Review of Mistletoe in Paradise by Jill Shalvis

Book summary courtesy of Avon

Old childhood friends each fly separately to join their families on what’s been an annual holiday themed yacht adventure. Secret ex-lovers, Hannah and James are determined to make the best of things…


Problem Number Two – Getting Stuck.

When everyone but Hannah and James gets held up in an airport snarl, it leaves them stuck together for four days, making Hannah’s already problematic trip a whole lot harder to face. Especially because she comes bearing more than just gifts…


Problem Number Three -- Falling In Love (again)

As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize that the best things in life can’t be planned and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.

My Review

I received an ARC of Jill's novella in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Having been an avid reader of Jill's for a number of years I knew that this was going to be another great novel just by reading the novella description. 

Jill did a great job as always adding in romance, humor and seriousness in her book. This is something that I now expect out of her books and she has yet to disappoint. 

I really enjoyed the storyline as it moved at a steady pace and kept me drawn in and wanting to know what was going to happen. 

I rarely say this but I don't think there is anything that I would change about this novel other than maybe make it longer as I really enjoyed the story. :) 

I recommend this book to readers who are looking for a quick holiday romance read but area also looking for a mix of humor, romance and seriousness. 

Can't wait for the next novel from Jill. 

Review of Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne

Book Summary Courtesy of Harlequin 

This New Year will bring widowed nurse Abigail Powell a fresh start in a different city. Excited about the chance to create an unforgettable Christmas for her young son in picturesque Silver Bells, Colorado, Abby has been hired to take care of her dear friend’s recuperating grandmother. But sprightly senior Winnie insists she doesn’t need looking after. What she does need is help decorating her historic mansion, Holiday House, for a seasonal town fundraiser. Abby warms to the festive task, but she’ll have to contend with her own personal Grinch: Winnie’s prickly grandson, Ethan Lancaster.

Ethan Lancaster is good at a lot of things. Relationships surely aren’t one of them. His ex-fiancée convinced Ethan he was incapable of love, and he believes her…up until the moment he impulsively kisses Abby. What is it about this vibrant woman and her sweet son that knocks his world off-kilter? He knows they’re leaving town after Christmas. He just didn’t expect they’d be taking a little of his heart with them. But as he and Abby work together on the magical Holiday House through the record cold weather, visions of a different future dance in his head…one filled with warmth, love and a new beginning for them both.

My Review

I received an ARC of RaeAnne's Christmas book Holiday House in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Having read previous books of RaeAnne's I knew what to expect in when it came to writing style and character development. However, each book always tackles a new real life struggle that a reader could be going through.

I really enjoyed that in addition to her main characters she also added a sub love story with Ethan's sister and best friend. I think this added something different to your typical holiday romance books out there. She did a great job through out the story transition between the characters stories effortlessly with out it being choppy. 

In regards to the actual storyline I really connected with this story on a personal note being that I recently lost my grandmother and it reminded me of the times that we spent together. 

I think this is a great stand alone novel but could definitely see her making it into a series. 

I recommend this book to readers who are looking for a holiday romance but also a heartfelt story of loss and finding love again.