Ryan Sosa, grumpy former corporate accountant, has had it up to here with surprises. He didn’t see getting fired coming. And he certainly didn’t anticipate flying across the country to the world’s hippie-est, happiest, most annoying town to save his great-uncle from some mysterious emergency.
Not only is there actual snow on the ground, it also appears that elves on psychedelics have decked Blue Moon’s halls. But he doesn’t have time to be snarky about the impending Winter Solstice and Multicultural Holiday Celebration—whatever the hell that is. Not when he’s got a farm to save, a free-range sheep that he may or may not have nudged with his stupid microscopic rental car, and some small-town veterinarian telling him she can’t take the animal off his hands.
Dr. Sammy Ames has a practice to manage and a fundraising crisis to attend to. She doesn’t have time to deal with a big-city grouch who doesn’t remember being her first kiss ever. Especially not since he wants to dump a sheep named Stan on her. So not happening. No matter how cute—and pantless—Ryan is when he’s drunk.
Besides, as soon as he solves his uncle’s problem, he’ll be on the first flight out of Blue Moon, never to return again.
It will take a Winter Solstice Miracle or perhaps some matchmaking interference from the Beautification Committee to get these two to see eye-to-eye under the mistletoe…unless he’s the wrong Ryan after all.
Lucy Score is an instant #1 New York Times bestselling author. She grew up in a literary family who insisted that the dinner table was for reading and earned a degree in journalism.
She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she and Mr. Lucy share with their obnoxious cat, Cleo. When not spending hours crafting heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines, Lucy can be found on the couch, in the kitchen, or at the gym.
She hopes to someday write from a sailboat, oceanfront condo, or tropical island with reliable Wi-Fi.
I'm in the mood for a Christmas novel - and I barley started and already chuckling my way through it!!!
OMG this was adorable!!!
Loved grumpy Ryan - he was DARLING!!!
The Mistletoe Kisser was my first BLUE MOON novel and guess what I'll be doing next? I'll be reading them all, starting from the first book in this series.
What a quirky little town!!!
Besides my big love affair with grumpy heroes, I LOVE quirky characters, and Blue Moon seems to be full of them.
So, getting back to the book. The Mistletoe Kisser was a wonderful Christmas novel. Sweet, adorable, and charming! The author's trademark wit was palpable on every page. She made me laugh, smile and now I want to read the entire series. I think this was exactly what I needed to read today. It gave me all the holiday cheer and rom-com vibe I didn't know I was missing.
The couple just worked so well together. Grumpy Ryan, and Sam who knew just the way to get him out of his rut. And then there was Stan the sheep, and all the crazy matchmaking the busybodies were putting together. I had a ton of fun with this novel, and can only recommend it to anyone!
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I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
This is my first book by this author. If I had known it was a zany rom-com set in a fantastically fanciful small-town, I would never have read it. That’s just not my jam. The fact that I didn’t hate it is a testament to the writer’s skill: masterful prose, genuinely funny moments, attention given to characterization, a lovely epilogue.
If you enjoy zany rom-coms, this is probably one of the best you’ll ever read. My rating, however, is not just based on my non-enjoyment of this particular sub genre of romance. It also reflects my non-enjoyment of the following:
***spoilers***
An MMC who was grumpy. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was that the author didn’t trust his grumpy actions and grumpy words to convey his grumpiness to the reader; no, the word “grumpy” was actually used at least 30 times in the book to describe him. Dear author: I got it. He was grumpy.
An otherwise likable heroine who casually suggested to a man she’d known less than 24 hours, after affirming he did intend to leave town that night, that having no-strings sex with her would help relieve his tension and scratch her too-long-ignored sexual urges. Sigh. I’m just too old to understand how sex has become as casual as shaking hands. Intentional one night stands baffle me. I know this makes me a dinosaur, but I’m still dinging the book for it.
BUT, plot twist and one of the things I liked most about the book: Ryan, the MMC, wasn’t into ONS’s,
”I like the build-up. Okay? The flirtation. I like getting to know someone before I stick body parts inside them. I also like being able to focus one hundred percent on sticking body parts inside them to the best of my abilities. Not worried about getting fired or whatever trouble my great-uncle got himself into. Or wondering exactly how you—someone who is still practically a stranger to me—would like me to stick those body parts inside you.”
(Okay, it was a little disappointing that half his reason to refuse the offer of a ONS was that the overachieving, perfectionist Ryan wanted to know her better to DO her better, but still…)
I wasn’t a fan of her group of friends’s crass sexual remarks either.
Many of the town residents and their matchmaking plans were too outrageous. Like, wooo wooo outrageous.
When every single sentence is written for whimsical comedic effect, they become less amusing and less charming as the book progresses. Taken individually, they are brilliant and funny. But one after another after another is exhausting.
*******
Much to my surprise, even after I realized I was knee deep in whimsy, my enjoyment level started at 100%. Unfortunately it fell throughout until it ended at a still respectable 50%. Take that with a grain of salt, though. Individual results may vary.
Okay I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did.. I am a mood reader and let’s be honest- a Christmas themed book in October is just not the right vibe.. But oh my gosh!! I absolutely loved every second of this book. I’m sorry.. Halloween who?? 🤣
I’m so excited for those of you who will pick this up during the holiday season. I actually think it’s the perfect cute, cozy, spicy, holiday rom-com. I might even re-read this next year to enjoy it again with the proper vibes.
We have a very grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, small town romance. It’s insta-love which I’m not usually a fan of but it didn’t bother me at all in this book. I might even say I loved it 🤭
Grumpy Ryan is an accountant that was recently fired and was asked to go to the small town of Blue Moon to help save his Uncle’s farm from foreclosure. Sammy is a livestock vet who has a hard time saying no and will run herself dry in order to help those around her. Ryan finds himself needing Sammy’s help and that’s where our love story begins. These two couldn’t be any more different but any less made for each other. They were relatable, had great personality, the funniest banter and I just loved both of these characters so much.
The Mistletoe kisser had me giggling, kicking my feet, I even teared up at one point because it was SO CUTE. The relationship between Ryan and Sammy was perfect, the farm animals and meddling, gossiping townspeople were hilarious. I want a Stan in my life now 🐑
Overall I had a great time with this book and I would highly recommend - especially for a December tbr.
I think Lucy Score is the master at writing grumpy heroes. She is also a master writer, creating the perfect heroines who tolerate and end up loving their grumpy butts. The Mistletoe Kisser was a fantastic addition to the Blue Moon series and a very enjoyable Christmas treat.
Sammy is the local veterinarian who leads a very hectic life. Between her job and helping out her townspeople with various tasks, she is also on a mission to create a home for displaced, injured and abused animals. With her hectic schedule, there is definitely no time for love.
Ryan is a wee bit of a workaholic who makes plans for EVERYTHING! When his work plan gets derailed, he starts his usual process of making new plans to get everything back on track. With some spare time on his hands, he decides to do his family a favour by helping out one of his elderly relatives. Unfortunately, this helping means that he must jump on a plane and visit one of the craziest towns he's ever visited. The sooner he gets in and helps out, the sooner he can get back to his structured existence and try to get his work plans back on track.
Sammy and Ryan seem so mismatched but it's not long before you realise they are perfectly mismatched. Sammy makes Ryan stop, take a breath and not take life too seriously. While Ryan makes sure that Sammy is not taken advantage of and looks after her needs. Sammy puts her hand up to help everyone. Ryan observes all that goes on around him and manages the logistics in getting things done. They balance each other out.
The characters were lovable (even at their grumpiest) and I loved having the opportunity to revisit the crazy Blue Mooners. The love story was sweet, sexy and very funny. Even though things moved fast, it was obvious that including each other in their futures was the only way for Sammy and Ryan to be happy. This is a funny story. It's not LOL's left right and centre, but it is the kind of story that leaves you grinning throughout. It's also sweet how much these Blue Mooners care about each other.
I would say that it would help to have read all of the Blue Moon series before reading this one, but I have to admit to only reading half of the series myself and following along fine. I think you could read it as a standalone but your enjoyment would be enhanced if you knew some of the characters and dynamics beforehand.
If you're a fan of Lucy Score and her humour, you will definitely enjoy The Mistletoe Kisser.
Ryan is looking for his compatible mate, Sammy is looking for her soul mate. Can they both get what they want? I loved the last series I read by Lucy Score and decided to read some of her earlier work. She writes a wonderful, fun, quirky cast of characters who are determined to make sure that Sam finds her soul mate and have determined, by committee, that it is Ryan. The Ryan they thought was her first kiss under the mistletoe. In a past life I did a lot of forensic accounting and can relate to accountant Ryan's tingle at the thought of boxes of old financial records to wade through and organize. His need for control and order comes from a childhood without any. Sammy became a veterinary partly due to her mother's insistence, but mostly because she is a compassionate and loving person, often ignoring her own needs. Seeing Sammy's friends and the whole town working to put these two together makes a sweet, heartwarming Christmas tale. And, YES, "Die Hard" is a Christmas Movie!
Ryan Sosa is not having a very good week. He's been fired from his job as a corporate accountant and his great-uncle called him with a desperate plea for him to save the farm. To call Ryan a grumpy sourpuss and a grinch, would be accurate descriptions of his personality when he arrives in the town of Blue Moon in upstate New York. Christmas is a few days away, but this offbeat place holds a Winter Solstice and Multicultural Holiday Celebration. Okay, Ryan thinks, he'll be well away before that occurs. Except the town seems intent that he should stick around and he keeps encountering the very pretty veterinarian with the gorgeous blue eyes. And he can't seem to pin down the person who is causing his great-uncle's problems. The more time he spends in Blue Moon with Sam the more he is rethinking things, a lot of things.
Dr. Sammy Ames has a lot to do between her veterinarian practice and organizing a fund raiser for her new non-profit. She does not need a grumpy grinch who is trying to shirk his duties as caretaker for his great-uncle's farm. But it seems she is stuck with him. This is not the 15-year-old she remembers as her first kiss under the mistletoe. That boy was sweet; this man is not. But he sure is built. And cute. And just maybe her soul mate.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
This was cute and had me chuckling through most of the story. Sammy and Ryan were so funny together especially the grumpy and snarky comments that kept being thrown at each other.
Yes, it was a bit confusing in getting all the characters straight and it would have been easier if I read the prior books in the series. But as soon as the back characters get situated, the story is amazing!
4/5⭐️ another great installment to the Blue Moon series. In this book, we get the love story of Sammy and Ryan. the Christmas vibes of this one was perfect for this time of year 🎄💚 Lucy Score’s writing is consistently great. The way she tells a story is so satisfying. I loved the addition of the short story at the end of the book! I was so happy that Layla finally got her moment 😭💚
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lucy is one of my go-to authors for feel-good, witty, and sincere romances. And, the cover of this book alone had me swooning. The Mistletoe Kisser was just adorable- quirky small town shenanigans, opposites attract chemistry, the sunshine-grumpy bear contrast, charming characters both big and small, all the holiday feels, and sweet and sexy romance. Plus-we have the meddling Beautification Committee and baby goats in PJs! And, of course, all the magic associated with a mistletoe kiss- only the magic had a very different path for these two lovable characters. Christmas lover or not, this is a feel good story full of heartwarming cheer and giddy smiling moments, and it certainly lifted my spirits. It gave me all the swoony butterflies and Christmas spirit warmth- a delightful read for any season!
Welcome back to Blue Moon! This beefed-up version of a previously released anthology novella is so much more than I was expecting! So much heart and soul, along with all the laughs we come to expect from Lucy Score. Sammy Ames and Ryan Sosa were not supposed to meet and fall in love. Or were they? Did the beautification committee make a horrible mistake? Or was this pairing fated all along? Fall in love all over again with Blue Moon (along with Ryan) as Sammy takes him along on a wild ride! The Mistletoe Kisser is full of heart, heat and so much love! It’s the sweetest holiday hug from an author I’ve ever read!
You may recall reading about Sammy the veterinarian and "Wrong Ryan" in a previously released holiday novella anthology. They're back in a full-length novel accompanied by the full complement of characters you have known and loved from the Blue Moon. Lucy Score has now given us their complete story and , wow, is it fantastic!
Ryan Sosa is in the last place he wants to be and Sammy Ames is so busy taking care of everything and everyone else in Blue Moon that she leaves no time to do the things she needs to take care of for herself and her dreams. Add in a meet cute featuring a stubborn sheep and you have the beginnings of a hilarious romantic romp through everybody's favorite hippy dippy town.
In a classic "the grumpy one falls for the sunny one", Ryan and Sammy find their HEA. This is a lighthearted read with minimal angst, mistaken identity, a strong-willed and capable female lead, and a Beautification Committee that means well. You will laugh, sigh, growl in frustration, and grin until your face hurts while reading.
Cute story. I liked it, didn’t love it. Not mad that I read it bc it’s Blue Moon. But I never really connected w the couple. Edit to add: I did love the bonus short story of Layla and Huck and really wish they got their own book.
5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Small town, slow burn, hallmark movie vibes, lots of laugh and spice? Check.
Grumpy Ryan who has to have his life planned to the every second and Sam, who is selfless in everything she does. Both didn’t have a chance to defend themselves against the town’s plan. I would say spark between them came very fast but at the same time, in slow and enjoyable way. And Ryan gave Sam a nickname - Sparkle. The story had some turns that surprised me and made me a little emotional.
Definitely need to read more of the series cos this town is so much better than any gossip group.😂
The Mistletoe Kisser is hilarious holiday fun set in the small town of Blue Moon. This is a series but you can absolutely read this little gem, book #8, without having read the others. Blue Moon is one of my favorite series and I believe once you get a taste of this author’s writing, you’ll want to dive in and start at the beginning and get to know all the endearing townsfolk.
This book just warms my heart during these uncertain times because there is no angst…just lots of crazy humor, animal antics, and clever, well-meaning, nosy neighbors with a flair for matchmaking otherwise known as the Beautification Committee.
The first chapter begins 15 years ago when our heroine, Samantha gets her first kiss at Blue Moon's holiday Solstice Fair under the Mistletoe and has stars in her eyes for young Ryan who just happened to be in town visiting his uncle. It is a magical memory that she holds dear to her heart and when she runs into him as an adult, she can’t help but feel it’s some sort of kismet.
Following her life’s dream and in her mother’s footsteps, Sam is now a successful veterinarian of large farm animals and I just love her spunk and energy. Ryan Sosa, on the other hand, who is in town to help his uncle save his farm, is the handsome broody type. A recently fired big city accountant, he loves math, organization, and proper planning.
Sam and Ryan are opposites who attract and complement each other so beautifully. It was so much fun to read their witty banter, and how they let down their guard and started to enjoy life for a change. She is such a giver and I loved how he recognized all her positive traits and supported her, and when he finally gave in to her steamy proposal. So hot!
There are so many laugh out loud moments in this book, SO MANY, but my favorite is when they discover he is “Wrong Ryan.” I don’t want to give too much away, but trust in their journey because Lucy Score is one of my go to authors and will never let you down! It ends with a HEA of course, with Sam and Right Ryan under the Mistletoe where they shared their first kiss. Cue the swoon and butterflies!
The Mistletoe Kisser wasn’t quite a full four-star rating, but it was close enough for me to round my rating up. It was an adorable read that had me smiling throughout, although it was a bit out there (which is why it wasn’t quite a full four-star rating).
Although out there, it was fun enough to have me wanting more of the series.
Прекрасний Різдвяний ромком. Сміялась і усміхалась усю книжку. Гарний настрій гарантовано. Шукаю ще книжки з подібним тропом - city boy, country girl. Він приїздить до села з великого міста і закохується у звичайну дівчину без понтів. Великий плюс якшо там є коні))) Відгукніться якщо знаєте подібні🙏🏻
The Mistletoe Kisser was so freaking hysterical and entertaining! I laughed and smiled my way through the entire thing. It was outright fun and I had a blast reading it. From Sammy and Ryan to the animals, and to the zany townspeople this was just the escape I needed. Happy holidays indeed!
Sammy and Ryan were the best. Sammy is so sweet and does so much for everyone and Ryan's wound a bit tight and totally grumpy in an adorable way. They meet under crazy circumstances and then the fun really began. I loved the witty banter and fun antagonism and there was some seriously awesome internal dialogue happening. They were so opposite but I loved seeing them open up and get a different perspective on each other and how it all played out. There were just so many fantastic scenes in this that made it incredibly fun to read.
There was a delightful cast of characters upping the entertainment factor with sidesplitting dialogue. I loved the small town and how everyone was in everyone else’s business. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud. This was the first book I’ve read from this series so I'm sure I was meeting previous couples, which made me want to go back and read their stories. I loved the crazy antics and mischief and the meddling matchmakers in town. I couldn’t get enough!
I love how Lucy Score tells a story, they're always fun and inviting and make me smile. I always feel like I'm on the edge of my seat because I can't wait to see what will happen next and what will come flying out of someone's mouth making me laugh. The dialogue was fun and clever and I laughed out loud so many times. The commentary relating to the animals was priceless! This was a fast-paced, exciting, and hilarious story just in time for the holidays. I cannot stress how entertaining this was. If you need some merriment in your life, you can’t go wrong with The Mistletoe Kisser!
Did I read the 8th book in a series without even knowing about the 7 previous books…yes because Christmas. I was in the mood for something spicy holidays and this definitely delivered. I also immediately ordered the first book because I loved this small town so much. It’s adorable and kooky with all the best busybodies
Dr. Sammy Ames met Ryan Sosa when they were teenagers, they shared a first moment for Sammy and then never saw one another again. That is until rigid Ryan Sosa comes back to Blue Moon and his world is turned upside down. Sammy is the complete opposite of Ryan, throw in a free range sheep and an overly friendly town and you have a humorous romance
This was fun and it was in the spirit of the other stories with the quirky characters and unique animal sidekicks. It is always an entertaining read with this author. Each character is hilarious and I love the small town vibe.
Just the right amount of cheesy, cozy Christmas romcom I needed for this time of year!!!!!! I also feel I have my very own Ryan LOL
One thing I need yall to note- I did switch from Audio to my kindle! I feel like the audio would have been way better with a male narrator as well. I would have LOVED to hear the banter between them. Love a grumpy man!!!
So. Much. Fun! I needed this book right now. It was the perfect way to end a truly craptastic year! Lucy Score returns to Blue Moon to tell the tale of Sammy and Wrong Ryan. Sound familiar? You probably read the short version in an anthology. THIS is a full length trip to Blue Moon. All the old favorites pop in and out of the story, including Clementine! The Beautification Committee is busy doing their thing too. Sammy the vet is so busy taking care of everyone else, she forgets to take care of herself. Ryan feels like his life is over AND he has to go to Blue Moon for a family emergency. This book has everything I wanted!
When the pandemic began, I went back and re-read all the Blue Moon books. I needed a place to escape from real life, and the people and animals in Blue Moon gave me that. Lucy Score's books saved me. Now, she has written another, just in time. Thank you Lucy Score! Also, the Author's note - tears all over the place. Thanks for that too.
This book is about Sammy, the Blue Moon vet, and Ryan, old man Carson's grand-nephew, the grumpy accountant. Ryan was expecting to make partner at his firm, but instead was unexpectedly fired. He is in Blue Moon to help it his Uncle Carson before his farm is out into foreclosure, but in his way to the farm he accidentally his a sheep and has to bring him to the vet to vet checked out. I really like this small town story!
Everybody needs a grumpy romance hero. And every grumpy hero needs someone to let the sunshine in. Ryan and Sammy’s romance is perfectly messy and wonderful.
Short and sweet enemies to lovers Christmas story. Sam and Ryan's love story is a fast-paced, quintessential Lucy Score story, with oddball characters and even stranger circumstances.
i actually enjoyed this quite alot and i find them kinda cute together! love the farm idea, the smalltown and the snips of town gossip we get delivered regularly ✨ very nice christmas book for my collection! i found the mistletoe being at the both start and end was such a sweet thing of their story!
I have been procrastinating finishing this book, as by finishing it, it means that I have finished the Blue Moon series and that breaks my heart. This series has changed my life, and has made such a momentous impact on who I am as a reader, a writer, and a person. This hippie-dippie small town leaves a mark on ever person it meets. Everyone needs a psychotic beautification committee in their life in one way or another.