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Mishaps & Mistletoe
Phoebe has had a terrible year, starting with the death of her boyfriend and ending, three weeks before Christmas, when she’s sacked from her job. The bills are piling up and she’s desperate enough to find herself working as a Christmas elf in the grotto of Hendrick’s Toy Store. As if the job description isn’t bad enough, Phoebe doesn’t like children. There’s nothing wrong with them, they’re just not for her. Neither is there any escape from a boss whose only language is sarcasm, and an alcoholic Santa.
Then one morning Maria comes into the grotto – a little girl unlike any she has met before. Phoebe doesn’t know it yet, but Maria and her dad are about to shake her life up in ways she could never have imagined…
Then one morning Maria comes into the grotto – a little girl unlike any she has met before. Phoebe doesn’t know it yet, but Maria and her dad are about to shake her life up in ways she could never have imagined…
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2014
10 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Tilly Tennant
48 books470 followersTilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing, graduating in 2009 with first class honours. She wrote her first novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.
Tilly is represented by the wonderful, gorgeous Peta Nightingale at LAW.
Tilly is represented by the wonderful, gorgeous Peta Nightingale at LAW.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 18, 2014
After reading and loving Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn I knew I needed to pick up a copy of Mishaps and Mistletoe - after all, there's nothing like a good Chrimbo novella!
And what a charming, festive read it is. After a string of disasters, Phoebe finds herself working as an elf in Santa's grotto, dealing with a horrible boss, a drunk Santa and all the problems associated with children desperate to tell all to the man in the fake white beard. It's the scenes in the grotto which provide the best of the comedy, and they will have you laughing so hard you might just spit out your eggnog.
Of course, it's not all fun and games because, along with his adorable daughter, a handsome (but mysteriously damaged) man eventually turns up to meet Santa, providing Phoebe with a chance of nabbing her own Christmas miracle (if only she can keep the catastrophes at bay).
Highly recommended!
And what a charming, festive read it is. After a string of disasters, Phoebe finds herself working as an elf in Santa's grotto, dealing with a horrible boss, a drunk Santa and all the problems associated with children desperate to tell all to the man in the fake white beard. It's the scenes in the grotto which provide the best of the comedy, and they will have you laughing so hard you might just spit out your eggnog.
Of course, it's not all fun and games because, along with his adorable daughter, a handsome (but mysteriously damaged) man eventually turns up to meet Santa, providing Phoebe with a chance of nabbing her own Christmas miracle (if only she can keep the catastrophes at bay).
Highly recommended!
August 15, 2024
This was a lovely wee novella. A very quick read indeed. It made me a bit sad that it had to end quickly. I digress. The story was so heartwarming. I felt so sad for Phoebe. I could relate to her having lost her partner. I was so glad when she met Jack and Maria. Jack was so nice and Maria was such a sweet little girl. The duo had their own sadness but I won't say what happened. The characters were great and they all worked well together. The book was written in third person but from Phoebe's perspective. I say from Phoebe's pov but it was more like I was a fly on the wall watching the story unravel. I'm definitely going to check out Tilly's other published works. She's a truly talented lady and I'm glad I read this. If you love stories like this then this is for you!!!
December 20, 2014
I like Tennant’s writing style and I could sit all day and read her books and this one was no different. Mishaps and Mistletoe is a short Novella at only 60 pages and I ended wanting more.
There isn’t a great deal to say about the story itself, that isn’t in the blurb as it’s such a short story form, but we follow Phoebe as she starts her new job in the store as Santa’s helping elf. The descriptions of her hatred of the elf uniform and Santa just set the story and her character up perfectly.
If you want to spend an hour in a perfectly lovely and Christmassy way, then this will do the trick.
There isn’t a great deal to say about the story itself, that isn’t in the blurb as it’s such a short story form, but we follow Phoebe as she starts her new job in the store as Santa’s helping elf. The descriptions of her hatred of the elf uniform and Santa just set the story and her character up perfectly.
If you want to spend an hour in a perfectly lovely and Christmassy way, then this will do the trick.
November 30, 2019
5 stars
I really enjoyed this quick, festive read. It was just the book I wanted this holiday season. Loved the characters and because it is a short story it was extremely easy to get into and can easily be read in a single sitting. This was my first time reading a book By Tilly Tennant and it won’t be the last. I can tell that she will be a new favourite author. It would’ve made a great full length book, seeing where these characters ended up and watching their relationship grow. Highly recommend!
(Just saw that this is part of a short story collection and it looks like the story continues on in those. I will be definitely checking into those!)
I really enjoyed this quick, festive read. It was just the book I wanted this holiday season. Loved the characters and because it is a short story it was extremely easy to get into and can easily be read in a single sitting. This was my first time reading a book By Tilly Tennant and it won’t be the last. I can tell that she will be a new favourite author. It would’ve made a great full length book, seeing where these characters ended up and watching their relationship grow. Highly recommend!
(Just saw that this is part of a short story collection and it looks like the story continues on in those. I will be definitely checking into those!)
January 21, 2018
Nice and easy read. Perfect for coffee/tea breaks. I devoured it in 2 sittings.
October 28, 2022
Mishaps & Mistletoe. by Tilly Tennant.
A great quick read .. a feel good story! Worth the read.
A great quick read .. a feel good story! Worth the read.
December 30, 2015
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews
When I signed up to the Little Acts of Love tour I knew I had to read Mishaps and Mistletoe which had been on my ever growing TBR for months now. I have read Tilly’s books before and I just love her writing so I was excited to delve back into the world of Milrise.
Phoebe has had a rough year and all she wants it to get through these 3 weeks working as an elf at Hendry’s Toy Store, so she can pay her bills. It’s just three weeks of handing out toys to snotty nosed, winy children and then she’s out of there. Phoebe is not really a fan of children but this close to Christmas it was the only job she could find. Phoebe is muddling through when one day she takes a shine to this little girl. There is something about her that Phoebe just gets. Little Maria is visiting the store with her father.
I liked Phoebe and I really felt for her after everything she had been through in the last year. She was easy to relate to and she has something likeable about her. Maria is such a sweet little girl and I instantly fell for her father.
I loved how much Phoebe cared and the way her and Maria interacted with each other.
This is a lovely little Christmas story that will have you wishing for those long dark nights by the warm fire (or radiator in my case), with a nice mug of hot chocolate.
Phoebe has had a terrible year, starting with the death of her boyfriend and ending, three weeks before Christmas, when she’s sacked from her job. The bills are piling up and she’s desperate enough to find herself working as a Christmas elf in the grotto of Hendrick’s Toy Store. As if the job description isn’t bad enough, Phoebe doesn’t like children. There’s nothing wrong with them, they’re just not for her. Neither is there any escape from a boss whose only language is sarcasm, and an alcoholic Santa.
Then one morning Maria comes into the grotto – a little girl unlike any she has met before. Phoebe doesn’t know it yet, but Maria and her dad are about to shake her life up in ways she could never have imagined…
When I signed up to the Little Acts of Love tour I knew I had to read Mishaps and Mistletoe which had been on my ever growing TBR for months now. I have read Tilly’s books before and I just love her writing so I was excited to delve back into the world of Milrise.
Phoebe has had a rough year and all she wants it to get through these 3 weeks working as an elf at Hendry’s Toy Store, so she can pay her bills. It’s just three weeks of handing out toys to snotty nosed, winy children and then she’s out of there. Phoebe is not really a fan of children but this close to Christmas it was the only job she could find. Phoebe is muddling through when one day she takes a shine to this little girl. There is something about her that Phoebe just gets. Little Maria is visiting the store with her father.
I liked Phoebe and I really felt for her after everything she had been through in the last year. She was easy to relate to and she has something likeable about her. Maria is such a sweet little girl and I instantly fell for her father.
I loved how much Phoebe cared and the way her and Maria interacted with each other.
This is a lovely little Christmas story that will have you wishing for those long dark nights by the warm fire (or radiator in my case), with a nice mug of hot chocolate.
December 8, 2014
Novellas or short stories are not formats that I read a lot of (although I have enjoyed the ones I have read!). I usually end up wanting more and Mishaps and Mistletoe is no exception.
It’s easy to identify with Phoebe. It certainly hasn’t been a good year for her with grieving over her loss and spectacularly losing her job! Going back to her empty flat represents exactly where she is in her life when we meet her.
There is definitely magic in the air when Maria visits Santa’s grotto. Phoebe finds herself doing something that is totally out of character. The quest she goes on may well change her life completely.
I loved the scenes with Jack and his daughter Maria. The bond between them felt really solid.
Tilly Tennant has written a Christmas novella that is heart-warming. She has drawn me in with her characters so that I only wanted them to have the very best. Only at the start of their new adventure, I wonder if she has plans to share any more of their story …
Mishaps and Mistletoe is a short read at 60 pages and would make an ideal escape from the festivities – you could even buy a paperback copy as a stocking filler (for yourself or another romance reader in the family)!
I bought my copy of Mishaps and Mistletoe.
It’s easy to identify with Phoebe. It certainly hasn’t been a good year for her with grieving over her loss and spectacularly losing her job! Going back to her empty flat represents exactly where she is in her life when we meet her.
There is definitely magic in the air when Maria visits Santa’s grotto. Phoebe finds herself doing something that is totally out of character. The quest she goes on may well change her life completely.
I loved the scenes with Jack and his daughter Maria. The bond between them felt really solid.
Tilly Tennant has written a Christmas novella that is heart-warming. She has drawn me in with her characters so that I only wanted them to have the very best. Only at the start of their new adventure, I wonder if she has plans to share any more of their story …
Mishaps and Mistletoe is a short read at 60 pages and would make an ideal escape from the festivities – you could even buy a paperback copy as a stocking filler (for yourself or another romance reader in the family)!
I bought my copy of Mishaps and Mistletoe.
March 8, 2015
This book has been on my TBR pile since Christmas and in an effort to clear my back log, I decided to fit this in as it is a nice quick read.
We meet Phoebe who as the blurb says has had a terrible year, not only losing her boyfriend in a tragic accident but also losing her job after punching her boss in the face. Phoebe is working as an elf in Hendricks Toy store, not the most sexy or interesting of jobs especially as she doesn’t really like children.
Phoebe’s life takes a turn when she meets a lovely little girl in Maria. Maria turns everything in Phoebe’s life on its head and she is drawn to her. Buying Maria an expensive present and pretending it is from the store, causes Phoebe no end of problems, especially when it is recalled.
Phoebe is an easily likeable character and the story is so sweet set around Christmas. I love how Tilly grabs you into a story, her story telling keeping me reading until I came to the last page of this short but sweet story.
I know it’s not Christmas any more but I have loads of books to read but I would recommend anyone fancying a nice quick Christmas read to pick this book up.
We meet Phoebe who as the blurb says has had a terrible year, not only losing her boyfriend in a tragic accident but also losing her job after punching her boss in the face. Phoebe is working as an elf in Hendricks Toy store, not the most sexy or interesting of jobs especially as she doesn’t really like children.
Phoebe’s life takes a turn when she meets a lovely little girl in Maria. Maria turns everything in Phoebe’s life on its head and she is drawn to her. Buying Maria an expensive present and pretending it is from the store, causes Phoebe no end of problems, especially when it is recalled.
Phoebe is an easily likeable character and the story is so sweet set around Christmas. I love how Tilly grabs you into a story, her story telling keeping me reading until I came to the last page of this short but sweet story.
I know it’s not Christmas any more but I have loads of books to read but I would recommend anyone fancying a nice quick Christmas read to pick this book up.
November 16, 2015
This is very short but incredibly sweet and I am in love with the little girl Maria already.
Phoebe is working in a Santa's grotto as an Elf, despite her no being keen on children, as she had been recently sacked and there was very little going in the way of seasonal work. However after a day in the job, a little girl called Maria comes to visit Santa with her dad.
Maria wants a toy pony for Christmas and then in a heat melting moment, asks Santa if she is allowed to ask for a present for a grown up too. So she asks for a girlfriend for her daddy. Phoebe hears this and something stirs in her, but isn't quite sure what at this point.
In a few short pages you really get a feel for Maria and her fathers characters and I found myself willing good things to happen to this child. And Phoebe who is tentative but with reason, has her life changed.
This is an adorable short story for Christmas, and has made me desperate to finish this review so I can start reading Mishaps in Millrise, which I believe is the continuation of this story...
Phoebe is working in a Santa's grotto as an Elf, despite her no being keen on children, as she had been recently sacked and there was very little going in the way of seasonal work. However after a day in the job, a little girl called Maria comes to visit Santa with her dad.
Maria wants a toy pony for Christmas and then in a heat melting moment, asks Santa if she is allowed to ask for a present for a grown up too. So she asks for a girlfriend for her daddy. Phoebe hears this and something stirs in her, but isn't quite sure what at this point.
In a few short pages you really get a feel for Maria and her fathers characters and I found myself willing good things to happen to this child. And Phoebe who is tentative but with reason, has her life changed.
This is an adorable short story for Christmas, and has made me desperate to finish this review so I can start reading Mishaps in Millrise, which I believe is the continuation of this story...
November 9, 2014
If you are looking for a quick Christmas fix read, with a magical happy ever after, then this is book for you. I was grabbed by the pretty front cover and the book didn't disappoint.
The main character Phoebe has lost the love of her life and is certainly down on her luck where jobs are concerned. She's one feisty lady who really isn't keen on children and defiantly not looking forward to Christmas.
However after losing her job she ends up as a Christmas Elf alongside Midnight, the other Elf. This is defiantly not the job of her dreams, Steve her pernickety boss and foul smelly Jeff, otherwise known as Santa do not help her dislike of Christmas.
Things change when a little girl Maria, queues to see Santa with her Daddy Jack. This little girl has for some reason a huge impact on Phoebe and from here the Christmas magic starts.
The main character Phoebe has lost the love of her life and is certainly down on her luck where jobs are concerned. She's one feisty lady who really isn't keen on children and defiantly not looking forward to Christmas.
However after losing her job she ends up as a Christmas Elf alongside Midnight, the other Elf. This is defiantly not the job of her dreams, Steve her pernickety boss and foul smelly Jeff, otherwise known as Santa do not help her dislike of Christmas.
Things change when a little girl Maria, queues to see Santa with her Daddy Jack. This little girl has for some reason a huge impact on Phoebe and from here the Christmas magic starts.
December 22, 2014
This review was first published at M's Bookshelf - http://mssbookshelf.blogspot.be
After reading 'Hopelessly Devoted To Holden Finn' and more recently 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved', I new I just had to read Tilly's Christmas novella. I didn't even read the blurb. I just put on my Christmas jumper and started reading.
Mishaps & Mistletoe is such a sweet, heartwarming read and it just captured the Christmas spirit perfectly. It's a magical novella that will make you fall in love with it's characters instantly and will be over too soon.
After reading 'Hopelessly Devoted To Holden Finn' and more recently 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved', I new I just had to read Tilly's Christmas novella. I didn't even read the blurb. I just put on my Christmas jumper and started reading.
Mishaps & Mistletoe is such a sweet, heartwarming read and it just captured the Christmas spirit perfectly. It's a magical novella that will make you fall in love with it's characters instantly and will be over too soon.
April 10, 2018
A cute, light Christmas novella, if a little conveniently contrived plot-wise.
December 7, 2015
A good fun Christmas rad!
October 1, 2017
Short and sweet story, hour max.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews