Mingle All the Way

by Susan Mallery

a 2-for-1 reissue of THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING GUEST and SAY YOU'LL STAY

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday

512 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 27, 2026

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Reviews

[BookishKB]

🎄❤️ Mingle All the Way ❤️🎄

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Holiday Romance
• Second Chance Romance
• Small Town Setting
• Christmas Wedding
• Single Mom Romance
• Dual Love Stories
• Cozy Holiday
_ _ __

📅 Pub Date: October 27, 2026
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Jenn]

DNF. I liked this the first time I read it, when it was called The Christmas Wedding Guest, but I'm annoyed that this has been reissued with another name. Why?

[DeeG Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mingle All the Way includes a reissue of The Christmas Wedding Guest along with the prequel novella Say You'll Stay, making it the perfect visit back to Wishing Tree.
I had already read The Christmas Wedding Guest, but I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. Going back to Wishing Tree feels like catching up with old friends. The Somerville sisters are fun, relatable, and easy to root for, and I have to mention the dogs because they completely stole so many scenes with their hilarious antics.
The story has everything I enjoy in a holiday romance,
second chances, family, a charming small town, and just enough emotion mixed with humor. It has all the cozy Hallmark movie vibes while still giving the characters depth. Wishing Tree is one of those towns I'd happily pack up and move to if it actually existed.

The included novella, Say You'll Stay, was such a sweet bonus. Set during the town's Christmas in July celebration, it serves as a lovely introduction to Wishing Tree and its wonderful community. I loved getting to know the town even better before the events of The Christmas Wedding Guest. The setting really feels like a character itself, filled with people who genuinely care for one another and welcome newcomers with open arms.
Lawson and Shaye's romance was heartwarming, and even though it's a novella, it never felt rushed. Their story fit perfectly into the charm of Wishing Tree.
Overall, this collection is full of small town charm, lovable characters, community spirit, adorable dogs, and sweet romances. If you're looking for a cozy romance with Hallmark movie vibes, this is definitely one to add to your holiday reading list.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the book.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fictional town of Wishtree is one of those towns that I wish was real and that I could visit. Susan Mallery is one of those authors that I will follow to the end of time. I will read anything she publishes. I am dipping my toe into the Christmas in July part of my year and I was THRILLED that this book, Mingle All the Way was a two for one book. This was a re-release of THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING GUEST, the lovely story of Dena and Micah in the town of Wishtree during the Christmas season, but there was also the novela of Say You'll Stay. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced e book copy of Mingle All the Way. I was shocked and surprised when I started Say You'll Stay, that it was a legit Christmas in July celebration with tree lightning, 5k reindeer races, and so much more holiday cheer. The main character Shayne is feeling lost and wandering through life. She ends up in Wishtree as a pit stop, that becomes way more than a layover. She meets Lawson, a sweet and patient army vet, and sparks fly right off the bat. But is there enough chemistry there to have Shayne stay? What I love about the town of Wishtree is the constant Christmas feels with amazing supporting characters who are so well written, but also so supportive of each other. Fast paced, easy to read, reminds me why I love Susan Mallery's writing as much as I do. Makes me want to go back and re-read the whole Fools Gold series!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Mingle All the Way is the kind of cozy read that's easy to settle into any time of year, especially if you think Christmas in July is a thing. This book was actually a reprint of The Christmas Wedding Guest, and it included a bonus prequel novella, giving readers even more time in the charming town of Wishing Tree.

What stood out most to me was the sense of community. Wishing Tree feels like the kind of small town where everyone knows one another, and that warmth carries through every page. The friendships, family relationships, and lovable cast of characters make the town feel just as important as the romances themselves. And if you're a dog lover, you'll definitely appreciate the four-legged characters sprinkled throughout the stories.

The romances are sweet and heartfelt, with enough family dynamics, humor, and emotional moments to keep the story engaging without becoming overly dramatic. The bonus novella was a nice addition and helped round out the experience by offering a little more background on the town and its residents.

If you're looking for a comforting holiday romance filled with small-town charm, memorable characters, and plenty of Christmas spirit, Mingle All the Way is a great book to curl up with—whether it's December or the middle of summer.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Mallery is a solid romance writer for me. Her stories consistently draw me in, and she mixes in some fun characters and quirkiness to keep me entertained. But I've also been underwhelmed a few times by her books as well. So I go into them cautiously optimistic. I had not read any of the books in this series before the re-issue, but a friend had said she enjoyed them so they were on my radar to read at some point.

Getting a galley to review was definitely a bonus! I started reading the book on a trip, and I found it hard to put down in order to go see the sights with my family. So that's a testament to how much I enjoyed the story. Sisters who both find their HEAs in a small town at Christmastime. Well, Thanksgiving and Christmas more precisely.

I liked all of the characters in the book. Well, except for the characters who I wasn't supposed to like. And I appreciated how quiet the town was.

While the novella that makes up the second part of this collection was also good, I did find that Lawson was a bit too good to be true.

As with all of Mallery's romances, there is a moment when at least one character makes assumptions that lead to a falling out. But it always seems to work and not feel contrived. Both the falling out and the making up. I also appreciate that the characters have a maturity in how they deal with things that is often missing from contemporary romances where the meet cute, insta love and conflict/miscommunication reign.

[Tina Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Susan Mallery for the ARC preview in exchange for my honest review. 📚✨

Mingle All the Way by Susan Mallery was such a cozy, heartwarming holiday read! 🎄❤️ I loved getting not one, but two romantic storylines wrapped around family, second chances, new beginnings, and all the magic of the Christmas season.
Reggie and Toby’s story gave me those second-chance, first-love feelings I always enjoy. There’s something so sweet about two people with history finding their way back to each other, especially with a Christmas wedding happening in the background.
I also really enjoyed Dena and Micah’s story. Dena’s decision to become a mother on her own made her such an interesting character, while Micah’s grief and struggle to move forward added a more emotional layer to their romance. Their connection was sweet and unexpected, and I loved watching it develop.
This was the perfect combination of small-town charm, family, romance, Christmas festivities, and a little bit of emotional healing. It definitely gave me that cozy Hallmark-movie feeling in book form! 🎄❄️💕
If you love holiday romances, second chances, small-town settings, and stories about finding love when you least expect it, this is a great one to add to your holiday TBR!

[Katie Lavoie]

While advertised as two as one, it’s really one story with a second novella attached.

Focusing on the full story - also known as The Christmas Wedding Guest. It was a cute progressive-christian romance, good for readers who like plot-driven, cozy romances that are low on angst (but high on yearning). I loved the small town - it was adorable and quirky - and Bella the gray hound stole my heart from the start.

That said, this wasn’t my favorite book by Mallery. It be clear, it wasn’t bad, I just personally didn’t think the two overlapping stories of the romances between both sisters necessary. While there was a lot of similar themes across the two (e.g., this won’t work, let’s just be friends, yearn yearn yearn), there also wasn’t anything additive in combining them. If anything, I would have been more interested in both individual stories and building out some of the character arcs further.

As for the novella, I’m not normally a fan of them (they always leave me wanting more) but since it was a continuation of the Wishing Tree world, I thought it was a cute add to bundle with the full story.

Thank you to Susan Mallery, MIRA, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of Susan Mallery, I was excited to receive the ARC for Mingle All the Way. I was slightly disappointed to find out it was a re-issue of two books: The Christmas Wedding Guest and Say You'll Stay (a novella), but as luck would have it, I had not read either.

The first one up was The The Christmas Wedding Guest - a cute story mainly focusing on 2 sisters (Dena and Reggie. I liked both of their romance story lines as well as the planning of the second wedding for their parents. I love a good Christmas book and this would definitely be a good one for the season.

The second one was the novella: Say You'll Stay, which felt a little off because it is actually a Christmas in July story that takes place before the first one. Not that there is ever a surprise ending in a romance book - but the couple is together in the first one, so you know what happens. I did think there were a few throw away lines in the first that made more sense once I read the novella, but overall, another good one (and I am not usually a novella fan - I find it hard to buy into people in this short amount of time).

I would recommend this one for the holidays to those who didn't already read it in the previous release.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mingle all the Way includes The Christmas Wedding Guest and the novella Say You’ll Stay which is a prequel (so I recommend that you read this first). They both take place in Wishing Tree, a town focused on Christmas in every way. Both are easy reads, enjoyable and help get you into the spirit of the season. The Christmas Wedding Guest is a story about two sisters, each wanting to find an everlasting love. Reggie is visiting for her parent’s vo renewal and runs into her high school boyfriend who moved away. He now has a son and finds every way not to get involved. Dena, living in this small town, thinks she’ll never find the one and decides to have a child by artificial insemination. She meets a man who recently lost his wife and unborn child. In Say You’ll Stay Shaye is just passing through Wishing Tree when she meets Lawson at the Christmas in July Festival. Will Lawson finally find the love that has escaped him and can he convince her to stay. Thank you to #htpbooks HarperCollins and #Netgalley for a free copy of this book for an honest review. 4 Stars.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC of this book.

4 stars

As others have said, I’m not sure why this book, previously titled “The Christmas Wedding Guest” is being re-released/republished with a new name. And ironically, I have read only one Susan Mallery book before and it happens to be this one (under the previous title); I did not realize when I requested to read it from Netgalley. Oh well, hopefully the re-release with a new name and more modern cover will find it some new readers.

The story is fun and cozy, not quite dual POV, but dual storylines of two sisters, happening at the same time in the same small town. All the characters are likable and being dog-lovers makes them even better! You will feel satisfied with the endings for this family!

[LibraryNinja_Beritk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Mallery is the queen of the Christmas reads. So, to find The Christmas Wedding Guest bundled with a Wishing Tree bonus novella was unbelievable. Dena and Reggie are sisters who want to love. The challenge is the men around them. Dena takes a bold stand and becomes pregnant because she's tired of waiting for Mr. Right. Reggie is helping her parents renew their vows after having a 2-day engagement that ended a year earlier. Thankfully, the sisters have encounters waiting for them in Wishing Tree- if only they'll look up and seize the opportunities. Magic, fairy dust and a sprinkling of Christmas cheer is in store for you in Mingle All the Way.

Thank you to the incomparable Susan Mallery and Harlequin for allowing me the honor of reading this ARC novella for free in exchange for an honest review. #susanmallery #harlequin #libraryninja📚

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The joy and warm feelings I got while I was reading this book made my heart feel full. Mingle All the Way was a reissue of The Christmas Wedding Guest with a novella Say You Will Stay.
I enjoyed reading The Christmas Wedding Guest again. The characters are likeable and the story pulled me in and I me in the holiday spirit in minutes. I want to visit Wishing Tree! Being with sisters Dena and Reggie was fun as they went through things that will put them into the lives they want. No matter when you read it -beach read or cuddled under a fuzzy blanket you will be so glad you did. Susan Mallery has given her readers old and new another big hit! She is one of favorite authors to read.
Thank you NetGalley, Susan Mallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy of Mingle All the Way. This is my personal review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realize this was a reprint when I requested it. That being said I reread The Christmas Guest and really enjoyed it. I rarely reread books and I was surprised that I didn't really remember the story so it was pretty much new to me again. I think you'd enjoy it even if you have read it previously. It was fun catching up with the Somerville sisters in Wishing Tree and watching their romances grow and change, both with Reggie and Toby and Dena and Micah. I LOVED Belle and Harrison! If nothing else, reread this one to enjoy their antics again! There is also a bonus short story included. This one gives you the background on how Shaye and Lawson got together. Pick this book up in October!

[Emily Bellamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I thought this book was great. It’s actually almost two books in one. You have to stories running parallel to each other, Reggie’s story, and Dena’s story. Both could have easily been standalone stories, but I appreciated having everyone’s perspective all at once.

Reading about small towns always leaves me wanting to move to one, and Wishing Tree is no different. To live in a town where Christmas is front and center in some way all year? Sign me up. Even Judy’s Hand Pies sound amazing, and I wish they were real!

The writing does seem a little bit stiff at points, nothing that truly breaks the comprehension of the story, but does sometimes affect the flow. That would be my only complaint.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy read that will be perfect for the busy holiday season. During the month of December and during the summer, I find myself wanting easy, feel good reads and this does the trick. This was a super clean romance that gave Hallmark movie vibes. The female leads, Reggie and Dena (oh and Belle) were very strong females that didn't hold back on what they wanted and that was a vibe I'm always into. Definitely add to your tbr for the holiday season!

Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

[The Starbound Girl✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This rerelease and added novella was such a good book. I hadn't read the original release yet, so it was all new for me. Mallery definitely holds the Christmas queen title for holiday romance. Nothing overly spicy, and most of the characters were likable. The miscommunication trope did last longer than I hoped, but I still enjoyed the book overall. 4.5 stars rounded up.

[Linda Dossett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishing Tree sounds so much like the perfect place to visit for the Christmas aficionado. Very high maintenance for the residents but so much fun. Two sisters find their lives upended, dealing with romance angst and drama, wondering whether they will have the wonderful life each did not expect, yet find themselves dreaming of. Grab this newest and sweet Christmas story gift. I had read these previously, both worth the revisit. Enjoy.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! There are two stories in the book. The second one is a prequel to the series. I read that one first and I’m glad I did. It’s a Christmas in July book. If you read it second it’s out of order. The first book will still make sense but the second book explains everything and the history of the traditions. Both books are about home and family. They are both heartwarming. I enjoyed them both very much!

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read stories and review them honestly. I guess I didn’t see that this was a reissue of two of Susan Mallery’s previous books from The Wishing Tree series from several years ago. I had already read these stories, but did sort of a speed re-read of them for old times sake. Liked the stories then, liked them again this time around. So I consider it a refresher read!

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Mallery never disappoints. Susan Mallery NEVER. DISAPPOINTS! I absolutely loved traveling to Wishing Tree in this novel, and following Reggie and Dena and their family as they navigate life’s challenges leading up to the holidays and a family wedding. I loved everything about this! Is it Christmas time yet?!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize that I read the book before. I didn't mind though because it was a really good book. It's a perfect time to read any day of the year. I look forward to reading the next book that Susan Mallery writes I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Crystal Shavalier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mingle All the Way is a reissue of The Christmas Wedding Guest and the novella, Say You’ll Stay . Both are cute small town romances that bring us back to Wishing Tree. While I had read both of them before I enjoyed revisiting the stories. Susan Mallory always has such heartwarming stories.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of Mingle All the Way, by Susan Mallery, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoy Susan Mallery's books, but this is a reissue of a book I already read called, The Christmas Wedding Guest. I prefer a brand new read, instead of a recycled read.

[Melissa W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The town of Wishing Tree seems like a wonderful place to live. The wreath, all the little shops, the B & B, there are so many little shops and restaurants that you just want to go there. This family is so sweet and the two sisters really support each other through everything. Great holiday season story! I also loved the little prequel bonus story at the end!

[S Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sisters Reggie and Dena are in their hometown of Wishing Tree to plan and celebrate their parents' wedding renewal ceremony. It's the Christmas season and the town goes all out to celebrate. Old and new relationships, memories and love ensue all wrapped up with a pretty bow. Reggie's dog, Belle, is the best co-star! A sweet romance for any time of year! 😍

[Jen Nagy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept feeling like I had read this book… and I have! This is a redo of The Christmas Wedding Guest. I liked it better the first time I read it and I’m confused why they would bother rereleasing the book. Disappointed that I wasted my time!! NetGalley “ARC”.

[eatbookseatworlds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two cute short romance stories (though the first one was a reissue that I'd already read).

4 stars.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Randa Burky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mingle All The Way is a reissue of The Christmas Wedding Guest as well as the prequel Say You Will Stay. Luckily, I had not previously read either and the reissue allowed me to discover something I had missed from the original release. I look forward to ready the rest of the original series.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Susan Mallery has created a group of characters that you’d love to be friends with in a setting that brings the holiday magic we all felt as children to life. Who wouldn’t want to live there? Funny, uplifting, sweet and sassy.