—and caught between two equally dangerous one a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairy-tale prince, who would destroy her if he knew the truth—and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own.

With the threat of discovery lurking around every corner—and romance becoming an increasingly dangerous temptation—Alissa will find that she has more to lose than her secrets. It’s Rose Season at the palace, but to survive she’ll need to become the most vicious of thorns. . . .

Thank you to LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

IT WAS GOOD.

Which honestly, could be the review. It wasn’t a book that STOOD OUT LOUDLY, but that I had an easy time picking up and liking the progression of the plot. I enjoyed the FMC, Alissa, and definitely want to see what happens to her in the next book.

The romance has some great turns though. It kept me on my toes and I love the crisscrossing paths. When it comes to a series, I don’t expect (nor really want) the end game to be in my face, give me some mystery, keep the build coming.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: 12 Days of Mistletoe by Jen Atkinson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 328 pages
Author: Jen Atkinson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 14th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

How to end up in Christmas kissing lessons with your downstairs enemy…

Break apartment rules? Guilty.
Send holiday cards to the downstairs neighbor’s grandma? Done.
Accidentally become said neighbor’s fake girlfriend for a family Christmas photo? Wait, what?

I, Bonnie Miller, am no troublemaker. I’m just an anxious girl trying to keep my emotional support pup in a no-pets apartment building. But my downstairs neighbor is determined to be my personal Grinch and get us both evicted.

Just when I think things can’t get any worse, Elliot Eaton offers me a deal I can’t refuse. Suddenly I’m playing girlfriend and giving mistletoe kisses to my sworn enemy, all to keep my home.

Who knew that breaking one little rule would lead to a fan-mistletoe-tastic holiday?

12 Days of Mistletoe is a closed door, laugh out loud, warm your wintery heart romcom. If you need a book with all the feels, some mistletoe kisses, and lots of holiday spirit, look no further!

LOVED THE ANXIETY REP.

This was my first book by this author and I think I would read another one! I was spouting genuine laughter during those opening scenes and chapters. I loved the fake dating plot and the wildness of Elliot’s family. It’s light and holiday themed with a nice whimsical feel to it.

I don’t always love a meddling grandmother so that one bugged me here and there. Let people kiss on their own terms, ya know?? But I did enjoy the family dynamics on a larger scale.

The anxiety representation was heartfelt too. I connected to many thoughts and feelings from Bonnie and appreciated those dynamics woven into the story too. Not mad at all that I added this to my holiday reads this year.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content Warnings: anxiety attacks (on page)

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Book Review: Silent Heist by Jenessa Fayeth

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 225 pages
Author: Jenessa Fayeth
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 19th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He came for the painting…

Soren Stapley is a professional thief. He is prepared for every scenario and has a plan for every situation.

But he never planned for her.

The painting he needs? It’s being guarded by the woman he once loved and the nine-year-old terror she’s nannying.

What’s worse? He’s not the only one hunting it down.

Christmas is about to get complicated…

…she became his reason to stay.

Maya Perry is out of options. Her job as a nanny is the only thing standing between her and rock bottom, and she’s not about to lose it—not to Arabella Hartwell, a feral child with a Nerf gun she nannies, and definitely not to the thief who shattered her heart. Soren may be charming, but he’s dangerous. And still the guy who broke her heart and apparently learned absolutely nothing about knocking.
It’s only a matter of time before he disappears again, but this time, Maya isn’t going to break.
At least, that’s the plan.

Silent Heist is an adventure filled, closed door, Christmas romantic comedy inspired by Home alone.

I’D REC IT.

Y’all know I go on a big holiday romance quest every year and this one came highly recommended. I really do love reading a Christmas romance that brings a different vibe than the usual and the light heist vibes of this one were fun!

I think what works great for shorter stories like this is that there’s some kind of second chance angle. And this one pulled at my heart strings!! I loved the little mentions and notions to their back story and you could see the chemistry between Maya and Soren from the beginning.

I’m not sure all of the Home Alone antics worked for me? But I know that’s totally a personal preference. For a book set entirely in one location I was impressed at the plot created. I definitely plan to continue reading Jenessa Fayeth’s books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild

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