Mistletoe and Holly

by Janet Dailey

A HEARTWARMING TALE OF CHRISTMASTIME ROMANCE -- BY ONE OF AMERICA'S ALL-TIME BESTSELLING AUTHORS!

With one leg in a cast and a heart hardened by bitter holiday memories, Leslie wanted only one thing for Christmas: a quiet and restful vacation at her aunt's Vermont home. But that was before she met the new neighbor...handsome Tagg Williams.

As the holidays heat up, Leslie finds herself in an awkward dance of attraction with Tagg, mesmerized by his warm smile and strong embrace -- and charmed by his sweet daughter, Holly. The more time they spend together, the more it feels like home...But even as her passion deepens, Leslie knows she will have to choose between the ghosts of her past and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to give herself and her heart to Tagg -- forever.

In a captivating novel filled with Christmas magic, Janet Dailey proves once again why she is one of the best-loved storytellers of our time.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Holiday

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Janet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.

Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.

She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.

Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.

Reviews

[Laura McKellips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always seem to re-read this book around Christmas. I love Holly, she is too cute. I love how Holly and her dad get Leslie wrapped into their holiday traditions and plans.

[LINDA BOURG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Christmas story. Cute little love story with a happy ending. Predictable but still a good read.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little romance about Leslie who has broken her leg and goes to her aunt's Vermont home to recuperate. A new neighbor Tagg and his little daughter Holly have moved next door. As it's the Christmas season, their seems to be a little magic in the air. A quick nice read! 

[Kathleen Kling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little easy read Christmas Book! The spirit alive in the non believer. Everyone must believe!!

[Steph Symington · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lazy writing with a heavy dose of patriarchy. Should have DNFed.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally I loved this book. It had all the feels when it came to small town romance, a good strong male lead, and his daughter, plus a woman who has her heart set on one thing...until it's not. When Leslie comes to stay with her aunt she is not only hurt physically, but emotionally. Searching for healing and respite, she plans to hibernate, per se, until her leg is healed. What she doesn't plan on is a sweet little six year and her handsome daddy invading her space, making her re-think everything she thought she knew.

[Mallika · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet love story :-)

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun christmas read.

[Jane Drager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It's a feel-good Christmas story. Well worth a read.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute light read

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, love her books

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mistletoe and Holly pg. 129 of 186: "Leslie." His head moved slightly from side to side in faint negative movement. "It's more than a possibility that I love you."
Me: *gives book a dubious look*

It is the Christmas season. It is a season filled with love, hope and family members trashing your favorite books... or is that just my family?

As you might have guess, I decided to read a family member's favorite Christmas romance and I wasn't a fan. Since it is my mother's favorite romance book and I am posting this on Christmas Eve, I am positive that she will take back all of my Christmas gifts and instead disown me this year. I guess I will finally have the inspiration I need for the Christmas murder mystery I always wanted to write.

Mistletoe and Holly is a contemporary (well contemporary for 1982 when it was released) Christmas romance where the protagonist goes to Vermont to stay with her aunt during the Christmas season while she recuperates from having broken her leg. During her stay, our protagonist meets the next door neighbor, Tagg (a yuppie name if I have ever heard one), and his daughter, Holly (who just happens to be born around Christmas). Over the Christmas season, the two of them spend time together, fall in love and she stops being a Scrooge (because of love... I guess).

If this sounds like a Hallmark Christmas movie plot, it pretty much is that. The characters are flat and while there are a lot of Christmas activity moments, nothing that was truly special to this book. The two characters did not spend enough time alone together to make their romance and engagement at the end of the book convincing.

Also, it is really weird that neither of them work during the time this romance takes place. They don't even know what their life will be like when things are not Christmastime. He already has her changing her career to be with him without them even discussing it. I don't see this ending well.

Mistletoe and Holly is a serviceable Christmas romance if you like 40 year old contemporary romances and fluff. It was Christmasy and the intimate scenes were a little bit above PG13. In the end, it just wasn't for me.

Now if you will excuse me, I hear my mother putting logs in the fireplace. I believe my Christmas presents need rescuing. Merry Christmas Everyone!

[Bill Batkay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doris and Rock Are Alive and Well

Clearly I am not part of the demographic for whom this look was intended. I bought because I was intrigued by the MC - an attractive young New York woman with a cast (apparently, but not clearly) a long one on her broken left leg goes to spend Christmas and recuperate with her aunt in Vermont.
She soon encounters the hunky nextdoor neighbor with the adorable six-year-old daughter. Both the woman and the man have painful family histories, which they slowly explore, while dancing oh-so-decorously around the low-level sexual tension developing between them. All is of couse resolved decorously, by a marriage proposal between the two w/o them ever having sex beyond some heavy petting.
Really? In 2021? I honestly felt as if I'd wandered into a 1950s Doris Day - Rock Hudson movie. If you are locked into that time-space zone, too, then this is the book for you. As for this reader, a late middle-aged bisexual man, I need something a little more red-blooded and adventuresome.
E.g., why put the female MC in a leg cast and then do nothing with it, beyond boringly repetitive references to its "rigidity"? The author doesn't even bother having anyone, especially the little girl, ask if they can sign the cast, which would seem to be an obvious plot device and much more in keeping with real-world actions.
I will say that, with some glaring and extremely annoying exceptions, the writing is pleasantly if blandly smooth and the characters well-limned and likeable. But I'm not a fan of Doris and Rock and the saccharine archness that characterizes the romance in this book.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leslie Stiles visits her Aunt Patsy in Vermont during Christmas break and winds up getting engaged to the neighbor, Tagg Williams. It’s surprising too, since Leslie is not a fan of Christmas since her parents divorced and ever since then they’ve been trying to outdo each other, which doesn’t seem like a bad thing to me since her father is in Hawaii. Tagg doesn’t make finding a single guy any problem when he keeps inviting Leslie to Christmas events with his daughter, even making the effort to accommodate her broken leg as well. They cut down a Christmas tree, went sledding, helped decorate the tree, and went Christmas shopping together. Leslie complains a lot but Tagg must have seen something special with her because he tells her he loves her and even gives her an engagement ring on Christmas! Has it even been a couple weeks?

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a Christmas miracle!!!! Saying that is the only way i can get past the whole falling in love in a spun of three weeks situation. That being said this was a cute and perfect December read. All the lovey dovey things aside, Dailey really showed us through Leslie how much childhood trauma can affect us. Love was standing right in front of her with a big flashy neon sign sayin i am love and i want yo but she was still hesitant because of what her parents her through. If this wasn't meant to be a happy ending things would have gone very differently because of that. I don't have the biggest Christmas spirit but i'm glad Leslie won't be a cynic anymore when it comes to Christmas.
I enjoyed my time with this....A great way to end 2021

[Lena Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mistletoe and Holly is a cute, feel good Christmas story. It gives off Hallmark vibes, which I’m always okay with. Leslie takes time off work for Christmas and heads to her aunt’s house where she meets Tagg and his daughter Holly. It’s a pretty predictable story and they have their HEA but still a very good read! I loved Leslie’s hesitation & Tagg’s determination. Holly is adorable, loving, and speaks her mind. Which is how a lot of 6 year olds are.

The ending felt a little off for me, but again.. hallmark vibes so it was to be expected.

I’d definitely recommend this story if you’re into Hallmark Christmas movies.

[Cindy Adair · Rating 4 out of 5]

worthy of a Hallmark movie

This story would make a good a Hallmark movie. Single woman breaks leg, recuperates at aunt’s house, meets handsome neighbor and his daughter. She hates Christmas, but he and his daughter get her involved in all their holiday activities. He tells her he loves her, but she is scared. Will she admit she loves him after just a few weeks, or is it over before it really began? Will it all wrap up neatly and happily in the last chapter? “Tune in” to,find out!

[Mum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this story because the author generally writes good Christmas stories. This one was an exception. In this day and age, who lets a young child wander freely? Who walks in deep snow with crutches from house to house. I kept rolling my eyes at the plot devices to throw the two of them together. The plot had little depth and the characters little character. I hope it was a reprint of a much earlier story.

[Amiey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book in 93, my senior year of high school. Every Christmas I think about it and can't remember what it was called. I just Googled Harlequin, christmas, broken leg and it was the first thing that popped up! I can't wait to reread it! I remember it as sweet and sexy.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written for an older person who needs VERY simple writing.

[Jennifer Case · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like a Hallmark movie only not as good. Very simple writing.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and fun Christmas read.

[Jeri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Mistletoe and Holly

I really enjoyed this book and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer.

[Sydni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A widower, a child, a lady, and her aunt..... a beautiful Christmas story filled with love and laughter.

[Bobbi Hoffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not only poorly written, it is also cringe-worthy because the male doesn’t believe that NO MEANS NO. I don’t recommend.

[Lora Nix · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to make myself finish reading this book. The plot is very simple and predictable.

[Geraldine Sullivan-clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting tale!

I really enjoyed this Christmas romance! I loved the characters and their delightful interactions! I felt party of the story!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5/5

[Deborah R Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust

Lots of love in this book and happy times! Nice to see father's stepping up to raise daughters! Good story with happy ending!! Love it!!

[Nanci · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

Great Christmas love story with a beautiful ending, especially for a little girl! Because she got a new Mother from Santa Claus!