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Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane
Will she fall for the big-city guy, or swoon under the mistletoe for her hometown friend? A holiday romance with all the warmth and charm of your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie!
Gianna Mancini is a Christmas romantic. She loves everything about the holiday— especially the Mullings Creek Holiday Market that opens every year in the center of town. While Gianna adores her small-town life, she still dreams about traveling the world and getting away from her overbearing family. But on the same day she receives an acceptance to a study abroad program, the town’s beloved market owner unexpectedly passes away, leaving the property to a literal Scrooge from NYC! The town has just thirty days to convince the new owner not to sell. His flirtatious son, James comes up with a he and Gianna can fake date so she can bring her holiday flair closer to his family. While Gianna is on board with whatever it takes to save their beloved market, Sam—who has been secretly pining after Gianna for years—is not so keen on James snuggling up with his best friend next to the Christmas tree. But as the lines between Gianna and James begin to blur during gingerbread contests and candy cane hunts, so do the lines of friendship between Gianna and Sam under the glow of the town’s holiday twinkle light display. Soon both boys are ready to be under the mistletoe with Gianna. Who will be her first real Christmas kiss? The future of the market and her town just may depend on it.
Gianna Mancini is a Christmas romantic. She loves everything about the holiday— especially the Mullings Creek Holiday Market that opens every year in the center of town. While Gianna adores her small-town life, she still dreams about traveling the world and getting away from her overbearing family. But on the same day she receives an acceptance to a study abroad program, the town’s beloved market owner unexpectedly passes away, leaving the property to a literal Scrooge from NYC! The town has just thirty days to convince the new owner not to sell. His flirtatious son, James comes up with a he and Gianna can fake date so she can bring her holiday flair closer to his family. While Gianna is on board with whatever it takes to save their beloved market, Sam—who has been secretly pining after Gianna for years—is not so keen on James snuggling up with his best friend next to the Christmas tree. But as the lines between Gianna and James begin to blur during gingerbread contests and candy cane hunts, so do the lines of friendship between Gianna and Sam under the glow of the town’s holiday twinkle light display. Soon both boys are ready to be under the mistletoe with Gianna. Who will be her first real Christmas kiss? The future of the market and her town just may depend on it.
400 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Cassie Miller
2 books138 followersCassie Miller is a former high school English teacher turned elementary librarian. She has a teaching degree from Radford University and library endorsement from the University of Virginia. She wears many hats but finds her favorites are “stage and lighting director,” “eccentric storyteller,” and “boy-mom.” Cassie currently resides in southwest Virginia with her family and an ever-growing number of cardigans and nerdy bookish shirts.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This entire town has decided Gianna is personally responsible for keeping Christmas alive, which feels like a lot to put on one teenage girl who is also trying to figure out whether she wants to move to Italy. She gets accepted into a study abroad program, finally sees a door opening beyond Mullings Creek, and then the market owner dies and leaves the town one bad business decision away from losing its entire holiday personality. No pressure, babe. Just choose between your future and becoming the unpaid mayor of Christmas.
Then James arrives from New York with his Scrooge father and a plan that should absolutely sound ridiculous when spoken aloud. Fake-date me so my dad spends enough time around you to develop a soul. And Gianna says yes because she has the exact personality type that hears “this is probably a terrible idea” and immediately asks what time she should arrive.
James is charming in that very dangerous way where you know he has practiced smiling at people until they forget to ask follow-up questions. He comes with big-city confidence, flirty banter, and just enough sincerity to make the fake-dating situation inconveniently less fake.
One minute Gianna is using him as a human Christmas intervention for his father, and the next they are doing gingerbread contests and candy cane hunts while everyone in town pretends not to stare.
Meanwhile, Sam has apparently been in love with Gianna for years and decided the healthiest course of action was to say absolutely nothing until another boy showed up. Sir. You had YEARS. Now suddenly James is standing next to her under twinkle lights and Sam is discovering urgency. I liked him, but I also wanted to sit him down and explain that women are not seasonal produce. You cannot wait until somebody else reaches for them and then announce you had plans.
The annoying thing is that both boys are actually nice. Usually a love triangle has one option who might as well arrive wearing a sash that says “temporary obstacle,” but James and Sam each give Gianna something different. James represents movement, possibility, and a life bigger than the one everyone has planned for her. Sam knows the version of her that belongs in Mullings Creek without asking her to explain it. I understood why she was confused, even while I was watching her make every Christmas activity ten times more emotionally complicated than necessary.
And the town itself is doing the absolute most. Shop windows, holiday markets, gingerbread contests, candy cane hunts, twinkle-light displays, one meddling Nona, approximately seven thousand relatives, and enough Christmas movie references to qualify as a film studies elective. Mullings Creek feels like the kind of place where you cannot buy toothpaste without three people asking whether you have decided which boy to kiss.
The Christmas movie quotes at the start of the chapters were such a cute touch, especially because Gianna treats holiday films like sacred texts. She knows every romantic beat before it happens, which makes it even funnier that she cannot recognize her own life turning into one. Girl, you have watched While You Were Sleeping. You know what leaning means. Please look around.
What got me underneath all the festive nonsense was Gianna wanting to leave. She loves her family. She loves the market. She loves the town. She also wants something that belongs only to her. Those things can all be true at once, and watching her struggle with that felt more real than the question of which boy deserved the mistletoe moment.
I knew pretty early where everything was likely heading, but this is not the kind of book where I needed the romance equivalent of a shocking murder reveal. I was there for the giant Italian family, the aggressively charming town, the fake dating slowly becoming everybody’s actual problem, and Gianna trying to choose a future without feeling like she was betraying the people she loved. It was sweet, festive, slightly predictable, and exactly the kind of chaos I would willingly watch as a TV movie while eating Christmas cookies. A cozy 3.5 stars from me.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning One Threatened Christmas Market Into a Fake Relationship, a Love Triangle, a Family Emergency, and Several Hundred Feet of Twinkle Lights
And thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for a holiday romance and left feeling personally responsible for the survival of a fictional market while two teenage boys stared meaningfully at one girl near a Christmas tree. Very relaxing. No notes.
Then James arrives from New York with his Scrooge father and a plan that should absolutely sound ridiculous when spoken aloud. Fake-date me so my dad spends enough time around you to develop a soul. And Gianna says yes because she has the exact personality type that hears “this is probably a terrible idea” and immediately asks what time she should arrive.
James is charming in that very dangerous way where you know he has practiced smiling at people until they forget to ask follow-up questions. He comes with big-city confidence, flirty banter, and just enough sincerity to make the fake-dating situation inconveniently less fake.
One minute Gianna is using him as a human Christmas intervention for his father, and the next they are doing gingerbread contests and candy cane hunts while everyone in town pretends not to stare.
Meanwhile, Sam has apparently been in love with Gianna for years and decided the healthiest course of action was to say absolutely nothing until another boy showed up. Sir. You had YEARS. Now suddenly James is standing next to her under twinkle lights and Sam is discovering urgency. I liked him, but I also wanted to sit him down and explain that women are not seasonal produce. You cannot wait until somebody else reaches for them and then announce you had plans.
The annoying thing is that both boys are actually nice. Usually a love triangle has one option who might as well arrive wearing a sash that says “temporary obstacle,” but James and Sam each give Gianna something different. James represents movement, possibility, and a life bigger than the one everyone has planned for her. Sam knows the version of her that belongs in Mullings Creek without asking her to explain it. I understood why she was confused, even while I was watching her make every Christmas activity ten times more emotionally complicated than necessary.
And the town itself is doing the absolute most. Shop windows, holiday markets, gingerbread contests, candy cane hunts, twinkle-light displays, one meddling Nona, approximately seven thousand relatives, and enough Christmas movie references to qualify as a film studies elective. Mullings Creek feels like the kind of place where you cannot buy toothpaste without three people asking whether you have decided which boy to kiss.
The Christmas movie quotes at the start of the chapters were such a cute touch, especially because Gianna treats holiday films like sacred texts. She knows every romantic beat before it happens, which makes it even funnier that she cannot recognize her own life turning into one. Girl, you have watched While You Were Sleeping. You know what leaning means. Please look around.
What got me underneath all the festive nonsense was Gianna wanting to leave. She loves her family. She loves the market. She loves the town. She also wants something that belongs only to her. Those things can all be true at once, and watching her struggle with that felt more real than the question of which boy deserved the mistletoe moment.
I knew pretty early where everything was likely heading, but this is not the kind of book where I needed the romance equivalent of a shocking murder reveal. I was there for the giant Italian family, the aggressively charming town, the fake dating slowly becoming everybody’s actual problem, and Gianna trying to choose a future without feeling like she was betraying the people she loved. It was sweet, festive, slightly predictable, and exactly the kind of chaos I would willingly watch as a TV movie while eating Christmas cookies. A cozy 3.5 stars from me.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning One Threatened Christmas Market Into a Fake Relationship, a Love Triangle, a Family Emergency, and Several Hundred Feet of Twinkle Lights
And thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for a holiday romance and left feeling personally responsible for the survival of a fictional market while two teenage boys stared meaningfully at one girl near a Christmas tree. Very relaxing. No notes.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was wicked cute and is exactly what it says it’s going to be.
It’s a YA Hallmark Movie in book form. I know that description can pop up a lot with the saccharine romances but it usually is a negative connotation when it’s used as it also says that it’s predictable and without character development and follows a certain structure. It’s not something that every cozy romance wants to get labeled as.
But in this case it was done with intention and it works. For those that love the comfortable predictable nature of a Hallmark movie this goes one step further in making it with teenagers as they are usually left out of the Hallmark Channel programming.
It hits all the beats that you want and there is comfort in knowing how it’s going to end up.
I received this advanced audiobook through the PRH-Audio influencer program and the narration by Cassie Miller was wonderful.
It’s a YA Hallmark Movie in book form. I know that description can pop up a lot with the saccharine romances but it usually is a negative connotation when it’s used as it also says that it’s predictable and without character development and follows a certain structure. It’s not something that every cozy romance wants to get labeled as.
But in this case it was done with intention and it works. For those that love the comfortable predictable nature of a Hallmark movie this goes one step further in making it with teenagers as they are usually left out of the Hallmark Channel programming.
It hits all the beats that you want and there is comfort in knowing how it’s going to end up.
I received this advanced audiobook through the PRH-Audio influencer program and the narration by Cassie Miller was wonderful.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was so cute! I went in completely blind, so I LOVED being surprised by a love triangle. Loved the small town and big family, and it only reinforced how much i love a friends to lovers romance!
June 18, 2026
This was very much a YA version of a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form — complete with a charming small town market threatened with being sold off to developers — and I was HERE FOR IT.
The main character Gianna loves Christmas and loves helping anyone and everyone in the town, especially if it involves helping with the Christmas market or decorating for the holiday. I loved her can-do attitude. She was an easy character to like — not bossy or bratty, just someone who wanted to help others. I quite enjoyed following her as a character.
The romance is a love triangle, and it was cute. I actually really liked both guys (usually in a love triangle one of the guys is horrible) and felt that they challenged Gianna in different ways.
I ADORED the festiveness of the small town! Absolutely loved it! All the stores banded together and everyone decorated their shop windows and such. I also liked the festive events the town put on. Basically, I wanted to go there! I also loved all the Christmas movies they both watched and referenced. I love it when characters like classic movies like Holiday Inn or (of course) It’s a Wonderful Life. There was even a reference to While You Were Sleeping and leaning! I loved all the Christmas movies and the quotes from Christmas movies as each chapter’s epigraph.
This was such an adorable YA Christmas story. Cute, festive and a lot of fun.
Thank you to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers Group, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The main character Gianna loves Christmas and loves helping anyone and everyone in the town, especially if it involves helping with the Christmas market or decorating for the holiday. I loved her can-do attitude. She was an easy character to like — not bossy or bratty, just someone who wanted to help others. I quite enjoyed following her as a character.
The romance is a love triangle, and it was cute. I actually really liked both guys (usually in a love triangle one of the guys is horrible) and felt that they challenged Gianna in different ways.
I ADORED the festiveness of the small town! Absolutely loved it! All the stores banded together and everyone decorated their shop windows and such. I also liked the festive events the town put on. Basically, I wanted to go there! I also loved all the Christmas movies they both watched and referenced. I love it when characters like classic movies like Holiday Inn or (of course) It’s a Wonderful Life. There was even a reference to While You Were Sleeping and leaning! I loved all the Christmas movies and the quotes from Christmas movies as each chapter’s epigraph.
This was such an adorable YA Christmas story. Cute, festive and a lot of fun.
Thank you to the publisher, Penguin Young Readers Group, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a cute festive read. It was easy to follow and the characters draw you in from the very start. You will be rooting for Gianna from the very start! I definitely recommend this for anyone who loves reading Christmas romance books around the holidays. I found myself wishing I could visit Mullings Creek Holiday Market ❤️
May 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Viking Books, and Cassie Miller for this adorable ARC! The high school girls are going to LOVE this one. Every chapter begins with a quote from a holiday movie as MC Gianna and her big Italian family try to save their small town and its holiday traditions from an outsider Scrooge and his son. Add in characters reminiscent of Gilmore Girls small town life, a love triangle, fake dating, and enchanting Christmas activities & traditions, and you get a cozy Hallmark-esque YA story that is the perfect winter break or snow day read! I can’t wait to add this to our library and winter book talk!!!
September 27, 2026
This felt like a Christmas Hallmark movie, and I mean that in the best way possible.
This YA holiday romance has so many great things: a quirky small town, a fun cast of characters, palpable tension, and great Christmas movie references.
If you’re looking for a feel-good, guaranteed-to-make-you-smile romance filled with Christmas spirit, this is the book for you!
This YA holiday romance has so many great things: a quirky small town, a fun cast of characters, palpable tension, and great Christmas movie references.
If you’re looking for a feel-good, guaranteed-to-make-you-smile romance filled with Christmas spirit, this is the book for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane delivers all the festive and cozy Christmas vibes, with some fun tropes, including a love triangle, small town romance, and fake dating. This definitely reads like a YA romance. I don't think I realized that when I went into it, which is on me for not catching that earlier. If you're looking for a YA Christmas romance with high school characters, this would be a great one to check out! Thanks at Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
August 18, 2026Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.
DNF at 38%
I really wanted to like this one after really enjoying Cassie Miller’s debut book, but it just didn’t work for me. I think in this case, it was much more about the plot and characters than the writing style itself so I will still likely give her another shot.
The main issue I had was that this felt like a YA Hallmark movie, to the point where I felt that had the characters been adults, it would have made MUCH more sense! Why is an 18yo the source of truth for everyone in town? Why is she the one approving things and being asked for opinions and help? Why are people waiting around to get a teen’s advice??? It’s weird!! To have that reputation, you need to have years under your belt and I just couldn’t consolidate the need for experience with what everyone wants from her. 😅
The romance didn’t really make sense either. This girl is thinking about both boys’ bodies SO much it’s insane. I got so frustrated with her about it. It didn’t feel like an appropriate response to a new guy in town nor to her best friend. She didn’t ever talk about why she liked her best friend as a person. It was all very superficial (besides maybe a few comments about how nice he was to her family.)
Honestly, had this been an adult woman with a childhood friend trying to save the town’s Market and then the lawyer coming in was the second love interest and his falling for her saved the Market, I could get behind that. But the “fake dating” plot between the son and the FMC was…. Silly? 🙃 It was a horrible excuse. They could have easily just created situations where the dad was around the FMC. Why the stupid need for fake dating?
We also need to talk about the MMC being incredibly rude and selfish in the sections I read. The way he reacted to her Italy study abroad was horrid!!! If my friend/crush did that, I would be angry at him. Even when he apologized, she said he still looked sad and wimpy. Like, get over yourself and be happy for your bestie!! And also, get over yourself and ask her out if you really want her so badly. I get so frustrated over men who pine without actually DOING and then get whiney over things when the women move on. 🤪
I also got whiplash with how many family characters are in this… I needed more explanation/definition to the people. I could never remember who was who, who was a cousin or a sibling or who they belonged to.
Anyway, these are all just my personal opinions about this one. I just didn’t feel like I was enjoying the book at all and needed to stop.
DNF at 38%
I really wanted to like this one after really enjoying Cassie Miller’s debut book, but it just didn’t work for me. I think in this case, it was much more about the plot and characters than the writing style itself so I will still likely give her another shot.
The main issue I had was that this felt like a YA Hallmark movie, to the point where I felt that had the characters been adults, it would have made MUCH more sense! Why is an 18yo the source of truth for everyone in town? Why is she the one approving things and being asked for opinions and help? Why are people waiting around to get a teen’s advice??? It’s weird!! To have that reputation, you need to have years under your belt and I just couldn’t consolidate the need for experience with what everyone wants from her. 😅
The romance didn’t really make sense either. This girl is thinking about both boys’ bodies SO much it’s insane. I got so frustrated with her about it. It didn’t feel like an appropriate response to a new guy in town nor to her best friend. She didn’t ever talk about why she liked her best friend as a person. It was all very superficial (besides maybe a few comments about how nice he was to her family.)
Honestly, had this been an adult woman with a childhood friend trying to save the town’s Market and then the lawyer coming in was the second love interest and his falling for her saved the Market, I could get behind that. But the “fake dating” plot between the son and the FMC was…. Silly? 🙃 It was a horrible excuse. They could have easily just created situations where the dad was around the FMC. Why the stupid need for fake dating?
We also need to talk about the MMC being incredibly rude and selfish in the sections I read. The way he reacted to her Italy study abroad was horrid!!! If my friend/crush did that, I would be angry at him. Even when he apologized, she said he still looked sad and wimpy. Like, get over yourself and be happy for your bestie!! And also, get over yourself and ask her out if you really want her so badly. I get so frustrated over men who pine without actually DOING and then get whiney over things when the women move on. 🤪
I also got whiplash with how many family characters are in this… I needed more explanation/definition to the people. I could never remember who was who, who was a cousin or a sibling or who they belonged to.
Anyway, these are all just my personal opinions about this one. I just didn’t feel like I was enjoying the book at all and needed to stop.
August 10, 2026
Gianna loves Christmas, especially her small town’s beloved holiday market. But she’s also ready to escape her overbearing family, and with a chance to spend her final semester of high school in Italy, she might finally get that adventure.
Then the owner of the holiday market dies, and Mr. Bailey—very appropriately nicknamed Scrooge—and his son arrive from New York. Suddenly the future of the market Gianna loves is uncertain.
Add in a little love triangle between the hot new guy and the hometown boy who’s been there all along, and you have all the ingredients for a Hallmark Christmas movie. 🎄
I loved this little YA Christmas story. It was festive, sweet and full of holiday charm, with characters that were actually well written and easy to care about. Just a really cute, feel-good Christmas read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Club
October 11, 2026
It’s not to early for Christmas books right? Cause I think I’m on number four. This was a sweet fake dating story about a girl who wants to leave town and a not so fake date that gets some attention. It was cute and cozy Christmas read. The cozy is the best part of the Christmas stories. They make you feel the feels with low stress and high swoon.
August 23, 2026
Oh My Goodnessss!!! This book is holiday cheer right off the bat. My favorite thing about this book is probably the Christmas movie quotes that are at the start of each chapter. I think that it’s just a fun little quality that is so minuscule but contributes so much to the atmosphere of the book and the chapter.
If you love Christmas, candy canes, gingerbread houses and snow this book is for you!!!
If you love Christmas, candy canes, gingerbread houses and snow this book is for you!!!
May 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin teen for providing me with an arc!!
This was certainly a cute fun read. Reading it at Christmas time would certainly be the best time to do so. It feels like a hallmark movie in book form, a little cheesy but cute all the same.
Parts of it just didn’t exactly hit for me. I discovered very early on what the entire outcome of the book would be and I was correct. So there was no shock factor for me whatsoever. I felt it was entirely too obvious who Gianna would end up with and I wished it was more up in the air. And there were so many characters that it got a little confusing who was related to who and what each character did etc.
However I do think it’s a really cute and cozy read especially for fans of Christmas. I liked the small town vibes and the character dynamics. Very cute book!
This was certainly a cute fun read. Reading it at Christmas time would certainly be the best time to do so. It feels like a hallmark movie in book form, a little cheesy but cute all the same.
Parts of it just didn’t exactly hit for me. I discovered very early on what the entire outcome of the book would be and I was correct. So there was no shock factor for me whatsoever. I felt it was entirely too obvious who Gianna would end up with and I wished it was more up in the air. And there were so many characters that it got a little confusing who was related to who and what each character did etc.
However I do think it’s a really cute and cozy read especially for fans of Christmas. I liked the small town vibes and the character dynamics. Very cute book!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Gia is tired of everyone in Mullings Creek, Virginia knowing everything about her; her deceased father's large Italian family is constantly involved, and her mother is part of a close-knit retail community centered in the town Market. She thinks it would be good to spend her final semester of high school in Italy before heading to college in New York City with her best friend Jo. When she is accepted and planning to leave town right after Christmas, she is worried when the death of the owner of the Market throws everyone's plans into jeopardy. When Mr. Bailey, a lawyer, shows up to deal with Mr. Paxton's estate, he brings along his son, the very cute James, who has a plan to make his father more sympathetic to keeping the Market as it is; he will fake date Gia, who can help his father get into the Christmas spirit. This is fine, but Gia is realizing that her other best friend, Sam, whose parents own a local farm, is increasingly cute. There is a ball that is part of the holiday festivities, and she's not sure which boy to date. If she ends up with Sam, will she have to give up her plans of international travel and college? If she dates James, what does this mean? Most of all, with Mullings Creek retain the market and remain the post card worthy Christmas village it has always been?
Strengths: This is a perfect book if you want endless, pleasant descriptions of a holiday themed small town with cute businesses, mixed up with teen angst about which extremely cute boy to date. I would have adored this as a teen. Gia is a fun character who has plans for her life outside of Mullings Creek, even though she doesn't chafe against the town in the way many teens would. Sam and James are both attractive and nice, and treat Gia with respect. The fate of the Market adds some tension, although it's not much of a spoiler to say that the building is NOT sold to a company that turns it into a nine story high rise of luxury apartments, which would be more realistic. There's plenty of Christmas spirit delivered in a completely secular way. Bonus points for Nona being spry and active and fun. This reminded me of the fantastic Simon Pulse Romantic comedies, and is the perfect Christmas gift for an avid high school or middle school reader who is as appalled as I am at how traumatic and crass most young adult literature is now.
Weaknesses: I am old, and my soul has shrunk in the dryer, so 400 pages of cute holiday descriptions and teen angst about romance wore on me a bit. And what's with the fake dating trope? Also, this book had almost no diversity of characters other than the Italian family. This would be unlikely in Ohio, but perhaps Virginia is different. And yes, I'm irritated that the father was dead for no good reason.
What I Really Think: My students are ridiculously enamored of Christmas stories (even my Muslim students), so I will definitely buy this if it becomes available in prebind. Agree with the recommendation that it's perfect for fans of Kasie West.
Gia is tired of everyone in Mullings Creek, Virginia knowing everything about her; her deceased father's large Italian family is constantly involved, and her mother is part of a close-knit retail community centered in the town Market. She thinks it would be good to spend her final semester of high school in Italy before heading to college in New York City with her best friend Jo. When she is accepted and planning to leave town right after Christmas, she is worried when the death of the owner of the Market throws everyone's plans into jeopardy. When Mr. Bailey, a lawyer, shows up to deal with Mr. Paxton's estate, he brings along his son, the very cute James, who has a plan to make his father more sympathetic to keeping the Market as it is; he will fake date Gia, who can help his father get into the Christmas spirit. This is fine, but Gia is realizing that her other best friend, Sam, whose parents own a local farm, is increasingly cute. There is a ball that is part of the holiday festivities, and she's not sure which boy to date. If she ends up with Sam, will she have to give up her plans of international travel and college? If she dates James, what does this mean? Most of all, with Mullings Creek retain the market and remain the post card worthy Christmas village it has always been?
Strengths: This is a perfect book if you want endless, pleasant descriptions of a holiday themed small town with cute businesses, mixed up with teen angst about which extremely cute boy to date. I would have adored this as a teen. Gia is a fun character who has plans for her life outside of Mullings Creek, even though she doesn't chafe against the town in the way many teens would. Sam and James are both attractive and nice, and treat Gia with respect. The fate of the Market adds some tension, although it's not much of a spoiler to say that the building is NOT sold to a company that turns it into a nine story high rise of luxury apartments, which would be more realistic. There's plenty of Christmas spirit delivered in a completely secular way. Bonus points for Nona being spry and active and fun. This reminded me of the fantastic Simon Pulse Romantic comedies, and is the perfect Christmas gift for an avid high school or middle school reader who is as appalled as I am at how traumatic and crass most young adult literature is now.
Weaknesses: I am old, and my soul has shrunk in the dryer, so 400 pages of cute holiday descriptions and teen angst about romance wore on me a bit. And what's with the fake dating trope? Also, this book had almost no diversity of characters other than the Italian family. This would be unlikely in Ohio, but perhaps Virginia is different. And yes, I'm irritated that the father was dead for no good reason.
What I Really Think: My students are ridiculously enamored of Christmas stories (even my Muslim students), so I will definitely buy this if it becomes available in prebind. Agree with the recommendation that it's perfect for fans of Kasie West.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A small town covered in Christmas lights, a fake relationship, a little holiday magic, and a love triangle? This book is basically a Hallmark movie in novel form!
Gianna Mancini LOVES Christmas, and she especially loves helping transform Mullings Creek into the ultimate holiday destination. From decorating windows to planning community events, Christmas is what brings her town together. But when the beloved owner, Mr. Paxton of The Market, is unexpectedly killed, leaving behind no will and unpaid debts, the future of this treasured community space is uncertain.
At the same time, Gianna is waiting to hear if she has been accepted into a study abroad program for her final semester of high school. While she is excited about the opportunity, she feels guilty knowing she may be leaving her family, friends, and community behind during such an important time.
Enter James, the charming son of the lawyer handling The Market’s future —and someone who has been raised by a father who seems to have lost the holiday spirit. When James and Gianna decide to fake-date in hopes of showing his father just how special Mullings Creek and The Market truly are, they quickly realize their arrangement may not be as simple as they planned. Especially when Gianna’s longtime best friend Sam starts questioning whether he waited too long to share his true feelings about her.
From reindeer games and scavenger hunts to gingerbread competitions and tree lightings, Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane felt like stepping into a holiday movie. While some moments were predictable (because let’s be honest, that’s part of the charm of a holiday rom-com!), the cozy setting, loveable characters, and festive details made this such a fun read.
I loved Gianna’s Italian family, the friendships, food, the community spirit, and the way everyone rallied together to save something meaningful. The holiday movie quotes at the beginning of each chapter were such a fun addition, and I could easily picture myself walking through Mullings Creek with a cup of hot cocoa while experiencing all of the festivities alongside Gianna and her friends.
Cassie Miller has created another charming romance filled with friendship, family, community, and holiday magic. With themes of identity, determination, belonging, family, and following your heart, Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane is the perfect cozy winter read for anyone who loves fake dating, small towns, and a little Christmas romance.
Grab your hot cocoa and peppermint candy canes-- this one is ready to bring some holiday cheer to your bookshelf!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group & Viking Books for Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Gianna Mancini LOVES Christmas, and she especially loves helping transform Mullings Creek into the ultimate holiday destination. From decorating windows to planning community events, Christmas is what brings her town together. But when the beloved owner, Mr. Paxton of The Market, is unexpectedly killed, leaving behind no will and unpaid debts, the future of this treasured community space is uncertain.
At the same time, Gianna is waiting to hear if she has been accepted into a study abroad program for her final semester of high school. While she is excited about the opportunity, she feels guilty knowing she may be leaving her family, friends, and community behind during such an important time.
Enter James, the charming son of the lawyer handling The Market’s future —and someone who has been raised by a father who seems to have lost the holiday spirit. When James and Gianna decide to fake-date in hopes of showing his father just how special Mullings Creek and The Market truly are, they quickly realize their arrangement may not be as simple as they planned. Especially when Gianna’s longtime best friend Sam starts questioning whether he waited too long to share his true feelings about her.
From reindeer games and scavenger hunts to gingerbread competitions and tree lightings, Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane felt like stepping into a holiday movie. While some moments were predictable (because let’s be honest, that’s part of the charm of a holiday rom-com!), the cozy setting, loveable characters, and festive details made this such a fun read.
I loved Gianna’s Italian family, the friendships, food, the community spirit, and the way everyone rallied together to save something meaningful. The holiday movie quotes at the beginning of each chapter were such a fun addition, and I could easily picture myself walking through Mullings Creek with a cup of hot cocoa while experiencing all of the festivities alongside Gianna and her friends.
Cassie Miller has created another charming romance filled with friendship, family, community, and holiday magic. With themes of identity, determination, belonging, family, and following your heart, Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane is the perfect cozy winter read for anyone who loves fake dating, small towns, and a little Christmas romance.
Grab your hot cocoa and peppermint candy canes-- this one is ready to bring some holiday cheer to your bookshelf!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group & Viking Books for Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
October 14, 2026
I wasn't planning on reading this new release so soon, but I guess I was first in line for it with the library so I jumped on it. This is a YA novel about a girl, Gianna, whose small town gets shaken up once the person who owns the local market passes away. With no heirs and a sizable tax bill, Mr. Paxton has left the town in a sticky situation. Soon, his lawyer and his lawyer's son, James, come to town to sort it all out. Can the town make this grumpy lawyer realize what a gem this market is? And can Gianna and James team up to make his father remember the magic of Christmas? And what happens when their fake dating scenario creates some jealousy in Gianna's best friend?
This is like a YA version of a Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movie. And it was such a fun time. I was busy with work for most of the days I was reading this one so I definitely read it slower than I would have otherwise. Every time I picked this one up it was like I was getting a warm hug. I think this might be the perfect book for people like me who get Seasonal Depression in the summer. Just pop open this book and you'll feel better in no time. The Christmas vibes were immaculate. I loved the snow and the joy and magic of family during the holidays. I also loved that this town has so many Christmas events for people to participate in. The people in the town were fun side characters because they're all characters you've experienced in other media (the grumpy diner guy is so Luke Danes). It felt familiar and nostalgic while also being something fun and new and interesting.
I definitely had some cringe moments because I even have those in actual Hallmark movies. Sometimes people in these things don't behave the way a real person would, but, it's Christmas, time to suspend our disbelief. At least a little. I struggled a bit because there were a few times that this whole love triangle between the teenage characters could have been solved but because the author wanted the big Hallmark Christmas Movie Ending we had to watch them have multiple miscommunication interactions. It was frustrating to read in those moments.
Overall, I think this is perfect for anyone wanting those Christmas vibes. I think it would make a great read for sitting down in front of the fireplace while the weather outside is frightful.
This is like a YA version of a Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movie. And it was such a fun time. I was busy with work for most of the days I was reading this one so I definitely read it slower than I would have otherwise. Every time I picked this one up it was like I was getting a warm hug. I think this might be the perfect book for people like me who get Seasonal Depression in the summer. Just pop open this book and you'll feel better in no time. The Christmas vibes were immaculate. I loved the snow and the joy and magic of family during the holidays. I also loved that this town has so many Christmas events for people to participate in. The people in the town were fun side characters because they're all characters you've experienced in other media (the grumpy diner guy is so Luke Danes). It felt familiar and nostalgic while also being something fun and new and interesting.
I definitely had some cringe moments because I even have those in actual Hallmark movies. Sometimes people in these things don't behave the way a real person would, but, it's Christmas, time to suspend our disbelief. At least a little. I struggled a bit because there were a few times that this whole love triangle between the teenage characters could have been solved but because the author wanted the big Hallmark Christmas Movie Ending we had to watch them have multiple miscommunication interactions. It was frustrating to read in those moments.
Overall, I think this is perfect for anyone wanting those Christmas vibes. I think it would make a great read for sitting down in front of the fireplace while the weather outside is frightful.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰.𝟤𝟧
Oh my gosh how Cassie captured the entire essence of christmas in one book I will never know but I am in awe. She has me yearning for the holiday season!
This book was so good, it was funny, heartfelt, and swoony.
I absolutely loved how Gianna had such great relationships with people, and how to a point she was a people pleaser and was always helping but that she she also said no when she need to, for some reason i’ve read a lot of christmas books where the main character is a people pleaser to the point where she wears herself ragged and quite frankly it’s very annoying, I was so happy to see that it played out differently in this book!!
I forgot this was a love triangle and got so excited when a second guy came into the picture it was so exciting for me, and the love triangle was a really good one instead of being annoying, I really loved both of the boys!
The way her family is so close and does everything together was so fun, and i loved the My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibes because that’s literally one of my favorite movies ever!!
And I was cracking up the WHOLE time it was hysterical!!
Thank you so much to the publisher and Cassie Miller for the arc!!!
Oh my gosh how Cassie captured the entire essence of christmas in one book I will never know but I am in awe. She has me yearning for the holiday season!
This book was so good, it was funny, heartfelt, and swoony.
I absolutely loved how Gianna had such great relationships with people, and how to a point she was a people pleaser and was always helping but that she she also said no when she need to, for some reason i’ve read a lot of christmas books where the main character is a people pleaser to the point where she wears herself ragged and quite frankly it’s very annoying, I was so happy to see that it played out differently in this book!!
I forgot this was a love triangle and got so excited when a second guy came into the picture it was so exciting for me, and the love triangle was a really good one instead of being annoying, I really loved both of the boys!
The way her family is so close and does everything together was so fun, and i loved the My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibes because that’s literally one of my favorite movies ever!!
And I was cracking up the WHOLE time it was hysterical!!
Thank you so much to the publisher and Cassie Miller for the arc!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a cozy Christmas romance that takes place in a small Hallmark-esque town. Gianna Mancini finds out that her dream of a semester abroad in Italy comes true. That same day the town discovers that the owner of the town’s beloved market building died owing back taxes. When Mr. Bailey and his son James arrive in town to sell the building, Gianna is determined to find a way to thaw the Grinchy heart of Mr. Bailey and save the market building from developers.
Hatching a plan with James to fake date in an attempt to spread some Christmas cheer to his father, Gianna soon finds that her heart is torn between her fake boyfriend and her best friend Sam. With countdowns looming around her, Gianna will need to make some decisions not only about her future but about who will be by her side.
Full of Christmas movie quotes that foreshadow that chapter's action, a lovable dog named Sally, and a fierce family that supports their own, readers will be rooting for Gianna no matter what choices she makes.
Hatching a plan with James to fake date in an attempt to spread some Christmas cheer to his father, Gianna soon finds that her heart is torn between her fake boyfriend and her best friend Sam. With countdowns looming around her, Gianna will need to make some decisions not only about her future but about who will be by her side.
Full of Christmas movie quotes that foreshadow that chapter's action, a lovable dog named Sally, and a fierce family that supports their own, readers will be rooting for Gianna no matter what choices she makes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane is it Christmas rom-com and you know exactly how it's going to go. Fake dating to save the town center. The best friend boy who lives next door and has always been there. It's pretty cliche and predictable. But it's cute. And that's what my students will like about it. No sex or even intimate moments. Just good old-fashioned love and good feelings with a Christmas twist. Enjoyable. I liked the Christmas movie references throughout.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a reflection of the Christmases and time with family I so enjoyed as a child and teenager--the loud, messy, complex family relations spanning multiple generations. I hope readers enjoy Gianna, Sam, and James as well as the myriad of family members and dear friends that all come into play with the same hope to save Christmas in their charming small town of Mullings Creek.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Good clean read for high school age kids. The main characters are junior and seniors. It is a Hallmark based romcom with lots of references to those movies. The 3 main characters- Gianna, Sam and Jo - are best friends. Mr. Bailey comes to town with his son, James a junior, to sell the Market Place. Will the kids save it and who will Gianna end up with Sam or James?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The love triangle felt rushed, and the "I am Italian, my great-great-great-grandparents immigrated" was unnecessary. The whole Italian is my whole personality brought my review done. I think this book would still be very good if she was just travelling to italy and her dead dad wanted to go but never did.
October 12, 2026
Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane is a cute YA Christmas story, with a love triangle, smalltown romance, fake dating, and friends-to-lovers tropes. I really enjoyed the Christmas Hallmark movie vibe. It was cute, fun, festive and it made me smile. The characters may be a little young for my taste, but I enjoyed the story and the feel-good it brings!
Another book to add to your Christmas TBR!
Another book to add to your Christmas TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Cassie Miller and Penguin for this digital ARC!
I did, in fact, read a Christmas book in 90° heat, and I did blast Last Christmas while writing this. Cassie Miller is such an underrated voice in the YA romance space. I finished the most devastating book before this, and I was on the verge of a major slump, but Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane gave me a second wind. The plot was so lighthearted and easy to read. It read like a Christmas movie. It was cheesy and wholesome at just the right moments while still providing a level of depth to the plot and the characters. It’s a hard balance, but Cassie did it phenomenally.
The characters in this book were phenomenal. I loved Gianna’s POV so much. She was a people pleaser struggling to make decisions for herself, but seeing her family and friends support her and help guide her decisions was so wholesome and healing. I would’ve liked to see a little more of her development, but I was content with everything I saw.
The love triangle in this GOT ME HOOKED. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m team James. James had another level of depth and maturity that I really appreciated. I felt for him constantly, and seeing him maintain his optimism and be a good friend not only to Gianna, but all her friends and Sam, was so healing. I was a little too invested in him at times…🤷🏻♀️ That being said, I did really love Sam. There were moments where he really shined and showed his heart. He was less extroverted compared to James, and it took more time for him to open up, but once he revealed all his depth, he was phenomenal. You really couldn’t go wrong.
All the Christmas references were phenomenal. She referenced one of my favorites (Charlie Brown Christmas) multiple times, which was such a perfect touch. I now have a lot of movies to binge.
There were a few kisses, a mention of multiple deaths of parents, and minor swearing.
I did, in fact, read a Christmas book in 90° heat, and I did blast Last Christmas while writing this. Cassie Miller is such an underrated voice in the YA romance space. I finished the most devastating book before this, and I was on the verge of a major slump, but Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane gave me a second wind. The plot was so lighthearted and easy to read. It read like a Christmas movie. It was cheesy and wholesome at just the right moments while still providing a level of depth to the plot and the characters. It’s a hard balance, but Cassie did it phenomenally.
The characters in this book were phenomenal. I loved Gianna’s POV so much. She was a people pleaser struggling to make decisions for herself, but seeing her family and friends support her and help guide her decisions was so wholesome and healing. I would’ve liked to see a little more of her development, but I was content with everything I saw.
The love triangle in this GOT ME HOOKED. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m team James. James had another level of depth and maturity that I really appreciated. I felt for him constantly, and seeing him maintain his optimism and be a good friend not only to Gianna, but all her friends and Sam, was so healing. I was a little too invested in him at times…🤷🏻♀️ That being said, I did really love Sam. There were moments where he really shined and showed his heart. He was less extroverted compared to James, and it took more time for him to open up, but once he revealed all his depth, he was phenomenal. You really couldn’t go wrong.
All the Christmas references were phenomenal. She referenced one of my favorites (Charlie Brown Christmas) multiple times, which was such a perfect touch. I now have a lot of movies to binge.
There were a few kisses, a mention of multiple deaths of parents, and minor swearing.
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