Under the Mistletoe by Cindy Roland Anderson, Annette Lyon, Julie Coulter Bellon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, & Jennifer Griffith (Review)

Under the Mistletoe Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology Book 14)Under the Mistletoe
(A Timeless Romance Anthology)
by Cindy Roland Anderson, Annette Lyon, Julie Coulter Bellon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, & Jennifer Griffith
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 307 Pages
October 15th 2015 by Mirror Press
Summary

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection. Six contemporary novellas, all adding sweet romance to the Christmas season. 

In the enchanting novella FORGOTTEN KISSES by Cindy Roland Anderson, costume designer Madison Taylor has no love lost when the male lead playing Sir Lancelot in a TV series is fired. She couldn’t stand working with him anyway. But when she discovers who his replacement is, her heart nearly stops. Caleb Matthews is one of the hottest male actors ever… and not to mention Madison’s former boyfriend. When things got too serious between them, everything fell apart. And now, Madison must play nice or lose her job. She just has to forget all of the reasons she’d fallen for him in the first place.

In THE LAST CHRISTMAS, a sweet romance novella by Annette Lyon, Meredith only has to make it through the Christmas holiday pretending that she and her husband Eric aren’t on the verge of divorce. She doesn’t want to ruin the holiday for her two grown daughters and their boyfriends. But when Eric hurries home after weeks of living in a motel to unpack before their daughters arrive, he starts pressing Meredith with questions about why she filed for divorce. The last thing Meredith wants to do it give Eric a second chance, but it seems that Eric is not willing to let her go without trying to win her back.

In Julie Coulter Bellon’s captivating novella TRUTH OR DARE After a year of recovery, wounded war veteran Jonah Harrison comes home for Christmas. No longer the outgoing high school track star, he just wants to be left alone, away from well-meaning friends and neighbors. But when a blizzard strands him with Cami Jackson—the girl who once knew him best—he can’t hide anything from her, no matter how much he wants to. Cami has a wounded heart of her own, though, and it might take a Christmas miracle for them to find the healing they both long for and the courage to reach for a chance at love.

In the charming novella HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST by Sarah M. Eden, Celeste Lagorio has officially given up on Christmas. A single mother, with her children grown and unable to return for the holiday, Celeste determines to take a break from everything. When her single neighbor and almost-best-friend, Mike Durham, discovers her non-plans, they discuss things they’ve always wanted to do, but never had time. Mike and Celeste put together a friendly competition of checking off the things on their bucket list, all the while drawing closer and discovering they have more in common than they thought.

In CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY, a delightful novella by Heather B. Moore, Monica is on the verge of buying her dream store, but when she tells her boyfriend, he turns it into an embarrassing public argument. Heartbroken, but determined to follow her dream, she goes to her employer’s Christmas party to play Mrs. Claus, only to be paired with someone unexpected. A young Mr. Claus who is the complete opposite of her ex-boyfriend in all the most important ways. Yet, Monica is not sure she can risk opening her heart again.

In Jennifer Griffith’s exciting novella FIRST (AND LAST) CHRISTMAS DATE, pilot Juliet Law has been in a holding pattern, dating the wrong guy, until she gets a holiday shake-up: old flame Tag McClintock e-mails her to ask for second date—after ten years. Their first date, back in high school, had been an unmitigated disaster culminating with Pepto Bismol and the police. Still, Juliet would have gone out with Tag again the next day—and the next—had he asked. So now that he’s finally popping up in her in-box again, Juliet must decide whether to say yes to the date, even if it puts her at risk of another decade of carrying a torch for Tag McClintock. Will their second date be their last?

 

You can see my other reviews here for other releases in A Timeless Romance Anthology line.

My Review

UNDER THE MISTLETOE was such a fun, sweet, and romantic set of novellas! Perfect for holiday reading or anytime of the year when you need a little bit of that feeling of home, family, and love that seems to permeate the holidays. There was plenty of heart here, as well as friendship, family, first romance, and rekindled love.

FORGOTTEN KISSES by Cindy Roland Anderson. This was an all out entertaining and fun story! The guy has an English accent, is rich and handsome, and then charming as well. The girl is feisty, loyal, sweet, and pretty. I loved how they both are both enamored and caring towards the baby, how they don't flaunt, and how deep down they still hope for love.

THE LAST CHRISTMAS by Annette Lyon. This one was so heartbreaking. I loved how the characters came alive, how the situation wasn't perfect, but that the characters had to work things through and put their hopes and fears on the line. It was touching and sweet and beautiful.

TRUTH OR DARE by Julie Coulter Bellon. This story definitely made me want to warm up by my own fire for some cuddling and sweet kisses. I loved how the characters challenged each other. I liked that they had an old friendship and history that was a still there when they see each other after several years that propelled them into something more. It was a quick transition, but I still found it very sweet.

HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST by Sarah M. Eden. This was another really fun story about two next-door neighbors living alone with their kids all grown up, but who have been attracted to each other for some time. I had to laugh at the moments with Celeste's daughter and her comments on the situation. A definite feel-good story.

CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY by Heather B. Moore. I wasn't sure about the heroine in this one until she finally gets smart enough to lose the boyfriend. I loved the hero from the first time we meet him on the page to the very end. They were a great combination and you could definitely feel the chemistry. It had a very sweet ending.

FIRST (AND LAST) CHRISTMAS DATE by Jennifer Griffith. This story was quite hilarious while also filled with chemistry between the two main characters. It was a fun plot with the hero, Tag, trying to create the perfect date for his old best friend, Juliet, who he has secretly loved for years. Nothing goes as planned, but Juliet has secretly loved him just as long. Plenty of sweet moments and laughs.

Overall, I enjoyed every single story in the set. There was a little bit of holiday charm, a little heartbreak, a lot of chemistry, sweet moments, and happily-ever-after endings that left a smile on my face.


Content: Clean

Source: Received a complimentary copy through ebooksforreview.com, which did not affect my review in any way.


Do you enjoy novella collections like this one?

No comments

Post a Comment

I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.