that time we kissed under the mistletoe

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: