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Make-Believe Mistletoe
When an ice storm left professor Lucy Guerin stranded in rural Arkansas, she was forced to accept shelter in the secluded home of woodworker Richard Banner. Handsome as sin and twice as grumpy, Banner was not quite what Lucy had envisioned when she'd added "eligible bachelor" to her Christmas wish list.
But his awkward kindness - and a rare smile that warmed her insides - were more than she'd bargained for. And his reluctance to open his home - or his heart - to anyone was a challenge she was ready to face. Wasn't Christmas the season for miracles? Well, Lucy would entice Banner to slip under the mistletoe with her... and then she'd tempt him with a love he could believe in.
But his awkward kindness - and a rare smile that warmed her insides - were more than she'd bargained for. And his reluctance to open his home - or his heart - to anyone was a challenge she was ready to face. Wasn't Christmas the season for miracles? Well, Lucy would entice Banner to slip under the mistletoe with her... and then she'd tempt him with a love he could believe in.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2003
5 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Gina Wilkins
383 books85 followersGina is known as: Gina Ferris, Gina Ferris Wilkins and Gina Wilkins. If looking for a specific book please check all names.
Gina Wilkins sold her first book to Harlequin in 1987, and has been writing full-time ever since, publishing more than 90 books for Harlequin/Silhouette. Her books are translated into 20 languages. A lifelong resident of central Arkansas, she attended Arkansas State University, obtaining a degree in journalism. She pursued careers in advertising and human resource development before achieving her lifelong goal of becoming a published writer. The bestselling author is a four-time winner of the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence sponsored by the Georgia Romance Writers, and has won several awards from the reviewers of Romantic Times magazine. She was a recent nominee for a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Diamond State Romance Authors and Novelists, Inc., she is a past president of Fiction Writers of Central Arkansas. She is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences, civic organizations and in middle and senior high schools, where she focuses on literacy and goal setting.
Gina and John, her husband of more than 30 years, have raised three “extraordinary” children, two daughters and a son, all pursuing careers in science and medicine.
Gina Wilkins sold her first book to Harlequin in 1987, and has been writing full-time ever since, publishing more than 90 books for Harlequin/Silhouette. Her books are translated into 20 languages. A lifelong resident of central Arkansas, she attended Arkansas State University, obtaining a degree in journalism. She pursued careers in advertising and human resource development before achieving her lifelong goal of becoming a published writer. The bestselling author is a four-time winner of the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence sponsored by the Georgia Romance Writers, and has won several awards from the reviewers of Romantic Times magazine. She was a recent nominee for a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Diamond State Romance Authors and Novelists, Inc., she is a past president of Fiction Writers of Central Arkansas. She is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences, civic organizations and in middle and senior high schools, where she focuses on literacy and goal setting.
Gina and John, her husband of more than 30 years, have raised three “extraordinary” children, two daughters and a son, all pursuing careers in science and medicine.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 15, 2016
I loved this book from beginning to end! All these strangers being stranded together at Banner's house and somehow coming together to make it work for Christmas was simply amazing. The camaraderie and warm feelings in here made this the perfect mild romance. These characters all needed a happily ever after and this is the season for miracles.
December 27, 2024
Love this book. I read it almost every christmas. Beautiful.
March 16, 2026
When an ice storm left professor Lucy Guerin stranded in rural Arkansas, she was forced to accept shelter in the secluded home of woodworker Richard Banner. Handsome as sin and twice as grumpy, Banner was not quite what Lucy had envisioned when she'd added "eligible bachelor" to her Christmas wish list.
But his awkward kindness - and a rare smile that warmed her insides - were more than she'd bargained for. And his reluctance to open his home - or his heart - to anyone was a challenge she was ready to face. Wasn't Christmas the season for miracles? Well, Lucy would entice Banner to slip under the mistletoe with her... and then she'd tempt him with a love he could believe in.
December 26, 2022
This was pretty underwhelming, AND closed door.
The characters were alright, but everyone kept talking about how bossy the FMC is, and then the author would try to make up for it by throwing in blatantly feminist thoughts that didn’t really flow with when they were thrown in.
The characters were alright, but everyone kept talking about how bossy the FMC is, and then the author would try to make up for it by throwing in blatantly feminist thoughts that didn’t really flow with when they were thrown in.
December 3, 2014
Lucy is trying to get to her aunt's house for Christmas. She asked Santa for a man for Christmas, jokingly to herself. The roads are getting icier by the minute. She sees a driveway and heads for it. Then a truck pulls in behind her and as she gets the gate open another car drives in. She goes to the door and it is opened by a gorgeous man. He is reluctant to let the people in but he sees the weather is bad. Just then a tractor trailer pulls off the road and ends up in the ditch. This bunch of people get stranded at Banner's home for a couple of days.
Lucy is drawn to Banner. She can tell he doesn't really want the people in his home but he is kind enough to be welcoming. He is bewitched by her. He is not good with people. He gets tongue-tied every time he looks at Lucy but she just makes her way into his life. What will happen after the roads clear and everyone can leave?
I liked this book. It was a very sweet story of two people falling in love.
Lucy is drawn to Banner. She can tell he doesn't really want the people in his home but he is kind enough to be welcoming. He is bewitched by her. He is not good with people. He gets tongue-tied every time he looks at Lucy but she just makes her way into his life. What will happen after the roads clear and everyone can leave?
I liked this book. It was a very sweet story of two people falling in love.
December 10, 2012
This was a really nice Christmas story. The male and female romantic characters are involved with more than themselves. The characters become involved as the the male (sort of recluse) must become a good samaritan for several people who become stranded in a snowstorm on a road near his home on December 23rd. Our female has a Christmas wish list (for a man lol) and she tries making him fit it. There's a lot more going on than that but you'll just have to read the story to find out what happens (to all).
March 28, 2013
Interesting story about people stranded in an ice storm,first a woman,then another woman and her two children,a truck driver and an elderly couple.All on their way to celebrate Christmas with loved ones.They all happen apone a house with a man who lives there and isn't happy about his unexpected guests.After they are all there for a few days and haveing to spend Christmas eve and part of christmas day together, they become almost a family of sorts.And to find out how it ends you'll have to read it.An endearing story.I enjoyed it quite alot.
February 12, 2016
One of the sweetest Christmas books I've read. I had bought it for my mom and she told me I had to read it and she was right, it was really good. With Christmas eve just a day away, traveling through an ice storm, travelers find that they can't travel any further and they all find themselves stranded in front of Banner's house. What was recluse, Banner, and his ugly dog, Hulk, to do when a single mom with 2 young kids, an elderly couple, a truck driver, and Lucy show up stranded on his doorstep?
December 22, 2025
3⭐️ {Book}
I read this one years ago and found I still had it on my bookshelf. I remember it being cozy and cute and it was a “I’m stranded for the holidays” trope. Grumpy Banner and his pup. It isn’t fresh enough to write a full review but it was an easy holiday read.
I read this one years ago and found I still had it on my bookshelf. I remember it being cozy and cute and it was a “I’m stranded for the holidays” trope. Grumpy Banner and his pup. It isn’t fresh enough to write a full review but it was an easy holiday read.
December 14, 2010
I've enjoyed Gina Wilkins before, but this book lacked the spark her writing usually has. I found myself more interested in the minor characters than in the main couple.
November 30, 2015
Fantastic Christmas story !
November 11, 2016
I really enjoyed the first part. How they spent Christmas together. It was a cozy read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews