*I received a free copy of The Trouble with Mistletoe from Avon via Edelweiss. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis Series: Heartbreaker Bay #2
Published by Avon on 27 September 2016
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
If she has her way ...
Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her ...
He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.
Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him ...
Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice ...
Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work ...
The Trouble with Mistletoe was a great story, with characters who already feel like close friends of mine, and a romance that made me blush.
Friendship, romance, blast from the past and pet-goodness… What’s not to love, right? The Trouble with Mistletoe managed to mix romance, hotness and sweetness to a near perfect mix, and I really enjoyed the characters, both the new ones, and those I already met in Sweet Little Lies. Willa felt slighted ever since her teenage years because of Keane, but never once had she tried to see things from his perspective. I loved how he tried to make friends with his great-aunt’s cat, and how that same cat brought him back into Willa’s orbit. A more stubborn woman isn’t easy to find, but I loved that she had her principles, even when they were slightly skewed. And she did end up being able to take a step back and see things from a different angle in the end.
Keane is the kind of romance hero I just love to read about. Manly, strong, independent – but still kind hearted, open-minded and romantic. The fact that he took in the cat, and also got to know his great-aunt better really did say a lot about what kind of man he was! And Willa unconsciously realized this from the start – even if she was fighting her attraction with everything she had. The fact that Keane already knew some of Willa’s friends added to the feel-good aspect of the story in The Trouble with Mistletoe, and it also brought to the forefront what I enjoy so much about Shalvis’ writing! The friendships continue to be front and center even when there is a strong romance going on.
Written in third person, past tense, and with some very witty dialogues, all the friends had important roles to play, even while Willa and Keane remained the main characters. The pace was well done, and I enjoyed how Keane dealt with his problems – and his ‘problems’ – especially how he managed to help his parents out, even if they had always made him feel unwanted and inadequate. I am already eager for the next Heartbreaker Bay novel, and urge you to get your hands on this one when you can!
“Ohmigod,” Rory said, staring at their newest cash register display. “Is that a rack of penis headbands?”
“No!” Willa laughed. “It’s reindeer-antler headbands for dogs.”
Rory stared at her.
Willa grimaced. “Okay, so maybe I went a little crazy – “
A guy stood on the other side of the glass, mouth grim, expression dialed to Tall, Dark and Attitude-ridden. He was something too, all gorgeous and broody and – hold up. There was something familiar about him, enough that her feet propelled forward out of pure curiosity.
When Keane had returned for Petunia the other night, she’d been with a client so she hadn’t had to deal with him.
But she’d made sure to look her fill. And that bothered her. How could she like looking at him so much? Maybe it was because he was so inherently male and virile he could’ve walked right off the cover of Alpha Male magazine, if such a thing had existed.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: BerlsS
I have this one on my Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon list, but I don’t think I realized it was book 2. Guess I need to read book one soon then! So glad you enjoyed it. I just love books with a big emphasis on friendships. Happy Monday Lexxie! *Hugs*
You can read this as a stand-alone if you want to, Berls, although since the first one was really good too, I think you should pick it up as well 🙂
Happy Monday to you, too {{hugs}}
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
The first book in this series was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. I will have to put this one on my list. 🙂
YAY for enjoying your first Shalvis novel, Stormi!
I am seriously loving this series, Lexxie and it makes me so happy that others are too. 🙂 It’s so wonderfully charming and I adore all the characters. And yes to all the friendships! They are amazing and truly make this series stand out. 🙂
Lovely review, Lexxie!
First of all, it’s SO nice to ‘see’ you, Nick 🙂 I hope you had a great trip!
I am a huge fan of Shalvis, there is always several things I love about her stories 🙂
I don’t remember how many times I said that I was going to try this author… I really should do it!!!
Yeah, I know the feeling, Melliane 🙂 I hope you’ll find the time soon.
I loved Keane too. And how he took in his aunt’s cats. It was the sweetest most adorable thing.
I know, right? That was just adorable 🙂
Twitter: Irena_BookDust
ohh, I want to read this author for some time now…
As I understood, this can be read as a standalone? I have no idea where to start when it comes to her books.
I really like festive reads so this would probably be good for me…
Yes Irena, this can be read like a stand alone without any trouble at all. It’s very well done, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!
I
I cannot wait for my kindle to update this week so I can load this one. I have it and I recently discovered my love for Jill Shalvis so I absolutely cannot wait!
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, LilY!
This sounds like a fun read. And a Christmas theme.. Sigh.. I love that it’s okay to read Christmas themed books again 😀
It was a fun read, Maureen. And who says you can’t read Christmas themed books? I hope you’ll be able to pick it up 🙂
Twitter: ailynk
I want to be a cat sitter for this guy! sounds super cool
Yeah, that cat was really something, Ailyn!
I loved this one! Keane was definitely hot lol But the cat stole the show for sure. ~Aleen
The cat was awesome 🙂
So many people are loving this. I think I might make this my holiday read.
Jill Shalvis is awesome, her stories have perfect balance between friendships and romance, hotness and sweetness 🙂
Twitter: talksupeblog
I love it when the author includes pets and make them part of the cast. It’s just so cute!
I agree, and here, the cat really had an important role, too 🙂
You gotta love a man who can love a cat! 😉 Keane sounds like my kind of hero as well, Lex, but I really like that Willa was able to take a step back from things and see a different perspective. That’s always hard but I appreciate doing so even though she stood strong as well. Maybe I’ll get some Shalvis in during the next few months!
Happy Wednesday, wifey!! <3 *BIG HUGS* <3
I am going to have to really twist your arm on this one, Brandee! You remember you told me yesterday that you wished I had been a little more forceful when it came to Tucker? Well, you go get a Shalvis novel up on your device right now and start reading, OK? *waits for Brandee to open the book* Do you have it now? Get back to me when you’ve finished reading 😉
Wife, I solemnly vow to read Shalvis once I’ve finished my current read. I was in the mood for vampires so I’m reading The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason. 🙂 But seriously, Shalvis will be next. You have my word. *smooches*
WooHoo, wife! I am going to hold you to that, though… *sets up stalking feature on Goodreads*
Vampires is good to read about every now and then, I’d even go as far as to say it’s necessary to read about vampires sometimes 😉 {{{smooches and hugs}}}
Twitter: kbaby81
Saw this one everywhere yesterday and everyone seems to love it so far. I’ll have to add it to my maybe-holiday-read list. It’s already packed with Thanksgiving/Christmas romances already. Great review!
It was so good, Lekeisha. I hope you’ll be able to add it to your holiday read list. It’s really one of those stories that you need for your Christmas mood!