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Never Mind the Mistletoe
"I stared into my coffee because looking at anything else in the Christmas exploded in here café only stomped on my already fragile, bleeding, bruised, and likely to stop beating at any moment, heart."
Georgina Bishop has shared several mistletoe-induced kisses with Sean Wallace over the years, but when a promise of forever turns into the most humiliating moment of her life, Georgina is left tending her broken heart by telling her tales of woe to an old friend. When the story is done, she can't help but wonder if this Christmas might be the best yet. She doesn't need mistletoe and mystery after all. What she needs is good, old-fashioned romance... and a friend who is willing to deliver.
This Christmas-inspired romance is just the right size for a quick bite of sweet, clean holiday feels!
Georgina Bishop has shared several mistletoe-induced kisses with Sean Wallace over the years, but when a promise of forever turns into the most humiliating moment of her life, Georgina is left tending her broken heart by telling her tales of woe to an old friend. When the story is done, she can't help but wonder if this Christmas might be the best yet. She doesn't need mistletoe and mystery after all. What she needs is good, old-fashioned romance... and a friend who is willing to deliver.
This Christmas-inspired romance is just the right size for a quick bite of sweet, clean holiday feels!
104 pages, Paperback
Published May 13, 2024
4 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Padgett
73 books214 followersM. J. Padgett is first and foremost a mom. Her free-spirited daughter has quite the vivid imagination, and her antics sometimes find their way into her mommy’s work. She is a lover of all things chocolate, a Grimm and Dickens addict, a self-proclaimed smarty-pants, and an introvert to the core.
Writing is her true passion (after raising her daughter, of course), and she writes as often as possible. One of her favorite things about writing is creating a world where people can escape reality for a little while, maybe even walk away feeling hopeful about the real world around them. When it comes to reading, she loves a book that can make her forget where she is no matter the genre. If she can get lost and feel like the characters are her real friends, she’s a happy reader.
Writing is her true passion (after raising her daughter, of course), and she writes as often as possible. One of her favorite things about writing is creating a world where people can escape reality for a little while, maybe even walk away feeling hopeful about the real world around them. When it comes to reading, she loves a book that can make her forget where she is no matter the genre. If she can get lost and feel like the characters are her real friends, she’s a happy reader.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 27, 2025
Never Mind the Mistletoe by M. J. Padgett (2022)
Christmas in Stitches/Home Sweet Holidays #1
+97-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-91
Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Inspirational Romance
Featuring: Titled Chapters, Colored Graphics, Kiss To Remember, Coffee Shop, Christmas Parties, Denarians, Friends-to-Lovers Trope, Jilted, Bibliography for M. J. Padgett
Rating as a movie: PG
Songs for the soundtrack: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey, "Go Girlfriend (Have A Merry Christmas)" by No Secrets, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by B2K
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼☕️🎄
My thoughts: This had a bit of a slow start but it was actually very cute, I could totally see this as a Hallmark movie. My only issue is that it is part of a series but I cannot find any other books so I think they let it go.
Recommend to others: Sure. This is perfect as a palate cleanser or quick fix when you need a good story.
Memorable Quotes: “What’s got you down today, Georgina? You’re usually the only spirited one in the room.” Owen, the barista, wiped down the table, wiling away the time until closing, which was—I checked my watch—in twenty minutes. Closing early on Christmas Eve was standard, but I couldn’t go out there and face the world again, not yet. “Nothing really, just drowning my sorrows in this cup of completely boring coffee.” He chuckled. “I can add something to it if you want.” He swiped blonde hair from his forehead and tucked it back into his beanie. “We have all the typical holiday flavorings and then some.” “Nope. I’m trying to be miserable right now, so thanks, but no thanks.” He leaned over the counter and pursed those perfectly pouty lips of his. See, why couldn’t I fall for a guy like Owen? He was friendly, kind, and probably wouldn’t leave a girl standing under the mistletoe for an hour like some kind of love-starved, cliché idiot. “Okay, what’s wrong? I don’t like my Georgina all frowny-faced and sour. Lay it on me.” I inhaled and slumped deeper into the booth. “It’s pathetic. I’m ashamed to even tell you.” Owen circled the counter and grabbed six napkin holders, then sat at the table across from me and began filling them one napkin at a time. Technically, he was working, so his boss would let it slide. Actually, his boss would let it slide because she was my sister, and I would make her, but that was beside the point. “I’m going to sit here and put these napkins away while I listen to your tale of woe in an entirely nonjudgmental way. I promise not to laugh, not even a smirk. Go on.” I sipped my coffee again and figured, why not? What was one more humiliation on top of the hour spent with a red face while people passed me, chuckling, whispering, and pointing at the loser? I scooched forward and put my elbows on the table. Better to get it over with because Owen wouldn’t let it go until he’d found a way to make it better.
“It’s cliché, I know. We totally don’t have to.” He raised his hands and shook his head, giving me a way out of the situation, but I was pretty sure it would be the most magical first kiss in the history of Christmas kisses, so I shrugged. “I wouldn’t smack you or anything if you tried.” Sean smiled and leaned in, then paused. “Wait… just… one thing because there are a lot of kids running around here. How old are you?” “Fifteen?” I winced at the way my voice cracked, and something as simple as my age came out as a question. “Fifteen, almost sixteen.” His grin widened. “Perfect. I’m almost sixteen, too. Just wanted to, you know, make sure I wasn’t going to kiss a twelve-year-old or anything.” “I look twelve?” Sean’s eyes widened, and he shook his head again, this time so fast I was sure he’d give himself whiplash. “No, not at all. I just wasn’t sure if you were mature for your age or… I’m going to stop while I’m ahead. Is it okay?”
I tugged it over my head and grabbed my coat from the hook, then wrapped my scarf around my neck, wishing I could just strangle myself for being so silly. I was nineteen, and there was no reason for me to behave like a lovesick fool over a guy who clearly didn’t want the same things I did.
Christmas in Stitches/Home Sweet Holidays #1
+97-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-91
Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Inspirational Romance
Featuring: Titled Chapters, Colored Graphics, Kiss To Remember, Coffee Shop, Christmas Parties, Denarians, Friends-to-Lovers Trope, Jilted, Bibliography for M. J. Padgett
Rating as a movie: PG
Songs for the soundtrack: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey, "Go Girlfriend (Have A Merry Christmas)" by No Secrets, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by B2K
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼☕️🎄
My thoughts: This had a bit of a slow start but it was actually very cute, I could totally see this as a Hallmark movie. My only issue is that it is part of a series but I cannot find any other books so I think they let it go.
Recommend to others: Sure. This is perfect as a palate cleanser or quick fix when you need a good story.
Memorable Quotes: “What’s got you down today, Georgina? You’re usually the only spirited one in the room.” Owen, the barista, wiped down the table, wiling away the time until closing, which was—I checked my watch—in twenty minutes. Closing early on Christmas Eve was standard, but I couldn’t go out there and face the world again, not yet. “Nothing really, just drowning my sorrows in this cup of completely boring coffee.” He chuckled. “I can add something to it if you want.” He swiped blonde hair from his forehead and tucked it back into his beanie. “We have all the typical holiday flavorings and then some.” “Nope. I’m trying to be miserable right now, so thanks, but no thanks.” He leaned over the counter and pursed those perfectly pouty lips of his. See, why couldn’t I fall for a guy like Owen? He was friendly, kind, and probably wouldn’t leave a girl standing under the mistletoe for an hour like some kind of love-starved, cliché idiot. “Okay, what’s wrong? I don’t like my Georgina all frowny-faced and sour. Lay it on me.” I inhaled and slumped deeper into the booth. “It’s pathetic. I’m ashamed to even tell you.” Owen circled the counter and grabbed six napkin holders, then sat at the table across from me and began filling them one napkin at a time. Technically, he was working, so his boss would let it slide. Actually, his boss would let it slide because she was my sister, and I would make her, but that was beside the point. “I’m going to sit here and put these napkins away while I listen to your tale of woe in an entirely nonjudgmental way. I promise not to laugh, not even a smirk. Go on.” I sipped my coffee again and figured, why not? What was one more humiliation on top of the hour spent with a red face while people passed me, chuckling, whispering, and pointing at the loser? I scooched forward and put my elbows on the table. Better to get it over with because Owen wouldn’t let it go until he’d found a way to make it better.
“It’s cliché, I know. We totally don’t have to.” He raised his hands and shook his head, giving me a way out of the situation, but I was pretty sure it would be the most magical first kiss in the history of Christmas kisses, so I shrugged. “I wouldn’t smack you or anything if you tried.” Sean smiled and leaned in, then paused. “Wait… just… one thing because there are a lot of kids running around here. How old are you?” “Fifteen?” I winced at the way my voice cracked, and something as simple as my age came out as a question. “Fifteen, almost sixteen.” His grin widened. “Perfect. I’m almost sixteen, too. Just wanted to, you know, make sure I wasn’t going to kiss a twelve-year-old or anything.” “I look twelve?” Sean’s eyes widened, and he shook his head again, this time so fast I was sure he’d give himself whiplash. “No, not at all. I just wasn’t sure if you were mature for your age or… I’m going to stop while I’m ahead. Is it okay?”
I tugged it over my head and grabbed my coat from the hook, then wrapped my scarf around my neck, wishing I could just strangle myself for being so silly. I was nineteen, and there was no reason for me to behave like a lovesick fool over a guy who clearly didn’t want the same things I did.
July 11, 2024
This was the most wonderful little Christmas story filled full of sweet, clean holiday feels!
This is a novella & it can be extremely difficult sometimes to fit everything into an engaging, emotion filled read due to the typical shortened length but this one was most certainly the exception & a complete success for me! In less than 75 pages there was laughter, swooning, & tears all wrapped around a really cute premise of a teenage love story told in flashbacks as well as a present day love story being built between friends that was years in the making.
The story follows Georgina & Sean who meet by chance at their parent's work Christmas party. There's a little mistletoe, a little magic & they start what would become a yearly tradition. Both wanting more but life had other plans for them. Sean had some really sweet moments throughout but Owen, Georgina's local barista & friend, ultimately stole my heart. He was the perfect friend: patient, kind hearted, funny, a really great listener....oh, and attractive too!
It was incredibly charming & had a Hallmark Christmas movie atmosphere throughout. There's no "traditional" third act breakup & it concluded with a beautiful epilogue that wrapped up the ending perfectly making it my new favorite! The Hallmark Channel needs to take notice of this one because I think it would make a fantastic addition to their heartwarming Christmas movie lineups!
It pulls you in from the first line...
"I stared into my coffee because looking at anything else in the Christmas exploded in here café only stomped on my already fragile, bleeding, bruised, and likely to stop beating at any moment, heart."
...and doesn't let you go until the very end! If you love endearing & heartfelt Christmas stories, you need to add this one to your TBR! This was a new to me author and I will absolutely be reading more in the future! Thanks to the author for such a fantastic holiday read.🎄
This is a novella & it can be extremely difficult sometimes to fit everything into an engaging, emotion filled read due to the typical shortened length but this one was most certainly the exception & a complete success for me! In less than 75 pages there was laughter, swooning, & tears all wrapped around a really cute premise of a teenage love story told in flashbacks as well as a present day love story being built between friends that was years in the making.
The story follows Georgina & Sean who meet by chance at their parent's work Christmas party. There's a little mistletoe, a little magic & they start what would become a yearly tradition. Both wanting more but life had other plans for them. Sean had some really sweet moments throughout but Owen, Georgina's local barista & friend, ultimately stole my heart. He was the perfect friend: patient, kind hearted, funny, a really great listener....oh, and attractive too!
It was incredibly charming & had a Hallmark Christmas movie atmosphere throughout. There's no "traditional" third act breakup & it concluded with a beautiful epilogue that wrapped up the ending perfectly making it my new favorite! The Hallmark Channel needs to take notice of this one because I think it would make a fantastic addition to their heartwarming Christmas movie lineups!
It pulls you in from the first line...
"I stared into my coffee because looking at anything else in the Christmas exploded in here café only stomped on my already fragile, bleeding, bruised, and likely to stop beating at any moment, heart."
...and doesn't let you go until the very end! If you love endearing & heartfelt Christmas stories, you need to add this one to your TBR! This was a new to me author and I will absolutely be reading more in the future! Thanks to the author for such a fantastic holiday read.🎄
April 21, 2023
Georgina and Owen are closing up early tonight on Christmas Eve at the cafe that her sister owns, but they always take time for each other. They could be considered best friends since there isn't anything they don't share with each other. Owen has comforted Georgina more times than she can count and she tells him everything about her crush on Sean. Four years ago, Georgina and her parents went to a Christmas party, the corporate work parties that the children are dragged to and left to their own devices. Georgie didn't want to mingle, start conversations that were ridiculous because they had nothing in common or just sit around eating snacks from the refreshment table. What she never expected was to meet a boy who would prove to be a distraction and a possible love of her life. Sean comes to these parties with his parents each Christmas, and he and Georgina share some special times and kisses. She has her expectations and hopes for what could come of this, but she and Sean have never talked about it and she's left hanging. Owen silently listens and gives her his support and advice, but inside he's silently hoping that she'll notice him and not just as her friend. This is a sweet Christmas story of self-discovery and coming to understand that what you really want is standing right before you. It left me with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.
Marnie Karger does a wonderful job with her dynamic voice, laced with emotion, and a perfect pace throughout.
Marnie Karger does a wonderful job with her dynamic voice, laced with emotion, and a perfect pace throughout.
December 7, 2025
4 Stars
Completed: Dec. 06/25
Format: e-book borrow (Kindle Unlimited)
Book #169 of 2025: This Christmas novella has an epic opening line that made me laugh: “I stared into my coffee because looking at anything else in the Christmas exploded in here café only stomped on my already fragile, bleeding, bruised, and likely to stop beating at any moment heart.”
This is a cute “friends to more” story but first Georgina comes to realize that her 4-year crush wasn’t going to amount to anything. After all, they only saw each other at the annual Christmas party where her Mom worked for Sean’s Dad.
Georgina recounts the 4-year saga to her good friend, Owen after her promised “Sean reunion” doesn’t happen. It began when she was 15 so some of the story has a Y.A. feel. Afterward, Georgina begins to see Owen in a new light and realizes she missed out on what is right in front of her the entire time.
Personally I thought Sean was let off way too easy. The ‘player’ vibe is strong, along with the immaturity. He did somewhat redeem himself at the end.
This is a very light and sweet story but definitely more geared to teenagers and very young women more than to someone in my age group. It’s a fun Christmas read though — a feel good story.
Completed: Dec. 06/25
Format: e-book borrow (Kindle Unlimited)
Book #169 of 2025: This Christmas novella has an epic opening line that made me laugh: “I stared into my coffee because looking at anything else in the Christmas exploded in here café only stomped on my already fragile, bleeding, bruised, and likely to stop beating at any moment heart.”
This is a cute “friends to more” story but first Georgina comes to realize that her 4-year crush wasn’t going to amount to anything. After all, they only saw each other at the annual Christmas party where her Mom worked for Sean’s Dad.
Georgina recounts the 4-year saga to her good friend, Owen after her promised “Sean reunion” doesn’t happen. It began when she was 15 so some of the story has a Y.A. feel. Afterward, Georgina begins to see Owen in a new light and realizes she missed out on what is right in front of her the entire time.
Personally I thought Sean was let off way too easy. The ‘player’ vibe is strong, along with the immaturity. He did somewhat redeem himself at the end.
This is a very light and sweet story but definitely more geared to teenagers and very young women more than to someone in my age group. It’s a fun Christmas read though — a feel good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2023
Meet Me Next Christmas Under the Mistletoe, Novella
Parents- PG- good for middle school to adults
Language- G
Violence- G - none
Sexual Content- PG just the kissing variety with teen/young adult romance
Really sweet and quick read about two teenagers that keep meeting at their parents yearly work Christmas party... but boarding schools and life get in the way during the rest of the year. Can they finally make it work?
Narrator (4🌟)- did a great job with the different voices and was fun to listen to.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents- PG- good for middle school to adults
Language- G
Violence- G - none
Sexual Content- PG just the kissing variety with teen/young adult romance
Really sweet and quick read about two teenagers that keep meeting at their parents yearly work Christmas party... but boarding schools and life get in the way during the rest of the year. Can they finally make it work?
Narrator (4🌟)- did a great job with the different voices and was fun to listen to.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 16, 2023
Yes. This is a very sweet, clean Christmas romance novella. Teenage feels. Secret kisses. Two people that meet only once a year at their parents Christmas party. They have feelings, but life gets in the way to meet any more than that. How does it all end?
The narrator was a delight to listen to. Nice performance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this Audiobook from Story Origin.
Thank you for your review.
The narrator was a delight to listen to. Nice performance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this Audiobook from Story Origin.
Thank you for your review.
December 21, 2023
For those that read book's blurb, yes, this blurb gives you a good idea of what to expect. Never Mind the Mistletoe is told through Georgina's pov and is a sweet Christmas romance about finding her one.
For years, Georgina has spent her holidays waiting to spend time with Sean and seeing if it's finally the right time for them to be together. As she begins to tell Owen the story of her past meetings with Sean during Christmastime, she reflects on that time and wonders if it'll ever be the right time for a relationship with Sean.
I loved the flashbacks and the way the story unfolded and made you question if they will finally be able to get together. Owen was a good friend and helped put things into perspective for Georgina. The romance is clean consisting of only kissing and no foul language is used. It's a great read for all ages. I think readers will be pleasantly surprised by this story.
For years, Georgina has spent her holidays waiting to spend time with Sean and seeing if it's finally the right time for them to be together. As she begins to tell Owen the story of her past meetings with Sean during Christmastime, she reflects on that time and wonders if it'll ever be the right time for a relationship with Sean.
I loved the flashbacks and the way the story unfolded and made you question if they will finally be able to get together. Owen was a good friend and helped put things into perspective for Georgina. The romance is clean consisting of only kissing and no foul language is used. It's a great read for all ages. I think readers will be pleasantly surprised by this story.
December 26, 2024
This short sweet Christmas novella has flashbacks of two teenagers Sean and Georgina meeting at a Christmas party at their parents' workplace 4 Christmases ago and the expectations and questions that Georgie had when she and Sean encountered each other at the Christmas party in the following years. Along with the flashbacks is a present love story unfolding between Georgina and Owen. This was a great Christmas novella.
April 1, 2023
Audiobook: I enjoyed this Christmas novella. The story was sweet and heartwarming. The characters were delightful. A quick, sappy romance that caused me to sigh with contentment at the story's end. Marnie Karger's narration was great and kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
April 5, 2023
Cute and clean Christmas romance. This story has all the earmarks of a sweet Christmas movie that I would love to watch. Sweet, sappy and mostly predictable. I enjoyed the narrator. She did a great job making the story just that much more enjoyable.
No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary audiobook through StoryOrigin and voluntarily chose to review it.
No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary audiobook through StoryOrigin and voluntarily chose to review it.
April 8, 2023
Short and sweet Christmas romance. The story is very clean, no sex or violence. While listening to the story, I felt it would make a good Hallmark movie. The story was well written, and enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I received a free copy of this audiobook, and am voluntarily leaving my review.
April 15, 2023
A sweet short story about looking at what's right in front of you. I liked a build up, but then felt a little cheated, when it crushed.
The narrator did a good job with this story.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The narrator did a good job with this story.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 16, 2023
A cute Christmas story of young romance that doesn't work out, yet the heroine finds right in front of her what she was looking for all along.
Sweet, clean, wholesome story that makes you feel good.
Sweet, clean, wholesome story that makes you feel good.
January 13, 2025
Sweet and cozy holiday romance
I loved this cute and sweet story. It gave me the perfect cozy Christmas vibes and I wish there was more of this couple. I always enjoy M. J. Padgett's stories.
I loved this cute and sweet story. It gave me the perfect cozy Christmas vibes and I wish there was more of this couple. I always enjoy M. J. Padgett's stories.
April 1, 2023
Excellent. Sweet and funny. Predicatable but still adorable. Believable. Loved it. Fantastic.
November 26, 2023
Adorable with all the Christmas feels!
November 21, 2024
Oblivious
A very sweet Christmas Story. Bethany, Georgina, Owen and Sean are the only characters. You will enjoy! It is “Sappy”!
A very sweet Christmas Story. Bethany, Georgina, Owen and Sean are the only characters. You will enjoy! It is “Sappy”!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews