Review of Mistletoe Mischief by Stacey Joy Netzel

Title: Mistletoe Mischief (Romancing Wisconsin Series, #1)
Author: Stacey Joy Netzel
Pages: 91
Source: Free from Amazon (Obtained on 12/19/12)
Format: ebook
Rating: 3 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Christmas in July at the zoo is the last place single parents Eric Riley and Marissa Wilder expect to find love. Thanks to some mistletoe mischief in the form of their two young daughters and Santa, they discover mistletoe rules were not made to be broken

Being from Wisconsin myself, when I came across a new series called Romancing Wisconsin I knew it was something I had to check out.

Mistletoe Mischief was a fun twist on the traditional holiday read;  the story took place in the summer while the zoo was celebrating Christmas in July.  This story still had the feeling of a holiday romance, but there was the added bonus of a campfire and smores which I personally think make any story better...and now I'm craving some.  (Think I can dig through the snow to find the fire pit?)

The sparks fly when Marissa and Eric meet, but because of the dreaded misunderstanding things don't get off to the best start.  Personally, I think a lot of romances have this plot line of a miscommunication lately.  Sure without this miscommunication there wouldn't have been a story, but in a novel/novella as short as this one the whole plot is based on this miscommunication.  I wish there would have been a little more substance to the the storygiving us something else to focus on.

While the plot wasnt my favorite, the characters were fun in this story.  Despite the short length, I felt you started to see into their personalities and who they would grow into.  While the romance was a bit insta-romance (or at least insta-infatuation), I was cheering for these two to make it.

If you're looking for a holiday read with a twist, Mistletoe Mischief may just be the book for you.
  

Review of Home for the Holidays by Christine Lynxwiler

Title: Home for the Holidays
Author: Christine Lynxwiler
Source: Obtained from Amazon for free (12/19/12)
Format: ebook
Rating: 2.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: A heartwarming Christmas novella about true friendship, helping those in need, and falling in love. . .

What's a girl to do when she falls in love with her lifelong best friend? Small town librarian Lauren Forrester moves to St. Louis so that handsome contractor Jeffrey Warren can find a wife without having to deal with Lauren's moods. But when Jeffrey shows up on her doorstep to convince her to come home for a country Christmas, will the hardheaded pair lose their friendship or find something even more precious?

With the end of the holidays slowly approaching and the reality of five day work weeks in the forecast, I thought it was time to throw in a couple last holiday reads. 

This was a cute and light holiday story.  Lauren has been in love with her best friend for awhile, so when he starts showing serious interest in finding a wife she can't handle seeing him with other women and she flees.  While I don't necessarily see moving two hours away as a solution, I think what she did was realistic.  I understand her need to separate herself from Jeff so as not to ruin the friendship with her feelings.  Lauren was a very kind person with a big heart.  She was willing to help out those in need without anything in return.  I admired this quality in her and thought this was a great addition for a holiday read.

Jeff on the other hand, was a bit clueless.  He's had a hard past and is not willing to give people the benefit of the doubt.  I think he genuinely has a kind heart, but has a hard time looking past his own grief to use it to help others. 

As for the story there wasn't much sustenance to it.  I think if the main conflict would have been more the focus then I would have enjoyed it more.  The story was predictable and like a lot of novels out there would have been resolved earlier if only the main characters talked to each other instead of hid their feelings, but I guess the story would have been a lot shorter than. 

Do you enjoy reading seasonal stories?  If so, what are your favorites?

Review of Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Title: Let It Snow
Authors: John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
Published by: Speak
Pages: 352
Source: Library
Format: Paperback
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads:  Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

Three authors, three stories, and all the joy of the holiday season wrapped up in one book.

John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle each wrote a short story about one Christmas Eve.  I have to say that John Green's story was great.  As always his characters were realistic and a bit edgy.  The story had a little more mush than I'm used in his writing, but it fit the overall feel of the book.  Plus sometimes a little romance is just what is needed on these chilly winter nights. 

Maureen Johnson starts off the novel with her short story.  While at times I had a hard time believing everything was true, I was still invested in the story and the characters.  It was a great way to start off the novel because it truly felt like I was reading a Holiday romance...just not one that I may have expected in YA literature.

The final story by Lauren Myracle was my least favorite.  I had a hard time with the main character.  I though she was selfish, self-absorbed and just not a very nice person.  I understand the story was more about her growing as a person, but I never really ended up liking her.

The best thing about this book is that all the stories are connected in multiple ways.  It's not just one place or character that overlap, there are multiple characters and scenarios that are repeated in a new light in each story.  I'm not sure how these three authors worked it out, but it was genius!  I only wish there were more books like this out there.