Madeleine’s Mistletoe Meet Cute by Ellie Hall: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

I’m a ghostbaker—covertly making Christmas cookies for the dough-challenged—and a virtual assistant on the side. When an impossibly attractive guy in flannel kisses me under the mistletoe, sparks fly, then fizzle. He’s my boss.

Maddie

You know the saying, “Things are coming up roses”? More like they’re last year’s wilted and withered poinsettias. To cap off a series of unfortunate events, I accidentally sent my boss another client’s content. He didn't find the first kiss quote social media graphic amusing. Despite never meeting face-to-face, I doubt anything could make the grumbler smile.

However, when I get a cookie baking contract in a charming small town, I can’t help but think this is my big chance to pay off Gran’s medical bills. Then I realize I’m competing with the enemy: Stone’s Coal Co., my boss’s business.

Duffy

My mother fancies herself Mrs. Claus. She and her merry band of matchmaking elves are determined to find me “The One.” Home for the holidays, the “Not-The-One” who single-handedly ruined me for romance, is at the company holiday party. Acting rashly, I kiss a cute woman under the mistletoe. When our lips touch, it’s nothing short of a Christmas miracle. But it turns out she’s my virtual assistant.

Instead of stomping on the brakes, we go on a fake dating spree, resulting in entering the Annual Christmas Charity Bake & Bazaar Auction. I tell myself after the oven timer dings, it’ll be over. But I’m tangled in tinsel as secrets and lies pile up.

Even if we leave Santa cookies, I have a feeling if we keep up the charade, we’ll end up with coal in our stockings. But can we somehow make it work and land on the “Good List?”

This is a clean, sweet, closed door, small town, Christmas romantic comedy featuring a grumpy boss, mistaken identity, a fake relationship, a chorkie named Pop Tart, and lots of holiday merriment.

More about the Christmas Kisses & Cookie Crumbs series: Get ready to jingle all the way into the festive season with twelve Christmas novelettes that are like little bites of sweet and swoony delight. These heartwarming and feel-good romances feature second chances, enemies to lovers, fake dating adventures, and more, all wrapped up in the cozy merriment of Christmas. Plus, there’s a cookie recipe in each book!

The Author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

Book Review

Madeleine's Mistletoe Meet Cute is part of the Christmas Kisses and Cookie Crumbs series- a multiauthor series of short and sweet standalone Christmas romances. 

What a cute holiday romance this was! Right away I was drawn into the story with Maddie's multiple jobs--- working as a VA for a few clients and- more interestingly- ghost baking (like ghostwriting, but with baked goods). When the latter takes her to North Pole, Alaska, the last thing she expects is to find herself under the mistletoe sharing a kiss and agreeing to fake date a stranger--- who just so happens to be her grumpy boss! For such a short story, there sure is a whole lot going on, right!? Yet, it all came together in a super fun and festive story that I couldn't help but enjoy! At under 100 pages, it's definitely a quick read, easily read in just one sitting making it the perfect bite sized romance for the busy holiday season (and one you'll definitely want to have a sweet treat ready for!)

Madeleine's Mistletoe Meet Cute is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4fXT40M