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The Rules of Love #9
Rule #9: You Can't Misinterpret a Mistletoe Kiss
A mistletoe kiss is just a simple kiss, right? Wrong.
All I want to do during this Christmas break is survive. A week at the cabin with our family’s friends/rivals, the Stephensons, every yuletide activity is turned into a competition where my family must win. Every. One.
Yep. Lots of Christmas spirit around here.
But, I've survived past holidays, there's no reason why I can't survive this one.
Until Mom informs me that Jacob Stephenson, my brother's ex-best friend and resident bad boy, is back from his grandmothers after having been gone for the semester. I guess, after you find out your son robbed a gas station, you banish him to the most southern state.
Now my ridiculous crush is back in full force and I’m trying really hard to stay away from him. My brother is frustrated that Jacob is home and I'm supposed to put my family above boys. Right?
Maybe…
I was attempting to be loyal until Jacob and I kiss. Sure, it was a forced one brought on by mistletoe tradition, but there was something in the way he held me and pressed his lips to mine that told me, he just might be feeling something more.
But when he keeps pulling away and acting like the bad boy I'm pretty sure is fake, I begin to realize that there's more at stake here then just my heart. A truth that is eating away at him. I just hope I can unearth it before Christmas is over and any chance that I have at discovering the real Jacob disappears.
All I want to do during this Christmas break is survive. A week at the cabin with our family’s friends/rivals, the Stephensons, every yuletide activity is turned into a competition where my family must win. Every. One.
Yep. Lots of Christmas spirit around here.
But, I've survived past holidays, there's no reason why I can't survive this one.
Until Mom informs me that Jacob Stephenson, my brother's ex-best friend and resident bad boy, is back from his grandmothers after having been gone for the semester. I guess, after you find out your son robbed a gas station, you banish him to the most southern state.
Now my ridiculous crush is back in full force and I’m trying really hard to stay away from him. My brother is frustrated that Jacob is home and I'm supposed to put my family above boys. Right?
Maybe…
I was attempting to be loyal until Jacob and I kiss. Sure, it was a forced one brought on by mistletoe tradition, but there was something in the way he held me and pressed his lips to mine that told me, he just might be feeling something more.
But when he keeps pulling away and acting like the bad boy I'm pretty sure is fake, I begin to realize that there's more at stake here then just my heart. A truth that is eating away at him. I just hope I can unearth it before Christmas is over and any chance that I have at discovering the real Jacob disappears.
156 pages, ebook
First published November 9, 2018
593 people are currently reading
2807 people want to read
About the author
Anne-Marie Meyer
113 books3,537 followersAnne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
January 15, 2019
3.5
Reading Challenge Categories:
-Beat the Backlist Reading Bingo: Characters who are twins
Reading Challenge Categories:
-Beat the Backlist Reading Bingo: Characters who are twins
November 6, 2018
3.5* rounding up
This has been such a fun series to read and enjoy. I thought that maybe book #3 would be the end, but I was pleasantly surprised and excited to see there would be a #4. Yay! And just in time to gear up for the Christmas reading season. This is a YA series and I think that teens are going to really love the books in this series. Others who are YA fans will probably enjoy them as well but I really think they are a great fit for the YA age group. I've definitely enjoyed my time spent reading this series and am looking forward to seeing if there will be a Rule #5 or more.
Is your family a bit competitive? I think I could say that my family is a good middle ground for being competitive. We definitely have our moments where we are more competitive and moments when we are less competitive. So I think saying we're in the middle would be an apt description. Ava's family...well that's a whole other story. They are tops in the competitive mold. There is nothing that they won't try to win, well ok, I should clarify and say, there is nothing legal that they wouldn't try to win. Jacob's family is right next to them in competition for the top spot of most competitive family. I had moments shaking my head at the ridiculousness of these two families. Sometimes I was giggling at them, other times I might have cringed. They definitely bring out the Christmas spirit for all involved...maybe.
Ava sure isn't feeling in the competitive mode. She's so over the craziness it brings out in her parents. She is definitely a good portrayal of a teenage girl who is kind and friendly. I found myself cheering for her through her ups and downs throughout the book. I liked the relationship dynamics that the author portrays with Ava and her three brothers. I'm a mother of several teenagers so I always appreciate a book (or movies/tv shows) that don't make the teenagers completely think that the parents are losers, stupid, clueless, easily manipulated. There are enough teenage emotions and life issues happening for teenagers to deal with that they don't need any added fuel to that perception. Thankfully in my house, my teens are pretty good about being kind and respectful (we have our moments though). Ava for the most part was respectful. She didn't always agree and occasionally she stepped up to be more of an adult figure than the adults in the book. I thought though that the ending with the parents realizing how they were acting was done well. This is a book written through a teenager's eyes and I felt that Ava was a sweet character.
There are plenty of moments of competition, tension between some of the characters, frustration from characters trying to figure out relationships and dynamics of relationships, some cutesy moments, some happy sigh moments, and some uncovering of truth.
Jacob was a character who was portrayed as the bad kid. It was interesting watching him through Ava's perspective and seeing his struggle with the situations. I can't expound on the situations because then I'd completely reveal everything. So just know there are different dynamics throughout that are pushing and pulling Jacob. He has to decide what he really wants and if he's willing to step forward and reach for it or if he'll let his past cripple him. And Ava was definitely a character who wasn't going to sit back and just watch. So if you're following this series, I will say that this wasn't my favorite of the four, but not in a negative way. I just enjoyed the storylines of the others better. This was still a cute story and a fun short read. If you're not following the series, you can read them in any order, they're all great as stand alone reads.
Content: Clean. There are a couple kissing scenes. The young couple end up in a bedroom together behind a closed door. For my house, our rule is no boys in the bedrooms and most especially no bedroom doors closed. So I'm not a huge fan of that aspect of this book. I know it won't matter to some readers but for me and my family, we have those boundaries and rules and if my daughters decide to read this we will be discussing that aspect of the book and I will be reminding them of our rules. Now, they end up not doing anything but sharing a kiss after a silly mishap with some chair spinning (I'm being vague on purpose) and falling on the floor, but nothing further than a kiss. Some of the kisses throughout the book are definitely described as pretty intense kisses which for me again isn't something I want my daughters doing until they are older and out of high school and a serious relationship can develop. I know I might seem old fashioned to some but these are my beliefs and what I teach my children and I thought I'd disclose it in my content section for those who would be appreciative to know. The intensity of a couple of the kisses, along with their ages just seemed a little more than what I prefer.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
This has been such a fun series to read and enjoy. I thought that maybe book #3 would be the end, but I was pleasantly surprised and excited to see there would be a #4. Yay! And just in time to gear up for the Christmas reading season. This is a YA series and I think that teens are going to really love the books in this series. Others who are YA fans will probably enjoy them as well but I really think they are a great fit for the YA age group. I've definitely enjoyed my time spent reading this series and am looking forward to seeing if there will be a Rule #5 or more.
Is your family a bit competitive? I think I could say that my family is a good middle ground for being competitive. We definitely have our moments where we are more competitive and moments when we are less competitive. So I think saying we're in the middle would be an apt description. Ava's family...well that's a whole other story. They are tops in the competitive mold. There is nothing that they won't try to win, well ok, I should clarify and say, there is nothing legal that they wouldn't try to win. Jacob's family is right next to them in competition for the top spot of most competitive family. I had moments shaking my head at the ridiculousness of these two families. Sometimes I was giggling at them, other times I might have cringed. They definitely bring out the Christmas spirit for all involved...maybe.
Ava sure isn't feeling in the competitive mode. She's so over the craziness it brings out in her parents. She is definitely a good portrayal of a teenage girl who is kind and friendly. I found myself cheering for her through her ups and downs throughout the book. I liked the relationship dynamics that the author portrays with Ava and her three brothers. I'm a mother of several teenagers so I always appreciate a book (or movies/tv shows) that don't make the teenagers completely think that the parents are losers, stupid, clueless, easily manipulated. There are enough teenage emotions and life issues happening for teenagers to deal with that they don't need any added fuel to that perception. Thankfully in my house, my teens are pretty good about being kind and respectful (we have our moments though). Ava for the most part was respectful. She didn't always agree and occasionally she stepped up to be more of an adult figure than the adults in the book. I thought though that the ending with the parents realizing how they were acting was done well. This is a book written through a teenager's eyes and I felt that Ava was a sweet character.
There are plenty of moments of competition, tension between some of the characters, frustration from characters trying to figure out relationships and dynamics of relationships, some cutesy moments, some happy sigh moments, and some uncovering of truth.
Jacob was a character who was portrayed as the bad kid. It was interesting watching him through Ava's perspective and seeing his struggle with the situations. I can't expound on the situations because then I'd completely reveal everything. So just know there are different dynamics throughout that are pushing and pulling Jacob. He has to decide what he really wants and if he's willing to step forward and reach for it or if he'll let his past cripple him. And Ava was definitely a character who wasn't going to sit back and just watch. So if you're following this series, I will say that this wasn't my favorite of the four, but not in a negative way. I just enjoyed the storylines of the others better. This was still a cute story and a fun short read. If you're not following the series, you can read them in any order, they're all great as stand alone reads.
Content: Clean. There are a couple kissing scenes. The young couple end up in a bedroom together behind a closed door. For my house, our rule is no boys in the bedrooms and most especially no bedroom doors closed. So I'm not a huge fan of that aspect of this book. I know it won't matter to some readers but for me and my family, we have those boundaries and rules and if my daughters decide to read this we will be discussing that aspect of the book and I will be reminding them of our rules. Now, they end up not doing anything but sharing a kiss after a silly mishap with some chair spinning (I'm being vague on purpose) and falling on the floor, but nothing further than a kiss. Some of the kisses throughout the book are definitely described as pretty intense kisses which for me again isn't something I want my daughters doing until they are older and out of high school and a serious relationship can develop. I know I might seem old fashioned to some but these are my beliefs and what I teach my children and I thought I'd disclose it in my content section for those who would be appreciative to know. The intensity of a couple of the kisses, along with their ages just seemed a little more than what I prefer.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
December 15, 2018
Cute!
This is a very cute young adult romance set at Christmas. Young love, first love. Very sweet. I loved the reminder that Christmas isn't about being perfect or having perfect activities. It's about love. And family.
This is a very cute young adult romance set at Christmas. Young love, first love. Very sweet. I loved the reminder that Christmas isn't about being perfect or having perfect activities. It's about love. And family.
October 30, 2018
Bad Influence
He’s the family’s best friend but he’s also a bad influence and Ava’s too good for him... right?? Ava feels that she’s just the dorky little sister and bad boy Jacob will never see her as anything else... But when the families start to unravel from too much competition, will the truth finally come out? Who is the “real” bad boy and will the families ever recover? Will friendships be severed forever?
He’s the family’s best friend but he’s also a bad influence and Ava’s too good for him... right?? Ava feels that she’s just the dorky little sister and bad boy Jacob will never see her as anything else... But when the families start to unravel from too much competition, will the truth finally come out? Who is the “real” bad boy and will the families ever recover? Will friendships be severed forever?
November 7, 2018
Best friends and worst enemies pretty much sums up the relationship that Jacob's and Ava'a families have with each other and Christmas is a perfect time to keep the competition alive and well. Jacob has the rap of being a bad boy, but Ava can't ignore the attraction she feels towards him and the feeling she has that there is more to meet the eye where he is concerned. Ava, on the other hand, is innocent and naive.
The pull of this opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers chemistry is undeniably sweet, but I wasn't a fan of the way Jacob's family, especially his mother, treats him. I also wanted justice to be served to those who truly deserved it. I felt so bad for Ava--that is NOT how I would have wanted my first kiss to go down. But wowza--what a kiss it was. And that kiss was the whisper of things to come.
This is a sweet and fun holiday romance, balanced with some frustrating competition and people.
Content: mild romance (kissing, some of it was behind a closed bedroom door, but nothing more than kissing happened)
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were given voluntarily.*
The pull of this opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers chemistry is undeniably sweet, but I wasn't a fan of the way Jacob's family, especially his mother, treats him. I also wanted justice to be served to those who truly deserved it. I felt so bad for Ava--that is NOT how I would have wanted my first kiss to go down. But wowza--what a kiss it was. And that kiss was the whisper of things to come.
This is a sweet and fun holiday romance, balanced with some frustrating competition and people.
Content: mild romance (kissing, some of it was behind a closed bedroom door, but nothing more than kissing happened)
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were given voluntarily.*
November 14, 2025
Cute YA novella for teenage girls that like romance. A young girl falls for a family friends son, and she single handedly saves the holidays by helping everyone to remember what’s truly important and revealing the truth from the past.
November 22, 2018
A cute romp through the teenage world of angst and crushes.
Two competitive families go on holiday together in a cabin in the woods. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, and there is plenty of that.
All the parents are over the top.
There are secrets and deep misunderstandings. And the kids eventually call the parents to correct their foolish ways.
If you're looking for a romantic comedy holiday style, then you have the right book.
Two competitive families go on holiday together in a cabin in the woods. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, and there is plenty of that.
All the parents are over the top.
There are secrets and deep misunderstandings. And the kids eventually call the parents to correct their foolish ways.
If you're looking for a romantic comedy holiday style, then you have the right book.
July 28, 2021
Finally we have a different sort of main protagonist, than in the first 3 books. Ava has blonde hair and is kind, caring and full of fun and daring. She is a very likable character. I felt so sorry for how everyone treated Jacob. I enjoyed the concept of this book. However, I thought it was way too short! But, definitely the best book I've read from this author.
July 25, 2020
Cute heartwarming story. Everything resolved easily, and it was fairly obvious what happened, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Happened to read it for Christmas in July!
Reading scavenger hunt: plant/flower in the title
Happened to read it for Christmas in July!
Reading scavenger hunt: plant/flower in the title
November 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this story! It's such a sweet holiday romance. Ava and Jacob working to be together despite their families' fued was heartwarming. They are just so cute, and their story is one of my favorites. I highly recommend this book!
December 17, 2024
3.25 ⭐
Honestly it was too quick, I prefer this book over a lot of the other books, the start was actually sort of enjoyable but it's annoying how they are all essentially the same book and it just always ends with a bad taste in my mouth from a horrible ending to all of the books
Honestly it was too quick, I prefer this book over a lot of the other books, the start was actually sort of enjoyable but it's annoying how they are all essentially the same book and it just always ends with a bad taste in my mouth from a horrible ending to all of the books
January 15, 2024
It felt like I was missing a little backstory, but other than that it was good enough. I'd recommend it to high schoolers.
3.5 Stars
Content: kissing
3.5 Stars
Content: kissing
December 7, 2018
Under the mistletoe where you will be kissed 💋
•••• there’s a possibility of a few spoilers here and there because I couldn’t shut up and not put a spoiler ALERT in my review••••
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
•**** This story will get a 3.5 star because it was good enough to read! So here’s my little short review:
Hmm, this book was alright wasn’t my cup of tea maybe because I’m so not into Christmas books too much. But this series; it has alright series.. not good, but it will keep your interest long enough actually to finish it. Both Ava and Jacob story was okay; I like how Ava stood up to both of their parents because it was ridiculous how they treated Jacob until the truth came out! Then everything changes; that’s why you shouldn’t be so quick to judge or change up on someone just because you learn, see or hear things about them; or things they did. Halftime, it’s not true. It was actually Ava brother fault and not Jacob he was actually taking the blame for what Andrew did, if you look at it, Jacob; was actually a good friend towards Andrew, I don’t understand how he was the one to be mad with Jacob; when Jacob had all the right to be mad with him. And Ava; put him in his place along with the parents.
•••• there’s a possibility of a few spoilers here and there because I couldn’t shut up and not put a spoiler ALERT in my review••••
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
•**** This story will get a 3.5 star because it was good enough to read! So here’s my little short review:
Hmm, this book was alright wasn’t my cup of tea maybe because I’m so not into Christmas books too much. But this series; it has alright series.. not good, but it will keep your interest long enough actually to finish it. Both Ava and Jacob story was okay; I like how Ava stood up to both of their parents because it was ridiculous how they treated Jacob until the truth came out! Then everything changes; that’s why you shouldn’t be so quick to judge or change up on someone just because you learn, see or hear things about them; or things they did. Halftime, it’s not true. It was actually Ava brother fault and not Jacob he was actually taking the blame for what Andrew did, if you look at it, Jacob; was actually a good friend towards Andrew, I don’t understand how he was the one to be mad with Jacob; when Jacob had all the right to be mad with him. And Ava; put him in his place along with the parents.
February 20, 2021
5 Star Kindle Unlimited Read
This is a wonderful YA series for High School age teens. It full of first love and the gentle emotion that surrounds it. Plus, this one had an edgy side of how parents can be wrong and the cruelty of the wrong assumptions. On a side note, it can take the adult reads down memory lane with their first crush as well. A welcomed read for any YA, NA, or parent alike.
This is a wonderful YA series for High School age teens. It full of first love and the gentle emotion that surrounds it. Plus, this one had an edgy side of how parents can be wrong and the cruelty of the wrong assumptions. On a side note, it can take the adult reads down memory lane with their first crush as well. A welcomed read for any YA, NA, or parent alike.
September 10, 2020
This YA sweet romance book was something I wished was longer.
The story was weird but worked out with the crazy parents and the competition, nevertheless I kind of wonder how the dynamics were so cool when both families had their teenagers involved in robbing a store and one of them being at blame while the other was just tagging along... I mean, really? 🤨 And here’s where I feel that it was kind of rushed because maybe they worked it through but we did not have time to know that part of the story so I felt kind of unbelievable without more context.
Now, the main couple (Ava and Jacob) had lots of chemistry but it felt rushed or not clear enough for me in some aspects. Did they have previous history? We know that Ava liked him before but what about Jacob? Maybe stating there but explaining that Jake always felt the crush was unrequited so he decided to try things with the Michelle character or something...
Also, I have many questions still. Example, why was Andrew mad at Jacob? Why was he acting angry instead of grateful towards the friend that literally was helping out?
Jacob wanted to achieve what with “Michelle”? Why was she so important for him to go somewhere else? And then just coming back and that’s it? Ava has impact in the decision? Jacob decided to come back to be close to her? This argument had lots of potential to make a longer book about it though.
Many of these questions were not very profoundly approached and it seemed that there was lots of potential for it.
Anyway, it’s an enjoyable quick read.
The story was weird but worked out with the crazy parents and the competition, nevertheless I kind of wonder how the dynamics were so cool when both families had their teenagers involved in robbing a store and one of them being at blame while the other was just tagging along... I mean, really? 🤨 And here’s where I feel that it was kind of rushed because maybe they worked it through but we did not have time to know that part of the story so I felt kind of unbelievable without more context.
Now, the main couple (Ava and Jacob) had lots of chemistry but it felt rushed or not clear enough for me in some aspects. Did they have previous history? We know that Ava liked him before but what about Jacob? Maybe stating there but explaining that Jake always felt the crush was unrequited so he decided to try things with the Michelle character or something...
Also, I have many questions still. Example, why was Andrew mad at Jacob? Why was he acting angry instead of grateful towards the friend that literally was helping out?
Jacob wanted to achieve what with “Michelle”? Why was she so important for him to go somewhere else? And then just coming back and that’s it? Ava has impact in the decision? Jacob decided to come back to be close to her? This argument had lots of potential to make a longer book about it though.
Many of these questions were not very profoundly approached and it seemed that there was lots of potential for it.
Anyway, it’s an enjoyable quick read.
December 21, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this story though I did think it could've been longer. It was a little short. It felt rushed at the end which, unfortunately, is common for this author. However she manages to weave such cute stories together that I can usually, not always, overlook the endings.
I knew from the beginning because of how the boys were acting that Andrew was actually the one who had gotten into trouble. I hated how he treated his friend. He had taken the fall for him and Andrew treated him like he didn't matter.
Jakob's parents treated him the same way. His own parents! WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THEM? I just wanted to smack them. Wake them up. Something. It sucks that the minute they find out he wasn't really a delinquent they change their tune. They should have supported him regardless of what he supposedly did. It's called unconditional love.
Ava was one of the few main characters that I have read in this series that i actually enjoyed. I didn't find her annoying which was refreshing. I loved that she stood up for herself (it took a minute) and for the other kids there. Somebody needed to call them on their crap. I'm glad it was her. Too often with this author the main character doesn't do it and it is frustrating. It was nice that this character did it.
It was an enjoyable read that I got to enjoy at Christmas.
I knew from the beginning because of how the boys were acting that Andrew was actually the one who had gotten into trouble. I hated how he treated his friend. He had taken the fall for him and Andrew treated him like he didn't matter.
Jakob's parents treated him the same way. His own parents! WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THEM? I just wanted to smack them. Wake them up. Something. It sucks that the minute they find out he wasn't really a delinquent they change their tune. They should have supported him regardless of what he supposedly did. It's called unconditional love.
Ava was one of the few main characters that I have read in this series that i actually enjoyed. I didn't find her annoying which was refreshing. I loved that she stood up for herself (it took a minute) and for the other kids there. Somebody needed to call them on their crap. I'm glad it was her. Too often with this author the main character doesn't do it and it is frustrating. It was nice that this character did it.
It was an enjoyable read that I got to enjoy at Christmas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2019
It was a fine book.
There just wasn't much to it. There were a few things going on but they were all very surface level issues.
It was evident from the beginning that something more was going on between Andrew and Jacob. After we found out what it was, there was no resolution between the boys. Sure their families knew the truth, but what happened to their friendship afterwards?
I really disliked the mothers. Both of them were very accusatory of Jacob and later Andrew. They literally called their sons criminals and delinquents. And Ava's mother stating that kissing Jacob will eventually find her pregnant, have some faith in your own daughter!
There were also a few lines in there that just didn't fit, like the one about Max being adopted for some reason.
I enjoyed the other books. I think if this one had been a full length story, I may have enjoyed it more and seeing more of the characters and the plot.
There just wasn't much to it. There were a few things going on but they were all very surface level issues.
It was evident from the beginning that something more was going on between Andrew and Jacob. After we found out what it was, there was no resolution between the boys. Sure their families knew the truth, but what happened to their friendship afterwards?
I really disliked the mothers. Both of them were very accusatory of Jacob and later Andrew. They literally called their sons criminals and delinquents. And Ava's mother stating that kissing Jacob will eventually find her pregnant, have some faith in your own daughter!
There were also a few lines in there that just didn't fit, like the one about Max being adopted for some reason.
I enjoyed the other books. I think if this one had been a full length story, I may have enjoyed it more and seeing more of the characters and the plot.
February 15, 2019
>Book Review – Rule #4: You Can’t Misinterpret a Mistletoe Kiss
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 4th in the Rules of Love series and ends in an HEA. This story has 2 very unbelievable families in it. These families make a competition out of everything, to the point of being ridiculous. The kids don’t even have fun anymore. Ava is the oldest daughter of one family. She has a crush on the oldest bad boy son of the other family, Jacob. Jacob was sent away for a semester as punishment for robbing a store. Seeing Jacob and Ava together, the reader can tell that there is no way Jacob robbed anything. He is a conscientious and mature kid.
>I especially hated how Jacob’s parents treated him like a loser. Ava kept trying to stick up for him, but no one would believe her. The romance was sweet, but the other siblings were never developed. This book is appropriate for a young adult (16+) audience. I am giving this story 3 stars.
December 3, 2019
The truth will set you free
Ava is so over her family's competition with the Stephensons. She's also trying to figure out what's up with Jacob Stephenson - who used to be best friends with her brother, before he got in trouble, but now they don't speak to each other anymore.
This is a really good story, and it has some funny moments, but also some serious ones as the parents of the two families - esp Jacob's - have some issues, & it just made my heart hurt, esp for Jacob.
Once you find out what's going on & what happened, everything is sort of turned on its head. The happily-ever-after is sweet for Ava & Jacob, though a little bittersweet, but carries the promise of healing for the families
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
(I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
Ava is so over her family's competition with the Stephensons. She's also trying to figure out what's up with Jacob Stephenson - who used to be best friends with her brother, before he got in trouble, but now they don't speak to each other anymore.
This is a really good story, and it has some funny moments, but also some serious ones as the parents of the two families - esp Jacob's - have some issues, & it just made my heart hurt, esp for Jacob.
Once you find out what's going on & what happened, everything is sort of turned on its head. The happily-ever-after is sweet for Ava & Jacob, though a little bittersweet, but carries the promise of healing for the families
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
(I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
January 3, 2026
🎀tropes: forbidden romance, family friend
「 my thoughts 」
3.5⭐️ this book was actually pretty cute!! i knew from the beginning that andrew did something jacob was too nice and andrew was acting too weird about it all
。၄၃ characters ၄၃ 。
॥ ava॥ : i loved how she fought for what she wanted (jacob, a fun christmas) even though everyone was judging them
॥ jacob॥: i feel so bad for him the way he was treated by everyone except ava was horrible, and his parents were the worst of them all
॥ andrew॥: what a jerk he is genuinely a horrible person that’s all i have to say
॥ mr and mrs stephenson॥ : how could they treat their own son like that i don’t like them at all
॥ ava’s mom and dad॥ : honestly i thought they were so rude
「 my thoughts 」
3.5⭐️ this book was actually pretty cute!! i knew from the beginning that andrew did something jacob was too nice and andrew was acting too weird about it all
。၄၃ characters ၄၃ 。
॥ ava॥ : i loved how she fought for what she wanted (jacob, a fun christmas) even though everyone was judging them
॥ jacob॥: i feel so bad for him the way he was treated by everyone except ava was horrible, and his parents were the worst of them all
॥ andrew॥: what a jerk he is genuinely a horrible person that’s all i have to say
॥ mr and mrs stephenson॥ : how could they treat their own son like that i don’t like them at all
॥ ava’s mom and dad॥ : honestly i thought they were so rude
November 9, 2018
I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by this author and I wasn’t disappointed with this read. The Stephenson family and the Rogers family are best friends, but they are always competing to be the best family. They’re all spending Christmas together and when Ava learns Jacob, her longtime crush, will be there, the butterflies start. Can Jacob and Ava be together since Jacob and Ava’s brother, Andrew, are no longer best friends? Of course, there has to be a competition between the families concerning Christmas, lol. I loved all the younger kiddos. If you’re looking for a quick holiday read, this will not disappoint. Grab your copy and get ready to laugh out loud.
December 19, 2018
Fantastic!!
As a grown woman with a teenager, there’s something about YA books that you can’t get from any other genre. For me, it’s all about nostalgia. This is now the second book I’ve read from this author and I’ve been hit with that wonderful feeling both times!
I loved Ava! She was sweet and completely likable! But what I truly admired about her was that she didn’t give up on Jacob and kept pushing for the truth! And put all the parents in their places!!! Jacob’s parents were so horrible to him, I had to stop myself from grinding my teeth! This was definitely a sweet first time romance read with plenty of lessons taught!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
As a grown woman with a teenager, there’s something about YA books that you can’t get from any other genre. For me, it’s all about nostalgia. This is now the second book I’ve read from this author and I’ve been hit with that wonderful feeling both times!
I loved Ava! She was sweet and completely likable! But what I truly admired about her was that she didn’t give up on Jacob and kept pushing for the truth! And put all the parents in their places!!! Jacob’s parents were so horrible to him, I had to stop myself from grinding my teeth! This was definitely a sweet first time romance read with plenty of lessons taught!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
December 1, 2019
A great read at Christmas or anytime. Another fun book in the series. This is my fifth in the series. They don’t have to be read in order. Young love is fun. Jacob is friends with Ava’s brother. Well, that is until last year when Jacob robbed a gas store. Now Ava is seeing Jacob for the first time since he was sent to live with his Aunt. It’s Christmas and with Ava and Jacob’s parents everything is always a competition. This Christmas everyone has to figure out how to move forward after the robbery. Ava has always crushed on Jacob so having him around as the bad boy is even more of a challenge in this sweet romance.
December 4, 2019
I’ve enjoyed reading/listening to many books where the main character is in high school, but this book made me feel too old for it. I found the main character to be quite dramatic about her crush and her use of “literally” grated on me a few times. I did appreciate that she stood up for mistreatment and helped to fix some wrongs that she found. The parents were over the top and I was quite surprised that they’d push their teens into a better mistletoe kiss (especially given their reaction to something else later in the story). 2.5 stars
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2021
I know it's Young Adult but the characters sounded like they were 10-12 year old most of the time.
It should have been a cute story, but the amount of misogyny and silly stereotypes was too much for me to handle:
-the dads were arm wrestling while the mums were cooking
-"Everyone was crying - well, the mums were, obviously"
- the mysterious bad boy that only *I* really know (although we havent had any real convos so far)
.. the list goes on and on.
Also, two sets of parents encouraging their kids to kiss under the mistletoe to show who's the better kisser? I think that scene was my breaking point.
It should have been a cute story, but the amount of misogyny and silly stereotypes was too much for me to handle:
-the dads were arm wrestling while the mums were cooking
-"Everyone was crying - well, the mums were, obviously"
- the mysterious bad boy that only *I* really know (although we havent had any real convos so far)
.. the list goes on and on.
Also, two sets of parents encouraging their kids to kiss under the mistletoe to show who's the better kisser? I think that scene was my breaking point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2019
Two families spending Christmas together but let competition get in their way of really celebrating. Love Ava even though there were a few times when she sounded disrespectful to her parents - even though I understood why. Jacob was a sweetheart with her and I felt for him. This book was a romance but really more about finding out the truth, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing - I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong. Thought the narrator did a great job of switching voices.
June 18, 2022
3.25/5 ⭐️ Honestly, the way it started off ruined most of it. The parents of both families are childish and obnoxious. Especially when they blamed Jacob. And I cannot stand Andrew. How dare he make it seem as if Jacob was guilty. And then blame him for their friendship’s falling out. Also, why do they always ‘break up’ when they were never together to begin with? But the twins, Aiden and Alex, Tracy, and Max are the best. They’re adorable. I’m just glad Jacob and Ava were able to get together in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2018
I enjoyed this story because of Ava Rogers , who was tired of the constant competition between her family and the Stephenson family. She is quite mature for her age. I also liked that telling the truth and forgiving were important elements in this story. Leave it to the children to put the fun back into their Christmas and win the Christmas tree contest. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
November 21, 2018
Cute for christmas
The 1st book in this series is still my favorite. And I know what was going to happen in this story from the get go. (It was similar to another book I read) however, it was good enough to keep reading to see how it played out. Liked the main characters. The competition stuff wasn't my favorite. But it was a twist on the plot, so that was nice. Overall a good Christmas read
The 1st book in this series is still my favorite. And I know what was going to happen in this story from the get go. (It was similar to another book I read) however, it was good enough to keep reading to see how it played out. Liked the main characters. The competition stuff wasn't my favorite. But it was a twist on the plot, so that was nice. Overall a good Christmas read
March 16, 2019
Awesome
This is one really interesting and wonderful book. Absolutely amazong series. Ava and Jacob were so great together. Of course there are definitely complications as in there parents are best friends but have to compete on everything and hes her brothers ex best friend. She knows there more to the story than they are letting on. She has had a crush on for a long time and isnt going to let anything stop her and determined to make this Christmas fun again.
This is one really interesting and wonderful book. Absolutely amazong series. Ava and Jacob were so great together. Of course there are definitely complications as in there parents are best friends but have to compete on everything and hes her brothers ex best friend. She knows there more to the story than they are letting on. She has had a crush on for a long time and isnt going to let anything stop her and determined to make this Christmas fun again.
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