Book: Mistletoe All the Way by Lauren Blakely
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 3.5/5
Mistletoe All the Way by Lauren Blakely
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
Noah and Eloise's grumpy x sunshine holiday romance is very cute—perfect for lovers of Christmas.
Noah is total catnip: a grumpy veterinarian who prefers the company of animals to people and carries grief from his mother's passing. As a fellow Grinch, I vibed with his Christmas outlook; the holiday is often more commercial than the spirit of giving people proclaim it to be, and people who give pets as gifts only to drop them off at a shelter a month later are monsters. He is so passionate about animals, not just talking the talk but walking the walk. Anyone who wants to run an animal sanctuary is an automatic angel in my book. Basically, I am obsessed with Noah, and he is total book boyfriend material.
Eloise is Noah's opposite in almost every way. She is bubbly and outgoing—a total "jolly" (my new favorite way to describe people obsessed with Christmas). She is very much Buddy the Elf coded, spreading good cheer for all to hear. I really like how she is determined to make her PR business a success, willing to put in the hard work, and doesn't let naysayers like her low-key awful parents talk her into walking away from her passion for something easier. And what better way to showcase her talents and love of Christmas than to make Noah into Mr. Holiday?
Noah and Eloise have chemistry from their first meeting, even if it is more of the antagonistic kind. I enjoyed their banter and their willingness to be silly and cheesy with each other. Eloise softens Noah's rougher edges and shows the people of Evergreen Falls that, beneath the grumpy exterior, he's a man who is shy about showing his giant heart. And Noah gives Eloise the support and faith in her that is sorely lacking in her life. He believes she can make anything possible, including teaching a Grinch how to love the true meaning of Christmas.
My favorite relationship in the book is the one between Noah and his identical twin brother, Chris. Despite being total opposites, they are also best friends. I love their running game where they earn points by tricking other people into thinking they are each other. I really hope we see more of Chris in a future Christmas book hinted at at the end of this one.
Thank you to the author, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing an ARC.