Photo Credits: monicore (pixabay), jplenio (pixabay) Edited by Vaishali Title: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Author: Stacey Kennedy Series: Kinky Spurs #4 Publisher: Self Published Year of Publication: 2019 Format: E-book copy/kindle app Genre/Themes: Adult Romance/Adult Fiction, Contemporary romance, Christmas Novella Review... From what I understand, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe is a crossroads novelette set in the same locale of River Rock, where the author has already paired off and coupled up supporting characters in a preceding series. This little seasonal in-between both overlaps and bridges two of her series' together - one already in the works and one with a new set of hopefuls to fall in love. Unlike most reviewers this is a Stacey Kennedy beginner for me, and I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised. I wanted something romance themed with end-of-year energy and this was fit for a wonderful purpose. It's a lovely little festive romance about a flame that never got to burn, and after a missed opportunity that didn't have its chance, the season of giving is open to spreading out a second one for one who enforces the law and one who breaches it with a public performance of misconduct. And she hasn't even worn in her stay yet. Not known for her becoming behaviour, Penelope's back in the small town she's once routinely spent her summers in. She's no Grinch and she's no buddy the Elf but this jolly time of year is one best circumvented for the emotional complication it brings with it. It's a time where family ties are heightened, for better or worse. It doesn't appeal to a better-behaved Penelope, and that's where her teen crush (now law-abiding cop) finds her, buoyed on a few too many shots in her system, belting out a known Christmas tune and skating like a champ in inappropriate footwear. It's been ten years and Darryl finds Penelope at the centre of attention, of his attention, and just like that, he can't stop staring all over again. The chemistry is still very much alive and kicking, and neither have forgotten the camp kiss that left a lasting impression, but never one to settle, Penelope's life is one long road trip from A-Z without pause, a temporary stop until her life resumes. But having never really stopped long enough to still and watch the snow fall, she finds herself forced to, enjoying the family time with her cousins and reconnecting intimately with Darryl. And here she is to behave herself into the good graces of her cousins, hoping to soften the blow that usually comes with her entrance. Even though Darryl's fairly hopeful to put distance between himself and her propensity for trouble, and not wanting to jeopardise one opportunity with another, he's easily the quickest to want more and make Penelope see that history doesn't have to remain a moment in time. That new chances and new homes are all around her. She, on the other hand, is ready to run as soon as the bells stop ringing. And time spent with her forces him to confront his own error in misreading her the way most do. Going into this I expected something Christmas-themed (naturally) and fairly light-hearted, but it's also tender-hearted, pulls at the lasting effects of a broken home and angles into some real-life meaning over home and familial complication. As a displaced daughter of a failed marriage, Penelope's never felt particularly wanted or seen and I appreciated the given space for the humanness in how she was portrayed. We humans don't come pristinely packaged and harder times usually come in the form of 'happier' times. There's the difficulty of being an outsider, especially to her own family, and while it's something Penelope rarely gives the time of day, it hits home every time she remembers home. There's an often sizeable emphasis on perfection when the holidays roll around and the stories that come armed with a smidge more than merry inflection by favouring the hummaness over the convivial merrymaking are some of my favourites. Though, this does do both. Darryl's an all-round easy to warm to hero, and like Penelope says, he's one of the good ones. He's also a very gorgeous cop, who I'm sure wears a Santa outfit with the might of a man in authority. I liked the attitude he had about his previous marriage. And with his ex wife, he's very respectful and accepting of what had happened between them. Like I said, good guy right here. It had heart, which was really lovely to see. This is very 'opposites attract' in nature but it plays well in attracting the chemistry despite the quickie time frame and lack of a real history. The grammar does feel clunky in places I have to admit, and the given blurb sports a technical error because I'm certain Darryl was 20 when their first kiss was shared, and with the mini difference in age, Penelope would have been 17. It also makes for inconvenient formatting when what are supposed to be a text messages aren't italicised; there's a scene where Penelope receives and sends some texts to her cousins and it's awkward to make distinction from text to prose, so just a little note on that too. A silver lining to this uncomfortable time of year? He comes bearing a badge, packing, law-willing but not eager to fraternise for appearances sake. But Penelope? She's irresistible, as is the second-chance attraction, so his anti-fraternisation mantra is easier spoken than procedured. There's always fun to be had with some rule-breaks though. With most short stories one can often feel that all it takes is a blink before the story is bypassed in its entirety and yet there's a bit of everything with Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. An irreverent heroine, a candid, community-bound cop, a white Christmas, a nice bit of character development and reflection, community service, belonging and home, reconnection, a snowed-in situation, acts of kindness, attraction that spirals from a moment unforgotten and to bind up the thematic ensemble, there's a curmudgeonly cat called Ebeneezer. Sweet, season-suitable and spiced with spice for the romance lovers. Seasonal timing reconnects a young crush but there's a bigger picture of belonging for a heroine who doesn't typically play well with this time of year. A second chance for a first chance that never really got to happen. I gave this book 3/3.5 stars - Content Warning/Listing: childhood parent separation. Parental abandonment. Some smut scenes. Some swearing. Mentions a previous heart attact. There's also a scene where both protagonists visit a pediatric ward with child cancer patients. --------------------------------------- M Y R A T I N G S Y S T E M: ★ - 1 star: I did not like the book ★★ - 2 stars: The book was okay ★★★ - 3 stars: It was a good, solid read ★★★★ - 4 stars: A great book ★★★★★ - 5: A phenomenal read --------------------------------------- I love interacting with fellow readers, reviewers, bloggers and writers. Hearing about reader opinion is the fuel to my reader appetite, so get in touch and comment below! SHARE ON FACEBOOK Leave a comment and let's talk about |
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