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Evergreen Falls #3
Mistletoe All the Way
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 03:51:18
100 copies available
U.S. only
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely, a small-town spicy, holiday romance about a guarded cowboy veterinarian and a Christmas-loving optimist who team up for a town holiday pageant.
Dr. Noah Lennox has three Christmas rules—avoid his hometown, avoid being mistaken for his internet-famous twin, and definitely avoid his smug cousin, Stephen. But when his beloved grandfather announces he’s retiring and leaving the family’s beloved sleigh-ride horse farm to either Noah or Stephen, Noah finds himself snowed in back home in Evergreen Falls and determined to fight for the place that means everything to him. The problem is, the town doesn’t exactly welcome its resident Scrooge with open arms.
Eloise Langston, a sunny Tourism Bureau hopeful, needs a win to land her dream job—and health insurance. Her Hail Mary plan? Turn Noah into Mr. Christmas to help the town’s Mr. Holiday Pageant draw record crowds. Transforming a camera-shy cowboy vet into a small-town sweetheart isn’t exactly in her job description—but neither is falling for him.
As sleigh bells ring and sparks fly, Noah and Eloise find themselves tangled in twinkle lights, fake pageants, and one very real attraction. But with the farm’s future at stake, Stephen's scheming, and Eloise’s own career on the line, there’s a blizzard of reasons to put their growing feelings on ice. Then again, if you can’t fight for love at the most wonderful time of the year, you don’t deserve the kiss waiting under the mistletoe.
Dr. Noah Lennox has three Christmas rules—avoid his hometown, avoid being mistaken for his internet-famous twin, and definitely avoid his smug cousin, Stephen. But when his beloved grandfather announces he’s retiring and leaving the family’s beloved sleigh-ride horse farm to either Noah or Stephen, Noah finds himself snowed in back home in Evergreen Falls and determined to fight for the place that means everything to him. The problem is, the town doesn’t exactly welcome its resident Scrooge with open arms.
Eloise Langston, a sunny Tourism Bureau hopeful, needs a win to land her dream job—and health insurance. Her Hail Mary plan? Turn Noah into Mr. Christmas to help the town’s Mr. Holiday Pageant draw record crowds. Transforming a camera-shy cowboy vet into a small-town sweetheart isn’t exactly in her job description—but neither is falling for him.
As sleigh bells ring and sparks fly, Noah and Eloise find themselves tangled in twinkle lights, fake pageants, and one very real attraction. But with the farm’s future at stake, Stephen's scheming, and Eloise’s own career on the line, there’s a blizzard of reasons to put their growing feelings on ice. Then again, if you can’t fight for love at the most wonderful time of the year, you don’t deserve the kiss waiting under the mistletoe.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Lauren Blakely
249 books25k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 14, 2026
This is such a fun holiday romcom. I loved getting perspectives from both main characters, Noah and Eloise. I enjoyed the dynamic between the grumpy cowboy veterinarian and the Christmas-loving PR agent. It was fun watching them team up for a holiday competition in this christmasy small town. If you are looking for a cozy romance full of holiday spirit and a touch of spice you should love this one.
Read this if you like:
🎄Small town
🎄Grumpy/sunshine
🎄Opposites attract
🎄Forced proximity
Thank you @atriabooks for sending me a gifted copy of the book.
Read this if you like:
🎄Small town
🎄Grumpy/sunshine
🎄Opposites attract
🎄Forced proximity
Thank you @atriabooks for sending me a gifted copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Who does not love a good Lauren, blakely book- to me, she writes it all romance spice, sometimes a little bit of mystery. She's got humor- and this one was no different- our main girl Eloise lives in Christmas, central everybody loves Christmas and Christmas is their bread-and-butter at Christmas time. She is trying to get her PR firm off the ground and just having a little bit of luck. But she wants to have the contract for the town. So she comes up with a plan to make the town famous for their Mr. Holiday contest- she has a one off encounter with Noah who is a very anti Christmas. He is only home for his grandfather's retirement from running the town sleigh ride horse farm- one's there he finds out that his Grandpa is going to move to sunny San Diego and leave the farm behind
It looks like it's going to go to his cousin Stephen by default until Noah speaks up and says he wants it. He can't see his cousin running the farm. He just doesn't trust him- so grandpa says he will think about it and make a decision, he runs back into Eloise who says that maybe he should run for Mr Holiday to show his grandpa that he really has christmas spirit and she will be his advisor- a lot of hyjinks begin there is a little bit of of mystery. A lot of romance between Eloise and Noah. It is a really fun book- great for the holidays, or for people like me who can read a Christmas story. Anytime of the year there was a little bit of her other books in here too. I like when an author sprinkles in from other books.I could definitely see another book with noah's.Identical twin. So, hopefully that's coming next. But if you like a good spicy Ram com, this is the book for you plus there's awesome animals in there too. I'm definitely recommend
Thank you.Netgalley or the arc in exchange for an honest review
It looks like it's going to go to his cousin Stephen by default until Noah speaks up and says he wants it. He can't see his cousin running the farm. He just doesn't trust him- so grandpa says he will think about it and make a decision, he runs back into Eloise who says that maybe he should run for Mr Holiday to show his grandpa that he really has christmas spirit and she will be his advisor- a lot of hyjinks begin there is a little bit of of mystery. A lot of romance between Eloise and Noah. It is a really fun book- great for the holidays, or for people like me who can read a Christmas story. Anytime of the year there was a little bit of her other books in here too. I like when an author sprinkles in from other books.I could definitely see another book with noah's.Identical twin. So, hopefully that's coming next. But if you like a good spicy Ram com, this is the book for you plus there's awesome animals in there too. I'm definitely recommend
Thank you.Netgalley or the arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up for GR
This will be an all star this holiday season!
Lauren Blakely said: what if we take undeniable chemistry, flirty banter, forced proximity energy, AND holiday magic… and make it impossible to resist—and honestly?? She succeeded.
The banter? Elite as always
The chemistry? Immediate. Like… they breathe near each other and I’m like “oh this is going to ruin me.”
The tension?? STRETCHED. OUT. in that “just kiss already but also don’t because I’m enjoying the torture” kind of way.
This is definitely a right person, wrong time / slow-burn-but-make-it-ache situation, and I was EATING IT UP… until I wasn’t 😅
Because listen—
the push and pull? A little long for me
The angst? Delicious… but borderline testing my patience. Like, come on get. To. The. Point!
But did that stop me from being fully invested? Absolutely not.
The holiday vibes are immaculate. It’s cozy, festive, slightly magical without being cheesy. It’s giving snow, longing looks, emotional damage, and “we shouldn’t… but we absolutely will.”
My only real complaint: I wanted a bigger emotional payoff at the end. After ALL that buildup, I needed just a little more grovel, a little more intensity, a little more something to match the tension we suffered through.
Still… I finished this with a smile and that warm, fuzzy, slightly emotionally wrecked feeling—which, let’s be honest, is exactly what I signed up for.
If you love:
✨ banter that hits every time
✨ instant chemistry with drawn-out tension
✨ “this is a bad idea” energy
✨ cozy holiday romance with angst
you’re going to have a great time with this one. Add it to the December TBR now.
3.5 stars rounded up for GR
This will be an all star this holiday season!
Lauren Blakely said: what if we take undeniable chemistry, flirty banter, forced proximity energy, AND holiday magic… and make it impossible to resist—and honestly?? She succeeded.
The banter? Elite as always
The chemistry? Immediate. Like… they breathe near each other and I’m like “oh this is going to ruin me.”
The tension?? STRETCHED. OUT. in that “just kiss already but also don’t because I’m enjoying the torture” kind of way.
This is definitely a right person, wrong time / slow-burn-but-make-it-ache situation, and I was EATING IT UP… until I wasn’t 😅
Because listen—
the push and pull? A little long for me
The angst? Delicious… but borderline testing my patience. Like, come on get. To. The. Point!
But did that stop me from being fully invested? Absolutely not.
The holiday vibes are immaculate. It’s cozy, festive, slightly magical without being cheesy. It’s giving snow, longing looks, emotional damage, and “we shouldn’t… but we absolutely will.”
My only real complaint: I wanted a bigger emotional payoff at the end. After ALL that buildup, I needed just a little more grovel, a little more intensity, a little more something to match the tension we suffered through.
Still… I finished this with a smile and that warm, fuzzy, slightly emotionally wrecked feeling—which, let’s be honest, is exactly what I signed up for.
If you love:
✨ banter that hits every time
✨ instant chemistry with drawn-out tension
✨ “this is a bad idea” energy
✨ cozy holiday romance with angst
you’re going to have a great time with this one. Add it to the December TBR now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
Mistletoe All The Way
– Lauren Blakely**
Okay but why am I fully obsessed with a Christmas book… in April?? Only for Lauren Blakely.😭🎄
Noah is the ultimate holiday grinch — a veterinarian who’s seen the worst side of Christmas (looking at you, people who return pets 💔). He keeps his circle small, his heart guarded, and his only consistent companion is his dog, Rusty… and his murder podcasts.
Then enters Eloise — PR queen, chaotic in the best way, secretly a badass (Krav Maga?? CAN fixing her own tire??), and unapologetically a jolly.
Their meet-cute? Him pretending to be his famous twin while fixing her tire.
Their chemistry? Immediate.
Their banter? Top tier.
What starts as a fake-it-for-the-Mr-Holiday-competition situation turns into something so soft, so real, and so unexpectedly emotional.
This story had EVERYTHING:
– grumpy x sunshine done perfectly
– small town holiday chaos
– twin swap shenanigans
– a grandma who absolutely stole the show (icon behaviour only)
– slow burn tension that builds so naturally
– and honestly… some *very* fun festive spice 🌶️🎁
But underneath all the cozy Christmas vibes, there’s real depth. Noah’s grief tied to the holidays broke my heart, and Eloise’s struggle to be taken seriously by her family felt so real. Watching them see* each other and show up in the ways that mattered?? Yeah… I was gone.
And that ending???
THE MISTLETOE???
HIM SHOWING UP??? 😭😭
Lauren Blakely really said “you will feel EVERYTHING” and I absolutely did.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — no notes, just love.
Tropes:
🎄 Grumpy x Sunshine (grinch x jolly)
🎄 Small Town Romance
🎄 Slow Burn
🎄 Holiday Romance
🎄 Animal Lovers
🎄 Opposites Attract
Mistletoe All The Way
– Lauren Blakely**
Okay but why am I fully obsessed with a Christmas book… in April?? Only for Lauren Blakely.😭🎄
Noah is the ultimate holiday grinch — a veterinarian who’s seen the worst side of Christmas (looking at you, people who return pets 💔). He keeps his circle small, his heart guarded, and his only consistent companion is his dog, Rusty… and his murder podcasts.
Then enters Eloise — PR queen, chaotic in the best way, secretly a badass (Krav Maga?? CAN fixing her own tire??), and unapologetically a jolly.
Their meet-cute? Him pretending to be his famous twin while fixing her tire.
Their chemistry? Immediate.
Their banter? Top tier.
What starts as a fake-it-for-the-Mr-Holiday-competition situation turns into something so soft, so real, and so unexpectedly emotional.
This story had EVERYTHING:
– grumpy x sunshine done perfectly
– small town holiday chaos
– twin swap shenanigans
– a grandma who absolutely stole the show (icon behaviour only)
– slow burn tension that builds so naturally
– and honestly… some *very* fun festive spice 🌶️🎁
But underneath all the cozy Christmas vibes, there’s real depth. Noah’s grief tied to the holidays broke my heart, and Eloise’s struggle to be taken seriously by her family felt so real. Watching them see* each other and show up in the ways that mattered?? Yeah… I was gone.
And that ending???
THE MISTLETOE???
HIM SHOWING UP??? 😭😭
Lauren Blakely really said “you will feel EVERYTHING” and I absolutely did.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — no notes, just love.
Tropes:
🎄 Grumpy x Sunshine (grinch x jolly)
🎄 Small Town Romance
🎄 Slow Burn
🎄 Holiday Romance
🎄 Animal Lovers
🎄 Opposites Attract
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a cozy, feel-good holiday romance and exactly the kind of book I want to curl up with during winter. From the first few chapters, I knew I was going to love the small-town atmosphere. Evergreen Falls felt charming and festive without being over-the-top, and the snowy setting made everything feel warm and comforting.
Noah ended up being my favorite kind of romance hero — grumpy, guarded, and secretly soft underneath all the sarcasm and avoidance. I really loved watching him slowly reconnect with both the town and the people he tried so hard to distance himself from. Eloise balanced him perfectly. Her optimism and determination never felt forced, and I found myself rooting for her immediately, especially because she’s trying so hard to prove herself.
What I enjoyed most was how natural the relationship felt. The chemistry between Noah and Eloise builds in such a sweet and believable way, and their banter genuinely made me smile. The story has all the things I love in a holiday romance: small-town chaos, family drama, festive events, snowed-in moments, and plenty of emotional heart underneath the humor.
I also appreciated that the story wasn’t just romance. The themes of home, family expectations, and figuring out what truly matters gave the book more emotional depth than I expected. It felt comforting, funny, and heartfelt all at once.
If you love grumpy/sunshine romances, Christmas magic, charming small towns, and Hallmark-movie vibes with extra heart, this is definitely one to add to your holiday reading list. It completely put me in the Christmas spirit and left me smiling by the end.
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Noah ended up being my favorite kind of romance hero — grumpy, guarded, and secretly soft underneath all the sarcasm and avoidance. I really loved watching him slowly reconnect with both the town and the people he tried so hard to distance himself from. Eloise balanced him perfectly. Her optimism and determination never felt forced, and I found myself rooting for her immediately, especially because she’s trying so hard to prove herself.
What I enjoyed most was how natural the relationship felt. The chemistry between Noah and Eloise builds in such a sweet and believable way, and their banter genuinely made me smile. The story has all the things I love in a holiday romance: small-town chaos, family drama, festive events, snowed-in moments, and plenty of emotional heart underneath the humor.
I also appreciated that the story wasn’t just romance. The themes of home, family expectations, and figuring out what truly matters gave the book more emotional depth than I expected. It felt comforting, funny, and heartfelt all at once.
If you love grumpy/sunshine romances, Christmas magic, charming small towns, and Hallmark-movie vibes with extra heart, this is definitely one to add to your holiday reading list. It completely put me in the Christmas spirit and left me smiling by the end.
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a fun, cozy holiday romance with just the right amount of spice and heart. I flew through this one—it’s definitely one of those “just one more chapter” kind of reads.
Noah is very much in his grumpy era, avoiding Christmas and anything that comes with it, and Eloise is the complete opposite. She’s optimistic, driven, and determined to make something happen for herself. I really liked how different they were without it feeling forced. Their dynamic felt natural, and the chemistry between them was there right from the beginning.
The banter was one of my favorite parts. It felt easy and playful, and it made their connection believable even when they were both trying to keep things from going too far. There’s definitely that push and pull throughout, and while it leans a little into the slow-burn/right person wrong time vibe, it worked for the most part. There were a few moments where it felt a little drawn out, but I understood why they held back.
I loved the small-town setting and the whole Mr. Holiday competition storyline. It added something fun and a little chaotic without taking away from the romance. It gave the story that cozy, festive feel without being overdone.
If I had one critique, I did want a little more from the ending. The buildup between them was strong, so I was expecting a slightly bigger emotional moment at the end. It was still satisfying, just not as impactful as I thought it would be.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable, feel-good holiday read. Easy to get into, easy to finish, and exactly what I wanted it to be.
Noah is very much in his grumpy era, avoiding Christmas and anything that comes with it, and Eloise is the complete opposite. She’s optimistic, driven, and determined to make something happen for herself. I really liked how different they were without it feeling forced. Their dynamic felt natural, and the chemistry between them was there right from the beginning.
The banter was one of my favorite parts. It felt easy and playful, and it made their connection believable even when they were both trying to keep things from going too far. There’s definitely that push and pull throughout, and while it leans a little into the slow-burn/right person wrong time vibe, it worked for the most part. There were a few moments where it felt a little drawn out, but I understood why they held back.
I loved the small-town setting and the whole Mr. Holiday competition storyline. It added something fun and a little chaotic without taking away from the romance. It gave the story that cozy, festive feel without being overdone.
If I had one critique, I did want a little more from the ending. The buildup between them was strong, so I was expecting a slightly bigger emotional moment at the end. It was still satisfying, just not as impactful as I thought it would be.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable, feel-good holiday read. Easy to get into, easy to finish, and exactly what I wanted it to be.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I requested this book by an author I’d never read before, I thought it might be a cutesy, schmaltzy Christmas romcom.
And in a way…it was.
But it was so much more. So much more!
Mistletoe all the way is a grumpy/sunshine/cowboy/steamy/Christmas romcom that pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go of my heart even after I finished it.
Eloise is a PR maven and wants to be successful enough to run her own business.
Noah is a twin and a veterinarian ( I mean, come on!! Can you spell S-W-O-O-N?) who doesn’t get with the whole Jolly Christmas vibe. The reason is explained in his revealed backstory, so I don’t want to give anything away, but it rings so true, you can’t help but understand why he feels the way he does.
These two have two divergent goals. Hers, to run her own company; him to ensure his shifty cousin doesn’t inherit their beloved grandfather’s Christmas farm.
Together, they form an alliance to accomplish both by entering Noah in the first Mr. Holiday contest in their town. What this sunshine “Jolly” will teach this shy, grump of a cowboy is the stuff of romcom perfection.
It may be April, but reading this holiday romance was a wonderful way to spend the off-holiday time. 5 stars to a story that warmed by heart ( and got my pulse racing – Did I mention COWBOY/VETERINARIAN??)
And in a way…it was.
But it was so much more. So much more!
Mistletoe all the way is a grumpy/sunshine/cowboy/steamy/Christmas romcom that pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go of my heart even after I finished it.
Eloise is a PR maven and wants to be successful enough to run her own business.
Noah is a twin and a veterinarian ( I mean, come on!! Can you spell S-W-O-O-N?) who doesn’t get with the whole Jolly Christmas vibe. The reason is explained in his revealed backstory, so I don’t want to give anything away, but it rings so true, you can’t help but understand why he feels the way he does.
These two have two divergent goals. Hers, to run her own company; him to ensure his shifty cousin doesn’t inherit their beloved grandfather’s Christmas farm.
Together, they form an alliance to accomplish both by entering Noah in the first Mr. Holiday contest in their town. What this sunshine “Jolly” will teach this shy, grump of a cowboy is the stuff of romcom perfection.
It may be April, but reading this holiday romance was a wonderful way to spend the off-holiday time. 5 stars to a story that warmed by heart ( and got my pulse racing – Did I mention COWBOY/VETERINARIAN??)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reminiscent of a Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie
This is a charming contemporary rom-com featuring a grumpy bah humbug MMC Veterinarian that is not the biggest fan of Christmas, cheerful people , nor his hometown. It so happens that he must make a trip back home to save his family’s horse farm from the fate of his cousin when his grandfather announces his retirement. Enter the FMC who is a little too cheerful, Christmas loving tourism bureau wannabe hell-bent on re-igniting the towns image and increasing the tourism to their fair town by turning “ Mr. Grumpy” into Mr Christmas in hopes of drawing in a bigger crowd to their holiday pageant.
While rom-coms are normally not my genre of choice, this one sounded cute so I thought I would give it a try. It did not disappoint. The banter hit the mark perfectly and the chemistry between the FMC and MMC was evident from the very beginning. This was a slow burn romance and as anticipated by this reader, they ended up falling for each other.
While some may find this a bit cheesy, I really enjoyed this one and the cute storyline. I gave this a 3.5 rounded to a 4.0.
Great Job Lauren Blakely. Thank you to Ms. Blakely and Netgalley for allowing me to read this advance readers copy. This review was given freely.
This is a charming contemporary rom-com featuring a grumpy bah humbug MMC Veterinarian that is not the biggest fan of Christmas, cheerful people , nor his hometown. It so happens that he must make a trip back home to save his family’s horse farm from the fate of his cousin when his grandfather announces his retirement. Enter the FMC who is a little too cheerful, Christmas loving tourism bureau wannabe hell-bent on re-igniting the towns image and increasing the tourism to their fair town by turning “ Mr. Grumpy” into Mr Christmas in hopes of drawing in a bigger crowd to their holiday pageant.
While rom-coms are normally not my genre of choice, this one sounded cute so I thought I would give it a try. It did not disappoint. The banter hit the mark perfectly and the chemistry between the FMC and MMC was evident from the very beginning. This was a slow burn romance and as anticipated by this reader, they ended up falling for each other.
While some may find this a bit cheesy, I really enjoyed this one and the cute storyline. I gave this a 3.5 rounded to a 4.0.
Great Job Lauren Blakely. Thank you to Ms. Blakely and Netgalley for allowing me to read this advance readers copy. This review was given freely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐️
Lauren Blakely really knows how to write the kind of holiday romance that feels cozy, funny, emotional, and ridiculously bingeable all at once.
Noah was SUCH a good grumpy MMC. A veterinarian who basically hates Christmas because he’s seen the worst side of people during the holidays?? Yeah that immediately made my heart hurt for him 🥺 Add in the murder podcast obsession and his dog Rusty and I was already sold.
And Eloise was the perfect sunshine counterpart. She’s ambitious, chaotic in the best way, endlessly festive, and way more capable than people give her credit for. Their dynamic felt effortless from the start and the banter between them genuinely carried the entire book.
The fake holiday competition setup, the twin confusion, the small-town chaos… it all made this so fun while still giving the romance emotional depth underneath everything.
✨ what to expect ✨
🎄 Grumpy x sunshine
☀️ Holiday romance
🏡 Small-town setting
🎁 Fake dating vibes
🐶 Animal lovers
🔥 Slow burn chemistry
✨ Festive chaos
I especially loved how the story balanced all the cozy Christmas vibes with heavier emotional moments about grief, family expectations, and learning to let people in again.
This was sweet, funny, romantic, festive, and exactly the kind of comfort read I needed 🤍
Lauren Blakely really knows how to write the kind of holiday romance that feels cozy, funny, emotional, and ridiculously bingeable all at once.
Noah was SUCH a good grumpy MMC. A veterinarian who basically hates Christmas because he’s seen the worst side of people during the holidays?? Yeah that immediately made my heart hurt for him 🥺 Add in the murder podcast obsession and his dog Rusty and I was already sold.
And Eloise was the perfect sunshine counterpart. She’s ambitious, chaotic in the best way, endlessly festive, and way more capable than people give her credit for. Their dynamic felt effortless from the start and the banter between them genuinely carried the entire book.
The fake holiday competition setup, the twin confusion, the small-town chaos… it all made this so fun while still giving the romance emotional depth underneath everything.
✨ what to expect ✨
🎄 Grumpy x sunshine
☀️ Holiday romance
🏡 Small-town setting
🎁 Fake dating vibes
🐶 Animal lovers
🔥 Slow burn chemistry
✨ Festive chaos
I especially loved how the story balanced all the cozy Christmas vibes with heavier emotional moments about grief, family expectations, and learning to let people in again.
This was sweet, funny, romantic, festive, and exactly the kind of comfort read I needed 🤍
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a cozy, feel-good holiday read with just the right amount of spice. Cue the Holiday music! (Insert favorite Holiday tune here).
Mistletoe All the Way hits all the best tropes! Grumpy, sunshine, small-town charm, fake dating, and it actually works. Noah is peak broody grinch energy, and Eloise is that kind of sunshine character that doesn’t feel over-the-top or annoying, she just honestly is that nice. Their dynamic just clicks.
I loved the whole Mr. Holiday competition setup—it was fun, a little chaotic, and gave the story that classic small-town Hallmark holiday magic. And the chemistry?? Yeah… it’s there.
It’s definitely on the lighter side plot-wise, but that’s kind of the point. These stories have a habit of all going the same way, the guy and girl end up together, but it’s the HOW that we all buy into and hold onto every word.
It’s cozy, romantic, and easy to get lost in—perfect for when you just want something festive with heart (and a little heat).
I will say reading a Christmas book in early April with a threat of late snow (I live in Maine), I was almost ready to set my Christmas tree back up!
Mistletoe All the Way hits all the best tropes! Grumpy, sunshine, small-town charm, fake dating, and it actually works. Noah is peak broody grinch energy, and Eloise is that kind of sunshine character that doesn’t feel over-the-top or annoying, she just honestly is that nice. Their dynamic just clicks.
I loved the whole Mr. Holiday competition setup—it was fun, a little chaotic, and gave the story that classic small-town Hallmark holiday magic. And the chemistry?? Yeah… it’s there.
It’s definitely on the lighter side plot-wise, but that’s kind of the point. These stories have a habit of all going the same way, the guy and girl end up together, but it’s the HOW that we all buy into and hold onto every word.
It’s cozy, romantic, and easy to get lost in—perfect for when you just want something festive with heart (and a little heat).
I will say reading a Christmas book in early April with a threat of late snow (I live in Maine), I was almost ready to set my Christmas tree back up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Forced proximity
Grumpy x sunshine
“Enemies to lovers”
Slow burn Banter tension
Dual pov
Small town romance
Holiday vibes
Romcom
Noah is a veterinarian and does not like Christmas, to the point where he avoids Christmas. He even avoids going home to his hometown, which is a Christmas town full of festivities, but he has to return to his hometown to fight/save his grandfather‘s farm from his rotten cousin Stefan. Because his grandfather is retiring. But Noe’s known for being a Scrooge in the town doesn’t exactly welcome him home with open arms. Eloise is a local tourist who loves Christmas and wants to land her dream job and to do that she’ll need to help pull crowds for the Mr. Holiday pageant. But with the obstacles with the farms future at stake and Stefan scheming ways, can she help save the farm and her career and resist Noah, who she’s insanely attracted to and as they grow closer, they fall for each other.
I love Lauren Blakely‘s books and devoured this! I absolutely love the banter and their chemistry between these two. I have 100% easily recommend this Reed! Especially for the holidays such a fun read.
Grumpy x sunshine
“Enemies to lovers”
Slow burn Banter tension
Dual pov
Small town romance
Holiday vibes
Romcom
Noah is a veterinarian and does not like Christmas, to the point where he avoids Christmas. He even avoids going home to his hometown, which is a Christmas town full of festivities, but he has to return to his hometown to fight/save his grandfather‘s farm from his rotten cousin Stefan. Because his grandfather is retiring. But Noe’s known for being a Scrooge in the town doesn’t exactly welcome him home with open arms. Eloise is a local tourist who loves Christmas and wants to land her dream job and to do that she’ll need to help pull crowds for the Mr. Holiday pageant. But with the obstacles with the farms future at stake and Stefan scheming ways, can she help save the farm and her career and resist Noah, who she’s insanely attracted to and as they grow closer, they fall for each other.
I love Lauren Blakely‘s books and devoured this! I absolutely love the banter and their chemistry between these two. I have 100% easily recommend this Reed! Especially for the holidays such a fun read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THANK YOU NET GALLEY FOR THE ADVANCED COPY.
3.5⭐️ I enjoyed this cute small town grumpy sunshine Christmas story although I feel like it is basically the same story I read over and over in Christmas books. There’s always some kind of Christmas competition where someone’s trying to win a title on best Christmas spirit. This one starts with Eloise having a flat tire and Noah helping her change it. Noah is a grumpy humbug who is a vet and loves animals more than people and doesn’t like the holiday season. They eventually team up together to help each other. Noah is trying to gain favor with his grandpa for the sleigh riding farm and Eloise is trying to get her PR firm going. She enters Noah in the Mr. Holiday competition to help both of them. There is also Noah’s cousin Stephen who is also competing for the Sleigh farm for nefarious reasons. I enjoyed the mystery of what Stephen was up to and how Noah and Eloise became spies to figure it out.
I loved the relationship between Noah and Eloise and how they helped each other and slowly fell in love. I loved the ending and how Noah discovers where he belongs. It was a cute Hallmark Christmas story.
3.5⭐️ I enjoyed this cute small town grumpy sunshine Christmas story although I feel like it is basically the same story I read over and over in Christmas books. There’s always some kind of Christmas competition where someone’s trying to win a title on best Christmas spirit. This one starts with Eloise having a flat tire and Noah helping her change it. Noah is a grumpy humbug who is a vet and loves animals more than people and doesn’t like the holiday season. They eventually team up together to help each other. Noah is trying to gain favor with his grandpa for the sleigh riding farm and Eloise is trying to get her PR firm going. She enters Noah in the Mr. Holiday competition to help both of them. There is also Noah’s cousin Stephen who is also competing for the Sleigh farm for nefarious reasons. I enjoyed the mystery of what Stephen was up to and how Noah and Eloise became spies to figure it out.
I loved the relationship between Noah and Eloise and how they helped each other and slowly fell in love. I loved the ending and how Noah discovers where he belongs. It was a cute Hallmark Christmas story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Like, this is just solid, feel-good Christmas romance. The vibes? Immaculate. The chemistry? There. The characters? Loved them.
You’ve got grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, and a veterinarian trying to save his family farm and win his grandfather’s approval by proving he has any Christmas spirit… which he absolutely does not. Enter: very Christmassy PR woman who is basically the embodiment of holiday cheer, and she’s determined to help him fake it till he makes it.
And obviously… they’re extremely attracted to each other while doing it.
It’s sweet, it’s fun, it’s a little spicy 👀 and it’s one of those books where you’re just smiling while reading. He slowly gets converted into loving Christmas (as he should), and they have to figure out if there’s actually a future there beyond the setup.
Also… listen. If you were having your world rocked in a literal Christmas booth, you’d probably start loving Christmas too. Just saying.
Highly recommend if you want something cozy, romantic, and just a really good time.
You’ve got grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, and a veterinarian trying to save his family farm and win his grandfather’s approval by proving he has any Christmas spirit… which he absolutely does not. Enter: very Christmassy PR woman who is basically the embodiment of holiday cheer, and she’s determined to help him fake it till he makes it.
And obviously… they’re extremely attracted to each other while doing it.
It’s sweet, it’s fun, it’s a little spicy 👀 and it’s one of those books where you’re just smiling while reading. He slowly gets converted into loving Christmas (as he should), and they have to figure out if there’s actually a future there beyond the setup.
Also… listen. If you were having your world rocked in a literal Christmas booth, you’d probably start loving Christmas too. Just saying.
Highly recommend if you want something cozy, romantic, and just a really good time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well friends, I read a Christmas book in April. It took me a minute to get to it because well, it's April. Once I got over that fact, I read it and enjoyed it. We're back in Evergreen Falls and we have a new grumpy grinch being pulled into the holiday spirit. Meanwhile we have Ms. Christmas who's doing her darndest to spread holiday cheer. She needs to show her grit to prove she can do PR for the town - and Noah becomes her project. He agrees because he wants the family farm to go to someone better than his slimy cousin Stephen.
They fall in love, there are animals, there are Christmas shenanigans, and a fun grandma. All components to a good Christmas story. Noah's growth in this book from Grinch to hero by the end of the story. He started living rather than just working. It was a nice story. I definitely read it at the wrong time, but Lauren really does a good job drawing you in. She's comedic and her stories are sweet. Her men are swoony and her ladies are very sweet and driven. I think this is a perfect story for the holidays. Give it a read.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
They fall in love, there are animals, there are Christmas shenanigans, and a fun grandma. All components to a good Christmas story. Noah's growth in this book from Grinch to hero by the end of the story. He started living rather than just working. It was a nice story. I definitely read it at the wrong time, but Lauren really does a good job drawing you in. She's comedic and her stories are sweet. Her men are swoony and her ladies are very sweet and driven. I think this is a perfect story for the holidays. Give it a read.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 30, 2026
3.25 stars rounded down
I don't think this was the right book for me, so I'll keep this review brief. If you are looking for a tinsel-wrapped, Hallmark Christmas movie in book form (with spice), this might be the right book for you. Be warned that this book requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, and the emphasis is on light, fun romance with a lot of Christmas references.
I'm docking stars for a couple of reasons. One, I do think it's possible for a light and fun romance to have more nuance than this book did. I found the conflict to be lacking/easy to solve, and the villain to be cartoonish. Two, I actually didn't love how the Hallmark Christmas movie vibes played with the spicy scenes - tonally it felt weird to me that the plot and characters were mostly family-friendly, with spice scenes mixed in. That might be just me though.
I think for this book's core readers, the above issues will not be a major problem, and I hope this book finds its readers! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher - these opinions are my own.
I don't think this was the right book for me, so I'll keep this review brief. If you are looking for a tinsel-wrapped, Hallmark Christmas movie in book form (with spice), this might be the right book for you. Be warned that this book requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, and the emphasis is on light, fun romance with a lot of Christmas references.
I'm docking stars for a couple of reasons. One, I do think it's possible for a light and fun romance to have more nuance than this book did. I found the conflict to be lacking/easy to solve, and the villain to be cartoonish. Two, I actually didn't love how the Hallmark Christmas movie vibes played with the spicy scenes - tonally it felt weird to me that the plot and characters were mostly family-friendly, with spice scenes mixed in. That might be just me though.
I think for this book's core readers, the above issues will not be a major problem, and I hope this book finds its readers! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher - these opinions are my own.
May 5, 2026
Noah is very much a broody, grumpy vet who holiday avoidant. He is also the complete opposite of his perennially cheery holiday loving twin brother Chris. Noah prefers the company of animals more than people unless it’s his family.
Eloise couldn’t be more opposite than Noah. She look on the sunny side of things and is determined to take her new marketing firm to new heights. They say opposites attract and that was definitely the case here. Their banter and arguing seems felt realistic and heartfelt. Their chemistry was off the charts from their first meeting throughout the whole holiday competition. I loved seeing how Eloise saw behind his grumpy exterior to the man he really was.
I loved how Eloise could get him to agree to things even when he didn’t want to do them. He saw her and he was such a gentlemen’s and a little shy at times with her. But wholly did he have a dirty mouth when the spicy kicked in.
Their chemistry and banter set in a hallmark card of town makes for a perfect holiday rom-com. Add in a little spice and you will be saying Merry Christmas to me. This book was an easy, delightful read that has everything you want in holiday book.
Thank you Netgallery for the ARC and Lauren Blakely!
Eloise couldn’t be more opposite than Noah. She look on the sunny side of things and is determined to take her new marketing firm to new heights. They say opposites attract and that was definitely the case here. Their banter and arguing seems felt realistic and heartfelt. Their chemistry was off the charts from their first meeting throughout the whole holiday competition. I loved seeing how Eloise saw behind his grumpy exterior to the man he really was.
I loved how Eloise could get him to agree to things even when he didn’t want to do them. He saw her and he was such a gentlemen’s and a little shy at times with her. But wholly did he have a dirty mouth when the spicy kicked in.
Their chemistry and banter set in a hallmark card of town makes for a perfect holiday rom-com. Add in a little spice and you will be saying Merry Christmas to me. This book was an easy, delightful read that has everything you want in holiday book.
Thank you Netgallery for the ARC and Lauren Blakely!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars!
This is a cute holiday romance book that will put a smile on your face. I loved how the "3rd act breakup" wasn't anything too infuriating like other romance novels. It was quick and didn't take away from the story at all. The book had great pacing and you could really feel the chemistry between Eloise and Noah. I do wish the ending/epilogue was longer but otherwise the book was a great book.
In Mistletoe All the Way, Noah is heading back to his hometown when he runs into Eloise who has a flat tire at the store. They hit it off and end up running into each other in town. Noah finds out his gramps is going to sell the farm and he puts his hat in the ring because he doesn't want his slimy cousin to get it. Eloise ends up helping Noah try and win the farm by entering him into the Mr. Holiday contest. She gets to show the town she is good at PR (and try and get more gigs) and he gets to show his gramps he is the right man for the job. Win win!
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.
This is a cute holiday romance book that will put a smile on your face. I loved how the "3rd act breakup" wasn't anything too infuriating like other romance novels. It was quick and didn't take away from the story at all. The book had great pacing and you could really feel the chemistry between Eloise and Noah. I do wish the ending/epilogue was longer but otherwise the book was a great book.
In Mistletoe All the Way, Noah is heading back to his hometown when he runs into Eloise who has a flat tire at the store. They hit it off and end up running into each other in town. Noah finds out his gramps is going to sell the farm and he puts his hat in the ring because he doesn't want his slimy cousin to get it. Eloise ends up helping Noah try and win the farm by entering him into the Mr. Holiday contest. She gets to show the town she is good at PR (and try and get more gigs) and he gets to show his gramps he is the right man for the job. Win win!
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was everything I love about Christmas rom coms! Witty, just enough spice, good plot and characters I liked a lot! This story follows veterinarian and full on grinch, Noah whose family owned farm is up for grabs. Gramps is retiring and ready to hand it over to one of his grandsons. Only one of them isn't the most trustworthy. He's a slimy little thing with his own ideas. Noah, however, wants to run it from another State so he can keep his practice back home. Eloise is our FMC and Christmas lover. A "jolly" if you will. She's tasked with making the Christmas Mr. holiday competition the talk of the town.. or internet. She runs her own PR firm and is trying to get clients together. To do so, she needs to turn Mr grinch into Mr Holliday. It was so good, funny, happy, just enough twists. I really enjoyed the authors writing style, similar to Meghan Quinn. Loved this book!
Received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review! Thank you to NetGalley publishers and Lauren Blakely for allowing me to read this! ❤️
Received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review! Thank you to NetGalley publishers and Lauren Blakely for allowing me to read this! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gosh I loved this book. I had the pleasure of beta reading and early reading this one and I giggled and swooned so hard. Not only was this well done in terms of holiday charm and sweetness, it packs a punch of important reminders about honoring yourself and doing what’s right even if you don’t end up first in line.
Therapist 👋 Take: Gosh did this handle some hard topics well: people pleasing, managing the disappointment of unsupportive and unkind family, proving your worth to yourself and others, managing social anxiety while honoring what makes you feel safe, seeing someone for who they are and making them feel accepted. Eloise and Noah were so different but so similar in ways that mattered. The major lessons here were touching and valuable and I found myself invested, moved, and delighted as always because that’s what Lauren Blakely does. She writes magic.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Atria Books, the author and Netgalley for the early eARC in exchange for my honest review
Therapist 👋 Take: Gosh did this handle some hard topics well: people pleasing, managing the disappointment of unsupportive and unkind family, proving your worth to yourself and others, managing social anxiety while honoring what makes you feel safe, seeing someone for who they are and making them feel accepted. Eloise and Noah were so different but so similar in ways that mattered. The major lessons here were touching and valuable and I found myself invested, moved, and delighted as always because that’s what Lauren Blakely does. She writes magic.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Atria Books, the author and Netgalley for the early eARC in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As far as holiday romances go, this was fun! This Christmas story wasn’t just about the Mr. Holiday contest, or the horse farm, or Eloise’s PR business… There were many story threads woven together to make an engaging, interesting holiday tale with unexpected twists.
Eloise is such a sweetie. Her sincerity and optimism were wonderfully endearing. The author managed to make her charming and quirky without being overly silly. I liked Noah as well, how he was willing to grow and change in order to get what he wanted out of life. His back and forth with Eloise was grin-inducing. I liked how much depth we got in these characters - lots of pieces of their personalities, backgrounds, values. I felt like I really understood them in the end.
I don’t know if there is any way to tighten up the exposition (I almost put the book down because I had trouble getting hooked on the story) (maybe we could ditch the twin switching places bit? Did I miss something there? That part of the story annoyed me a little) but once Eloise and Noah started regularly bantering, that was the magic for me. It was like a little meandering snow ball finally got rolling down a hill. Once we gained some momentum, it was unstoppable!
You should definitely give this a go if you like holiday romances, the grumpy/sunshine trope, romances with cowboy vets, competitions, snappy banter, opposites attract… it was fun.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for honest feedback.
Eloise is such a sweetie. Her sincerity and optimism were wonderfully endearing. The author managed to make her charming and quirky without being overly silly. I liked Noah as well, how he was willing to grow and change in order to get what he wanted out of life. His back and forth with Eloise was grin-inducing. I liked how much depth we got in these characters - lots of pieces of their personalities, backgrounds, values. I felt like I really understood them in the end.
I don’t know if there is any way to tighten up the exposition (I almost put the book down because I had trouble getting hooked on the story) (maybe we could ditch the twin switching places bit? Did I miss something there? That part of the story annoyed me a little) but once Eloise and Noah started regularly bantering, that was the magic for me. It was like a little meandering snow ball finally got rolling down a hill. Once we gained some momentum, it was unstoppable!
You should definitely give this a go if you like holiday romances, the grumpy/sunshine trope, romances with cowboy vets, competitions, snappy banter, opposites attract… it was fun.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars! Such a cute Christmas themed romance! I really enjoyed this book. It’s totally got me in the Christmas spirit and I’m reading this in May! This is the 3rd book in the ‘Evergreen Falls’ series and can be read as a standalone. The main characters are Noah & Eloise and they were lovable, even if Noah is a bit of a Grinch and Eloise loved Christmas a little too much. Hot veterinarians, animals, small town cuteness, a cousin with bad intentions, cold parents, loving friends, grinch like male main character, Christmas loving female main character, a few sexy times scenes sure to get you overheated, some spying, a Mr.Holiday competition, fruit cake, Christmas Markets, with an HEA ending and so much more! Definitely worth a read, especially near Christmas. I’m all ready for Christmas after reading this and it’s still 6 months away!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Blakely and Simon & Schuster for the ARC**
3.75 rounded up
Eloise and Noah. Where do I begin... Their entire meet-cute sucked me in. Eloise has such an infectious personality, it's no wonder she had Noah going from bahumbug to HO-HO-HO with the hang of some mistletoe. She's sunshine in a way that inspires happiness. When you see Eloise coming, you know you're in for some smiles. As she is doing her Christmas magic, Noah is growing. I wasn't sold on their chemistry as their relationship kept going. The meet-cute was great, but the book really did slow down a bit. I didn't really feel the connection again until much later. Overall, the book was very enjoyable. The town people and all their nosey gossip was fun! The banter. I especially loved the focus on rescuing animals and caring for elderly animals not just the babies. That was such an important message that hit home for me as someone who rescues. LOVED that.
3.75 rounded up
Eloise and Noah. Where do I begin... Their entire meet-cute sucked me in. Eloise has such an infectious personality, it's no wonder she had Noah going from bahumbug to HO-HO-HO with the hang of some mistletoe. She's sunshine in a way that inspires happiness. When you see Eloise coming, you know you're in for some smiles. As she is doing her Christmas magic, Noah is growing. I wasn't sold on their chemistry as their relationship kept going. The meet-cute was great, but the book really did slow down a bit. I didn't really feel the connection again until much later. Overall, the book was very enjoyable. The town people and all their nosey gossip was fun! The banter. I especially loved the focus on rescuing animals and caring for elderly animals not just the babies. That was such an important message that hit home for me as someone who rescues. LOVED that.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Noah is the definition holiday grinch, a veterinarian who's seen the worst side of Christmas. He keeps his circle small, his heart guarded, and his only consistent companion is his dog, Rusty with a sprinkle of his murder podcasts.
Eloise a PR icon, chaotic in the best way, and unapologetically a jolly.
Their meet-cute? Him pretending to be his famous twin while fixing her tire.
Their chemistry? Instant .
Their banter? Top tier.
Thieir story had:
- grumpy x sunshine
- small town holiday
- twin swap
- slow burn
- fun festive spice
But underneath all the cozy Christmas vibes, there's real depth. Noah's grief tied to the holidays broke my heart, and Eloise's struggle to be taken seriously by her family felt so real. Watching them grow and let that fire burn. The ending with him showing up and the mistletoe?! Sobbing
I received this as an ARC read in exchange from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Eloise a PR icon, chaotic in the best way, and unapologetically a jolly.
Their meet-cute? Him pretending to be his famous twin while fixing her tire.
Their chemistry? Instant .
Their banter? Top tier.
Thieir story had:
- grumpy x sunshine
- small town holiday
- twin swap
- slow burn
- fun festive spice
But underneath all the cozy Christmas vibes, there's real depth. Noah's grief tied to the holidays broke my heart, and Eloise's struggle to be taken seriously by her family felt so real. Watching them grow and let that fire burn. The ending with him showing up and the mistletoe?! Sobbing
I received this as an ARC read in exchange from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Get ready for a perfect Christmas romance.
Thank you Lauren Blakely, Atria and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
Lauren brought the humor, spice and feels with this slow burn Holiday gem.
Eloise really is trying to make a name for herself and elevate her small town, and the mayor is willing to give her a shot if she can drum up more tourism and interest for the Mr. Holiday Contest.
Noah Lennox is trying to maintain his grinch status but also help keep his mother and grandparents legacy intact, by stopping his weasley cousin from taking over the family farm.
The Mr. Holiday Contest and the sleigh ride farm angle really sold the small Christmas town charm and I love how much the author's love for animals shines through in her books, especially this one where the MMC is a sexy small-town vet.
If you want all the holiday feels and lots of cute moments, pencil this one in for a must read.
Thank you Lauren Blakely, Atria and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
Lauren brought the humor, spice and feels with this slow burn Holiday gem.
Eloise really is trying to make a name for herself and elevate her small town, and the mayor is willing to give her a shot if she can drum up more tourism and interest for the Mr. Holiday Contest.
Noah Lennox is trying to maintain his grinch status but also help keep his mother and grandparents legacy intact, by stopping his weasley cousin from taking over the family farm.
The Mr. Holiday Contest and the sleigh ride farm angle really sold the small Christmas town charm and I love how much the author's love for animals shines through in her books, especially this one where the MMC is a sexy small-town vet.
If you want all the holiday feels and lots of cute moments, pencil this one in for a must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mistletoe All the Way by Lauren Blakely is a festive, feel-good romance that delivers plenty of holiday charm. With its cozy setting, playful banter, and warm chemistry between the main characters, it’s an easy book to sink into—perfect for getting into the seasonal spirit.
Blakely’s writing is light, engaging, and full of personality, making the story move at an enjoyable pace. The romantic tension is well-built, and the emotional moments land nicely, giving readers a satisfying mix of sweetness and depth.
At times, the plot leans on familiar tropes, and some developments feel a bit predictable. However, the strong character dynamics and the overall joyful tone more than make up for it, keeping the story entertaining from start to finish.
Overall, Mistletoe All the Way is a charming holiday read that earns four stars for its warmth, humor, and irresistible seasonal vibes.
Blakely’s writing is light, engaging, and full of personality, making the story move at an enjoyable pace. The romantic tension is well-built, and the emotional moments land nicely, giving readers a satisfying mix of sweetness and depth.
At times, the plot leans on familiar tropes, and some developments feel a bit predictable. However, the strong character dynamics and the overall joyful tone more than make up for it, keeping the story entertaining from start to finish.
Overall, Mistletoe All the Way is a charming holiday read that earns four stars for its warmth, humor, and irresistible seasonal vibes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Lauren Blakely and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC!
As a huge Lauren Blakely fan (I've read most of her backlist at this point), I just had to read this one as well! While it was bit odd to read a Christmas story in April, it was actually exactly what I needed. This was such a sweet, cozy, feel good story that I'm sure I'll be coming back to closer to the holiday season, I can just see myself curled up with this book under a cozy blanket next to the fireplace with a hot beverage in hand. Cue the Christmas music! This one is a grumpy x sunshine (one of my favorites!) with the perfect amount of story, character building, and sweetness. And I can't wait to see who the narrators will be for this one! Lauren always manages to cast the absolute perfect narrators for all her characters!
As a huge Lauren Blakely fan (I've read most of her backlist at this point), I just had to read this one as well! While it was bit odd to read a Christmas story in April, it was actually exactly what I needed. This was such a sweet, cozy, feel good story that I'm sure I'll be coming back to closer to the holiday season, I can just see myself curled up with this book under a cozy blanket next to the fireplace with a hot beverage in hand. Cue the Christmas music! This one is a grumpy x sunshine (one of my favorites!) with the perfect amount of story, character building, and sweetness. And I can't wait to see who the narrators will be for this one! Lauren always manages to cast the absolute perfect narrators for all her characters!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you’re looking for a spicy holiday read, this one is honestly perfect. The setting is just so cozy; I could totally picture myself right there in that festive little small town. Something about a Christmas book always makes me crave a good grumpy x sunshine trope, and this one definitely delivers. The banter is top-tier.
It’s more of an "insta-love" situation than a super long, drawn-out slow burn, but the tension they do have is that beautiful kind of torture. It is a little predictable, and I’ll admit the main girl is a bit much with the Christmas cheer at first. I actually found it kind of odd how angry Eloise got just because Noah isn't into the holidays. Like, girl, calm down! He had a perfectly reasonable explanation for why he’s not a fan. Overall though, I really enjoyed it for the cozy vibes and that great tension.
It’s more of an "insta-love" situation than a super long, drawn-out slow burn, but the tension they do have is that beautiful kind of torture. It is a little predictable, and I’ll admit the main girl is a bit much with the Christmas cheer at first. I actually found it kind of odd how angry Eloise got just because Noah isn't into the holidays. Like, girl, calm down! He had a perfectly reasonable explanation for why he’s not a fan. Overall though, I really enjoyed it for the cozy vibes and that great tension.
May 15, 2026
I got the lucky opportunity to read this before its release date thanks to NetGalley!
This book was a Christmas romance movie in print! It was written in such a cute way with all of the holiday nuances. Most of the book had me giggling and a decent chunk had me blushing!
Loved the story of Eloise and Noah from start to finish. Grumpy fine man meets quirky adorable girl in a small town. Their relationship flourishes in a slow and sweet way. Didn’t get to the spicy pieces until 60% which we love. Best part, NO 3rd Act breakup!! They just kind of exist together with the knowledge of an end date, and part ways in a nonsensical kind of way. Which I love because nothing is worse than a miscommunication trope.
I also want to point out that I love that Lauren Blakely adds a dash of grandparents in her books. It makes the story so much more broad and beautiful
This book was a Christmas romance movie in print! It was written in such a cute way with all of the holiday nuances. Most of the book had me giggling and a decent chunk had me blushing!
Loved the story of Eloise and Noah from start to finish. Grumpy fine man meets quirky adorable girl in a small town. Their relationship flourishes in a slow and sweet way. Didn’t get to the spicy pieces until 60% which we love. Best part, NO 3rd Act breakup!! They just kind of exist together with the knowledge of an end date, and part ways in a nonsensical kind of way. Which I love because nothing is worse than a miscommunication trope.
I also want to point out that I love that Lauren Blakely adds a dash of grandparents in her books. It makes the story so much more broad and beautiful
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you’re looking for a cute smalltown holiday romance this is it. It reads like the perfect Christmas hallmark movie.
Meet Noah a grumpy veterinarian who is holiday grinch who keeps his heart guarded and his circle small, enter Eloise a chaotic, optimistic and badass PR Queen. Their meet cute was far from cute but their chemistry was instant.
This book has everything you’re looking from the small town vibe, the spicy banter, the chemistry, the Mr. Holiday competition, but also the softer moments.I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC I loved reading this whole book, it was one of those that was just a one more chapter
Tropes:
✨A Grumpy × Sunshine (grinch x jolly)
✨A Small Town Romance
✨A Slow Burn
✨Holiday Romance
✨ Animal Lovers
✨ Opposites Attract
⭐️ 4/5
Pub date: Oct 6 2026
Meet Noah a grumpy veterinarian who is holiday grinch who keeps his heart guarded and his circle small, enter Eloise a chaotic, optimistic and badass PR Queen. Their meet cute was far from cute but their chemistry was instant.
This book has everything you’re looking from the small town vibe, the spicy banter, the chemistry, the Mr. Holiday competition, but also the softer moments.I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC I loved reading this whole book, it was one of those that was just a one more chapter
Tropes:
✨A Grumpy × Sunshine (grinch x jolly)
✨A Small Town Romance
✨A Slow Burn
✨Holiday Romance
✨ Animal Lovers
✨ Opposites Attract
⭐️ 4/5
Pub date: Oct 6 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Let’s be honest, Lauren never misses especially with the holiday romances! Banter, forced proximity leading to undeniable chemistry and a touch of holiday magic to get any romance reader in a cheery mood! The push and pull is there, building on the right person, wrong time plot line but at moments are going to slow down. I know, I know. The tension and angst are going to have you shaking the book and screaming, but in such a way that keeps you up late reading. I loved watching grumpy Noah fall and get wrapped in the magic of Eloise - seeing every piece of him fall into place and become whole because of her. Loved this one and cannot wait for what our queen brings us next!
Thank you Netgalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you Netgalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review!
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