Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

Top positive review

When Keane meets the adorable shop owner

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2017

Willa Davis runs her own pet shop and supply company and not only helps animals in anyway she can, but also those who she employs. Having a rough life of her own for so long, she can’t help but take others under her wing and get them on their feet.

Keane Winters runs his own contracting and construction company. Always on the move and always working on a project, he doesn’t expect a long-lost aunt to show up with her devil of a cat for him to look after. In need of some serious help (and maybe a permanent pet sitter), Keane finds himself in Willa’s store.

When Keane meets the adorable shop owner, he can’t help but notice her attitude. What he doesn’t know (or can’t seem to remember) is that Willa is part of his past. Unlike Keane, Willa knows and remembers exactly who he is, and how he had snubbed her so long ago. She may be just as attracted to him now as she once was, but she refuses to fall for his charms and let him hurt her again.

The more Willa snubs him, the more intrigued Keane becomes with her. He needs to figure out why she seems familiar to him, and why she seems so upset by his presence. The more they’re thrown together, the more difficult it becomes for them to fight their feelings for one another. They may have a past to dig through and sort out, but once they do, they’re free to discover their potential.

This was such a fun and sweet holiday read. I loved the critters, the whole gang from Sweet Little Lies making another appearance, the chemistry between Keane and Willa, and much more. This story reminded me of watching a feel-good, holiday, Hallmark movie. The love blossoming between the characters, the romance of the season, and the festive ambiance sprinkled throughout the pages just left me feeling warm and fuzzy. I couldn’t get enough!

What makes this story even more exciting is the fact that Passionflix is debuting Mistletoe as a feature film for the holidays beginning this Friday! Personally, I can’t wait! I feel like I’ve been waiting to see this movie since they announced it several months back. If you haven’t signed up or become a Founding Member yet, check out this post on their Facebook page for more info!

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, do yourselves a favor and go meet Keane and Willa now if you haven’t already!

One person found this helpful

Top critical review

All critical reviews›

Maureen O.

Repeat, repeat, repeat

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2019

I’m not a writer, I’m an avid reader. I hate to critique anyone that can do something so well. Jill Shalvis is a really great writer. As one of her readers this one just didn’t work for me. I was excited to read the second book of this series because I enjoyed the first book immensely. Unfortunately, the second book was really difficult to keep reading. It seemed as if the first 3 chapters were written and then repeated over and over and over again until the author had her required number of pages needed to submit. Willa and Keane briefly met in high school, he stood her up for a dance, Keane had no memory of this, Willa was heartbroken he didn’t remember, she forgave him. They both had commitment issues & crappy childhoods. They reconnect over a cute cat he’s taking care of for a sick aunt. They are crazy attracted to each other, physically and emotionally, and can’t keep their hands and mouths off one another. This was all pretty much covered by chapter 3 and was then repeated ad nauseam until the end. That was it. That was the whole book. There was a creepy ex-boyfriend that made a brief appearance via text that gave me hope that there might be something happening, but nope...never to be heard from again. I will read the third book and hope that there is more meat to the story, let’s be honest an actual story and plot.

7 people found this helpful

Sort by

Filter by

Filtered by

PositiveClear filter

544 global ratings | 397 global reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

Elias D.

When Keane meets the adorable shop owner

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Ladee Aqua

A Jill Shalvis Book Is A Great Gift We Give Ourselves!

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2017

Verified Purchase

Other than eating my favorite carrot cake, reading a Jill Shalvis book is sweetness galore! I LOVE her books and her creative dialogue, that always includes animals, is hilarious.

Willa Davis, Owner of South Bark Mutt Shop is happiest when she's up to her elbows in suds and puppies. After an exhausting early morning bathing six rambunctious puppies, before the shop's opening, she has no idea what is in store for her, as a stranger rings her bell. Tall, dark and stunning, carrying a cat carrier, he is desperate to board his aunt's cat so he can get to work.

When Willa recognizes him as Keane Winters, her high school crush who stood her up for Sadie Hawkins day when she invited him to go with her, she feels those humiliating emotions all over again. But Willa can never resist challenges where pets are concerned and she agrees to keep the cat for the day.

This wonderful story evolves fluidly as Willa and Keane discover the value of friendships and a searing passion of love. I highly recommend this special book!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lenoreo @ Celebrity Readers

Solid Christmas read with great secondary cast of characters!

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017

Verified Purchase

3.5 stars — I’ve been wanting to read this one since it came out last year, and was so excited when I snagged a copy on sale (not to mention a paperback copy). It was definitely a delightful Christmas romance, but it started stronger than it finished for me.

My one major problem with the book is that I ended up getting tired and confused with the constant forward and backward progress by BOTH Willa and Keane. I wanted to see consistent growth, but it felt like 1 step forward, 1 step back over and over and over. When one would get their crap together, the other would lose heart/get scared/doubt and the cycle would begin again. I don’t mind it happening, but it happened about 2 times too many, kwim? Once or twice, fine…it does take people time to grow and change. But at a certain point I was ready to throw in the towel on these two. Which is honestly too bad, b/c I really enjoyed their story otherwise!

They were both very likeable characters, and both very damaged in their own way (hence the long road towards trust and love). I loved how their pasts were kind of similar in that they both felt without love and safety, and they learned to cope in much different ways. I loved the way Willa collected her strays, and tried to be for others what she wanted for herself (particularly with the girls she rescued and employed). And as an animal lover myself, I loved the way she couldn’t resist any animals that came her way. And I loved they way Keane couldn’t help but love so many people in his life, even as he told himself he was emotionless…from his Great Aunt, to Petunia/Pita, to his staff, to, of course, Willa.

And they had great chemistry. While I did hate the forward and backward movement of their relationship, I do like how the relationship progressed otherwise…it made every stage very believable. And I LOVED how much time we got with the two of them together. So many times in romances it’s kind of wham, bam, thank you ma’am, and I’m not talking about the sexy times. This felt more…natural or something. Occasionally it made the book feel long, so it was a bit of a mixed blessing, you know?

One other time thing I was a bit disappointed in was the resolution of the high school stuff. Maybe it was my own expectations, but I expected it to play a great role. It was an undercurrent in the first half, but then it just kind of resolved fairly easily and that was that. So it kind of seemed pointless and unnecessary in the end.

The thing that made this book stand out above the rest, despite these few little annoyances for me, was the amazing cast of secondary characters. Some books just feel like cast books, if that makes any sense. And this was definitely one of them. I absolutely ADORED how many varied and oddball characters there were in this book. They were all hilarious and all very different. I loved that they *both* had such great people in their corners, I genuinely felt the love each of these characters had for the other. I love when our heroes and heroines actually have other strong relationships going for them. And I can’t even tell you how many times I laughed or just smiled like a big loon at their antics, whether it be Keane with Sass and Mason, or Willa and her tribe. I’m genuinely curious about the other books in this series, I want to see all the HEAs. I am a bit sad knowing that the likelihood we’ll get Haley’s book isn’t very high…who knows, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.

And speaking of secondary characters, can I just give a shout out to Petunia/Pita? I love when an animal plays an important role in a book, and they don’t just become a plot device. Her attitude towards Keane made me laugh so hard, and she really helped show the reader what Keane was going through and how he was struggling…perhaps in a way we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

So yeah…solid Christmas read. Heck, solid romance read despite the season you’re in. But it did make me feel festive.

Helpful

A touching romance

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Return to Heartbreaker Bay once again for The Trouble With Mistletoe, a story full of the craziness of really good friends, a sense of self-made families and that completely awkward moment when you discover that yeah, you really can fall in love and make it work.

Willa and Keane had a past, sorta – except that Keane totally didn’t remember it. That alone should put him in the “”men are dogs” category, except Willa really likes dogs more than Keane at the beginning of their story. But, truthfully, the guy kind of grows on you. Really, it’s difficult to keep a straight face with a completely hot guy carrying a bedazzled pink cat carrier with an ongoing feud, or war, with his aunt’s cat… and the cat is winning, but you knew that would be the case. That thin line between love and hate pretty much sums up Willa and Keane’s beginning, and Keane and Petunia’s (Pita) relationship for certain. That spark of attraction is hard to miss, even if each is trying desperately to do so.

Willa and Keane both had troubled childhoods, each in completely different ways but still that sense of being abandoned by your parents for whatever reason never truly goes away. It has shaped them, given them issues that aren’t easy to overcome, and perhaps gave them that “I want this but I’m afraid of this” attitude that gets them both in so much trouble. It won’t take long before you see through the shields they both put up to see the real person that is in hiding.

I had such fun with their story. Love isn’t the easiest of emotions, although we certainly wish it were. Watching Willa and Keane work through their individual issues, and deal with the other’s as well is an emotional journey with a few pit stops for laughter, tears and some sexy good times. I love this style of series where there is a community of friends who make up the entire series, and we get to know them a little bit more with each story. Friends rarely stay in the background, especially when they’ve got your back and Willa’s friends are no exception. I’m enjoying getting to know them all a bit better with each visit I make to their world.

If you enjoy a love story full of emotions, some difficult to face, really good friends and a continuity to relationships in a series – then you’ll love The Trouble With Mistletoe. I would highly recommend this story and the series to any Romance reader. I always feel like I’m stepping into Finn’s pub and catching up with old friends, and when a story can give me that comfortable feeling I’m going to stick with it all the way.

I own a Kindle edition of this story.

Helpful

Kam Brook

4.5 stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

4.5 stars

I’m a uber fan of romantic comedies because I love to laugh and I adore happily ever afters.

In The Trouble with Mistletoe, readers will laugh over the woes Keane faces with Pita; his (Pain In The Ass) aunt’s (turned his) cat. It’s a love-hate relationship but they do reach a point where she retracts her claws and allows him into her kitty heart. Someone else also allows him to enter their heart –Willa.

Willa had many walls put up, but thankfully Keane’s tearing down skills don’t just apply to his house-flipping business. With a little love and a WHOLE LOT OF PATIENCE, he helped her see they were perfect together. Pita, too. 😀

Really, how could she not let this man in…..all the way in! He’s hardworking, smart, handsome, takes care of his family, friends, and loves Frosted Flakes for supper. Come on, he’s the total package.

And Willa? She would do absolutely anything and everything for those who matter to her. Even Eddie, the homeless man living in her alley, was a recipient of her kindness. She decorated his “home” with Christmas lights. She brought him food. She’d take him into her home, if he actually would accept the offer.

Two generous, loving people finding love on the holidays. What could make a better Christmas story than that?!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Melanie Valente

Incredibly fun, holiday contemporary.

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

4.5 Stars!

Romance novels set around Christmas-time are some of my favorite romances to read and The Trouble with Mistletoe was no exception.

Willa is such a wonderful and caring person who is wary about letting people in due to her background. Enter Keane who is equally way of people but has a heart of gold when it comes to the people he cares about. Willa disliked Keane on sight due to his standing her up back in high school and then not remembering her on top of it. So obviously, I enjoyed their romance right from the start. Their initial banter was fantastic and I enjoyed watching their relationship build from this rocky first meeting. The two were very supportive of each other and helped each other immensely in terms of learning to love and trust again. The two also had insane chemistry which made their every interaction highly enjoyable.

Once again, the side characters are what really sold this story. Jill Shalvis writes some of the best side characters around and it was wonderful to see characters from Sweet Little Lies again as well as meeting some new characters. One of the best parts of this book were the gazillion animals we meet due to Willa owning a pet business. I'm a huge animal lover, so all of the parts at her store were fantastic.

I am now eagerly anticipating the next book, Accidentally on Purpose, and can't wait to read more about all of the characters I've come to love in this series. I highly recommend this book to fans of Christmas-time romances and the series to anyone looking for great contemporary romance books.

Helpful

Donna Ferriola

The Trouble with Mistletoe

Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2016

Verified Purchase

This was a touching story in the Heartbreaker Bay series with Keane and Willa finding out that true love and commitment to each other was possible if they opened their hearts. It was from the moment Keane walked into her pet shop with his aunt's kitten, Petunia he had lost his heart but did not know it yet. Willa was loving and giving to all lost souls because she had been there and knew how it felt to be alone. Her core group of friends Archer, Sean,Spencer, Finn and the girls, Elle, Pru and Haley were also her family. Having been in the foster care system until she was eighteen did not teach her how to have a loving relationship and Keane was basically thrown away by his family for being too much trouble was the same way. This was unchartered territory for these two but Keane showed her the way and won her over. It was a touching love story of lost souls who found love inspite of themselves and their insecurities. I like how her friends were always there for her and bailed her out of a previous bad relationship that ended when they caught him and had him thrown in jail. Since Keane and Willa got their happily ever after in this book, I cannot wait to read Elle and Archer's story next.

Helpful

Sweetpea

Like this couple, like the animals, like the Christmas theme.

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

I have read all of the books in this series so far and there really isn't one that I don't like, it's just a matter of degrees. I have even read some of them a second time. They're a quick read and lots of fun.

I like this couple a lot, like the animals, like the Christmas theme. I just wish we would see more of Keane in the subsequent books of the series.

This is a fun series with the fountain and Eddie and all the great characters. Jill really paints a great picture. Most of the main characters do have tragic pasts, but the secondary characters are LOL funny. It's kind of hard to figure out in what order these books are meant to be read but I made a list according to publishing date and that seems to be making sense so far.

Helpful

M. Reynolds

This Heartbreaker Bay series is a WINNER!

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

I am loving this series from Jill. Willa Davis, owner of South Bark Mutt Shop is a lover of all pets. She also rescues people living on the streets; something she can relate to early in her own life after being in foster care. Her heart has been broken by men in her past and she refuses to let anyone in. Enter Keane Winters....a man from her past. He comes to her shop with his Aunt Sally's cat Petunia; aka Pita. He is convinced that Pita hates him, but is pet sitting for his aunt Aunt Sally whom he would do anything for. Willa remembers him from a past experience in high school that didn't end well. He doesn't remember her at all. Keane is a self made real estate developer and has the alpha male persona down pat. He has also been hurt in the past, but underneath he is kind hearted to the 10th degree. Want to see how their complicated relationship evolves? Willa's friends protect her and her heart to the ultimate degree, but they all agree that Keane is a good guy. Will she give him a second chance? This book will take you through the ups and downs of a complicated relationship. Mix in some humor and hot sex and you have a book that is difficult to put down.

Helpful

Ksnickersfl

Movie Led Me to the Book

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

I never would have bought this book. Ever. But it's a movie on Passionflix so I was curious to see if the book was as good as the movie. It really was; with the added bonus of more details. Some things in the movie now make more sense, so I feel like I'll be watching it again with all this new insight into the characters. I definitely plan on reading more from this author.

Helpful

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

Need customer service? Click here

‹ See all details for The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

5 star		68%
4 star		17%
3 star		9%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

›

Customer reviews

Customer reviews

The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

Top positive review

Top critical review

Filtered by

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel › Customer reviews

Customer reviews

The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

Top positive review

Top critical review

Filtered by

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

›

Customer reviews