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Mistletowed
Five friends, one piece of mistletoe. Christian Elliott has the perfect life -- right girlfriend, right job, right house and car. How come he’s only really happy when he’s with his best friend, Jason? Melanie Cantrell has everything she wants. Why won’t she stop mooning over her yoga teacher? Buttercup Allender adores her stable life with Winston. But she can’t give up her secret desire for BDSM.
Stir them all together at a holiday party with a beautiful rock god and a submissive stockbroker and what do you get? It could be love or they could be Mistletowed.
Note: This book is slightly revised from a previous version.
Stir them all together at a holiday party with a beautiful rock god and a submissive stockbroker and what do you get? It could be love or they could be Mistletowed.
Note: This book is slightly revised from a previous version.
97 pages, ebook
First published December 13, 2011
About the author
Tara Lain
97 books1,389 followersTara Lain believes in happy ever afters - and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn't believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara's characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara's creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Likely a Gryffindor or maybe a Ravensclaw but possessed of Parseltongue, Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 20, 2013
Loved this Tara Lain Christmas story! It was a very sexy romp and something like a comedy of errors. Highly recommended.
December 16, 2011
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can also be found there.
Quite an unusual holiday story, which was not really focused on the standard holidays, but that had enough Christmas elements and the setting to fit right in this time of year.
This is a story about two couples, one single gay man and two walk-ins. Sounds strange, doesn't it? Well, I can't explain it much better because the book isn't all that long and there were a lot of stories combined into one.
So I'm not going to go into details. What I am going to do is talk about my likes and dislikes. First I would like to say that this isn't a book for everyone. I'm even not sure how to tag it, considering the plot is not centered on just one couple but revolves around m/f, m/m and m/f/m pairings. Among all those people who are in long-term relationships and best friends to each other, there isn't one person who doesn't cheat or deceive in some way. I don't mind it when it's explained in an acceptable way or the rest of the plot overshadows it to the point where to me it doesn't matter. But in this book it was pretty much the focus. I couldn't understand how those people could betray their friends like that and insult the trust given to them by their partners, but even if I disregard that, none of them felt even a speck of remorse.
Still, okay, I accepted that as the focus of the story and moved on. There are enough funny parts to make you stick to it and my everlasting hope for romance is a driving force, I tell you. I did like the feel of the book, which made me comfortable for the most part, and the writing flowed nicely. For me that's very relaxing and it's much easier to finish a book when the words cooperate.
While I did like some parts, this book didn't feel as right to me as others by this author did. The existing romantic elements created a wonderful atmosphere for a remarkable book, but too many switching points of view dulled the effect and it turned the whole thing into just a story. I also thought there was too much straight sex through the pages, but that has a lot to do with my expectations which were based on the cover involving just two men and of course my personal preferences.
I can't really say I recommend it because it will depend largely upon the reader's taste, whether you like it or not, but if you like the blurb, by all means, go for it.
Quite an unusual holiday story, which was not really focused on the standard holidays, but that had enough Christmas elements and the setting to fit right in this time of year.
This is a story about two couples, one single gay man and two walk-ins. Sounds strange, doesn't it? Well, I can't explain it much better because the book isn't all that long and there were a lot of stories combined into one.
So I'm not going to go into details. What I am going to do is talk about my likes and dislikes. First I would like to say that this isn't a book for everyone. I'm even not sure how to tag it, considering the plot is not centered on just one couple but revolves around m/f, m/m and m/f/m pairings. Among all those people who are in long-term relationships and best friends to each other, there isn't one person who doesn't cheat or deceive in some way. I don't mind it when it's explained in an acceptable way or the rest of the plot overshadows it to the point where to me it doesn't matter. But in this book it was pretty much the focus. I couldn't understand how those people could betray their friends like that and insult the trust given to them by their partners, but even if I disregard that, none of them felt even a speck of remorse.
Still, okay, I accepted that as the focus of the story and moved on. There are enough funny parts to make you stick to it and my everlasting hope for romance is a driving force, I tell you. I did like the feel of the book, which made me comfortable for the most part, and the writing flowed nicely. For me that's very relaxing and it's much easier to finish a book when the words cooperate.
While I did like some parts, this book didn't feel as right to me as others by this author did. The existing romantic elements created a wonderful atmosphere for a remarkable book, but too many switching points of view dulled the effect and it turned the whole thing into just a story. I also thought there was too much straight sex through the pages, but that has a lot to do with my expectations which were based on the cover involving just two men and of course my personal preferences.
I can't really say I recommend it because it will depend largely upon the reader's taste, whether you like it or not, but if you like the blurb, by all means, go for it.
September 10, 2016
Short but amusing festive story
This isn't anything spectacular but it did make me smile a lot and the epilogue had me laughing loudly at the "English" dialogue and phrasing as it was quite badly out of place.
Apartments aren't a commonly appearing building here in the UK, we just have blocks of flats, and I think the last time I heard the police called the rozzers was on an 80s sitcom ;)
Still, this was quite an amusing tale of switching lovers ending up with the right partners and it did have a light festive feel.
This isn't anything spectacular but it did make me smile a lot and the epilogue had me laughing loudly at the "English" dialogue and phrasing as it was quite badly out of place.
Apartments aren't a commonly appearing building here in the UK, we just have blocks of flats, and I think the last time I heard the police called the rozzers was on an 80s sitcom ;)
Still, this was quite an amusing tale of switching lovers ending up with the right partners and it did have a light festive feel.
November 18, 2012
According to the Urban Dictionary, mistletowed means – “The act of being dragged out of the ditch of your holiday blues and bitterness by a hot kiss received under mistletoe at a random holiday party.” Combine that with the fact that the mistletoe in this story is magical and can bring soul mates together and you have the main premise on which 'Mistletowed' by Tara Lain is built. The characters in this story are very mismatched. They are vaguely unhappy, but not enough to do anything about it. So, they blunder along, with unfulfilled lives and continue to make choices which are detrimental for themselves and others involved.
This is a well written, complex story, with wonderfully eccentric and totally unforgettable characters. I'm amazed with Tara's ability to weave them in and out of each other's lives and end up with all of them working it out for what's best for everyone in the end. Yes, they all cheat and deceive, but that's what happens to someone without insight, who hasn't looked inside of themselves; someone who's afraid to shake things up too much, who settles for the status quo rather than stepping out of their comfort zone and reaching for a future with someone who has the ability to really rock their world. Until they can face their unhappiness and are willing to do something about it, their actions, motives, and compulsions will be cloudy; therefore, they continue to be deceitful and unfaithful to others because, by not seeing their problems, they're deceiving and being unfaithful to themselves.
I enjoyed this clever, lighthearted story and was thoroughly entertained as I followed its characters through humorous, outrageous, entertaining, and profound circumstances all moving toward finding truth. If you want to read a story which is different, with mystical elements intertwined with the old-fashioned power of love to shine through, then you will enjoy 'Mistletowed.'
This is a well written, complex story, with wonderfully eccentric and totally unforgettable characters. I'm amazed with Tara's ability to weave them in and out of each other's lives and end up with all of them working it out for what's best for everyone in the end. Yes, they all cheat and deceive, but that's what happens to someone without insight, who hasn't looked inside of themselves; someone who's afraid to shake things up too much, who settles for the status quo rather than stepping out of their comfort zone and reaching for a future with someone who has the ability to really rock their world. Until they can face their unhappiness and are willing to do something about it, their actions, motives, and compulsions will be cloudy; therefore, they continue to be deceitful and unfaithful to others because, by not seeing their problems, they're deceiving and being unfaithful to themselves.
I enjoyed this clever, lighthearted story and was thoroughly entertained as I followed its characters through humorous, outrageous, entertaining, and profound circumstances all moving toward finding truth. If you want to read a story which is different, with mystical elements intertwined with the old-fashioned power of love to shine through, then you will enjoy 'Mistletowed.'
December 16, 2011
I know there are still a couple of weeks until Christmas 2011, and I have quite a few Holiday reads still sitting in my inbox, but, so far, this has been above and beyond, my favorite holiday read.
To call it a comedy of errors is putting it mildly. All the neat little relationships we see in the beginning aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Watching them unravel and reform was absolutely delightful. It’s amazing what a little magical mistletoe can do for one’s love life.
I’m not going to ruin it for you, by telling anymore, but I will say that there are MF, MM and MMF elements to this story. So yeah, there are girly bits, but the MM storylines are dominate.
This story is extremely well constructed; sometimes it is humorous, sometime erotic, but always entertaining. Highly recommended.
To call it a comedy of errors is putting it mildly. All the neat little relationships we see in the beginning aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Watching them unravel and reform was absolutely delightful. It’s amazing what a little magical mistletoe can do for one’s love life.
I’m not going to ruin it for you, by telling anymore, but I will say that there are MF, MM and MMF elements to this story. So yeah, there are girly bits, but the MM storylines are dominate.
This story is extremely well constructed; sometimes it is humorous, sometime erotic, but always entertaining. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2013
Again I enjoyed this, not usually a fan of cheating couples but I love how this was done in such a way that no one was hurt, they'd all found each other but they'd paired up wrong and the magical mistletoe as well as just circumstances in their lives put it right so they've ended up with who they should be with but are still friends as no-one can hold anything against anyone else under the circumstances! Really good book and loved the characters!
December 3, 2011
Total Yule-time delight! Lain outdoes herself with this interlocking tale of seven characters. She brings into real-life situations (harassment in the workplace), and combines it with a sizzling scenario of mismatched love! If life only worked out so well! Perfect holiday treat.
December 21, 2011
Outstanding reading to to be had with Mistletowed. Tara has really given us a story within the story as all of the characters find their other half or halves of their souls.
March 3, 2012
Kept me guessing up to the end. Lovely and quirky characters that you can't help but fall in love with. It was a wonderful book!
December 17, 2020
Hell’s Bells! This has plenty of errors.
I didn’t bother looking at the publication date but I’m assuming this was written very early in this author’s career because, as cute as a characters are, this is some transparent, obvious writing.
I emphasized the phrase “Hell’s Bells!” because I noted at least 25 instances of that phrase used in the book – – with 15 of them occurring appearing in the last 20 pages
I didn’t bother looking at the publication date but I’m assuming this was written very early in this author’s career because, as cute as a characters are, this is some transparent, obvious writing.
I emphasized the phrase “Hell’s Bells!” because I noted at least 25 instances of that phrase used in the book – – with 15 of them occurring appearing in the last 20 pages
March 26, 2016
I was thrown a little at first, following so many different characters, but the main focus is on Christian, with all other storylines being pretty secondary. I liked that because Melanie 19s infidelity was a little uncomfortable for me, but ended up not having as big of an impact as was feared.
All of the characters thought they had everything they wanted (except Jason who was kind of just along for the ride as he pined for the lover he couldn 19t have), despite a feeling of something missing. Watching them all come to this realization was very interesting, but the best ones were Christian and Buttercup 19s exploration of their secret desires. They each experience some new and surprising things!
The mystical element was a tad strange, but that 19s explained in the end and made me laugh a bit. The bottom line for this book is that it takes a little Christmas magic to help all of these characters bring in a brilliant new year where they truly belong.
If you 19re looking for a little bit of everything (MM, MF, Menage, a little BDSM), look no further. Tara Lain delivers a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and true love that is not to be missed in Mistletowed!
All of the characters thought they had everything they wanted (except Jason who was kind of just along for the ride as he pined for the lover he couldn 19t have), despite a feeling of something missing. Watching them all come to this realization was very interesting, but the best ones were Christian and Buttercup 19s exploration of their secret desires. They each experience some new and surprising things!
The mystical element was a tad strange, but that 19s explained in the end and made me laugh a bit. The bottom line for this book is that it takes a little Christmas magic to help all of these characters bring in a brilliant new year where they truly belong.
If you 19re looking for a little bit of everything (MM, MF, Menage, a little BDSM), look no further. Tara Lain delivers a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and true love that is not to be missed in Mistletowed!
July 25, 2012
I was thrown a little at first, following so many different characters, but the main focus is on Christian, with all other storylines being pretty secondary. I liked that because Melanie’s infidelity was a little uncomfortable for me, but ended up not having as big of an impact as was feared.
All of the characters thought they had everything they wanted (except Jason who was kind of just along for the ride as he pined for the lover he couldn’t have), despite a feeling of something missing. Watching them all come to this realization was very interesting, but the best ones were Christian and Buttercup’s exploration of their secret desires. They each experience some new and surprising things!
The mystical element was a tad strange, but that’s explained in the end and made me laugh a bit. The bottom line for this book is that it takes a little Christmas magic to help all of these characters bring in a brilliant new year where they truly belong.
If you’re looking for a little bit of everything (MM, MF, Menage, a little BDSM), look no further. Tara Lain delivers a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and true love that is not to be missed in Mistletowed!
All of the characters thought they had everything they wanted (except Jason who was kind of just along for the ride as he pined for the lover he couldn’t have), despite a feeling of something missing. Watching them all come to this realization was very interesting, but the best ones were Christian and Buttercup’s exploration of their secret desires. They each experience some new and surprising things!
The mystical element was a tad strange, but that’s explained in the end and made me laugh a bit. The bottom line for this book is that it takes a little Christmas magic to help all of these characters bring in a brilliant new year where they truly belong.
If you’re looking for a little bit of everything (MM, MF, Menage, a little BDSM), look no further. Tara Lain delivers a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and true love that is not to be missed in Mistletowed!
December 23, 2013
3.5 stars
Three things about Mistletowed: First, It's not just an m/m book; second, it's previously published (updated and revised!); and third, it's very, very steamy! What you have is five friends, a bunch of mismatched personalities, and three love stories. It's magical, delightful and, of course, fun as heck. There's cheating, but it's tastefully done (if cheating can be called tasteful), and in the end everyone is with who they're supposed to be with. I can't really divulge the plot more than that because all the stories are intertwined, but pick this up when you want something a little different and believe that everyone deserves true love and happiness, even if it takes you round about (and sometimes sideways) to get there.
To see more awesome holiday recs check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
Three things about Mistletowed: First, It's not just an m/m book; second, it's previously published (updated and revised!); and third, it's very, very steamy! What you have is five friends, a bunch of mismatched personalities, and three love stories. It's magical, delightful and, of course, fun as heck. There's cheating, but it's tastefully done (if cheating can be called tasteful), and in the end everyone is with who they're supposed to be with. I can't really divulge the plot more than that because all the stories are intertwined, but pick this up when you want something a little different and believe that everyone deserves true love and happiness, even if it takes you round about (and sometimes sideways) to get there.
To see more awesome holiday recs check out the HEA Blog!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
December 28, 2013
I won this book in a giveaway.
Looks can be Deceiving
There are three couples that while they look good on paper are all messed up. The yuppie couple doesn't belong together, the woo-woo couple doesn't fulfill each other's needs and the gay man out doesn't need to be set up. This Christmas season one of the friends brings a magical mistletoe to the party to show everyone their soul mate. Although, there was a bit of magic involved, a lot of the build up showed the couples who they belonged with, even the new ones introduced to the group of friends. I will say there was cheating involved, both physical and mental, that didn't make me happy to read but it did contribute to the story. Overall, the story is a lesson in both open communication and growing with (or in this case without) your significant other.
Looks can be Deceiving
There are three couples that while they look good on paper are all messed up. The yuppie couple doesn't belong together, the woo-woo couple doesn't fulfill each other's needs and the gay man out doesn't need to be set up. This Christmas season one of the friends brings a magical mistletoe to the party to show everyone their soul mate. Although, there was a bit of magic involved, a lot of the build up showed the couples who they belonged with, even the new ones introduced to the group of friends. I will say there was cheating involved, both physical and mental, that didn't make me happy to read but it did contribute to the story. Overall, the story is a lesson in both open communication and growing with (or in this case without) your significant other.
April 4, 2012
This was different. The story starts with a group of friends - two paired-up straight couples, one single gay man, and then we add two other bi-sexual men to the mix. Shake them all up and you are left with totally different romantic configurations when all was said and done. There was cheating from pretty much every direction. It didn't bother me as much as I would think it would, probably because they all seemed to be doing it and no one seemed to be too terribly upset about. Rather strange.
January 9, 2014
A fun Yuletide romp!
The cover gives away how the friends end up, its just the who and how!
Christian gets more confused, yet more clear about his feelings for his best friend Jason.
Mel and Buttercup, whilst seeming to have good relationships, are not satified under the surface.
Winston and Buttercup bring some magic to Yule with smoking mistletoe to get all the pieces in the right place finally!
The cover gives away how the friends end up, its just the who and how!
Christian gets more confused, yet more clear about his feelings for his best friend Jason.
Mel and Buttercup, whilst seeming to have good relationships, are not satified under the surface.
Winston and Buttercup bring some magic to Yule with smoking mistletoe to get all the pieces in the right place finally!
December 14, 2014
Free Winter Solstice read from Amazon.
Five friends, two m/f couples and their single gay friend, plan their upcoming winter holiday party. Enter two more bisexual men and some magic mistletoe and the reader is in for one sweet read. It's got something for everyone stockings and will be sure to keep you warm at night. Snuggle up in bed with this one for some romantic m/f, m/m, and m/m/f action.
Five friends, two m/f couples and their single gay friend, plan their upcoming winter holiday party. Enter two more bisexual men and some magic mistletoe and the reader is in for one sweet read. It's got something for everyone stockings and will be sure to keep you warm at night. Snuggle up in bed with this one for some romantic m/f, m/m, and m/m/f action.
December 8, 2015
I don't know what I was expecting when I started this one, but it was a pleasant surprise and quite fun to read. I usually don't like even the idea of cheating on one's significant other, but I think this story is done in such a way that it skirts a line that I could accept. None of the couples are happy and this group of friends, with a little help from a magical mistletoe, all end up finding their true loves in kind of a sweet way.
December 12, 2011
The plot was predictable but fun. I had problems with the characters. I don't think all that happened would be easy to believe at all. I have never cared for characters that cheat but could have gotten past that if not for everyone's reactions. I really have a hard time with it all even if there is the "magic" element thrown in.
November 30, 2014
This was a really sweet story set during the holiday season, (well, duh, what did you expect with a title like that?) and it definitely rang my chimes. :-) I especially liked that the characters tried to do the right thing and weren't petty or venal and that the women weren't made out to be the bad guys. Definitely rec'd!
December 6, 2014
Mistletowed
I loved this book a lot. All the couple's are friends with a cousin and a customer thrown into the mix. I loved how they fell in love with their soulmates and stilled maintained their friendships with each other. Erin
I loved this book a lot. All the couple's are friends with a cousin and a customer thrown into the mix. I loved how they fell in love with their soulmates and stilled maintained their friendships with each other. Erin
December 23, 2011
This could have been a nice romp, but the cast of 1000 cheaters and predictable plot didn't work for me.
I do love the cover. P.L. Rocks!
I do love the cover. P.L. Rocks!
January 27, 2012
Just as good reading the second time around!
December 29, 2012
3.5 Stars
March 17, 2013
Review later
November 27, 2014
A cute Christmas read
This was a very quick, cute story. Light and sweet. Magical mistletoe that helps people find their soul mates-or their Dommes/gay-true-love/yoga love.
This was a very quick, cute story. Light and sweet. Magical mistletoe that helps people find their soul mates-or their Dommes/gay-true-love/yoga love.
December 9, 2014
Not too bad at all :)
December 19, 2014
For my thoughts on Mistletowed head on over to my book blog on BookLikes.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews