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Hot Shots of Huckleberry Creek #3
Mistlefoe Match
Jess Donnegan has hated me for a decade. I still don’t know why.
Didn’t stop me wanting her then. Doesn’t stop me now—especially when we get roped into co-chairing the Twelve Stops of Christmas together.
Forced proximity I can handle.
But when her coffee truck goes up in flames, and I’m the one dragging her out, the universe hands me another chance I’m not about to ignore.
Saving her? That’s firefighter reflex.
Helping her rebuild? Easy.
Staying unaffected when she’s close? Impossible.
Because under all that sharp, black-cat attitude is the woman I’ve been half in love with since high school—and the spark between us is a match begging for the strike.
She thinks I’m just doing my good-guy routine.
But she’s wrong.
I don’t show up like this for anybody else.
I show up for her.
If she’ll finally let me.
Didn’t stop me wanting her then. Doesn’t stop me now—especially when we get roped into co-chairing the Twelve Stops of Christmas together.
Forced proximity I can handle.
But when her coffee truck goes up in flames, and I’m the one dragging her out, the universe hands me another chance I’m not about to ignore.
Saving her? That’s firefighter reflex.
Helping her rebuild? Easy.
Staying unaffected when she’s close? Impossible.
Because under all that sharp, black-cat attitude is the woman I’ve been half in love with since high school—and the spark between us is a match begging for the strike.
She thinks I’m just doing my good-guy routine.
But she’s wrong.
I don’t show up like this for anybody else.
I show up for her.
If she’ll finally let me.
- GenresRomance
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2025
40 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 13, 2025
When I read the blurb for this book I couldn’t wait to read it, because a book with small-town vibes, about enemies to lovers at the holidays with a community festival - what’s not to love?
Unfortunately, this story fell far short of my expectations. This may still be a fabulous read for others, but for me it was a ‘meh’ at best.
Powell is a MMC who thrives on helping others and he has been openly pining for Jess for 10-years even though she actively hates him, but he doesn’t have a clue why or what he ever did. Seriously, 10 years of being ignored, put down and more while living in a small town and he remains hopeful of winning her over. The poor guy just melted my heart while making me want to shake him to either confront her or move on.
Jess is frankly unappealing as a FMC - she is prickly and outright mean to Powell the majority of the book. Her active dislike/hate of Powell for 10 years had me convinced he had done something majorly unforgivable and never attempted an apology. The actual reason isn’t disclosed until nearly 70% into the book, and I was left frustrated that so much angst was caused by such a stupid misunderstanding in high school. No wonder Powell didn’t have a clue what he did to generate such hostility from Jess.
I loved a few things about the book, especially the holiday festival, 12 Stops of Christmas, Jess and Powell are asked to co-chair which sounded fun and festive. I loved the small town community vibe and several of the secondary characters - Moose and Meatball. Esmeralda, the donkey was adorable and added some humor. The response to Powell’s idea to help Jess refurbish her coffee truck was heartwarming and sweet.
As Jess lets down her icy walls towards Powell and explains why she hated him, I was frustrated it had taken this long into a short read to happen. It was then more frustrating that nearly the very next chapter had Jess hearing positive comments about how amazing Powell is and instead of being proud of what a great guy he is, she jumps to the conclusion she actually isn’t special to him and once again icing him out. Sheesh! Once these two get back on good terms and the book ends.
I received a free ARC from the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Unfortunately, this story fell far short of my expectations. This may still be a fabulous read for others, but for me it was a ‘meh’ at best.
Powell is a MMC who thrives on helping others and he has been openly pining for Jess for 10-years even though she actively hates him, but he doesn’t have a clue why or what he ever did. Seriously, 10 years of being ignored, put down and more while living in a small town and he remains hopeful of winning her over. The poor guy just melted my heart while making me want to shake him to either confront her or move on.
Jess is frankly unappealing as a FMC - she is prickly and outright mean to Powell the majority of the book. Her active dislike/hate of Powell for 10 years had me convinced he had done something majorly unforgivable and never attempted an apology. The actual reason isn’t disclosed until nearly 70% into the book, and I was left frustrated that so much angst was caused by such a stupid misunderstanding in high school. No wonder Powell didn’t have a clue what he did to generate such hostility from Jess.
I loved a few things about the book, especially the holiday festival, 12 Stops of Christmas, Jess and Powell are asked to co-chair which sounded fun and festive. I loved the small town community vibe and several of the secondary characters - Moose and Meatball. Esmeralda, the donkey was adorable and added some humor. The response to Powell’s idea to help Jess refurbish her coffee truck was heartwarming and sweet.
As Jess lets down her icy walls towards Powell and explains why she hated him, I was frustrated it had taken this long into a short read to happen. It was then more frustrating that nearly the very next chapter had Jess hearing positive comments about how amazing Powell is and instead of being proud of what a great guy he is, she jumps to the conclusion she actually isn’t special to him and once again icing him out. Sheesh! Once these two get back on good terms and the book ends.
I received a free ARC from the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
December 7, 2025
Enemies To Lovers
Jess and Powell were about to become a couple in high school when something happened and he became her mortal enemy. Now seven years later, things happen that start to make Jess think that Powell isn't as much of an enemy. Her friends talk her into finally telling him what has been the problem all these years. Once she does, she becomes vulnerable again. Will they make it as a couple this time? I thought Esmeralda was so cute.
Jess and Powell were about to become a couple in high school when something happened and he became her mortal enemy. Now seven years later, things happen that start to make Jess think that Powell isn't as much of an enemy. Her friends talk her into finally telling him what has been the problem all these years. Once she does, she becomes vulnerable again. Will they make it as a couple this time? I thought Esmeralda was so cute.
December 26, 2025
Powell is a sweetheart and Jess is a badass! And I LOVE Esmerelda-she loves stealing the scenes, lol. This is a wonderful Christmas story. Powell is very good at giving Jess her space when she needs it and learned how to read when she really didn't need it like she thought she did pretty quickly. I enjoyed this one very much!
December 20, 2025
Lovely Christmas story
This book pushed all the right buttons-Great characters, interesting storyline, romantic sparks, holiday vibes, and an adorable miniature donkey. You couldn't ask for more from a holiday romance.
This book pushed all the right buttons-Great characters, interesting storyline, romantic sparks, holiday vibes, and an adorable miniature donkey. You couldn't ask for more from a holiday romance.
December 14, 2025
I'm still working on reading books from this author, so I wasn't familiar with characters yet. I enjoyed the story overall, but I didn't like how long it took to figure out why Jess hated Powell so much. It just made it hard to root for them when we, the reader didn't know why she was mad in the first place. I did like the bonus epilogue, not just another excuse for another bedroom scene like some books have. I also liked that it wasn't clean, but not overly dirty either.
December 13, 2025
perfect Xmas read
This was like the perfect Netflix Christmas movie! I laughed and I cried my way to the HEA. I truly enjoyed this book and didn’t want it to end. Definitely recommend 👍🏻
This was like the perfect Netflix Christmas movie! I laughed and I cried my way to the HEA. I truly enjoyed this book and didn’t want it to end. Definitely recommend 👍🏻
December 12, 2025
We had mixed feelings about this story. So we are going to tell you what we loved about the book and what did not work for us.
The plot premise was what drew us to read it: a small town feel, a holiday festival, and communtiy support. We enjoy stories like this because they put you into the Christmas spirit, which is our favorite holiday. We loved how the communtiy showed overwhelming support and love for Jess in her time of need. She was loved by all, and her customers loved her specialties around the holidays that they could not live without. The best part of the story was the interactions with Esmerelda the donkey. Those made us laugh and chuckle.
The rest of our thoughts are that this. The main characters did not make us love them. We never warmed up to Jess at all; if being honest, we disliked her character. Powell, on the other hand, was supportive, kind, and always helped those in need; at least we liked his character, although we never fell in love with him. Meatball, on the other hand, we found interesting and funny; he made us smile and laugh. Esmerelda had us grinning. She was protective of Powell and a little heartmelter to boot.
Let us say that we love this author's works, and although we loved parts of the story, we found this story boring; we never felt any chemistry between the main characters.
Also, we love a good slow-burning romance, but things took too long to get started between the characters, and that wasn't until the end of the book, and then it felt like it was over.
We knew that once the main characters didn't make us fall in love with them, it was just going to be an okay read for us. For us to love a story, you really have to fall in love with the characters. We give it 3.5 stars.
Every story is not for everyone, and that is okay.
The plot premise was what drew us to read it: a small town feel, a holiday festival, and communtiy support. We enjoy stories like this because they put you into the Christmas spirit, which is our favorite holiday. We loved how the communtiy showed overwhelming support and love for Jess in her time of need. She was loved by all, and her customers loved her specialties around the holidays that they could not live without. The best part of the story was the interactions with Esmerelda the donkey. Those made us laugh and chuckle.
The rest of our thoughts are that this. The main characters did not make us love them. We never warmed up to Jess at all; if being honest, we disliked her character. Powell, on the other hand, was supportive, kind, and always helped those in need; at least we liked his character, although we never fell in love with him. Meatball, on the other hand, we found interesting and funny; he made us smile and laugh. Esmerelda had us grinning. She was protective of Powell and a little heartmelter to boot.
Let us say that we love this author's works, and although we loved parts of the story, we found this story boring; we never felt any chemistry between the main characters.
Also, we love a good slow-burning romance, but things took too long to get started between the characters, and that wasn't until the end of the book, and then it felt like it was over.
We knew that once the main characters didn't make us fall in love with them, it was just going to be an okay read for us. For us to love a story, you really have to fall in love with the characters. We give it 3.5 stars.
Every story is not for everyone, and that is okay.
January 20, 2026
This is the first book that I read in this series. I liked Powell. He was kind, generous, helpful, and sweet. I did not like Jess. To hold on to something for 10 years and be that mean an unpleasant to someone was ridiculous. Jess was pushing 30 and she was still that immature. Then to not even have a conversation with Powell in all of that time to explain why she was mad at him made no sense.
I also got confused because it started out referring to Powell's house. Then it became Powell's apartment. Then back to his house again. I never knew if Powell lived in a house or an apartment.
I think this could have been a much more enjoyable read had Jess not been so unpleasant through most of the book. I felt badly for Powell because he seemed to care about Jess even when she didn't like him.
The book was ok. I will probably go back and try the previous books in the series.
I also got confused because it started out referring to Powell's house. Then it became Powell's apartment. Then back to his house again. I never knew if Powell lived in a house or an apartment.
I think this could have been a much more enjoyable read had Jess not been so unpleasant through most of the book. I felt badly for Powell because he seemed to care about Jess even when she didn't like him.
The book was ok. I will probably go back and try the previous books in the series.
December 28, 2025
Jess has hated Powell for years, and he could never figure out why. He always wanted to ensure she was safe, no matter what. He made a point to show up and get coffee to provoke her. When they are paired together for the 12 Stops of Christmas, Powell believes that finally he will figure out what is really going on and prove to Jess that he is a good person, but Jess is stubborn and will fight tooth and nail. The problem is, they have chemistry and are both attracted to each other. Another issue is that when Powell finally finds out why Jess is upset, honestly, he should have walked away. But that's not Powell; he will still fight to show her, and as they try to reclaim 10 years, can they fall for who they are now?
January 15, 2026
I had high hopes after reading the previous book, but this one was a disappointment. It took me three days to finish because it was simply boring. The reason for their separation felt strange and overly drawn out, especially since it happened so long ago. Jess’s behavior came across as juvenile and petty. Overall, it wasn’t worth the time it took to read.
December 16, 2025
A Christmas season delight of a read. It was just all kinds of lovely.
December 29, 2025
This was my least favorite of the series. Jess really bothered me and I hated waiting so long to find out what the event was. Esmeralda was the queen!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews