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Review: Under the Mistletoe - Small Town Shenanigans #2

Under the Mistletoe book cover on blue background

The Small Town Shenanigans series continues with a heartwarming and hilarious Christmas book! Under the Mistletoe by Penny Zeller is a cozy and fun book that involves a touch of mystery and a whole lot of chuckles, starring an introvert who does not want to be part of the Christmas action but finds himself there anyways 🤣

Many thanks to Maplebrook Publishing and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

He's a nerdy tourist needing a vacation.

She's a bed and breakfast employee with a broken heart.

Love is the last thing they expect to find this Christmas.

Introvert Braxton Wertz needs a vacation, but his trip to the small town of Cloverdale Falls is anything but restful when he finds himself not only falling for the sweet and bubbly Gracely, but also in the crosshairs of geriatric private investigators...and their numerous shenanigans.

Recovering from a painful breakup, extrovert Gracely Eklund needs a vacation. Where better to spend her Christmas than her aunt and uncle's charming bed and breakfast? Her time managing the business comes with a few surprises, one of those being the nerdy and lovable Braxton.

He's from Florida. She's from the Rocky Mountain West. Can Christmastime, an incomplete photo album, and a quirky town with its equally quirky residents bring two unsuspecting hearts together?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

Penny Zeller is masterful at writing small towns with heart, humour, and grace. In this case, we get to meet Gracely Ecklund, a kind young woman filling in for her aunt and uncle's bed and breakfast. It's the perfect setup for her to meet Braxton Wertz, who is her opposite in every way. As a result, these two characters learn what it means to serve one another and to look out for the other's best interests. Through Grace and Braxton's godly behaviour, it's evident just how much heart is infused into their story, especially when handling past relationship trauma.

In terms of the humour, when septuagenarians Maeve and Beulah are back at it again with their private investigation business, readers can’t help but smile at what ensues. I love that the Small Town Shenanigans series extend beyond initial miscommunications and hilarious assumptions. The characters are able to maturely approach matters and clear up any lingering questions, leading to forgiveness and genuine friendships. It's easy to see just how much everyone in Cloverdale Falls loves each other, making it a series that is easy to return to. If you are looking for a Christmas story gently laced with grace upon realizing what true worth looks like in Christ, Under the Mistletoe is a lighthearted and joyful read.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
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