Mistletoe Mischief

by Piper Cook

Big city curves. Mountain man heat. He’s about to unwrap the season’s naughtiest gift.

Natalie Meadows swore she left Frosty Pines in her rearview for good. But when her family’s beloved inn faces foreclosure days before Christmas, she trades courtrooms for snow boots and returns to the mountain town she never planned to see again. She’s braced for a fight, but nothing prepared her for the rugged mountain man with a sinful smirk and hands that promise trouble.

They’re supposed to be saving the inn. Definitely not kissing under mistletoe. But Malachi Garland is one spark away from lighting her up.

If you love small-town holiday romance packed with rom-com moments where opposites attract and our blue-collar mountain man hero falls first, this short and steamy read is for you.

Mistletoe Mischief is a small town romance with close proximity, simmering attraction, and a rom-com vibe.

83 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2025

About the author

Piper Cook writes sexy insta-love stories with strong, curvy leading ladies and their hot male counterparts. Guaranteed HEA without cliffhangers or cheating.

Reviews

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

MISTLETOE MISCHIEF is Book 1 of the Mistletoe Mountain series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, forced-proximity opposites-attract, curvy girl gets her mountain man Christmas romance. Natalie is a smart, sassy, and curvy city lawyer. Malachi is a sweet and hunky mountain man with a mischievous reindeer, Jingle. He works as a handyman at the Reindeer Inn on Mistletoe mountain. Natalie is the daughter of the Inn owners, who are having financial difficulties. She has come home at Christmas to try and help them save the family inn. When she and Malachi end up alone at the Inn after a snowstorm, sparks fly and they finally give into their chemistry. But what happens after the holidays? Will she stay or go? This was such a cute story. It was a spicy hallmark movie full of hot chemistry, plenty of laughs, and a happy ending after a little angst. I loved it and can't wait to read the next book.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute!

Short, sweet with a little heat, and a fun story of strangers to forever in a matter of weeks.

Torn between taking a promotion at work and going back to the city OR staying with the man she fell in love with while being closer to her parents.


She found way to make her career work in her favor and got to stay with Malachi 🥰

What a beautiful short story this was! I really enjoyed their journey of finding love when you were not expecting it!

They fell hard and while the fall was like jumping out of an airplane they were each other’s parachute to linking their lives together 🥰🥰

Im excited to read more from this town and get to know his brothers!

[Brandi Jackola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas rom-coms? COUNT ME IN.

Malachi lives and works in the mountain town of Frosty Pines. His specialty is restoration, and he’s been living at the local inn, his room and board in exchange for his work around the place. But the old place hasn’t fared well in a while, and Mr. and Mrs. Meadows, the owners, are facing foreclosure if they can’t pay the bills. Add in a mining company trying to buy people out so they can strip and destroy the mountain for resources, and things really don’t look good.

Enter Natalie Meadows, a hotshot corporate lawyer and the daughter of the innkeepers. She’s there to help, hoping that she can find a way to save the inn, but also preparing for possibly having to sell. She hasn’t been home since she left for college, with the exception of one week after her grandparents’ passing. When she heard the inn was in danger of foreclosure, she dropped everything, cited a family emergency, and headed to Frosty Pines.

Naturally, Malachi and Natalie are immediately hot for each other, but spend some time pushing each other’s buttons first, especially with the help of a young and very vexing reindeer named Jingle.

I laughed out loud during this book; it really tickled me. The writing is so good that I could easily envision everything, from the inn to the decorations to the winter storms, and back. Yes, it’s July at the time that this book has been released, but I swear, I had to turn off my air conditioner while reading, because my mind went into “winter setting”. (This is not a complaint.)

I love how Malachi and Natalie are instantly attracted to each other. They dance around it, of course, until left to their own devices when Natalie’s parents go out of town. Their chemistry is magnetic, drawing them together, and they give in to it, finding something much deeper than just attraction.

I truly enjoyed this sweet, funny, steamy book, and it’s one I’ll read again, especially in the dead of summer. The author has earned a lifelong fan in me.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story.
Natalie leaves her hometown to never come back. She comes back to help her parents with their financially failing inn, The Reindeer Inn, that needs major repairs. She's a lawyer who helps keep historic buildings from being demolished.
When she arrives at the inn, she sees a man who is handsome, with a great build. She is instantly attracted to him.
Malachi is the repair man who lives at the inn does what he can to keep the inn going. He also has a naughty reindeer named Jingles who loves to cause mischief. When Malachi first sees Natalie, he is smitten. Their first meeting doesn't go great because of Jingles escaping his barn home. So, naughty!!
They chase Jingles together and finally he's back in his barn home. (I think this brought them together lol).
They have to get the inn ready for customers, so supplies and new furnishings are needed they go to town, get back before the snowstorm really hits. They are alone at the inn for a couple of days and sparks fly. Feelings come into play but neither want to voice them because she's leaving the day after Christmas.
They have to go about their work the next day, decorating the inn inside and out takes time. Natalie really doesn't want to leave but she's up for a big promotion, she calls her boss and throws a different idea at him so she can stay with her family and the man she loves.
What a great ending!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Short, Steamy, and Snowed-In Perfection!

Mistletoe Mischief is everything I want in a holiday novella—fast-paced, flirty, and full of festive feels! Natalie is a city girl with fire, and Malachi is the ultimate rugged mountain man with a soft spot for family and a hidden romantic side. Their chemistry sizzled from the moment they met, and the mistletoe moments? Pure gold.

The small-town charm of Frosty Pines, combined with the pressure to save the family inn and the forced proximity, created the perfect backdrop for a cozy, steamy holiday romance. And Malachi? He definitely falls first—and hard.

If you’re looking for a quick and spicy Christmas read with rom-com vibes and a guaranteed happy ending, Piper Cook delivers in all the best ways. I couldn’t put it down!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anngela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like a cute Christmas romance where you toss in mischievous reindeer named Jingles. Natalie comes home to help save her parents Inn from bank foreclosure. She has until after Christmas. She told a white lie to her bosses that it was a family emergency but really it was her parents losing their livelihood and home to mining companies who want to destroy mistletoe mountain. Her parents semi hired Malachi to help tend to maintenance and he takes care of Jingle. Jingle the escape artist is how Natalie is greeted when she comes home to see Malachi trying to herd Jingles the escape artist reindeer back into is pen. Both are amazed at the reindeer and are drawn to each other. They work together to save her family’s inn.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is a favorite of mine. This short story is full of fun banter, funny moments, a little bit of tears, and a whole lot of heartwarming. It kept me intrigued the entire story and I didn't put it down until I was done. It's a cute story of Natalie coming home to her small town from the big city to help her parents save their family inn. She comes home to find the mountain man Malachi and his reindeer. Malachi is helping the family to spruce up the inn. The naughty reindeer has some antics that are sure to make you laugh. You can feel the tension between Natalie and Malachi until it finally snaps. He's that dreamy mountain man that makes you swoon. She realizes she misses home more than she thought she did. It's a wonderful story with a HEA!!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Swankiiartteacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Christmas in July!

I'm usually not much of a fan of insta-love stories. Most of them I've read are a palette cleanser between longer, heavier, stories. Mistletoe Mischief by Piper Cook is an exception...
I thoroughly enjoyed Natalie and Malachi's budding romance. As I read I could easily imagine their relationship as a short Hallmark Christmas Movie. The big city attorney coming home to help her parents revive their failing historic inn. Running into a mischevious baby reindeer and his owner, the historic rehab handyman, hilarity ensues.
The main characters are similar in age, and background. Natalie specializing in historic protection and Malachi restoring historic buildings. Everything ties together in a neat holiday bow.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie comes home from her high powered job to help her parents save the ailing family inn from being sold. She is not prepared to meet Malachi, a local mountain man, who is helping her parents around the inn with his trusty sidekick Jingles the reindeer. They catch feelings during a storm when they are snowed in together. However, they try and hide their feelings knowing that an end date is in sight with Natalie’s job in the city. I loved this book. Piper always writes characters that you can resonate with and cheer on to get the HEA they deserve. This has lots of warmth, a good plot, a feel good ending and a healthy dollop of steam.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining story of rediscovering home and finding forever. Malachi is helping restore an old Inn on Mistletoe Mountain and has a young reindeer who causes havoc. Natalie returns home from the city where she is a lawyer specializing in historic places, she is only supposed to be home for a couple of weeks. A snow storm brings them together initially but working together brings them their HEA. This is a not to be missed book and don't forget the bonus scene.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An over-the-top mischievous read as Natalie returned home to Frosty Pines to help her parents save the family Inn. Natalie was a strong independent, stubborn, attorney. Her parents had a young man, Malachi that worked for them just for room and board. He had a reindeer, Jingle that provided humorous moments throughout the story. Personally, I loved Jingle. He added so much to the story. Natalie and Malachi had an undeniable attraction which would not be denied.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Christmas in July! Well, for Mistletoe Mountain, it's always Christmas. The story is heartwarming, showcasing how the main characters connect despite their differences, united by one goal: saving the inn. Jingle adds a humorous touch and certainly knows how to make a grand entrance. I’m satisfied with the ending; I was curious about how the main characters would find happiness together without sacrificing their dreams. The author provided the perfect solution.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fast read and insta love story that will definitely have you engrossed from the beginning until the end and in the Christmas spirit and mood.when Natalie shows up to help her parents save the families inn will she get more then she's bargain for Christmas? Malachi is the new handyman for the inn but when Natalie shows up after being gone for years will they get along? This was such a cute and fun Christmas Story that I throughly enjoyed and wish it was Christmas now.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie Meadows is an attorney in the city, she never had plans to return to Frosty Pines, until her family's inn is in danger of foreclosure, just days before Christmas. She is not prepared for the mountain man and his trouble making reindeer, Jingle. She never had any intention of staying but being home and Malachi have her thinking that she may just be home.

This an entertaining story courtesy of Jingle, and steamy interaction between the humans.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie is back home in Frosty Pines to help her parents save the family inn, but she never expected to fall for Malachi. Malachi works for room and board at the inn and has the cutest baby reindeer. I loved Mistletoe Mischief and all the characters we met in the story, especially Jingle. Natalie is an attorney, and Malachi restores historic buildings. Mistletoe Mischief is a fun start to the Mistletoe Mountain series, and I can't wait to read the whole series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Noemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie and Malachi's story reads like a short Hallmark Christmas movie. We have the big city attorney returning home to help her parents. The Inn needs reviving. Shr manages to run into a cute but mischevious baby reindeer and his owner. He's also the historic rehab handyman.

Natalie and Malachi are close in age and share background interests. Natalie specializes in historic protection while Malachi restores historic buildings. The holiday setting just adds some magical vibes!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper Cook kicks off the brand new Mistletoe Mountain series with the steamy and highly entertaining Mistletoe Mischief. Malachi and Natalie are complete opposites - the city attorney and the rugged mountain man. But together they could melt all the snow in her small home town of Frosty Pines, where Natalie has returned to help save her family's inn. Throw in a mischievous reindeer (aptly named Jingle) and this is a wonderfully fun and romantic read from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie didn't realize what she was missing until she came home to help her parents save their inn. Malachi was never going to leave his mountain but didn't want to push Natalie into staying since she was a big city lawyer. Jingle is a fun distraction. I wonder if he knows his mate is near? Her parents had a great idea that worked out best for all of them. It will be fun to learn more about his brothers.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great holiday romance. Natalie comes back to town to save her family's inn. When she meets Malachi, she's suspicious of him. When the inn needs immediate repairs, they each find out the other is more than what they first thought. I love how they worked together and discovered they were meant for each other.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute holiday love story has Natalie coming home to save the family’s inn. When she meets Malachi she doesn’t trust him. As they work together to save the inn they begin to form a relationship. This book is full of family devotion, love and a good amount of humor.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick, sweet and steamy, holiday, mountain story. Natalie and Malachi are great characters. Jingle steal the spotlight a few times with his antics. Full of cute and playful, snowy scenes, heartfelt romance and picture perfect scenery, this is any easy and lighthearted lunch-break read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Natalie and Malachi fell in love and I liked how she managed to make it work so they can be together. I like to think that Jingle had a hoof in it. It was great that the Inn was saved.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Malachi, Natalie and his mischievous reindeer, Jingle. The story keeps us turning the pages with humor, connection, tough decisions and steam.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story. City girl comes home to the mountains and finds a handyman and his reindeer. Mistletoe starts the romance. Jingles the reindeer provides the mischief.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This funny sweet story of Natalie and Malachi will keep you smiling. Throw in Jingles and you will laugh out loud. This is an entertaining holiday story that will warm your heart and fog your glasses.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great read. I loved the characters and storyline so much. I was hooked right from the very start. I couldn't put it down. Totally worth the read.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, quick, opposites attract story with two characters you will root for.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fast paced read. Malachi and Natalie were fun to read about. Their chemistry was steamy. Good read for a hot summer day. Great HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Sandrina Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good story
I enjoyed reading it
It was a great story
I really enjoyed the characters and their story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.