Jul i Lake Mistletoe

Lake Mistletoe #1

by Amber Kelly, Nina Hansen (Translator)

Velkommen til Lake Mistletoe, hvor julemagien kan få drømme til at gå i opfyldelse.

Lake Mistletoe er det sidste sted, Willa havde regnet med at skulle holde jul. Men da hun arver sin bedstemors kro, skifter Willa hæsblæsende Miami ud med Lake Mistletoes stille, naturskønne omgivelser. Lidt luftforandrig skader ikke, når ens karriere er i frit fald, så hun beslutter sig for at blive, til Gingerbread Inn er solgt.

Keller, Lake Mistletoes uofficielle altmuligmand, indvilliger i at hjælpe med reparationer på kroen. Han er er talentfuld, engageret og sexet, men ikke synderligt imponeret over storbypigen Willa med de fikse idéer … men måske kan de alligevel lære noget af hinanden? Og er Lake Mistletoe måske stedet, hvor alle Willas drømme kan gå i opfyldelse?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Holiday Romance, Contemporary Romance

275 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2021

About the author

Amber Kelly is a romance author that calls North Carolina home. She has been an avid reader from a young age and you could always find her with her nose in a book completely enthralled in an adventure. With the support of her husband and family, in 2018, she decided to finally give a voice to the stories in her head and her debut novel, Both of Me was born. You can connect with Amber on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorAmberKelly, on IG @authoramberkelly or on twitter @AuthorAmberKel1.
http://authoramberkelly.com/

Reviews

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: Available on Kindle Unlimited or purchase for 99-cents on Amazon

A holly jolly Christmas tale full of holiday cheer and good-will – keeping spirits bright from start to finish. And the Gingerbread Inn welcomes its guests with the smells of gingerbread baking, the firelight glowing and an inn full of wonderfully delightful and entertaining characters.

Told from dual POVs by Willa and Keller, who share a terrific opposites-attract trope with a sweet and adorable mistaken identity meet/greet. She’s a bright lights and big city girl driving a Porsche that's stuck in the snow -- and he’s firelight, small town guy driving a dually pickup truck rescuing her and her fancy sports car from that snow drift. And together they create plenty of sparks.

I loved the sweet and playful spicy romance between Willa and Keller, the “family” of characters who share the delights provided by Gingerbread Inn, along with the humor and good cheer set in a magical winter wonderland. And a visit from the jolly man in the red suit adds the gumdrop on top of it all.

You’ll find a stocking full of Christmas treats hanging on the mantel, so join the fun in Lake Mistletoe, Idaho at the Gingerbread Inn this Christmas season. You’ll have a grand time!

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centered around the renovation of an inn—the Gingerbread Inn—this romance was perfectly festive and cozy.

Travelling from Miami, Florida, Willa is ready to accept her inherited lakefront inn and spruce it up to sell. I loved that although Willa was a city girl, arriving in a white convertible Porsche, her personality didn't come with the overly arrogant stereotype, making her transition into the small town lighthearted and hopeful.

Burned by a past relationship, local woodworker Keller avoids anything serious. But as he assists Willa in her renovation dreams, the forced proximity brings plenty of sweet banter and heat. If you're craving a feel-good story, this is definitely an easygoing romance with minor conflicts.

Discovering more to life than a business venture, I loved seeing Willa regain her love for Lake Mistletoe, its history, and its community. And I of course loved the very minor nod to the Poplar Falls series!

[READ ME ROMANCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to feel the magic of Christmas, then read Lake Mistletoe by Amber Kelly. Set in the beautiful state of Iowa overlooking a serene lake, sits a small town with strong ties and people who come together to support one another and celebrate the season. Amber has such a beautiful heart and shares her optimism and love of small towns with her readers, and I can’t get enough. I love all the little details from the way she depicts the snowfall, to the way she describes her characters, and every store in the village as well as the Gingerbread Inn that Willa, our heroine, inherits after her maternal grandmother passes.

Willa drives from Florida to Iowa with a master plan to spruce up the Inn and sell it for a profit, with the intention of moving on to bigger and better things. She hold a degree in hospitality management and is a gifted designer as well, and it doesn't take long for the town, especially a certain someone, to imprint on her heart. She hasn’t been to her mom’s hometown since she passed away when she was only eight, and this story is really her journey to finding inner peace and true happiness.

I just loved how Willa felt such a deep, personal connection to the Inn that was also her grandmother’s home. There were many emotional scenes especially how her grandmother understood their distance, but kept the hope that she would return one day. Also how her grandmother’s best friend Trixie, helped her run the business and served as a guiding light–never overstepping, but gently encouraging and filling her in all the years she had missed.

Keller, our hero, is Trixie’s son, and my kind of man! I just love the strong, silent type, who is smart, sexy, rugged, hardworking, and a true gentleman! I’ll take a flannel shirt and jeans over a suit any day, especially one who is also a gifted craftsman and good with his hands! Oh my, Keller is swoon worthy for sure, and simply embraced and was charmed by Willa’s drive and ambition.

I loved how they quickly became friends, all of their witty banter, their quiet moments, and his more laid back disposition vs. her need to organize and plan every detail. There were many funny moments, like their meet cute, and many steamy scenes as their attraction was evident from their very first encounter.

I so enjoyed Lake Mistletoe and all of the wonderful supporting characters like his sisters and the others who worked at the Inn. Loved how they celebrated Christmas and created new traditions while respecting the old ones and welcomed so many people into their lives. There was a pointent scene that really hit home for me and it was when "Santa" explained to her that her wish really was granted when she was a child, and Willa took time to reflect on his words of wisdom.

Lake Mistletoe was a warm and magical holiday romance with all the butterflies in your belly fuzzy feelings. “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans,” and this is exactly what happened to our heroine. Highly recommend!

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her grandmother passes away, Willa inherits the inn that she owned in Lake Mistletoe, Idaho. Willa has experience working in hospitality, so she plans to fix up the Gingerbread Inn by the New Year & sell it before taking on a bigger & better career opportunity.

When Willa arrives, she’s surprised to be welcomed with open arms by everyone who loved her & her grandmother, especially the woman who runs the inn, Trixie. But Willa mistakes Trixie’s son, Keller as a handyman for the inn and starts bossing him around before long.

Keller is a woodworker by trade and even though he isn’t the inn’s handyman, he finds himself wanting to help Willa, who has only become more gorgeous since the last time he saw her. Even though Willa isn’t staying for long, a romance brews between her & Keller. And she finds herself at a crossroads, unsure of where to go. When it comes to matters of the heart, things definitely aren’t clear-cut…

Lake Mistletoe by Amber Kelly is a cozy, stand-alone holiday romance. I love the trope where someone inherits an inn & this had a fun twist because Willa actually was very knowledgeable about running a hotel/inn. She & Keller were cute together and overall this was a sweet, low angst romance. I would’ve welcomed more tension but I still enjoyed this one. 4/5 stars.

[Books Wine and Besties · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me set the scene… 🎄💕
You are watching a hallmark channel movie… Woman inherits an inn from her late grandmother in a small town. She is planning to sell it. A man helps around the inn and used to know this woman when they were children. And you are thinking “This movie would be perfect, if only they added some 🔥”
I give you ….Lake Mistletoe by @authoramberkelly
This had me smiling and laughing. I seriously want to see this one on Netflix. It’s everything you look for in a holiday romance.
Add this one to your #tbr asap!
•

[FunUndertheCovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This!! This right here is the absolute perfect Christmas love story! Gah! My heart!!

Willa and Keller are nothing short of exquisite. Such a beautiful story of finding who you are and who you are meant to be. Full of sweetness, love, and passion. Willa and Keller along with the magic of Lake Mistletoe will warm your heart and have you falling in love. An absolute must read!! 5 stars!

[Autumn Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect holiday read!

🎄NOW AVAILABLE🎄
Lake Mistletoe, a holly jolly steamy Christmas tale, by Amber Kelly is live! One-click yours for #99cents or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

One-Click here: mybook.to/lakemistletoe
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3oQBL95
Add it to your TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Blurb:
Life in the fast lane is what I’ve been working toward for the last six years. My career was all planned out running one of the hottest hotels in Miami’s South Beach. That was until our playboy owner broke a few rules, and my perfect opportunity crumbled underneath my feet.

So here I am, headed to Lake Mistletoe, a quaint little valley town in Idaho of all places. My grandmother, and namesake, left her Inn to me, and I am now sentenced to the task of getting it prepared to sell at the end of this year's holiday season. My memories of this Christmas oasis have long since faded, but I’m determined to use this experience to further my career and get back into the hospitality game.

When Keller Harris, Lake Mistletoe’s resident craftsman, and unofficial handyman, offers to help me with the neverending list of repairs and upgrades, it's the perfect opportunity for me to get hands-on experience. He’s talented, driven, and sexy as sin, but he's also a know-it-all and completely unimpressed by my business sense. I can learn a lot from him but his stubborn self can also learn a lot from me.

As walls start to fall, literally and figuratively, I begin to realize that success comes in many forms and passion can be found in unexpected places. Will I be able to turn this season into a stepping stone to an exciting new career in Belize?

Or will I discover that everything I ever wanted was tucked away in the Rocky Mountains?

Find more books by Amber Kelly here: www.authoramberkelly.com

[Heather❀Kiss The Pages❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is my GO-TO small town romance author! She's just perfected and mastered this trope. So imagine her writing a small town CHRISTMAS romance. Yes! It was amazing and brought ALL THE FEELS! 🦌🦌🦌

A big city girl, Willa, from Miami comes back to her small town childhood home to renovate an inn after her Grandmother passes away. Of course it's called the Gingerbread Inn! She reconnects with childhood friend, Keller who has been burnt by an ex-fiancee and closed himself off to love. Watching these two fall in love will absolutely make you swoon!

This book brought the steam and all the heartfelt emotions! It was such a cozy holiday romance in the quaintest town with fantastic supporting characters. It's definitely a must read Christmas romance!

ARC generously provider in exchange for an honest review

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT WAS OKAY.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This didn’t really do anything for me. I struggle with holiday reads having a balance between steamy and hallmark. Why can’t I have something in the middle, ya know? This felt like it was trying to push more steam than the actual romance itself and left a lot to be desired for me.

There was too much focus on very random details of Willa’s day to day. Really small details that I was tired of reading about. I didn’t need to know such breakdowns that caused me to start skimming faster and faster to get to actual dialogue and momentum. Steam was thrown in without much lead-up and that felt off/random to me. I wasn’t connected to either of them by the time things started happening.

Christmas/Holiday-wise, this is alive and well in that department. I do love a small town romance and this provided well in that regard. I loved the names for the town’s hotels and all the fun things that were part of the spirit there.

I wish this was a better balance of the two sides. Oh well, another holiday romance that leaves me wanting.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: multiple open door scenes
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one

[Bookaholic Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lake Mistletoe di Amber Kelly è uno di quei libri che ti avvolge come una coperta morbida nelle fredde giornate d’inverno. La storia si apre con Willa, elegante, organizzata e concentrata sugli affari: all’inizio può sembrare una donna boriosa, pronta a vendere la locanda della nonna per tornare alla vita glamour della città, ma chi la giudica così presto si sbaglia di grosso. Sotto quella maschera professionale c’è una donna autentica, che sa chiedere aiuto quando serve, ringrazia sinceramente chi le sta vicino, e soprattutto non si tira indietro davanti al lavoro vero: si sporca le mani per prima, collabora con chi le sta accanto e si mette davvero al servizio della comunità che le apre il cuore.

E poi c’è Keller, l’uomo locale forte, sexy e dal cuore grande. All’inizio lui la vede come boriosa, ma ben presto capisce che la sua apparente durezza nasconde una generosità genuina, una capacità di mettersi in gioco e un’attitudine concreta che la rendono speciale. La loro dinamica cresce attraverso momenti di lavoro condiviso, risate, imprevisti e quell’intimità che nasce dal rispetto reciproco, dal vedere chi sei davvero quando abbassi le difese. La magia del libro non sta solo nell’atmosfera natalizia perfetta — luci scintillanti, camini accesi, profumo di biscotti e nevicate leggere — ma nella crescita personale dei personaggi, nel modo in cui Willa scopre cosa vuole davvero nel profondo e come Keller impara a guardare oltre le apparenze. Tutto questo rende la storia più di un semplice romance: è un ritorno alle radici, una celebrazione di seconde possibilità, di cuore, di lavoro condiviso e di comunità. La scrittura di Amber Kelly è fluida e avvolgente, capace di far sentire il lettore parte della vita di Lake Mistletoe, come se stessi camminando accanto ai protagonisti tra luci natalizie e profumo di cioccolata calda. Ogni pagina trasmette calore, tenerezza e quella dolcezza che ti fa sospirare e sorridere allo stesso tempo. Normalmente preferisco epiloghi che parlano di molto tempo dopo, ma devo dire che quello proposto dall’autrice mi ha comunque conquistata, perché chiude la storia con dolcezza, completezza e quel senso di pace che si adatta perfettamente all’atmosfera del libro. Lake Mistletoe non è solo un romance natalizio: è una storia che scalda il cuore, dove le persone mostrano il meglio di sé attraverso gesti concreti, collaborazione e amore sincero. Perfetto per chi vuole una lettura romantica, emotiva e piena di magia natalizia, da gustare con una coperta e una tazza di cioccolata.

🌟 Valutazione: 5 stelle. Non solo per la magia dell’atmosfera, ma soprattutto per i personaggi: autentici, profondi, capaci di far battere il cuore e di ricordarti quanto sia bello vedere l’amore crescere tra rispetto, dedizione e piccole grandi attenzioni.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Intanto inizio ringraziando l’autrice per aver scritto questa storia e la Royal Books Edizioni per averlo pubblicato e quindi abbiamo l’opportunità di leggerlo. Grazie 😘 ”

Recensione

Buon pomeriggio lettori,

Eccomi oggi con la recensione del libro LAKE MISTLETOE di Amber Kelly. Storia bella, scritta bene, scorrevole ma soprattutto piena di emozioni, per l’amore delle persone care e per una promessa fatta alla nonna defunta. Un paesaggio magico dove viene svolta questa storia, che vedrà fondere il passato con il presente per un buon futuro e con una popolazione unita come se fosse una famiglia. La protagonista una ragazza che ritorna nel luogo della sua infanzia, invece il protagonista un tuttofare bello e sexy, con questi due ne vedremo di belle. 5⭐️

Amber per me è una garanzia, mi piace moltissimo il suo modo di scrivere, ha una scrittura pulita e fluida, ma soprattutto come struttura le storie ma soprattutto i personaggi che sia primari che secondari.

Trama

Negli ultimi anni ho lavorato sodo per farmi strada nel settore alberghiero. La mia carriera nella gestione di uno degli hotel più alla moda di South Beach, a Miami, era interamente pianificata: questo fino a quando quel donnaiolo del proprietario non ha infranto le regole e la mia grande opportunità si è sgretolata come un castello di sabbia.

Quindi eccomi qui, diretta a Lake Mistletoe, una piccola e pittoresca cittadina situata in una valle dell’Idaho. Mia nonna, nonché mia omonima, mi ha lasciato in eredità la sua locanda e ora sono condannata a ristrutturarla per venderla alla fine delle festività natalizie.

I miei ricordi di quest’oasi del Natale sono sbiaditi da tempo, ma sono determinata a sfruttare quest’esperienza per far avanzare la mia carriera e rientrare nel mondo dell’ospitalità alberghiera.

Quando Keller Harris, artigiano e tuttofare non ufficiale di Lake Mistletoe, si offre di aiutarmi con l’infinito elenco di riparazioni e miglioramenti, per me è l’occasione perfetta per fare un po’ di esperienza sul campo. Lui è talentuoso, determinato e sexy da morire, ma anche saccente e del tutto indifferente al mio senso per gli affari. Posso imparare molto da lui, ma quel testardo può anche imparare molto da me.

Mentre i muri iniziano a crollare, letteralmente e metaforicamente, comincio a rendermi conto che il successo ha molte forme e che la passione si può trovare in luoghi inaspettati. Sarò in grado di trasformare questa stagione in un primo passo verso una nuova, entusiasmante carriera in Belize? O scoprirò che tutto ciò che ho sempre desiderato è nascosto tra le Montagne Rocciose?

[Alice Gerini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eccomi qui, diretta a Lake Mistletoe, una piccola e pittoresca cittadina situata in una valle dell'Idaho. Mia nonna mi ha lasciato in eredità la sua locanda e ora sono condannata a ristrutturarla per venderla alla fine delle festività natalizie.
I miei ricordi di quest'oasi del Natale sono sbiaditi da tempo, ma sono determinata a sfruttare quest'esperienza per far avanzare la mia carriera e rientrare nel mondo dell'ospitalità alberghiera.
Quando Keller Harris, artigiano e tuttofare non ufficiale di Lake Mistletoe, si offre di aiutarmi con l'infinito elenco di riparazioni e miglioramenti, per me è l'occasione perfetta per fare un po' di esperienza sul campo. Lui è talentuoso, determinato e sexy da morire, ma anche saccente e del tutto indifferente al mio senso per gli affari. Posso imparare molto da lui, ma quel testardo può anche imparare molto da me.
Mentre i muri iniziano a crollare, letteralmente e metaforicamente, comincio a rendermi conto che il successo ha molte forme e che la passione si può trovare in luoghi inaspettati...

Carino, nulla di impegnativo.
La storia è molto semplice, trasporta in quella magia del Natale tipica dei film ambientati in questo periodo.
Il pov alternato e il tempo presente aiutano ad entrare maggiormente nella storia e a conoscere questi due personaggi agli opposti. Strano ma vero, ho preferito Willa a Keller, forse perché abbiamo un carattere molto simile! Lui un po' troppo cliché "uomo di montagna strafigo", ma da una parte ci sta.
Molto bella l'ambientazione, sembra proprio di essere in questo paesino prossimo alle feste natalizie! Tra la neve, il calore e la bontà delle persone.
Unica, grande pecca, nonostante ne comprenda l'importanza in quanto è la base della storia, le parti riguardanti la ristrutturazione sono veramente troppe, quasi ad ogni capitolo. Sono ripetitive e stancano.
Carino? Sì. Ma non indimenticabile. Ideale per entrare in clima natalizio? Al 100%!

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star Review Lake Mistletoe A Holly, Jolly and Steamy Christmas Tale by Amber Kelly

If you love the holiday season like I do, then this is a MUST read. What's not to love? It's the most magical time of the year and also happens to be my most favourite holiday. I love any story that is centred around Christmas; it’s a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate.      

Amber Kelly is a new author to me and I cannot believe I have not read this author before now. From the first chapter I was riveted to this wonderful story; it ticked all the boxes for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Kelly’s writing style and this is one of my favourite holiday reads to date.

I love stories set is small towns and Lake Mistletoe sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Willa has inherited the Gingerbread Inn from her grandmother and is in town to get the place in order to sell. Add in Keller Harris, Lake Mistletoe’s unofficial handyman and you are about to embark on an entertaining story.

Willa has a plan, get the inn fixed up and sell it and use it to move on. However that is all about to change when the magic of Lake Mistletoe and a man named Keller get under her skin. The attraction between them is intense and the sparks soon fly. The writing was strong and descriptive and I could easily picture myself in Lake Mistletoe.

Could Willa have found what she is looking for in Lake Mistletoe? One click and find out.

[Jaymie | Girlogic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to visit Lake Mistletoe.

Or at a least a place like it.

This book is different compared to Amber Kelly’s other books. It’s just a whole different vibe and is written different.

I still very much enjoyed it though.

Willa inherits her family inn when her grandma passes and she’s on a mission to do some renovations and then sell but her plans slightly change when her memories and connection to the place come to the fore front. Also doesn’t help when your ’handyman’ is to die for and is always there to help.

Keller is a dream. He is all about family and helping thy neighbour. He has a giant heart and can’t help but smile at the antics of Willa.

These two were super cute. I enjoyed their banter, renovations and even a little jealousy.

I did at times though, question their chemistry. I don’t know if it’s because it’s written differently or what it is but I found it hard to feel their chemistry and connection in the beginning.

But towards the end, I was wrapped up on them.

This book is a Christmas dream. The cookies, the lake, the Christmas spirit and the decorations makes it’s really hard for me not to break out my Christmas decor even though I’m only in October.

I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Hayley 〰 Hayley's Next Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You told me I'd conquer the world. Lake Mistletoe seems like the perfect place to start."

Lake Mistletoe is a holiday novella set in the fictional Idaho town of Lake Mistletoe. Miami native, Willa returns to the town following her grandma's passing. She's determined to renovate her grandma's inn before selling it and heading back to Florida. She asks for help from the town's unofficial handyman, Keller. It doesn't take long for the Lake Mistletoe magic to wriggle its way into Willa's heart.

I really enjoyed this holiday novella from Amber Kelly. She truly captured not only the magic of Christmas but how special the inn is, with families returning yearly to celebrate Christmas. It's guaranteed to warm your heart.

Lake Mistletoe is told from both Willa and Keller's perspectives and the pair's chemistry was undeniable. Both characters are strong-willed and stubborn, but it's Willa's confidence that eventually rubs off on Keller. The pair are surrounded by such a great group of supporting characters as well. Namely, Keller's family.

Overall, if you want a cozy (and steamy) romance to enjoy these holidays, check out Lake Mistletoe.

Thank you to the author and Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lake Mistletoe: A Holly, Jolly and Steamy Christmas Tale is what Hallmark Movies are made of and this definitely needs to be made into a Christmas movie. Amber Kelly is a fairly new author to me and honestly, I have no idea why she hasn’t crossed my radar sooner and that needs to change because Keller and Willa’s love story is a truly magical read.
Willa is back in Lake Mistletoe to sell the guesthouse she has inherited from her late grandmother, she is only meant to be doing some improvements and moving on, she wasn’t meant to fall in love….
This is a magical read that will appeal to a wide range of audiences, it’s easy to fall in love with the residents of this small town and it’s even easier to find yourself wishing you lived there. Christmas is a time for family and friendships, it’s a time to believe in the magic of the holiday season and that’s exactly what this book is all about. Can’t wait to read more from the very talented Ms Kelly

[Lori Leaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

In short: Willa has inherited her grandmother’s Inn located in Lake Mistletoe, Idaho. She intends to fix it up & sell it after the holidays. Once getting to Idaho she re-connects with a childhood friend Keller who helps her fix up the place as they grow close.

My thoughts: I loved this small town holiday romance with a touch of spice!

What I enjoyed:
🎄The setting: Having grown up in Idaho I spent many winters exploring Sun Valley, Idaho which this is set near. I could perfectly picture Lake Mistletoe from the descriptions.
🎄Dual POVs: I love reading both sides of a story as it progresses.
🎄Found family
🎄Discovering where you’re meant to be

This book is perfect for getting you in the holiday spirit. I loved the setting, the romance, the characters, the humor and the magic of a winter wonderland.

[Lisa Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and heartwarming Christmas romance. Winnie began her life in Lake Mistletoe, until her mother passed away and her father just couldn’t handle the onslaught of memories the town evokes for him. So when Winnie was 8, they moved to Miami and never looked back. Winnie lost not only her mother but the place where her mother’s presence was so strong. When her grandmother passed away, the Gingerbread Inn is left to Winnie. This place has been in her family for generations. Her initial idea was to spruce up the Inn and then sell it for a nice profit. But it’s been said that there is magic in Lake Mistletoe.

Keller has sworn off relationships since his fiancé ran off with another man. He doesn’t have time for them anyway. He’s working hard at building up his handmade furniture business. All bets are off the more time he spends helping Winnie around the Inn. She mistakenly thinks he works for the Inn and he just didn’t have the heart to tell her he didn’t. So they spend many days and nights working hard and then the Lake Mistletoe magic starts to work it’s way into their hearts.

I knew being back where her mother’s memories and friends and family were was going to change Winnie’s mind about what to do with the Inn. There’s not a lot of drama in this book which is perfect since it’s a Christmas story.

[Amanda (Romance Reviewed) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(ARC Review)

Willa is a Miami girl who inherits her grandmother’s B&B in small town Idaho. She figures she’ll fix the inn up, sell it quick after the holidays, and move on with her regular life. She ropes her former childhood friend, Keller, into helping with the repairs and the two start to grow closer as they work on rehabbing the property. Can she really leave Keller and the gorgeous town she’s fallen in love with behind when the holiday is over?

This was such a heartwarming holiday romance! It was full of small town Christmas cheer and beautiful scenery, and I really enjoyed Willa and Keller’s opposites attract romance

I especially loved Keller, I love a small town guy who’s good with his hands and doesn’t hesitate to help out. He was the more laid back of the two, and it was fun to see how he rolled with the punches versus Willa’s more type-A persona. Willa was a bit tough for me to like at the beginning, she came across as a big city snob, but I assume that was on purpose to show her growth through the story.

Definitely recommended if you’re looking for a sweet (with a bit of spice) small town holiday romance!

[Kerry Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, cosy Christmas book

I rated this five stars as it is such a cute and cosy book full of laughter and lots of joy. A really heartwarming book to cosy and snuggle up with. Amber Kelly really take you to the magical world of Lake Mistletoe and makes you feel a true part of the Inn and like the characters are your friends. I can't rate this book highly enough, if I could, I would definitely award it ten 🌟

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful holiday read! Amber Kelly takes you to picturesque Lake Mistletoe where you'll find red hot chemistry, small town charm and a whole lot of Christmas cheer. I loved this book! It gave me all those warm cozy feelings only a good Christmas romance could. It's the kind of book you'll want to cuddle up with next a warm fire and a mug of hot cocoa and just swoon.

[Kelly Drudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a sweet, holiday romance then look no further! I absolutely loved this story! Willa & Keller fit perfectly together, despite on the surface appearing to be opposites. The magic of lake mistletoe works wonder on them and makes me want to visit too. Sweet, swoony and all the feels!

[WhiskeyandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful read. I was hooked first page to the last page. I truly loved the feeling of family while reading this book. Its a gorgeous story that is perfect for the holidays. I will say this... Mrs. Kelly you did a very sneaky thing in this book - Mrs. Young 😉

[Booksreaderandcoffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willa inherited her grandmother's inn and she plans to fix it up a bit before selling it. She has plans to work at a big resort, she doesn't think that small town life or a small town inn is for her.

In her plans to renovate the inn she recruits Keller, whose mother works there and by a misunderstanding Willa believes he works there as well and keep assigning his projects to work on. I loved how Keller worked for free even when he had his own job because he didn't want to tell her he was working there.

The romance was so sweet, those two seemed very different but once they spend time together they got to know and appreciate the other.

There were many lovable characters in this book, the small town feeling was very present. I loved the inn as a setting for this holiday novel.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one started off a bit stiff, but I ended up really liking it. Such a sweet and endearing Christmas story with wonderful parts of family and friends.

[Kamile · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Simone Hagemann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Den her var super forudsigelig og fyldt med insta-love, men samtidig også en perfekt lille juleromance.

[Regitze Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Det var en sød juleromance og nærmest en Hallmark julefilm i bogformat. Jeg kunne rigtig godt lide den.

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good holiday story and Mistletoe Lake was just that. Willa comes back to Mistletoe Lake after several years away to renovate and sell her late Grandmother’s Inn, The Gingerbread Inn. She recruits of the help of Keller, the son of her grandmother’s best friend.

Along the way Willa learns that family isn’t the the just people bound to you by blood but those people who continue to show up for you. She learns that Christmas wishes do come true they just might not look like you expect them. She learns that her home is at Mistletoe Lake and running the Gingerbread Inn.

This story is the perfect thing to get you into the holiday spirit. I absolutely adored Willa & Keller and the entire clan.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute Christmas story ❤️

I think I needed this story right now. Absolutely got me in the mood for the holidays. Loved Willa’s story about really finding her place.

Can Lake Mistletoe be real? I really want to go there!!

4.5 ⭐️