Under The Mistletoe Collection – slice of holiday magic

Get ready to dive into a festive blend of love, laughter, and heartfelt moments with the Under the Mistletoe Collection. These enchanting holiday romances offer a perfect mix of swoon-worthy heroes, resilient heroines, and the joy of new beginnings. Whether it’s through second chances, childhood bonds, or unexpected sparks, each story delivers its own unique slice of holiday magic.

From sweet and tender moments to laugh-out-loud escapades, the Under the Mistletoe Collection is a celebration of love in all its forms. Curl up by the fire, grab a warm drink, and let these stories remind you of the warmth and wonder the holiday season can bring.

Read my reviews of each book in this delightful collection here:

Cruel Winter with You by by Ali Hazelwood

Synopsis

For two former childhood friends, a blustery winter storm stirs some frosty—and scorching—memories in a delightful short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.

Ali Hazelwood’s Cruel Winter with You is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Review

Cruel Winter With You is a slow-burn, childhood friends-to-lovers romance with a best friend’s brother twist.

The story follows Jamie, who is two years older than Marc and has shared a special bond with him since his birth. She cared for and protected him, even though little Marc was a terror to her best friend—his sister—until their teenage years. As they grew older, the dynamics shifted for Marc, with his feelings for Jamie deepening into something more. However, Jamie dismissed it as a passing infatuation, convinced it would fade over time.

Her hesitation stemmed from a fear of abandonment rooted in her experiences: first with her mother, and later with her father’s string of fleeting relationships. These fears held her back, even as Marc’s love for her remained unwavering.

I loved the chapters exploring their past, beautifully depicting how their relationship evolved throughout their childhood. While Jamie struggled to come to terms with her feelings, Marc’s steadfastness stood out. His matter-of-fact attitude, showing Jamie he could see through her walls and love her unconditionally, was both touching and compelling. Their journey to love felt genuine, heartfelt, and worth the wait.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

Synopsis

A single mother working in a thrift store. A gentle giant farmer who can’t find jeans that fit. When opposites attract, they find themselves making alterations in more ways than one in this smoking-hot short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance.

Tessa Bailey’s Merry Ever After is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Review

Merry Ever After follows Evie, a single mother seeking a fresh start for herself and her son in a small Texas town. Working at a thrift store, she’s trying to launch her designs by upcycling clothes. Romance is the last thing on her mind—until she meets Luke, a local farmer with a towering presence who visits the store in search of jeans that fit his frame. Against her better judgment, Evie designs a custom pair for him, sparking an undeniable attraction that quickly blossoms into love.

I loved how Luke openly admitted his feelings, even clearing up his initial assumption that Evie was married. His care, patience, and determination to ease her doubts and vulnerabilities—shaped by her difficult past—were incredibly touching. From finding the most thoughtful gift for her to giving her the space she needed, Luke’s actions made their love story feel genuine and heartwarming.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

All by My Elf by Olivia Dade

Synopsis

Secret crushes, spicy Christmas treats, heinous holiday traffic, and a fateful snowstorm bring good friends together in a funny, heartfelt short story by bestselling author Olivia Dade.

Nina and William are underpaid adjunct professors at the same university, where winter break is no break at all: ’tis the season to make extra money. When their holiday side hustle has them stranded by a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere, there’s nothing to do but cuddle up for warmth and play a game of Never Have I Ever to pass the time. But in the game of love, secrets never stay secret for long…

Olivia Dade’s All by My Elf is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Review

All By My Elf took me a little time to get into, but Weenie on Wheels turned out to be a hilarious and unique setting for a workplace romance.

The story follows Professor William Dern and Nina, coworkers at a university, who have quietly harbored crushes on each other ever since Nina started working there. William, a reserved and introverted academic, had been growing disillusioned with his stagnant career of six years. But Nina’s arrival brought a spark to his life, even if his shyness kept him from expressing his feelings.

Their dynamic shifts when they’re assigned to work together on a week-long trip in the “mincemeat truck.” A stormy night stuck in traffic becomes the catalyst for them to finally confess their mutual attraction, turning months of tension into a steamy and heartfelt turning point.

I especially loved the portrayal of a plus-size heroine who found her happily-ever-after after a difficult divorce. Nina’s journey was empowering—choosing her education and independence over a marriage to an unappreciative ex-husband who tried to make her choose between her studies and their relationship. Her intelligence and resilience made her a standout character, and I rooted for her every step of the way.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

Synopsis

This Christmas, a hot fireman makes a holiday rescue and sparks fly in this funny, sexy holiday short story by bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur.

When Everleigh Dangerfield’s baking disaster necessitates a call to 911, firefighter Griffin Brantley douses the flames in the kitchen, but the ones he stokes in Everleigh are an entirely different story. Unfortunately, Everleigh’s only visiting and doesn’t do casual hookups, no matter how smoldering the temptation. But Everleigh’s holiday mishaps have just begun. And Griffin is seemingly always on call. If Everleigh is game for a change of plans, he can give her the merriest Christmas of her life.

Alexandria Bellefleur’s Merriment and Mayhem is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Review

I absolutely loved Merriment and Mayhem from the very beginning! Everleigh Dangerfield is a charmingly chaotic protagonist who finds herself in trouble just two days after arriving in town to settle her late grandmother’s affairs. Still grappling with her grief and struggling to take charge of her life, the thought of returning to her lonely existence in Seattle makes her journey all the more poignant.

A series of misadventures brings her face-to-face with Griffin Brantley, a hot and sexy firefighter who seems to appear just when she needs help the most. Griffin doesn’t just rescue her from sticky situations—he helps her navigate the challenges of life itself, ultimately making her reconsider her plans to return to solitude.

I adored the banter, sizzling chemistry, and steamy romance between Everleigh and Griffin. The story also beautifully captures the warmth of a found family and the kindness of a supportive community, all packed into a few delightful pages.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria

Synopsis

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially for a comic book illustrator whose late-night fantasies become real in a festive and flirty short story by bestselling author Alexis Daria.

All Evie Cruz wants for Christmas is a nap. And maybe some ornaments for her naked Christmas tree. And while she’s making a list, she wouldn’t mind unwrapping her sexy upstairs neighbor like a present. Luckily, the building’s Santa-themed party and a surprise sprig of mistletoe give her just the opening she needs to make all her wishes come true.

Alexis Daria’s Only Santas in the Building is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Review

Evie Cruz, a comic illustrator, is navigating life after the loss of her beloved grandmother, whom she cared for during her final years. Forced to leave her grandmother’s home, Evie relocates to a New York apartment building, where she’s buried under deadlines—and her growing infatuation with her upstairs neighbor, Theo Winter. Despite her best efforts, every encounter with Theo turns into a flustered and embarrassed.

Determined to make an impression, Evie sets her sights on the building’s Christmas party, hosted by a neighbor. She also hopes to uncover the identity of the mysterious “Santa” who has been leaving beautiful Christmas tree decorations at her door, bringing a little brightness to her first Christmas without her grandmother.

I loved how both Theo and Evie were secretly drawn to each other, yet miscommunication and self-doubt kept their feelings under wraps. Evie’s vulnerability and insecurities were deeply touching, and it was heartwarming to see her find someone who understood her workaholic nature and loved her for who she was—messy, disorganized, and all. Their journey to happiness felt fast but perfectly sweet, leading to a satisfying happily ever after.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

What to Expect from Under The Mistletoe Collection 

• Heartwarming Romances
• Tropes – From childhood friends-to-lovers to workplace and small-town romances
• Festive Atmosphere
• Empowering Journeys
• Chemistry and Banter
• Steamy Romance
• Uplifting Themes – hope, healing, and the joy of finding where you belong

Have you read this collection or plan to?
Your favorite Holiday Read this season?

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Just in case you missed,,,

• Under The Mistletoe Collection – slice of holiday magic
• Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi – feel good time travel contemporary
• Dubai Diaries: A Week of Adventures and Stunning Sights

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